REO Speedwagon boasts a catalog filled with unforgettable tracks, but “Keep On Loving You” stands out as one of their most enduring and iconic songs. This power ballad, released in 1980, not only topped the charts in the US but also redefined REO Speedwagon’s sound and solidified their place in music history.
Penned by the band’s frontman, Kevin Cronin, “Keep On Loving You” began as a simple love ballad. However, the magic happened when REO Speedwagon transformed it into the powerful anthem we know today. Cronin himself recalls the initial skepticism from his bandmates. As they were compiling songs for a new record, his bandmates were taken aback by the song’s softer, more romantic nature. They questioned if it even fit the REO Speedwagon mold.
REO Speedwagon performing Keep on Loving You
Cronin, however, was deeply passionate about the song. He firmly believed in its potential, arguing that as the primary songwriter, anything he wrote was inherently an REO Speedwagon song, and it was the band’s role to shape it into their signature style. His conviction proved to be the catalyst for a musical transformation. Guitarist Gary Richrath stepped in, adding powerful chords that elevated the ballad to soaring heights. This accidental fusion of heartfelt lyrics and rock instrumentation created the quintessential power ballad.
The result was nothing short of phenomenal. “Keep On Loving You” soared to number one, becoming a defining track for REO Speedwagon and the power ballad genre itself. Cronin reflects on this unexpected success with a touch of humor, admitting that it wasn’t a calculated strategy but rather a fortunate accident that propelled “Keep On Loving You” and REO Speedwagon to even greater heights within the realm of iconic rock songs.
