“Keep On Loving You” by REO Speedwagon stands as one of the most iconic power ballads in rock history. Released in 1980, this chart-topping single cemented the band’s place in music legend. Penned by Kevin Cronin, the song’s journey from a simple love ballad to a stadium-filling anthem is a testament to the collaborative spirit within REO Speedwagon and a touch of serendipity.
Cronin initially conceived “Keep On Loving You” as a more traditional, softer love song. However, when he presented it to his bandmates for their upcoming record, the initial reaction was lukewarm. As Cronin recounts, “The guys in the band looked at me like I was from another planet. They were like, ‘What are you…?’ because we were all bringing in songs for this record we were going to make and they looked at me like I was crazy.” The band members questioned if it even sounded like a typical REO Speedwagon song.
Despite the initial skepticism, Cronin passionately defended his creation. He asserted his role as the primary songwriter, stating, “‘You know what? I’m the main songwriter for REO Speedwagon, so if I write a song, it’s an REO Speedwagon song. It’s the band’s job to turn it into an REO Speedwagon song.'” His conviction proved infectious.
REO Speedwagon performing Keep on Loving You
Guitarist Gary Richrath played a pivotal role in transforming the ballad. As Cronin describes, “Gary [Richrath] went over, plugged in his guitar and started playing power chords to this little love song I wrote.” This spontaneous addition of powerful guitar chords injected a new energy and dimension into the song, morphing it into the power ballad that would resonate with millions.
The rest, as they say, is history. “Keep On Loving You” soared to number one in the United States, becoming a defining track of the 1980s and a cornerstone of REO Speedwagon’s discography. Cronin himself reflects on the song’s unexpected evolution and success with a hint of amusement: “The next thing we knew, it was a number one record and everyone was calling it a power ballad and acted like we had this strategy for success that made this song happen when really it was just an accident.” This “accident” not only became a hit but also profoundly influenced REO Speedwagon’s subsequent musical direction, inspiring many of their future singles and solidifying their status within the realm of iconic Reo Songs.
