Disco de Taylor Dayne: “Can't Fight Fate”

Taylor Dayne is one of the most underrated pop artists of the last 20 years. Her voice is immense, her songs are some of the best pop gems of the last two decades. She is definitely in my top 10 favorite women singers of all time. In the late 80's and early 90's, she dominated the pop charts along with the likes of other dance pop divas such as Paula Abdul and Jody Watley.

This was her second and probably best album. It spawned four top 20 hits and showed that Ms Dayne had a knack for pop music. The first single "With Every Beat of My Heart" is in the tradition of the her hit singles from her debut. It's very catchy and gave her a huge top 10 hit. The hits kept coming from there. "Love Will Lead You Back" is probably her signature song and became her only #1 hit. With its soulful singing and beautiful chorus, the song is still recognizable today. "I'll Be Your Shelter" was also a top 5 hit. Like LWLYB, it was also written by Diane Warren and showed Taylor Dayne at the top of her game belting it out. Who can resist those "Na na na's?" "Heart of Stone" wasn't as successful as the other three monster hits, but was still a hit nethertheless cracking the top 20. But the singles aren't the only good songs on here. "Up All Night" could've easily been a hit with its dance beat and great vocals. "You Meant the World To Me" is also definitely a favorite of mine. It's catchy as hell and it's a real shame it was never a single.

I really hope that Taylor Dayne makes a comeback. She was huge from 1988-1993 and that era produced some of the best pop music ever with help from her. All pop fans need to check out her music. You won't be disappointed.

Taylor Dayne's second CD, "You Can't Fight Fate," was one of my favorite CDs of 1990. While her first CD was rushed out to capitalize on the surprise success of her first hit, "Tell It To My Heart," it was clear that with this CD, Arista was grooming her for stardom. The production was tighter, the songwriters included such heavy hitters as Diane Warren and Marvin Hamlisch, and the packaging was first-rate. This CD spawned four major hits, including the #1 single, "Love Will Lead You Back" and sold more than two million copies in the US. Unfortunately she was unable to maintain the momentum that this CD created, but you can still enjoy the great music Taylor recorded here.

It was clear from the outset that Clive Davis, Arista's president, wanted to move Taylor out of the dance music scene where she began. The CD was kicked off with a dancey pop song, "With Every Beat Of My Heart." This song was a throwback to Taylor's first two hits, but with enough pop elements in it to have broader-based appeal. The next two singles, the ballad "Love Will Lead You Back" and Tina Turner-soundalike "I'll Be Your Shelter," were designed to continue to show her versatility. And certainly Taylor was versatile - she could handle ballads, dance tracks, and rock rave-ups with equal aplomb. In fact, I would argue that Taylor is more of a rock singer than a dance singer - her two best performances on this CD are the most rock-influenced. The confidence she displays on "You Can't Fight Fate" (which shares a riff with "Back in Black") and "Ain't No Good" brings both songs home.

The true mark of a good pop album is the quality of the non-singles, and "You Can't Fight Fate" overflows with overlooked singles. "Up All Night", "Wait For Me", and "You Meant The World To Me" are all fast-paced, toe-tapping songs, while "I Know The Feeling" is a torchy ballad. Personally, I like "You Can't Fight Fate" (a smash hit in the waiting) and "Ain't No Good" because they are the least formulaic songs on here. However, even the more formulaic songs have their charms.

The bottom line is, if you liked the singles from this CD, you'll love the whole CD. Buy it now and you won't be disappointed. Very few pop albums are this satisfying.

Taylor Dayne's vocal power is showcased on this excellent follow-up album to the double platinum, "Tell It To My Heart". Taylor adds 4 more hit singles to her collection and a number 1 smash "Love Will Lead You Back". She is truly one of Pop music's finest voices and she continues to grow artistically. Look for her new album to hit stores Oct. 6th '98!

One of the few artists to avoid the sophomore jinx, Dayne created a brilliant gem of a pop albume with You Can't Fight Fate. The true test of an album is that it stands the test of time, and sure enough, Dayne's second release retains its power and brilliance more than a decade later.

What's truly shameful is that this talented woman was lost in the backlash of grunge against pop. Musical styles not withstanding, this woman has the vocal chops to handle any genre of music thrown at her, be it pop, blues, or rock.

Truly the standout track on this album is the phenomenal "I'll Be Your Shelter." Beautifully written by Diane Warren and perfectly executed by Dayne, it showcases that incredible voice, and shows glints of what's to come with Soul Dancing and Naked Without You.

Can't Fight Fate is forty-three minutes and eleven seconds long and was released on October 7, 1989. Can't Fight Fate reached #25 on the US Billboard Album 200 charts and went triple Platinum. This would be Taylor Dayne most successful cassette and the only one with a number one song to it. Four of her songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. Every song on this cassette is just great. Once again she show and proves a wide range with her voice and music selection. This is a must for anyone's collection. Can't Fight Fate by Taylor Dayne gets an AAAAA+++++.

Side A

With Every Beat of My Heart

#3 U.S. Billboard Hot 100

#8 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play

#22 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales

#22 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary

I'll Be Your Shelter

#4 U.S. Billboard Hot 100

#15 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary

Love Will Lead You Back

#1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100

#1 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary (four weeks at #1)

#1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay (two weeks at #1)

#1 Cash Box Magazine Top Singles

Heart of Stone

#12 U.S. Billboard Hot 100

#8 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary

You Can't Fight Fate

Side B

Up All Night

I Know the Feeling

Wait For Me

You Meant the World to Me

Ain't No Good