Single flashback + more

Eddie Schwartz - All Our Tomorrows [1982]

Born in Toronto in December 1949, Eddie Schwartz has had a simply remarkable music career that goes well beyond this 1982 single.

Guitarist, songwriter, producer, and industry advocate - Schwartz has done it all.

After years as a sideman, Eddie completed his first solo album ‘Schwartz’ in 1980. Not long after, his label went bankrupt. But fortunately he was also writing songs on the side for other artists.

I’m going to do this chronologically, so before we get to ‘All Our Tomorrows’, we have something special…

Pat Benatar 🇺🇸 - Hit Me With Your Best Shot | peaked #10, 1980

Despite her longtime partnership with Neil Geraldo, Pat Benatar was always on the lookout for a good song.

This one almost didn’t see the light of day as Schwartz’s publisher hated his demo and told him to 86 it. He didn’t, and the song was a huge hit.

These days, Benatar no longer performs the tune live out of respect for victims of gun violence - although Eddie maintains the song is a meant more as a mantra for resilience.

Eddie Schwartz 🇨🇦 - All Our Tomorrows | peaked #32, 1982

This one did well on both sides of the border, hitting #28 in the USA.

Later covered by Joe Cocker, who hit #64 in 1988 with his version.

Paul Carrack 🇬🇧 - Don’t Shed A Tear | peaked #34, 1987

In addition to all his other notable projects like Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics, Paul Carrack had a bunch of solo hits as well.

Schwartz not only wrote with Carrack, but produced for him as well.

I’ve chosen this one as that opening guitar lick grabs me every time, but could also have gone with ‘I Live By The Groove’ from 1989 as another collab.

The Doobie Brothers 🇺🇸 - The Doctor | peaked #7, 1989

On their last Canadian chart hit, the Doobies are sadly without Michael McDonald here - but still bring their trademark harmonies and musicianship to this Schwartz-penned track.

Someone needs to tell me how the two drummer thing works one day…

Gowan 🇨🇦 - All The Lovers In The World | peaked #6, 1990

Finishing strong with some CanCon from 1990, I’m breakin’ all the rules on this post!

I love Larry Gowan’s 80s stuff, but the new decade saw him start to move to more mature sounds.

Schwartz co-wrote this one, as well as doing some production on the album titled ‘Lost Brotherhood’.

Give this album a spin because the band is incredible! Alex Lifeson, Ken Greer, Tony Levin, Jerry Marotta, and Gowan tickling the ivories.

Anyway, shoutout to Eddie Schwartz for some incredible songs.