If you were around in 1986, you couldn’t escape the sound of a certain grit-and-glam guitar riff. It wasn't quite Duran Duran, and it was a bit too polished to be the Sex Pistols, but it felt like the perfect bridge between both worlds. That was Andy Taylor Take It Easy, a track that defined a very specific, high-octane moment in 80s pop culture.
Honestly, it’s a weird piece of history. Andy Taylor was at the height of his fame, having just finished the massive Power Station project and technically still being "the guy from Duran Duran." But he was restless. He wanted to rock harder. He wanted to distance himself from the teen-idol synthesizers of Rio and Seven and the Ragged Tiger.
The result was a song that became the heartbeat of a movie most people have completely forgotten. But the track? The track still hits.
The Collision of Punk and Pop
The magic of Andy Taylor Take It Easy didn't come from a solo studio session. It was a bizarre, brilliant collaboration. Andy teamed up with Steve Jones. Yeah, that Steve Jones—the legendary guitarist for the Sex Pistols.
Think about that for a second. You have the poster boy for New Romanticism working with the architect of British Punk.
On paper, it sounds like a disaster. In reality, they shared a love for massive, loud guitar chords and classic rock energy. They wrote the song together, and you can hear that tug-of-war in the final mix. It has the melodic sensibilities that made Duran Duran superstars, but the actual delivery is pure, unadulterated rock.
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They didn't stop at the songwriting, either. The recording lineup for the song and its iconic music video was a "who’s who" of 80s talent. You had Terry Bozzio on drums (from Missing Persons) and Patrick O'Hearn on bass. This wasn't some half-baked solo effort; it was a supergroup in all but name.
Why "American Anthem" Changed Everything
You can't talk about this song without talking about American Anthem. If you don't remember the movie, don't feel bad. It was a 1986 gymnastics drama starring Olympic gold medalist Mitch Gaylord.
The movie was... well, it was very 1986.
But the soundtrack was a juggernaut. Produced by the legendary Roy Thomas Baker—the same guy who worked with Queen and The Cars—the album was designed to be a hit machine. Andy Taylor Take It Easy was the lead single, and it carried the weight of the film’s marketing on its shoulders.
Interestingly, Andy didn't just contribute one song. He and Jones also threw in "Wings of Love" and "Angel Eyes." But "Take It Easy" was the one that stuck. It reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of '86, staying on the charts for 17 weeks. For a guy who had just walked away from one of the biggest bands in the world, it was a massive vindication.
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The Sound: No Synthesizers Allowed
If you listen to the track today, the first thing that jumps out is how "live" it feels compared to the mid-80s norm. There’s a raw, metallic edge to the production.
- The Riff: It’s a classic power-chord progression that feels like it belongs in an arena.
- The Vocals: Andy’s voice has a rasp here that he rarely used in Duran Duran. It’s a "shout-along" chorus.
- The Production: Roy Thomas Baker brought that signature "wall of sound" guitar layering. It’s thick. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic.
There’s a common misconception that Andy Taylor left Duran Duran just because of "creative differences." While that's true, Andy Taylor Take It Easy proves it was more about a fundamental shift in his DNA. He wanted to be a guitar hero, not a pop star. This song was his manifesto.
The Music Video and the MTV Era
MTV played the video for "Take It Easy" on a loop. It featured Andy looking every bit the rock lead, interspersed with clips from the movie. But the real star was the chemistry between the musicians.
Seeing Bozzio’s flamboyant drumming style paired with Taylor’s cool-guy guitar stance was peak 80s. It wasn't about the gymnastics in the movie; it was about the energy in the studio.
Kinda funny, though—despite the song being a hit, the movie bombed. It’s one of those rare cases where the lead single completely outlived the project it was supposed to promote.
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Why It Still Matters
So, why are we still talking about a song from a failed gymnastics movie 40 years later?
Because it represents a bridge. It’s the sound of an artist finding his own voice after being part of a collective for so long. For fans of 80s rock, it’s a masterclass in how to do "arena pop" right. It isn't over-processed. It isn't cheesy. It’s just a great, driving rock song.
Also, the collaboration with Steve Jones wasn't a one-off. It led to Andy’s debut solo album, Thunder, in 1987. If you like "Take It Easy," you’ve basically got to check out that album. It carries the same DNA—heavy riffs, big choruses, and that unmistakable 80s swagger.
Actionable Insights for the 80s Collector
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this era of Andy Taylor’s career, don’t just stick to the Spotify version. There are a few things you should look for:
- Seek out the 12-inch "Extended Dance Version": It’s nearly six minutes long and highlights the rhythm section (Bozzio and O’Hearn) much better than the radio edit.
- Find the "American Anthem" Vinyl: The soundtrack is often in the dollar bins at record stores. It’s worth it for the Roy Thomas Baker production alone.
- Check out the B-Side "Angel Eyes": It features Steve Jones on sitar. Yes, sitar. It’s a weird, psychedelic departure from the A-side.
- Watch the Live MTV New Year's Eve 1987 Performance: You can find it on YouTube. It shows just how much power the song had in a live setting compared to the studio polish.
Andy Taylor Take It Easy remains a high-water mark for 80s guitar pop. It was the moment a "teen idol" proved he could hang with the punks and the heavy hitters, and it still sounds just as energized today.