Soft rock gets a bad rap for being "cheesy." People think of the late 70s and picture guys in silk shirts singing about sunsets. But then you listen to Love Takes Time Orleans and realize there’s a massive amount of technical skill and emotional weight buried under those harmonies. It’s not just a radio hit. It’s a masterclass in songwriting.
Honestly, the song almost feels like a miracle when you look at the band's history. Orleans was falling apart. John Hall, the primary songwriter and guitarist, had already left the group to pursue a solo career and political activism. Most bands would have folded. Instead, Larry Hoppen, Lance Hoppen, and Wells Kelly dug in. They brought in R.A. Martin and Bob Leinbach. They had something to prove.
The result was "Forever," the 1979 album that gave us this specific masterpiece. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed there for weeks. Why? Because it actually says something real about relationships.
The Story Behind Love Takes Time Orleans
Most people assume "Still the One" is the band's definitive statement. It’s a great song, sure. But "Still the One" is about the victory lap—the couple that made it. Love Takes Time Orleans is about the hard part. It’s about the friction.
It was written by Larry Hoppen and Marilyn Mason. Larry’s vocals on this track are arguably the best of his career. He has this soulful, slightly desperate edge that cuts through the polished production. You can hear the influence of R&B in his phrasing. It’s not just "white bread" pop; it’s got grit.
The late 70s were a weird time for music. Punk was exploding. Disco was everywhere. Amidst that chaos, Orleans leaned into what they did best: vocal stacking. If you listen to the bridge of the song, the way the voices interlock is almost mathematical. It’s tight.
Why the Song Resonance Persists
There is a specific vulnerability in the lyrics. "It's a long way to go, and it's a hard way to go." That isn't a Hallmark card. It’s a warning.
The song resonates because it acknowledges that "falling in love" is the easy part. The real work starts on Tuesday morning when you're tired and annoyed. It’s a song for adults. Teenagers want "Love at First Sight." Adults know that Love Takes Time Orleans is the actual truth of the matter.
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Musically, the song uses a classic 70s structure but elevates it. You have the electric piano—that iconic Rhodes sound—providing the bedrock. Then the guitars come in, clean but present. It’s a "dry" recording style typical of the era, which means there’s nowhere for a bad singer to hide.
Breaking Down the Musicianship
Let’s talk about the bass line for a second. Lance Hoppen is one of the most underrated bassists of that era. He doesn't just play roots. He plays melodies that counter the vocal line. In Love Takes Time Orleans, the bass provides the "heartbeat" that keeps the song from becoming too floaty.
And the harmonies? They’re legendary.
Orleans was often compared to the Eagles or Fleetwood Mac, but their vocal blend was distinct. It was more "East Coast." It had a bit more of a theatrical, almost Broadway-adjacent clarity to it. When they hit that chorus, it’s like a wall of sound hitting you, but it’s made of human breath instead of synthesizers.
- The Lead Vocal: Larry Hoppen’s range is incredible here.
- The Production: Phil Ramone-esque clarity (though produced by the band and Rob Stevens).
- The Tempo: It’s a mid-tempo shuffle. Not a ballad, not a rocker. It’s "driving music" in its purest form.
Common Misconceptions About the Band
People often confuse Orleans with other "soft rock" giants of the time. No, they aren't Firefall. They aren't Little River Band.
Orleans was always more musically adventurous than people remember. John Hall, the founder, was a session ace who played on records by Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. That DNA stayed in the band even after he left. They weren't just "pop stars." They were musicians' musicians.
When Love Takes Time Orleans hit the airwaves, it proved that the "new" Orleans could survive without their primary architect. That’s a rare feat in rock history. Think about it. Most bands lose their lead songwriter and vanish. These guys thrived.
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The Cultural Impact of 1979
1979 was a pivot point. The decade of "me" was ending. People were getting more cynical.
Maybe that’s why a song about "taking time" worked so well. It was an antidote to the "instant gratification" culture that was starting to take root. It asked the listener to slow down.
When you hear it today, it feels nostalgic, but not dated. A dated song feels like a museum piece. This song feels like a conversation you're having with an older, wiser friend. It’s timeless because the struggle it describes—the slow-burn effort of a long-term commitment—never goes out of style.
Why It Outlasts Modern Pop
Modern pop is often built on loops. It’s static. Love Takes Time Orleans is dynamic. It grows. The second chorus is bigger than the first. The outro builds with ad-libs and layers that make you feel the emotional payoff.
It’s also surprisingly complex. The chord progression isn't just I-IV-V. It borrows from jazz. It uses minor sevenths and passing tones that give it a sophisticated "sheen." This is why it still gets played on "Yacht Rock" stations today, although it’s arguably too soulful to fit perfectly into that category.
Technical Details for the Nerds
If you’re a guitar player, try learning the solo. It’s not flashy. It’s melodic. It follows the vocal melody but adds these little "stings" at the end of the phrases.
The drum sound is also worth noting. Wells Kelly was a powerhouse. On this track, he keeps it restrained, focusing on the pocket. The snare has that classic 70s "thud"—deadened with tape or a wallet—which allows the vocals to sit on top of the mix without getting washed out.
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- Key: It's written in a way that allows the tenor vocals to soar.
- Length: At nearly four minutes, it was long for a radio single back then, but it never feels dragged out.
- Legacy: It remains their second-highest charting hit.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track Today
Don’t listen to it on your phone speakers. Please.
Put on a pair of decent headphones. Or, if you can find a clean vinyl copy of Forever, play that. The analog warmth does something to those vocal harmonies that digital files just can't replicate. You can hear the "air" between the singers.
You'll notice things you missed before. The subtle percussion. The way the backing vocals swell and fade. It’s a three-dimensional listening experience.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers
If you want to dive deeper into this sound, there are a few things you should do.
First, check out the rest of the Forever album. It’s often overshadowed by the hit, but tracks like "Isn't It Easy" show the band's range. Second, compare the live versions of Love Takes Time Orleans to the studio recording. The band was famously great live, and they could actually recreate those harmonies on stage without the help of backing tracks—something almost unheard of today.
Finally, look into the songwriting credits of Larry Hoppen. He was a craftsman. Studying his work is a great way to understand how to build a song that lasts forty years instead of four months.
Next Steps for Your Playlist
To get the full context of where this song fits in the history of American music, build a playlist that highlights the "Sophisti-pop" transition of the late 70s.
Start with "Still the One" to see the band's upbeat roots. Then move into Love Takes Time Orleans to feel the maturity. Follow it up with some Steely Dan (think Aja) and maybe some early Christopher Cross. This will give you a sense of the technical landscape Orleans was working within.
If you're a musician, analyze the bridge. It’s the most complex part of the song and provides the perfect lesson in how to shift keys without jarring the listener. It's subtle. It's smart. It's Orleans at their absolute peak.