Side one begins with the title track. "Lovin' Every Minute of It", the first single, scored at number 11 in Canada, number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 3 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The thunk-thunk rhythm at the foundation of this one really hit a chord with me, making it a party favorite during my middle college years. Now that I know it was written by "Mutt" Lange, I can see why this one always reminded me quite a bit of Def Leppard whom he worked with a few years prior. I half wonder if he had written it with the UK band in mind and then presented it to Loverboy later.
"Steal the Thunder", the B-side to the fourth single, is backed by a very strong guitar riff and pounding drums. The lyrics have a message about giving it all you’ve got until the very end, pushing to be the winner.
"Friday Night" has a racing rhythm that reminds me of teenagers racing their cars on hot summer nights. I think it would pair up nicely with Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive Fifty-Five”.
After three full-throttle rockers out of the gate, it is time to slow things down a bit. The ballad "This Could Be the Night" was the third single. It climbed to number 30 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 24 in Canada, number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 9 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. This one was a huge slow dance favorite in the clubs during the time it was on the charts; its hopeful lyrics completely encapsulated those feelings we had when we met someone new that evening to whom that we felt a strong attraction.
The B-side to the second single was the mid-tempo rocker "Too Much Too Soon".
Side two kicks off with "Lead a Double Life", the fourth and final single from the record; it stalled at number 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song has a very strong new-wave vibe to it, thanks to the synth strains and Devo-like percussion. Even the vocals are different than the rest of the record. It makes for a refreshing change-up of things.
"Dangerous", co-written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, was the second single. It peaked at number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 37 in Canada, and number 23 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Doing this review, I was trying to recall this one and I really could not. I guess it was one of those singles that vanished from my consciousness over the decades.
Things slow down again with "Destination Heartbreak", a song about loneliness leading to a hook-up with a close friend. In the end, there is feelings of confusion and regret. I think many folks have been there once or twice in their younger dating days.
The closing track "Bullet in the Chamber" was the B-side to the first single. This mid-tempo rocker about hot and heavy sex has a real bouncy beat and a heavy guitar riff.
I did not own a copy of Lovin' Every Minute of It back in the day. I knew the bigger hit singles and have those thanks to Loverboy compilation CD. The rest of the record is very strong 80’s arena rock music and another consistent entry in Loverboy’s catalog. It is definitely one I will look to pick up someday.
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