Dive into the power ballad that captured the hearts of the 80s, a Canadian gem with an unforgettable chorus.
The Song
"Feel It Again" is a classic rock anthem by the Canadian band Honeymoon Suite, released in 1986 as the second single from their sophomore album, The Big Prize. Penned solely by the band's keyboardist, Ray Coburn, the track delves into themes of intense young love, jealousy, and the painful awareness of an impending separation. Coburn drew inspiration from his own profound first romantic relationship at the age of 23, expressing his heart as "exploding with all these emotions and feelings."
Produced by the acclaimed Bruce Fairbairn, known for his work with rock giants like Aerosmith and Bon Jovi, "Feel It Again" features a distinctive hook and a polished melodic hard rock sound characteristic of the era. Recording for the song primarily took place in 1985 at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, with additional sessions at The Boogie Hotel in Long Island, New York. Engineering duties were handled by Bob Rock, who would later become highly prominent for producing Metallica's Black Album.
The Artist
Honeymoon Suite formed in 1981 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, taking their name as a playful nod to the city's status as North America's "honeymoon capital." The band's classic lineup, solidified by 1983, featured lead vocalist Johnnie Dee, guitarist Derry Grehan, keyboardist Ray Coburn, bassist Gary Lalonde, and drummer Dave Betts. They quickly gained prominence in the 1980s Canadian rock scene with their melodic hard rock sound, characterized by anthemic tracks and keyboard-driven arrangements.
Their breakthrough came when a demo of Grehan's song "New Girl Now" won a contest on Toronto rock station Q107 in 1983, leading to a multi-album deal with WEA Canada. Their self-titled debut album in 1984 featured several Canadian hits, and by the mid-80s, Honeymoon Suite was a staple on both MuchMusic and MTV. The band's blend of powerful vocals, guitar riffs, and catchy melodies resonated widely, establishing them as significant players in the 80s rock landscape.
Chart Performance
"Feel It Again" marked a significant commercial breakthrough for Honeymoon Suite. In their native Canada, the single peaked at number 20 on the RPM Top Singles chart during the week of May 3, 1986, becoming the band's first entry to reach the top 20 on that chart. It also received heavy radio play across Canada.
In the United States, "Feel It Again" climbed to number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending May 10, 1986. This achievement marked Honeymoon Suite's sole top 40 appearance on the all-genre ranking, making it their biggest stateside hit. The song also resonated strongly with rock audiences, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart earlier that year. Its strong performance boosted sales of The Big Prize, which earned triple platinum certification in Canada.
Cultural Impact
"Feel It Again" quickly became a staple of 1980s rock music, cementing Honeymoon Suite's place in the era's musical fabric. Its emotional lyrics and anthemic chorus contributed to its enduring appeal, ensuring its continued presence in classic rock programming.
The song's music video, featuring animated backgrounds and the band performing, received significant airplay on MTV, further boosting the band's visibility to a wider audience. Beyond radio and video, "Feel It Again" was notably featured in the 1986 Miami Vice episode "Free Verse," adding to its cultural footprint during a highly popular television era. The track's lasting popularity was formally recognized in 2015 when songwriter Ray Coburn received a SOCAN Classic Award for the song surpassing 100,000 performances on Canadian airwaves.
Fun Facts
- Keyboardist Ray Coburn was inspired to write "Feel It Again" by his first intense romantic relationship at 23, characterized by overwhelming emotions and the knowledge that separation was inevitable.
- The music video, directed by Daniel Kleinman, is notable for its use of animated backgrounds, a visual style popular in many 80s rock videos.
- While "Feel It Again" was their only US Top 40 hit, Honeymoon Suite had substantial success in Canada, with 14 charting singles, eight of which went Top 40.
- The band won the Juno Award for Group of the Year in 1986, the same year "Feel It Again" became a hit.
- Bruce Fairbairn produced The Big Prize album, and Bob Rock was the engineer on "Feel It Again." Both would go on to work on some of the biggest rock albums of all time.