The Tubes: Talk To You Later

Before they became a household name (sort of), The Tubes had already released five studio albums and a compilation of their better known (sort of) material. The Tubes had a loyal cult-like following that began with their release of their self-titled debut LP and theatrical performances of the single “White Punks on Dope.” While their albums generally sold well without a supporting hit single, the masses were oblivious to their talents.

That was until 1981 when the rest of the world outside of their existing fan base began to notice this band. Part of this was due to their video for “Talk to You Later” and the other part was consistent promotion by Capitol Records to Album Oriented Rock stations.

The Video

You’ll have to turn up the volume on this as for some reason EMI Music didn’t have the levels quite right. It is also mono as well.

The Single Mix

While AOR radio embraced “Talk to you Later,” and it peaked at #7 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, it failed to make the Top 100 charts being a true bubbling under hit with its highest position at #101.

The album, “The Completion Backwards Principle,” peaked on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart at #36 – making it their second highest charting LP. This album was eclipsed by their next release “Outside Inside” which topped the charts at #18.

The Album Mix with Spoken Intro

“Talk to you Later” was “The Completion Backwards Principle’s” lead track and featured a rather unusual spoken word intro: “As I mentioned near the close of the last record, this record you are now playing is another example of The Completion Backward Principle; if you can possibly manage the time, please play both sides at one meeting.”

Despite this rather unprecedented narration (which did not detract from the music at all), “The Completion Backwards Principle” was one of my favorite albums of 1981 and it eventually produced a mid-charting hit at #35 with the ballad “Don’t Want to Talk Anymore.” I can’t think of a bad cut on this album and would carte blanch recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into a nostalgic trip to the early 80s. It is considered by many a concept album as it was loosely based on corporate training manuals.

“Talk to you Later” was co-written by the band, producer David Foster, and Toto lead guitarist Steve Lukather. In addition to the song being performed still today by The Tubes, Lukather also makes it a part of his live song set.