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about
Anyone watching TV in the late 80s and 90s can instantly identify the song “What I Like About You” from the first few bars of the famous guitar line. As the theme song of Budweiser’s national TV ad campaign, the song by the 80s rock band, The Romantics, became a classic party anthem. The band’s guitarist, Mike Skill, who wrote the signature guitar riff, announces the release of his re-recorded version of “What I Like About You,” which hits all streaming platforms on July 16th.
The WILAY remake features Skill on lead and backup vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass along with Brad Elvis (current member of The Romantics) on drums and Patrick Harwood on harmonica. Skill’s new version of the classic rock single marks the 41st anniversary of the song and precedes the release of Skill’s debut solo self-titled EP, out September 10, 2021.
Skill originally wrote “What I Like About You” with fellow Romantics band member Jimmy Marinos in 1979. As a teenager sitting in his family’s backyard, the budding rock musician created the famous three-chord guitar rhythm.
Skill recalls vividly the birth of the song before a band rehearsal. He says, “I offered that I had this new idea... I opened with the simple chords, and [drummer/singer Jimmy Marinos] jumped in with his signature animal groove… and [he] instantly dropped in singing, scatting, jamming in free form, sketching a lyric, throwing words against the wall to see what would stick, as I scattered with back ups... Uh huh, Hey! Uh huh!”
The original single, “What I Like About You,” was released in December 1979 and was included on The Romantics' 1980 self-titled debut album that went Gold in the US. With Skill on lead guitar, the song charted on US Billboard at #49, and peaked at #2 in Australia and #8 in the Netherlands. MTV, which just launched in 1981, added the music video in heavy rotation, adding to the popularity of the single.
On July 16th, “What I Like About You” will make another appearance on the New Music scene with the modern reboot by Mike Skill, and produced by Chuck Alkazian, who also produced songs for Eminem and Chris Cornell. The single comes from Skill’s upcoming self-titled solo album, set to release on 9-10-21 with a vinyl edition to follow this fall.
lyrics
Hey, uh-huh-huh
Hey, uh-huh-huh
What I like about you, you hold me tight
Tell me I'm the only one
Wanna' come over tonight, yea
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
'Cause it's true (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
What I like about you, you really know how to dance
When you go up, down, jump around
Think about true romance, yea
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
'Cause it's true (that's what I like about you)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like about you)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like about you)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
Woo
Hey
What I like about you, you keep me warm at night
Never wanna' let you go, know you make me feel alright, yea
Keep on whispering in my ear
Tell me all the things that I wanna hear
'Cause it's true (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like about you)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like about you)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like)
That's what I like about you (that's what I like about you)
Hey, uh-huh-huh, hey hey hey
Hey, uh-huh-huh, brr
Hey, uh-huh-huh, hey
credits
released July 16, 2021
The 41St Anniversary Release of “What I Like About You”. By Mike Skill
Now Streaming #Spotify #applemusic #iTunes #amazon and more
All Guitars and Bass by Mike Skill
Vocals by Mike Skill
Back up vocals by Mike Skill
guitars/bass/vocals Engineered by Mick Hangland-Skill, Portland, OR,
Brad Elvis on Drums: Rec. at Kingsize Sound Labs
Harp by Patrick Harwood: Rec. Pearl Sound Studios
Mixed by Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios
Produced by Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound Studios
Mastered by Masterdisk, Scott Hull
Unleashed Music
Gina Juliano
Empkt PR
Mike Skill
He is known best for his work in “The Romantics” as a founding member and principal songwriter.
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