Right On Track

"Right On Track" is a song that is surrounded by surprising facts. Breakfast Club was a new wave band formed in Manhattan, New York, in the late 1970s. They consisted of the brothers Dan and Ed Gilroy on vocals and guitar, Gary Burke on bass, Paul Kauk on keyboard, and Stephen Bray on drums. Surprise #1: This was their only charting hit. Surprise #2: This was their only album. This is probably why today when you say "Breakfast Club," everybody thinks of the 1985 John Hughes film. Surprise #3: Madonna used to play drums and guitar for them. Yes, we mean that Madonna! Bet you didn't even know she could carry a beat! Many fans forget that she was in Breakfast Club and then a band called Emmy & The Emmys before releasing her debut solo album in 1983. Stephen Bray was also her bandmate in Emmy & The Emmys. Surprise #4: Many of their music videos, including the one for "Right On Track," were directed by Jeff Stein, who also directed the Who documentary The Kids Are Alright. Surprise #5: Dan Gilroy (not to be confused with the screenwriter) also went on to an acting career, playing parts in children's shows such as 1990's Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme and the 1990s TV series Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Both of these projects involved Jean Stapleton and Shelly Duvall.

Written by band members Stephen Bray and Dan Gilroy, this song is an intriguing one lyrically, as it's unclear if the dance club is a metaphor or a literal place. Gilroy sings about his attempts to sidle up next to a girl in the club, but despite his very best dancing, she won't acknowledge him. He doesn't get that she's not interested, and keeps trying different moves to no avail. He's definitely delusional, but we're not sure if the club is real or imaginary.

The big-voiced soul singer Jocelyn Brown does backing vocals on this track. She can also be heard on the Snap! hit "The Power," where she is sampled for the "I've got the power" line.