Sue Saad - A Forgotten Princess of AOR Movie Songs

As far as pop, rock and metal female singers are concerned, I thought over who should I write about at the beginning? There are so many great vocalists: Fiona Flanagan, Tane Cain (Tahnee Cain), Joan Jett, Tuesday Knight, Gudrun Laos (Aino Laos), Lee Aaron, Lisa Dominique, Sue Saad, Laura Branigan, Pat Benatar, Mari Hamada, Marietta Waters, Sheila Walsh, Wendy Stapleton, Kim La Chance, Twila Paris, Alannah Miles, Annica Wiklund, Erika Norberg, Rindy Ross, Marilyn Martin, Stacy Lattisaw, Ann & Nancy Wilson, Doro Pesch, Lita Ford, Terri Nunn, Sandi Saraya, Pam Bradley, Betsy Wise, Sandy Caulfield, Sue Willetts, Barb Erber, Aina Olsen, Joanna Dean, Stevie Nicks, Jodi Bongiovi, Lisa Nemzo, Amy Wolter, Petra Degelow, Laurie Sargent, Gigi Hangach, Kelly Breznik, Pamela Moore, Leigh Matty, Sally Cato, Chrissy Steele, Jeanette Chase, Holly Woods, Jill Jaxx, Kim Wilde, Robin Beck, Karla Goldman, Lorraine Lewis, Pamela & Paula Mattioli, Lisa Hartman, Cyndi Lauper, Tone Norum, Tove Teigberget, Kim Hart, Bente Smaavik, Darby Mills, Jacklyn (Jacky Brady), Janet Gardner, Diana DeWitt, Sass Jordan, Debbie Davis, Barbara Pennington, Lisa Price, Helen Schneider, Shandi and many more!

As the title of this biographical article indicates, I decided to write a few words about an American singer - Susan Marie Saad who is commonly known as Sue Saad. She has never recorded a solo album, but only the one with a band The Next. Richard Perry, the head of Planet Records, offered them a deal and published „Sue Saad and The Next“ LP in 1980.

Although The Next recorded a few singles and the aforementioned album, they never did next full-length releases. The main figure (next to Sue Saad) in the band was her husband, James Lance Saad (responsible for drums, vocals and production on the debut). He was also an engineer on D.B. Cooper’s „Every Man A King“ (1980). Sue Saad and The Next performed along with Billy Anstatt and Bobby Manzer in the rock musical „Zen Boogie“. But the fact is that Sue has always been perceived as a typical movie soundtrack singer.

A comedy „Roadie“ was screened in the year 1980. One of the main figures was Michael Lee Aday, better known as Meat Loaf. Sue Saad and The Next recorded one track for „Roadie“ OST and it is titled „Double Yellow Line“.

A thriller „Looker“ had its premiere in 1981. Barry De Vorzon was the main composer of the soundtrack, and Sue Saad performed the title track. „Looker“ is a calm pop-rock tune that was also covered by Kim Carnes. It was also released on Sue Saad and The Next’s 7’’ vinyl single in the same year (next to another song „Highwire“). Sue also appeared as a guest vocalist on D.B. Cooper’s „Dangerous Curves“ (1981) and Randy Bishop & Underdogs’ „Dangerous Infatuation“ (1982).

Sue Saad is best known from her songs which were released on „Radioactive Dreams“ OST (1985). It was a science-fiction post-apocalyptic comedy, in which Sue was not only a singer, but also an actress - as Punk District Singer. There are four tracks by Sue Saad on the soundtrack. „Radioactive Dreams“ starts with a mysterious introduction. It makes this track the most recognizable one among others. The construction of the song is simple, but it is perfectly arranged and all musical elements are balanced. „Guilty Pleasures“ is very rhythmical with charismatic vocal lines by Sue. She sings with a slight hoarseness in this track and it fits with the non-crystal production of the song. The main melodies are given by keyboards and good guitar solo. It was sang on screen by Sue herself. „She’s A Fire“ is a short song, but its distinctive element is Sue’s „defiant“ vocal. „When Lightning Strikes“ is the most dynamic Sue’s AOR tune on the soundtrack. The keyboards play very important role and give this song a specific character. Sue shouts out lyrics very emotionally and her vocal parts make an exquisite impression on me.

Even though Sue Saad sang three fantastic AOR songs on another „Vicious Lips" movie soundtrack in 1987 („Reach For Your Dreams“, “Save Me“ and “Lunar Madness“), she then was not heard of any more. I can sincerely recommend Sue Saad’s songs to fans of Pat Benatar, Genya Ravan and Patty Smyth of Scandal fame. There is no doubt that Sue is one of the most underrated AOR/pop-rock female singers!