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Bertie Higgins of ‘Key Largo’ Fame Returns to Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart: ‘Write Every Day’
Bertie Higgins, best known for his 1982 hit “Key Largo”, has returned to Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart for the first time in more than 42 years. His new single “A River” entered at No. 29, marking a notable late-career chart appearance for the 82-year-old singer-songwriter.
“Key Largo” reached No. 8 on the Hot 100 and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, while Higgins later had two further AC hits. He co-wrote “A River” with Eddie Hedges, drawing inspiration from Lawrence of Arabia and his longstanding interest in classic films, which also influenced “Key Largo”.
In short
- Bertie Higgins returns to Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart after 42 years.
- “A River” debuts at No. 29.
- The song’s inspiration came partly from Lawrence of Arabia.
Explained simply
Bertie Higgins is a singer-songwriter best known for "Key Largo", released in 1982, which became a major hit reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks. The Adult Contemporary chart tracks popular music aimed at mature listeners and has long been an important commercial indicator in the music industry.
Higgins had a successful career on the Adult Contemporary chart throughout the early 1980s with several hit songs, though his commercial presence declined significantly over the following decades. He continued to record and write music, often drawing inspiration from his love of classic films, but largely disappeared from the public eye and the charts.
Artists from the 1980s who experienced major early success like Higgins often see their commercial prospects diminish greatly as music tastes and the industry landscape change, making any return to public prominence after such a long absence a rare occurrence. Understanding this context is important for recognising why his continued activity and any chart appearances in his later years would be noteworthy.
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