I Don’t Mind At All

The Zoo Crew is spinning the dreamy track "I Don’t Mind At All" by Bourgeois Tagg, a shimmering gem from their 1987 album Yoyo, not their self-titled debut as some might assume. This song, a Top 40 hit peaking at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, was born when guitarist Lyle Workman brought a cassette to Brent Bourgeois’ apartment with a guitar part on the B-side—the part that became the song’s backbone. Bourgeois crafted the melancholic yet catchy melody, and producer Todd Rundgren added lush string arrangements, giving it a Beatles-esque vibe reminiscent of "Yesterday." The track’s innovative music video, featuring the band in a quirky, almost surreal setup, gained heavy rotation on MTV, boosting its global reach. A lesser-known tidbit: when touring Europe, Island Records in London pushed for a video for "Waiting For the Worm To Turn," thinking it’d be the next single, but "I Don’t Mind At All" stole the spotlight instead.

Fans on Reddit have called the song a "sonic gem," with some lamenting the band’s short-lived mainstream run. One Amazon reviewer recalled seeing Bourgeois Tagg live in Sacramento during their college years, describing their shows as "talented and a lot of fun," a testament to their local fanbase, the Zoo Freaks of their era. The song’s 2.5-minute runtime, unusually short for a hit, made it stand out on radio charts, with a brief but memorable run on Rock VF. Rundgren’s production nearly turned Yoyo into a signature Todd album, but Bourgeois Tagg’s clever wordplay and pop hooks kept their identity intact, earning comparisons to Elvis Costello without the sarcasm.

Bourgeois Tagg began in Sacramento, California, in 1984, sparked by the partnership of Brent Bourgeois and Larry Tagg. Bourgeois, born in New Orleans in 1958, started playing funk and jazz in his teens, performing in Dallas clubs by age 13. After high school, he moved to Sacramento with Tagg, a bassist and vocalist with a knack for literate lyrics. The duo had previously played in a band called Uncle Rainbow in the late 1970s, blending Southern influences with California’s burgeoning pop scene. They formed Bourgeois Tagg with guitarist Lyle Workman, drummer Michael Urbano, and keyboardist Scott Moon, creating a sound that mixed new wave, pop rock, and AOR. Their self-titled debut in 1986, produced by David J. Holman, spawned "Mutual Surrender (What a Wonderful World)," a minor hit that caught college radio’s ear.

The band’s big break came with Yoyo, thanks to Rundgren’s production and their growing chemistry. Despite their success, tensions arose, partly due to Bourgeois’ recovery from substance abuse and his increasing focus on Christian themes, which clashed with Tagg’s secular leanings. The band split after contributing to Rundgren’s 1989 album Nearly Human. Bourgeois went solo, later diving into contemporary Christian music, while Tagg pursued teaching and other musical projects. Their brief reunion for Bourgeois’ 2014 album Don’t Look Back delighted fans, featuring the track "Psycho" with the original lineup.

Stay connected with Bourgeois Tagg’s legacy through Brent Bourgeois’ official website and his Facebook page, where he shares updates on music and personal projects. While the band lacks an active Instagram or X presence, fans keep the spirit alive on platforms like Reddit’s 80s music community and Last.fm. Check out fan-driven sites like Forever Young 80s for nostalgic posts, or join discussions on Pulse Music Board. For vinyl collectors, Discogs is a treasure trove for rare Bourgeois Tagg releases.