The Salt in My Tears

The Zoo Crew is spinning Martin Briley's "The Salt in My Tears" from his 1983 album One Night With a Stranger, a track that resonates with the Zoo Freaks for its raw emotion and catchy pop-rock vibe. One juicy tidbit about the song comes from a 2016 interview with The College Crowd Digs Me, where Briley revealed he was surprised the label chose it as the lead single. He didn't think it fully represented his style, but its relatable lyrics about heartbreak and defiance struck a chord, climbing to No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Another fun fact: Briley was recovering from food poisoning during the music video shoot, which explains his low-energy performance and that quirky hat he wore, as noted in a post on Eighties Rare Videos. The video, directed by Chris Gabrin, features a woman in a red dress, rumored to be a Bond Girl, adding a touch of 80s glamour.

The song's creation and its rise were a whirlwind for Briley. In the same 2016 interview, he shared that the rapid success, fueled by MTV's heavy rotation, left him overwhelmed. He jokingly admitted to almost wishing it would slow down because he couldn’t go outside without being recognized. Posts on Reddit’s r/80smusic community echo the song’s nostalgic pull, with fans suggesting it could’ve been a bigger hit if covered by a band like Bon Jovi. The album, produced by Peter Coleman (known for work with Pat Benatar), was recorded at MCA Whitney Studios, and its synth-heavy sound drew comparisons to Genesis’ Abacab, as mentioned in a 1983 review on Ear of Newt. Only 1,000 vinyl pressings of the album were made, making it a collector’s gem, according to Heavy Harmonies.

Martin Briley, born August 17, 1949, in London, kicked off his musical journey at age ten, teaching himself guitar and songwriting. His early bio, detailed on Wikipedia, notes that his events teacher was none other than Arthur Brown, the eccentric “God of Hellfire.” By seventeen, Briley’s band, Mandrake Paddle Steamer (later just Mandrake), signed with Parlophone/EMI and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, though they only released two singles, one exclusive to Sweden. After Mandrake fizzled, Briley joined George Martin’s Associated Independent Recording (AIR), becoming a go-to session guitarist and arranger in London’s studio scene. In the mid-70s, he moved to New York, playing with progressive rock band Greenslade and later joining Ian Hunter’s band, as mentioned on Apple Music. His solo career took off with a Mercury Records deal in the early 80s, leading to three albums, with One Night With a Stranger as his peak.

Briley’s versatility shines through his songwriting for artists like Céline Dion, Kenny Loggins, and Barry Manilow, and his session work with Meatloaf and Andy Williams. His official website, martinbriley.com, offers a glimpse into his discography and current projects. You can connect with him on Facebook, where he occasionally shares updates, though he’s less active on Instagram and X. Fans gather at the Martin Briley Fan Club on Facebook, a small but dedicated group sharing memories and rare tracks. For deeper dives, check out Discogs, a fan-favorite site for his vinyl and CD listings, or join discussions on Reddit’s TheTikiHut, where Zoo Freaks might find fellow enthusiasts raving about Briley’s 80s gem.