Love Is on the Way

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the heartfelt power ballad "Love Is on the Way" by Saigon Kick from their 1992 album The Lizard, delighting their Zoo Freaks audience. This song, a standout hit, was written by guitarist Jason Bieler, who described it as an attempt to evoke a mood rather than tell a specific story. In a 2014 interview with Songfacts, Bieler revealed that the track came together quickly, crafted in just one or two passes using a microcassette recorder. The song’s signature riff was inspired by a chord voicing Bieler loved, drawing from influences like The Police’s "Message in a Bottle" and Edie Brickell’s "What I Am." This creative spark helped the song resonate with listeners, propelling it to #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold certification from the RIAA.

Unlike the rest of The Lizard, which blends hard rock, psychedelia, and glam, "Love Is on the Way" is a straightforward acoustic ballad, showcasing Saigon Kick’s versatility. Its rise to fame was organic, starting with Florida radio stations playing it after the album’s release, which led to overwhelming listener requests. This grassroots momentum prompted Atlantic Records to release it as a single, and a video soon followed, gaining heavy rotation on MTV. However, the song’s success typecast the band as "hair metal balladeers," a label that didn’t fully capture their diverse sound, as Bieler noted in the same Songfacts interview. Despite this, the song remains a fan favorite, with posts on X from users like @80sGlamMetal1 in 2020 praising live performances and @Jetstreamlovers in 2025 noting its role in pushing The Lizard to gold status.

Saigon Kick formed in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1988, founded by vocalist Matt Kramer and guitarist Jason Bieler, along with bassist Tom DeFile and drummer Phil Varone. The band honed their craft in Miami’s vibrant club scene, building a loyal following with their energetic live shows. Kramer’s dynamic stage presence was pivotal, as he later claimed in a 2022 social media post reported by Brave Words, stating that his performances were the key to securing their deal with Atlantic Records subsidiary Third Stone in 1990. Their self-titled debut album in 1991 showed promise, blending hard rock with eclectic influences, but it was The Lizard that broke them into the mainstream, largely due to "Love Is on the Way."

Despite their success, internal tensions plagued the band. Kramer left during the recording of their third album, Water, in 1993, citing musical and financial disputes. The band continued with various lineup changes, releasing albums like Devil in the Details and Bastards, but never recaptured the commercial peak of The Lizard. They disbanded in 2000, though reunions occurred, notably in 2012 with original members, as announced on their Facebook page. Fans can connect with Saigon Kick through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Dedicated fan communities thrive on platforms like the Saigon Kick Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees share memories and updates about the band’s legacy.