“Steal a Little Thunder” will drop this spring
The estate of beloved country music hitmaker and Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Dan Seals, has partnered with Nashville-based record label Melody Place. The first release is a never-before-heard recording by the late singer with a song called “Steal A Little Thunder” which was penned by his late brother, Seals & Crofts’ Jim Seals along with Brian Whitcomb. The song will be available on April 4th.
“Steal A Little Thunder” will appeal to music lovers of all ages, evoking the nostalgia of yacht rock mixed with the quality songwriting genetics of the Texas-bred Seals family. Jim Seals and Seals & Crofts played an integral role in creating the pop sub-genre, which his younger brother, England Dan & John Ford Coley came to perfect in the late ‘70s. After the latter duo’s breakup, Dan Seals went on to become a country solo powerhouse, launching eleven songs to the top of the charts and crossing over the leagues of fans he had built in pop music to the country genre – contributing to what became the massive boom of country music in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
The release is just the tip of the iceberg. expect more major news – and releases – in the coming weeks.
Seals was never one to follow convention. Born and raised in Texas, he played a right-handed 12-string guitar left-handed with only eight strings—”upside down and backwards,” as he liked to say. This unconventional approach carried through his entire career, as he seamlessly transitioned from pop stardom to country success. Seals first gained fame as “England Dan” in the pop rock duo England Dan & John Ford Coley. The pair’s 1976 hit “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” cemented their place in pop history, followed by other classics including “Nights Are Forever (Without You),” and “Love Is The Answer But when the duo disbanded, Seals faced financial struggles, as he worked to rebuild his career. Determined to find a new path, he embraced his country roots. In 1984, “God Must Be a Cowboy” gave him his first country top 10 hit, paving the way for an astonishing run of 11 No. 1 Billboard country hits. Songs like “Bop,” “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold),” and “Meet Me in Montana” with Marie Osmond showcased his ability to blend emotional depth with commercial appeal. His work earned him two CMA Awards and a loyal fanbase. Seals was known for his artistic integrity, only recording songs that stirred him emotionally. His producer, Kyle Lehning, recalled how he pursued excellence with “light-hearted seriousness” in the studio. When the radio hits slowed, Seals remained a beloved touring act, later performing with his brother Jim as Seals & Seals, bringing their respective catalogs to audiences worldwide. Diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2007, Seals faced his final days with the same grace he brought to his music. He passed away on March 25, 2009, at 8:30 pm — “Showtime,” as he and his manager put it. His legacy remains one of versatility, authenticity, and an enduring impact on both pop and country music.
