Ambrosia, Biggest Part of Me | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 149th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Biggest Part of Me” by the American rock band, Ambrosia.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 149^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Biggest Part of Me” performed by Ambrosia.

“(Sunrise) There’s a new sun a-risin’ / (In your eyes) I can see a new horizon / (Realize) That will keep me realizin’ / You’re the biggest part of me.” When mentioning Ambrosia, the first song that comes to mind, and the biggest hit of their career is “Biggest Part of Me”. “Biggest Part of Me” appears on the band’s gold-certified album, One Eighty, released in 1980. “Biggest Part of Me” was written by David Pack who also sings lead vocals.  Ambrosia and Freddie Piro produced this love-oriented, blue-eyed soul/pop/R&B/soft-rock song. Unsurprisingly, it was a success on the pop charts, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also certified gold.  The band received an additional accolade: a Grammy nomination. “Biggest Part of Me” was nominated at the 23^rd Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals.  Ultimately, Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb (of Bee Gees) took home the Grammy for their iconic duet, “Guilty”. The loss doesn’t diminish the greatness of the song.

“(Forever) Got a feeling that forever / (Together) We are gonna stay together / (Forever) From now until forever / You’re the biggest part of me.” “Biggest Part of Me” benefits from its lush production work, especially the warmth of the keys (electric with reverb). It’s not all keyboards, though! The bass line is robust, the rhythm guitar is buttery smooth, and the groove from the drums is… groovy, of course! Other instruments also make “Biggest Part of Me” the sugar honey iced tea.  The organ amplifies the soul vibes once it enters the mix.  The synths are idiomatic of the 1980s sound/aesthetic. Do you know what else is quintessential of the decade? A saxophone solo! Harmonically, the progression is another selling point, with its chromatic moments and chords that extend beyond I, IV, and V. Besides the terrific music, David Pack brings the heat vocally.  His pipes are gorgeous and soulful – perfectly tailored to the blue-eyed soul, pop, and soft-rock vibes. Pack leads the charge with tuneful melodies throughout.  The lyrics capture L-O-V-E without a hitch:

“Hey, make a wish, baby (Wish and it will come true)

Well, and I will make it come true

Make a list, baby (Make a list of the things for you)

Of the things I’ll do for you

Ain’t no risk, now (Let it rain on you)

In lettin’ my love rain down on you

So, we could wash away the past (Wash)

So that we may start anew.”

Upping the ante are background vocals, in all their harmonious warmth! “Biggest Part of Me” speaks for itself in its celestial glory.  Ambrosia put their foot into this one!

Ambrosia // One Eighty // Warner // 1980

Ambrosia, Biggest Part of Me: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 149 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]