“The Wanderer” typified Summer’s new sonic direction. It’s a cool mix of rockabilly and new wave. And Summer also switched up her vocal style for this cut. Her full-throated, powerhouse vocal style that electrified her disco smashes is absent. Instead, she delivers her verses in a restrained Chrissie Hynde-meets-Elvis lower register. The track features percolating synths, groovin' bass and dynamic rock guitar riffs. It also boasts an infectious chorus where Summer channels a bit of Debbie Harry. The song’s narrator is a restless soul who can’t stay in one place too long. She expresses her aversion to a regular nine-to-five existence and wants to be free to roam and experience life’s many adventures and pleasures.
“The Wanderer” was the lead single and title track from Summer’s eighth studio album, released on October 20, 1980 on Geffen Records. She co-wrote the song with Giorgio Moroder. It was arranged by musician/composer/producer Harold Faltermeyer, who also played keyboards and synths on the track. The song was produced by Moroder and Pete Bellotte, both longtime collaborators of Summer.
“The Wanderer” had an impressive showing on the U.S. charts. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and rose to #16 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. And it performed well in other parts of the world. It charted in the top five in six countries–Canada (#2), Spain (#4), Italy (#3), New Zealand (#5), South Africa (#5) and Finland (#4). The song was certified gold by the RIAA with 500,000 units sold. Unfortunately, it’s sorely underappreciated these days. Except for Summer's most ardent fans, the song seems to be all but forgotten, which is a shame.
The Wanderer was Summer’s first music release after she left Casablanca Records in 1980 and signed with David Geffen’s label Geffen Records that same year. She was the first artist to be signed to the new label. The album peaked at #13 on the Billboard album chart. It went on to sell 600,000 copies in the U.S. The full musician lineup for the album was Harold Faltermeyer (keyboards, synthesizer), Keith Forsey (drums, percussion), Jeff Baxter (guitar), John Pierce (bass), Sylvester Levay (keyboards, synthesizer), Steve Lukather (guitar), Lee Sklar (bass), Tim May (guitar), Les Hurdle (bass) and Gary Herbig (saxophone solo). Backing vocals were provided by Bill Champlin, Carmen Grillo and Tom Kelley.
Summer returned to her dance and R&B roots on her self-titled tenth studio album, produced by Quincy Jones and released in 1982 on Geffen Records.
