Christopher Cross: An Expanded Edition of His Blockbuster Debut—Review
by Jeff Burger
Few debut albums in the history of popular music have garnered as much success as the eponymous one from singer, songwriter and guitarist Christopher Cross.
Though virtually unknown at the time of the record’s release in 1979, he rocketed to fame with this soft-rock LP, whose star-studded guest list includes such names as Nicolette Larson, Michael McDonald, Don Henley and J.D. Souther. The album spent five months on the pop charts and sold more than five million copies. It also earned Cross Grammys for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Song of the Year. Four of the LP’s nine self-penned songs became hit singles, among them “Ride Like the Wind,” “Never Be the Same,” “Say You’ll Be Mine” and the chart-topping “Sailing.”
Unfortunately, Cross’ fall was nearly as rapid as his rise. He did score a couple more hits in the early 1980s, including “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” which reached #1 in 1981. But his time in the spotlight was over by the middle of that decade.
Related: Our Album Rewind of Cross’ debut
Listening to a new, expanded edition of Christopher Cross, which Steely Dan associate Michael Omartian produced, you can hear why the original album did so well, but you can also sense why the singer’s star faded. The June 20, 2025, reissue features a 2019 remaster of the LP, plus 11 bonus tracks. Among them are several previously unissued tunes and demos of five of the debut’s songs, most of which don’t sound all that different from the final versions. Everything on the record is impeccably crafted, expertly delivered and generally more impressive than what you’d expect from a newcomer. But much of it is also light as a feather, and feathers can float away in the wind.
The editions are available here.
A top editor at leading consumer and trade magazines for more than 40 years, Jeff has interviewed dozens of musical luminaries, including Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt, Roger McGuinn, John Sebastian, Wolfman Jack, Tommy James, Tom Waits, the Righteous Brothers, and the members of Steely Dan.
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