Peak
12
Weeks
24
Score
2,646
Chart Year
1985
The accompanying music video for "Solid" is set on a rainy afternoon in a park. Valerie Simpson exits a taxi in a park on a cloudy day, and escapes from a sudden downpour underneath a bridge. As she sings the opening of the song a cappella, Nick Ashford arrives and joins in. As the video progresses, they are joined by others, including a cyclist in yellow spandex, a gang who just want to sing, and several bongo players, also trying to escape the downpour.[1] It was shot in New York City in Central Park at the Willowdell Arch (40°46′12″N 73°58′16.4″W).
This was inspired by comments made by children as Nickolas Ashford walked around New York City. He heard them say, "Yo, solid!," which Ashford thought applied to the relationship he had with his wife and songwriting partner, Valerie Simpson. >> While many songs are about that crazy, euphoric love often found in new relationships, Ashford and Simpson on this track sing about the enduring kind of love that is needed to sustain 30+ years of marriage. The duo were married in the early '70s, and have had a very successful professional and romantic partnership.
And for love's sake, each mistake Ah, you forgave And soon both of us learned to trust Not run away, it was no time to play We build it up and build it up and build it up And now it's solid Solid as a rock That's what this love is That's what we've got, oh Solid, solid as a rock And nothing's changed it The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot Oh, you didn't turn away When the sky went gray Somehow we managed We had to stick together (oh, oh) You didn't bat an eye When I made you cry We knew down the line We would make it better (oh, oh) And for love's sake, each mistake Ah, you forgave And soon both of us learned to trust Not run away, it was no time to play We build it up and build it up and build it up And now it's solid Solid as a rock That's what this love is (oh, oh) That's what we've got (oh) Yes, it is Solid, solid as a rock And nothing's changed it The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot Oh, gone with the wind Another friend Got in between Tried to separate us (oh, oh) Oh, knock-knock on wood You understood Love was so new We did what we had to (ooh, ooh) And with that feeling We were willing to take a chance So against all odds, we made a start We got serious, this wouldn't turn to dust We build it up and build it up and build it up And now it's solid Solid as a rock That's what this love is, oh That's what we've got, oh Solid (yes, it is) Solid as a rock And nothing's changed it The thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot , hot Solid, solid as a rock (you know it, well, you know it, baby) Solid, solid as a rock (lovin' me, lovin' me, oh) Solid (don't leave me, baby) Solid as a rock (well, well, well, well) Solid, solid as a rock (every day it gets sweeter, now) Solid, solid as a rock (good, good, well, it's good, good, good) Solid
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 10, 1984 | 90 | 36 |
| 2 | Nov 17, 1984 | 80 | 46 |
| 3 | Nov 24, 1984 | 69 | 57 |
| 4 | Dec 1, 1984 | 62 | 64 |
| 5 | Dec 8, 1984 | 58 | 68 |
| 6 | Dec 15, 1984 | 51 | 75 |
| 7 | Dec 22, 1984 | 45 | 81 |
| 8 | Dec 29, 1984 | 45 | 81 |
| 9 | Jan 5, 1985 | 36 | 90 |
| 10 | Jan 12, 1985 | 32 | 94 |
| 11 | Jan 19, 1985 | 25 | 101 |
| 12 | Jan 26, 1985 | 21 | 105 |
| 13 | Feb 2, 1985 | 14 | 112 |
| 14 | Feb 9, 1985 | 12 | 114 |
| 15 | Feb 16, 1985 | 12 | 114 |
| 16 | Feb 23, 1985 | 14 | 112 |
| 17 | Mar 2, 1985 | 17 | 109 |
| 18 | Mar 9, 1985 | 26 | 100 |
| 19 | Mar 16, 1985 | 39 | 87 |
| 20 | Mar 23, 1985 | 51 | 75 |