“Can’t Hold Back” by 707

707 is an AOR band that made a small dent on the charts in the early 80s but never reached the popularity of their brethren, Journey and Styx. They got off to a promising start with their debut single, “I Could Be Good For You”, which went to #52 on the charts in 1980.

The second hit remained elusive, though, and by the third record the group decided to stop dividing vocalist duties and stick with one guy, Kevin Chalfant.

The third album by 707 was called “Mega Force”, the title track of which was written for a 1982 movie.

While “Mega Force” is a solid anthem for an action film, the stand out track for me is the brilliant pop rocker, “Can’t Hold Back”.

“Can’t Hold Back” features a driving verse that leads headlong into a memorable chorus with bouncy keyboards. A wild guitar solo during the instrumental break provides the last requirement needed for AOR perfection.

Despite some promising signs, including a chart appearance for the track “Mega Force” and tours with the likes of the Scorpions and REO Speedwagon, the members of 707 went their separate ways. Kevin Chalfant joined Steel Breeze and then resurfaced on the charts in 1991 with a new band called The Storm (remember their hit, “I’ve Got A Lot To Learn About Love”?)