October 04, 2021

1976 - June: Steve Miller Band “Fly Like an Eagle”

42 minutes

Believe it or not, Fly Like an Eagle is the ninth studio album by the Steve Miller Band. Guitarist, lead singer, and founder Steve Miller got his start in Chicago playing the blues. He formed the Steve Miller Blues Band after moving to San Francisco in 1966, and shortened it to the Steve Miller Band not long after its formation. The band started with a psychedelic rock feel in their first albums, transitioning to a more straightforward rock sound with the 1973 album The Joker, and continuing with their 1976 release, Fly Like an Eagle.

This album was largely written by Miller who also produced it and provided vocals, guitar, and keyboards. Additional personnel were Lonnie Turner on bass, and Gary Mallaber on percussion. Miller was not satisfied with the recording studios where he had recorded previous albums, and built his own studio at his home in the Pacific Northwest where he would record his next album. This also explains the multi-year break between The Joker and Fly Like an Eagle.

The Steve Miller Band had experienced commercial success with the album The Joker, but Fly Like an Eagle would take that success to a new level with three hit singles. Fly Like an Eagle would eventually be certified quadruple platinum, and Rolling Stone would declare it the best album of 1976.

Both this album and the next, 1977's Book of Dreams were recorded at the same time. However, Miller decided to release the two as separate albums rather than as a double album. Both would be hits, and would constitute the heart of commercial success from the Steve Miller Band along with 1973's The Joker."

Take the Money and Run

The first single from the album tells the story of Billy Joe and Bobby Sue, a Bonnie-and-Clyde set of criminals, and the Texas police officer chasing them. It is a road trip song, inspired by Miller's trips with family, listening to the radio in the car.

Wild Mountain Honey

This song is a slower and deeper cut off the album, and hearkens back to the psychedelic Steve Miller Band days. "You run for the money but you don't even know about wild mountain honey." Miller plays the sitar on this track.

Serenade

A serenade from the stars! Another deep track, the song's message appears to be both local and cosmic. The guitar has a Spanish feel that gives off a road trip - and trippy - vibe as it switches between major and minor chords. There's also a bit of a lag between the lyrics and the musical beat which gives it an unusual style.

Rock'n Me

The second single from the album hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Miller said he was inspired by Free's "All Right Now," and it was an anthem for large concert venues. Calling out the cities of the tour was sure to be a crowd pleaser.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

"Gene Gene, the Dancing Machine from the television series “The Gong Show”

This show was raw comedy and a staple of syndicated afternoon reruns when we were growing up. Gene Gene, the Dancing Machine was a technician on the show who would come out and do a dance routine toward the end of the show. Bad, but in a good way.

STAFF PICKS:

Fool To Cry by the Rolling Stones

Brian leads off the staff picks with a mellow number from Mick Jagger and company off the Rolling Stones Black and Blue album. It was the only song from the album to chart. In this ballad, Jagger is talking to his daughter at first, then his lover, and both tell him the same thing - "you're a fool to cry, and it makes me wonder why."

A Trick of the Tail by Genesis

Bruce's staff pick features the first single from Genesis with Phil Collins taking over vocals. The song tells about The Beast who leaves his kingdom of gold to enter the human world. He is captured and put into a carnival freak show, but escapes by convincing his captors that he can take them to his city of gold.

Nobody's Fault But Mine by Led Zeppelin

Wayne rocks out with the hit from Led Zeppelin's Presence album. Blind Willie Johnson originally recorded this song in 1928. Page and Plant took credit for writing it originally, but credited Johnson later and downgraded their credits to "arranged by" rather than claiming to have written it.

Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings

Rob gets "soppy" with this upbeat number from Wings. McCartney wrote this in response to John Lennon's critique that McCartney wrote "sentimental slush." Paul McCartney was not afraid to write love songs, and musically asks "what's wrong with that?" here in this pop hit.

COMEDY TRACK:

One Piece at a Time by Johnny Cash and Tennessee Three

We finish off this week's podcast with a novelty song that would be the last top 40 hit from Johnny Cash.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings