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Stealers Wheel: Stuck in the middle with you.
Although Greatest Hits have never really excited me, with this CD bought for a few euros, I had to change my mind.
It is one of those very few albums in my collection that never ages; it manages to remain constantly light but not superficial, catchy but never trivial; rather, it flows fresh and genuine and is suitable for every season and every age. I have always been reluctant towards those albums or genres that are "a bit for everyone," but here we have a work that, in my opinion, would satisfy and unite the most diverse tastes and preferences.
The Stealers Wheel were formed in Scotland in 1973 from the ashes of a trio of entertainers, more than musicians, the Humblebums. The members were Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, and Tam Harver, who were skilled in entertaining the pub audience with acoustic shows performed with guitars and banjos. Their "best" is worth more than one listen for lovers of the genre.
The group disbanded in 1970, and two years later, Rafferty tried his luck as a solo artist with the little-known yet beautiful "Can I have my money back," where the style of the future Stealers Wheel began to take shape. But luck in terms of both success and sales was not on his side, so he reunited with an old schoolmate, Joe Egan, to form a true group. In 1972, they released their first album, "Stealers Wheel." From '72 to '75, three albums were released, each more beautiful than the last, which, among other things, were the only three of the group before disbandment, after which the band fell into total oblivion. A pity because those three albums are remarkable works. Among all the songs, their only one that achieved some success cannot help but stand out, the hit "Stuck in the middle with you," a delightful folk/rock/blues tune known by many, though few know its authors.
In this greatest hits collection, I'd highlight three more gems that should not be missing in any discography of every lover of good music: the wonderful "Star," the ironic and sleepy "Late Again," and especially the jewel "Nothing's gonna change my mind," a true anthem to always thinking for oneself and not wanting to be conditioned by others. All are present in the collection, of course.
The Stealers Wheel thus managed to create an original style by combining country pop and rock with folk and blues influences without ever falling into banality; on the contrary, showcasing a side that is intimate at times ironic and somewhat raucous, at times delicate and alluring. Even today, more than 35 years later, their arrangements and harmonies remain valid and up-to-date, and their albums, unfortunately, are still undeservedly ignored. In my opinion, Egan and Rafferty's voices are among the most beautiful the seventies ever produced, something that could make many more famous and acclaimed groups envious. A true shame, the constant disinterest of the public and critics. But as we know, in music as in life, the worst are often celebrated, and as long as the hegemony of the most famous and well-recommended continues, we will have to suffer in silence, seeking snippets of genius and originality elsewhere.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Stuck in the Middle With You ()
(Rafferty/Egan)
Well, I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right.
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs.
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Yes, I’m stuck in the middle with you,
And I’m wondering what it is I should do.
It’s so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I’m all over the place.
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Well, you started off with nothing,
And you’re proud that you’re a self-made man.
And your friends they all come crawlin’,
Slap you on the back and say, "Please, please."
Trying to make some sense of it all,
But I can see it makes no sense at all.
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor?
Well, I don't think I can take anymore.
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Well, you started out with nothing,
And you’re proud that you’re a self-made man.
And your friends they all come crawlin’,
Slap you on the back and say, "Please, please."
Yeah, I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Yes I’m, stuck in the middle with you,
Stuck in the middle with you,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.
Joe Egan: Vocals, Keyboard
Gerry Rafferty: Vocals, Guitar
Paul Pilnick: Lead Guitar
Tony Williams: Bass
Rod Coombes: Drums
05 Late Again ()
(Egan/Rafferty)
Late again, when I get home you’ll be waiting.
Still you know there ain’t no use in you complaining.
I know that I can show some respect, especially when I’m wrong.
But when I get back I know you'll say, “You’ve been away too long.�?
Ooooh, la-la-la, oooh...
I wonder why I stay when everybody’s gone, yeah,
There’s always something there, that keeps me hanging on.
Ooooh, la-la-la, oooh...
I wonder why I stay when everybody’s gone away,
There’s always something there, that keeps me hanging on.
I know that I can show some respect, especially when I’m wrong.
Late again, when I get home you’ll be waiting.
Joe Egan: Vocals, Keyboard
Gerry Rafferty: Vocals, Guitar
Paul Pilnick: Lead Guitar
Tony Williams: Bass
Rod Coombes: Drums
08 Star ()
(Egan)
So they made you a star, now your head’s in a cloud,
Now you’re walking down the street with your feet off the ground
They read in the press all about your success,
They believe every word they’ve been told.
After all you’ve been through tell me what will you do,
When you find yourself out in the cold?
When you appear on the stage there’s a standing ovation,
You really live out your performance, you’re the biggest sensation.
You breeze through the door and when you take the floor
You expect to have it all to yourself.
After all you’ve been through tell me what will you do
When you find yourself back on the shelf?
You breeze through the door and when you take the floor
You expect to have it all to yourself.
After all you’ve been through tell me what will you do
When you find yourself back on the shelf?
Gerry Rafferty & Joe Egan: Their songs, voices, guitars, pianos, mandolins and kazoos - and featuring their organs
Peter Robinson: Piano, Electric Piano, Hammond Organ, Pipe Organ, Synthesizer & Chimes
Gary Taylor: Electric Bass and Mini-Moog
Joe Jammer: Electric Guitar
Andrew Steele: Drums, Tambourines, Congas, Triangle, Chimes, Maracas, Wood Blocks, Cowbell, Claves and Jawbones
Bernie Holland: Electric Guitar
Chris Neale: Harmonica
Corky Hale: Harp
Chris Mercer: Tenor Sax
Steve Gregory: Tenor Sax
Mike Stoller: Electric Harpsichord
Strings arranged by Richard Hewson
Horns arranged by Mike Stoller
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