DESCRIPTION:
This infectiously funky rock tune peaked at #3 on the pop charts in the US in 1977, courtesy of a dues paid British blues band originally called the Climax Chicago Blues Band. Formed in 1968 with charter members vocalist Colin Cooper, guitarist/sometime vocalist Peter Haycock, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Derek Holt, keyboardist Arthur Wood, bassist Richard Jones and drummer George Newsome, the band was signed to Parlophone Records EMI. "The Climax Chicago Blues Band" LP was an eclectic mix of styles, closing out with their version of Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" released five years before Marvin Hamlisch used the song in the film "The Sting". Jones left the group that same year with Holt taking over his duties. A move to Harvest Records added a rock influence, expanding their appeal. After a flurry of personnel changes and record labels, the group recorded their 1976 entry "Gold Plated" which became a self fulfilling prophecy, driven by the pop hit "Couldn't Get It Right" the album peaked at #27 in the US and spent 44 weeks on that survey and almost did not appear on the LP. The studio executives felt that "Gold Plated" lacked a strong radio single and asked the band to come up with something a little more accessible. The song that came out of that writing session was an uptempo lament about being on the road, with lyrics like "Looking for a sign in the middle of the night, but I couldn't see the light" being open wide to interpretation. The reality was that they singing about looking for the lights of the highway "Holiday Inn's" while they were on one of their endless road tours. The band continued recording and in 1980 scored another pop hit with their #12 charting remake of People's 1968 hit "I Love You", besting the originals peak of #14. The band has remained active since then. Colin Cooper passed away in 2008, being the only constant from the band's inception. Johnny Pugh was in for a couple of years as lead vocalist and then Graham Dee took over in 2013. They plan to record and album for release in 2016. The song was also chosen to be on the soundtrack of the 2016 movie "The Nice Guys" starring Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe set in the 70's.