Stuck in the Middle with You
| "Stuck in the Middle with You" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Stealers Wheel | |
| from the album Stealers Wheel | |
| Released | 1972 |
| Genre | Folk rock, country rock |
| Length | 3:23 |
| Label | Lemon Recordings |
| Writer(s) | Gerry Rafferty, Joe Egan |
| Producer | Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller |
"Stuck in the Middle with You"[1][2][3] (sometimes known as "Stuck in the Middle"[4]) is a song written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan and originally performed by their band Stealers Wheel. The song was inspired by a real occasion when the record company and producers were conducting business across Rafferty and Egan at a restaurant table.
Contents |
Overview [edit]
"Stuck in the Middle" was released on Stealers Wheel's 1972 self-titled debut album.[5] Gerry Rafferty provided the lead vocals, with Joe Egan singing harmony. The song was conceived initially by the band members as a parody of Bob Dylan's distinctive lyrical style and paranoia. The band was surprised by the single's chart success.[6] The single sold over one million copies, eventually peaking in 1973 at #6 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 in the UK Singles Chart. It was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.[7]
Other notable utilisation [edit]
In 1992, "Stuck In the Middle With You" was used in Quentin Tarantino's debut film Reservoir Dogs. The song was described as a "Dylanesque, pop, bubble-gum favorite" in the K-Billy's Super Sounds of the Seventies voice-over by Steven Wright.[8] The song was played during the ear-cutting scene in which Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) taunts and tortures a bound police officer while singing and dancing to the song.[9]
In 2000, the song was used in the American sitcom Malcolm In the Middle, in the first season's episode "Funeral"; in which Hal (Bryan Cranston) plays the song loudly on an old record, oblivious to the chaos unfolding around him in the house.
It was also covered by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Cover versions [edit]
Country-pop singer Juice Newton remade the song on her 1985 album Old Flame. Jeff Healey recorded a cover version of "Stuck in the Middle With You" in 1995 for his album Cover to Cover. Bangles member Susanna Hoffs covered the song on her eponymous 1996 release.
English singer Louise Redknapp recorded a cover version in 2001, which reached #4 in the UK in 2001.[10] The Eagles of Death Metal have also released a cover version of this song on their album, Peace, Love, Death Metal titled, "Stuck in the Metal". Michael Bublé also covered it with an upbeat brass arrangement. Keith Urban did a country-flavored version with his short-lived The Ranch, which was omitted from their contemporaneous late 90's release but included by the label as a bonus track on the disc's 2004 reissue. American alternative rock band Lazlo Bane covered the song for their 70's covers album Guilty Pleasures. Collin Raye released a version of the song on his 2009 album Never Going Back.
In 2012 The Bo-Keys recorded a Memphis Soul style version for a fund raising cd titled "Super Hits Of The Seventies" for radio station WFMU.[11]
Singer Dick Rivers released a disco song titled "J'ai pas la côte avec toi" with the same tune as "Stuck in the Middle With You", set to French lyrics, in 1978.
References [edit]
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 675. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 527. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Stealers Wheel sleeve image
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/Stealers-Wheel/dp/B0001AEVGI
- ^ Gracenote: Album > Stealers Wheel - Stealers Wheel :[1]
- ^ Chilton, Martin, "Gerry Rafferty and his songs of alienation", Daily Telegraph, 5 January 2011
- ^ Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era (ISBN 9780670034567): Ken Emerson
- ^ "Wright, Steven - Super Sounds (Dialogue) lyric". allthelyrics.com. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=komvFIGYBYM
- ^ "Louise: Artist: Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14th February 2012.
- ^ Super Hits Of The 70's
