'The Joker' on my Philco made-in-Japan pocket transistor radio in Summer of '73... even if I was too young to understand exactly what he was singing about.
But it was 1976's Fly Like an Eagle that really put the Steve Miller Band on the map. Although lyrical themes range from redistribution to anarchy, Miller's slick, understated slide-guitar sound and hook-laden songwriting have rendered me a lifelong fan. Besides the eponymous single, two others came from this fine album- 'Rock n' Me' and 'Take the Money and Run'... as the LP itself went on to sell forever, now quadruple-Multi-Platinum-- and that's a lot or records.
Didja ever have a tune you just can never get sick of hearing as long as you live? Steve Miller's lesser-known cover of Blues legend K.C. Douglas' 'Mercury Blues' is just that sort for me... been listening to it since I was 15:
Had my money
I tell you - what I'd do
I would go downtown
Buy me a Mercury or two
Cause I'm crazy 'bout a Mercury
Cruise up and down this road
Up and down this road
I'm goin' to buy me a Mercury
And I'll cruise up and down this road
Up and down this road
You know that gal I love
I stole her from a friend
Fool got lucky stole her back again
Because she knowed he had a Mercury
Cruise up and down this road
Up and down this road
Well, she knowed he had a Mercury
And she cruise up and down this road
Hey now mama
Where'd you stay last night
Your hair's all down
Your clothes don't fit you right
Had my money
I tell you what I'd do
Go downtown and buy a Mercury or two
Cause I'm crazy 'bout a Mercury
And I'll cruise up and down this road
Up and down this road
I'm going to buy me a Mercury
And I'll cruise up and down this road
Up and down this road
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Wikipedia Art of Manliness xxx yy