1976 Songs: Serenade

Tweet

Not to make you feel old…but it probably will. Here’s yet another album that was a classic in 1976, is still played on “classic rock” radio, and dang it’s 50 years old now. Remember buying this one back in ‘76? I do, too! And wearing the grooves out of it (and yesterday’s album, Night Moves)! Not one of the “big hits” from the album, but you don’t expect me to use those, do you? Serenade - Steve Miller Band Oh, here’s something interesting. That guitar Steve Miller has on the cover of the album? That was made for Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix had ordered it but died before it arrived. Miller bought it and restrung it for right-handed playing. Shortly after the album was released the guitar was stolen. Anyway, this was released as a single in the UK, but in America we were content with “Rock’n Me” (which hit #1), “Take the Money and Run,” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” This is my favorite song off the album, and if you look back at that countdown I did eight years ago or so, it’s also my favorite Steve Miller song. The title track tells us about time slippin’ into the future. No, if it’s been 50 years since this album came out, it’s hopping, skipping, and jumping into the future. But this song — and this album — still sound great. Serenade Written by Steve Miller and Chris McCarty Recorded by Steve Miller Band From Fly Like an Eagle, 1976 The sun comes up and it shines all around you: