275:
arriving in a town, getting into a car, getting to the gig just in time to perform the sound check, performing the gig, re-entering the car and then looking for a bed. The final few years of the band's life were easier as they switched to using tour buses. This enabled them to leave the gig, enter the bus, get a bed, drive extended distances (in Holt's words, "1,000 miles or whatever") and turn up at the next gig refreshed. The saxophonist
29:
318:
said that the song "transcended the clichés of the road-song genre and incorporated several of their trademarks, including the vocal harmonies of
Haycock and Holt behind Cooper's lead, and Haycocks guitar being played in unison with Cooper’s saxophone, to create a concise gem of a single equal to the
274:
signs, the sight of which meant that beds had been found for the night. When the band's career first started in
America, they used to fly everywhere, in some cases involving up to three flights just to get to one place. Their itineraries meant that getting to any one place was difficult and involved
262:
song; this suggestion was ignored, and instead the band came up with an original composition "from absolutely nowhere". It was simply a case of sitting in the studio, conjuring up a rhythm, appending the traditional dual vocals for which Climax Blues Band were known, and coming up with a couple of
295:
While in most markets "Couldn't Get It Right" was released with "Fat
Maybellene" as the B-side (although it did not appear on the album), in the United States and Canada the song was backed with album track "Sav'ry Gravy". Both tracks were produced by album producer
1008:
258:, demanded that the band append a radio-friendly song to the track listing. The band at the time had released eight albums and although that had translated into fame, they did not have a great impact on the charts. Copeland suggested a cover version of an
916:
1145:
343:
until
October 1976 it did manage to crack the top ten, entering at #47 and departing from #18 in early December 1976, having been at positions #10 and #11 the weeks before. It reached #8 in Canada and #29 in New Zealand.
840:
1149:
689:
266:
In an interview with
Songfacts, Derek Holt explained that the song was "just a lucky moment in time", and that it is about being on the road in
1033:
1194:
841:"Pete Haycock: Guitarist with the Climax Blues Band who went on to write film music for John Badham and Franc Roddam – Obituaries – News"
359:
1115:
720:
669:
did a parody of the song for one of their commercials in 2014. It was the most complained about commercial that year with the
658:
In 1987, the song gave its name to a hits package. Whilst commended for being "near-definitive", it was blasted by reviewer
263:
hooks. The sudden emergence of the song irritated the producer, as he thought the band had been withholding a hit from him.
983:
28:
1103:
796:
1378:
662:
as it omitted everything earlier than 1974, which he described as being "the closest they ever got to the blues".
220:
lacked a standout track and asked them to "try and write a hit". They then wrote it, in the words of its bassist
136:
889:
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270:. The chorus "kept on looking for a sign in the middle of the night" referred to searches for
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598:
463:
601:, in which the presenters put three 1970s British cars through their paces to commemorate
8:
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211:
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61:
43:
970:"Allmusic ((( Climax Blues Band > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))"
1170:
815:
451:
340:
225:
1334:"Couldn't Get It Right – Climax Blues Band | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards"
602:
582:
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161:
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941:
254:. The song was specifically written and produced after the manager of the band,
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407:
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39:
759:
214:. The song was written after the band's label told them that their 1976 album
188:
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987:
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sang the baritone lead on this song, with the bassist Derek Holt, guitarist
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238:
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95:
52:
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149:
100:
791:(19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 110.
573:. In addition, the song was used as background music in the TV series
1051:"NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart"
606:
108:
104:
868:
694:
628:
155:
Pete
Haycock, Colin Cooper, Richard Jones, Derek Holt, John Cuffley
782:
780:
893:
724:
777:
1246:
1228:
642:
1034:
The Irish Charts – Search
Results – Couldn't Get It Right"
690:"Explore: Soft Rock | Top Songs | AllMusic"
236:
The song was recorded for their eighth studio album,
964:
962:
567:
Climax Blues Band performed the song live twice for
976:
224:, "from absolutely nowhere", and it hit #10 on the
1355:"Record number of ASB complaints in 2014 - AdNews"
1146:"Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada"
1009:"Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada"
339:in early 1976. Although the song did not make the
1331:
959:
1365:
620:The song was featured in the opening credits to
838:
816:"Climax Blues Band|Couldn't Get it Right"
358:. Later that year, the song was ranked #32 on
347:Later on that year, the song was picked up by
915:Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013).
834:
832:
1171:"Top 100 Hits of 1977/Top 100 Songs of 1977"
1026:
351:and the following year it made #3 on the US
754:
752:
750:
748:
746:
744:
742:
829:
27:
1325:
1148:. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from
1096:Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990
671:Advertising Standards Bureau of Australia
882:
739:
605:'s 40th anniversary, used the song when
857:
786:
1366:
1268:
1253:
942:"The Official New Zealand Music Chart"
914:
890:"Couldn't Get It Right / Sav'ry Gravy"
713:
1217:
562:
303:
1235:
810:
808:
368:
335:The song was originally released by
330:
1297:
609:played it on the radio of his 1978
589:used the song as background music.
13:
1311:
1282:
506:
67:"Fat Maybellene" (most countries)
16:1976 song by the Climax Blues Band
14:
1405:
865:"Gold Plated – Climax Blues Band"
805:
1195:"Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1977"
789:British Hit Singles & Albums
373:
363:Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1977
1347:
1276:The Hooker with a Heart of Gold
1187:
1163:
1138:
1108:
1089:
1068:
1043:
1001:
934:
587:The Hooker with a Heart of Gold
308:In an obituary for band member
908:
682:
70:"Sav'ry Gravy" (US and Canada)
1:
839:Pierre Perrone (2013-11-22).
676:
698:. 2011-11-12. Archived from
445:
7:
1076:"SA Charts 1965–March 1989"
1040:. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
946:THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART
10:
1410:
1116:"Cash Box Top 100 5/28/77"
984:"Billboard Top 100 – 1977"
638:Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
626:, as well as appearing in
513:
383:
380:
290:
917:"Image : RPM Weekly"
635:The song was featured on
200:
187:
182:
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159:
147:
130:
114:
94:
86:
76:
59:
49:
38:
26:
21:
242:, which was named after
231:
210:" is a 1976 song by the
1379:Climax Blues Band songs
1332:the Climax Blues Band.
1013:Collectionscanada.gc.ca
921:Collectionscanada.gc.ca
787:Roberts, David (2006).
760:"Couldn't Get It Right"
721:"Couldn't Get It Right"
660:Stephen Thomas Erlewine
579:, episode "Subject 9".
250:guitar and produced by
190:"Couldn't Get It Right"
33:Side A of the UK single
22:"Couldn't Get It Right"
641:, and was used on the
665:The adultery website
208:Couldn't Get It Right
1389:Sire Records singles
818:. ColinCooperProject
613:while on his way to
1394:RCA Records singles
1293:. 25 November 2007.
1245:. 4 November 1976.
1227:. 21 October 1976.
1175:Musicoutfitters.com
1038:Irish Singles Chart
585:' 2010 online film
481:Adult Contemporary
411:Adult Contemporary
321:the Doobie Brothers
82:February 1977 (USA)
1307:. 14 January 2012.
1278:. 4 February 2011.
1264:. 11 October 2011.
1126:on 20 October 2018
563:In popular culture
381:Chart (1976–1977)
304:Critical reception
256:Miles Copeland III
1205:on 12 August 2017
559:
558:
552:
551:
502:
501:
331:Chart performance
287:singing harmony.
212:Climax Blues Band
204:
203:
168:Climax Blues Band
80:October 1976 (UK)
44:Climax Blues Band
1401:
1359:
1358:
1351:
1345:
1344:
1342:
1341:
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1323:
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1321:. 30 March 2001.
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1201:. Archived from
1199:Tropicalglen.com
1191:
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1181:
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1122:. Archived from
1120:Tropicalglen.com
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986:. Archived from
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611:Leyland Princess
511:
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452:UK Singles Chart
378:
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341:UK Singles Chart
226:UK Singles Chart
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1243:Top of the Pops
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1225:Top of the Pops
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845:The Independent
837:
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766:
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688:
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603:British Leyland
570:Top of the Pops
565:
560:
509:
507:Year-end charts
441:Springbok Radio
385:
376:
333:
315:The Independent
306:
293:
234:
189:
170:
160:
148:
123:
119:
118:
81:
60:
50:from the album
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1407:
1397:
1396:
1391:
1386:
1381:
1376:
1361:
1360:
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1305:Bob the Butler
1296:
1281:
1267:
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1234:
1216:
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1107:
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933:
907:
881:
856:
828:
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797:
776:
738:
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680:
678:
675:
667:Ashley Madison
623:Bob the Butler
564:
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439:South Africa (
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185:
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183:Official audio
180:
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24:
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15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1220:
1204:
1200:
1196:
1190:
1176:
1172:
1166:
1152:on 2016-09-27
1151:
1147:
1141:
1125:
1121:
1117:
1111:
1105:
1104:0-89820-089-X
1101:
1097:
1092:
1077:
1071:
1056:
1055:Nztop40.co.nz
1052:
1046:
1039:
1035:
1029:
1014:
1010:
1004:
990:on 2010-01-28
989:
985:
979:
971:
965:
963:
947:
943:
937:
922:
918:
911:
895:
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842:
835:
833:
817:
811:
809:
800:
798:1-904994-10-5
794:
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783:
781:
765:
764:Songfacts.com
761:
755:
753:
751:
749:
747:
745:
743:
726:
722:
716:
702:on 2011-11-12
701:
697:
696:
691:
685:
681:
674:
672:
668:
663:
661:
656:
654:
653:
652:Sleeping Dogs
648:
644:
640:
639:
633:
631:
630:
625:
624:
618:
616:
612:
608:
604:
600:
597:
596:
592:Episode 7 of
590:
588:
584:
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578:
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572:
571:
555:
547:
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541:
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521:
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516:
514:Chart (1977)
512:
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471:
469:
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390:
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379:
374:Weekly charts
371:
370:
366:
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357:
355:
350:
345:
342:
338:
328:
326:
322:
319:best work of
317:
316:
311:
301:
299:
288:
286:
282:
278:
273:
269:
264:
261:
260:Elvis Presley
257:
253:
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229:
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218:
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209:
199:
196:
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186:
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177:
173:
169:
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158:
154:
151:
150:Songwriter(s)
146:
142:
138:
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129:
117:
113:
110:
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102:
99:
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89:
85:
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69:
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63:
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55:
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48:
45:
41:
37:
30:
25:
20:
1374:1976 singles
1349:
1338:. Retrieved
1327:
1318:
1313:
1304:
1299:
1290:
1289:"Top Gear".
1284:
1275:
1270:
1261:
1255:
1242:
1237:
1224:
1219:
1207:. Retrieved
1203:the original
1198:
1189:
1178:. Retrieved
1174:
1165:
1154:. Retrieved
1150:the original
1140:
1128:. Retrieved
1124:the original
1119:
1110:
1095:
1091:
1079:. Retrieved
1070:
1059:. Retrieved
1057:. 1978-05-28
1054:
1045:
1028:
1017:. Retrieved
1015:. 1977-07-02
1012:
1003:
992:. Retrieved
988:the original
978:
949:. Retrieved
945:
936:
924:. Retrieved
920:
910:
898:. Retrieved
884:
872:. Retrieved
859:
848:. Retrieved
844:
820:. Retrieved
788:
767:. Retrieved
763:
729:. Retrieved
715:
704:. Retrieved
700:the original
693:
684:
664:
657:
650:
636:
634:
627:
621:
619:
593:
591:
586:
581:
574:
568:
566:
553:
543:
531:
490:
478:
462:
431:New Zealand
406:
397:Top Singles
393:
360:
353:
349:Sire Records
346:
334:
313:
310:Pete Haycock
307:
294:
285:John Cuffley
283:and drummer
281:Pete Haycock
277:Colin Cooper
265:
244:Pete Haycock
237:
235:
215:
207:
205:
51:
1081:2 September
647:PlayStation
337:RCA Records
298:Mike Vernon
272:Holiday Inn
252:Mike Vernon
239:Gold Plated
217:Gold Plated
172:Mike Vernon
162:Producer(s)
90:August 1976
53:Gold Plated
1384:1976 songs
1368:Categories
1340:2015-03-27
1336:. AllMusic
1260:"Fringe".
1180:2017-04-03
1156:2017-04-03
1061:2016-10-13
1019:2018-08-22
994:2010-12-31
850:2015-03-27
822:2015-03-27
706:2014-06-29
677:References
583:Brad Jones
222:Derek Holt
101:Blues rock
1209:12 August
1130:12 August
951:12 August
926:12 August
607:James May
599:series 10
532:Billboard
479:Billboard
464:Billboard
419:Ireland (
386:position
361:Billboard
354:Billboard
174:(B-sides)
109:funk rock
105:soft rock
1319:Blow Dry
869:AllMusic
695:AllMusic
629:Blow Dry
595:Top Gear
544:Cash Box
534:Hot 100
495:Top 100
492:Cash Box
87:Recorded
77:Released
894:Discogs
769:3 March
725:Discogs
522:Canada
468:Hot 100
405:Canada
391:Canada
356:Hot 100
291:B-sides
268:America
195:YouTube
1102:
900:19 May
896:. 1976
874:19 May
795:
731:19 May
727:. 1976
615:Cowley
576:Fringe
554:
248:Veleno
139:(UK),
115:Length
62:B-side
40:Single
649:game
517:Rank
232:About
132:Label
96:Genre
1247:BBC1
1229:BBC1
1211:2017
1132:2017
1100:ISBN
1083:2018
953:2017
928:2017
902:2013
876:2013
793:ISBN
771:2009
733:2013
645:and
643:Xbox
421:IRMA
384:Peak
143:(US)
141:Sire
548:53
542:US
537:32
530:US
525:87
489:US
484:43
477:US
461:US
456:10
434:29
414:38
408:RPM
394:RPM
327:."
325:Ace
323:or
246:'s
193:on
137:BTM
42:by
1370::
1291:10
1197:.
1173:.
1118:.
1098:-
1053:.
1036:.
1011:.
961:^
944:.
919:.
892:.
867:.
843:.
831:^
807:^
779:^
762:.
741:^
723:.
692:.
673:.
655:.
632:.
617:.
498:7
472:3
446:9
443:)
426:8
423:)
400:8
365:.
312:,
300:.
228:.
124:18
107:,
103:,
1357:.
1343:.
1262:4
1249:.
1231:.
1213:.
1183:.
1159:.
1134:.
1085:.
1064:.
1032:"
1022:.
997:.
972:.
955:.
930:.
904:.
878:.
853:.
825:.
801:.
773:.
735:.
709:.
206:"
122::
120:3
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