Swingtown

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to "Swingtown" by the Steve Miller Band from their 1977 album Book of Dreams! This track, the third single from the album, hit No. 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Cashbox Hot 100, with its infectious drum/bass riff and hypnotic synth outro making it a classic rock staple. In a 2017 People interview, Steve Miller shared that "Swingtown" was a studio production number, crafted with a device called the Condor Innovator, one of the first guitar computers, to give the song its unique southwestern harmony. Miller co-wrote the track with Chris McCarty, a songwriter and actor who appeared in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over the Top. The song’s long intro, trimmed for the radio edit, builds momentum with a guitar/drum instrumental that Billboard described as “high energy, rock’n’roll boogie.”

Here’s a wild tidbit for the Zoo Crew: guitarist Greg Leon, who briefly replaced Randy Rhoads in Quiet Riot, claimed in a Wikiwand article that he and Rhoads were jamming to "Swingtown" when they sped up its riff, inspiring the iconic verse riff for Ozzy Osbourne’s "Crazy Train." At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where Miller graduated, "Swingtown" is an anthem at football games, with fans chanting the “O-OOOOO-O-O-O-O-O-O-O” part, though it’s stirred controversy due to some colorful student chants, as noted on Wikipedia. Despite attempts to ban it, the song remains a crowd favorite, and Miller even guest-conducted it with the Wisconsin Marching Band. The track also popped up in pop culture, featured in the 1994 film My Girl 2 and a 2000 episode of The Sopranos titled “D-Girl.”

The Steve Miller Band started in 1966 in San Francisco, born from the psychedelic rock scene. Steve Miller, raised in Dallas, was surrounded by music legends like T-Bone Walker and Les Paul, thanks to his music-loving pathologist father. As a teen, Miller played in a band with future bandmate Boz Scaggs. After moving to Chicago and befriending members of the Butterfield Blues Band, he headed to San Francisco, forming the Steve Miller Blues Band. By 1967, after signing with Capitol Records, they dropped “Blues” from the name and released their debut album, Children of the Future, in 1968. Early albums like Sailor and Brave New World built a cult following, but it was 1973’s The Joker that catapulted them to fame, followed by hits from Fly Like an Eagle and Book of Dreams.

Zoo Freaks can connect with the Steve Miller Band on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates on tours and releases. Fans also gather on the Steve Miller Band Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group for sharing memories and news. For more fan-driven content, check out Dave Gott’s Steve Miller Band page, a fan site with detailed album info. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew, and let’s get down to Swingtown!