Back on My Feet Again

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Back on My Feet Again" by The Babys from their 1980 album Union Jacks! This track, a punchy power pop anthem, hit #33 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the band’s final Top 40 single. Fun fact: the song was originally penned for The Sweet, who recorded a demo titled "Yesterday’s Hero" in 1979 with different lyrics, but their bassist Steve Priest despised it, so it stayed unreleased until 2021’s Platinum Rare album. John Waite, The Babys’ lead singer, shared in a 2020 interview that the band’s name was a cheeky ploy to snag a record deal: “We called ourselves The Babys because record companies wouldn’t listen to rock & roll bands. They wanted teen bands, so we thought it was crazy enough to work.” And work it did, with this track’s infectious energy lighting up FM radio waves.

Another tidbit about "Back on My Feet Again" is its role in showcasing the band’s evolving sound. The song, written by Waite, Dominic Bugatti, and Frank Musker, blends big guitars and cheery keyboards, reflecting a shift toward a radio-ready, new wave-inflected style. Fans on Steve Hoffman Music Forums have praised Union Jacks as a start-to-finish gem, with one user recalling it as one of their first album purchases, highlighting the track’s enduring appeal. The album also marked the debut of keyboardist Jonathan Cain and bassist Ricky Phillips, whose influence pushed The Babys toward a slicker AOR vibe. Despite its chart success, the song’s parent album peaked at #42 on the Billboard 200, and the band split after one more record, partly due to Waite’s knee injury during a chaotic 1980 Cincinnati show where an overzealous fan pulled him offstage.

The Babys kicked off in 1976 in London, founded by vocalist/bassist John Waite, drummer Tony Brock, keyboardist/guitarist Michael Corby, and guitarist Wally Stocker. Their name, as Waite explained, was a tongue-in-cheek jab at the music industry’s obsession with teen pop. Signed to Chrysalis Records with a record-breaking deal for a new act, their 1976 self-titled debut and 1977’s Broken Heart delivered melodic rock with a British edge, scoring hits like "Isn’t It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You," both reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Critics, like those at Last.fm, note the band’s influence on the 70s and 80s power pop movement, despite being pigeonholed as teen pop. Lineup changes, including Corby’s exit and Cain’s arrival, shaped their later sound, but the band dissolved in 1981. Waite went solo, landing a #1 hit with "Missing You," while Stocker and Brock revived The Babys in 2013, releasing a new album in 2014.

Connect with The Babys on their official site for the latest updates, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for throwbacks and tour news. Their X account keeps the vibe alive with fan interactions. For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out fan communities like the The Babys Fan Group on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories and rare finds. Another great spot is John Waite Worldwide, a fan site dedicated to Waite’s career, including his Babys era. Keep spinning those records, and stay wild, Zoo Freaks!