Swingtown - Steve Miller Band (1978) 2/23/22

There are two good reasons why Steve Miller calls today's "Great Song of the '70s" a "studio production number:"

#1: He used a newfangled studio device called a "Condor "Innovator," which, in effect" was a computerized guitar that gave "Swingtown" its oddly different sound near the end of the song.

#2: The band worked in the studio for several weeks to tweak the sound and polish the finished product.

When the song was released from the album "Book of Dreams" in late 1977, it was certainly different enough to get noticed by radio programmers... and the resulting airplay helped push the song into the Top 20 in both Canada (#13), and the US (#17).

Today, "Swingtown" remains a staple on classic rock and oldies stations in both countries...but in Wisconsin, it's somewhat legendary!

During football games at the University of Wisconsin/Madison's Camp Randall Stadium, the marching band will play the song, and students will sing along.

Unfortunately, there's a vulgar chant that goes with it.

Many think it's funny. Many others do not. In fact, the Chancellor and the UW staff have repeatedly tried to ban the song, but the band plays it anyway, and the chants continue.

In fact, Steve, who graduated from UW/Madison, has been known to stop by and guest conduct the song at halftime! Gutsy move, but funny, too.

Trivia: Greg Leon and Randy Rhoades of Quiet Riot were riffing on "Swingtown" one day...and ended up using pieces of it while writing the song "Crazy Train" for Ozzy Osbourne. (Check the link below and see if you can tell!)

"Swingtown" by Steve Miller: A "Great Song of 1977-78," with a "Great #^&^% Chant" to go with it!

"Crazy Train" (by Ozzy Osbourne):