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Lookin' Out for Number 1
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Wikipedia article
"'Lookin' Out for #1'" is a 1975 song written by Randy Bachman and first recorded by Canadian rock group BachmanTurner Overdrive (BTO) for their December, 1975 album 'Head On'. The lead vocal is provided by Randy Bachman. Released in early 1976, it was the second of two singles from the LP to be issued in North America, following "Take It Like a Man".
A departure from BTO's earlier heavy rock releases, "Lookin' Out for #1" was strongly influenced by Randys jazz upbringing and tutelage under Lenny Breau. In his book 'Randy Bachmans Vinyl Tap Stories', Randy stated: "The chord progression on Lookin' Out for #1 came from the 'Mickey Baker Guitar Book' that Lenny Breau had told me about when I was a teenager. It was a chance for me to stretch out a bit on the guitar. Its still among my most requested live songs, and made the transition to my jazz career."
"Lookin Out for #1" did not perform particularly well on the U.S. 'Billboard' pop charts, peaking at #65 on May 15, 1976 and spending just six weeks in the Hot 100. On the 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary chart, however, it was a Top 20 hit, peaking at #15 on May 29, 1976. As a result, the song got significant airplay on soft rock radio stations, a first for BTO. 'Cash Box' said that it "is a beautiful acoustic ballad with some evidently Spanish influence" and "the best thing this band has done in a long time."
There are multiple versions of the "Lookin Out for #1" single. The initial U.S. and Canadian releases have an edited version of the song, running 3:50. Some versions released in Europe have the full album version of the song, running 5:19. Both of these releases had "Find Out About Love" as the B-side. A version released in late 1976 has "Take It Like a Man", the bands prior hit from the 'Head On' album, on the B-side.
Charts
References
Category:1970s ballads
Category:1976 songs
Category:1976 singles
Category:Canadian soft rock songs
Category:BachmanTurner Overdrive songs
Category:Mercury Records singles
Category:Rock ballads
Category:Songs written by Randy Bachman
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