Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs

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The Climax Blues Band, initially known as The Climax Chicago Blues Band, is a celebrated UK group known for its distinctive blend of blues and rock. They’ve crafted an impressive discography with over 19 albums to their name. Their hit single “Couldn’t Get It Right” soared to the top of the charts, landing at No. 10 in the UK and No. 3 in the US in 1977. Another notable track, “I Love You,” climbed to No. 12 on the Billboard charts in 1981.

This band’s journey began in Stafford, England, in 1967, thanks to the collective talents of Colin Cooper, Pete Haycock, Derek Holt, Richard Jones, George Newsome, and Arthur Wood. The lineup saw changes early on, with Jones departing in 1969, leading Holt to take up the bass. A shift in their musical direction occurred in 1970, when they signed with Harvest Records, introducing a rockier edge to their sound. John Cuffley stepped in to replace Newsome on the drums in 1971. By 1972, the band decided to streamline their name to Climax Blues Band.

# 10 – Fool For The Bright Lights

We open our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list with the stirring song entitled “Fool For The Bright Lights.” The version of the song we have presented here is a live recording from the Caslano Blues Festival in Switzerland on June 18, 2016. The lineup on this killer blues song, full of groove, included Graham DeLeon’s Vocals, Lester Hunton’s Lead Guitar and Vocals, George Glover on Keyboards and Vocals, Chris Aldridge on saxophones, Neil Simpson on bass, and Roy Adams on drums.

# 9 – Using the Power

Continuing with our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list, we listen to the great spirited song “Using the Power.” The song was released on the 1975 album The Stamp Album. This is an upbeat, grooving, funky rocker filled with great lead and backing vocals. These guys played really well together. At times, the music in this track reminds me of Pablo Cruise.

# 8 – Together and Free

In the eighth spot on our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list, we present the song “Together and Free.” The version presented here is a live recording from the 1970s, made in 1976. It was released on the album Live, Rare & Raw 1973 – 1979. You can also find the song’s studio version on the Gold Plated album released in 1976.

# 7 – Rollin’ Home

The band rocks out on this one called “Rollin’ Home.” The song was released on the album entitled Gold Plated. The album was released in 1976. This was the band’s biggest-selling album. It was also their highest charting record. The song “Rollin’ Home” was composed by Derek Holt. Pete Haycock’s slide guitar playing reminds me greatly of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

# 6 – Mean Old World

Landing in the number six spot on our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list, we present the superb song “Mean Old World.” We are going back to the beginning on this one. The song was released on the band’s debut album, The Climax Chicago Blues Band, released in 1969. “Mean Old World” was the opening track on the album. The song was composed by Big Bill Broonzy, who was a 1903 Mississippi-born guitar player. He wrote the song “Mean Old World” in 1931.

# 5 – Long Lovin’ Man

We will add one more track from the band’s early years to ensure it is represented on our list. The song “Long Lovin’ Man” is pure blues infused with rocking pop grooves that you can’t get out of your head after hearing it for just the first time. The song was issued on the album entitled A Lot of Bottle. The album was released in 1970. Derek Holt composed the song. Peter Haycock rips it up on his smoking guitar work.

# 4 – Reaching Out

At the number four spot on our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list, we present the song “Reaching Out.” This is an epic jamming piece with plenty of rhythm changes. It’s packed with outrageous solos and killer vocals. I would have loved to have seen these guys live because they could really play well. The song “Reaching Out” was released on the album Sense of Direction. It would become the band’s biggest charting album on the Billboard Top 200, peaking at number 37 in 1974.

# 3 – Summer Rain

This is such a feel-good song. It’s one of those lost summer songs. The song “Summer Rain” was included on the 1979 album Reel To Reel. What’s very strange is that the song was never released as a single. I’m not sure why, but if they had, I really believe this one would have been a big hit.

# 2 – I Love You

Just off the top spot on our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list, we celebrate the song entitled “I Love You.” The Climax Blues Band’s single “I Love You” was released on their 1980 album Flying the Flag. The track, following the earlier success of “Couldn’t Get It Right,” reached No. 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 by June 1981 and spent a notable 27 weeks on the chart. It also made an appearance on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at No. 20. I Love You woudl become the band’s second biggest hit of their career.

The legendary Nicky Hopkins, known for his work with the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and many others, played electric piano throughout the track. Those beautiful string arrangements were produced by David Campbell.

# 1 – Couldn’t Get It Right

We close out our Top 10 Climax Blues Band Songs list with their most popular song, “Couldn’t Get It Right.” This is the one that everybody knows. It’s pretty much an outlier on their catalog because they were not really a hit singles band, with the exception of this one and “I Love You. Is this their best song? Well, of course, that is subjective, but is it their most popular song? Oh yes, by far. The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Doing that in 1976 was an even more impressive feat.