"Heart Like a Wheel" by The Steve Miller Band

Song#:  0806
Date:  10/31/1981
Debut:  74
Peak:  24
Weeks:  14
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Miller and his band had been consistently charting albums since their debut in 1968, but it would be 1973's "The Joker" that finally put them over the top when the title-track single reached #1. More success followed through the rest of the 70s with another #1 hit, "Rock'n Me," and two other Top 10's. However, the 80s brought on some musical changes and their first album of the decade, "Circle of Love," didn't quite click and only reached gold status; a disappointment after several multi-platinum releases. This first single got into the Top 30, but it wasn't enough to really push the album.

ReduxReview:  Wow. I have zero recollection on this song. Not one second of it sounds familiar. Perhaps there is a reason for that. I'm not finding too much here to recommend a listen. For a retro-rock tune, it doesn't have much punch and Miller practically sounds bored or lazy during the whole thing. As a kid, I was kind of blown away by "Fly Like an Eagle" and ran out to get the song. That and his other major hits were terrific. Unfortunately, this one is a snoozer and it was probably a wake-up call to Miller and crew to get on board the 80s train (which they did on their next LP).

ReduxRating:  3/10

Trivia:  Choices for a single from "Circle of Love" were a bit limited. The album only contained five tracks thanks to the LP's b-side completely taken up by one track - the 16 minute jam "Macho City." That left only four tracks for singles contention with "Heart Like a Wheel" being picked for the lead single.

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