Suzi Quatro’s album “If You Knew Suzi…” was released on December 1, 1978.
UK Track Listing (1978)
- Side one
- Don’t Change My Luck
- Tired Of Waiting
- Suicide
- Evie
- The Race Is On
- Side two
- If You Can’t Give Me Love
- Breakdown
- Non-Citizen
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Coo
- Wiser Than You
US Track Listing (1979)
- Side one
- If You Can’t Give Me Love
- Stumbin’ In
- Suicide
- Tired Of Waiting
- The Race Is On
- Side two
- Don’t Change My Luck
- Breakdown
- Non-Citizen
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Coo
- Wiser Than You
Album Overview
This album, Quatro’s fifth studio album, was recorded between December 17, 1977, and September 1978 at various locations, including EMI Electrola in Cologne, MCA/Whitney Recording Studios in Glendale, California, and was mixed at Whitney Recording Studios, Glendale, and Decca Studios, Paris.
The album falls under the genres of rock, pop rock, and acoustic, totaling 36:39 minutes. It was produced by Mike Chapman and released under the RAK label.
This album marked a significant achievement in Quatro’s career, as it was her highest-charting album in the United States, peaking at number 37 on the Billboard 200 as of August 2012.
In terms of chart performance, besides its peak position on the U.S. Billboard 200, the album also charted in Australia (peaking at 36 on the Kent Music Report), Canada (peaking at 31 on the RPM Top Albums/CDs), and Sweden (reaching 24 on the Sverigetopplistan)
The album featured a diverse multinational production, with tracks recorded in Cologne, Paris, and Glendale, California. It was mixed in California, mastered in London, and distributed by a New York City-based company.
Key personnel on the album included Mike Chapman as the producer and writer, Nicky Chinn as a writer, Suzi Quatro herself on lead vocals, backing vocals, bass guitar, congas, and as a writer, and Len Tuckey on rhythm guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals, and also as a songwriter.
North American Version
When “If You Knew Suzi…” was released in the USA, the track listing was slightly different from its international version. The main change was the omission of the song “Evie,” which was replaced by “Stumblin’ In. “
Singles From If You Knew Suzi…
- “If You Can’t Give Me Love” (Released UK: March 1978)
- “Stumblin’ In” (Released UK: November 1978, US: January 1979.) It only appears on the US version of the album
- “The Race Is On” (Released: 1979)
- “Don’t Change My Luck” (Released: 1979)
Its most successful single was “Stumblin’ In,” a duet with Chris Norman, which reached number 4 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts.
Song Facts
- If You Can’t Give Me Love: This was the first single released from the album. Penned by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, it achieved global recognition, climbing to number four in the UK, number five in Germany, and securing a spot in the Top 10 in Australia. Initially released in the UK in March 1978, the song later debuted in North America in January 1979, where it attained the 45th spot on the U.S. charts.
- The Race Is On: The lyrics of this song describe a romantic relationship that’s facing challenges. The protagonist sings about celebrating with friends and playing a game while also expressing doubts about the readiness for the consequences of their actions in their “race” to win at love.
- Don’t Change My Luck: This song was released as the last single from the album in 1979. It reached #35 in Germany and #72 in Australia
Stumblin’ In
A duet with Chris Norman, the single achieved considerable success. The duet was recorded during the December 1977 sessions for the album and released as a standalone single in the UK in November 1978.
The single was later released in the US in January 1979, where it climbed to number 4 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts.
Due to the success of the single in Canada and the U.S., Stumbin’ In was added to the US version of the If You Knew Suzi… album.
Cover Songs
- Tired of Waiting: Originally released by The Kinks on January 15, 1965,
- Breakdown: Written by Tom Petty, “Breakdown” was first released by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on November 9, 1976.
- Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo: A rock song written by American musician Rick Derringer, it was first recorded in 1970 by Johnny Winter and his band, of which Derringer was a member. Derringer’s solo version in 1973 became his only Top 40 chart hit as a solo artist in the U.S. and a staple of 1970s classic rock radio.
- Evie: This track was released as a single in 1974 by Australian artist Stevie Wright, formerly of the Easybeats. It was omitted from the US and Canadian pressing of the album and replaced by “Stumblin’ In.” When the album was re-released as a “two-fer” with “Suzi… and Other Four Letter Words,” “Evie” and “Stumblin’ In” were both included.
If You Knew Suzi… was the first Quatro album that did not include a cover of an Elvis Presley Song.
Album Credits
Personnel
- Suzi Quatro – All Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Bass Guitar & Congas
- Len Tuckey – Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Mike Deacon – Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Backing Vocals
- Dave Neal – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals
| Producer | Mike Chapman |
| Engineer & Assistant to Producer | Peter Coleman |
| Assistant Engineer at Whitney Studios | Mike “Wham Bam” Wambsgans |
| Mastered by | Gordon Vicary at Utopia Studios |
| Recorded at | Whitney Studios, Glendale, California – December 1977 E.M.I Electola Studios, Cologne, Germany – May 1978 |
| Mixing Locations | Whitney Recording Studios, Glendale; Decca Studios, Paris |