Lost Gems: "Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears

             

                                                                                                                        By Jim Pace

Song: Driver's Seat

Artist: Sniff ‘n’ the Tears

Released: 1978

Genre: Power Pop

In the car, some songs get you there quicker, but you still arrive late.

We've all felt it; you're driving along, oblivious to everything, when a certain song comes on the radio and suddenly, it all looks different. The day opens up, you drive faster and you're sure that things are going to change from that moment on.

"Driver's Seat" by Sniff 'n' the Tears is one of those songs. You need to be driving when you listen to it. If the cops chase you, oh well, it's a small price to pay for a bit of euphoria.

In 1972, singer-songwriter Paul Roberts played the London pubs with an early incarnation of Sniff 'n' the Tears. They were unable to land a record deal, so in 1974 Paul left the band and moved to France to pursue his painting. Two years later, a French record company allowed him to cut some demos in London.

His former drummer, Luigi Salvoni, brought in some musicians from his band Moon, and they recorded some of what would become Fickle Heart, with Salvoni producing. The demos sat for a while, but Salvoni gave them another listen and thought they had potential. Roberts' painting career was heating up, but Salvoni smelled a hit and talked him into starting a new band.

Roberts (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Salvoni (drums) were joined by Loz Netto (guitars), Mick Dyche (guitars), Chris Birkin (bass), Alan Fealdman (Keyboards) and became Sniff 'n' the Tears. Keyboardist Keith Miller played the Moog synthesizer on "Driver's Seat."

They finished the album in 1978 and were signed by Chiswick Records. "Driver's Seat" was the obvious hit. The song moves along, driven by an acoustic guitar and accented by power pop guitars and those fantastic Moog riffs. The song caught fire and by August 1979, it was #15 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the U.S.

Sniff 'n' the Tears went from playing nightclubs to touring Spain and Germany, but some of the band members weren't prepared for that type of lifestyle. Birkin and Fealdman left the band. Then Salvoni quit right before a three month tour, opening for Kansas and Kenny Loggins in the States. He felt it wasn't the right kind of tour for Sniff 'n' the Tears.

A few albums followed with several different lineups, Roberts remaining the only constant. They were moderately successful, and Roberts painted each fantastic album cover himself, but "Driver's Seat" was a tough act to follow.

The song pops up every few years in a movie or TV show, and in 1991 was the #1 record in the Netherlands after it was featured in a commercial.

You probably won't hear it on the radio these days. So get it onto the Ipod, or better yet break out the old 8-track cassette, roll down the windows and get in the driver's seat.

Every once in awhile, for a couple of minutes, anything is possible.

Grab the keys. Let's go.

             

(Jim Pace is a musician and filmmaker living in NY.)

Comments

[Ed O'Connor]

Really good album. Mick Dyche's guitar lines are fantastic.

[[email protected]]

I'll be interviewing Paul Roberts next week. Do you have any questions you'd like me to ask him?

[Edoc]

Paul, as you know is well known as a photorealistic painter; he painted the covers for the sniff n the tears albums (which are easily mistaken for photographs-- they're phenomenal http://www.paulrobertspaintings.co.uk/). I'm sure you're already planning on weaving that into the conversation, but I would probably ask him if there is a connection between painting and his lyrics and/or songwriting process.

The other thing which I think is interesting about them is the serendipity of the project-- Paul and crew were unable to land a recording contract for years (1973-1978), and Luigi Salvoni approached Paul in '78 about some demos he'd heard a few years prior. Even then, the LP Fickle Heart was not officially released for a year after it was in the can.

Mostly I would try to focus on his interest in music/art today. Is he interested in recording new music (allegedly he has been working on new material is recent years). Ask about recordings that haven't received much attention, such as 1992's 'No Damage Done.'

Here's a 2011 interview which you've probably read as background:
http://www.craig-lancaster.com/2011/06/27/once-more-with-feeling-an-interview-with-paul-roberts-of-sniff-n-the-tears/

[[email protected]]

Thanks so much for your suggestions, Ed. I greatly appreciate them. Best, Richard.

[kurslar Ankara]

Another factor that we think is interesting about the subject may be the serendipity from the project-- Paul and crew were not able to land a recording agreement for years (1973-1978), and Luigi Salvoni contacted Paul in '78 about some demos he'd heard a couple of years prior. Even so, the LP Unpredictable Heart wasn't formally launched for any year after it had been within the can.

Mostly I'd try to pay attention to his curiosity about music/art today. Is he thinking about recording audio (allegedly he's been focusing on new material is the past few years). Request about tracks that haven't received much attention, for example 1992's 'No Damage Done.'

[chaqueta belstaff]

they can contact the group via their web site at USDrugWatchdog

[GM]

Who is the black guy in the video for Driver's Seat? I don't see him in any early pics of the band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blrHHRWKygw

[Pearl Beresford]

Your writers are enormously large.
http://phlebotomytrainingexpert.com/