Artist:Sniff 'n' the Tears
Song:Driver's Seat
Album:A Best of Sniff 'n' the Tears
The 1978 single Driver's Seat was a top 20 hit. It was the only chart single for the British band Sniff 'n' the Tears. So it is a one hit wonder. You may have heard it in the 1997 film Boogie Nights. I think it's one of those songs that folks have heard but know nothing about the band. Sniff 'n' the Tears was from London led by singer songwriter, guitarist and control freak Paul Roberts. The rest of the band membership was very fluid. Roberts first formed a band in 1974. And when he couldn't get a record deal, he dissolved the band and moved to France. A couple of years later, drummer Luigi Salvoni was listening to a demo he had made with Roberts. He contacted Roberts about approaching pub rock record label Chiswick Records for a record deal. At the time, Roberts was concentrating on painting. He sells his paintings on his website. But he agreed to let Salvoni put a band together. Salvoni produced the 1978 album Fickle Heart. Roberts wrote all the songs. The rest of the band didn't matter much because they were all gone soon after. Even Salvoni left after he put things together for Roberts. They were on Atlantic Records in the US. The big surprise was when the single Driver's Seat reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It didn't do that well in England because Chiswick was a small label and didn't have a decent promotion budget. This is why bands like The Damned and Motorhead started out on Chiswick and then left. I think Sniff 'n' the Tears could have been much bigger on a better label. Chiswick closed in 1983. This Ace Records comp is a good intro to Sniff 'n' the Tears. As I said, you may have heard Driver's Seat in the 1997 film Boogie Nights and it appears on soundtrack album #2. Of course the other problem with Sniff 'n' the Tears is Roberts is a control freak and guys just wouldn't stay in the band. They split up when Chiswick closed in 1983. Roberts released a couple of solo albums in the 80s on the Danish label Sonet. He reformed Sniff 'n' the Tears after Driver's Seat was used in a European ad campaign and it charted in The Netherlands. Roberts has released occasional Sniff 'n' the Tears albums on his own label. He is also remastering recordings and releasing them. Based on his Facebook, he performs solo but he doesn't tour. Anyway, Driver's Seat is a pretty good song and I think Sniff 'n' the Tears had star potential. Here's the video for Driver's Seat by Sniff 'n' the Tears.
Frank, thank-you very much for the Bio and information. I heard this song many years ago on the radio while growing up in Michigan. And then heard the song occasionally while living here in Illinois. I have the song and still listen to it. Thanks again sir.
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