A song of some personal significance today as I take to the skies in defiance of the coronavirus. You’ve heard this tune before, because Steve Miller had a No. 8 hit with it in 1977. This is the original, recorded by Pena in 1973 for “New Train,” an album that went unreleased because of a beef with the record label. The album was finally released in 2000, long after the song became a hit for Miller.
Miller reimagined the tune as straight-ahead guitar rock, changed a few of the lyrics and smoothed out the funky beat to create a classic-rock staple. Released as a single from the “Book of Dreams” LP in 1977, it was Miller’s last Top 10 hit until 1982’s “Abracadabra.”
Once “New Train” was finally released, Pena briefly toured to publicize it, including this June 2001 appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show.
