Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right

Song: Stuck in the Middle With You (1972)

Artist: Stealers Wheel

Album: Stealers Wheel (A&M)

You may know the song Stuck in the Middle with You from the ear-slicing scene in Reservoir Dogs (1993).

It was the only big hit by the Scottish folk-rock band Stealers Wheel, in 1973, appearing on their self-titled album Stealers Wheel, climbing up the U.S. and U.K. charts in 1973, reaching no. 6 and 8, respectively. The song was originally called just “Stuck in the Middle.”

Gerry Rafferty in 1972, with others joining and then quickly leaving to be replaced by others. Rafferty himself left the band before the first album was officially released. He was later persuaded to rejoin but other members again left and the duo of Egan and Rafferty stuck to using studio musicians after this, only to break up in 1975 after differences and difficulties.

After the song was revived by Reservoir Dogs, the song may have been re-released but Gerry Rafferty refused to permit it. A successful dance cover version of the song was also recorded by Louse in the UK in 2001.

News that the band is “reforming” should not be taken too seriously, as the re-formed band consists of members who had a short stint with the band before leaving to be replaced with studio musicians, Tony Williams, Rod Coombes, and Paul Pilnick.

Stuck in the Middle with You Beginning Lyrics

Stuck in the Middle with You Beginning Lyrics
Well, I don’t know why I came here tonight
I got the feeling that something ain’t right
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down those stairs

Clowns to left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you

Joe Egan released an album Out of Nowhere in 1979 and had some success with his song “Back on the Road.” He then released another album called Map in 1981, which did not sell well. He also performed vocals on some of Rafferty’s songs from his 1992 album.

The music career of Gerry Rafferty who died in 2011, was more storied. You will recognize his songs Get it Right Next Time, Right Down the Line, and Baker Street, which has one of the most memorable saxophone riffs in rock history, and its lyrics, with the chorus:

You used to think that it was so easy
You used to say that it was so easy
But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now
Another year and then you’d be happy
Just one more year and then you’d be happy
But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now

Listen to Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty

Get it Right the Next Time Video, by Gerry Rafferty

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