ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

‘The Boys Are Back In Town’: Thin Lizzy Break Out Of Jail And Into Hot 100

With the ‘Jailbreak’ album already climbing the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ single entered the Hot 100 on May 15, 1976.

Published on

Thin Lizzy 'The Boys Are Back In Town' artwork - Courtesy: UMG
Thin Lizzy 'The Boys Are Back In Town' artwork - Courtesy: UMG

In the memorable year of 1976 for Thin Lizzy, one of the many highlights was their American chart debut. In May of that year, they embarked on a US tour supporting Bachman-Turner Overdrive that, by all accounts, wowed audiences everywhere. With the Jailbreak album already climbing the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, the May 15 edition of Billboard had more good news, as “The Boys Are Back In Town” entered the Hot 100.

The vivid story song thus made the American bestsellers two weeks before it even hit the UK charts, on its way to becoming one of the most-loved rock hits of the year. Its American breakout started on KSAN in San Francisco, after which airplay spread coast to coast. But Lizzy’s opportunity to maximise their impact there was scuppered when Phil Lynott contracted hepatitis. That forced the cancellation of another crucial tour supporting Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.

The Boys Are Back In Town (Remix)

Click to load video

“To tell you the truth, we weren’t initially going to put ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ on the Jailbreak album at all,” guitarist Scott Gorham later confessed. “Back then you picked ten songs and went with those, because of the time restrictions of vinyl.

The hit they nearly missed

“We recorded 15 songs, and of the ten we picked, that wasn’t one of them,” Gorham went on. “But then the management heard it and said, ‘No, there’s something really good about this song.’ Although back then, it didn’t yet have the twin guitar parts on it.”

Listen to the 70s playlist, featuring over four hours of music from an amazing decade. 

“The Boys” reached No.8 in Britain in early July. In the US, where the Hot 100 traditionally moved more slowly, the track eventually landed at No.12 later that month. It was Thin Lizzy’s first US singles chart appearance and their only major single there. “Cowboy Song,” which reached No.77 a few months later, would be their only other showing.

Nevertheless, “The Boys Are Back In Town” helped Jailbreak to become a substantial American success in its own right. It reached No.18 in a 28-week run and was certified gold, their only RIAA recognition in the US. Back in the UK, the album was on the chart for almost a year.

Buy or stream “The Boys Are Back In Town” on the Jailbreak album.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Billy Idol - Rebel Yell LP
Rebel Yell (40th Expanded Edition) (Marbled Limited Edition) 2LP
ORDER NOW
Def Leppard - Pyromania 2LP
Def Leppard
Pyromania 2LP
ORDER NOW
The Who - Live At Shea Stadium 1982 3LP
The Who
Live At Shea Stadium 1982 3LP
ORDER NOW
Keane - Hopes And Fears 20th Limited Edition 2LP
Keane
Hopes And Fears 20th Limited Edition 2LP
ORDER NOW
Abba - Waterloo 50th Anniversary
Abba - Waterloo 50th Anniversary (Limited Edition 3 x 7" Box Set)
ORDER NOW
Bob Marley - Songs Of Freedom Limited Edition 6LP Box Set
Bob Marley - Songs Of Freedom Limited Edition 6LP Box Set
ORDER NOW
uDiscover Music - Back To Top
uDiscover Music - Back To Top