Peak
87
Weeks
6
Score
217
Chart Year
1976
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This was written by the band's lead singer, David Paton, and produced by Alan Parsons. It arrived at #1 in the UK on January 28, 1975, spending three weeks at the top. David Paton recalls in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh: My wife was reading a book and the main character was called January. She told me this and I wrote the chorus with that in mind. The verse was about how I felt at the time with the success of 'Magic'. I didn't write the song in January, it was in October, just after the release of 'Magic.' It was quickly recorded as the next single. We were recording the album, Second Flight, in Air Studios in London when 'January' got to #1. I didn't know the song was #1 until I arrived at the studio where I was greeted with handshakes and congratulations." The Scottish band Pilot were formed by former Bay City Rollers members David Paton (bass and vocals) and Billy Lyall (synthesizer, flute and vocals). They were joined by drummer Stuart Tosh and session guitarist Ian Bairnson. They achieved transatlantic success with their single "Magic" in 1974, before "January" topped the UK chart the following year. The band followed it up with their only other UK single chart hits "Call Me Round" and "Just A Smile." After that they achieved little success and after the band disbanded in 1978 Tosh, Paton and Bairnson became part of the Alan Parsons Project and Tosh also worked with 10cc. Lyall died of an AIDS-related illness in 1989.
January Sick and tired you've been hanging on me You make me sad with your eyes You're telling me lies Don't go Don't go January Don't be cold Don't be angry to me. You make me sad Come and see Oh January Don't go Don't go Life gets me higher I can show I can go I can wake up the world Little world gotta know you Gotta show you Sun Like a fire Carry on Don't be gone Bring me out of my home Sweet home Gotta know me Gotta show me You've been facing the world You've been chasing the world. January Sick and tired you've been hanging on me Time It's a flyer Sunny days Fly away English summers are gone. So long Gotta go up Gotta grow up.
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 31, 1976 | 99 | 27 |
| 2 | Feb 7, 1976 | 96 | 30 |
| 3 | Feb 14, 1976 | 92 | 34 |
| 4 | Feb 21, 1976 | 92 | 34 |
| 5 | Feb 28, 1976 | 87 | 39 |
| 6 | Mar 6, 1976 | 87 | 39 |