Slug Line

Slug Line is singer-songwriter John Hiatt's third album, released in April 1979. It was the first of two albums with MCA Records.^[2] It was his first charting album, reaching No. 202 on Billboard's album charts, and also the highest-charting album during his first 15 years as a recording artist.

Slug Line
Studio album by John Hiatt
Released	1979
Recorded	January–February 1979
Genre	Rock[1]
Length	38:22
Label	MCA
Producer	Denny Bruce
John Hiatt chronology
Overcoats (1975) Slug Line (1979) Two Bit Monsters (1980)
Singles from Slug Line
"Radio Girl" Released: April 1979 "Slug Line" Released: October 1979

Background and recording

Hiatt had spent the previous 4 years without a recording contract. After opening for musician Leo Kottke, he caught the attention of Kottke's manager and producer, Denny Bruce. Bruce put together a demo, which caught the attention of MCA Records who signed him.^[3][4]

Slug Line was recorded in January^[5] and February 1979,^[6] and produced by Denny Bruce.^[7]

Release

Slug Line was released by MCA Records in April 1979.^[4][8][9] The album peaked at number 202 on the Billboard Bubbling Under chart.^[10] Two singles were released from the album, "Radio Girl" in April 1979,^[11][12][13] and "Slug Line" in October 1979.^[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[16]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[17]
Smash Hits	(favorable)[18]

The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that "Hiatt evinces a talent for disarmingly pretty ballads."^[17] Record World called the album a collection of "reggae laced semi-rockers."^[19] Billboard called the album an "appealing, uptempo rock 'n roll package," and that Hiatt "infuses various elements into his style, including calypso strains at times."^[20] Cash Box said that the album "fuses crisp rock 'n' roll energy, infectious Dave Edmunds-like vocals, and of course, his highly distinctive, imaginative compositions."^[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by John Hiatt, except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"You Used to Kiss the Girls"		2:36
2.	"The Negroes Were Dancing"		2:46
3.	"Slug Line"		3:02
4.	"Madonna Road"	John Hiatt, Jim Wismar	4:23
5.	"(No More) Dancin' in the Street"		2:22
6.	"Long Night"		5:18

Side two

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Night That Kenny Died"	2:37
2.	"Radio Girl"	2:57
3.	"You're My Love Interest"	3:19
4.	"Take Off Your Uniform"	4:08
5.	"Sharon's Got a Drugstore"	2:12
6.	"Washable Ink"	3:15
Total length:		38:22

Personnel

• John Hiatt – guitar, vocals
• Jon Paris – guitar, bass guitar
• Doug Yankus – guitar
• Veyler Hildebrand – bass
• Etan McElroy – piano, background vocals on "Long Night"
• B.J. Wilson – drums
• Gerry Conway – drums
• Bruce Gary – drums
• Thom Mooney – drums
• Todd Cochran – piano, organ

Technical

• Denny Bruce – producer
• Russ Gary – engineer
• John Van Hamersveld – art direction
• Nick Rozsa – cover photography