"Easy Livin'" is a song by the British rock band Uriah Heep, released as the second single from their 1972 album Demons and Wizards. The band has also shot a basic music video for the song in 1972. It was the band's only hit in the United States, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1972. The song's greatest success came in the Netherlands, where it reached #5 on the singles chart. The single also peaked at No. 25 in Canada. In 1988 the band released a live version of the song, with new vocalist Bernie Shaw, as a UK single from the album Live in Moscow.
The song was released in 1989, single live version. In 2006,Uriah Heep released "Easy Livin': Singles A's & B's" called a collection, which also included the name of the song. In 2009, the band released "Easy Livin'" "Celebration" album alternative studio version.
About
"Easy Livin'" did not reach the UK singles chart but was a big success in Germany, reaching #15. It had its biggest success in the Netherlands, where it charted at #5, while in Scandinavia it reached #17, in France #35 and in Australia #75. It reached the top 40 in the US. Along with "The Wizard", "Easy Livin'" helped the band achieve stardom in many countries.
- In 1995 Radiomafia added "Easy Livin'" to their list of "Top 500 Songs".
- The song is Uriah Heep's second "most listened" song on Last.fm, with over 14,000 hits, behind only "Lady in Black".
The song has been included in most of their live sets since its introduction in 1973. "Easy Livin'" is Uriah Heep's second most covered song behind "Lady in Black".
Track listing
- 7" single
- "Easy Livin'" â€" 2:37
- "Gypsy" â€" 6:37
Cover versions
- The song was covered by W.A.S.P. on their 1986 album Inside the Electric Circus and on the b-side of their 1986 95-Nasty single.
- Angel Dust has covered the song for their album "Border of Reality" in 1998.
- Blackfoot has covered the songs for their live albums "Live on the King Biscuit Flower Hour" in 1998 and "On the Run-Live" in 2004.
- D.C. Cooper covered the song on his 1999 solo album "D.C. Cooper."
- Dreamer band has covered the song on the albums "Heepsteria Extra-A tribute to Uriah Heep" in 1999 and "Tribute to Uriah Heep-Heepsteria" in 2000.
- James Last made an instrumental cover of the song.
- Soviet band Aquareli has covered the song with English lyrics as "Takova zhyzn'" for their album "Solnechnyi luch v moem serdtce" ("You are the sunshine of my life") in 1979.
- Finnish artist Vilperin Perikunta made a cover of the song, but the lyrics were translated in Finnish, and song was named "Piirimyyjä". Also a Christmas single "Joulupukki" with alternative lyrics was released. .
- Punk band The Dickies covered the song on their album "Dogs From The Hare That Bit Us".
In pop culture
- Three years after the song was released, "Easy Livin'" was one of the only two songs that were featured in the critically acclaimed 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon.
Chart performance
Uses in other Uriah Heep albums
Various Artists
Personnel
- David Byron â€" lead vocals
- Mick Box â€" guitar
- Lee Kerslake â€" drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Gary Thain â€" bass guitar
- Ken Hensley â€" organ, backing vocals
