Released on June 11, 1979, "Get The Knack" arrived at a pivotal moment in music history. The disco era was beginning to wane, and punk rock's raw energy was being distilled into more commercially accessible new wave and power pop. The Knack, with their skinny ties, mop-top haircuts, and Beatles-esque hooks, were perfectly positioned to capture this zeitgeist. The album's release was preceded by a massive industry buzz, fueled by intense bidding wars between record labels. Capitol Records ultimately signed the band and launched a huge marketing campaign, billing them as the next big thing. The album dropped like a bombshell, rocketing up the charts and defining the sound of the summer of 1979.
What it is
"Get The Knack" is the debut studio album by the Los Angeles-based power pop band The Knack. The record is a tight, energetic collection of 12 songs that blend infectious guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and lovelorn, often sexually suggestive lyrics. Produced by Mike Chapman, known for his work with Blondie and Suzi Quatro, the album has a crisp, powerful sound that feels both nostalgic and modern. Its centerpiece is the global smash hit "My Sharona," a song defined by its stuttering, unforgettable guitar riff and pounding drum beat. Other standout tracks like "Good Girls Don't" and "Frustrated" further exemplify the band's formula of combining 1960s pop sensibilities with late-1970s rock energy, creating a sound that was immediately catchy and radio-friendly.
How it came to be
The Knack, consisting of Doug Fieger (vocals, guitar), Berton Averre (lead guitar), Prescott Niles (bass), and Bruce Gary (drums), formed in 1978 and quickly became the hottest unsigned act on the L.A. club circuit. Their energetic live shows, filled with catchy original songs, drew large crowds and the attention of nearly every major record label. A fierce bidding war ensued, with Capitol Records emerging victorious. The band insisted on recording the album quickly and cheaply to capture their live energy, completing it in just 11 days for a reported $18,000. This raw, spontaneous approach, guided by producer Mike Chapman, resulted in a sound that was punchy and direct, avoiding the polished-to-a-sheen production common in rock at the time. The album cover, a direct homage to The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night," was a bold statement of their ambitions.
How many it sold
The commercial success of "Get The Knack" was meteoric and astounding. Propelled by the inescapable single "My Sharona," which spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the best-selling single of 1979, the album itself shot to number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. It held the top spot for five consecutive weeks, achieving Gold status in just 13 days and Platinum status within seven weeks—one of the fastest-selling debuts in history at the time. The album went on to sell over two million copies in the United States in its first year alone and has since been certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA, signifying over six million units sold in the U.S. Its success was global, cementing The Knack as temporary superstars.
Why it resonated
"Get The Knack" resonated so powerfully because it offered a refreshing and direct alternative to the dominant sounds of disco and prog-rock. It was fun, uncomplicated, and built on classic rock and roll foundations, recalling the energy of the early Beatles. "My Sharona" was a force of nature—its propulsive, slightly menacing riff was utterly unique and instantly recognizable. The band's image, a self-aware throwback to the British Invasion, was perfectly packaged for a new generation. However, this calculated approach also fueled a significant backlash. Critics and some audiences felt the band was a manufactured hype, a cynical "new Beatles" marketing ploy. The sexually forward, sometimes immature lyrics also drew criticism, but for millions of young fans, the album was the perfect, high-energy soundtrack to the summer of '79.
Impact today
Today, "Get The Knack" is primarily remembered for its mega-hit, "My Sharona," a perennial classic rock radio staple that has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, most notably in the 1994 film "Reality Bites," which sparked a significant revival of interest in the song. The album itself stands as a quintessential example of power pop and a case study in meteoric rise and fall. While The Knack was unable to sustain their initial success and became a frequent punchline for "one-hit wonder" jokes (despite having another Top 20 hit with "Good Girls Don't"), the album's influence persists. It remains a snapshot of a specific moment in pop music, and its tight, hook-laden songwriting has been cited as an influence by subsequent generations of power pop and alternative rock bands.
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