How Steve Miller’s “The Joker” Became a #1 Hit Twice – Thanks to a Misheard Lyric

Professor of Rock · Nov 22, 2024 · 19m

Coming up… Steve Miller's career was on the ropes before it even started… he had 7 consecutive albums that flopped… If his next one wasn’t a hit the label was gonna get rid of him and his career would likely be over. Miller was desperate for a hit. A short time later he would write a song that he thought was just ok… The Joker. But it was hilariously unique in its lingo… with words and phrases that we still sing today, and a guitar effect that truly set it apart. Steve Miller thought The Joker would be a decent album track, whereas the suits from his label were predicting it would be a smash……