Straight On
{{Infobox song
| name = Straight On
| cover = Heart straighton.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Heart
| album = Dog & Butterfly
| B-side = Lighter Touch
| released = September 1978
| recorded = 1978
| studio =
| venue =
| length = 4:11 (Promo Version)
5:01 (Single Version)
5:07 (Album Version)
| label = Portrait Records
| writer = Ann Wilson
Nancy Wilson
Sue Ennis
| producer = Mike Flicker, Heart, Michael Fisher
| prev_title = Heartless
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Dog & Butterfly
| next_year = 1978
}}
"Straight On" is a song recorded by the rock band Heart. It was released as the first single from the band's 1978 album Dog & Butterfly. In the U.S., "Straight On" became Heart's third single to crack the top twenty, peaking at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was co-written by Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Sue Ennis.
"Straight On" was released during Heart's classic era and has been part of the group's setlist almost constantly since its release. It still was during their 2016 tour.{{cite web|last1=Lifton|first1=Dave|title=Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick Kick Off 'Rock Hall Three for All' Tour – Videos, Set Lists Heart, Joan Jett and Cheap Trick Kick Off 'Rock Hall Three for All' Tour|date=17 July 2016 |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/heart-joan-jett-cheap-trick-tour-videos-setlists/}}
Background
The song is a mid-tempo rock number which incorporates a funky, almost dance-oriented bass line. Ann Wilson has called the song Heart's first "dance song", which is likely indicative of its recording and release happening during the disco era of the late 1970s. The lyrics use gambling metaphors to illustrate the protagonist heading straight on for her partner's love.{{cite web|last1=Monaco|first1=Rachael|title=Heart: 5 best song lyrics or verses of the band fronted by the Wilson sisters|url=https://www.axs.com/heart-5-best-song-lyrics-or-verses-of-the-band-fronted-by-the-wilson-s-55606}}
Cash Box said it has "high-soaring vocals," "a steady bass drum beat" and an "exchange of riffs between guitars."{{cite news|title=CashBox Singles Reviews|date=September 16, 1978|page=20|newspaper=Cash Box|accessdate=2022-01-01|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-09-16.pdf}} Record World called it "a bluesy rock ballad highlighted by the Wilson sisters' familiar vocals."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=September 16, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-13|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/RW-1978-09-16.pdf}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dog & Butterfly.{{cite AV media notes |author=Heart |author-link=Heart (band) |title=Dog & Butterfly |type=liner notes |publisher=Portrait Records |year=1978 |id=FR 35555}}
- Ann Wilson – lead vocals
- Nancy Wilson – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Roger Fisher – electric guitar
- Howard Leese – electric guitar
- Steve Fossen – bass
- Michael Derosier – drums
Chart performance
| class="wikitable" |
| Chart (1978)
!Peak |
|---|
| align="left"|Canadian Singles Chart{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=53gtrvbfj0gk7r9b4sd40dtvu0&q1=Heart+Straight+Butterfly&q2=Top+Singles&interval=50 |title=Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |publisher=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date= |accessdate=2012-06-23}}
| style="text-align:center;"|14 |
| align="left"|U.S. Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/303367/heart/chart?f=379 |title=Heart - Chart history |publisher=Billboard |date= |accessdate=2016-10-13}}
| style="text-align:center;"|15 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Heart (band)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Sue Ennis
Category:Songs written by Nancy Wilson (rock musician)
Category:Songs written by Ann Wilson