The Day “Stuck In The Middle With You” Hit The Charts — And Stealers Wheel Already Hated Each Other

April 2, 2025

It was a chilly morning in April 1973, and the streets of Glasgow were still waking up. Inside a small, dimly-lit recording studio, the air was thick with tension. The band Stealers Wheel had just finished laying down their new track, “Stuck in the Middle with You.” The catchy tune echoed around the room, but the laughter and excitement that usually accompanied a new song were nowhere to be found. Instead, band members Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty sat across from each other, glaring like competitors in a boxing ring. They were already fed up with one another, their creative differences turning into heated arguments that were slowly tearing their friendship apart.

Despite the friction, there was something magical about that song. It perfectly captured the confusion and frustration of life, using cleverly crafted lyrics and a toe-tapping melody. On the day “Stuck in the Middle with You” hit the charts, Egan and Rafferty could barely celebrate together. Instead of sharing a toast or smiling at their success, they exchanged cold, tense glances. Each thought the song represented something different; to Egan, it was a triumph against the odds, while Rafferty saw it as just another obligation in a career that was spiraling out of control. Their conflicting visions only added to the growing rift.

As the song climbed the charts, reaching the top twenty in the US, it became a phenomenon. People were humming the tune everywhere, and radio stations couldn’t get enough of it. Yet, within the band, a sense of emptiness loomed. The happier audiences were, the more distant Egan and Rafferty felt from each other. The irony of their situation hung heavily in the air: they had written a catchy anthem about feeling stuck and unsure, yet they seemed to be embodying their own lyrics more than anyone else.

However, amidst the tumult, something beautiful began to emerge. As they performed the song at gigs, the thrill of the audience’s response ignited a spark within them both. Each night, as they played the familiar chords, the tension momentarily melted away. They lost themselves in the music, finding solace in the shared experience of entertaining others. It was a reminder of why they had started making music in the first place. For a brief moment, they allowed their passion for their craft to overshadow the resentment that had built up.

Behind the glitz of fame and the struggles of their relationship, they had created something powerful—an authentic piece of art that resonated with so many. The song became a staple of the decade, and while Stealers Wheel’s internal conflicts would eventually lead to their breakup, that composition would live on, underscoring their resilience. They had endured hardship, but the ability to pour their emotions into music allowed them to rise above their differences, reminding themselves and their listeners that creativity can be a bridge even when relationships are strained.

In the end, “Stuck in the Middle with You” became more than just a hit; it was a testament to the bittersweet nature of artistic collaboration. It showed that even in the darkest moments of personal conflict, art could shine through and inspire others. Their journey was a reminder that despite challenges, the power of music could unite hearts and heal, even when everything else seemed to be falling apart.