Get It Right Next Time

Album: Night Owl (1978)
Charted: 30 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Gerry Rafferty tried to repeat his huge success with "Baker Street" and "Right Down The Line," and this was one of the follow ups. The song advises people not to despair their difficult circumstances, because they can have another shot at getting what they want, as long as they learn from their mistakes. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 7

  • Carmen from IndyI challenge any human alive to throw on a good pair of headphones, turn this bassY tune on and keep from tapping your toes to this mesmerizing addictive beat
  • Music LoverI remember this song on the radio in the fall of 1979, as I began my junior year of high school. It was a transitional time, as people were getting tired of disco, and newer sounds were emerging. Gerry Rafferty was unique and ahead of his time. Wonderful lyrics on this song!
  • AnonymousI thought it said "I'll be the liar and I'll be the chief." Man I was way off of that one.
  • AnonymousBrilliant song...Rafferty was a genius..
  • Mason from NyFit the era, a mood song, great on road trips especially with a slight buzz
  • Alan from Joliet, IlI love this song! But how did it chart to number 21 in 1979? It's got a long instrumental lead in, it's nothing to dance to (this is the era of disco, after all), and it's melodically boring--basically repeat a verse four times, around a solo. But the message resonates and the solo (saxophone) is really quite good.
  • Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaQuite an inspirational song if you're in a down mood. I think this is one of Rafferty's five best, along with "As Wise As A Serpent," "The Ark," "The Garden of England," and of course "Baker Street."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real Group

Modern A Cappella with Peder Karlsson of The Real GroupSong Writing

The leader of the Modern A Cappella movement talks about the genre.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Graduation Songs

Graduation SongsFact or Fiction

Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."