The Knack attempted to update the Beatles sound for the new wave era on their debut -- a good idea that was well executed, but critics cried "foul" when millions sold after Capitol's pre-release hype (it went gold in 13 days and eventually sold five million copies, making it one of the most successful debuts in history). Get the Knack is at once sleazy, sexist, hook-filled, and endlessly catchy -- above all, it's a guilty pleasure and an exercise in simple fun. When is power pop legitimate anyway? Includes the unforgettable hits "My Sharona" and "Good Girls Don't." ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide
The Knack (Main Performer), Berton Averre (Guitar), Doug Fieger (Guitar), Bruce Gary (Drums), Prescott Niles (Bass), Larry Walsh (Digital Remastering), Mike Chapman (Producer)
Get the Knack is the debut album by The Knack, released in June 1979. The album went platinum (one million units sold) in just two months and spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The lead single from the album, "My Sharona", was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and #1 on Billboard's Top Pop Singles of 1979 year end chart. The LP also featured the second single "Good Girls Don't" which peaked at #11 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other cuts that received significant airplay on AOR radio were: "(She's So) Selfish" and "Frustrated".
The album was recorded in two weeks at a cost of just $18,000 and became an instant success, thanks in part to an intense promotional campaign by Capitol Records. The Knack's image was largely influenced by The Beatles. The album cover imitates The Beatles' first Capitol LP Meet the Beatles! and the back cover photo depicts a scene very close to a shot from The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night. To complete the Beatle imagery, the 1960s Capitol rainbow label adorned the LP. To many critics, The Knack's image seemed too contrived and soon there was a backlash against their overnight success. A San Francisco artist, Hugh Brown, even started a "Knuke the Knack" campaign complete with t-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers.
