Brontosaurus (song)


"Brontosaurus" is a song by rock group The Move, written, sung and produced by Move guitarist Roy Wood.

Release

Released as a single early in 1970, it was also included on the band's Looking On album later that year. With its aggressive guitar riff and growling vocal, the song marked a major shift in sound compared to their previous, more pop-orientated single "Curly", presumably Roy Wood's attempt to put some distance between the band and former vocalist Carl Wayne, whose "Middle of the road" leanings caused disagreements with the other members.
This song was the first Move recording made after former Idle Race front man Jeff Lynne had joined, and he contributed guitar and piano. Lynne had been recruited into the group with the main aim of developing the embryonic Electric Light Orchestra, though they were contractually required to keep The Move functioning in order to help finance the new project. This single was the only Move production after Lynne's addition that was credited solely to Wood; all subsequent releases were credited to both Wood and Lynne.
When The Move promoted it on Top of the Pops on BBC TV, Wood - who had never appeared on television as the group's frontman before - appeared in the makeup that he would later develop two years later as the leader of Wizzard.

Cover versions