Gold (John Stewart song)


"Gold" is a song written and recorded by John Stewart in 1979. It was the lead single and biggest hit among three Top 40 singles released from his LP, Bombs Away Dream Babies. The song was Stewart's first US Top 40 hit, as well as his first chart single in a decade. Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac is featured on backing vocals.
"Gold" became a top-five hit in the United States, Canada and Australia. It made lesser showings in the UK and New Zealand.

Background

Stewart wrote the song some time after he left the folk group Kingston Trio. The song is from the album Bombs Away Dream Babies, in which Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham contributed. The song has a smooth funk/pop rhythm.
The song takes a light-hearted but cynical view of the recording industry in Los Angeles; in time, Stewart would feel the same way about the song itself. He would eventually stop performing "Gold" in concert, calling it "vapid" and "empty" and meaning nothing to him, having done it for the money and to please his record company.

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts