Pilot – Magic (1975)

Description

“Magic” is a 1974 song by Scottish pop rock band Pilot, and was the first hit single for the group. It was written by band members David Paton and Billy Lyall for their debut album, From the Album of the Same Name.

Background

According to Paton, the song is inspired by the sunrise on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. In a 2012 interview with Hotdisc Television, Paton also stated that at the time, his wife said she had “never seen a daybreak,” which also inspired the song.

Personnel

Pilot

• David Paton: Lead vocals, bass
• Billy Lyall: Keyboards, synthesizers, piano and backing vocals
• Stuart Tosh: Drums and backing vocals

Additional personnel

• Ian Bairnson: Electric guitar
• Nick Heath: Backing vocals
• David Mason: Trumpet
• Richard Hewson: Orchestral Arrangements

Chart performance

“Magic” charted most successfully in Canada, where it topped the RPM national singles chart on 19 July 1975, and received a gold certification. It climbed as far as number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number five during the summer of 1975 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100.