Nilsson: Gotta Get Up

If you have the album “Nilsson Schmilsson” by Harry Nilsson, then you are familiar with today’s Friday Flipside selection: “Gotta Get Up.” Released in 1971, the song was the album’s lead track and the “B” side to his cover of Badfinger’s “Without You.”

 

The “A” side resonated with audiences over the world and was a number one hit in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Ireland. It was Nilsson’s most popular single and his only number one record in most of those countries. The only exception was “Everybody’s Talkin’,” which was a #1 hit in Canada. In addition, “Without You” charted at the top position on the US Adult Contemporary chart.

“Gotta Get Up” received its fair share of airplay even though it never charted on its own. It featured a star-studded cast of musicians that included the following:

• Harry Nilsson – piano & vocals
• Klaus Voorman – bass
• Chris Spedding – guitar
• Jim Gordon and Jim Keltner – drums
• Richard Perry – percussion
• Henry Klein – accordion
• Jim Price – trumpet and trombone