Abracadabra (Steve Miller Band album)

Abracadabra
Abracadabra
Studio album by Steve Miller Band
Released	June 15, 1982
Recorded	1981
Studio	Capitol, Hollywood, California
Genre	Synth-pop; new wave;
Length	37:08
Label	Capitol
Producer	Steve Miller; Gary Mallaber;
Steve Miller Band chronology
Singles from Abracadabra
	"Abracadabra"; Released: May 1982; "Keeps Me Wondering Why"; Released: 6 August 1982 (UK); "Cool Magic"; Released: October 1982 (US); "Give It Up"; Released: October 1982 (UK); "Goodbye Love"; Released: 11 February 1983 (Ger.);

Abracadabra is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Steve Miller Band. The album was released on June 15, 1982, by Capitol Records.

Abracadabra charted in nine countries, including Germany where the record reached No. 1 for a week.^[6] Four singles were released from the album in various countries: the title track, "Cool Magic" (#57 on the Billboard Hot 100),^[7] "Keeps Me Wondering Why", and "Give It Up", with the title song charting the highest at #1 on the pop chart.

Unlike most of the band's previous efforts, most of the album was not composed by lead singer/guitarist Steve Miller. Drummer Gary Mallaber had brought in a handful of demos from another band he was in called Tracker (which other Steve Miller Band members John Massaro and Byron Allred were also a part of, along with ex-members Lonnie Turner and Greg Douglass) in hopes that one of them would be used for the album. Miller ultimately opted to use all of the demos, resulting in Mallaber receiving an impressive eight co-writing credits.^[8] Miller, meanwhile, produced two of his own songs; the title track and the "Heart Like a Wheel"-soundalike "Give It Up".

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[11]
Rolling Stone	^[10]

Billboard said of "Cool Magic" that it's a "catchy midtempo pop tune that takes dead aim at car radios everywhere."^[12] Billboard also described it as being "harder rocking" than the title track.^[12] Cash Box called it "a light, straightahead pop/rocker that, in places, brings to mind the Beach Boys or the Beatles."^[13]

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Keeps Me Wondering Why"	Gary Mallaber, Kenny Lee Lewis	3:43
2.	"Abracadabra"	Steve Miller	5:08
3.	"Something Special"	Mallaber, Lonnie Turner, Greg Douglass	3:35
4.	"Give It Up"	Miller	3:35
5.	"Never Say No"	Mallaber, John Massaro, Lewis	3:37

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Things I Told You"	Mallaber, Massaro	3:15
7.	"Young Girl's Heart"	Mallaber, Massaro	3:33
8.	"Goodbye Love"	Mallaber, Douglass, Turner	2:53
9.	"Cool Magic"	Mallaber, Lewis	4:23
10.	"While I'm Waiting"	Mallaber, Massaro	3:26

Personnel

Steve Miller – vocals, guitar, Synclavier, synthesizers on track 2, Roland Jupiter-8 on track 2 and Roland Juno-60 on track 2
John Massaro – guitar
Kenny Lee Lewis – guitar
Byron Allred – keyboards
Gerald Johnson – bass guitar
Gary Mallaber – drums, percussion, keyboards

Additional personnel

Greg Douglass – guitar on tracks 3 and 8
Lonnie Turner – bass guitar on tracks 3 and 8

Technical

Produced by Steve Miller and Gary Mallaber
Recorded and mixed by David N. Cole
Additional recording by Gary Mallaber
Executive Producer – John Palladino
Photography – David Alexander
Art – Tommy Steele
Design – Tommy Steele, Jeff Lancaster

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for *Abracadabra*
Chart (1982)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[14]	5
Austrian Top 75 Albums^[15]	8
Canadian Top Albums^[16]	4
German Albums^[6]	1
Netherlands Top 100 Albums^[17]	11
New Zealand Top 50 Albums^[18]	47
Norwegian Top 40 Albums^[19]	10
Swedish Top 60 Albums^[20]	3
UK Albums Chart^[21]	10
US Billboard 200^[22]	3
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[23]	40

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for *Abracadabra*
Chart (1982)	Position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[24]	25
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[25]	27
US Billboard 200^[26]	77

Certifications

Certifications for *Abracadabra*
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[27]	Platinum	50,000^{^}
Canada (Music Canada)^[28]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)^[29]	Gold	10,000^*
United Kingdom (BPI)^[30]	Silver	60,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[31]	Platinum	1,000,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "11 Classic Rockers Who Went New Wave For One Album". VH1.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022.
^ "Steve Miller singles".
^ "Great Rock Discography". p. 548.
^ "Steve Miller singles".
^ "Steve Miller singles".
^ ^a ^b "Album – Steve Miller Band, Abracadabra". Media Control Charts (in German). Archived from the original (ASP) on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Billboard Hot 100 - Week of November 13, 1982". billboard.com. November 13, 1982. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
^ "When Steve Miller Found '80s Pop-Rock Success With 'Abracadabra'". ultimateclassicrock.com. Ultimate Classic Rock. June 15, 2022.
^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
^ Steve Pond (July 22, 1982). "Steve Miller Band: Abracadabra". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
^ ^a ^b "Top Single Picks". Billboard. October 2, 1982. p. 63. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
^ "News & Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 2, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 201. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Austrian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "50 Albums". RPM. 37 (2). August 28, 1982. ISSN 0315-5994. Archived from the original (PHP) on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Dutch Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). New Zealand Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Swedish Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "Chart Archive: Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive – 17th July 1982". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
^ "The Steve Miller Band Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "The Steve Miller Band Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6170". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1982. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
^ "Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1982". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
^ "Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)". Retrieved December 26, 2022 – via Imgur.com.
^ "Canadian album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". Music Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1983". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^ "British album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^ "American album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[1] "11 Classic Rockers Who Went New Wave For One Album". VH1.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022.

[2] "Steve Miller singles".

[3] "Great Rock Discography". p. 548.

[4] "Steve Miller singles".

[5] "Steve Miller singles".

[GE-6] "Album – Steve Miller Band, Abracadabra". Media Control Charts (in German). Archived from the original (ASP) on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[7] "Billboard Hot 100 - Week of November 13, 1982". billboard.com. November 13, 1982. Retrieved August 23, 2024.

[8] "When Steve Miller Found '80s Pop-Rock Success With 'Abracadabra'". ultimateclassicrock.com. Ultimate Classic Rock. June 15, 2022.

[9] Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2018.

[10] Steve Pond (July 22, 1982). "Steve Miller Band: Abracadabra". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2018.

[11] Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.

[bb-12] "Top Single Picks". Billboard. October 2, 1982. p. 63. Retrieved February 7, 2023.

[13] "News & Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 2, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved February 7, 2023.

[14] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 201. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[15] "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Austrian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[16] "50 Albums". RPM. 37 (2). August 28, 1982. ISSN 0315-5994. Archived from the original (PHP) on October 23, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[17] "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Dutch Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[18] "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). New Zealand Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[19] "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Norwegian Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[20] "Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra (Album)" (ASP). Swedish Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[21] "Chart Archive: Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive – 17th July 1982". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2011.

[ac_Billboard200_The_Steve_Miller_Band-22] "The Steve Miller Band Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_The_Steve_Miller_Band-23] "The Steve Miller Band Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

[group=-24] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6170". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 December 2024.

[25] "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. 1982. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2022.

[26] "Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1982". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

[27] "Kent Music Report No 453 – 28 February 1983 > Platinum Albums 1982 (Continued)". Retrieved December 26, 2022 – via Imgur.com.

[CanadaSteve_Miller_BandAbracadabraalbumCertRef-28] "Canadian album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". Music Canada. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[Hong_KongSteve_Miller_BandAbracadabraalbumCertRef-29] "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1983". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[United_KingdomSteve_Miller_BandAbracadabraalbumCertRef-30] "British album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[United_StatesSteve_Miller_BandAbracadabraalbumCertRef-31] "American album certifications – Steve Miller Band – Abracadabra". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

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v t e Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Kenny Lee Lewis Gordy Knudtson Joseph Wooten Jacob Peterson Norton Buffalo Tim Davis Boz Scaggs Ben Sidran Nicky Hopkins Bobby Winkelman Charlie McCoy Ross Valory Jim Keltner Gary Mallaber David Denny Greg Douglass John Massaro Leo Sidran Sonny Charles
Studio albums	Children of the Future Sailor Brave New World Your Saving Grace Number 5 Rock Love Recall the Beginning...A Journey from Eden The Joker Fly Like an Eagle Book of Dreams Circle of Love Abracadabra Italian X Rays Living in the 20th Century Born 2 B Blue (Steve Miller solo album) Wide River Bingo! Let Your Hair Down
Live albums	Live at the Fillmore Auditorium Steve Miller Band Live!
Compilations	Anthology Greatest Hits 1974–78 Living in the U.S.A. The Very Best of the Steve Miller Band Young Hearts Ultimate Hits
Singles	"The Joker" "Take the Money and Run" "Rock'n Me" "Fly Like an Eagle" "Jet Airliner" "Jungle Love" "Swingtown" "Abracadabra" "I Want to Make the World Turn Around"
Songs	"Mercury Blues" "You Send Me" "Gangster of Love" "Ooh Poo Pah Doo"
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