Slug Line

Slug Line was singer-songwriter John Hiatt's third album, released in 1979, after four years without a record deal. It was his first of two albums with MCA Records. It was his first charting album, reaching No. 202 on Billboard's album charts, and also the highest charting album during his first 15 years as a recording artist. His 1987 album Bring The Family finally became his first album to crack the top 200.

Slug Line
Studio album by John Hiatt
Released	January 1979
Genre	New wave[1]
Length	38:22
Label	MCA
Producer	Denny Bruce
John Hiatt chronology
Overcoats (1975) Slug Line (1979) Two Bit Monsters (1980)
Alternative cover
Album cover from Slug Line/Two Bit Monsters combo CD

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+[3]
Smash Hits	favorable[4]

Track listing

All tracks written by John Hiatt, except where noted

1. "You Used to Kiss the Girls" – 2:36
2. "The Negroes Were Dancing" – 2:46
3. "Slug Line" – 3:02
4. "Madonna Road" – 4:23 (Hiatt, Jim Wismar)
5. "(No More) Dancin' in the Street" – 2:22
6. "Long Night" – 5:18
7. "The Night That Kenny Died" – 2:37
8. "Radio Girl" – 2:57
9. "You're My Love Interest" – 3:19
10. "Take Off Your Uniform" – 4:08
11. "Sharon's Got a Drugstore" – 2:12
12. "Washable Ink" – 3:15

Personnel

• John Hiatt – guitar, vocals
• Jon Paris – guitar, bass guitar
• Doug Yankus – guitar
• Veyler Hildebrand – bass
• Etan McElroy – piano, background vocals on "Long Night"
• B.J. Wilson – drums
• Gerry Conway – drums
• Bruce Gary – drums
• Thom Mooney – drums
• Todd Cochran – piano, organ

Technical

• John Van Hamersveld – art direction
• Nick Rozsa – cover photography

References

1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "John Hiatt – Artist Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
2. RUhlmann, William. Slug Line at AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
3. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: H". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 26, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
4. Hepworth, David. "Albums". Smash Hits (October 4–17, 1979): 29.