Children Of The Future Songs Ranked

Children of the Future is the debut album by American rock band Steve Miller Band, released in 1968 by Capitol Records. The album was produced by notable British record producer-engineer Glyn Johns. The style is a mixture of blues and psychedelic rock reflecting the ambience of the British blues revival, not surprisingly considering the album was recorded in London (at Olympic Studios). Rolling Stone described the first side, which plays as a single continuous track (subtitled Children of the Future), as being “constructed like Sgt Pepper”. Writing in Crawdaddy!, Peter Knobler called the album “a triple moment of experience, knowledge, inspiration.” However, many of the songs had been written earlier when Miller was working as a janitor at a Texas music studio. “Baby’s Callin’ Me Home” was written by Boz Scaggs who later rose to considerable global fame in his own right. Here are all of Children Of The Future songs ranked.

Relive the music of one of the most notable rock and roll bands. Click below and listen to the songs of the Steve Miller Band.

11. Key to the Highway

“Closing the album off is the band’s own extra slow take on the blues standard “Key to the Highway”, winding down the album on a much sleepier note than that on which it began.”

10. The Beauty of Time Is That It’s Snowing

“The Beauty of Time is that it’s Snowing” displays use of the avant-garde “found sound” technique that other experimental bands were exploring at the time. For example, atop a soft organ drone there is the sound of calling gulls, a subway, a conversation, a human voice shouting, a door sliding shut, a “radio” playing blues music, and the howling wind.”

9. Baby’s Callin’ Me Home

“The soothing lead-off “Baby’s Callin’ Me Home” is without a doubt the album’s pinnacle and a true high point in the band’s overall catalog, burning slow and piled high with Boz Scaggs’ reverberated croon.”

See more: Steve Miller Band Albums Ranked

8. Steppin’ Stone

“Steppin’ Stone” is a louder slice of blues-rock that shows Boz can sing Black almost like no other White singer. He would go solo after the next album, but these two songs show Boz was just as equal to his childhood friend Steve Miller in talent & songcraft.”

7. In My First Mind

” Immediately following this brief opener are a couple of even briefer transitional numbers playing through seamlessly enough that the passive listener may believe he’s still hearing the first song by the time the album’s apparent opus, “In My First Mind” kicks in which gracefully unfolds at its own pace while Miller rambles leisurely about God knows what.”

6. Roll With It

“Steve’s “Roll With It” is definitely the most traditional entry of his on the album with a laid-back excursion into country rock about a year before it was “officially” invented by Gram Parsons & the Flying Burrito Brothers.”

5. You’ve Got the Power

“You’ve Got the Power” is another extremely short song totally reminiscent of Grank Funk Railroad (yes I know this came out *before* Grand Funk found fortune and fame- don’t shoot me I’m only the messenger!) “

See more: Steve Miller Band Songs Ranked

4. Junior Saw It Happen

“The obscure one is “Junior Saw It Happen”, originally recorded by forgotten ’60s rockers The Disciples, and is a jumpy little number given a barnburning performance by the band (almost like hearing the Blues Brothers a decade earlier).”

3. Pushed Me to It

“Recurring themes of peace love justice and mercy as well as non-judgemental non-manipulative methods (giving the listener permission to say no to the music… music requiring no specific performance or realization from the listener… anticipating adverse reactions from the listener and dispensing comfort) are what distinguish the Steve Miller psychedelic experience from others.”

2. Fanny Mae

“Fanny Mae” is why I spent so many years believing the blues stunk. It doesn’t of course, but this song will make you think it does by not doing anything remotely interesting and refusing to offer any kind of creative vocal melodies, guitar or harmonica solos whatsoever.”

1. Children of the Future

“SMB is the first “progrsseive” band. The whole side of the Children of the Future song is steeped in mellow/sweet, spacey background and blessed harmonies remeniscent of the Beach Boys. It also features soothing ocean-side sounds which today would be called “new age”. This of course means that SMB was also the original “new age” band!”