Lookin' Out for Number 1 (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)

The correct title of this article is Lookin' Out for #1. The omission of the # is due to technical restrictions.

"Lookin' Out for #1" is a 1975 song written by Randy Bachman and first recorded by Canadian rock group Bachman–Turner Overdrive (BTO) for their December, 1975 album Head On. The lead vocal is provided by Randy Bachman. Released in early 1976, it was the second of two singles from the LP to be issued in North America, following "Take It Like a Man".

"Lookin' Out for #1"
Single by Bachman–Turner Overdrive
from the album Head On
B-side	"Find Out About Love"
Released	1976
Recorded	1975
Genre	Rock, soft rock, jazz rock
Length	3:50 (single) 5:19 (album)
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Randy Bachman
Producer(s)	Randy Bachman
Bachman–Turner Overdrive singles chronology
"Take It Like a Man" (1976) "Lookin' Out for #1" (1976) "Gimme Your Money Please" (1976)

A departure from BTO's earlier heavy rock releases, "Lookin' Out for #1" was strongly influenced by Randy’s jazz upbringing and tutelage under Lenny Breau. In his book Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories, Randy stated: "The chord progression on ‘Lookin' Out for #1’ came from the Mickey Baker Guitar Book that Lenny Breau had told me about when I was a teenager. It was a chance for me to stretch out a bit on the guitar. It’s still among my most requested live songs, and made the transition to my jazz career."^[1]

"Lookin’ Out for #1" did not perform particularly well on the U.S. Billboard pop charts, peaking at #65 on May 15, 1976 and spending just six weeks in the Hot 100.^[2] On the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, however, it was a Top 20 hit, peaking at #15 on May 29, 1976.^[3] As a result, the song got significant airplay on soft rock radio stations, a first for BTO. Cash Box said that it "is a beautiful acoustic ballad with some evidently Spanish influence" and "the best thing this band has done in a long time."^[4] Record World said that "a firm jazz lilt is established by Randy's dexterous guitar styling."^[5]

There are multiple versions of the "Lookin’ Out for #1" single. The initial U.S. and Canadian releases have an edited version of the song, running 3:50.^[6] Some versions released in Europe have the full album version of the song, running 5:19.^[7] Both of these releases had "Find Out About Love" as the B-side. A version released in late 1976 has "Take It Like a Man", the band’s prior hit from the Head On album, on the B-side.

Charts

Chart (1976)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	65
US Billboard Easy Listening	15
Canada RPM Top 100	40

References

1. Bachman, Randy (6 September 2011). "Looking Out for #1" - Excerpt from Randy Bachman's Vinyl Tap Stories. ISBN 9780143185772. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
2. "Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
3. "ADULT CONTEMPORARY – The Week of May 29, 1976". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
4. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 10, 1976. p. 15. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
5. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. April 17, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
6. "Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Lookin Out For #1". discogs.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
7. "Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Lookin Out For #1 / Find Out About Love". discogs.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.