Top 10 Humble Pie Songs

Who was in the band Humble Pie?

Formed in 1969, Humble Pie were an incredibly gifted quartet that never got the credit they deserved for being one of the finest live bands of their time. A vehicle for former Small Faces’ frontman Steve Marriott and one-time Herd guitar virtuoso Peter Frampton, they were joined by a rhythm section of Greg Ridley (Spooky Tooth), and a then 17-year-old Jerry Shirley on drums.

Anointed a “supergroup” by the U.K. music press and public before a note had even been played, their name was a way of humorously lowering these ‘pie in the sky’ expectations. In many ways, they were the anti-supergroup, allergic to singles, and unable to handle success (Marriott being the biggest culprit).

They were an album band heavily focused on delivering an explosive, loud, and raucous live experience, as well as among the first outfits to experiment with a twin-lead guitar sound.

Their organic, unpretentious blend of rock had a turbocharged bluesy and soulful edge, yet their story remains one of frustration, not unprecedented success. Many know the name but aren’t familiar with the music, which is a crying shame, given there are so many outstanding Humble Pie songs (in my humble opinion).

I’ve picked out the 10 best Humble Pie songs, demonstrating their undeniable influence and talent.

10. “Hot ‘N’ Nasty”

Ridley expertly holds down the bottom of this ultra-funky number, which sums up the Pie’s music in many ways — hot, tough, and damn right nasty. Taken off 1972’s aptly-named Smokin’, it’s their first record post-Frampton and best-selling up to that point in time, benefitting largely from the momentum gained from their stupendous Rockin’ The Fillmore  (1971) set a year earlier.

“Hot ‘N’ Nasty” seriously cooks, with Clem Clemson’s (Frampton’s replacement) fiery, blues-based playing giving fresh impetus to a pumped-up Marriott. Marriott would later collapse with severe exhaustion after running around like a blue-a***d fly to do everything on the album.

9. “Black Coffee”

Originally written by Tina Turner and recorded with her husband Ike, this soulful blend has also been stirred by Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart, and, more recently, Rival Sons. However, none match the caffeine fix, intensity, and fantastic arrangement of Humble Pie’s rendition, which sees Marriott’s cocksure, unadulterated vocal brilliance interact superbly with The Blackberries (the backing vocal trio).

Nailing that authentic R&B sound, it’s hard not to milk the groovy bass, fat and warm Les Paul tone, and huge charisma that contribute to this feel-good tune.

8. “Natural Born Bugie”

The band’s first-ever single release (ironic since they had no intention of being a singles band), “Natural Born Bugie” plates up a tantalizing taste of things to come, as well as highlighting the rarity of finding an outfit with a trio of talented singers.

Frampton, Marriott, and Ridley all take a crack at a verse on this late 60’s brilliant, driving romp, with its airtight groove and youthful exuberance.

7. “Shine On”

The opening, infectious-sounding track from 1971’s Rock On LP sees Frampton shine brightest, as he signals his intent to step out behind the shadow of Marriott. In fact, the whole album highlighted what an excellent guitarist he was, with his superb tone on “Shine On” (a track he also wrote) providing the gloss to yet another great Humble Pie groove.

Frampton would later embark on a wildly successful solo career, but the excellent production and lyrics here (“Look around, tell me what you see. Noise and dirt and plastic people”) were way ahead of their time.

6. “Up Our Sleeve”

Marriott and Co had no hidden tricks up their sleeves with this stunning performance at Green’s Playhouse in Glasgow, Scotland (1973). Cementing their status as one of the most formidable live bands, and Marriott as one of the best blue-eyed soul singers to walk the earth, this is hard soulful rock that’s fierce, bluesy, exhilaratingly energetic, and anything but subtle.

5. “30 Days In The Hole”

One of the Pie’s best-known songs, with its hard-driving harmonica and unpolished rawness, “30 Days In The Hole” was penned by Marriot after he discovered getting caught with drugs in Kentucky (post-show) earned you 30 days in jail.

The song’s opening is especially iconic — harmonies of raw acapella, followed by the kick of the drums and the impeccable bang of the intro chord see the whole band unify in less than two seconds.

4. “As Safe As Yesterday”

A rare songwriting collaboration between Frampton and Marriott, the complex and epic title track from their debut album proves how great they sounded in tandem. Sadly, this writing partnership proved to be a rare occurrence, illustrated by the unique structure of “As Safe As Yesterday”, which features no chorus and some of the Pie’s finest harmonies.

It’s arguably their “Stairway” moment (only it doesn’t follow a path), with poetic lyrics, multiple parts, and a mighty, overdriven riff crashing out of nowhere in the final minute.

3. “Live With Me”

Real blues pain is felt on the atmospheric and heavy, slow soulful “Live With Me”, as Marriott’s raw and torn rock ‘n’ roll voice anguishes over the beautiful backing and emotive melody.

Every instrument, from Ridley’s powerful bass to the hard-edged drums and organ fluctuations is exemplary, with the bassist’s second lead vocals complimenting Marriott’s to a tee. And, of course, nothing roars like a Hammond B 3 strained through a Leslie speaker.

So much talent, so much soul — this progressive rock-esque piece (just shy of eight minutes) is arguably the peak of the pie.

2. “Stone Cold Fever”

One of the finest slices of pie you’ll ever get to tuck into, Stone Cold Fever is a tour de force of foot-stomping rock, delta blues, and an unconventional mid-section that sees the jazzy shadow of Frampton come alive in one of his most searing solos. It’s a clear sign of the band’s versatility that they rarely indulged in, while still boasting some of their heaviest guitar riffing.

If you want to be completely blown away, I strongly suggest checking out the electrifying live performance of this song on their landmark Rockin’ The Fillmore album.

1. “I Don’t Need No Doctor”

The irony of jumping from a “Stone Cold Fever” to “I Don’t Need No Doctor” isn’t lost on me, but “All Along The Watchtower” aside, I can’t think of many too many cover versions in the world of blues-rock that have become more definitive than the originals. However, you can add Humble Pie’s barnstorming reinterpretation of Ray Charles’ “I Don’t Need No Doctor” to the list.

From the thick, heavy guitar tone (a theme throughout the entire record) to the intense blues progressions and pounding synchronized rhythm from Shirley and Ridley, it can only be played one way — loud.

Of course, there’s also the perfect intonation of Marriott’s larger-than-life vocals. The cockney rebel alternates perfectly between an aggressive blues-rock voice and blue-eyed soul that belied his small stature, leading the Pie back into the killer groove towards its climax, much to the audience’s audible delight.

If this nearly 10-minute heavy dose of British hard rock blues doesn’t give you goosebumps or get your blood pumping, you probably need a doctor.