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Waiting for an Alibi

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"Waiting for an Alibi"
UK single sleeve featuring (L–R): Downey, Lynott, Gorham and Moore
Single by Thin Lizzy
from the album Black Rose: A Rock Legend
B-side"With Love"
Released23 February 1979
RecordedDecember 1978
GenreHard rock
Length3:29
LabelVertigo
Songwriter(s)Phil Lynott
Producer(s)Tony Visconti and Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy singles chronology
"Rosalie/Cowgirl's Song (Medley)"
(1978)
"Waiting for an Alibi"
(1979)
"Do Anything You Want To"
(1979)

"Waiting for an Alibi" is a song by the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy and the first single from the band's 1979 album, Black Rose: A Rock Legend.[1] Black Rose was the only Thin Lizzy album recorded while Gary Moore was a member of the band,[1] and he left soon after.

The song was released as a single reaching No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart[2] and No. 6 in Ireland.[3] An accompanying video was filmed. The band promoted the single with a performance on The Kenny Everett Video Show,

An extended version of this track can be found on The Adventures of Thin Lizzy compilation LP released in 1981,[4] Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy released on CD in 1991,[5] as well as Wild One: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy, released in 1996.[6] It also appears on the compilation albums Lizzy Killers (1981)[7] and Soldier of Fortune (1987).[8] This version lasts 4:08 and has a third verse and chorus not included on the single.

History

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Before its release, the track had been reworked from its original recording. A demo of the song was recorded in early 1978 with Brian Robertson on lead guitar alongside Scott Gorham (this was before Gary Moore's return to the band). The song was also played at Thin Lizzy's major gig at Sydney Harbour in late 1978 where the version performed could be described lyrically as a cross-over between the original demo and the final version that was released the following year.

When Moore left Thin Lizzy in July 1979, Midge Ure was brought in to help finish a tour of the US, becoming the first in a string of guitarists to perform the song with the band. He was followed by Dave Flett, Snowy White and John Sykes before Thin Lizzy split up in 1983. In later incarnations of the band, Vivian Campbell, Richard Fortus and Damon Johnson also performed Moore's parts.

Personnel (studio version)

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Charts

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Chart (1979) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 6
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 9

References

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  1. ^ a b "Black Rose: A Rock Legend - Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Waiting for an Alibi". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Thin Lizzy". Irish Charts. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Adventures of Thin Lizzy - Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Dedication: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Wild One: The Very Best of Thin Lizzy - Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Lizzy Killers - Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Soldier of Fortune - Thin Lizzy". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Waiting for an Alibi". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 25, 2024.