Watts in a Tank is the first album released by the Dutch musical group Diesel. It was first released in the Netherlands in 1980 by Polydor,[3] and was released in the United States by Regency in 1981.[4] The album was reissued on compact disc by One Way in 2002.[4]

Watts in a Tank
Studio album by
Released1980 (Netherlands)
1981 (US)
Recorded1979
StudioDMC Studio (Baarn)
GenreRock
Length35:47
LanguageEnglish
LabelRegency
ProducerPim Koopman[1]
Diesel chronology
Watts in a Tank
(1980)
Unleaded
(1982)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

The album, in-between rock and power pop, contained several polished soft metal ballads and was compared by some to Tom Petty's work,[5][6] while the biggest hit from the album, "Sausalito Summernight" (which reached No. 1 in Canada and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 25) has been compared to (and frequently misattributed to) the Steve Miller Band.[4] The album reached No. 68 on the US Billboard chart in 1981 but was not a commercial success.[7] Four of the tracks from this album (the aforementioned "Sausalito Summernight", "Goin' Back to China" (US No. 105), "Alibi", and "Down in the Silvermine") were released as singles.[3] Worldwide sales of 350,000 units were reported for Watts in a Tank in December 1981.[8]

The album charted at #68 in the U.S. and #19 for four weeks in Canada. It reached #38 in the Netherlands. The Canadian 1981 Year-end chart placed the album at #62.[9]

Record World said the single "Goin' Back to China" features "a big, bouncy beat, cute lyrics and ringing guitars."[10]

Track listing

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  1. "Sausalito Summernight" – 5:08
  2. "Goin' Back to China" – 3:04
  3. "Alibi" – 2:48
  4. "My Kind of Woman" – 3:21
  5. "All Because of You" – 3:46
  6. "Down in the Silvermine" – 3:01
  7. "Good Mornin', Day" – 3:48
  8. "Ready for Love" – 2:33
  9. "The Harness" – 2:49
  10. "Remember the Romans" – 2:51
  11. "Bite Back" – 2:38[4]

Personnel

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The Band

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Additional contributors

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References

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  1. ^ Watts in a Tank, credits, Allmusic. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
  2. ^ Allmusic review
  3. ^ a b (in Dutch) Diesel discografie, Nationaal Pop Instituut. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d Watts in a Tank, overview, AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  5. ^ Diesel, Muze. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
  6. ^ Watts in a Tank, review, AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  7. ^ Watts in a Tank, Charts & Awards, AllMusic. Accessed on line December 28, 2007.
  8. ^ Billboard Vol 93 #51 (26 December 1981) p.76
  9. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - December 26, 1981" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 12, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  11. ^ Back cover Liner notes of the Watts in a Tank vinyl album