💥 Force It — Full Album Guide
📀 Tracklist
- Let It Roll
- Shoot Shoot
- High Flyer
- Love Lost Love
- Out in the Street
- Mother Mary
- Too Much of Nothing
- Dance Your Life Away
- This Kid’s
- Between the Walls
🎤 Credits & Line-up
-
UFO – Members:
- Phil Mogg – Vocals
- Michael Schenker – Guitar
- Pete Way – Bass
- Andy Parker – Drums
Production:
- Produced by Leo Lyons
- Released on Chrysalis Records
- Recorded at Morgan Studios, London
🎶 Musical Style & Sound
Force It builds directly on Phenomenon, refining UFO’s transition into melodic hard rock with early heavy metal elements.
Key characteristics:
- Strong emphasis on tight riffs and memorable hooks
- Michael Schenker’s fluid, melodic lead guitar work
- Balance between hard-driving rockers and melodic mid-tempo tracks
- Cleaner, more polished production compared to earlier albums
- Subtle use of keyboards (by Chick Churchill) adding texture
This album shows UFO becoming more confident and focused, shaping a sound that would define late 70s hard rock.
🎧 Standout Tracks
- “Shoot Shoot” – Fast, energetic opener and live favorite
- “Let It Roll” – Classic groove-driven track with catchy chorus
- “High Flyer” – Melodic and atmospheric, showcasing dynamic range
- “Mother Mary” – One of UFO’s most iconic songs
- “Love Lost Love” – Emotional and guitar-driven
🤓 Fun Facts
- The album cover became controversial, especially in the US, leading to alternative artwork versions.
- Keyboardist Chick Churchill (from Ten Years After) contributed to the album.
- The band continued building a strong following in Europe and the US with this release.
- The album title Force It is a play on words (suggesting “forfeit”).
🧠 Trivia
- Force It helped establish UFO as a major force in the mid-70s rock scene.
- “Mother Mary” became a concert staple and fan favorite.
- The band’s chemistry with Michael Schenker became more refined and influential.
- The album charted in the US, marking growing international success.
💡 Did You Know?
- Michael Schenker’s guitar style on this album influenced countless future metal and hard rock guitarists.
- The addition of keyboards gave UFO a slightly more layered and melodic sound.
- The album is often seen as a bridge between raw hard rock and more polished arena rock.
