Anyone Remember This 1977 Song? (Soldier of Fortune)

Cafe Society
1

In my relentless search for one-hit wonders, on the Billboard chart once only, arcane, and just plain off-the-wall songs, one I have not been able to uncover is this one.

It was popular for a while in 1977 (or, just possibly, 1976). It had a good melody and was a decent song, but all I can remember of it is this part of the lyrics:

Soldier of fortune, man on the run;
Soldier of fortune, reach for the sun…
Never look back you might care for someone!

I’ve Googled this a lot, and get some songs/lpartial lyrics to other songs, but they are not this one.

Anyone got a clue?

2

Male or female vocals?

Is it possible that you’re combining two songs in your memory of the lyrics? I keep hearing “Band on the Run” by Wings. I know that’s not what you’re looking for, though.

3

Alan O’Day, who gave us Angie Baby, penned that little ditty. I picked it up in a cutout bin one day along with “Bad For Good” by Phil Steinneman. The phrase I remember is “Safe in your armor, Soldier of Fortune”

4

All my googling turned up was this:

03610 ALAN O’ DAY Soldier of fortune/Angie baby Pacific K11025 2.50

for sale here: http://www.elpees.demon.co.uk/

the listing is WAAAAAAY down the page.

5

Ok, and thanks. I didn’t get any of the lyrics, so am not sure. But I certainly have a potential artist to include in my Google searches.

Oh, Casey1505: Male vocals. And while I am unsure about a lot of things, on this one, I am absolutely positive I’m not mixing up different songs. I do tend to do this, but I am sure about this one.

Thanks all, for the help, keep 'em coming while I focus the search!

6

John Paul Young had a hit with a song called Soldier of Fortune in 1983. I can’t find the lyrics anywhere but here is an article about him that mentions Soldier of Fortune.

http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/John_Paul_Young

7

There was another Soldier Of Fortune. A Jazz number, released by The Manhattan Transfer. It was on their Bodies & Souls album.

8

Mmmm, '83 would have way later than this one. But, you know songs get reissued, so I will definitely include this in my searches.

And thanks, Bosa (is it OK to call you that?) I will try to check out that cut as well.

Thanks again for all the help. Y’all are the best.

9

I’d prefer you’d call me Bosda, but, ok. :slight_smile:

10

oops. my bad. Must remember copy-and-paste.

Sorry. :o

11

FWIW, the same guy also wrote “Undercover Angel,” a delicious morsel of cheese from 1977. He must’ve had a thing for angels, eh? :slight_smile:

12

Wrote and recorded it. It was a pretty big hit.

13

Deep Purple also had a song called Soldier Of Fortune, off their 1974 album Stormbringer.

14

I remember Alan O’Day performing “Soldier of Fortune” on “Bandstand,” having done “Undercover Angel” earlier in the program. But that was the only time I ever heard that song.