Smokie – Oh Carol

A Return to Classic Chinn-Chapman Magic

When Smokie released Oh Carol in May 1978, the British rock band delivered one of their most successful singles, showcasing the enduring partnership between the band and the legendary songwriting duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. As the second single from their album The Montreux Album, this track demonstrated that the Chinnichap magic formula still resonated powerfully with audiences across Europe at the height of the band’s popularity.

Oh Carol peaked at #5 on the UK Official Singles Chart, spending 13 weeks on the chart and becoming one of Smokie’s most enduring hits. The song charted well across Europe, solidifying the band’s status as continental superstars. Unlike their earlier self-penned singles “Mexican Girl” and others where Chris Norman and Pete Spencer took the writing reins, this track marked a return to the classic Chinn-Chapman sound that had initially launched the band to stardom.

The song showcases Chris Norman’s distinctive raspy vocals delivering a memorable melody with the band’s trademark harmonies. The Montreux Album represented a significant moment for Smokie—it was recorded at Mountain Studios in Montreux, Switzerland in February 1978, mixed at Whitney Studios in Glendale, California in March 1978, and mastered at Utopia Studios in London. This would be the last album created in full partnership with Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, marking the end of an era for the band. The album’s title and luxurious gatefold packaging reflected the band’s commercial success and the resources available at the peak of their career.

Oh Carol was written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman and produced by Mike Chapman for Chinnichap. The song appeared on The Montreux Album, Smokie’s fifth studio album, which yielded three successful singles. “For a Few Dollars More” was the first single released in May 1978, reaching #17 on the UK chart and spending six weeks there. Oh Carol followed as the second single, achieving greater success at #5. The album’s third single, “Mexican Girl,” reached #19 in the UK in September 1978. The album was released in October 1978 on RAK Records and peaked at #52 on the UK Albums Chart, spending two weeks there.

The classic Smokie lineup on this recording consisted of Chris Norman on lead vocals and guitar, Alan Silson on lead guitar, Terry Uttley on bass and backing vocals, and Pete Spencer on drums and vocals. This was the same lineup that had achieved massive success throughout Europe since their 1975 breakthrough with “If You Think You Know How to Love Me.” By 1978, Smokie had become European superstars with sold-out tours and million-selling albums, and The Montreux Album cemented this status even as it represented their final full collaboration with the Chinnichap production team.

The song found new life through various international adaptations and covers. In Norway, it was adapted as “Å, Kari” with lyrics by Steinar Fjeld in 1978, while Swedish and Czech versions also appeared. Chris Norman recorded his own solo version for his 2000 studio album Full Circle, released as a CD maxi-single in Europe. This demonstrated the song’s lasting appeal and Norman’s continued connection to the material that defined his career with Smokie.

Oh Carol remains a signature song in Smokie’s catalogue and a testament to the Chinn-Chapman songwriting partnership that defined much of British pop-rock in the 1970s. The track’s enduring popularity lies in its memorable melody, strong vocal performance, and the polished production that became the Chinnichap trademark. For those exploring classic British soft rock and the deeper catalogue of 1970s European pop, this song offers an essential example of the commercial and artistic peak achieved by Smokie before their eventual departure from the Chinn-Chapman partnership and Chris Norman’s transition to a successful solo career.