Spirit – I Got a Line on You

In the fall of 1968, Los Angeles band Spirit released a single that would become their signature track. I Got a Line on You, written by guitarist Randy California and produced by Lou Adler, distilled the group’s adventurous blend of psychedelic rock and jazz into a concise burst of energy. At just two and a half minutes long, it stood out in a year when extended jams dominated, proving that Spirit could deliver a direct hit without losing their unique identity.

The song was recorded during sessions for their second album, The Family That Plays Together, between March and September of 1968. California’s sharp, funky riff drove the performance, while Jay Ferguson’s urgent vocal gave it its edge. Bassist Mark Andes and drummer Ed Cassidy locked in a rhythm that was powerful yet precise, and John Locke’s keyboards added subtle depth. The result was Spirit’s most accessible track, one that showcased the chemistry of the original quintet at their peak.

Released as a single in October 1968, I Got a Line on You quickly caught fire on radio. By March 1969 it had climbed to No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest chart position the band would ever reach. In Canada, it peaked at No. 28 on the RPM Top Singles chart. Billboard hailed it as “the near definitive rock single,” while later reviews continued to praise its unforgettable riff and lean structure. AllMusic described it as “fabulously funky,” highlighting how the song captured Spirit’s power in a simple, memorable form.

The track became a permanent part of Spirit’s live shows and has remained their best-known work. They revisited it in 1984 on their reunion album Spirit of ’84 (also known as The Thirteenth Dream), giving the song a second life for a new decade. Over the years it has been covered by other artists, including Hollywood Vampires and members of Jefferson Starship, proof of its enduring appeal. Its riff has also resurfaced in popular culture, most notably in the trailer for the Coen Brothers’ 2008 film Burn After Reading.

More than fifty years later, I Got a Line on You still stands as the purest expression of Spirit’s potential. It is fast, lean, and unforgettable—a song that captured lightning in a bottle and showed that this eclectic Los Angeles band could deliver a timeless rock single.

Key Facts
Songwriter: Randy California
Producer: Lou Adler
Album: The Family That Plays Together (1968)
Release Date: October 1968 (single)
Label: Ode Records
Length: 2:37
Genre: Psychedelic rock / hard rock
US Chart Peak: Billboard Hot 100 #25 (March 1969)
Canada Chart Peak: RPM #28 (March 1969)