Like many others THE HOLLIES were looking to the DISCO DANCE FLOOR for inspiration in 1976.They released a DISCO NOVELTY 45 called ''WIGGLE THAT WOTSIT'',but the song was evidently too great a departure from the HARMONY POP style that the group were known for and the record failed to click with the public.Ironically tucked away on the B-SIDE was an awesome tune that cleverly combined the great harmony vocals the band were known for with a DEEP/LATIN/ FUNK GROOVE
THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS
The song was included on the LP RUSSIAN ROULETTE which came out the same year and the group also laid down a brilliant upfront version of the song on the TV POP SHOW ''SUPERSONIC''.
Check it out here and listen in wonder at Pete Wingfield energetic runs on the white grand piano!
THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS - LIVE ON SUPERSONIC
So much for the UK record buying public then.''DRAGGIN' MY HEELS'' would surely have been added to the list of great records that never received their due recognition had it not been picked up and spun by taste making NEW YORK DJs:DAVID MANCUSO and LARRY LEVAN.Both were known for diggin' deep and seeking out music from around the globe.Many of the obscure and unusual discs they played crossed over to the playlists of DJs in the more mainstream clubs and as a result of their interest EPIC RECORDS in the US released an EXTENDED 12'' DANCE 'EDIT' of the song in 1977.
THE HOLLIES - DRAGGIN' MY HEELS - SPECIAL DISCO VERSION
The song never broke in a major way but over the years it's legend grew.In 1989 EPIC reissued the 12'' MIX as part of their ''MIX MASTERS'' series.In 1995 it appeared as a track on ''LOFT CLASSICS VOLUME 14'' and again in 2010 on the LP ''DOWN TO THE SEA AND BACK - THE CONTINUING JOURNEY OF THE BALEARIC BEAT''.The song certainly has a timeless quality about it.DJ LOUIE VEGA AND THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE have recently released a cover of the song with an arrangement and production that is near identical to the original!
Time waits for no one
And I wasted my time
Got to the crossroads
But took the wrong sign
I'd go too far
Didn't know how she'd feel
Stupid of me
To be draggin' my heels
Oh, oh, oh, draggin' my heels
Oh, oh, oh, draggin' my heels, heels
