Introduction
When Status Quo roared into the Wacken Open Air main stage in 2017, they weren’t just playing another song—they were resurrecting a B-side gem from 1972, “Softer Ride,” and giving it new life in front of over 75,000 metal fans. The Wacken audience, known for their unwavering passion, exploded into cheers as the band launched into the track’s signature shuffle rhythm—proof that great music transcends decades.
Originally released in November 1972 as the B-side to the “Paper Plane” single, “Softer Ride” showcased Status Quo’s burgeoning boogie-rock style and peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Though it wasn’t an A-side hit, the song’s infectious groove and gritty guitar work earned it a cult following among Quo die-hards, cementing its place on the Hello! album a year later. Written by Rick Parfitt and Alan Lancaster (though Francis Rossi and Bob Young later revealed they co-wrote it), the track encapsulated the band’s raw energy during their commercial and creative peak of the early ’70s.
Fast forward to July 2017: Status Quo brought “Softer Ride” back to life on the massive Infield stage at Wacken Open Air, the world’s premier metal festival held annually in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Captured on video and released on the Down Down & Dirty at Wacken live album, the performance crackles with the band’s trademark punchy riffs and the crowd’s thunderous sing-along. That year, Wacken even debuted a one-kilometer beer pipeline capable of dispensing 10,000 liters per hour—ensuring fans stayed fueled for every riff and chorus.
What makes this rendition of “Softer Ride” so special is the fusion of nostalgia and live ferocity. Watching Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt trade guitar licks under the open sky, you feel the weight of rock history meeting the unbridled enthusiasm of today’s metal community. It’s a moment where time blurs, and everyone—from die-hard album collectors to first-time Wacken attendees—unites in that familiar shuffle beat.
“Softer Ride” at Wacken 2017 stands as a testament to Status Quo’s enduring power and the magic of live music. Whether you first heard it in 1972 or discovered it in that video, the song’s groove remains irresistible. So press play, turn up the volume, and let the boogie-rock spirit carry you—because some rides only get softer with age.