You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish

You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish
Studio album by REO Speedwagon
Released	March 16, 1978
Recorded	1977–78 at Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, CA, vocals recorded at Record Plant Studios, Los Angeles, CA and Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago, IL
Genre	Rock
Length	33:47
Label	Epic
Producer	Kevin Cronin, Gary Richrath, Paul Grupp, John Boylan
REO Speedwagon chronology
Live: You Get What You Play For (1977) You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) Nine Lives (1979)
Singles from You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish
"Roll with the Changes"/"The Unidentified Flying Tuna Trot" Released: 1978 "Time for Me to Fly"/"Runnin' Blind" Released: 1978 "Time for Me to Fly"/"Lightning" Released: March 1980

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Rolling Stone	(favorable) [2]

You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish is the seventh studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1978. It was their first album to be co-produced by lead singer Kevin Cronin and lead guitarist Gary Richrath. The album was REO's first to make the Top 40, peaking at #29.^[3] The album sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. which led it to go 2× Platinum.

This is the first album to feature Bruce Hall on bass, replacing Gregg Philbin. In 2013, the album was released on CD by UK-based company Rock Candy Records, with expanded liner notes and photos.

The track "Time for Me to Fly" was covered by Dolly Parton on her 1989 album White Limozeen. In 2005, the album cover was featured in Pitchfork Media's list of "The Worst Record Covers of All Time",^[4] and in 2014 its title was featured in NME's list of "The 50 Worst Album Titles in History."^[5]

Track listing

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Roll with the Changes"	Kevin Cronin	5:37
2.	"Time for Me to Fly"	Cronin	3:42
3.	"Runnin' Blind"	Debbie Mackron, Gary Richrath	3:08
4.	"Blazin' Your Own Trail Again"	Cronin	3:32
5.	"Sing to Me"	Richrath	2:34

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Lucky for You"	Cronin, Richrath	5:02
7.	"Do You Know Where Your Woman Is Tonight?"	Richrath	2:53
8.	"The Unidentified Flying Tuna Trot" (Instrumental)	Richrath	2:17
9.	"Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight"	Cronin, Richrath	4:58

Personnel

REO Speedwagon^[6]

• Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards
• Gary Richrath – lead guitar
• Neal Doughty – keyboards
• Bruce Hall – bass, background vocals
• Alan Gratzer – drums, percussion, background vocals

Additional personnel

• Lon Price – saxophone (track 9)
• Angelle Trosclair, Denise McCall, Denny Henson, Tom Kelly – additional backing vocals

Production

• Paul Grupp – producer, engineer
• John Boylan – executive producer

Charts

Album Chart (1978) Peak position US Billboard 200 29[7] Canadian Albums Chart 70[8] Singles Year Single Chart Position 1978 "Roll with the Changes" US Billboard Hot 100 58[7] Canadian RPM Singles Chart 65[9] "Time for Me to Fly" US Billboard Hot 100 56[7] Canadian RPM Singles Chart 90[10]

Certifications Region Certification Certified units/Sales United States (RIAA)[11] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^^ ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog #
USA	March 16, 1978	Epic Records	Stereo Vinyl	E-35082
USA	1978	Epic Records	Tape	PET-35082
USA	1978	Epic Records	8 TRK	E35082
USA	1985	Epic Records	CD	EK35082
USA	2000	Epic Records	CD (Remaster)	EK-61613
Japan	2011	Sony Music	CD (DSD-Remaster)	EICP 1488
UK	2013	Rock Candy Records	CD-24 bit audio (Remastered & Reloaded)	CANDY176

References

1. DeGagne, Mike. You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish at AllMusic
2. Rolling Stone review
3. Whitburn, Joel (2011). Top Pop Albums (Seventh ed.). Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-183-3.
4. http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/6194-the-worst-record-covers-of-all-time/
5. http://www.nme.com/photos/the-50-worst-album-titles-in-history/124023#/photo/32
6. REO Speedwagon — You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish. Rock Candy Records Ltd. 2013. p. 16.
7. "Artist Chart History – REO Speedwagon". Billboard charts. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
8. "Top Albums/CD's – Volume 29, No. 12, June 17, 1978". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. June 17, 1978. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
9. "Top Singles – Volume 29, No. 13, June 24, 1978". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. June 24, 1978. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
10. "Top Singles – Volume 29, No. 24, September 9, 1978". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. September 9, 1978. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
11. "American album certifications – R.E.O._Speedwagon – You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 18 January 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH