Stumblin' In to Licorice Pizza

A piano sheet music arrangement of Suzi Quatro's 70s hit "Stumblin' In" that was part of the delicious little 2021 film "Licorice Pizza."

This post is part four of the Sonic Surprises Sheet Music Series.

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How I stumbled into Licorice Pizza…

Back in August of 2021, a YouTube fan contacted me and made a polite request for an intermediate version of Suzi Quatro’s song “Stumblin’ In.” I wasn’t familiar with the tune, but listened to it, thought it was a catchy earworm, and off I went.

I sent the link for the arrangement off to the requester and figured that was the end of things. About six months later in February of 2022 I got the following comment on my YouTube video of “Stumblin’ In”:

“Licorice Pizza was definitely about cougar romance.”
— The Order of The Galactic Hospitallers (Youtube user)

I though it was a weird comment at the time and brushed it aside, completely oblivious what they were referencing. Fast forward to May of 2022 and I was on a flight to Chicago to visit a friend. There in the massive movie list sat “Licorice Pizza,” and it dawned on me that this was the reference. For the record, I don’t live under a rock, but I don’t usually keep up on more obscure indy films like this one.

I watched on the plane and was super happy to hear “Stumblin’ In” during the airplane scene. As for the movie, I couldn’t decide if it was the worst and most jaggedly-constructed film I’d ever seen or if it was really a charming ingenious flick. There isn’t really a storyline per se and random A-list Hollywood actors keep randomly showing up during different segments of the movie. There’s also not a single piece of licorice or a pizza that ever graces the screen. It is a little bizarre on the first watch, consider yourself warned!

When I returned home from my trip I made my husband watch it to see what he thought and I wanted to give it a second chance from the comfort of my couch. I liked it a lot more the second time and I’ve watched it a couple more times since. It has certainly grown on me and I lean more towards “charming” and “ingenious” now. So if you haven’t seen it you should give it at least two watches. If you ever figure out the title, drop me a comment, I’d love to hear your theory!

About “Stumblin’ In”

“Stumblin’ In” is a captivating song that was penned by the talented songwriting team of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn and brought to life by the charismatic voices of Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro. The inspiration for the duet arose during a party in Düsseldorf, where Chapman witnessed Norman and Quatro harmonizing while sharing an affectionate moment. Recognizing their potential as a duo, Chapman proposed the idea to Quatro during a studio session, and she enthusiastically agreed. The song’s catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with audiences, propelling it to number four on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1979. For Quatro, “Stumblin’ In” became her sole top 40 hit in the United States, while it marked Norman’s first significant success as a solo artist apart from his achievements with the band Smokie.

In addition to its success in the United States, “Stumblin’ In” garnered recognition in other parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number 41 on the charts, making it Norman’s only charting effort as a solo artist. However, its true triumph came in Canada, where it secured the 11th spot on the RPM Chart and soared to the coveted number one position on the Canada Adult Contemporary Chart. The song’s enduring popularity can be attributed not only to the undeniable chemistry between Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro but also to the seamless blend of their voices and the timeless appeal of Chapman and Chinn’s songwriting prowess.