In 1975, the British pop-rock band Jigsaw made their mark on the music scene with their hit song “Sky High.” Written by bandmates Clive Scott and Des Dyer, and featuring an orchestral arrangement by conductor Richard Hewson, the song climbed the charts in the fall of 1975, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 6. The success of the song was a long time coming for the band, who had been together for years before achieving international recognition through the movie “The Man From Hong Kong,” where “Sky High” was featured as the opening theme.
But the road to fame was not an easy one for Jigsaw. It took a collaboration with the movie industry to finally get their music noticed on a global scale almost a decade after they first formed. In an interview with Record Mirror & Disc, Scott shared the band’s Cinderella story behind the soundtrack song. The pressure was on when they were asked to write and record the theme music for the film in just three days after other artists couldn’t commit due to contractual issues. Despite the time constraints, Jigsaw pulled it off and recorded “Sky High” in record time.
Fast forward to 2022, and Dyer reflected on the band’s journey as they chugged along for years before hitting it big with “Sky High.” The song was a turning point for Jigsaw, reaching number one in the Antipodes and giving them the recognition they had been working towards. After the band split in 1981, Dyer emphasized the impact that one hit single can have on a career, regardless of how long you’ve been in the industry.
Now, fifty years after the success of “Sky High,” Dyer has moved on to collaborate with Steve Fearn in the musical duo Fingers ‘N’ Fumbs, while Scott passed away in 2009. Despite the ups and downs of their musical journey, the legacy of “Sky High” continues to resonate with fans around the world, showcasing the enduring appeal of Jigsaw’s timeless hit.
As the years go by, the influence of “Sky High” remains as strong as ever, a testament to the lasting impact of a single hit song in the volatile world of music.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.