When people talk about the song Spill the Wine, they often credit Eric Burdon and War for its unique sound and storytelling. However, few people know the real story behind how it became a hit. As someone who grew up surrounded by the members of War—my father, Harold Brown, being one of them—I’ve heard the stories firsthand and even toured with the band during their comeback years in the mid-'90s. One key player in the success of Spill the Wine was the late Steve Topley, a true industry veteran whose contributions are often overlooked.

Back in the early '70s, when Spill the Wine was released, the music industry still relied heavily on 45 RPM vinyl records. Each single typically had an A-side and a B-side, with the A-side being the song expected to be the hit. In the case of War’s single, Magic Mountain was originally positioned as the A-side, while Spill the Wine was on the B-side.

Steve Topley, who had an impressive track record of breaking records for artists like Sly and the Family Stone, was in charge of promoting Magic Mountain. However, there was a major problem—radio DJs were reluctant to play the song because it was believed to reference drug culture, particularly cocaine. This hesitation made it nearly impossible to get airplay for Magic Mountain, and without radio support, the single was at risk of flopping.

Recognizing the challenge, Topley made a bold move. Instead of pushing Magic Mountain, he pivoted and started promoting the B-side—Spill the Wine. With its dreamy, almost surreal storytelling, playful flute, and Burdon’s spoken-word delivery, the song was unlike anything else on the airwaves at the time. DJs, looking for fresh and unique sounds, embraced it, and before long, Spill the Wine took off.

It’s fascinating to think about how easily history could have been different. If Topley hadn’t convinced radio stations to flip the record and play Spill the Wine instead, War might not have gained the recognition they did. The band’s future—and the trajectory of funk, jazz, and rock fusion—might have looked very different.

Today, Spill the Wine remains one of War’s most iconic tracks. It’s a reminder of how behind-the-scenes decisions and industry insiders like Steve Topley can play an instrumental role in shaping musical history. While the song itself continues to be celebrated, it’s important to recognize the people who worked tirelessly to make sure the world heard it in the first place.

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Ran across a great interview on a YouTube channel by Adam Reader, featuring Eric Burdon and my dad, where they discuss the impact and history of Spill the Wine.