It was released in the United Kingdom in 1973, becoming Sayer's first hit record (reaching its chart peak of number 2 in early 1974 in the UK).

The song reached number 3 on the Irish Singles Chart in January 1974,[2] and was included on Sayer's debut album Silverbird.

The song was covered by Three Dog Night, whose version was released in 1974, becoming a hit in the United States, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sung by vocalist Chuck Negron.

Record World said that "3DN's treatment of this Leo Sayer English smash is a superb example of their interpretive power.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra's 1977 album "The Show Must Go On" takes its name from the track, and (in an unusual departure into contemporary music) features their cover version of the song; it was re-released as part of their Jubilee Collection CDs in 2018.