The single was recorded in George Martin's own studio, Air Studios. George was probably the most famous producer in the world having worked with The Beatles and produced some of the best work ever to come out of a studio in the 1960s, so when he arrived at the session to give his verdict on "Son Of My Father" his actual words were "It smells like a hit to me!"

The song was recorded on Christmas Eve, rush released by CBS, and within three weeks it was ready to be issued - quite an achievement when most of the record industry were still on their Christmas vacation!  The song was released on January 14th 1972. It came in at number 30 the next week in the charts, followed that up with a huge 19 place leap to land at number 11. It then shot to number 2 on its third week, nestled behind T.Rex's "Telegram Sam", and after a month on the charts it made it to number 1, staying there for three weeks before losing its crown to Nilsson's "Without You" in early March.  But the song hung around for another seven weeks in the Top 40 before eventually dipping out of the charts.

It went on to become a multi million seller and a hit in many countries including the USA where it made number 91. They were known over there as just "Chicory" without the Tip! It is hard to check exact figures but it is claimed that in Spain the song stayed at number 1 for "several months."

The follow-up single was "What's Your Name" also written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Roger had made his peace with Giorgio after stealing his thunder on "Son Of My Father" and it worked out well for the songwriting pair as they penned the next five singles for Chicory Tip and of course enjoyed the royalties from the number 1 smash.

"What's Your Name" was also recorded at George Martin's Air Studios and was released on April 28th 1972 in the UK - even though the previous hit was still being promoted and in the charts in other countries throughout the world. That meant the band couldn't do as much promotion as they would have liked on the new record.  Nonetheless it charted in mid-May at a lowly number 39 position before climbing to 26 then 23 before creeping up to 21. It then shot up to 13 where it looked set to become another Top 10 for the boys. However, in an incredible about-turn, the song crashed 14 spots to number 27 for no apparent reason, and then slid out a few weeks later. It was a major disappointment and a real rollercoaster chart ride.