40 - "Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)," The Four Tops
39 - "One Less Bell to Answer," The Fifth Dimension
38 - "D.O.A.," Bloodrock
37 - "Precious Precious," Miss Jackie Moore
36 - "My Sweet Lord," George Harrison
35 - "Love Story (Where Do I Begin)," Andy Williams
34 - "Burning Bridges," The Mike Curb Congregation
33 - "Theme from Love Story," Francis Lai and His Orchestra
32 - "Cried Like a Baby," Bobby Sherman
31- "Remember Me," Diana Ross
R&B kicks us off . The Four Tops are back with a song about not wanting to call the woman who may or may not be a lifeline. Miss Jackie Moore (love that) had her only hit with a song about loving a man who's not exactly as devoted to her as she is to him. And Diana Ross asks her ex to remember her in positive ways, which to her means picturing her as a sunny day and "a big balloon." Not sure if that last one will turn out the way you want it to, Miss Ross.
MOR is well-represented, as usual. The Fifth Dimension are back from our last visit to this time period with that song about loneliness and egg preparation. And hey, you remember that "Burning Bridges" song that was "Billboard's #1 breakout hit" back in October of '70? Well, I guess it took a while to actually break out, because it four months later, it was just debuting on the 40. It's got kind of a martial beat, but otherwise, boring as hell. And Bobby Sherman had one of his last hits singing about a rich man who has everything but someone to love. I like it better than "Julie, Do Ya Love Me," but it's still pretty laughable when he calls himself a "warrior king" I've seen pictures of the man at the time, and no.
Their are two versions of the theme from the movie Love Story, which at the time was a major phenomenon. First is Andy Williams', featuring lyrics that were added after the fact. Not surprisingly, it was the biggest hit version of it. Two spots later, we find the original version, recorded by composer Francis Lai and his orchestra. I have never seen the movie, but I enjoyed reading about the making of it in producer Robert Evans' memoir The Kid Stays in the Picture. For those who enjoy reading about Hollywood dirt and general egomania, I highly recommend it.
Finally we have a couple of rock numbers. George Harrison was #1 last time we were here with the song that was written with spiritual intentions but ended up getting dragged down by very earthly interests. And then there's "D.O.A.," possibly the creepiest song I've ever heard. Partly inspired by the band's guitarist having witnessed a friend die in a plane crash, it's a sombre rock ballad, complete with siren sound effects, sung from the point of view of a dying man being attended to at an accident scene. The singer describes all the gory details of his injuries and surroundings, and ends chillingly by pleading "God in Heaven, teach me how to die." It's not a pleasant listening experience, and it's subject matter caused it to be banned by many radio stations, but somehow it managed to get as high as #36. Obviously, it gets this week's Uneasy Rider Award, but unlike most of the other winners, I have no interest in hearing it again. I am curious, though, about another one of their songs, "Don't Eat the Children."
30 -"Stoney End," Barbra Streisand
29 - "It's Impossible," Perry Como
28 - "Jody G0t Your Girl and Gone," Johnnie Taylor
27 - "Help Me Make it Through the Night," Sammi Smith
26 - "Your Song," Elton John
25 - "(Do The) Push and Pull (Part 1)," Rufus Thomas
24 - "Temptation Eyes," The Grass Roots
23 - "If I Were Your Woman," Gladys Knight and the Pips
22 - "Lonely Days," The Bee Gees
21 - "Proud Mary," Ike and Tina Turner
Another big batch of easy listening. Barbra Streisand, Perry Como, Elton John and the Bee Gees return with their hits from last time in this general area. For what I had to say about them, see http://bobbyglovescasey.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-26-1970-part-one.html and http://bobbyglovescasey.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-post.html Country singer Sammi Smith had her only pop hit with her cover of Kris Kristofferson's longing ballad, which was controversial at the time essentially because it was a woman singing openly about wanting sex. My stars! And 60s holdovers The Grass Roots had one of their last hits with a song about lusting after a woman whose eyes make a man want to...do things. I was disappointed to learn that this was recorded after Creed Bratton left the group. He's fantastic on The Office.
The rest of this section is all soul. Johnnie Taylor, who we last encountered here at BGC advising men to avoid divorce because it's "Cheaper to Keep Her," is back, this time warning guys that in every town there's "a cat named Jody" who's dedicted his life to stealing other people's wives. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have any answers regarding how to avoid having your lady stolen, except for perhaps giving her a bit more respect. What's worse, Johnnie seems to be cheering the bastard on, at one point telling Jody to "ride on...with your bad self." Rufus Thomas, of "Funky Chicken" fame, has another dance he wants you to do. And yes, it does seem to be an actual dance, in spite of the title. Gladys Knight once again insists that she would make a better lover for you than whatever you've got going right now. And we close with Ike and Tina, giving a "nice and rough" treatment to Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit of two years previous. You've all heard it. You know you love it. You don't? Why the hell not?
Tomorrow: From nice lawns to rotten fruit. And a strangely familiar melody.
Bobby Sherman! HA HA HA
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