Sofor the last few weeks I haven't always been adding 70s updates to my regular 80s coverage, and as it turns out, quite a few songs have slipped through the cracks. But now, I'm fishing them out and giving them their moments, in chronological order
AUGUST 15, 1970
30 - "Big Yellow Taxi," The Neighborhood
I don't know much about this group, except that they were made up of nine singers and their debut album was called Debut. Anyway, this was the first hit version of Joni Mitchell's classic environmental anthem. Some people seem to like it, but to me it sounds cheesily neutered. Stiil, it's not the worst version I've ever heard. I'm looking at you, Counting Crows.
JULY 27, 1974
12 - "On and On," Gladys Knight and the Pips
The legendary group's last pop Top 5 was this fantastically funky love groove that was written and produced by Curtis Mayfield for the soundtrack of the film Claudine, which starred Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones as working-class lovers. It was also the film debut of Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who would later find fame as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington on Welcome Back, Kotter. Speaking of which, RIP Ron Palillo.
17 - "Finally Got Myself Together (I'm a Changed Man)," The Impressions
Another Curtis Mayfield connection, as he was a co-founder of this group, and had a string of hits with them from 1958 to 1970. He left at that point, but the group carried on, and their only major pop hit without him was this sweet bit of soul about getting away from a destructive lifestyle with the help of, what else, love. Great stuff.
21 - "If You Talk in Your Sleep," Elvis Presley
The King is here with this stylish bit of R&B that warns his attached lover not to divulge their secret. Definitely one of his better performances this decade.
22 - "Machine Gun," The Commodores
This group would have their greatest successes on the strength of the distinctive vocals of Lionel Richie, so it's interesting to note that their first hit was an instrumental. An insanely funky one that makes great use of synthesizers. Love it.
24 - "This Heart," Gene Redding
This soul man was born in Indiana, and discovered in Alaska by Etta James. His only major hit was this proto-disco number in which he asks a woman not to be the first to break his heart. Wow, there were a lot of gems on this list.
26 - "Fish Ain't Bitin'," Lamont Dozier
The great Motown songwriter had the last of his two Top 40s as an artist with this midtempo soul song about the struggles of life. It also takes time out to urge the current president to resign ("Tricky Dick, please quit.") Two weeks later, he would. Thanks, Lamont.
29 - "You Won't See Me," Anne Murray
The Nova Scotian scored her third U.S. Top Ten with this cover of a song from The Beatles' Rubber Soul LP. Apparently, John Lennon told her it was his favorite Beatles cover ever. She does okay with it, but I respectfully disagree.
35 - "Come Monday," Jimmy Buffett
The head Parrothead had his first pop hit with this gentle ballad on which he promises to return to his lover after his time in "a brown L.A. haze." Just a nice little folk song that give no clue of the cult following its author would inspire.
37 - "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues," Jim Croce
Croce's final posthumous hit was this bluesy lament of a man who thinks he deserves to be living way above his current station. Not one of his bigger hits, but possibly his best.
AUGUST 13, 1977
37 - "It's a Crazy World," Mac McAnally
This Alabama singer-songwriter currently plays guitar in Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band, but his first bit of attention came with this reflective country-folk ballad about the mysteries of life. Cool little tune.
40 - "Sunflower," Glen Campbell
The country star's next-to-last pop hit was this Neil Diamond-penned tune on which he warns "I'm gonna love you if you come my way." Run! No, seriously, this is cool and catchy.
JULY 14, 1979
39 - "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body, Would You Hold it Against Me," The Bellamy Brothers
David and Homer's second and last pop hit was this bad pickup line set to Jimmy Buffettesque island folk. Cheesy, yet somehow charming.
40 - "Married Men," Bette Midler
Miss M's fourth Top 40 was this disco number about the perils of dallying with betrothed males. Her voice works well with the style, but then again, it worked with pretty much any style. Bette's versatility is somewhat underrated, I think.
AUGUST 4, 1979
37 - "Kiss in the Dark," Pink Lady
This duo made up of Japanese singers Mitsuyo "Mie" Nemoto and Keiko "Kei" Masuda were one of the biggest pop acts in their native land during the late 70s, and their first attempt to conquer America was this tepid disco number that they had to sing phoenetically because they didn't know much English. But of course, their story doesn't stop there. The next year, NBC hired the ladies to host their own self-titled variety show, with help from comedian Jeff Altman. The network spared no expense in rounding up celebrity guests (Hugh Hefner, Jerry Lewis, Larry "J.R." Hagman), but the language barrier and the public's tiring of variety shows in general helped make the show a renowned disaster that only lasted six episodes. And yes, I can remember watching at least one episode. Anyway, it's one of the more interesting showbiz stories I've come across while doing these.
Okay, that's taken care of. In the next day or so, regular 80s coverage will resume.
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