And now, 1994. On the date of this chart, Europe's first invert roller coaster, Nemesis, opened at the Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Let's see if the charts at the time provided similar thrills.
40 - "Stay Together," Suede
These Londoners are credited with helping launch Britpop with their 1993 debut album. Before releasing their follow-up, they put out this standalone single, which became their first Top Five hit. It's a Bowiesque ballad about love among the ruins of a crumbling civilization. I like what it's trying to do, but I find Brett Anderson's voice grating on this. And the title proved ironic, because guitarist Bernard Butler would leave the group shortly after this was recorded.
39 - "Switch," Sender
The biggest hit for these London rap-rockers was this example of the politically minded hip-hop that was falling out of fashion at the time. Pretty convincing, and well worth a listen.
38 - "I Never Want an Easy Life if Me and He Were to Get There," The Charlatans
Their seventh hit was this loping rock tune about preferring a life of drug-addledness. I think that's it. It's all right, but not quite as memorable as the title promises.
37 - "Murder She Wrote," Chaka Demus and Pliers
The fourth hit for the Jamaican duo is this dancehall track about a manipulative woman named Maxine. She seems shady, but funnily enough, nowhere is it suggested that she has killed anyone. And there's no mention of the TV show the song takes its title from. Which is disappointing, because I feel like "Angela Lansbury" is a name that would sound cool with a Jamaican accent.
36 - "Love Come Down," Alison Limerick
After some notable backup singing work in the 80s, Londoner Limerick had a handful of 90s dance hits, including this cover of Evelyn King's 1982. Nice singing, but otherwise inessential.
35 - "Come in Out of the Rain," Wendy Moten
The biggest of two U.K. hits for this Memphis lady was this passionately performed reconciliation ballad. Meh material uplifted by Moten's church-nurtured voice.
34 - "Groove Thang," Zhane
The second of three Brit hits for this Philly duo was this slinky dance tune about slinky dancing. One of the better examples of R&B of the period.
33 - "Again," Juliet Roberts
One of the several hits by this Grenada-born singer was this sophisticated soul-dance track about a brief love affair. Roberts has a smooth, jazzy voice that makes this more than just a playlist filler.
32 - "The Power of Love," Celine Dion
The first U.K. Top Five for the Quebecoise cha teaser was this cover of a 1985 #1 by American Jennifer Rush. Big singer, big ballad. If that's what you're looking for, this is your jam,
31 - "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," Morrissey
One of Stephen Patrick's whopping 33 Top 40s here, and the closest he came tout having one in America. Definitely one of his most accessible pop tunes, but the premise of him being threateningly inescapable is definitely in keeping with his overall theme. Very good.
30 - "Let's Face the Music and Dance," Nat King Cole
Haven't been able to find out why his 1961 recording of a song originally written for the 1936 Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film Follow the Fleet was on the charts at this time. I'm guessing it was in a commercial. Doesn’t matter though, it's the King swinging a standard, and there's never a bad reason to give that some love.
29 - "Because of Love," Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson with an uptempo Jam/Lewis love song. Nothing more or less than what you'd expect from that description. And that's not a bad thing.
28 - "All for Love," Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting
Three rock stars sap out for this dreckfest from a Three Musketeers movie featuring future TV stars Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell, and Charlie Sheen. Awful. Adams had already planted himself in this world, but the other two still had enough respectability that they didn’t need to piss away. Best I can say is that it only hit #2 here.
27 - "Whispering Your Name," Alison Moyet
The Essex singer's most recent hit was this acoustic ballad about suspected infidelity. I love that voice. She should have been a bigger worldwide star.
26 - "I Can See Clearly Now," Jimmy Cliff
The reggae pioneer covered Johnny Nash's 1972 optimism ode for the soundtrack of Cool Runnings, the fictionalized account of the Jamaican bobsled team's appearance at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Okay movie, okay cover.
25 - "Move On Baby," Cappella
The first of three Top Tens for this Italian dance outfit. Okay beats, good soul singing, unspectacular rap. The usual.
24 - "Glam Rock Cops," Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
The ninth of twelve hits by the London duo of Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and Les "Fruitbat" Carter was this rocker about being young and bored and disenchanted. It's much better faux-Bowie than the Suede track.
23 - "Good as Gold (Stupid as Mud)," The Beautiful South
After the breakup of The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway formed a new group that was even more successful, scoring 22 Top 40s between 1989 and 2005. The eighth of these was this bouncy pop song about longing for something better even though one knows one's limitations. I think that's it. This might not be one of their best, but it's still damn good. These guys hit the same sweet spot for me that Crowded House does.
22 - "Loser," Beck
L.A.-born Beck Hansen grew up wanting to be a folk/blues singer, but after moving to New York he absorbed hip-hop and surrealist influences which created a unique sound typified by his breakthrough hit, a combination of slide guitar samples and Beck's nonsensical Rap about "butane in my veins" and "beefcake pantyhose." It all combines into something wonderful. Two fun facts: 1) The first line of the chorus is "Soy una perdador;" Spanish for "I'm a loser." Many people heard many different things. I myself first thought he said "sodium pentathol" aka truth serum. Like he was reluctantly admitting his loserdom, you know? 2) The voice that says "I'm a driver, I'm a winner" is not, contrary to popular belief, that of George H.W. Bush.
21 - "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart," Elton John and RuPaul
Sir Elton's 1993 Duets album produced this new version of his smash 1976 Kiki Dee collaboration, this time performed with drag performer RuPaul Charles, who had recently broken through as a recording artist with the dance hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)." The house beats and Ru's attitude make it something different than the original, so it works.
In Part Two: violence, innocence, and...the Charleston?
Saturday, March 25, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 19, 1994 Part Two
Here's the other part.
20 - "Things Can Only Get Better," D:Ream
The second and most successful of three chart runs for this single by a Northern Irish pop band. Decent dance track about learning optimism. Three years later, the Labour Party's would use it as a theme song that brought them back to power after 18 years. Did things get better? Well, I have never lived in Britain, so I can't really say.
19 - "I'm Broken," Pantera
Metal once again shows up, this time from this Texas thrash band. Phil Anselmo artfully shouts lyrics inspired by his struggles with crippling back pain, while the late great Dimebag Darrell shreds away. An impressive 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
18 - "Linger," The Cranberries
The Irish band's first U.K. hit was this jangly ballad inspired by Dolores O'Riordan's betrayal at the hands of her first boyfriend. Pretty and affecting. I don't think they did any better than this and "Dreams."
17 - "Rocks," Primal Scream
These Scots broke through in 1991 with their house-influenced Sceamadelica album, so it was a shock to fans when their follow-up LP was a collection of Stones-esque blues rocker like this track, a catchy stomper about getting one's kicks. I like it a lot, but it's so much of a detour that the backlash was more than understandable.
16 - "The Way You Work It," E.Y.C.
This American boy band (whose initials stand for Express Yourself Clearly) had most of their success in Britain with songs like this innocuous dance jam. It may be clear, but it's also bland.
15 - "Whatta Man," Salt-N-Pepa featuring En Vogue
The rap trio teams up with the vocal quartet for an ode to a man who is attractive, respectful, and proficient at both fatherhood and sex. Salt-N-Pepa doing their Salt-N-Pepa thing, which was quite welcome at the time.
14 - "Let the Beat Control Your Body," 2 Unlimited
More techno-rap from the Belgians. There was indeed bass in my face, but my body remained under my jurisdiction throughout.
13 - "Violently Happy," Bjork
The otherworldly Icelander had her fifth hit with this dance track about feeling so ecstatic you don't know what to do with yourself. The sound matches the sentiment. The world needed Bjork before we even knew we did.
12 - "I Believe," Marcella Detroit
After splitting with her Shakespear's Sister partner Siobahn Fahey, theformer Marcy Levy put out a solo album that produced three hits, thefirst and biggest being this idealistic peace and harmony ballad. Sweet, but underwhelming.
11 - "Shine On," Degrees of Motion
More boilerplate house-dance. Nothing more to add.
Breaking news: Disney has just announced that they are making a live-action remake of this week's Top Ten.
10 - "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton
The Maryland soul lady had her first U.K. Top Ten with this ballad on which she essentially admits that she will die if her lover leaves her. Romantic..?
9 - "I Like to Move It," Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman
The most enduring cultural contribution by Colombian-American producer Erick Morillo was this combination of house and dancehall that features Mr. Stuntman toasting about attractive women. Naturally, it would eventually become most closely associated with a series of animated movies about escaped zoo animals.
8 - "Return to Innocence," Enigma
German producer Michael Cretu created Enigma as a way to combine electronic dance music with sounds not common to pop. On his 1991 breakthrough "Sadeness Part 1," it was Gregorian chants, while on this one it was a recording of a traditional song of the Amis, an indigenous people of Taiwan. He uses it to great effect, but unfortunately, he didn't credit the original performers. Thankfully, that was eventually corrected. That was a return to innocence in and of itself.
7 - "Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos
Myra Ellen Amos grew up in North Carolina, then moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, where she got her first record deal with a synthpopband called Y Kant Tori Read. They were dropped after one flop album, but Tori found success in the next decade as a purveyor of ethereal yet raw piano pop. The second of her three Top Tens was this ballad with inscrutable lyrics about a relationship between two people named Greg and Lucy. I have always been a big Tori fan, to the point where I went to one of her shows on the tour supporting the album this track came from, Under the Pink. Undoubtedly my favorite of my relatively few concert experiences. And this song in particular probably ranks somewhere between 6--10 on my all time Torilist.
6 - "Renaissance," M People
The fifth of ten Top Tens for the Manchester dance outfit is this house banger about coming home to a lover. Not a da Vinci reference in sight, but still lifted to very-goodness by the powerhouse vocals of Heather Small.
5 - "Girls and Boys," Blur
The future Oasis archenemies had their first Top Five with this Eurodance- inspired tune about indiscriminate and uninhibited sex among youth in European vacation hotspots. It captures that vibe perfectly, with Damon Albarn ironically stating that one's partner or partners in such behavior "always should be someone you really love." I think I have it just ahead of "Country House" as their best.
4 - "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen
Bruce's biggest U.K. hit was this Oscar-winning contribution to the film Philadelphia, which starred Tom Hanks as a gay lawyer who sues his firm for wrongful dismissal after they fire him shortly after he is diagnosed with AIDS. Though it resonated the the time, the movie hasn't aged well; however, the song's stark spareness remains a powerful portrait of the loneliness and hopelessness of someone facing the end of their life. One of the Boss's crowning achievements.
3 - "The Sign," Ace of Base
The biggest hit by Ulf Ekberg and the three Berggren siblings of Gothenburg, Sweden was this sunny bit of techno-reggae about changing one's life for the better. I still prefer "All That She Wants," but I like this better now than I did then.
2 - "Without You," Mariah Carey
Surprisingly, her only British charttopper to date is this cover of Harry Nilsson 1971 smash ballad. She makes it bigger, but definitely not better.
And on top 23 years ago was...
1 - "Doop," Doop
This Dutch duo's only major impact on international pop culture was this mostly instrumental dance track that incorporates Roaring 20s jazz of the kind that would accompany the step known as "the Charleston." Anachronistic fun, and this chart's clear Uneasy Rider. Doop doop doop indeed.
Another one down. Thanks as always, and see you next time.
20 - "Things Can Only Get Better," D:Ream
The second and most successful of three chart runs for this single by a Northern Irish pop band. Decent dance track about learning optimism. Three years later, the Labour Party's would use it as a theme song that brought them back to power after 18 years. Did things get better? Well, I have never lived in Britain, so I can't really say.
19 - "I'm Broken," Pantera
Metal once again shows up, this time from this Texas thrash band. Phil Anselmo artfully shouts lyrics inspired by his struggles with crippling back pain, while the late great Dimebag Darrell shreds away. An impressive 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
18 - "Linger," The Cranberries
The Irish band's first U.K. hit was this jangly ballad inspired by Dolores O'Riordan's betrayal at the hands of her first boyfriend. Pretty and affecting. I don't think they did any better than this and "Dreams."
17 - "Rocks," Primal Scream
These Scots broke through in 1991 with their house-influenced Sceamadelica album, so it was a shock to fans when their follow-up LP was a collection of Stones-esque blues rocker like this track, a catchy stomper about getting one's kicks. I like it a lot, but it's so much of a detour that the backlash was more than understandable.
16 - "The Way You Work It," E.Y.C.
This American boy band (whose initials stand for Express Yourself Clearly) had most of their success in Britain with songs like this innocuous dance jam. It may be clear, but it's also bland.
15 - "Whatta Man," Salt-N-Pepa featuring En Vogue
The rap trio teams up with the vocal quartet for an ode to a man who is attractive, respectful, and proficient at both fatherhood and sex. Salt-N-Pepa doing their Salt-N-Pepa thing, which was quite welcome at the time.
14 - "Let the Beat Control Your Body," 2 Unlimited
More techno-rap from the Belgians. There was indeed bass in my face, but my body remained under my jurisdiction throughout.
13 - "Violently Happy," Bjork
The otherworldly Icelander had her fifth hit with this dance track about feeling so ecstatic you don't know what to do with yourself. The sound matches the sentiment. The world needed Bjork before we even knew we did.
12 - "I Believe," Marcella Detroit
After splitting with her Shakespear's Sister partner Siobahn Fahey, theformer Marcy Levy put out a solo album that produced three hits, thefirst and biggest being this idealistic peace and harmony ballad. Sweet, but underwhelming.
11 - "Shine On," Degrees of Motion
More boilerplate house-dance. Nothing more to add.
Breaking news: Disney has just announced that they are making a live-action remake of this week's Top Ten.
10 - "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton
The Maryland soul lady had her first U.K. Top Ten with this ballad on which she essentially admits that she will die if her lover leaves her. Romantic..?
9 - "I Like to Move It," Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman
The most enduring cultural contribution by Colombian-American producer Erick Morillo was this combination of house and dancehall that features Mr. Stuntman toasting about attractive women. Naturally, it would eventually become most closely associated with a series of animated movies about escaped zoo animals.
8 - "Return to Innocence," Enigma
German producer Michael Cretu created Enigma as a way to combine electronic dance music with sounds not common to pop. On his 1991 breakthrough "Sadeness Part 1," it was Gregorian chants, while on this one it was a recording of a traditional song of the Amis, an indigenous people of Taiwan. He uses it to great effect, but unfortunately, he didn't credit the original performers. Thankfully, that was eventually corrected. That was a return to innocence in and of itself.
7 - "Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos
Myra Ellen Amos grew up in North Carolina, then moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, where she got her first record deal with a synthpopband called Y Kant Tori Read. They were dropped after one flop album, but Tori found success in the next decade as a purveyor of ethereal yet raw piano pop. The second of her three Top Tens was this ballad with inscrutable lyrics about a relationship between two people named Greg and Lucy. I have always been a big Tori fan, to the point where I went to one of her shows on the tour supporting the album this track came from, Under the Pink. Undoubtedly my favorite of my relatively few concert experiences. And this song in particular probably ranks somewhere between 6--10 on my all time Torilist.
6 - "Renaissance," M People
The fifth of ten Top Tens for the Manchester dance outfit is this house banger about coming home to a lover. Not a da Vinci reference in sight, but still lifted to very-goodness by the powerhouse vocals of Heather Small.
5 - "Girls and Boys," Blur
The future Oasis archenemies had their first Top Five with this Eurodance- inspired tune about indiscriminate and uninhibited sex among youth in European vacation hotspots. It captures that vibe perfectly, with Damon Albarn ironically stating that one's partner or partners in such behavior "always should be someone you really love." I think I have it just ahead of "Country House" as their best.
4 - "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen
Bruce's biggest U.K. hit was this Oscar-winning contribution to the film Philadelphia, which starred Tom Hanks as a gay lawyer who sues his firm for wrongful dismissal after they fire him shortly after he is diagnosed with AIDS. Though it resonated the the time, the movie hasn't aged well; however, the song's stark spareness remains a powerful portrait of the loneliness and hopelessness of someone facing the end of their life. One of the Boss's crowning achievements.
3 - "The Sign," Ace of Base
The biggest hit by Ulf Ekberg and the three Berggren siblings of Gothenburg, Sweden was this sunny bit of techno-reggae about changing one's life for the better. I still prefer "All That She Wants," but I like this better now than I did then.
2 - "Without You," Mariah Carey
Surprisingly, her only British charttopper to date is this cover of Harry Nilsson 1971 smash ballad. She makes it bigger, but definitely not better.
And on top 23 years ago was...
1 - "Doop," Doop
This Dutch duo's only major impact on international pop culture was this mostly instrumental dance track that incorporates Roaring 20s jazz of the kind that would accompany the step known as "the Charleston." Anachronistic fun, and this chart's clear Uneasy Rider. Doop doop doop indeed.
Another one down. Thanks as always, and see you next time.
Monday, March 13, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 5, 1977 Part Two
We're closing.
20 - "Rockaria," Electric Light Orchestra
The band's third Top Ten was this tale of a rock fan meeting an opera diva and turning her and her fellow classical musicians on to more modern sounds. A fun little collision.
19 - "Isn't She Lovely," David Parton
Famously, Stevie Wonder would not allow Motown to release this sweet tribute to his newborn daughter Aisha from Songs in the Key of Life as a single, so Newcastle singer Parton took it upon himself to do a soundalike cover. Good karaoke, nothing more.
18 - "Knowing Me, Knowing You," ABBA
The Swedish pop machine scored their fifth U.K. #1 with this slick breakup song. I love it. There is nothing I can do.
17 - "Baby I Know," The Rubettes
The ninth and last hit for these MOR poppers was this folky tune about knowing your lover is stepping out. Pretty average radio pop of the time.
16 - "Sideshow," Barry Biggs
The biggest of this Jamaican reggae star's four U.K. hits was this pretty straight cover of Blue Magic's 1974 hit about a circus of the lonely. You can afford to pass this byear for the original.
15 - "Sound + Vision," David Bowie
Another hit for Mr. Bowie, this time a bouncy yet dark funk-rocker about craving sensory stimulation in solitude. This would be the first taste the public got of what would be his influential "Berlin trilogy," and these ears find it quite delectable.
14 - "They Shoot Horses, Don't They," Racing Cars
This Welsh band's only hit was this ballad clearly inspired by its namesake, a 1969 Jane Fonda movie about a Depression-era dance marathon. The song's a bit of downer, but from what I read of the film, it's a laugh riot by comparison. And for some reason, the song reminds me of April Wine.
13 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
This disco classic was a #1 in the States, but only got this high here. But there might be an explanation for that coming up.
12 - "Torn Between Two Lovers," Mary MacGregor
The Minnesotan's adultery admission was a #1 at home and a Top Five here. It's not good, not bad, it just is.
11 - "This is Tomorrow," Bryan Ferry
Ferry had been having solo hits from the beginning of Roxy Music's stardom, and his output increased during the band's 1976-79 hiatus. This one's a stylish rock tune about looking forward to the future. Greatness.
10 - "What Can I Say," Boz Scaggs
From the breakthrough Silk Degrees LP, this is a smooth take-me-back disco track that somehow missed the Top 40 in the U.S. That's a lowdown shame, one might say.
9 - "Jack in the Box," The Moments
The men behind "Love on a Two-Way Street" had three Top Tens in Britain, the last being this dance number in which a man assures his lover that his devotion is as much of a fact as that clown coming out of his container when his crank is turned, the Three Bears catching Goldilocks, and Little Boy Blue having a horn. Interesting choices. Still, very good song.
8 - "Sing Me," The Brothers
The only hit for the fivery Bayou Brothers from the island nation of Mauritius was this reggae song about being someone's song, ship, and kite. This was a time for slightly weird analogies, apparently.
7 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The original version of this song was by these Philly stalwarts, and it was released as a single here in the wake of the Houston version. Not only that, it outcharted it. I wouldn't say it's better or worse, it's just it's own wonderful thing.
6 - "Don't Give Up on Us," David Soul
Hutch sings. It's a hit. America is satiated, but Britain came back for more.
5 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Julie Covington
Londoner Covington was an established stage and TV actress when she was selected to sing the lead role on the Evita LP. It's the project's most famous song, Eva Peron's justification for her actions and plea for the continued love of her public. Covington does very well with it, but am I a heretic if I say I like Madonna's version better?
4 - "Romeo," Mr. Big
Before the American hair farmers of "To be With You" in My, there were these Brits and their pop-rock imagining of a tryst between Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Apparently, lyrics like "step back inside me, take me to your bed" were considered too hot for the BBC, who briefly banned it. That adds a bit of a kick to it's general, pleasantly catchy 70sness.
3 - "Chanson D'Amour," The Manhattan Transfer
The only #1 for the New York jazz vocal quartet was this cover of a 1958 hit by Al and Dotty Todd. Janis Siegel sounds more than a little like Edith Piaf on this, which captures the vibe perfectly. And that feeling of another eradicated gives it this chart's Uneasy Rider.
2 - "Boogie Nights," Heatwave
#2 on both sides of the pond, but still the best in town nevertheless.
And on top some 40 years ago was...
1 - "When I Need You," Leo Sayer
Not much to say about this, except that I just learned that Leo had to settle a lawsuit from Leonard Cohen because of the strong similarities between this song's chorus and that of "Famous Blue Raincoat." Never noticed that before, but yeah, it's definitely there. I miss Leonard. But maybe I can be with him if I just close my eyes. I heard that somewhere.
Another entry, another chart. There will be more soon.
20 - "Rockaria," Electric Light Orchestra
The band's third Top Ten was this tale of a rock fan meeting an opera diva and turning her and her fellow classical musicians on to more modern sounds. A fun little collision.
19 - "Isn't She Lovely," David Parton
Famously, Stevie Wonder would not allow Motown to release this sweet tribute to his newborn daughter Aisha from Songs in the Key of Life as a single, so Newcastle singer Parton took it upon himself to do a soundalike cover. Good karaoke, nothing more.
18 - "Knowing Me, Knowing You," ABBA
The Swedish pop machine scored their fifth U.K. #1 with this slick breakup song. I love it. There is nothing I can do.
17 - "Baby I Know," The Rubettes
The ninth and last hit for these MOR poppers was this folky tune about knowing your lover is stepping out. Pretty average radio pop of the time.
16 - "Sideshow," Barry Biggs
The biggest of this Jamaican reggae star's four U.K. hits was this pretty straight cover of Blue Magic's 1974 hit about a circus of the lonely. You can afford to pass this byear for the original.
15 - "Sound + Vision," David Bowie
Another hit for Mr. Bowie, this time a bouncy yet dark funk-rocker about craving sensory stimulation in solitude. This would be the first taste the public got of what would be his influential "Berlin trilogy," and these ears find it quite delectable.
14 - "They Shoot Horses, Don't They," Racing Cars
This Welsh band's only hit was this ballad clearly inspired by its namesake, a 1969 Jane Fonda movie about a Depression-era dance marathon. The song's a bit of downer, but from what I read of the film, it's a laugh riot by comparison. And for some reason, the song reminds me of April Wine.
13 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
This disco classic was a #1 in the States, but only got this high here. But there might be an explanation for that coming up.
12 - "Torn Between Two Lovers," Mary MacGregor
The Minnesotan's adultery admission was a #1 at home and a Top Five here. It's not good, not bad, it just is.
11 - "This is Tomorrow," Bryan Ferry
Ferry had been having solo hits from the beginning of Roxy Music's stardom, and his output increased during the band's 1976-79 hiatus. This one's a stylish rock tune about looking forward to the future. Greatness.
10 - "What Can I Say," Boz Scaggs
From the breakthrough Silk Degrees LP, this is a smooth take-me-back disco track that somehow missed the Top 40 in the U.S. That's a lowdown shame, one might say.
9 - "Jack in the Box," The Moments
The men behind "Love on a Two-Way Street" had three Top Tens in Britain, the last being this dance number in which a man assures his lover that his devotion is as much of a fact as that clown coming out of his container when his crank is turned, the Three Bears catching Goldilocks, and Little Boy Blue having a horn. Interesting choices. Still, very good song.
8 - "Sing Me," The Brothers
The only hit for the fivery Bayou Brothers from the island nation of Mauritius was this reggae song about being someone's song, ship, and kite. This was a time for slightly weird analogies, apparently.
7 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The original version of this song was by these Philly stalwarts, and it was released as a single here in the wake of the Houston version. Not only that, it outcharted it. I wouldn't say it's better or worse, it's just it's own wonderful thing.
6 - "Don't Give Up on Us," David Soul
Hutch sings. It's a hit. America is satiated, but Britain came back for more.
5 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Julie Covington
Londoner Covington was an established stage and TV actress when she was selected to sing the lead role on the Evita LP. It's the project's most famous song, Eva Peron's justification for her actions and plea for the continued love of her public. Covington does very well with it, but am I a heretic if I say I like Madonna's version better?
4 - "Romeo," Mr. Big
Before the American hair farmers of "To be With You" in My, there were these Brits and their pop-rock imagining of a tryst between Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Apparently, lyrics like "step back inside me, take me to your bed" were considered too hot for the BBC, who briefly banned it. That adds a bit of a kick to it's general, pleasantly catchy 70sness.
3 - "Chanson D'Amour," The Manhattan Transfer
The only #1 for the New York jazz vocal quartet was this cover of a 1958 hit by Al and Dotty Todd. Janis Siegel sounds more than a little like Edith Piaf on this, which captures the vibe perfectly. And that feeling of another eradicated gives it this chart's Uneasy Rider.
2 - "Boogie Nights," Heatwave
#2 on both sides of the pond, but still the best in town nevertheless.
And on top some 40 years ago was...
1 - "When I Need You," Leo Sayer
Not much to say about this, except that I just learned that Leo had to settle a lawsuit from Leonard Cohen because of the strong similarities between this song's chorus and that of "Famous Blue Raincoat." Never noticed that before, but yeah, it's definitely there. I miss Leonard. But maybe I can be with him if I just close my eyes. I heard that somewhere.
Another entry, another chart. There will be more soon.
Monday, March 6, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 5, 1977 Part One
Spring 1977. The Queen was in the middle of a two-month tour during which she would visit Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa. Back home, her subjects were enjoying the following music.
40 - "Moody Blue," Elvis Presley
Months before his death, the King found the Top Ten with this country/disco hybrid about an emotionally unpredictable lady. A decent late effort.
39 - "Wake Up Susan," The Spinners
The Detroit soul stars try to rouse a lady friend for a late night booty call. Of course, that's not what they called it then. Ah, the evolution of language. Anyway, not among their best. Just mid-range disco.
38 - "Go Your Own Way," Fleetwood Mac
This greatness only got this high here? To quote one of our most prominent modern philosophers, "Sad!"
37 - "Oh Boy," Brotherhood of Man
The not-quite-ABBA added to their hitpile with this tepid attempt to covey the emotion of a woman trying to track down her wayward man. They’re more forgiving of him than I am for this.
36 - "Soul Cha Cha," Van McCoy
In one of his post-"Hustle" efforts, McCoy tries to bring the cha-cha to the disco. Not too bad. I might actually get up for this.
35 - "One Drink Too Many," Sailor
The thirdand last hit for this glam footnote was this tale of dates gone wrong due to overserving. The singer adopts a bad Spanish accent at the end. I regret listening to this twice.
34 - "Groovy Kind of Love," Les Gray
The only solo hit for this ex-Mud man was this cover of The Mindbenders 1966 hit. There's a talk-box at the beginning, and a boring sax solo in the middle. Phil Collins did it better, and I didn't like his version much at all
33 - "Crazy Water," Elton John
Sir Elton's flirtation with disco produced this tune about how life separates us from the ones we love. Or something like that. A buried track that belongs there.
32 - "First Thing in the Morning," Kiki Dee
Elton's protégé picked up her last 70s hit with this midtempo rocker abouttempestuous romance. I appreciate her more with every new song I hear.
31 - "Mighty Power of Love," Tavares
The New England soul brothers funk it up with this ode to nature’s most formidable force. I think this is my favorite of theirs now.
30 - "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," Barbara Dickson
Scottish Dickson was a fixture in British folk circles during the 60s and 70s, but it was her turn in a Beatles-themed stage musical that caught the attention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who tapped her to play the role of "Mistress" in their concept album about the life of Argentine political figure Eva Peron. Dickson gives a solid performance as a woman deciding that she can and will move on from a life as a powerful man's kept woman. We will hear more from this album later.
29 - "You're More Than a Number in My Little Red Book," The Drifters
Though none of the original members of this legendary soul vocal group remained, they were still managing hits in the U.K., including this old-school number about assuring a woman that she's more than just a conquest. They didn’t need to go disco to connect with listeners, which is heartening.
28 - "Maybe I'm Amazed," Wings
Live version of McCartney's best non-Beatle love song. Nothing more to say.
27 - "More Than a Feeling," Boston
Only U.K. hit for the Tom Scholz corporation. They clearly figured out early that all there was to come would sound pretty much like this.
26 - "Car Wash," Rose Royce
Surprisingly, only their third biggest hit on these shores. But still the funkiest song ever about automobile detailing.
25 - "You'll Never Know What You're Missing," The Real Thing
Third hit for the Liverpool soul band. Decent ballad. For some reason, the lead singer sounds to me a lot like the guy from Dr. Hook on this. Do I need my ears checked?
24 - "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," The O'Jays
Terrific Philly soul from these legends. Mix it in with the Barry White the next time you play music with...intentions.
23 - "Suspicion," Elvis Presley
This number about romantic doubt was recorded by Elvis in 1962, but was initially an album cut only. Two years later, Texas Terry Stafford went to #3 with it, and thirteen years after that the original made the British Top Ten. Just the man doing his thing, effortlessly.
22 - "Saturday Nite," Earth, Wind and Fire
The funk masters with a party jam about...taking life more seriously. These guys make it work though, because they're, well, the masters.
21 - "Daddy Cool," Boney M
The German dance machine with their nonsensical disco breakthrough. No one has done Eurodance silliness better, and no one ever will.
In Part Two: toys, senses, and taking the term "rock opera" literally.
40 - "Moody Blue," Elvis Presley
Months before his death, the King found the Top Ten with this country/disco hybrid about an emotionally unpredictable lady. A decent late effort.
39 - "Wake Up Susan," The Spinners
The Detroit soul stars try to rouse a lady friend for a late night booty call. Of course, that's not what they called it then. Ah, the evolution of language. Anyway, not among their best. Just mid-range disco.
38 - "Go Your Own Way," Fleetwood Mac
This greatness only got this high here? To quote one of our most prominent modern philosophers, "Sad!"
37 - "Oh Boy," Brotherhood of Man
The not-quite-ABBA added to their hitpile with this tepid attempt to covey the emotion of a woman trying to track down her wayward man. They’re more forgiving of him than I am for this.
36 - "Soul Cha Cha," Van McCoy
In one of his post-"Hustle" efforts, McCoy tries to bring the cha-cha to the disco. Not too bad. I might actually get up for this.
35 - "One Drink Too Many," Sailor
The thirdand last hit for this glam footnote was this tale of dates gone wrong due to overserving. The singer adopts a bad Spanish accent at the end. I regret listening to this twice.
34 - "Groovy Kind of Love," Les Gray
The only solo hit for this ex-Mud man was this cover of The Mindbenders 1966 hit. There's a talk-box at the beginning, and a boring sax solo in the middle. Phil Collins did it better, and I didn't like his version much at all
33 - "Crazy Water," Elton John
Sir Elton's flirtation with disco produced this tune about how life separates us from the ones we love. Or something like that. A buried track that belongs there.
32 - "First Thing in the Morning," Kiki Dee
Elton's protégé picked up her last 70s hit with this midtempo rocker abouttempestuous romance. I appreciate her more with every new song I hear.
31 - "Mighty Power of Love," Tavares
The New England soul brothers funk it up with this ode to nature’s most formidable force. I think this is my favorite of theirs now.
30 - "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," Barbara Dickson
Scottish Dickson was a fixture in British folk circles during the 60s and 70s, but it was her turn in a Beatles-themed stage musical that caught the attention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who tapped her to play the role of "Mistress" in their concept album about the life of Argentine political figure Eva Peron. Dickson gives a solid performance as a woman deciding that she can and will move on from a life as a powerful man's kept woman. We will hear more from this album later.
29 - "You're More Than a Number in My Little Red Book," The Drifters
Though none of the original members of this legendary soul vocal group remained, they were still managing hits in the U.K., including this old-school number about assuring a woman that she's more than just a conquest. They didn’t need to go disco to connect with listeners, which is heartening.
28 - "Maybe I'm Amazed," Wings
Live version of McCartney's best non-Beatle love song. Nothing more to say.
27 - "More Than a Feeling," Boston
Only U.K. hit for the Tom Scholz corporation. They clearly figured out early that all there was to come would sound pretty much like this.
26 - "Car Wash," Rose Royce
Surprisingly, only their third biggest hit on these shores. But still the funkiest song ever about automobile detailing.
25 - "You'll Never Know What You're Missing," The Real Thing
Third hit for the Liverpool soul band. Decent ballad. For some reason, the lead singer sounds to me a lot like the guy from Dr. Hook on this. Do I need my ears checked?
24 - "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," The O'Jays
Terrific Philly soul from these legends. Mix it in with the Barry White the next time you play music with...intentions.
23 - "Suspicion," Elvis Presley
This number about romantic doubt was recorded by Elvis in 1962, but was initially an album cut only. Two years later, Texas Terry Stafford went to #3 with it, and thirteen years after that the original made the British Top Ten. Just the man doing his thing, effortlessly.
22 - "Saturday Nite," Earth, Wind and Fire
The funk masters with a party jam about...taking life more seriously. These guys make it work though, because they're, well, the masters.
21 - "Daddy Cool," Boney M
The German dance machine with their nonsensical disco breakthrough. No one has done Eurodance silliness better, and no one ever will.
In Part Two: toys, senses, and taking the term "rock opera" literally.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)