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.
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