The other twenty.
20 - "Come on Over to My Place," The Drifters
This seven-year old invitation to a dance party went Top Ten and helped launch these guys' 70s U.K. career revival. Maybe too similar to Sam Cooke's "Having a Party," but still fine fun.
19 - "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby," Mardi Gras
This New York group had the bulk of their success in Europe, and their biggest Brit hit was this cover of a 1969 Marvin Gaye hit. A cool little garage-band version.
18 - "Lean on Me," Bill Withers
Another example of Britain being off its taste game at this time, as this is the highest this U.S. #1 and stone cold soul immortal got here. For shame.
17 - "Popcorn," Hot Butter
The early synth earwormy was Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic. Still tinny perfection.
16 - "School's Out," Alice Cooper
Alice's first hit here, and his only charttopper here or at home. Okay, that one the Brits got right. As we know from their later embrace of punk, they like youth rebellion.
15 - "The Loco-Motion," Little Eva
A reissue of Brooklynite Eva Boyd's dance-craze smash of ten years earlier. Neither Grand Funk nor Kylie came close to topping it.
14 - "Children of the Revolution," T. Rex
The seventh of eight straight Top 2s for Bolan's boys was this this slinky rocker that might be a parody of glam posturing ("I drive a Rolls-Royce 'cos it's good for my voice") or, conversely, a celebration of same. A great song either way.
13 - "Silver Machine," Hawkwind
This London band has been around since 1969, playing to a loyal fan base enamored with their mix of prog, psychedelia, and science fiction. Their most famous song is this spacey rocker that seems to be about a device that can be used to travel through time and space. It's certainly a trip. And if you think the lead singer's voice is vaguely familiar, it's because it is that of the band's then-bass player, one Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister. Three years later, he got kicked out of the band for a drug busts, and that gave birth to the legend that is Motorhead.
12 - "Living in Harmony," Cliff Richard
Yet another hit for him. Okay soft rock about loneliness. Product from a machine.
11 - "Layla," Derek and the Dominos
Clapton's classic about wanting George Harrison's wife. The riff and the piano breakdown are standalone standards, but it is worth listening to the whole song if you somehow have never heard it. But please don't bother with the unplugged version. That's just dreary on so many levels.
Ain't no Ten like a Top Ten.
10 - "How Can I be Sure," David Cassidy
Keith Partridge's first of two British Number Ones was this Turtles cover. Sounds like a deep, deep Tom Jones cut.
9 - "I Get the Sweetest Feeling," Jackie Wilson
Mr. Excitement picked up a Top Ten here with a four-year-old track about the exhilaration of love. It lands right in that Northern Soul sweet spot.
8 - "Ain't No Sunshine," Michael Jackson
This cover of Bill Withers' immortal blues was just a B-side in America, but here it became Michael's third Top Ten. It's hard to compete with the absolute perfection of the original, but the kid gives it his own spin that works well in a different way.
7 - "All the Young Dudes," Mott the Hoople
Mott's breakthrough and biggest hit. Bowie could have kept it for himself, but these guys more than did it justice. They carried the news better than any paperboy.
6 - "Standing in the Road," Blackfoot Sue
Led by twins Tom and David Farmer, thetbiggest of this Birmingham band's two hits was this blues rocker about being down and out. It's much, much better than that meager description would tell you. Find it and have a listen.
5 - "Sugar Me," Lynsey de Paul
Her first and biggest hit was this bouncy pop song about craving something sweet, and she probably doesn't really mean candy, wink wink nudge nudge say no more. Well-performed, well-arranged, well done.
4 - "Virginia Plain," Roxy Music
Roxy's debut single was this arty rock song about travelling and doing cool stuff and meeting girls. It doesn't make sense, it just sounds great. Which is kind of Roxy at their best in a nutshell.
3 - "It's Four in the Morning," Faron Young
Not only did this Waltz about not being able to leave a lover give former "Hillbilly Heartthrob" Young his first country #1 in ten years, it was a surprise smash over here. And deservedly so. This is primo heartbreak balladry.
2 - "You Wear it Well," Rod Stewart
Moddy Roddy got his second #1 with a sweet ode to a first lost love. This is the stuff I try to think of whenergy I'm confronted with the "Love Touch"es of his catalogue.
And Britain's favourite 45 45 years ago was...
1 - "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," Slade
The Wolverhampton hit machine's third #1 was this raucous paean to booze. A raucous racket with all the sleaze and grime that made their name. Once again, the Quiet Riot cover only skimmed the surface.
More musical musings to come. Bye for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment