September 1972. The BBC debuts a game show called Mastermind, whose style of questioning contestants was apparently inspired by interrogation techniques its creator experienced while being held by the Gestapo in World War II. Sounds like a solid foundation for wholesome family entertainment. And I guess it is, because the show is still airing today. But if you weren't interested in watching people put under stress to win prizes, you could have put on a record. Like
40 - "Conquistador," Procol Harum
The Essex prog pioneers teamed up with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for this live rendition of an ode to some kind of medieval warrior. I'm a little surprised that they used a Spanish word but gave it a mangled English-style pronunciation ("con-KWISS-tador," rather than "con-KEESE-tador," Usually bands with that sort of bent are sticklers for that sort of thing.
39 - "I'm Still in Love with You," Al Green
One of the Reverend'so smoothest. Top Five at home, only #35 here. I'm quite surprised.
38 - "Moldy Old Dough," Lieutenant Pigeon
An odd little novelty instrumental, with the only vocals being someone raspily growling the title. Kind of jazzy, kind of rockish, there's a tin whistle. And it was a #1. Like it.
37 - "Circles," The New Seekers
The easy listening squad's fourth Top Five was this pleasant enough tune about the cyclical nature of life and love. I'd probably like it better done by the Carpenters, though.
36 - "10538 Overture," Electric Light Orchestra
ELO's first hit (and only one with future Wizzard man Roy Wood) was this song about an escaped prisoner. Good hard rock, enhanced by cello. Probably the closest the band would come to realizing its vision.
35 - "Heykens Serenade/The Day Has Ended," The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The military regiment's pipe and drum corps picked up their third hit with a jaunty march by Dutch composer Jonny Heykens, backed with a 19th century hymn. Nice if you like bagpipes. And Uneasy Riders.
34 - "Honky Cat," Elton John
Sir Elton's third hit here only got to #31, but Top Ten in the States. Get back.
33 - "I Can See Clearly Now," Johnny Nash
The optimistic classic was denied a Triple Crown by...this country, which held it to #5. You're trippin', Britain.
32 - "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress," The Hollies
Great song, a #2 in America...only got this high here. Wow, the U.K. was whiffing
on some fat pitches. Then again, they're more familiar with cricket, so maybe we should have bowled it to them. I'll end that weird metaphor digression now.
31 - "Journey," Duncan Browne
The song of a Royal Air Force pilot, Browne's only big hit was this folk-rocker that both musically and vocally sounds remarkably like George Harrison. And even still, I like it well enough on its own merit.
30 - "Puppy Love," Donny Osmond
Donny's Anka cover topped the chart here, was a #3 in the USA. Both results are okay by me.
29 - "Who Was It," Hurricane Smith
The Beatles' and Pink Floyd recording engineer only hit the Top 40 in the States with "Oh Babe, What Would You Say," but he had two more such hits in the U.K., the last being this cover of a Gilbert O'Sullivan song about "pure unabashed devotion " to a woman that seems to modern eyes more like stalking. Still, Smith's voice is entertainingly unique, so I like it better than if it were ol' Gil singing it.
28 - "Suzanne Beware of the Devil," Dandy Livingstone
Jamaican Robert Livingstone Thompson had his sole British hit with this reggae number about worrying that his lady is straying due to otherworldly evil influences. I think that's it. Snappy and catchy.
27 - "Run to Me," The Bee Gees
Their only pre-disco Top Ten of the decade here. An underrated gem.
26 - "Seaside Shuffle," Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs
Before his 1980 hits "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties" and "Stop the Cavalry," Jona Lewie (as John Lewis), wrote and sung this accordion-driven novelty about going to Brighton for a beach vacation. Basically a slightly (but only just) less annoying version of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime."
25 - "Wig-Wam Bam," Sweet
The band's fourth hit was this glam jam about Native American romance inspired by both Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Song of Hiawatha and Johnny Preston's 1960 hit "Running Bear." Sort-of dodgy material in an extremely hooky package.
24 - "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," The Partridge Family
The fictional group's biggest U.K. hit was this meh cover of the Neil Sedaka oldie. His was in the midst of Britain's David Cassidy mania, and as such, there will be moreleased of him higher on the chart.
23 - "Big Six," Judge Dread
Our second encounter with the randy reggae white boy from Kent is his first hit, which chronicles the sexual misadventures of Little Boy Blue, inclouding an unfortunate mishap with a cricket ball. It also extensively employs the word "pussy." So no, radio play did not factor much into the song's success.
22 - "Too Young," Donny Osmond
Donny covers Nat King Cole. He does his best, but he's not as good here as he is on "Puppy Love."
21 - "Walk in the Night," Junior Walker and the All-Stars
Walker and Co.'s last British Top 40 was this Philly-influenced showcase for his sax playing. Great strutting music.
In Part Two: sweetness, darkness, and flatness.
No comments:
Post a Comment