40 - “I’m Not in Love,” 10cc
The Stockporters denial anthem was a near Triple Crown winner, but America held it to #2. I’m sure it didn’t mean that much to the band, though. At least that’s what they said.
39 - “Love Will Keep Us Together,” The Captain and Tenille
This one was also a Triple Crown near-miss, but it was Britain who held it to a mere #32. That’s disappointing. This is just very solid catchy bubble-pop that belongs with the best.
38 - “That’s the Way (I Like It),” KC and the Sunshine Band
And again, another two-thirds Triple Crown. Britain held it to #4. I’m not nearly as disappointed this time, though.
37 - “Sexy,” MFSB
The second-biggest instrumental hit for the Philly pros behind “TSOP.” Funkier than their previous smash, and just as great. Should have gotten higher than this, and “TSOP” should not have been Crown-blocked by the Brits with a mere #22 peak. This is becoming a theme on this post.
36 - “Superwomble,” The Wombles
The trash-collecting puppet creatures had their penultimate 70s hit with this tale of their New York-based superhero relative, whose powers include flying, swimming, X-ray vision, and being “so good-looking it really makes you sick.” More annoying than the other stuff I’ve heard from them.
35 - “Summer of ‘42,” The Biddu Orchestra
Indian-born producer Biddu Appaiah was a big part of the British disco scene, as the man behind the boards for “Kung Fu Fighting,” and multiple hits by Tina Charles. He also scored a hit with a disco cover of the theme to the 1971 film about the romance between a teenage boy and a woman whose husband is fighting in World War II. It works in this context, with the wah-wah guitar fitting right in. I wonder if it accompanied any interesting trysts in the summer of ‘75?
34 - “Disco Stomp,” Hamilton Bohannon
Former Motown studio drummer Bohannon score three U.K. hits, the biggest being this funky dancer encouraging people in various American cities to do the titular dance. Charmingly bassy.
33 - “Fame,” David Bowie
The shocking return of Britain as Triple Crown denier. I can’t fathom the fact that this was only a #17 here. They love Bowie, they love funk, what’s the problem? You guy’s thought you were too cool to fool, but you ended up fooling yourself.
32 - “One Night,” Mud
The lowest-charting single by these glam boys was this cover of a please-baby-baby-please soul plea that Elvis hit with in 1959. It just sounds like a good high-school-dance band version to these ears.
31 - “Eighteen with a Bullet,” Pete Wingfield
The one hit by this Hampshire man was this doo-woppy come on that uses music business lingo to express his ambitions. Fun gimmickry. It peaked at...7.
30 - “Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me,” Gladys Knight and the Pips
Their second Top Ten here. Powerful devotion soul. GKatP’s great 70s run compares with any act, any time.
29 - “Footstompin’ Music,” Hamilton Bohannon
This guy’s second appearance in the chart features more funk and exhortations to stomp and rock. I think this is the better of the two.
28 - “Get in the Swing,” Sparks
The fifth hit from L.A.’s arty Mael brothers was...a march. I mean, like a John Philip Sousa-style tune for bands in parades. And it has lyrics about salmon spawning and filling out questionnaires. A fantastic, fulfilling Uneasy Rider.
27 - “7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle),” Rimshots
The only hit for this American funk band is a cover of a recent song by another American funk band, the Gary Toms Empire. A decent disco number, which may have originated the idea of the whistle as a disco instrument. I think that ended up being a good thing.
26 - “El Bimbo,” Bimbo Jet
No, Hugh Hefner’s private plane didn’t become sentient and record a song. No, they’re a French disco group whose one major moment was this Latin/Middle Eastern hybrid based on a song by legendary Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir. I have no idea what the lyrics mean, so I can’t judge their offensiveness. But a name change would probably be required today.
25 - “Love Me Baby,” Susan Cadogan
The Jamaican’s second hit was a hybrid of reggae and 60s soul. I like it, but I think it could have used a singer with more character in her voice. Could just be me, though.
24 - “Highwire,” Linda Carr and the Love Squad
A former backing singer for James Brown, Carr and her band had her only hit with this song about being all in in regards to loving someone. Definitely one that got a deserved boost from the Northern Soul crowd. And it was written by Kenny Nolan, who adds this to “Lady Marmalade” among things that cancel out “I Like Dreamin’.”
23 - “The Hustle,” Van McCoy
The BritBlock strikes yet again, as they held this North American #1 to #3. Another puzzler.
22 - ”D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” Tammy Wynette
The second most-famous hit by the Mississippi country legend, this weenie about a mother trying to shield her child from the pain of the dissolution of her marriage reached #12 here seven years after its original release. Heartbreakingly powerful even after all these years.
The second most-famous hit by the Mississippi country legend, this weenie about a mother trying to shield her child from the pain of the dissolution of her marriage reached #12 here seven years after its original release. Heartbreakingly powerful even after all these years.
21 - “Have You Seen Her/Oh Girl,” The Chi-Lites
A re-release of the Chicago soulsters’ most famous songs. Of course it went Top Five. There was probably no better value for money in the singles racks at the time.
A re-release of the Chicago soulsters’ most famous songs. Of course it went Top Five. There was probably no better value for money in the singles racks at the time.
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