Last 20.
20 - “Island Girl,” Elton John
Sir Elton’s tale of wanting to emancipate a very tall Jamaican prostitute only got to #14, but was his fifth American charttopper. It’s surprising to learn how much less successful he was at home during this period. Not that he was hurting, I’m sure.
19 - “Scotch on the Rocks,” Band of the Black Watch
Following in the footsteps of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, this group of pipers and drummers from a Scottish military regiment had a hit with this rousing instrumental. Apparently, the album of the same name included a version of “Paloma Blanca.” I’m certain it’s better than Jonathan King’s.
18 - “Hold Me Close,” David Essex
Dave’s second and last #1 (and no, the other one wasn’t “Rock On”) was this pleasant enough pop love song. This one, I can stand.
17 - “Fly High,” John Miles
The Jarrowman’s first hit was this Wings-ish rocker about someone whose days in the fast lane are over. It gets pretty far off the ground. Proficient 70s Britrock.
16 - “Ride a White Horse,” Dee Clark
We encountered early rock/soul star Delectus Clark when we visited 1961, when the Arkansan had his biggest American hit, “Raindrops.” Here, seemingly out of nowhere, he had his first U.K. hit in 16 years with this bit of R&B/disco offering his love to anyone who can tame him. Great stuff. This vein of chart music never ceases to yield gems.
15 - “New York Groove,” Hello
The second and last hit by these glammers is more familiar to North American listeners through Ace Frehley’s 1978 cover. The original is very similar, but the harmonica and the more British pronunciation of certain words make it different. Both versions have considerable charms.
14 - “I Ain’t Lyin’,” George McCrae
The penultimate hit for the Florida disco-soulster was this more KC-created dance floor accompaniment. Truly very good.
13 - “Love Hurts,” Jim Capaldi
The Worcestershireman who co-founded Traffic with Steve Winwood had his biggest hit here with this disco-lite version of the Everly Brothers song that Nazareth famously covered that same year. I like that one much better. This one doesn’t get the pain across.
12 - “Don’t Play Your Rock n’Roll to Me,” Smokie
This was their second hit, and it’s from back when they still spelled their name “Smokey.” It’s pop-rock about a couple who aren’t making beautiful music together anymore. Chris Norman’s rasp is well-suited to this. Possibly the favourite of what I’ve heard from them.
11 - “There Goes My First Love,” The Drifters
Another hit from the doo-woo vets’ 70s run. Basic soul about having an ex stolen by your bestie. Not moved by this, but happy for their success.
There are ten left.
10 - “Blue Guitar,” Justin Hayward and John Lodge
During a hiatus for The Moody Blues, singer-guitarist Hayward and Lodge combined on an album called Blue Jays, which spawned this hit. It’s dreamy, heavily-orchestrated prog that sounds exactly like their band. Nice enough.
9 - “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” Billy Connolly
The Scottish comic had a #1 with a comedic parody of Tammy Wynette’s tearjerker about the breakup of a marriage. In this case, the split is caused by taking a disruptive dog to the vet. F-U-N-N-Y.
8 - “Feelings,” Morris Albert
The Brazilian’s smooth cliche. Whoa whoa whoa no.
7 - “S.O.S.,” ABBA
The Swedes’ second Top Ten was this declaration that only love is their lifeline. Still one of the shiniest examples of their popcraft.
6 - “What a Difference a Day Makes,” Esther Phillips
The Texas soul lady’s one Brit hit was this disco cover of the pop standard about how 24 little hours can change everything. The arrangement is pure cheese, but Esther’s voice is bracing hot sauce.
5 - “Hold Back the Night,” The Trammps
Pre-“Disco Inferno,” these Philadelphians hit big here with this peppy soul love song. It might start a different kind of fire. Squeeze it, it’s all right.
4 - “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell
The country legend missed a Triple Crown by this much. The theme of trying to keep positive and do what you need to do to get ahead and timeless, and has very rarely been expressed more effectively for catchily than this.
3 - “I Only Have Eyes for You,” Art Garfunkel
The first of two #1s for Paul’s (sometime) pal was this song that was originally written for the 1934 movie Dames, and was a hit in 1959 for doo-woppers The Flamingos. Art’s version is languid and smooth, but I only have ears for the Flamingos’ take.
2 - “Love is the Drug,” Roxy Music
The Roxys scored their biggest hit to date with this amazing bits of sophistifunk about the urgency of a young man on the make. This was one of the early mission statements of disco, and it still thrills. Catch that buzz.
And the one 43 years ago was...
1 - “Space Oddity,” David Bowie
The tale of poor doomed Major Tom had been Bowie’s second hit six years earlier, then became his first #1 on its reissue. It’s still the best collision between rock and space travel ever.
It’ll be Britain again next time. See you then.
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