1978 in Canada. It was the year our national passenger train service, Via Rail, was established. I’ve never been on it. But I’ll keep chugging along and look at a 40-year-old chart, even if I have to stretch to the Top 75 and beyond for material.
Bonus Track: 78 - “Fun Time,” Joe Cocker
The raspy man from Sheffield, England with a version of a snappy number by New Orleans R&B master Allen Toussaint. Joyous music, with interesting turns of phrase like “my mojo wanna disco hand” and “it’s fun time for U.S.All.” Sometimes there is beauty in the lack of clarity.
74 - “Dear Christine,” Klaatu
These Torontonians were once mistaken for a reunited Beatles, and this pop-rocker about a man at sea missing his beloved seems influenced by the Rubber Soul/Revolver period. Not that good, of course, but nice enough.
71 - “Come Runnin’,” Greg Adams
This Toronto singer-songwriter had much of his success co-penning songs for Roger Whittaker (!), but did manage to chart on his own with this MOR love song that sounds like C-grade Boz Scaggs. I’m not intrigued to hear more.
69 - “New York City,” Zwol
Formerly of Toronto band Brutus, Walter Zwolinski got to #57 with his biggest solo hit, this rock love letter to the Big Apple. There’s an interesting recurring synth line, and overall, it’s catchy and enthusiastically performed. A cool little forgotten nugget.
67 - “All I Wanna Do,” Doucette
Another single by Jerry from Montreal. This one is a midtempo ballad, and it sounds a lot like the mushier moments of Jefferson Starship. One is beyond sufficient.
66 - “This is Love,” Paul Anka
The teen heartthrob turned songwriting pro turned AC balladeer had his last 70s hit with some goop about a relationship becoming de-Platonicized. Apparently, that made him feel, “like a mad hatter.” For some reason, this makes me picture Paul Anka on an LSD trip, which amuses me. Remember those times of your life, Paulie!
63 - “Wavelength,” Van Morrison
Van the Man made a brief bid to return to pop radio by embracing synthesizers and drum machines on this song about an unspoken, long-distance communication bond between lovers. Essentially the same idea as Golden Earring’s “Radar Love,” but Van’s soul shines through the technology and kind of crystallizes the idea. Tune in to it.
61 - “Love is in the Air,” Martin Stevens
This is the same song Australian John Paul Young would take to #7 in America, but up here that version had to compete with a similar-sounding version by a Montrealer born Roger Prud’homme. If anything, this one is a little less slick, which gives it an edge on my scorecard. But it’s quite bad in any form.
57 - “Like a Sunday in Salem,” Gene Cotton
The fourth and last of the Columbus, Ohio native’s four Top 40s in America was this earnest rocker about Joe McCarthy’s anti-communist inquisitions that led to many actors, writers and directors to be blacklisted for their “Un-American activities.” It’s urgent, serious, and wonderful. I regret that I didn’t look at it for the Uneasy Rider tournament, because it would have gotten an invite. I feel it would have gotten knocked out in the first round by something, but still, I apologize for ignoring it, and I assure you that it had nothing to do with any political affiliations real or imagined.
53 - “Champagne Jam,” Atlanta Rhythm Section
These Southern rockers were more famous for MOR hits like “Imaginary Lover” and “So Into You,” but they show a more bluesy side on this tune about improvising and drinking bubbly. And there is some nice stuff on the solos at the end, so job done.
51 - “Flying High,” The Commodores
Lionel Richie and the boys turn to their funk side on this track about affection-turned-intoxication. Always nice to hear one of their non-ballads that isn’t “Brick House.”
47 - “Searchin’ for a Thrill,” Starbuck
The final single for the band behind “Moonlight Feels Right” was this rocker about the teenage need for new excitement and the machine that tries to provide it. Beyond that one pop hit there was a quality Southern rock act striving to come out.
42 - “Round Round We Go,” Trooper
The CanRock stalwarts followed up the balls-out rock of “Raise a Little Hell” with a funk-pop number about relationships and mood swings. They were more versatile u I think they get credit for. Perhaps one of the most deserving beneficiaries of CanCon.
40 - “All I See is Your Face,” Dan Hill
The Torontonian’s follow-up to the immortally sappy “Sometimes When We Touch” was this slightly less sappy ballad about missing an ex. Its virtues mostly lie in what it isn’t.
35 - “Everybody Needs Love,” Stephen Bishop
The third hit for the San Diego singer-songwriter best known for “On and On” was this declaration of the universal need for affection. Catchy, professional pop.
25 - “Break it to Them Gently,” Burton Cummings
The second Top Ten for the voice of the Guess Who was this song on which he asks someone to tell his family the news that he’s a wanted fugitive. Apparently that involves something called “rolling,” which must be done with great care, especially when you “roll the old lady,” i.e. his grandmother, because “she’s damn near eighty.” A CanCon staple which I never considered weird then, but I do now.
Let’s open the Top Ten Tickle Trunk
10 - “Beast of Burden,” The Rolling Stones
Just a great Stones grinder. You would have to be blind (or deaf) to see that this is easily rough, tough, and rich enough.
9 - “Kiss You All Over,” Exile
Sexy disco-rock that fell one place short of the Can-Am double, and also went Top a Ten across the pond. Still does its thing.
8 - “Back in the U.S.A.,” Linda Ronstadt
Ironically, this cover of Chuck Berry’s ode to the pleasures of America got eight places higher here than in the States. I wonder how glad that made her.
7 - “Who Are You,” The Who
The future CSI theme was only Top Twenty in the “United” countries, but Top Ten here. Maybe it helped that an early version of it was performed at Maple Leaf Gardens.
6 - “Right Down The Line,” Gerry Rafferty
Not only did we take it upon ourselves to give “Baker Street” the #1 it deserved, we also made its follow-up a Top Five. Clowns to the south of us, jokers to the east.
5 - “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend’,” Kenny Loggins
Kenny’s Stevie Nicks-enhanced first solo hit was a cross-border Top Five. They were indeed doin’ it right.
4 - “MacArthur Park,” Donna Summer
The cover of Richard Harris’ bizarre story of leaving a cake out in the rain topped both North American charts, while Britain held it to #5. Oh nooooooooooooo!
3 - “Reminiscing,” The Little River Band
Well, at least we only put this crapload just as high as the Americans. These guys are the blight on pop that I imagined Three Dog Night was until I learned better.
2 - “Hot Child in the City,” Nick Gilder (CanCon!)
Another cross-border charttopper came from this Vancouverite. This glam rocker was written by Gilder from the point of view of a creepy pursuer of child prostitutes. It gives more depth to a song I always liked. I appreciate that.
And up top up here 40 years ago was...
1 - “You Needed Me,” Anne Murray (CanCon!)
Nova Scotia Annie’s fourth home #1 was also her only one in the States. It only got to #22 in Britain, but Boyzone would take it to the top 21 years later, So they would indeed put it high upon a pedestal, eventually.
Back to Britain next time. Bye, eh.
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