December 1972. Britons John Hicks and Rodney Porter win Nobel Prizes in Economics and Medicine, respectively. Places on the pop chart aren’t quite as prestigious, but the battle for them is often much more intense. Here is this week’s list.
40 -“Hi Hi Hi/C Moon,” Wings
Wings’ first Top Five had a loose rocker about sex and drugs and, um, bananas on the A side, and a reggae track that tries to coin a new phrase meaning “cool” (meant to be the opposite of “L7” for square) on the B. The A is Paul getting back to business and playing to a strength, while the flip is a preview of some of his more self-indulgent tripe.
39 - “Donna,” 10cc
The Stockporters debut single was a parody of overly-earnest doo wop that also sounds like the Beatles’ “Oh Darling.” It’s a layered joke that also works as a good straight pop song, which would become their trademark.
38 - “Elected,” Alice Cooper
Alice’s raucous campaign song for a run that hasn’t happened (yet) became his second U.K. Top Five. Of course, this kind of substance-Free populism would never get anyone elected anywhere.
37 - “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” Mac Davis
The Texan troubadour’s American charttopper was held to #29 here. I guess the Brits were better listeners, because they took his advice to heart,
36 - “In a Broken Dream,” Python Lee Jackson
This Aussie/Brit band wasn’t doing much in 1969 when they gave a singer named Rod Stewart a couple car seat covers to record three songs with them. Three years later, with Stewart now a superstar, it was reissued and became a Top Five. It’s an arty blues-rocker with poignant and creative lyrics. Finally, a song to match the depth of Rod’s voice. Quite possibly his finest moment.
35 - “Here I Go Again,” Archie Bell and the Drells
This Houston soul band are best known at home for their 1968 #1, “Tighten Up,” but their biggest U.K. success didn’t come until they teamed up with Philly soul maestros Gamble and Huff on this sumptuous groove. It drips off of you like water from a refreshing swim.
34 - “You’ll Always be a Friend,” Hot Chocolate
The fourth single from the future funk kings was this pop ballad about wanting to stay close even after a breakup. This doesn’t sound much like what I know of them. It doesn’t sound like much of anything.
33 - “The Jean Genie,” David Bowie
Davey Boy’s biggest hit to this point was this #2 glam grinder with cryptic lyrics about the lowlifes, hipsters, and hangers-on of New York City. Funky, snappy, guaranteed to move you. Distilled essence of Bowie.
32 - “Don’t Do That,” Geordie
The third hit for the Newcastle band was this blues shuffle that is vague in its prohibitions, but is more specific it what it wants you to do, i.e., come to their town and drink some local beer. But Brian Johnson doesn’t unleash the beast voice that he would us in AC/DC on this one.
31 - “Big Six,” Judge Dread
Another spin of the naughty arbiter’s first hit. Little Boy Blue is apparently a token and an unlucky cricketer. Good to know.
30 - “Gettin’ a Drag,” Lynsey de Paul
The Londoner’s second hit is about a woman who dumps a guy because he likes to dress up in her clothes...and looks better than her in them. A reaction to glam fashion? Maybe. But it’s not mean-spirited, and therefore fun.
29 - “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Empty Arms),” Ken Dodd
Liverpudlian Dodd has a successful career as both a music hall comedian and a country/pop singer. As the latter, he racked up an impressive 18 Top 40s, the penultimate being this weepie that had previously been recorded by, among others, Patsy Cline and Solomon Burke. Old-fashioned, and just okay.
28 - “Little Drummer Boy,” The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The third and final hit for the Scottish militarymen was this version of the Christmas Carol about the young man who beats the skins for Jesus. Surprise, it’s heavy on the bagpipes. But I can handle bagpipes.
27 - “Goodbye to Love,” The Carpenters
The duo’s second Top Ten here. Karen sounds appropriately world-weary, there’s a surprise rock guitar solo, and all in all, it’s more pop heaven from the Angel Karen.
26 - “Oh Carol/Breaking Up is Hard to Do/Little Devil,” Neil Sedaka
The Brooklyn rock crooner began his 70s comeback in Britain, and the first stirring was this Top 20 disc featuring three hits from his early run. My order of preference for these songs is in reverse order of their listing.
25 - “Keeper of the Castle,” The Four Tops
The Tops’ first post-Motown hit was this funky call for men to be responsible to and for their families no matter how much the world has pushed them around. Why wouldn’t you listen to Levi Stubbs? His is the voice of soulful authority.
24 - “Mouldy Old Dough,” Lieutenant Pigeon
Our second visit with this odd march-pop semi-instrumental. What would it sound like if a British Revolutionary War regiment stumbled into an Old West saloon? Probably not like this, but I’d like to imagine it would.
23 - “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” John Lennon and Yoko Ono
The original British chart run for John and Yoko’s plea for true peace on Earth. I still wonder if we’ll ever want it bad enough.
22 - “Let’s Dance,” Chris Montez
A Top Ten reissue of Ezekiel Montanez’s 1962 rave-up offer to join him in a twist, a stomp, or perhaps even a mashed potato. Fine, fun proto-garage rock.
21 - “Nights in White Satin,” The Moody Blues
The re-release of their 1967 romantic epic hit #9 here, #2 in the States, and #1 in Canada. Yeah, I think I can support that. It’s the good kind of prog.
In Part Two: more re-released oldies, two ex-band mates chart separately, and America’s two leading pop families battle for control of British Top Ten territory.
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