February 1975. Britain’s coal miners just received a 35% pay increase from the Labour government. That same week, the opposition Conservatives elected a certain woman as their new leader. These two storylines would intersect one or two times in the next several years. Are there any similar portents of the future in the pop charts? Let’s see.
40 - “Stardust,” David Essex
Dave’s Cook’s fourth Top Ten was this glam track about a destructive rock life style, which was the title song for a movie in which Essex played a destructive rock star. It’s like a darker, better “Rock On.” Yes, it owes a lot to Bowie, but he hardly embarrasses himself.
39 - “Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life,” Kevin Johnson
I have to admit that I thought Mac Davis wrote this song, but apparently, it was written and originated by this guy from Queensland, Australia. He sounds weary and resigned, which is perfect for the lyric about a never-was. Better than Mac, and the less said about Terry Jacks, the better.
38 - “How Does it Feel,” Slade
The song that ended their run of twelve straight Top Fives was this reflective, piano-driven ballad. It sounds like the end of a chapter, and it really was. I’m not surprised that it’s been re-evaluated and now considered one of their best. It was surely a shock, but it’s a different kind of anthem than they had done before. More for closing time than happy hour.
37 - “Are You Ready to Rock,” Wizzard
The glam band’s final Top Ten is a retro-rocker that sounds like a lost Bill Haley and His Comets track...until the bagpipes come in. Authenticity with a surprise twist. I like that,
36 - “#9 Dream,” John Lennon
This strange song about one of John’s nocturnal fantasies, featuring a nonsense chorus and backing vocals by mistress May Pang, failed to make the Top Twenty here or in Canada, but in America it peaked, appropriately, at #9. I tip my Poussay hat to the Yanks.
35 - “South African Man,” Hamilton Bohannon
The first of three hits for this man from Georgia who once played in a band with Jimi Hendrix was this funk number that seems to be a plea to help out the oppressed minority in South Africa. I say “seems” because there are very few lyrics, and they are sparsely sung. But if he was going for the George Clinton “Free your ass and your mind will follow” approach, then job well done.
34 - “Love Games,” The Drifters
Another one from these guys’ late 70s Brit run. Sweet soul about wanting to reunite with a childhood sweetheart with the freedom adulthood allows. It would have been nice if they’d picked up the odd pop hit on this side of the pond at this time.
33 - “Streets of London,” Ralph McTell
Born Ralph May in Kent, this folk-blues guitarist took on the surname of Blind Willie McTell and was an active performer for over a decade before he had his one big hit with this evocative acoustic portrait of the poor and marginalized of Britain’s capital. A great, simple song.
32 - “Leggo Skanga,” Rupie Edwards
This is breezy Jamaican reggae with inscrutable lyrics to these ears. I think it’s about dancing. Does it matter? No. Just ride de riddim, as they certainly say much better in Kingston.
31 - “Your Mama Won’t Like Me,” Suzi Quatro
The seventh hit for Detroit’s Suzi Q. was this Nicky Chinn/Mike Chapman pop-rock concoction about how Suze is the type of sexually-aggressive young lady parents generally don’t approve of. And she sounds every bit the part. This somehow didn’t even crack the Top 30. That seems wrong. This seems like the Suzi manifesto.
30 - “My Last Night With You,” Arrows
The second and last hit for this Anglo-American band was this bland rock ballad. They remain little but a pop footnote to me, by virtue of originating the future Joan Jett smash “I Love Rock n’Roll.”
29 - “Shoorah, Shoorah,” Betty Wright
Miamian Bessie Norris is best known at home for “Clean Up Woman,” but that wasn’t one of her two hits here. This was. It’s badass soul about seeing through shallow Lotharios, written by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint. Hoorah, hoorah.”
28 - “Ms. Grace,” The Tymes
The Philly soul vets made their last Top 40 here count, taking this soul strut about a head-turning lady all the way to #1. As gorgeous as I imagine the woman they’re singing about to be.
27 - “Never Can Say Goodbye,” Gloria Gaynor
Definitely one of the first singles I really loved. And I still have it just above the Jackson 5 original, although they’re masterful in different ways. Britain almost made my day 44 years in the future by pushing it to #2, but that’s still the highest of the Triple Crown countries, so good show.
26 - “The Secrets That You Keep,” Mud
The Surrey glammers fifth Top Five is retro like Wizzard, and a Chinn/Chapman product like Quatro. Good song, but I’m not sure if I’m impressed or annoyed by Les Gray’s Elvis impersonation.
25 - “Please Tell Him That I Said Hello,” Dana
More easy listening from this Irishwoman. She’s like Olivia Newton-John with the rough edges shaved off. A musical ugly sweater.
24 - “I’m Stone in Love with You,” Johnny Mathis
Johnny went Top Ten with a number The Stylistics had got there two years before. It’s an awkward fit. Johnny can croon about the moon, but I can’t believe him wanting to buy a house there.
23 - “Something for the Girl With Everything,” Sparks
The fourth hit for the marvellous Mael Brothers was this hyperactive art-rocker about showering a lady with gifts. I’m sad that these guys were missing from my life for so long. If they’re still not in yours, strongly consider correcting that.
22 - “Roll On Down the Highway,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive
The last of BTO’s mere two hits here was this trucking boogie. I can sort of hear similar things in this that I can in glam rock, so maybe that’s how this one snuck in.
21 - “My Eyes Adored You,” Frankie Valli
This attempt at 70s soul balladry by the Jersey boy was #1 in America, #2 in Canada, and #5 here. Fair enough. I’ve landed on it being fairly decent after being extreme about it both ways at different times. And by the way, I’m calling it’s 1-2-5 chart achievement an “Up to Lexington.” Look it up if you need to.
In Part Two: lovin’, fightin’, and dancin’.
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