The others.
20 - “It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart it’s Spring)” Love Unlimited
The second and biggest hit here for Barry White’s backing singers was this lush soul track about a man who really knows how to keep his woman warm. Obviously, he makes the best hot chocolate, always has plenty of blankets on hand, and is good at sex. Or maybe just that last thing.
19 - “Boogie On Reggae Woman,” Stevie Wonder
Stevie’s slinky ode to a lovely lady isn’t really reggae, but you will boogie. I didn’t really like this when I first heard it, but I get it now in a big way. What was wrong with me?
18 - “Purely By Coincidence,” Sweet Sensation
The only other hit for the Mancunians behind the Number One “Sad Sweet Dreamer” was this soul smoothie about how, by virtue of fate or Providence, the singer has found “the hand to (his) glove.” It’s less overwhelming than their bigger hit, which is why I like it more.
17 - “Good Love Can Never Die,” Alvin Stardust
Glam guy Al had his sixth hit with this middling pop-rocker. Let’s just say this song does not share the defining quality of good love.
16 - “Help Me Make it Through the Night,” John Holt
Jamaican Holt’s most famous composition is the future Blondie smash “The Tide is High,” but his biggest hit recording was this cover of Kris Kristofferson’s desire declaration. Yes, it works perfectly well as reggae, maybe even better than as country.
15 - “Shame Shame Shame,” Shirley and Company
One of the foundation records of disco, co-sung by one half of the duo behind the 50s smash “Let the Good Times Roll.” Put on your shaky wig and feel the Bo Diddley beat.
14 - “Your Kiss is Sweet,” Syreeta
Pittsburgh-born Rita Wright had been signed to Motown for seven years, but all she had to show for it was a short-lived marriage to Stevie Wonder. She finally scored a hit here with this bit of bubblegum reggae co-written with her ex. Slight, but tasty, with a vocal performance that makes one wonder how she didn’t do better.
13 - “Promised Land,” Elvis Presley
A cover of a 1964 Chuck Berry song about making your way from the South to Los Angeles. It may be the last time Elvis made a record that really sounded like one he would have cut at Sun. It still thrills to hear him letting loose at that late date.
12 - “Star on a TV Show,” The Stylistics
The Philly flashes with another brilliant ballad, although one that pinches its premise from the Temptations’ “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” It was a bigger hit here than at home, and I wonder if that’s because when they compare a lady to a car, that car is a Jaguar.
11 - “Now I’m Here,” Queen
Their third hit was this straight-ahead hard rocker that Brian May wrote about the band’s experience opening for Mott the Hoople on an American tour. Freddie uses it as a declaration of his permanence in the rock pantheon: “Now I’m here, think I’ll stay around.” Oh, and I have now seen Bohemian Rhapsody, and it’s all right. They fool with the time line, as they often do in movies, and there are draggy spots, but it doesn’t overly glorify Freddie to the point of veneration, and the musical sequences are exhilarating. Wouldn’t give it Oscars, though.
10 - “Footsee,” Wigan’s Chosen Few
A sped-up version of a 1968 song by a Canadian band, augmented by sound effects and with the name of the capital of Northern Soul slapped on the credit. Energetic, but inessential. Strictly a cash-in.
9 - “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
The only #1 for these glammers was this sunny pop song about giving up on a serious relationship with someone, but still being up for the occasional booty call. Harley’s voice has enough Bolan-style brattiness to dull the sweetness that this track could have drowned in.
8 - “Morning Side of the Mountain,” Donny and Marie
The Mormon siblings with their cover of a cheesy mini-tragedy about lovers fated to never meet. Having siblings sing something like this is, um, problematic if you think too deeply about it. So don’t. It’s best not to even think of this song at all.
7 - “Black Superman (Muhammad Ali),” Johnny Wakelin and the Kinshasa Band
The Sussex man’s big hit about the boxing legend. Ali was better at boasting about himself than this, but it’s still a fun artifact. Floyd wishes a song this good would be written about him. It won’t.
6 - “The Bump,” Kenny
The first of four hits this band had after namesake singer Tony Kenny left them was this glam ode to a dance where your hips contact the hips of others. One must be careful to avoid buttock-to-buttock contact, however, as it may lead to spiritual crises that could lead to pastoral disillusionment. Especially if followed by coveting one’s own wife and swallowing a toothpick.
5 - “Angie Baby,” Helen Reddy
I have written a little bit about how great this is in the past, I must say. What’s surprising is that it was her only Top 40 hit here. But at least they picked the right one. I won’t ask them to explain.
4 - “Goodbye My Love,” The Glitter Band
The biggest hit for Gary’s backup. Sharp glam pop about having to leave your lover temporarily. Very good, and notable for being the rare pop song to mention “the departure lounge.”
3 - “Sugar Candy Kisses,” Mac and Katie Kissoon
The first and biggest home hit for the Trinidadian-British sibling act is a rare entry in the bubblegum lounge soul subgenre. They come off like a black Carpenters, and I mean that as a compliment.
2 - “Please Mr. Postman,” Carpenters
Speaking of which, here are Richard and Karen with their okay Marvelettes cover, which would be the closest they would come to a Triple Crown. They never got to the top here, which surprises me. They seemed made to rule the British charts.
1 - “January,” Pilot
These Scots, formed by two former standby members of the Bay City Rollers, are best known in North America for “Magic,” which went Top Five in the States and #1 in Canada. Their follow-up made no impact over here, but made it all the way over here. This is decent enough pop-rock about a girl, not a month. But it lacks a certain....something...okay, I’ll say it, magic. You know.
We’ll be back next time to wrap up the second round of The Tournament. See you then.
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