We now return.
20 - “Desiderata,” Les Crane
The American DJ/TV host’s performance of a 1927 poem was a transcontinental Top Ten. I suppose there’s wisdom in it, but when the writer advised people to “listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story” he probably wasn’t anticipating the Internet.
19 - “It’s One of Those Nights,” The Partridge Family
The fake fam’s second hit here was inconsequential pop about how David Cassidy misses his girlfriend. Keith seduction of Britain was starting slowly, but he would score, and score big.
18 - “Floy Joy,” The Supremes
Their third post-Ross Top Ten was this swinging ode to a boy to whom they give a strange nickname. Mary Wilson gives a lead performance that makes one wonder what she could have done if she’d been given more of a showcase earlier in her career,
17 - “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” Wings
Paul awkwardly comments on the Troubles, coming off as idealistically naive as you’d expect. Despite a radio ban, it did go Top Twenty. I don’t know what he was trying to accomplish with this, and thus I can’t say whether or not he succeeded.
16 - “Day After Day,” Badfinger
The third hit for the Beatle protégés from Swansea, featuring production and slide guitar from George Harrison. A gorgeous puddle of pop. I could listen to it once every 24 hours.
15 - “Say You Don’t Mind,” Colin Blunstone
The first and biggest hit for this chart’s second ex-Zombie was this string-based plea to a lover to forgive all his lapses of foolishness. It’s a baroque beauty, wonderfully delivered by the man who embedded “She’s Not There” into a generation’s brain. No one told me about it, but I’m glad I bothered trying to find it.
14 - “Storm in a Teacup,” The Fortunes
The last hit for the Birmingham band who started in the British Invasion era was this pleasing popper about not making too much of insignificant things. A nice little shower of a song, the kind that ends with a rainbow.
13 - “Look Wot You Dun,” Slade
Their second Top Five was this piano-driven stomp about how roma nice messes with one’s mind. This was also the song that made it clear that their penchant for misspelling was going to be a lasting part of their gimmick, and this caused British teachers to protest their potential to confuse children. Not the kind of panic rock caused when it began, but still, good job on them for finding a new vein of adult outrage to mine.
12 - “Poppa Joe,” Sweet
The fourth hit for the tasty glam rockers was this calypso-tinged tune about a guy who sells coconut rum. There’s a video with people doing the limbo under a flaming stick. Catchy, but slight. Not among their best.
11 - “I Can’t Help Myself,” Donnie Elbert
The Buffalo product’s second hit Motown cover. Both were bigger here than the States. Deservedly so. He wisely doesn’t try to compete with Levi Stubbs, and his looser, swingier approach provides its own pleasures.
10 - “Mother of Mine,” Neil Reid
Our second crack at the Scottish tween’s tribute to mummy. The number of granny-hugs and cheek-pinches this guy must have gotten during the height of his fame must have been staggering. Whatever the opposite of groupies are, that’s what he got.
9 - “Meet Me on the Corner,” Lindisfarne
Six years before their only American hit “Run for Home,” these Newcastle folk-rockers had a home Top Five with this track about arranging a meet-up with a “dream seller.” Is this code for something? Almost certainly. I won’t speculate on what. It’s pleasant enough pub pop.
8 - “Blue is the Colour,” Chelsea Football Team
Foorball records will still in their early days, but this one, sung by members of that year’s edition of a London club founded in 1905, remains one of the most famous. The song, co-written by Daniel “Beautiful Sunday” Boone, is basically a call to supporters to come to Stanford Bridge and wear blue to cheer them to victory. The singing is what you’d expect, no better or worse. The single was released ahead of their League Cup final again Stoke, which they lost. But there has been plenty of success since, especially since they were bought by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
7 - “Got to be There,” Michael Jackson
His Triple Top Five solo debut. I doubt he understood what he was singing about. One wonders if he ever truly did. So much of his life was distorted by circumstances no one could have imagined. He’s still completely responsible for any harm he may have done to others, but I wonder how much he was shielded from, by others and himself.
6 - “Alone Again (Naturally),” Gilbert O’Sullivan
Somehow, Britain kept this pity party from a Triple Crown. Maybe they amount of rain they get makes them a bit less willing to go out of their way to expose themselves to dark clouds of the musical variety.
5 - “Mother and Child Reunion,” Paul Simon
Paul’s solo breakthrough was also a Triple Top Five. A deceptively peppy rumination on death, featuring Jimmy Cliff’s backing band providing a cred-bolstering reggae groove, and Whitney Houston’s mom on backing vocals. This definitely did not give anyone false hope that he would have a productive and successful post-Garfunkel career.
4 - “Son of My Father,” Chicory Tip
The first and biggest hit for this Maidstone outfit was this Moog-bedecked #1 about bucking parental indoctrination. The synths are snowy but inessential, but I guess their novelty helped it stand out. It’s a pretty good song, and one of the first successes for its co-writer, future disco auteur Giorgio Moroder.
3 - “Beg Steal or Borrow,” The New Seekers
Their follow-up to the Coke jingle was Britain’s Eurovision entry for the year. It’s about the things they do for love. I prefer 10cc’s methodology. No wonder they came second to Luxembourg.
2 - “American Pie,” Don McLean
Donnie’s epic somehow fell this short of the Triple Crown. Though he did get the career one with his next hit, the more straightforward Van Gogh tribute “Vincent.” The jester’s thievery did not prevent them from returning a verdict.
1 - “Without You,” Harry Nilsson
The legendary singer-songwriter did land a Triple Crown, but with a cover of a song from the previous year by none other than Badfinger. He goes full out and sells it without being sappy or overwrought. The Crown was deserved. And it’s justice that Mariah’s version missed it.
Another dust-biter. Up next, more tournament action, action, action! Stay tuned.
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