September 1971. The Arab nation of Qatar gains independence from Britain, and decides to go it alone instead of joining Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. And the Western world still isn't sure how to pronounce the country's name. But Brits could sing along to these songs.
40 - "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)," The Temptations
This immortal lush Motown ballad of unrequited love went all the way in the States, but only got to the Top Ten here. At least they're not Canada, where it stalled at...#72. I only wish that was just my imagination.
39 - "Tap Turns On the Water," CCS
The third and biggest hit for the Collective Consciousness Society was this jazz-rocker about making the most of life. Although, unlike the song suggest, I don't think peeping at your sister in the shower necessarily needs to be part of that.
38 - "Little Drops of Silver," Gerry Monroe
Born Harry Morris in South Shields, Monroe was discovered on the TV show Opportunity Knocks in his mid-thirties, and proceeded to have five hits over two years. The last of these was this melodramatic number about how rich he'd be if his post-breakup tears were made of a precious metal. His voice is high and, um, unique, but nothing about this makes for particularly pleasant listening.
37 - "Cousin Norman," Marmalade
The sixth Top Ten for these Glaswegians was this jaunty invitation to join their idyllic family home, where their one stuttering relative is among the inhabitants. Nice, but forgettable. I'll pass, lads.
36 - "You've Got a Friend," James Taylor
The North Carolina folkie's cover of Carole King's sweet promise went to #1 at home, #2 in Canada, and Top Five here. Still a comforting man-hug of a song.
35 - "Knock Three Times," Dawn
This wish for a downstairs neighbour to signal her romantic intentions by touching apartment fixtures was the first tof Tony O. and Co.'a two Triple Crown winners. Probably their tastiest slice of cheese.
34 - "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You," The Velvelettes
This Motown girl group was overshadowed by their more prominent label mates for most of their career, but they did score some recognition when this reissue of a 1967 single made the Top 40 over here. The song is a typically fine product of the Detroit hit factory, and the Funk Brothers provide their usual exemplary backup, but the vocals just don't rise to that Diana Ross/Martha Reeves level. Harsh as it is to say, I find it easy to understand how this got lost in the shuffle.
33 - "Black and White," Greyhound
Originally known as The Rudies, this British reggae band had their first and biggest hit with this version of a 1956 American folk song about racial harmony. This was the version Three Dog Night heard that inspired them to record their take, which would be a North American chart topper the following year. This doesn't quite blow 3DN away, but I definitely prefer it.
32 - "La La Means I Love You," The Delfonics
The Philly soulsters' biggest hit reached the Top Twenty here three years after it was Top Five in America. The song makes the case that the proper crooning of meaningless syllables can be an effective pickup line. This sells me on the idea. La la la la la to all of you.
31 - "Reason to Believe," Rod Stewart
This cover of a 1968 song by American folksinger Tim Hardin was the original A-side of the single that featured a little song called "Maggie May" on the flip. It went Top Thirty in Canada and stalled in the sixties in the States until the order was reversed and it grabbed a Triple Crown, But it became a double-A here, and it deserves the recognition. Stewart's performance makes it feel like the inner monologue of ths young man in the other song in the hours before he woke Maggie up.
30 - "Monkey Spanner," Dave and Ansil Collins
The second and last hit for the unrelated Jamaicans was a little less trippy than "Double Barrel," but no less of a kick for that. A "heavy heavy monster sound" indeed.
29 - "At the Top of the Stairs," The Formations
This Philadelphia group picked up a hit with the Northern Soul crowd with this very Motown-y song about feeling like a breakup has removed all meaning from life. It might not climb all the way, but it's no more than a couple of steps short.
28 - "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast," Daniel Boone
A year before Wayne Newton took this into the U.S. Top Five, this Brummie born Peter Stirling took this weepie about a child preventing her father from leaving home made the Top Twenty here. It's still plenty sappy, but Boone doesn't quite drown you in it the way Wayne does.
27 - "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo," Lobo
Floridian Roland LaVoie's first and best hit, this folky lark about road tripping with a lady and a canine, was a Triple Top Ten. It remains the only song of his that doesn't make me wince inside.
26 - "For All We Know," Shirley Bassey
While the Carpenters' version of this song from the film Lovers and Other Strangers went Top Five in North America, it was held to #18 here, likely due to competition from the Tigress from Tiger Bay, whose own take went to #6. As much as I love Karen and Richard, I give the nod to Shirley here. I think her voice works better for this song, and I like the little hints of reggae in the arrangement.
25 - "I Believe (In Love)," Hot Chocolate
Errol Brown's boys scored their second Top Ten with this simple pop-soul love song. It doesn't quite have the distinct sound they would display in the future, but it's still a worthy effort that deservedly marked them as eventual chart stalwarts.
24 - "When Love Comes Round Again," Ken Dodd
The sixteenth hit for the Liverpool comic and would-be crooner was an English cover of the song that finished third at Italy's Sanremo Music Festival. It's lounge-schlager about how another chance at love is just around the corner. Well Ken, this chance has passed you by. This sucks.
23 - "Co-Co," Sweet
The glam greats' first Top Five was this calypso-rocker about a guy on a tropical island who can dance impressively. Catchy nonsense, but not really a harbinger of what was to come.
22 - "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep," Middle of the Road
While Mac and Katie Kissoon were taking this to the Top Twenty in America, this Scottish pop group was making this novelty about orphaned birds a #1. This version is poppier and cheesier, which better fits the spirit of the material, if not the letter.
21 - "Get Down and Get With It," Slade
Noddy Holder and crew had their first hit, and began a run of seventeen straight Top Twenties, with this cover of a 1964 R&B song by American Bobby Marchan. It's a solid base to introduce their boogie-rock style, and it set them up as crowd pleasing party starters. Suffice it to say, they would build on that.
In Part Two: both sides of a breakup, blatant false advertising, and a call to nudity.
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