Finishing.
20 - "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," Rod Stewart
Rod's disco opus. Is it dumb trendhopping? Yes. But I still derive joy from it.
19 - "Shooting Star," Dollar
Brit native David Van Day and Canadian-born Thereza Bazar met in 1975 when they both successfully auditioned for a pop group called Guys n' Dolls. They left the group three years later to form their own act, and their first single, this synth-lite number that I think is about friendly aliens, began a career that included ten Top 40s and five Top Tens. This doesn't make me enthusiastic about hearing more from them.\
18 - "One Nation Under a Groove," Funkadelic
One of George Clinton's finest moments. The whole funk, and nothing but the funk
17 - "Always and Forever/Mind Blowing Decisions," Heatwave
This disco UN had a double-sided hit here. The A-side ballad also charted in the U.S. and was covered here, so I turn my attention to the B, another ballad. This one follow's a man's thought process from the beginning of a relationship, from whether to hold her hand or put his arms around her, up to "marriage or shacking." The conclusion: "Mind blowing decisions causes (sic) head-on collisions." Can't argue with that. Don't even know what it means, exactly.
16 - "I'll Put You Together Again," Hot Chocolate
Errol Brown's funksters were done having American Top 40s, but they were smack in the middle of their run at home when they hit with this big ballad promise to come to a friend's rescue. Better than I would have imagined.
15 - "Greased Lightning," John Travolta
The number from Grease where the T-Birds imagine the beater they're working on as the ultimate hot rod, a "real pussy wagon" that will make "the chicks cream" and result in them "gettin' lotsa tit." Apparently, the lyrics will be toned down for Fox's upcoming live production. Understandable, but kinda sad. And will Murdock (played by Brady kid Eve Plumb) even get to say "Haul ass, kid"?
14 - "I'm Every Woman," Chaka Khan
Chakachakachaka''s future Whitney cover object and Oprah theme. Still some quality empowerment nonetheless.
13 - "Hello This is Joannie," Paul Evans
American singer songwriter Evans had success in the late 50s and early 60s with the U.S, Top Tens "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Backseat" and "Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky." Then he re-emerged in the U.K. and Australia with this country-pop tune about a guy who has a fight with his girlfriend, then desperately tries to phone her and apologize but only gets her answering machine. He finally gets a call back, but it's Joannie's friend telling him that Joannie crashed her car on the way home and died. As pop tragedy songs go, it's okay.
12 - "A Little More Love," Olivia Newton-John
Like I've said before, this is the real life equivalent of her Sandy donning the tight pants and halter top. It gets attention, but I still prefer what came before.
11 - "I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper," Sarah Brightman and Hot Gossip
Miss Brightman began her theatre career at 13, then was recruited into a TV dance troupe called Hot Gossip. Among the group's numbers was one performed to an original disco song, sung by Brightman, that uses multiple sci-fi references (Star Wars, Star Trek, Flash Gordon, Close Encounters of the Third Kind), as sexual innuendo. It was a hit, and launched Brightman on a career that would fly to it's greatest heights, not coincidentally, during a seven-year marriage to Andrew Lloyd Webber. I wonder if he made her "feel the force"? Anyway, I've decided that this is strange and campy enough to share the Uneasy Rider with the Smurfs. Congrats.
10 - "Too Much Heaven," The Bee Gees
Am I alone in thinking this is a better ballad than "How Deep is Your Love"? It's okay if I am.
9 - "Le Freak," Chic
Between this and "Good Times," they made disco sophisticated. An impressive feat.
8 - "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand
How did this not end up in an FTD commercial? Or did it and I missed it?
7 - "Mary's Boy Child," Boney M.
The first Frank Farian group to be caught lip-synching other people's voices had their second and last U.K. #1 at Christmas of '78 with their disco-reggae take on a song first popularized by Harry Belafonte. It was my first introduction to the song as a child, and I liked it. Not as much as "Rasputin," though.
6 - "A Taste of Aggro," Barron Knights
These guys from Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire had been having parody hits since 1964, acting as kind of a British precursor to "Weird" Al Yankovic. One of their last was a medley of spoofs of three recent #1s: Boney M.'s "Rivers of Babylon" (now about a visit to the dentist), "The Smurf Song" (in which the Smurfs are escaping from prison), and Brian and Michael's "Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs" (about a spraypainting vandal instead of a British artist). Didn't really get it, but I'm not British.
5 - "September," Earth, Wind and Fire
Joy encapsulated. I will never not rememBAH this.
4 - "Song for Guy," Elton John
This mournful, mostly instrumental piano piece was written by Sir Elton when he was in a place where he was imagining himself dying. The very next day, 17-year-old Guy Burchett, a messenger boy for John, died in a motorcycle accident, and Elton dedicated the song to him. Beautiful and poignant, and it's a shame it was a hit everywhere else but North America.
3 - "Lay Your Love on Me," Racey
The first of four hits for this London pop band was this jaunty love song in a Bay City Rollers vein, Catchy, disposable, okay.
2 - "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick," Ian Dury and the Blockheads
From Middlesex, Dury survived a childhood battle with polio, and, after forming The Blockheads, became one of the most respected and influential artists of the British New Wave. He topped the charts with this jumpy pop-rocker where he name checks various worldwide locales on the verses and asks to be beaten with the titular implement on the choruses. What does it mean? I have no idea. And I don't care. Hit me. Hit me! HIT ME!!!
1 - "YMCA," The Village People
I would like to know if even one person on Earth ever found one of these places as fulfilling as these guys made it sound. I'm sure it's provided millions with affordable recreation and cheap housing, but the costumed ones made it sound happier than a thousand Disneylands.
And another one's gone. I'll be back again. Hopefully soon. That's all I can say. Take care in the meantime.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Gloves Across The Water : UK Top 40 January 13, 1979 Part One
I'm back early! Well, by recent standards. Although there has been quite a lot of death in the musical realm in my relatively brief absence. So I'm going to open with RIPs for Natalie Cole, Lemmy Kilmister, Glenn Frey, and of course, the chameleonic genius that is David Bowie. They all impacted the music world greatly, and all will be missed
So anyway, what I'm doing now is, I'm picking a year at random and looking at the chart around the same time that I'm writing, and if I like it, I'll cover it. So I tried 1979, thought it looked interesting, and here we go.
40 - "The ELO EP," - Electric Light Orchestra
We start with our first introduction to the British chart quirk of allowing extended play mini-albums on the singles chart. This one by Jeff Lynne and co. contatined two songs that were already big hits on both sides of the Atlantic ("Strange Magic" and "Evil Woman"), a track that had broken them in the U.S. but hadn't hit at home ("Can't Get it Out of My Head."), and one song that had only been a hit in Britain, "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle," a threatening-sounding lust-rocker which I enjoyed. Although I'm not sure how it relates to the phone company.
39 - "Dance (Disco Heat)," Sylvester
The first U.K. and U.S. Top 40 for the L.A disco icon. Fun, but dated. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real") holds up much better.
38 - "Instant Replay," Dan Hartman
The ex-Edgar Winter sideman who wrote and sang the smash "Free Ride" had a hit on his own by hitting the dance floor. Good for what it is. But the sad thing is that he makes back to back artists on this chart who died from AIDS-related illnesses. The consequences of the bacchanal that was the 70s were just around the corner.
37 - "B-A-B-Y," Rachel Sweet
From Akron, Ohio, Sweet was singing in commercials at age 6, opening for Bill Cosby in Las Vegas at 12 (a more dangerous-seeming gig in hindsight than it was at the time), and then, at 16, going to England to sign with the up-and-coming independent label Stiff Records, for which she recorded this bubblegummy cover of a 1966 Carla Thomas hit. She sounds girlish and lightweight, and it's not surprising that this didn't climb much higher. After two albums, she returned home and scored her only American hit duetting with Rex Smith on a cover of the oft-remade "Everlasting Love." Then she gave up on pop, dabbled in movie and TV music and acting, and eventually found success behind the scenes as a television writer and producer.
36 - "Could it Be Magic," Barry Manilow
Barry's riff on Chopin charted in the U.S. two years after it was recorded, then had to wait three more years to hit in Britain. It's a song I want to like for the drama of the performance, but some of the lyrics are just distracting. "High up where the stallion meets the sun." Huh?
35 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," The Shadows
Created in 1958 to back up Cliff Richard, these guys had a long and prosperous career of their own as an instrumental group, racking up twenty U.K. Top 40s and five #1s between 1960 and 1980. Their last Top Five was this somnambulant take on the signature song from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita. After hearing it once, I certainly plan on keeping my distance from it in the future.
34 - "Cool Meditation," Third World
While its influence had been felt on multiple Top 40 hits there, genuine Jamaican reggae had yet to break through on mainstream U.S. radio. In Britain, however, it was a different story, largely due to the U.K`s significant West Indian population. Bob Marley led the way, but these Kingstonians (whose membership included the brother of a former Jamaican deputy prime minister) were right behind him. Their second hit here was this laid back groove about getting away from the city to go somewhere quiet to "get your head together" as was the style at the time. Like this a lot, and was charmed by the harmonica solo. I don't think I'd ever heard that instrument in a reggae song before
33 - "Theme from Superman," The London Symphony Orchestra
This was around the time the first major superhero was selling out cinemas in the first major superhero blockbuster, so it's not surprising that its John Williams-composed and conducted opening theme got some attention. I use to confuse this with Williams' Star Wars theme, but I can now easily tell them apart, and I like this better. As for old Supe, I saw the first three films as a kid, wisely sat out IV, didn't bother with Returns, but really liked Man of Steel. Don't know about the upcoming Batman teamup though. Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight? We shall see.
32 - "You Needed Me," Anne Murray
Annie M.'s best known hit was #1 in the U.S., but only got this high here. I agree with the Brits.
31 - "Take That to the Bank," Shalamar
The funk-pop group's first hit after it's lineup was completely overhauled was fiduciary fidelity metaphor. "My interest is strong," "Good insurance you have found in me," and "Our contract can't be torn apart that easily" are among the promises made. It's decent, but I get why it only hit here and not in America. But I also don't get how they had three times as many Top 40s in Britain as they did at home.
30 - "Mirrors," Sally Oldfield
The older sister of Mike "Tubular Bells" Oldfield, this Irishwoman's only major hit is a swirly folk tune about singing and dancing and love. Reminds me of a less interesting Kate Bush.\
29 - "My Life," Billy Joel
Owning his own existence gave Bill his biggest British hit to date. Still can't hear this without thinking about Tom Hanks in a dress.
28 - "Christmas in Smurfland," Father Abraham and the Smurfs
Sometime in the late 70s, my parents came home from a fair and brought me and my brother buttons that had a weird little blue guy on them and the caption "Do you smurf?" This was my first introduction to the creations of Belgian cartoonist Peyo that would go on to be a lucrative phenomenon on television, movies, and merchandise. Around the time I discovered them, they were already a musical sensation in Europe, thanks to Pierre "Father Abraham" Kartner, a Dutch musician who performed in a suit, a bowler hat, and a long grey mustache and beard. "The Smurf Song" was an international charttopper in 1977, and among its follow-ups was this holiday number where he and a smurf (depicted with a sped-up voice a la The Chipmunks), sang about all the typical Christmas things, including bells announcing the birth of Jesus. Abraham's heavily accented voice makes the proceedings sound more ominous than they should, but that's just one of the reasons this is the clear winner of this chart's Uneasy Rider.
27 - "Car 67," Driver 67
A one-off collaboration between British producer Paul Phillips and American musician Pete Zorn, this is a reggaeish number about a taxi driver who is being sent by his dispatcher to pick up a woman at "83 Royal Gardens." The driver refuses, eventually revealing that this is the address of the girlfriend he had just broken up with the night before. It's catchy, and I feel like it could have done well on the other side of the Atlantic if it had been pushed enough.
26 - "In the Bush," Musique
The disco era produced a number of songs that could be considered bordering on audio pornography. "Love to Love You Baby" and "More, More, More" immediately spring to mind. But those are on the mild end of softcore compared to this lascivious track, masterminded by New York producer Patrick Adams, which featured singers getting more and more...exicted with every word of the bridge, and then giving us the immortal, unmisinterpretable chorus "Push, push, in the bush!" The song was considered too hot for many U.S. radio stations, limiting its success to the nation's discos. It fared somewhat better in the U.K. mainstream, making it to #16. For me, it's joyless, mechanical porn on wax. More dirty than sexy.
25 - "Doctor Who," Mankind
This British group had they're only hit by following Meco's "disco version of a sci-fi theme" template and applying it to the signature music of the long-running British saga of a time-traveller. It's a cool theme, I admit, but I've never gotten into the good Doctor in any of his incarnations. Though I do find Alex Kingston quite attractive, she's not enough to pique my curiosity.
24 - "Rama Lama Ding Dong," Rocky Sharpe and the Replays
While 50s musical revivalism in the States during this decade was for the most part limited to movies and TV shows that fetishized the old songs and recordings, contemporary-sounding covers, and Sha Na Na, in Britain there were artists who built substantial careers by aping both the songs and the style of the dawn of the rock era. Among these were Showaddywaddy, Shakin' Stevens, and this band led by a singer born Robert Podsiadly. Their first hit was this cover of a 1958 song by The Edsels about loving a girl with an unusual name. Inessential. That's all I can say.
23 - "Tommy Gun," The Clash
In the U.S., punk was attracting attention and curiosity but very little mainstream success. In Britain, it was a regular visitor to the singles charts, and the genre's most prominent band was already on Top 40 single number five with this blast of rock about the attraction and futility of terrorism. The conclusion: the attention brought to a cause isn't worth the damage done. I can't say they were "the only band that mattered" at the time, but they probably were the one that mattered the most.
22 - "Just the Way You Are," Barry White
Although he was done for the decade in the U.S. when it came to the Top 40, Barry managed to eke out one more here with a Billy Joel cover. He adds a spoken word intro and his usual silky delivery. Both are clear improvements.
21 - "Raining in My Heart," Leo Sayer
Leo kept up his hit string at home with a bland MOR cover of Buddy Holly's gorgeous loneliness ballad. It makes me feel like...nothing.
In Part Two: more disco, another Christmas leftover, and a song with "a beat" in more ways than one.
So anyway, what I'm doing now is, I'm picking a year at random and looking at the chart around the same time that I'm writing, and if I like it, I'll cover it. So I tried 1979, thought it looked interesting, and here we go.
40 - "The ELO EP," - Electric Light Orchestra
We start with our first introduction to the British chart quirk of allowing extended play mini-albums on the singles chart. This one by Jeff Lynne and co. contatined two songs that were already big hits on both sides of the Atlantic ("Strange Magic" and "Evil Woman"), a track that had broken them in the U.S. but hadn't hit at home ("Can't Get it Out of My Head."), and one song that had only been a hit in Britain, "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle," a threatening-sounding lust-rocker which I enjoyed. Although I'm not sure how it relates to the phone company.
39 - "Dance (Disco Heat)," Sylvester
The first U.K. and U.S. Top 40 for the L.A disco icon. Fun, but dated. "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real") holds up much better.
38 - "Instant Replay," Dan Hartman
The ex-Edgar Winter sideman who wrote and sang the smash "Free Ride" had a hit on his own by hitting the dance floor. Good for what it is. But the sad thing is that he makes back to back artists on this chart who died from AIDS-related illnesses. The consequences of the bacchanal that was the 70s were just around the corner.
37 - "B-A-B-Y," Rachel Sweet
From Akron, Ohio, Sweet was singing in commercials at age 6, opening for Bill Cosby in Las Vegas at 12 (a more dangerous-seeming gig in hindsight than it was at the time), and then, at 16, going to England to sign with the up-and-coming independent label Stiff Records, for which she recorded this bubblegummy cover of a 1966 Carla Thomas hit. She sounds girlish and lightweight, and it's not surprising that this didn't climb much higher. After two albums, she returned home and scored her only American hit duetting with Rex Smith on a cover of the oft-remade "Everlasting Love." Then she gave up on pop, dabbled in movie and TV music and acting, and eventually found success behind the scenes as a television writer and producer.
36 - "Could it Be Magic," Barry Manilow
Barry's riff on Chopin charted in the U.S. two years after it was recorded, then had to wait three more years to hit in Britain. It's a song I want to like for the drama of the performance, but some of the lyrics are just distracting. "High up where the stallion meets the sun." Huh?
35 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," The Shadows
Created in 1958 to back up Cliff Richard, these guys had a long and prosperous career of their own as an instrumental group, racking up twenty U.K. Top 40s and five #1s between 1960 and 1980. Their last Top Five was this somnambulant take on the signature song from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Evita. After hearing it once, I certainly plan on keeping my distance from it in the future.
34 - "Cool Meditation," Third World
While its influence had been felt on multiple Top 40 hits there, genuine Jamaican reggae had yet to break through on mainstream U.S. radio. In Britain, however, it was a different story, largely due to the U.K`s significant West Indian population. Bob Marley led the way, but these Kingstonians (whose membership included the brother of a former Jamaican deputy prime minister) were right behind him. Their second hit here was this laid back groove about getting away from the city to go somewhere quiet to "get your head together" as was the style at the time. Like this a lot, and was charmed by the harmonica solo. I don't think I'd ever heard that instrument in a reggae song before
33 - "Theme from Superman," The London Symphony Orchestra
This was around the time the first major superhero was selling out cinemas in the first major superhero blockbuster, so it's not surprising that its John Williams-composed and conducted opening theme got some attention. I use to confuse this with Williams' Star Wars theme, but I can now easily tell them apart, and I like this better. As for old Supe, I saw the first three films as a kid, wisely sat out IV, didn't bother with Returns, but really liked Man of Steel. Don't know about the upcoming Batman teamup though. Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight? We shall see.
32 - "You Needed Me," Anne Murray
Annie M.'s best known hit was #1 in the U.S., but only got this high here. I agree with the Brits.
31 - "Take That to the Bank," Shalamar
The funk-pop group's first hit after it's lineup was completely overhauled was fiduciary fidelity metaphor. "My interest is strong," "Good insurance you have found in me," and "Our contract can't be torn apart that easily" are among the promises made. It's decent, but I get why it only hit here and not in America. But I also don't get how they had three times as many Top 40s in Britain as they did at home.
30 - "Mirrors," Sally Oldfield
The older sister of Mike "Tubular Bells" Oldfield, this Irishwoman's only major hit is a swirly folk tune about singing and dancing and love. Reminds me of a less interesting Kate Bush.\
29 - "My Life," Billy Joel
Owning his own existence gave Bill his biggest British hit to date. Still can't hear this without thinking about Tom Hanks in a dress.
28 - "Christmas in Smurfland," Father Abraham and the Smurfs
Sometime in the late 70s, my parents came home from a fair and brought me and my brother buttons that had a weird little blue guy on them and the caption "Do you smurf?" This was my first introduction to the creations of Belgian cartoonist Peyo that would go on to be a lucrative phenomenon on television, movies, and merchandise. Around the time I discovered them, they were already a musical sensation in Europe, thanks to Pierre "Father Abraham" Kartner, a Dutch musician who performed in a suit, a bowler hat, and a long grey mustache and beard. "The Smurf Song" was an international charttopper in 1977, and among its follow-ups was this holiday number where he and a smurf (depicted with a sped-up voice a la The Chipmunks), sang about all the typical Christmas things, including bells announcing the birth of Jesus. Abraham's heavily accented voice makes the proceedings sound more ominous than they should, but that's just one of the reasons this is the clear winner of this chart's Uneasy Rider.
27 - "Car 67," Driver 67
A one-off collaboration between British producer Paul Phillips and American musician Pete Zorn, this is a reggaeish number about a taxi driver who is being sent by his dispatcher to pick up a woman at "83 Royal Gardens." The driver refuses, eventually revealing that this is the address of the girlfriend he had just broken up with the night before. It's catchy, and I feel like it could have done well on the other side of the Atlantic if it had been pushed enough.
26 - "In the Bush," Musique
The disco era produced a number of songs that could be considered bordering on audio pornography. "Love to Love You Baby" and "More, More, More" immediately spring to mind. But those are on the mild end of softcore compared to this lascivious track, masterminded by New York producer Patrick Adams, which featured singers getting more and more...exicted with every word of the bridge, and then giving us the immortal, unmisinterpretable chorus "Push, push, in the bush!" The song was considered too hot for many U.S. radio stations, limiting its success to the nation's discos. It fared somewhat better in the U.K. mainstream, making it to #16. For me, it's joyless, mechanical porn on wax. More dirty than sexy.
25 - "Doctor Who," Mankind
This British group had they're only hit by following Meco's "disco version of a sci-fi theme" template and applying it to the signature music of the long-running British saga of a time-traveller. It's a cool theme, I admit, but I've never gotten into the good Doctor in any of his incarnations. Though I do find Alex Kingston quite attractive, she's not enough to pique my curiosity.
24 - "Rama Lama Ding Dong," Rocky Sharpe and the Replays
While 50s musical revivalism in the States during this decade was for the most part limited to movies and TV shows that fetishized the old songs and recordings, contemporary-sounding covers, and Sha Na Na, in Britain there were artists who built substantial careers by aping both the songs and the style of the dawn of the rock era. Among these were Showaddywaddy, Shakin' Stevens, and this band led by a singer born Robert Podsiadly. Their first hit was this cover of a 1958 song by The Edsels about loving a girl with an unusual name. Inessential. That's all I can say.
23 - "Tommy Gun," The Clash
In the U.S., punk was attracting attention and curiosity but very little mainstream success. In Britain, it was a regular visitor to the singles charts, and the genre's most prominent band was already on Top 40 single number five with this blast of rock about the attraction and futility of terrorism. The conclusion: the attention brought to a cause isn't worth the damage done. I can't say they were "the only band that mattered" at the time, but they probably were the one that mattered the most.
22 - "Just the Way You Are," Barry White
Although he was done for the decade in the U.S. when it came to the Top 40, Barry managed to eke out one more here with a Billy Joel cover. He adds a spoken word intro and his usual silky delivery. Both are clear improvements.
21 - "Raining in My Heart," Leo Sayer
Leo kept up his hit string at home with a bland MOR cover of Buddy Holly's gorgeous loneliness ballad. It makes me feel like...nothing.
In Part Two: more disco, another Christmas leftover, and a song with "a beat" in more ways than one.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Gloves Across the Water: U.K. Top 40 October 30, 1976 Part Two
I made it before Christmas..Yay. And I have a ring on my finger. Double yay. So now, here's what I'm sure you've been salivating for, the rest of a British pop chart from 1976. Hope it's worth it.
20 - "Love and Affection," Joan Armatrading
Born in St. Kitts in 1950, Armatrading moved to England at age 3, and began performing seriously in the late 60s. Her first and biggest U.K. hit was this ballad about longing for companionship and romance. Slickly produced, but still passionate. It's sad that the first I really heard of her was when Tracy Chapman debuted and writers automatically made comparisons. Well, they're both black women with acoustic guitars. Not sure how much more similar they are, but music journalists would never make lazy correlations like that, would they?
19 - "Can't Get By Without You," Real Thing
An R&B group from Liverpool, these guys had broken through earlier this year with a #1 called "You to Me are Everything." This follow-up went to #2. It's a disco number about needing someone. The backing track reminds me of a cross between "Love's Theme" and the theme from Hill Street Blues. So if that sound good to you, you're set. Also, one of their later hits was called "Can You Feel the Force." For some reason, I think that one might be due for a revival right about now.
18 - "Jaws," Lalo Schiffrin
This Argentinian, whose real first name is Boris, started making his name composing for jazz stars like Dizzy Gillespie and Xavier Cugat, then began composing scores for film and television (his most familiar work is the iconic theme from Mission: Impossible. Here, he takes another well known theme, the one from a certain sharkcentric blockbuster, and turns it into boilerplate disco. The precursor to Meco and his boogie-ready Star Wars.
17 - "Couldn't Get it Right," Climax Blues Band
We encountered this cool groove rocker in America. It hit #3 there, but only #10 at home. It was the Brits who "couldn't get it right" in my opinion.
16 - "The Rubberband Man," The Spinners
The funk-soul classic about a guy who makes music with small pieces of elastic. Only got this far here, #2 in the States. 2-0 to the USA.
15 - "Play That Funky Music," Wild Cherry
The one-hit wonder about a white boy getting his funk on. #1 U.S., #7 here. Gonna give it to the Yanks. They pull one back.
14 - "The Best Disco in Town," The Ritchie Family
A medley of disco and soul hits by a faceless group masterminded by the guy who came up with the Village People. Went Top Ten here, fell short of that in America. And the U.S has drawn level!
13 - "Disco Duck," Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
Far-from-timeless novelty about dancing like a waterfowl. Only made it to #7 here, while topping the charts across the pond. Britain regains the lead.
12 - "Girl of My Best Friend," Elvis Presley
The King recorded this shortly after he got out of the Army in 1960. Wasn't released as a single, but we encountered a cover by Presley soundalike Ral Donner during our 60s sojourn. The original got a British re-release this year, and went Top Ten. Sorry Ral, but the genuine article blows you away.
11 - "I'll Meet You at Midnight," Smokie
From Bradford in West Yorkshire, these guys were prolific hitmakers in their homeland, with thirteen Top 40s and six Top Tens. This bit of drama rock about a doomed romance between young Parisians Jean-Claude and Louise-Marie fell just short of the Top Ten. Gotta say, I like this better than their most enduring (and only American) hit, "Living Next Door to Alice.'
10 - "Sailing," Rod Stewart
Originally written and performed by Scottish folk duo The Sutherland Brothers, Rod the Mod took this ballad about crossing the water to reunite with a lover to the top spot in the U.K. Didn't even make Top 40 in America. To me, that's game over. Britain wins the match.
9 - "Dancing with the Captain," Paul Nicholas
From Peterborough, Nicholas spent most of his singing career performing in stage musicals, but he had a brief pop heyday in the late 70s. His biggest U.K hit was this dance-popper about a ship whose chief officer likes to bust moves. Disposable but fun. Weirdly, his only American hit, the Top Ten "Heaven on the 7th Floor," only hit #40 at home. Can't say that's wrong though
8 - "Dancing Queen," ABBA
The disco classic was a #1 here, in the States, and in 13 other countries. Not much more I can say about it. Pop perfection.
7 - "The Summer of My Life," Simon May
May is best known for composing music for the British soaps Crossroads and EastEnders. One of his creations for the former was this mushy love ballad that became his only major pop hit as a performer. Makes one long for the understated nuance of "Feelings."
6 - "Don't Take Away the Music," Tavares
This disco plea to hang on to one's tunes by these funk brothers was a Top Five here, but only hit #34 at home. Don't hear much special in it.
5 - "Hurt," The Manhattans
Before they even cracked the American Top 40, this New Jersey vocal group had a British Top five with this ballad about promising not to reciprocate the pain a lover has caused. Slick, smooth, sublime.
4 - "Howzat," Sherbet
This band had many hits in their native Australia, but their biggest success outside came with this pop-rocker about catching a lover cheating. Kinda catchy. Wouldn't have minded if it had made the radio in my neck of the woods. I do think it's kind of odd that they later changed their name to "The Sherbs." Don't get that at all
3 - "If You Leave Me Now," Chicago
Number One here, Number One in America, terrible everywhere. Please do go.
2 - "When Forever Has Gone," Demis Roussos
Roussos was born in Egypt in 1946, but he and his parents relocated to Greece, the land of their ancestry, after the 1956 Suez Canal crisis. In the late 60s he saw success in Europe with the prog-rock band Aphrodite's Child, which also featured future Chariots of Fire composer Vangelis. Upon going solo, he would score three U.K. Top Fives, including a #1 "Forever and Ever," and this #2, a waltzy ballad about long-lasting love that showcases his high, operatic voice. That voice is unique enough to grab an Uneasy Rider. Nine years after this, he was on board a flight that was hijacked by terrorists, but he was released safely, and would go on to live until January of this year. RIP.
And a long time ago, in a country kind of far away, the top song was...
1 - "Mississippi," Pussycat
The phrase "Dutch country band," seems odd, but that's exactly what Pussycat were. They were three female singers and four male musicians, and their first and biggest hit topped charts in eight countries. It's exactly what you'd expect from a European attempt at the genre; they get the lyrical motifs right, but they just can't come close to sounding authentic. It's okay, but I'm not sure why it was so massively successful.
So there's another one. Thanks for your patience. I don't know when I'll be back, or what I'll be writing about, but I can tell you there will be more...someday. Glove on heart.
20 - "Love and Affection," Joan Armatrading
Born in St. Kitts in 1950, Armatrading moved to England at age 3, and began performing seriously in the late 60s. Her first and biggest U.K. hit was this ballad about longing for companionship and romance. Slickly produced, but still passionate. It's sad that the first I really heard of her was when Tracy Chapman debuted and writers automatically made comparisons. Well, they're both black women with acoustic guitars. Not sure how much more similar they are, but music journalists would never make lazy correlations like that, would they?
19 - "Can't Get By Without You," Real Thing
An R&B group from Liverpool, these guys had broken through earlier this year with a #1 called "You to Me are Everything." This follow-up went to #2. It's a disco number about needing someone. The backing track reminds me of a cross between "Love's Theme" and the theme from Hill Street Blues. So if that sound good to you, you're set. Also, one of their later hits was called "Can You Feel the Force." For some reason, I think that one might be due for a revival right about now.
18 - "Jaws," Lalo Schiffrin
This Argentinian, whose real first name is Boris, started making his name composing for jazz stars like Dizzy Gillespie and Xavier Cugat, then began composing scores for film and television (his most familiar work is the iconic theme from Mission: Impossible. Here, he takes another well known theme, the one from a certain sharkcentric blockbuster, and turns it into boilerplate disco. The precursor to Meco and his boogie-ready Star Wars.
17 - "Couldn't Get it Right," Climax Blues Band
We encountered this cool groove rocker in America. It hit #3 there, but only #10 at home. It was the Brits who "couldn't get it right" in my opinion.
16 - "The Rubberband Man," The Spinners
The funk-soul classic about a guy who makes music with small pieces of elastic. Only got this far here, #2 in the States. 2-0 to the USA.
15 - "Play That Funky Music," Wild Cherry
The one-hit wonder about a white boy getting his funk on. #1 U.S., #7 here. Gonna give it to the Yanks. They pull one back.
14 - "The Best Disco in Town," The Ritchie Family
A medley of disco and soul hits by a faceless group masterminded by the guy who came up with the Village People. Went Top Ten here, fell short of that in America. And the U.S has drawn level!
13 - "Disco Duck," Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
Far-from-timeless novelty about dancing like a waterfowl. Only made it to #7 here, while topping the charts across the pond. Britain regains the lead.
12 - "Girl of My Best Friend," Elvis Presley
The King recorded this shortly after he got out of the Army in 1960. Wasn't released as a single, but we encountered a cover by Presley soundalike Ral Donner during our 60s sojourn. The original got a British re-release this year, and went Top Ten. Sorry Ral, but the genuine article blows you away.
11 - "I'll Meet You at Midnight," Smokie
From Bradford in West Yorkshire, these guys were prolific hitmakers in their homeland, with thirteen Top 40s and six Top Tens. This bit of drama rock about a doomed romance between young Parisians Jean-Claude and Louise-Marie fell just short of the Top Ten. Gotta say, I like this better than their most enduring (and only American) hit, "Living Next Door to Alice.'
10 - "Sailing," Rod Stewart
Originally written and performed by Scottish folk duo The Sutherland Brothers, Rod the Mod took this ballad about crossing the water to reunite with a lover to the top spot in the U.K. Didn't even make Top 40 in America. To me, that's game over. Britain wins the match.
9 - "Dancing with the Captain," Paul Nicholas
From Peterborough, Nicholas spent most of his singing career performing in stage musicals, but he had a brief pop heyday in the late 70s. His biggest U.K hit was this dance-popper about a ship whose chief officer likes to bust moves. Disposable but fun. Weirdly, his only American hit, the Top Ten "Heaven on the 7th Floor," only hit #40 at home. Can't say that's wrong though
8 - "Dancing Queen," ABBA
The disco classic was a #1 here, in the States, and in 13 other countries. Not much more I can say about it. Pop perfection.
7 - "The Summer of My Life," Simon May
May is best known for composing music for the British soaps Crossroads and EastEnders. One of his creations for the former was this mushy love ballad that became his only major pop hit as a performer. Makes one long for the understated nuance of "Feelings."
6 - "Don't Take Away the Music," Tavares
This disco plea to hang on to one's tunes by these funk brothers was a Top Five here, but only hit #34 at home. Don't hear much special in it.
5 - "Hurt," The Manhattans
Before they even cracked the American Top 40, this New Jersey vocal group had a British Top five with this ballad about promising not to reciprocate the pain a lover has caused. Slick, smooth, sublime.
4 - "Howzat," Sherbet
This band had many hits in their native Australia, but their biggest success outside came with this pop-rocker about catching a lover cheating. Kinda catchy. Wouldn't have minded if it had made the radio in my neck of the woods. I do think it's kind of odd that they later changed their name to "The Sherbs." Don't get that at all
3 - "If You Leave Me Now," Chicago
Number One here, Number One in America, terrible everywhere. Please do go.
2 - "When Forever Has Gone," Demis Roussos
Roussos was born in Egypt in 1946, but he and his parents relocated to Greece, the land of their ancestry, after the 1956 Suez Canal crisis. In the late 60s he saw success in Europe with the prog-rock band Aphrodite's Child, which also featured future Chariots of Fire composer Vangelis. Upon going solo, he would score three U.K. Top Fives, including a #1 "Forever and Ever," and this #2, a waltzy ballad about long-lasting love that showcases his high, operatic voice. That voice is unique enough to grab an Uneasy Rider. Nine years after this, he was on board a flight that was hijacked by terrorists, but he was released safely, and would go on to live until January of this year. RIP.
And a long time ago, in a country kind of far away, the top song was...
1 - "Mississippi," Pussycat
The phrase "Dutch country band," seems odd, but that's exactly what Pussycat were. They were three female singers and four male musicians, and their first and biggest hit topped charts in eight countries. It's exactly what you'd expect from a European attempt at the genre; they get the lyrical motifs right, but they just can't come close to sounding authentic. It's okay, but I'm not sure why it was so massively successful.
So there's another one. Thanks for your patience. I don't know when I'll be back, or what I'll be writing about, but I can tell you there will be more...someday. Glove on heart.
Friday, November 6, 2015
The Return featuring Gloves Across The Water: UK Top 40 October 30, 1976
Hello again friends.
Yes, it's been almost a year since I was last with you, promising a new adventure. Well, since then, I've begun another adventure. You might even say I've been otherwise engaged. And this is now about to culminate in another new beginning. And so, as I've managed to find the time, I have decided to commemorate this with a look at the British charts as they looked the week a certain lovely lady I have come to know and love was born. And so, in honor of the future Mme. Glovehead, I present to you the Top 40 songs in the United Kingdom just over 39 years ago.
40 - "I Want More," Can
Can was an experimental German band who influenced many future artists around the world, but their only pop hit outside of their native land was this dance-rocker about being adventurous. It's kinda cool, but I really should look up the earlier stuff that made their reputation. Not sure when that will happen though.
39 - "Fairytale," Dana
Irish singer Dana Rosemary Scallon broke through at age 19 when she sang "All Kinds of Everything" at the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest. It won, and subsequently topped the charts both at home and in the U.K. Her second biggest British hit was this disco track about not buying a playboy's lies. Decent, but nothing spectacular. She sounds here like a second-rate Olivia Newton-John. Later, she would start preforming exclusively religious music, move to America, then return home in the late 90s to successfully run for a seat in European Parliament.
38 - "Soul Dracula," Hot Blood
Apparently, this was a studio band from France that put together a disco number that featured a vampiric-sounding dude intoning sexual come-ons while female backing singers cooed incoherently. As weird as it sounds. The musical equivalent of a cheap old horror movie.
37 - "Remember Yesterday," John Miles
From Jarrow on the River Tyne, Miles only hit once in America with "Slowdown," but he cracked the Top 40 four times at home. The last of these hits was this piano ballad about leaving a lover. It's okay, but maybe a different singer would have made it more memorable.
From Jarrow on the River Tyne, Miles only hit once in America with "Slowdown," but he cracked the Top 40 four times at home. The last of these hits was this piano ballad about leaving a lover. It's okay, but maybe a different singer would have made it more memorable.
36 - "Substitute," The Who
This rocker about not being what one appears originally hit #5 in 1966, and this re-release ten years later reached #7. Fantastic song, in my Who Top Five. But it didn't chart at all in the States, in spite of the band taking the step of changing the lyric "I look all white but my dad was black" to "I try going forward but my feet walk back" for the release there.
35 - "Blinded By the Light," Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Before it hit #1 in the U.S. in February '77, this epic Springsteen cover reached #6 in the Earth Band's native land. This just screams seventies, and I love it. The lyrics are like Dr. Seuss on a bender, the "Chopsticks" part is silly yet satisfying, and of course, it gives one an excuse to sing the word "douche" because you can genuinely claim to believe that's what he's saying.
34 - "Tears of a Clown," Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Back when I was doing the 70s charts, I told the story of how this was released in 1967 to no reaction, then re-released in Britain in 1970 and became a huge hit on both sides of the pond. And here, we see that it had another brief chart run. Not much more to say. It's just a Motown masterpiece.
33 - "Uptown, Uptempo Woman," Randy Edelman
This New Jersey native has had most of his success as a composer of film scores (The Last of the Mohicans, The Mask, Billy Madison, and many others), and he also wrote Barry Manilow's hit "Weekend in New England." As a performer, he managed a couple of British pop hits, including this piano ballad about the doomed romance between the titular lady and a "downtown, downbeat guy." I like it quite a bit, and kind of wish it had gotten more attention on this side of the Atlantic
32 - "Loving and Free," Kiki Dee
From Bradford, this lady born Pauline Matthews is now best known for her smash duet with Elton John "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." On her own, she went to #12 in the U.S, with "I've Got the Music in Me," but the highest she climbed at home was #13, which she did three times. One of those occasions was with this ballad about recovering from a broken romance to love again. She does fine with it, but hearing her version makes me wonder how much better Karen Carpenter would have done with it.
31 - "Aria," Acker Bilk
Somerset-born clarinetist Bilk made history in 1962 when "Stranger on the Shore" became the first U.S. Billboard #1 single by a Briton in the modern era. Between 1960 and 1963, he made the U.K. Top Forty ten times, but didn't manage another until 13 years later with this pleasant instrumental. Again, I have about as much to say as the song does.
30 - "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," Leo Sayer
Disco goodness from the British Richard Simmons. Only was #2 here, but made the top in the States. America had it right.
29 - "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," England Dan and John Ford Coley
Whattaya know, England Dan actually had a hit in England. Good for him. As for the song, still okay MOR about wanting sex. More erotic than "Afternoon Delight," at least.
28 - "Without You," Nilsson
Harry's big ballad charted again five years after topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Did you know that his apartment in London was where both Cass Elliot and Keith Moon died? Well now you do.
27 - "Beautiful Noise," Neil Diamond
This is the title track to the album Neil made with Robbie Robertson of The Band, which is also how he, to the continued shock of many, ended up in The Last Waltz. It's about finding music in the sounds of everyday life. Jaunty and catchy, though for songs on this topic, I still prefer "I Hear Music," by Blossom Dearie.
26 - "I Only Wanna Be With You," The Bay City Rollers
The tenth and last U.K. Top Ten for these Scottish heartthrobs was this Dusty Springfield cover. They do pretty well with it. Better than Samantha Fox.
25 - "Coming Home," David Essex
While David Albert Cook, who took his stage name from the county in which he was born, had an American career that essentially began and ended with 1973's "Rock On," he would hit the Top 40 at home 19 times in a 21-year span. One of his lesser hits was pop-rocker about hitting the reset button on life. The only thing that fascinates me about this is the instrument on which the solo is played. I'm not sure what it is. I think it's a wind instrument...but which one?
24 - "I Am a Cider Drinker," The Wurzels
From Somerset, this band created a comedy folk genre known as "Scrumpy and Western." 1976 was their biggest year. First, they hit #1 with "The Combine Harvester," a parody of Melanie's "Brand New Key." Then they made it to #3 with this song about country life set to the tune of The George Baker Selection's "Una Paloma Blanca." Basically, they were a rural, British forebear of Weird Al Yankovic. And so I'm giving them an Uneasy Rider.
23 - "Queen of My Soul," The Average White Band
This was the fifth U.S. Top 40 for the Scots funksters, but only their third in the U.K It's a romantic groover that would fit in on any mood-setting playlist. Like it.
22 - "Disco Music (I Like It)," J.A.L.N. Band
More Brit-funk, this time in the form of a band from Birmingham with a horn-heavy ode to the genre that would dominate the second half of this decade. Pretty good. I have no idea what the initials stand for, though.
More Brit-funk, this time in the form of a band from Birmingham with a horn-heavy ode to the genre that would dominate the second half of this decade. Pretty good. I have no idea what the initials stand for, though.
21 - "Dance Little Lady Dance," Tina Charles
Born Tina Hoskins in London's Whitechapel district (site of the Jack the Ripper murders), Charles first found fame as the singer of the disco group 5000 Volts, then she embarked on a solo career that produced seven U.K Top Forty hits, including a #1, "I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance)." This one, a disco song about a guy who teaches her all the latest steps, reached #6. It's okay, but we here on the other side didn't miss much.
In Part Two (which will be at least ten days away, I warn you now): sharks, Swedes, and sherbet.
Born Tina Hoskins in London's Whitechapel district (site of the Jack the Ripper murders), Charles first found fame as the singer of the disco group 5000 Volts, then she embarked on a solo career that produced seven U.K Top Forty hits, including a #1, "I Love to Love (But My Baby Loves to Dance)." This one, a disco song about a guy who teaches her all the latest steps, reached #6. It's okay, but we here on the other side didn't miss much.
In Part Two (which will be at least ten days away, I warn you now): sharks, Swedes, and sherbet.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Gloves Across The Water: UK Top 40 February 6, 1971 Part Two
Finishing up.
20 - "(Blame It) On the Pony Express," Johnny Johnson and The Bandwagon
Though American, Johnson and company had most of their success in the U.K., where their uptempo R&B made them popular among devotees of "Northern Soul." This is a solid groover that uses Western imagery to express a desire to let a faraway lover know how he feels. The sound is somewhere between the slickness of Motown and the grit of Stax. This is where much of the Northern Soul I've heard seems to fall. Anyway, this is catchy, danceable, and just plain great.
19 - "I Hear You Knocking," Dave Edmunds
Edmunds hit big on both sides of the Atlantic with this grooving, bluesy Smiley Lewis cover. Two months earlier, it had been the U.K Christmas #1, which is kind of a big deal. I will have more on that in an entry coming up very, very soon.
18 - "Cracklin' Rosie," Neil Diamond
The Diamond dog hit #3 in Britain with his rollicking rave-up about wine. It went all the way to the top in the U.S. I can only come to one conclusion: Americans like alcohol more than Britons. This is unimpeachable scientific proof of that.
17 - "She's a Lady," Tom Jones
The Welsh Wonder's gritty tribute to femininity was a Top Five smash in the states, but only got to #13 in the Home Countries. This time, U.K., you got it wrong.
16 - "When I'm Dead and Gone," McGuinness Flint
McGuinness was Tom, a onetime Manfred Mann guitarist. Flint was Hughie, an ex-drummer with blues/rock training ground John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. The first and biggest hit for the band they formed together was this jaunty song about a guy living life to the fullest who doesn't want to be mourned when he passes on. Soundwise, it reminds me of the Faces' "Ooh La La," only not as good
.
15 - "Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys," The Equals
This racially integrated five-piece from North London hit #1 in 1968 with "Baby, Come Back." They would have two more UK Top Tens, the last of which being this funk-soul number which envisions a future where the races have mixed to the point where "the world will be half-breed." This, their logic follows, will put an end to war. I'm not sure how solid that premise is, but it's a decent song. And one of their guitarists was Eddy Grant, the man who would later rock us all down to "Electric Avenue."
14 - "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," Elvis Presley
This English version of a 1965 Italian hit was a Number One for Dusty Springfield in '66, then the King took it to the Top Ten here five years later. Elvis' version sounds a little overwrought to these ears, but still, not bad.
13 - "Your Song," Elton John
The song that launched Sir Elton on both sides of the pond. A standard now, but still affecting. Has there been a more romantic line written than "How wonderful life is while you're in the world"? I'm not sure there has.
12 - "Candida,"Dawn
Tony O. and co. went top ten in both the States and the Kingdom with their debut. Again, I find the whole "go out with me because a fortune teller told me we'll get married and have kids" angle a little off, but it's a fun little song.
11 - "You're Ready Now," Frankie Valli
This Seasonless Valli track was recorded in 1966, but was adopted by the Northern Soul scene at this time. It's about a girl who used to be considered too young to date, but is now sufficiently grown up. That's a little creepy. And this song just annoys me.
10 - "I'll Be There," The Jackson Five
A #1 at home, and a Top Five here. Simply one of the great love ballads ever. Slow dance heaven.
9 - "Resurrection Shuffle," Ashton, Gardner & Dyke
This London trio's biggest hit was this propulsive number about letting it all hang out and such. Reminds me of a more forceful Blood, Sweat and Tears. I like it. Kind of a shame that both it and a Tom Jones version only scraped into the 40 in the States.
8 - "Apeman," The Kinks
The follow-up to "Lola" was this calypso-tinged number in which Ray Davies longs to escape the complexity and confusion of the modern world and go back to nature. One of my favorites from them. Fun fact: on the album version, Ray sings "the air pollution is a-foggin' up my eyes," but it really sounds like "fuckin'" instead of "foggin'." So much so that he had to go back and pronounce the word more clearly for the single version. Between that and having to change "Coca-Cola" to "cherry cola" on "Lola" for the BBC, radio censorship was a major pain for the band at this time.
7 - "Ride a White Swan," T. Rex
They were originally a folk duo called Tyrannosaurus Rex, but then singer Marc Bolan shortened the name, swapped out Steve Took for Mickey Finn, and went more electric and pop. The result was a string of eight straight Top 2 singles, beginning with this snappy, buzzy tune whose lyrics contain reference to witchcraft and druids. Because they weren't nearly as big on these shores, it took me a while to hear much beyond "Get It On," but when I did, it became clear to me that Bolan was one of the great all-around rock stars of all time. And this is one of my favorites.
6 - "Amazing Grace," Judy Collins
This stunning a capella take on the classic hymn was a bigger hit here. This time, the Brits got it right. I think I'm going to be agreeing with them more often than not. But we'll see.
5 - "No Matter What," Badfinger
Fantastic power pop that was Top Ten on both charts. Ooooh girl, I want you...to listen to this. It'll make you smile. It can't not.
4 - "Grandad," Clive Dunn
Dunn was an actor who'd been working since the 30s, but it was in 1968 when he achieved his greatest fame when he starred in the World War II sitcom Dad's Army. At the height of the show's popularity, he recorded this novelty about an old man reminiscing about his youth, bringing up memories of "motorcars," "phonographs," and Charlie Chaplin. And for extra schmaltz, the chorus is a children's choir singing angelically about how "lovely" their Grandad is. High grade sap, but it worked. It was #1 for three weeks, holding "Ride a White Swan" out of the top spot. Later, the man who cowrote it, Herbie Flowers, would join T. Rex himself. He's also the man performed the iconic bassline of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side." Anyway, when you add it all up, I have no choice but to name this my first ever UK Uneasy Rider.
3 - "Stoned Love," The Supremes
This soulful peace plea was the biggest post-Ross hit for this trio on both sides of the pond. And it stands up well alongside their previous hits.
2 - "Pushbike Song," The Mixtures
This Australian pop band got their big break at home when a dispute between Aussie radio stations and the major labels led to an airplay ban of many British artists. As a result, this band's indie-label cover of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime." went to #1 Their follow-up. this jaunty, skiffle-y trifle about pursuing an attractive lady on a bicycle, was another charttopper Down Under, and made it big here as well. Inconsequential and disposable.
And the most popular song in the United Kingdom on the day your humble writer was born was...
1 - "My Sweet Lord," George Harrison
Yep, the Quiet Beatle topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with his gospel-pop prayer to know and understand a divine Creator. Yes, he got successfully sued because it was judged to have been too close to the Chiffons' "He's So Fine." And no, I don't care, it's still great, still relevant, and still meaningful to me.
So there's one down. I was planning on doing this in chronological order, but I decided that for the season's sake, I would jump ahead and find a Christmas chart that struck my fancy. So next time, we'll only be going back a mere 25 years to 1987. See you there very soon.
20 - "(Blame It) On the Pony Express," Johnny Johnson and The Bandwagon
Though American, Johnson and company had most of their success in the U.K., where their uptempo R&B made them popular among devotees of "Northern Soul." This is a solid groover that uses Western imagery to express a desire to let a faraway lover know how he feels. The sound is somewhere between the slickness of Motown and the grit of Stax. This is where much of the Northern Soul I've heard seems to fall. Anyway, this is catchy, danceable, and just plain great.
19 - "I Hear You Knocking," Dave Edmunds
Edmunds hit big on both sides of the Atlantic with this grooving, bluesy Smiley Lewis cover. Two months earlier, it had been the U.K Christmas #1, which is kind of a big deal. I will have more on that in an entry coming up very, very soon.
18 - "Cracklin' Rosie," Neil Diamond
The Diamond dog hit #3 in Britain with his rollicking rave-up about wine. It went all the way to the top in the U.S. I can only come to one conclusion: Americans like alcohol more than Britons. This is unimpeachable scientific proof of that.
17 - "She's a Lady," Tom Jones
The Welsh Wonder's gritty tribute to femininity was a Top Five smash in the states, but only got to #13 in the Home Countries. This time, U.K., you got it wrong.
16 - "When I'm Dead and Gone," McGuinness Flint
McGuinness was Tom, a onetime Manfred Mann guitarist. Flint was Hughie, an ex-drummer with blues/rock training ground John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. The first and biggest hit for the band they formed together was this jaunty song about a guy living life to the fullest who doesn't want to be mourned when he passes on. Soundwise, it reminds me of the Faces' "Ooh La La," only not as good
.
15 - "Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys," The Equals
This racially integrated five-piece from North London hit #1 in 1968 with "Baby, Come Back." They would have two more UK Top Tens, the last of which being this funk-soul number which envisions a future where the races have mixed to the point where "the world will be half-breed." This, their logic follows, will put an end to war. I'm not sure how solid that premise is, but it's a decent song. And one of their guitarists was Eddy Grant, the man who would later rock us all down to "Electric Avenue."
14 - "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," Elvis Presley
This English version of a 1965 Italian hit was a Number One for Dusty Springfield in '66, then the King took it to the Top Ten here five years later. Elvis' version sounds a little overwrought to these ears, but still, not bad.
13 - "Your Song," Elton John
The song that launched Sir Elton on both sides of the pond. A standard now, but still affecting. Has there been a more romantic line written than "How wonderful life is while you're in the world"? I'm not sure there has.
12 - "Candida,"Dawn
Tony O. and co. went top ten in both the States and the Kingdom with their debut. Again, I find the whole "go out with me because a fortune teller told me we'll get married and have kids" angle a little off, but it's a fun little song.
11 - "You're Ready Now," Frankie Valli
This Seasonless Valli track was recorded in 1966, but was adopted by the Northern Soul scene at this time. It's about a girl who used to be considered too young to date, but is now sufficiently grown up. That's a little creepy. And this song just annoys me.
10 - "I'll Be There," The Jackson Five
A #1 at home, and a Top Five here. Simply one of the great love ballads ever. Slow dance heaven.
9 - "Resurrection Shuffle," Ashton, Gardner & Dyke
This London trio's biggest hit was this propulsive number about letting it all hang out and such. Reminds me of a more forceful Blood, Sweat and Tears. I like it. Kind of a shame that both it and a Tom Jones version only scraped into the 40 in the States.
8 - "Apeman," The Kinks
The follow-up to "Lola" was this calypso-tinged number in which Ray Davies longs to escape the complexity and confusion of the modern world and go back to nature. One of my favorites from them. Fun fact: on the album version, Ray sings "the air pollution is a-foggin' up my eyes," but it really sounds like "fuckin'" instead of "foggin'." So much so that he had to go back and pronounce the word more clearly for the single version. Between that and having to change "Coca-Cola" to "cherry cola" on "Lola" for the BBC, radio censorship was a major pain for the band at this time.
7 - "Ride a White Swan," T. Rex
They were originally a folk duo called Tyrannosaurus Rex, but then singer Marc Bolan shortened the name, swapped out Steve Took for Mickey Finn, and went more electric and pop. The result was a string of eight straight Top 2 singles, beginning with this snappy, buzzy tune whose lyrics contain reference to witchcraft and druids. Because they weren't nearly as big on these shores, it took me a while to hear much beyond "Get It On," but when I did, it became clear to me that Bolan was one of the great all-around rock stars of all time. And this is one of my favorites.
6 - "Amazing Grace," Judy Collins
This stunning a capella take on the classic hymn was a bigger hit here. This time, the Brits got it right. I think I'm going to be agreeing with them more often than not. But we'll see.
5 - "No Matter What," Badfinger
Fantastic power pop that was Top Ten on both charts. Ooooh girl, I want you...to listen to this. It'll make you smile. It can't not.
4 - "Grandad," Clive Dunn
Dunn was an actor who'd been working since the 30s, but it was in 1968 when he achieved his greatest fame when he starred in the World War II sitcom Dad's Army. At the height of the show's popularity, he recorded this novelty about an old man reminiscing about his youth, bringing up memories of "motorcars," "phonographs," and Charlie Chaplin. And for extra schmaltz, the chorus is a children's choir singing angelically about how "lovely" their Grandad is. High grade sap, but it worked. It was #1 for three weeks, holding "Ride a White Swan" out of the top spot. Later, the man who cowrote it, Herbie Flowers, would join T. Rex himself. He's also the man performed the iconic bassline of Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side." Anyway, when you add it all up, I have no choice but to name this my first ever UK Uneasy Rider.
3 - "Stoned Love," The Supremes
This soulful peace plea was the biggest post-Ross hit for this trio on both sides of the pond. And it stands up well alongside their previous hits.
2 - "Pushbike Song," The Mixtures
This Australian pop band got their big break at home when a dispute between Aussie radio stations and the major labels led to an airplay ban of many British artists. As a result, this band's indie-label cover of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime." went to #1 Their follow-up. this jaunty, skiffle-y trifle about pursuing an attractive lady on a bicycle, was another charttopper Down Under, and made it big here as well. Inconsequential and disposable.
And the most popular song in the United Kingdom on the day your humble writer was born was...
1 - "My Sweet Lord," George Harrison
Yep, the Quiet Beatle topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with his gospel-pop prayer to know and understand a divine Creator. Yes, he got successfully sued because it was judged to have been too close to the Chiffons' "He's So Fine." And no, I don't care, it's still great, still relevant, and still meaningful to me.
So there's one down. I was planning on doing this in chronological order, but I decided that for the season's sake, I would jump ahead and find a Christmas chart that struck my fancy. So next time, we'll only be going back a mere 25 years to 1987. See you there very soon.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Gloves Across The Water: UK Top 40 February 6, 1971 Part One
And so we begin our adventure in the United Kingdom. Have a crumpet, stiffen your upper lip, and join me as we go back to the week I was born and find out what was playing in the shops and the pubs back then.
40 - "Inside Looking Out," Grand Funk Railroad
The Michiganders weren't as big in the UK as they were at home, but they charted across the pond with this cover of a 1966 Animals number. Functional hard rock about wanting something or someone you can't have. Decent background music for late lazy nights.
39 - "(Come Round Here) I'm the One You Need," Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Five years after it cracked the US Top 20, Smokey and the boys equalled that feat in Britain with this number about offering oneself as an alternative to a philanderer. More smooth Motown silk from one of their flagship acts
38 - "Snowbird," Anne Murray
The breakthrough hit by Nova Scotia's finest spread its tiny wings and flew into the U.K. charts as well. Not as high as it did at home or at the neighbors', but still, not bad for a girl from Springhill.
37 - "(You've Got Me) Dangling On a String," The Chairmen of the Board
This number about being "strung along" by a lover from General Johnson (his actual given name) and company just barely cracked the 40 in the States, but British music afficianados propelled it to the Top Five there. Upon listening, I tend to think that the Brits were more right.
36 - "Apache Dropout," The Edgar Broughton Band
Formed by brothers Edgar and Steve Broughton, these psychedelic rockers from Warwick scored their biggest pop hit with this sludgy combination of The Shadows' instrumental hit "Apache," and "Dropout Boogie," by avant-garde rock enigma Captain Beefheart. A lot of the appeal of this song comes from Edgar's vocals, which remind me of Wolfman Jack on quaaludes. 'Tis cool.
35 - "In My Chair," Status Quo
Ah, one of the bands I knew I'd come across quite a bit during this sojourn. In America, they're simply the one-hit wonders behind 1968's "Pictures of Matchstick Men." But back home, they're a rock institution. Here, they're in the midst of their transition from psychedelia to "boogie rock," and the result is this languid, bluesy crawler that contains lyrics about cars in pockets and laughing teeth. Decent enough, but clearly, it was songs other than this that built their legend.
34 - "Tomorrow Night," Atomic Rooster
These guys' name is a synonym for "radioactive cock." Frankly, I think Radioactive Cock would have been a better, if much less practical, name. But let's move on. The song is decent boogie rock, and the singer sounds a bit like Ringo Starr to me. Glad to have heard it.
33 - "Heavy Makes You Happy," Bobby Bloom
This American singer-songwriter had one major international hit as an artist with "Montego Bay," but he also managed to chart here with this version of one of his compositions that was biggest in America for the Staple Singers. Pops and co. do better with it. I still don't know what the lyrics mean, but I guess "sha na boom boom yeah," is profound in any language.
32 - "Baby Jump," Mungo Jerry
While I was always aware that Status Quo had a big career beyond "Pictures of Matchstick Men" back home, I had no idea that the guys behind the bouncy goof "In the Summertime" had multiple U.K. hits. And I was even more surprised when I heard their other British #1, which unlike it's predecessor is a grinding rocker with screeching vocals about a sexy lady with "beautiful teeth," who makes the singer have fantasies about the two of them role-playing scenes from Lolita and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Dumb fun, but I must admit hearing the line "If I see her tonight, you can bet your life I'll attack" is kinda skeevy.
31 - "It's Impossible," Perry Como
The laid-back one cracked the Top Ten on both sides of the pond with this old-school ballad. Still meh. But unlike at home, he'd hit those heights twice more here. Gotta love the Brits.
30 - "Rupert," Jackie Lee
Irishwoman Jacqueline Norah Flood had her second and last major hit with the theme song from a popular kids' show based on a comic strip that began in 1920. Just peppy, featherlight kiddie-pop about a little bear and how he has adventures with his friends Badger Bill and Tiger Lily in a place called Nutwood. Never seen the show, but I remember coming across a book during my childhood. Didn't leave much of a mark on me. But he's an instituion in England, apparently.
29 - "My Way," Frank Sinatra
Two years after hitting #27 in the U.S., Frankie went Top Five here with what became sort of his theme song in his later career, the Paul Anka-penned summation of an unapologetic life based on a 1967 French song "Comme d'habitude." It's suitably stirring, but I've gotta say, I'll always give the nod to Sid Vicious on this one. "I faced the wall, and...the wall, and did it MYEEEEEAAAAAUUGGHHYYYYY WOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
28 - "We've Only Just Begun," The Carpenters
Surprisingly, Karen and Richard's immortal wedding ballad only got this high over here. When I covered it for the Casey charts, I mentioned that I'd have to ask a hypothetical future Glovehead fiance if it could be played at our nuptials. That situation may not be so hypothetical for very much longer. And that's all I have to say about that.
27 - "Nothing Rhymed," Gilbert O' Sullivan
The Irishman picked up his first major hit with this philosophical pop song about the significance, or lack thereof, of our daily lives and actions. I think that's it. Anyway, I've gotta say I like it better than his future, bigger hits.
26 - "Las Vegas," Tony Christie
Sheffield's Christie is a big-voiced belter in the Tom Jones style, but he didn't have nearly as much success, It's decent drama-pop about a man who goes to the title town and gets hopelessly caught up in gambling. I enjoy it, but not as much as his hit from later that year, "Is This the Way to Amarillo," which would be rereleased and become a monster U.K. charttopper in 2005.
25 - "Man From Nazareth," John Paul Joans
It took me a bit to find out about this guy, and here's what I pieced together. He was a comedian from Northern England named John Davidge who later changed the spelling of his stage name to avoid confusion with Led Zeppelin's bass player. His only hit was this spoken-word retelling of the story of Jesus. It's set to a hippieish beat, but both in his voice and delivery, this reminds me a lot of Lorne Greene's 1964 U.S. #1, "Ringo." A cool little curio, delivered sincerely. Although I am puzzled by Joans' strange pronounciations of the word "love."
24 - "Home Lovin' Man," Andy Williams
The late crooner and Nelson Muntz favorite only made the Adult Contemporary charts back home with this one, but in Britain, it cracked the Top Ten. It's an old-school pop ballad about a sailor returning home to his lover. Not much to these ears.
23 - "Sunny Honey Girl," Cliff Richard
This wasn't one of the better periods for the perennial British superstar, artistically or commercially. This is just throwaway lovey-dovey fluff pop, It barely even exists.
22 - "It's Only Make Believe," Glen Campbell
I've covered the country star's cover of the Conway Twitty classic before. Still a pointless Xerox. I wish the man well healthwise, though.
21 - "It's The Same Old Song," The Weathermen
This was a pseudonym for Jonathan King, a singer and producer who would have hits under his own name and other fake ones, and also produced Genesis' first album. This cover of the Four Tops classic has a cool drum-and-violin arrangement, but the vocals are squaresville. And to top it off, he's a creep. He served seven years in prison for sexually assaulting multiple teenage boys. So fuck him.
In Part Two: a veritable menagerie, featuring ponies, apes, and swans.
40 - "Inside Looking Out," Grand Funk Railroad
The Michiganders weren't as big in the UK as they were at home, but they charted across the pond with this cover of a 1966 Animals number. Functional hard rock about wanting something or someone you can't have. Decent background music for late lazy nights.
39 - "(Come Round Here) I'm the One You Need," Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Five years after it cracked the US Top 20, Smokey and the boys equalled that feat in Britain with this number about offering oneself as an alternative to a philanderer. More smooth Motown silk from one of their flagship acts
38 - "Snowbird," Anne Murray
The breakthrough hit by Nova Scotia's finest spread its tiny wings and flew into the U.K. charts as well. Not as high as it did at home or at the neighbors', but still, not bad for a girl from Springhill.
37 - "(You've Got Me) Dangling On a String," The Chairmen of the Board
This number about being "strung along" by a lover from General Johnson (his actual given name) and company just barely cracked the 40 in the States, but British music afficianados propelled it to the Top Five there. Upon listening, I tend to think that the Brits were more right.
36 - "Apache Dropout," The Edgar Broughton Band
Formed by brothers Edgar and Steve Broughton, these psychedelic rockers from Warwick scored their biggest pop hit with this sludgy combination of The Shadows' instrumental hit "Apache," and "Dropout Boogie," by avant-garde rock enigma Captain Beefheart. A lot of the appeal of this song comes from Edgar's vocals, which remind me of Wolfman Jack on quaaludes. 'Tis cool.
35 - "In My Chair," Status Quo
Ah, one of the bands I knew I'd come across quite a bit during this sojourn. In America, they're simply the one-hit wonders behind 1968's "Pictures of Matchstick Men." But back home, they're a rock institution. Here, they're in the midst of their transition from psychedelia to "boogie rock," and the result is this languid, bluesy crawler that contains lyrics about cars in pockets and laughing teeth. Decent enough, but clearly, it was songs other than this that built their legend.
34 - "Tomorrow Night," Atomic Rooster
These guys' name is a synonym for "radioactive cock." Frankly, I think Radioactive Cock would have been a better, if much less practical, name. But let's move on. The song is decent boogie rock, and the singer sounds a bit like Ringo Starr to me. Glad to have heard it.
33 - "Heavy Makes You Happy," Bobby Bloom
This American singer-songwriter had one major international hit as an artist with "Montego Bay," but he also managed to chart here with this version of one of his compositions that was biggest in America for the Staple Singers. Pops and co. do better with it. I still don't know what the lyrics mean, but I guess "sha na boom boom yeah," is profound in any language.
32 - "Baby Jump," Mungo Jerry
While I was always aware that Status Quo had a big career beyond "Pictures of Matchstick Men" back home, I had no idea that the guys behind the bouncy goof "In the Summertime" had multiple U.K. hits. And I was even more surprised when I heard their other British #1, which unlike it's predecessor is a grinding rocker with screeching vocals about a sexy lady with "beautiful teeth," who makes the singer have fantasies about the two of them role-playing scenes from Lolita and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Dumb fun, but I must admit hearing the line "If I see her tonight, you can bet your life I'll attack" is kinda skeevy.
31 - "It's Impossible," Perry Como
The laid-back one cracked the Top Ten on both sides of the pond with this old-school ballad. Still meh. But unlike at home, he'd hit those heights twice more here. Gotta love the Brits.
30 - "Rupert," Jackie Lee
Irishwoman Jacqueline Norah Flood had her second and last major hit with the theme song from a popular kids' show based on a comic strip that began in 1920. Just peppy, featherlight kiddie-pop about a little bear and how he has adventures with his friends Badger Bill and Tiger Lily in a place called Nutwood. Never seen the show, but I remember coming across a book during my childhood. Didn't leave much of a mark on me. But he's an instituion in England, apparently.
29 - "My Way," Frank Sinatra
Two years after hitting #27 in the U.S., Frankie went Top Five here with what became sort of his theme song in his later career, the Paul Anka-penned summation of an unapologetic life based on a 1967 French song "Comme d'habitude." It's suitably stirring, but I've gotta say, I'll always give the nod to Sid Vicious on this one. "I faced the wall, and...the wall, and did it MYEEEEEAAAAAUUGGHHYYYYY WOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
28 - "We've Only Just Begun," The Carpenters
Surprisingly, Karen and Richard's immortal wedding ballad only got this high over here. When I covered it for the Casey charts, I mentioned that I'd have to ask a hypothetical future Glovehead fiance if it could be played at our nuptials. That situation may not be so hypothetical for very much longer. And that's all I have to say about that.
27 - "Nothing Rhymed," Gilbert O' Sullivan
The Irishman picked up his first major hit with this philosophical pop song about the significance, or lack thereof, of our daily lives and actions. I think that's it. Anyway, I've gotta say I like it better than his future, bigger hits.
26 - "Las Vegas," Tony Christie
Sheffield's Christie is a big-voiced belter in the Tom Jones style, but he didn't have nearly as much success, It's decent drama-pop about a man who goes to the title town and gets hopelessly caught up in gambling. I enjoy it, but not as much as his hit from later that year, "Is This the Way to Amarillo," which would be rereleased and become a monster U.K. charttopper in 2005.
25 - "Man From Nazareth," John Paul Joans
It took me a bit to find out about this guy, and here's what I pieced together. He was a comedian from Northern England named John Davidge who later changed the spelling of his stage name to avoid confusion with Led Zeppelin's bass player. His only hit was this spoken-word retelling of the story of Jesus. It's set to a hippieish beat, but both in his voice and delivery, this reminds me a lot of Lorne Greene's 1964 U.S. #1, "Ringo." A cool little curio, delivered sincerely. Although I am puzzled by Joans' strange pronounciations of the word "love."
24 - "Home Lovin' Man," Andy Williams
The late crooner and Nelson Muntz favorite only made the Adult Contemporary charts back home with this one, but in Britain, it cracked the Top Ten. It's an old-school pop ballad about a sailor returning home to his lover. Not much to these ears.
23 - "Sunny Honey Girl," Cliff Richard
This wasn't one of the better periods for the perennial British superstar, artistically or commercially. This is just throwaway lovey-dovey fluff pop, It barely even exists.
22 - "It's Only Make Believe," Glen Campbell
I've covered the country star's cover of the Conway Twitty classic before. Still a pointless Xerox. I wish the man well healthwise, though.
21 - "It's The Same Old Song," The Weathermen
This was a pseudonym for Jonathan King, a singer and producer who would have hits under his own name and other fake ones, and also produced Genesis' first album. This cover of the Four Tops classic has a cool drum-and-violin arrangement, but the vocals are squaresville. And to top it off, he's a creep. He served seven years in prison for sexually assaulting multiple teenage boys. So fuck him.
In Part Two: a veritable menagerie, featuring ponies, apes, and swans.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Uncovered 70s Part Five/Announcing the Next Adventure
Finally.
First of all, I obviously need to comment of the recent passing of the man himself, Casey Kasem. He is, quite simply, the reason I do this. He had just the right mix of warmth and gravitas that made something as frivolous as a weekly list of popular songs seem important, and that's what began my fascination with this stuff. And of course my childhood would be lacking so much if not for the familiar scaredy-cat exclamations of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers. RIP, sir. I hope you've managed to get a hold of one or two of those stars you always told us to reach for.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, to quote the Ramones (RIP Tommy), "It's the end, the end of the seventies."
June 24, 1978
36 - "It's the Same Old Song," KC and the Sunshine Band
Harry and his disco crew had one of their lesser hits with this cover of The Four Tops' 1965 hit about how music can remind one of lost love. One of the more pointless covers we've come across, and there have been quite a few.
37 - "Stone Blue," Foghat
The penultimate Top 40 for these Brits was this straight-ahead rocker about how listening to music can help chase away the blues. In no way groundbreaking, but a good one to crank up on a summer night.
38 - "Dance Across the Floor," Jimmy "Bo" Horne
This guy's only major hit was this disco song about dancing. It was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey, and it sounds like one of his own band's rejects. Not much to hear here.
August 12, 1978
35 - "Mr. Blue Sky," The Electric Light Orchestra
Jeff Lynne and company didn't even crack the U.S, Top 30 with this celebration of fair weather, but time has revealed it to be one of their masterworks. It's just so big and joyous and glorious. Happy, gorgeous music.
36 - "You're a Part of Me," Gene Cotton with Kim Carnes
Folk-popper Cotton's third hit was this "come back to me" ballad that introduce pop radio to future "Bette Davis Eyes" diva Kim Carnes. Her parts make this worth a listen. She's just got one of those voices that make me sit up and take notice.
September 23, 1978
39 - "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," Meat Loaf
Although it only got this high on the pop charts, I'm sure most of you have heard this cornerstone of the megaselling Bat Out of Hell LP in all of its eight-and-a-half minute glory. The Meat-man and duet partner Ellen Foley portray horny teenagers on the verge of "going all the way" (the process of this being memorably metaphorically described by New York Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto). But just as the boy is about to "steal home," the girl tells him to "Stop right there!" and asks him if he will love her forever and marry her. The boy tries to get away with indecision by asking her if he can "sleep on it," but she persists, and eventually, in a frenzy of lust, he declares that he will indeed "love (her) 'til the end of time." But then, we learn that the two of them, after some time of being bonded by the promises they made that night, are completely miserable together. Part celebration of young hormonal exploration, part cautionary tale, all classic.
December 16, 1978
39 - "I Will Be in Love With You," Livingston Taylor
James' little brother didn't quite have as big a career, but he did score two Top 40s, the first of whichbeing this gentle, folky love song. Earnest and pleasant, but not much more than that.
February 17, 1979
36 - "Stormy," Santana
The guitar legend was seen to be moving in a more mainstream direction, and this lite R&B ballad would seem to indicate such. Carlos' distinctive playing is always good to hear, but to me, this isn't much of a showcase for it.
37 - "You Can Do It," Dobie Gray
The third and last solo pop hit for the man behind "The 'In' Crowd" and "Drift Away" was this cool bit of disco-funk motivational positivity. He doesn't sound out of place at all in the genre. The man is just so versatile and cool.
40 - "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Sylvester
The second, and best remembered, of Sylvester James, Jr.'s U.S. pop hits was this swirling disco track about dancing and other activities that bring one in close contact with another's body. Certainly among the genre's Top 20, if not Top Ten.
March 17, 1979
30 - "I Don't Know if it's Right," Evelyn "Champagne" King
Ms. King's second hit was this song about not being sure if she should sleep with the man she's with. Her doubts seem well-founded. I hope she didn't. And that's how you know it's a good song, because I care.
31 - "Every Which Way but Loose," Eddie Rabbitt
The country star first crossed over to the pop charts with this number about what the kids call a "player" who seems to have found a woman he'd like to settle down with. It was also the title song to a Clint Eastwood comedy about a truck driver with a pet orangutan. Yes, that happened. Even more surprisingly, the movie was a huge hit. Ah, the seventies.
37 - "Superman," Herbie Mann
The veteran jazz flautist picked up his second and last pop hit with this disco tribute to the Man of Steel, which featured female vocalists singing his praises. Clearly, this was inspired by the popularity of the Christopher Reeve film of the previous year. Well, at least it's a nicer thing to be inspired by than what prompted him to do "Hijack."
38 - "Dog and Butterfly," Heart
The Wilson sisters went acoustic on this number about...I'm not sure really. But the imagery is pretty, and it sounds good, so I guess it can mean whatever you want it to. And that's okay.
39 - "Bustin' Loose Part I," Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers
North Carolina-born, Washington, D.C.-raised Brown is considered the founder of the "Go-Go" genre. His band's only major hit was this ode to doing your thing, letting it all hang out, that sort of thing. At different points, it reminds me of The Commodores' "Brick House" and the theme from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Just good, fun funk.
March 31, 1979
39 - "Rubber Biscuit," The Blues Brothers
The second pop hit for Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's soul-loving creations was this cover of a 1956 song by a doo-wop group called The Chips. It consists mostly of Aykroyd scatting and describing odd foodstuffs like "a wish sandwich," "a ricochet biscuit," and "a Sunday-go-to-meeting bun." Silly fun, performed enthusiastically.
40 -"Watch Out for Lucy," Eric Clapton
Clapton just scraped into the 40 with this bluesy tune about a girl who causes nothing but trouble for the men who cross her path. A nice reminder of his roots.
June 2, 1979
31 - "(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to be Right," Barbara Mandrell
From Houston, Texas, Mandrell was a steel-guitar prodigy who by the age of 13 was touring with superstars Patsy Cline, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. As an adult, she became a singer, and in the late 70s, she followed Dolly Parton and others into a more country-pop direction, which paid off with her only pop crossover, this cover of Luther Ingram's 1972 adultery hit. As I've said before, this was the first version I heard, and although I don't deny the greatness of the original, Barbara's take from the female point of view still holds up nicely.
33 - "It Must Be Love," Alton McClain and Destiny
This female disco trio had their only major hit with this tune about the disorienting effects of love. A basic, serviceable example of the genre.
34 - "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," Thelma Houston
Houston's only other major hit beyond the #1 "Don't Leave Me This Way" was this disco number that seems to be about a one night stand that, in the light of the next day, seems like something more. I think that's it. Regardless, good song.
35 - "A Little Bit of Soap," Nigel Olsson
One of two solo hits for Elton John's longtime drummer was this lite-pop version of a 1961 doo-wop hit by The Jarmels. It's about how the physical evidence of a former lover's presence can be washed away, but the feelings linger. This version's okay, but I shld look up the original sometime.
June 16, 1979
34 - "Shakedown Cruise," Jay Ferguson
The second and last hit for this SoCal singer was this tale about an odd sea voyage on which the captain offers his men the option of squeezing the sails and licking the decks as an alternative to sex. It makes even less sense than "Thunder Island." That's probably why I like it better.
40 - "Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya," New England
This Boston band picked up its only hit with this pop-rocker about...well, guess. It's catchy enough, there's some nice guitar on it, I dig it.
September 1, 1979
37 - "Girl of My Dreams," Bram Tchaikovsky
This British singer-guitarist, born Peter Bramall, left the band The Motors and picked up one solo hit with this power-pop tribute to a lovely American girl named Judy. It hits the same sweet spots for me that Nick Lowe's stuff does.
39 - "Hold On," Triumph
The first of two Top 40s for this Canadian power trio was this big ballad about the power of music and hanging on to one's dreams and stuff. It's okay, but for me, the one song by these guys that still holds up is 1981's "Magic Power." Look it up.
40 - "Young Blood," Rickie Lee Jones
Her second and last hit (following up the wonderful smash "Chuck E.'s in Love.") was this bit of breezy bit of jazz-pop about being cool at night in the city. I think that's it. Just more slick awesomeness from a lady I wish had made it on the radio more during my formative years.
November 10, 1979
36 - "Street Life," The Crusaders
This jazz-pop band dated back to 1960, but they didn't score a hit until nearly two decades into their career when they hooked up with singer Randy Crawford on this funky number about surviving in the inner city. Bouncy, yet it still gets its seriousness across.
And so at last, I've finished this. And so, you ask, what's this "next chapter" I've been hinting at? Well, here it is: I've decided to take a jaunt across the pond and take a look at arguably the most interesting pop chart in the world, the one in the United Kingdom. Yes, Bobby's going British. What I've decided to do is take a look at one chart a year from Old Blighty and see what they were listening to over there. I'm looking forward to hearing tunes from people I've never heard of, some stuff from familiar names that didn't chart over here, and of course, some of the battles for the prestigious title of Christmas Number One. I can't promise you when I'm going to start, but I will tell you that the first chart will be from the week of my birth in 1971. Wherever you find this thing, watch out for it. I know it's going to be fun.
First of all, I obviously need to comment of the recent passing of the man himself, Casey Kasem. He is, quite simply, the reason I do this. He had just the right mix of warmth and gravitas that made something as frivolous as a weekly list of popular songs seem important, and that's what began my fascination with this stuff. And of course my childhood would be lacking so much if not for the familiar scaredy-cat exclamations of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers. RIP, sir. I hope you've managed to get a hold of one or two of those stars you always told us to reach for.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, to quote the Ramones (RIP Tommy), "It's the end, the end of the seventies."
June 24, 1978
36 - "It's the Same Old Song," KC and the Sunshine Band
Harry and his disco crew had one of their lesser hits with this cover of The Four Tops' 1965 hit about how music can remind one of lost love. One of the more pointless covers we've come across, and there have been quite a few.
37 - "Stone Blue," Foghat
The penultimate Top 40 for these Brits was this straight-ahead rocker about how listening to music can help chase away the blues. In no way groundbreaking, but a good one to crank up on a summer night.
38 - "Dance Across the Floor," Jimmy "Bo" Horne
This guy's only major hit was this disco song about dancing. It was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey, and it sounds like one of his own band's rejects. Not much to hear here.
August 12, 1978
35 - "Mr. Blue Sky," The Electric Light Orchestra
Jeff Lynne and company didn't even crack the U.S, Top 30 with this celebration of fair weather, but time has revealed it to be one of their masterworks. It's just so big and joyous and glorious. Happy, gorgeous music.
36 - "You're a Part of Me," Gene Cotton with Kim Carnes
Folk-popper Cotton's third hit was this "come back to me" ballad that introduce pop radio to future "Bette Davis Eyes" diva Kim Carnes. Her parts make this worth a listen. She's just got one of those voices that make me sit up and take notice.
September 23, 1978
39 - "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," Meat Loaf
Although it only got this high on the pop charts, I'm sure most of you have heard this cornerstone of the megaselling Bat Out of Hell LP in all of its eight-and-a-half minute glory. The Meat-man and duet partner Ellen Foley portray horny teenagers on the verge of "going all the way" (the process of this being memorably metaphorically described by New York Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto). But just as the boy is about to "steal home," the girl tells him to "Stop right there!" and asks him if he will love her forever and marry her. The boy tries to get away with indecision by asking her if he can "sleep on it," but she persists, and eventually, in a frenzy of lust, he declares that he will indeed "love (her) 'til the end of time." But then, we learn that the two of them, after some time of being bonded by the promises they made that night, are completely miserable together. Part celebration of young hormonal exploration, part cautionary tale, all classic.
December 16, 1978
39 - "I Will Be in Love With You," Livingston Taylor
James' little brother didn't quite have as big a career, but he did score two Top 40s, the first of whichbeing this gentle, folky love song. Earnest and pleasant, but not much more than that.
February 17, 1979
36 - "Stormy," Santana
The guitar legend was seen to be moving in a more mainstream direction, and this lite R&B ballad would seem to indicate such. Carlos' distinctive playing is always good to hear, but to me, this isn't much of a showcase for it.
37 - "You Can Do It," Dobie Gray
The third and last solo pop hit for the man behind "The 'In' Crowd" and "Drift Away" was this cool bit of disco-funk motivational positivity. He doesn't sound out of place at all in the genre. The man is just so versatile and cool.
40 - "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Sylvester
The second, and best remembered, of Sylvester James, Jr.'s U.S. pop hits was this swirling disco track about dancing and other activities that bring one in close contact with another's body. Certainly among the genre's Top 20, if not Top Ten.
March 17, 1979
30 - "I Don't Know if it's Right," Evelyn "Champagne" King
Ms. King's second hit was this song about not being sure if she should sleep with the man she's with. Her doubts seem well-founded. I hope she didn't. And that's how you know it's a good song, because I care.
31 - "Every Which Way but Loose," Eddie Rabbitt
The country star first crossed over to the pop charts with this number about what the kids call a "player" who seems to have found a woman he'd like to settle down with. It was also the title song to a Clint Eastwood comedy about a truck driver with a pet orangutan. Yes, that happened. Even more surprisingly, the movie was a huge hit. Ah, the seventies.
37 - "Superman," Herbie Mann
The veteran jazz flautist picked up his second and last pop hit with this disco tribute to the Man of Steel, which featured female vocalists singing his praises. Clearly, this was inspired by the popularity of the Christopher Reeve film of the previous year. Well, at least it's a nicer thing to be inspired by than what prompted him to do "Hijack."
38 - "Dog and Butterfly," Heart
The Wilson sisters went acoustic on this number about...I'm not sure really. But the imagery is pretty, and it sounds good, so I guess it can mean whatever you want it to. And that's okay.
39 - "Bustin' Loose Part I," Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers
North Carolina-born, Washington, D.C.-raised Brown is considered the founder of the "Go-Go" genre. His band's only major hit was this ode to doing your thing, letting it all hang out, that sort of thing. At different points, it reminds me of The Commodores' "Brick House" and the theme from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids. Just good, fun funk.
March 31, 1979
39 - "Rubber Biscuit," The Blues Brothers
The second pop hit for Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's soul-loving creations was this cover of a 1956 song by a doo-wop group called The Chips. It consists mostly of Aykroyd scatting and describing odd foodstuffs like "a wish sandwich," "a ricochet biscuit," and "a Sunday-go-to-meeting bun." Silly fun, performed enthusiastically.
40 -"Watch Out for Lucy," Eric Clapton
Clapton just scraped into the 40 with this bluesy tune about a girl who causes nothing but trouble for the men who cross her path. A nice reminder of his roots.
June 2, 1979
31 - "(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to be Right," Barbara Mandrell
From Houston, Texas, Mandrell was a steel-guitar prodigy who by the age of 13 was touring with superstars Patsy Cline, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. As an adult, she became a singer, and in the late 70s, she followed Dolly Parton and others into a more country-pop direction, which paid off with her only pop crossover, this cover of Luther Ingram's 1972 adultery hit. As I've said before, this was the first version I heard, and although I don't deny the greatness of the original, Barbara's take from the female point of view still holds up nicely.
33 - "It Must Be Love," Alton McClain and Destiny
This female disco trio had their only major hit with this tune about the disorienting effects of love. A basic, serviceable example of the genre.
34 - "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," Thelma Houston
Houston's only other major hit beyond the #1 "Don't Leave Me This Way" was this disco number that seems to be about a one night stand that, in the light of the next day, seems like something more. I think that's it. Regardless, good song.
35 - "A Little Bit of Soap," Nigel Olsson
One of two solo hits for Elton John's longtime drummer was this lite-pop version of a 1961 doo-wop hit by The Jarmels. It's about how the physical evidence of a former lover's presence can be washed away, but the feelings linger. This version's okay, but I shld look up the original sometime.
June 16, 1979
34 - "Shakedown Cruise," Jay Ferguson
The second and last hit for this SoCal singer was this tale about an odd sea voyage on which the captain offers his men the option of squeezing the sails and licking the decks as an alternative to sex. It makes even less sense than "Thunder Island." That's probably why I like it better.
40 - "Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya," New England
This Boston band picked up its only hit with this pop-rocker about...well, guess. It's catchy enough, there's some nice guitar on it, I dig it.
September 1, 1979
37 - "Girl of My Dreams," Bram Tchaikovsky
This British singer-guitarist, born Peter Bramall, left the band The Motors and picked up one solo hit with this power-pop tribute to a lovely American girl named Judy. It hits the same sweet spots for me that Nick Lowe's stuff does.
39 - "Hold On," Triumph
The first of two Top 40s for this Canadian power trio was this big ballad about the power of music and hanging on to one's dreams and stuff. It's okay, but for me, the one song by these guys that still holds up is 1981's "Magic Power." Look it up.
40 - "Young Blood," Rickie Lee Jones
Her second and last hit (following up the wonderful smash "Chuck E.'s in Love.") was this bit of breezy bit of jazz-pop about being cool at night in the city. I think that's it. Just more slick awesomeness from a lady I wish had made it on the radio more during my formative years.
November 10, 1979
36 - "Street Life," The Crusaders
This jazz-pop band dated back to 1960, but they didn't score a hit until nearly two decades into their career when they hooked up with singer Randy Crawford on this funky number about surviving in the inner city. Bouncy, yet it still gets its seriousness across.
And so at last, I've finished this. And so, you ask, what's this "next chapter" I've been hinting at? Well, here it is: I've decided to take a jaunt across the pond and take a look at arguably the most interesting pop chart in the world, the one in the United Kingdom. Yes, Bobby's going British. What I've decided to do is take a look at one chart a year from Old Blighty and see what they were listening to over there. I'm looking forward to hearing tunes from people I've never heard of, some stuff from familiar names that didn't chart over here, and of course, some of the battles for the prestigious title of Christmas Number One. I can't promise you when I'm going to start, but I will tell you that the first chart will be from the week of my birth in 1971. Wherever you find this thing, watch out for it. I know it's going to be fun.
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