And now, 1994. On the date of this chart, Europe's first invert roller coaster, Nemesis, opened at the Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire. Let's see if the charts at the time provided similar thrills.
40 - "Stay Together," Suede
These Londoners are credited with helping launch Britpop with their 1993 debut album. Before releasing their follow-up, they put out this standalone single, which became their first Top Five hit. It's a Bowiesque ballad about love among the ruins of a crumbling civilization. I like what it's trying to do, but I find Brett Anderson's voice grating on this. And the title proved ironic, because guitarist Bernard Butler would leave the group shortly after this was recorded.
39 - "Switch," Sender
The biggest hit for these London rap-rockers was this example of the politically minded hip-hop that was falling out of fashion at the time. Pretty convincing, and well worth a listen.
38 - "I Never Want an Easy Life if Me and He Were to Get There," The Charlatans
Their seventh hit was this loping rock tune about preferring a life of drug-addledness. I think that's it. It's all right, but not quite as memorable as the title promises.
37 - "Murder She Wrote," Chaka Demus and Pliers
The fourth hit for the Jamaican duo is this dancehall track about a manipulative woman named Maxine. She seems shady, but funnily enough, nowhere is it suggested that she has killed anyone. And there's no mention of the TV show the song takes its title from. Which is disappointing, because I feel like "Angela Lansbury" is a name that would sound cool with a Jamaican accent.
36 - "Love Come Down," Alison Limerick
After some notable backup singing work in the 80s, Londoner Limerick had a handful of 90s dance hits, including this cover of Evelyn King's 1982. Nice singing, but otherwise inessential.
35 - "Come in Out of the Rain," Wendy Moten
The biggest of two U.K. hits for this Memphis lady was this passionately performed reconciliation ballad. Meh material uplifted by Moten's church-nurtured voice.
34 - "Groove Thang," Zhane
The second of three Brit hits for this Philly duo was this slinky dance tune about slinky dancing. One of the better examples of R&B of the period.
33 - "Again," Juliet Roberts
One of the several hits by this Grenada-born singer was this sophisticated soul-dance track about a brief love affair. Roberts has a smooth, jazzy voice that makes this more than just a playlist filler.
32 - "The Power of Love," Celine Dion
The first U.K. Top Five for the Quebecoise cha teaser was this cover of a 1985 #1 by American Jennifer Rush. Big singer, big ballad. If that's what you're looking for, this is your jam,
31 - "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," Morrissey
One of Stephen Patrick's whopping 33 Top 40s here, and the closest he came tout having one in America. Definitely one of his most accessible pop tunes, but the premise of him being threateningly inescapable is definitely in keeping with his overall theme. Very good.
30 - "Let's Face the Music and Dance," Nat King Cole
Haven't been able to find out why his 1961 recording of a song originally written for the 1936 Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film Follow the Fleet was on the charts at this time. I'm guessing it was in a commercial. Doesn’t matter though, it's the King swinging a standard, and there's never a bad reason to give that some love.
29 - "Because of Love," Janet Jackson
Miss Jackson with an uptempo Jam/Lewis love song. Nothing more or less than what you'd expect from that description. And that's not a bad thing.
28 - "All for Love," Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting
Three rock stars sap out for this dreckfest from a Three Musketeers movie featuring future TV stars Kiefer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell, and Charlie Sheen. Awful. Adams had already planted himself in this world, but the other two still had enough respectability that they didn’t need to piss away. Best I can say is that it only hit #2 here.
27 - "Whispering Your Name," Alison Moyet
The Essex singer's most recent hit was this acoustic ballad about suspected infidelity. I love that voice. She should have been a bigger worldwide star.
26 - "I Can See Clearly Now," Jimmy Cliff
The reggae pioneer covered Johnny Nash's 1972 optimism ode for the soundtrack of Cool Runnings, the fictionalized account of the Jamaican bobsled team's appearance at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Okay movie, okay cover.
25 - "Move On Baby," Cappella
The first of three Top Tens for this Italian dance outfit. Okay beats, good soul singing, unspectacular rap. The usual.
24 - "Glam Rock Cops," Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
The ninth of twelve hits by the London duo of Jim "Jim Bob" Morrison and Les "Fruitbat" Carter was this rocker about being young and bored and disenchanted. It's much better faux-Bowie than the Suede track.
23 - "Good as Gold (Stupid as Mud)," The Beautiful South
After the breakup of The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway formed a new group that was even more successful, scoring 22 Top 40s between 1989 and 2005. The eighth of these was this bouncy pop song about longing for something better even though one knows one's limitations. I think that's it. This might not be one of their best, but it's still damn good. These guys hit the same sweet spot for me that Crowded House does.
22 - "Loser," Beck
L.A.-born Beck Hansen grew up wanting to be a folk/blues singer, but after moving to New York he absorbed hip-hop and surrealist influences which created a unique sound typified by his breakthrough hit, a combination of slide guitar samples and Beck's nonsensical Rap about "butane in my veins" and "beefcake pantyhose." It all combines into something wonderful. Two fun facts: 1) The first line of the chorus is "Soy una perdador;" Spanish for "I'm a loser." Many people heard many different things. I myself first thought he said "sodium pentathol" aka truth serum. Like he was reluctantly admitting his loserdom, you know? 2) The voice that says "I'm a driver, I'm a winner" is not, contrary to popular belief, that of George H.W. Bush.
21 - "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart," Elton John and RuPaul
Sir Elton's 1993 Duets album produced this new version of his smash 1976 Kiki Dee collaboration, this time performed with drag performer RuPaul Charles, who had recently broken through as a recording artist with the dance hit "Supermodel (You Better Work)." The house beats and Ru's attitude make it something different than the original, so it works.
In Part Two: violence, innocence, and...the Charleston?
Saturday, March 25, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 19, 1994 Part Two
Here's the other part.
20 - "Things Can Only Get Better," D:Ream
The second and most successful of three chart runs for this single by a Northern Irish pop band. Decent dance track about learning optimism. Three years later, the Labour Party's would use it as a theme song that brought them back to power after 18 years. Did things get better? Well, I have never lived in Britain, so I can't really say.
19 - "I'm Broken," Pantera
Metal once again shows up, this time from this Texas thrash band. Phil Anselmo artfully shouts lyrics inspired by his struggles with crippling back pain, while the late great Dimebag Darrell shreds away. An impressive 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
18 - "Linger," The Cranberries
The Irish band's first U.K. hit was this jangly ballad inspired by Dolores O'Riordan's betrayal at the hands of her first boyfriend. Pretty and affecting. I don't think they did any better than this and "Dreams."
17 - "Rocks," Primal Scream
These Scots broke through in 1991 with their house-influenced Sceamadelica album, so it was a shock to fans when their follow-up LP was a collection of Stones-esque blues rocker like this track, a catchy stomper about getting one's kicks. I like it a lot, but it's so much of a detour that the backlash was more than understandable.
16 - "The Way You Work It," E.Y.C.
This American boy band (whose initials stand for Express Yourself Clearly) had most of their success in Britain with songs like this innocuous dance jam. It may be clear, but it's also bland.
15 - "Whatta Man," Salt-N-Pepa featuring En Vogue
The rap trio teams up with the vocal quartet for an ode to a man who is attractive, respectful, and proficient at both fatherhood and sex. Salt-N-Pepa doing their Salt-N-Pepa thing, which was quite welcome at the time.
14 - "Let the Beat Control Your Body," 2 Unlimited
More techno-rap from the Belgians. There was indeed bass in my face, but my body remained under my jurisdiction throughout.
13 - "Violently Happy," Bjork
The otherworldly Icelander had her fifth hit with this dance track about feeling so ecstatic you don't know what to do with yourself. The sound matches the sentiment. The world needed Bjork before we even knew we did.
12 - "I Believe," Marcella Detroit
After splitting with her Shakespear's Sister partner Siobahn Fahey, theformer Marcy Levy put out a solo album that produced three hits, thefirst and biggest being this idealistic peace and harmony ballad. Sweet, but underwhelming.
11 - "Shine On," Degrees of Motion
More boilerplate house-dance. Nothing more to add.
Breaking news: Disney has just announced that they are making a live-action remake of this week's Top Ten.
10 - "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton
The Maryland soul lady had her first U.K. Top Ten with this ballad on which she essentially admits that she will die if her lover leaves her. Romantic..?
9 - "I Like to Move It," Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman
The most enduring cultural contribution by Colombian-American producer Erick Morillo was this combination of house and dancehall that features Mr. Stuntman toasting about attractive women. Naturally, it would eventually become most closely associated with a series of animated movies about escaped zoo animals.
8 - "Return to Innocence," Enigma
German producer Michael Cretu created Enigma as a way to combine electronic dance music with sounds not common to pop. On his 1991 breakthrough "Sadeness Part 1," it was Gregorian chants, while on this one it was a recording of a traditional song of the Amis, an indigenous people of Taiwan. He uses it to great effect, but unfortunately, he didn't credit the original performers. Thankfully, that was eventually corrected. That was a return to innocence in and of itself.
7 - "Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos
Myra Ellen Amos grew up in North Carolina, then moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, where she got her first record deal with a synthpopband called Y Kant Tori Read. They were dropped after one flop album, but Tori found success in the next decade as a purveyor of ethereal yet raw piano pop. The second of her three Top Tens was this ballad with inscrutable lyrics about a relationship between two people named Greg and Lucy. I have always been a big Tori fan, to the point where I went to one of her shows on the tour supporting the album this track came from, Under the Pink. Undoubtedly my favorite of my relatively few concert experiences. And this song in particular probably ranks somewhere between 6--10 on my all time Torilist.
6 - "Renaissance," M People
The fifth of ten Top Tens for the Manchester dance outfit is this house banger about coming home to a lover. Not a da Vinci reference in sight, but still lifted to very-goodness by the powerhouse vocals of Heather Small.
5 - "Girls and Boys," Blur
The future Oasis archenemies had their first Top Five with this Eurodance- inspired tune about indiscriminate and uninhibited sex among youth in European vacation hotspots. It captures that vibe perfectly, with Damon Albarn ironically stating that one's partner or partners in such behavior "always should be someone you really love." I think I have it just ahead of "Country House" as their best.
4 - "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen
Bruce's biggest U.K. hit was this Oscar-winning contribution to the film Philadelphia, which starred Tom Hanks as a gay lawyer who sues his firm for wrongful dismissal after they fire him shortly after he is diagnosed with AIDS. Though it resonated the the time, the movie hasn't aged well; however, the song's stark spareness remains a powerful portrait of the loneliness and hopelessness of someone facing the end of their life. One of the Boss's crowning achievements.
3 - "The Sign," Ace of Base
The biggest hit by Ulf Ekberg and the three Berggren siblings of Gothenburg, Sweden was this sunny bit of techno-reggae about changing one's life for the better. I still prefer "All That She Wants," but I like this better now than I did then.
2 - "Without You," Mariah Carey
Surprisingly, her only British charttopper to date is this cover of Harry Nilsson 1971 smash ballad. She makes it bigger, but definitely not better.
And on top 23 years ago was...
1 - "Doop," Doop
This Dutch duo's only major impact on international pop culture was this mostly instrumental dance track that incorporates Roaring 20s jazz of the kind that would accompany the step known as "the Charleston." Anachronistic fun, and this chart's clear Uneasy Rider. Doop doop doop indeed.
Another one down. Thanks as always, and see you next time.
20 - "Things Can Only Get Better," D:Ream
The second and most successful of three chart runs for this single by a Northern Irish pop band. Decent dance track about learning optimism. Three years later, the Labour Party's would use it as a theme song that brought them back to power after 18 years. Did things get better? Well, I have never lived in Britain, so I can't really say.
19 - "I'm Broken," Pantera
Metal once again shows up, this time from this Texas thrash band. Phil Anselmo artfully shouts lyrics inspired by his struggles with crippling back pain, while the late great Dimebag Darrell shreds away. An impressive 4.5 on the Headbangometer.
18 - "Linger," The Cranberries
The Irish band's first U.K. hit was this jangly ballad inspired by Dolores O'Riordan's betrayal at the hands of her first boyfriend. Pretty and affecting. I don't think they did any better than this and "Dreams."
17 - "Rocks," Primal Scream
These Scots broke through in 1991 with their house-influenced Sceamadelica album, so it was a shock to fans when their follow-up LP was a collection of Stones-esque blues rocker like this track, a catchy stomper about getting one's kicks. I like it a lot, but it's so much of a detour that the backlash was more than understandable.
16 - "The Way You Work It," E.Y.C.
This American boy band (whose initials stand for Express Yourself Clearly) had most of their success in Britain with songs like this innocuous dance jam. It may be clear, but it's also bland.
15 - "Whatta Man," Salt-N-Pepa featuring En Vogue
The rap trio teams up with the vocal quartet for an ode to a man who is attractive, respectful, and proficient at both fatherhood and sex. Salt-N-Pepa doing their Salt-N-Pepa thing, which was quite welcome at the time.
14 - "Let the Beat Control Your Body," 2 Unlimited
More techno-rap from the Belgians. There was indeed bass in my face, but my body remained under my jurisdiction throughout.
13 - "Violently Happy," Bjork
The otherworldly Icelander had her fifth hit with this dance track about feeling so ecstatic you don't know what to do with yourself. The sound matches the sentiment. The world needed Bjork before we even knew we did.
12 - "I Believe," Marcella Detroit
After splitting with her Shakespear's Sister partner Siobahn Fahey, theformer Marcy Levy put out a solo album that produced three hits, thefirst and biggest being this idealistic peace and harmony ballad. Sweet, but underwhelming.
11 - "Shine On," Degrees of Motion
More boilerplate house-dance. Nothing more to add.
Breaking news: Disney has just announced that they are making a live-action remake of this week's Top Ten.
10 - "Breathe Again," Toni Braxton
The Maryland soul lady had her first U.K. Top Ten with this ballad on which she essentially admits that she will die if her lover leaves her. Romantic..?
9 - "I Like to Move It," Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman
The most enduring cultural contribution by Colombian-American producer Erick Morillo was this combination of house and dancehall that features Mr. Stuntman toasting about attractive women. Naturally, it would eventually become most closely associated with a series of animated movies about escaped zoo animals.
8 - "Return to Innocence," Enigma
German producer Michael Cretu created Enigma as a way to combine electronic dance music with sounds not common to pop. On his 1991 breakthrough "Sadeness Part 1," it was Gregorian chants, while on this one it was a recording of a traditional song of the Amis, an indigenous people of Taiwan. He uses it to great effect, but unfortunately, he didn't credit the original performers. Thankfully, that was eventually corrected. That was a return to innocence in and of itself.
7 - "Pretty Good Year," Tori Amos
Myra Ellen Amos grew up in North Carolina, then moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, where she got her first record deal with a synthpopband called Y Kant Tori Read. They were dropped after one flop album, but Tori found success in the next decade as a purveyor of ethereal yet raw piano pop. The second of her three Top Tens was this ballad with inscrutable lyrics about a relationship between two people named Greg and Lucy. I have always been a big Tori fan, to the point where I went to one of her shows on the tour supporting the album this track came from, Under the Pink. Undoubtedly my favorite of my relatively few concert experiences. And this song in particular probably ranks somewhere between 6--10 on my all time Torilist.
6 - "Renaissance," M People
The fifth of ten Top Tens for the Manchester dance outfit is this house banger about coming home to a lover. Not a da Vinci reference in sight, but still lifted to very-goodness by the powerhouse vocals of Heather Small.
5 - "Girls and Boys," Blur
The future Oasis archenemies had their first Top Five with this Eurodance- inspired tune about indiscriminate and uninhibited sex among youth in European vacation hotspots. It captures that vibe perfectly, with Damon Albarn ironically stating that one's partner or partners in such behavior "always should be someone you really love." I think I have it just ahead of "Country House" as their best.
4 - "Streets of Philadelphia," Bruce Springsteen
Bruce's biggest U.K. hit was this Oscar-winning contribution to the film Philadelphia, which starred Tom Hanks as a gay lawyer who sues his firm for wrongful dismissal after they fire him shortly after he is diagnosed with AIDS. Though it resonated the the time, the movie hasn't aged well; however, the song's stark spareness remains a powerful portrait of the loneliness and hopelessness of someone facing the end of their life. One of the Boss's crowning achievements.
3 - "The Sign," Ace of Base
The biggest hit by Ulf Ekberg and the three Berggren siblings of Gothenburg, Sweden was this sunny bit of techno-reggae about changing one's life for the better. I still prefer "All That She Wants," but I like this better now than I did then.
2 - "Without You," Mariah Carey
Surprisingly, her only British charttopper to date is this cover of Harry Nilsson 1971 smash ballad. She makes it bigger, but definitely not better.
And on top 23 years ago was...
1 - "Doop," Doop
This Dutch duo's only major impact on international pop culture was this mostly instrumental dance track that incorporates Roaring 20s jazz of the kind that would accompany the step known as "the Charleston." Anachronistic fun, and this chart's clear Uneasy Rider. Doop doop doop indeed.
Another one down. Thanks as always, and see you next time.
Monday, March 13, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 5, 1977 Part Two
We're closing.
20 - "Rockaria," Electric Light Orchestra
The band's third Top Ten was this tale of a rock fan meeting an opera diva and turning her and her fellow classical musicians on to more modern sounds. A fun little collision.
19 - "Isn't She Lovely," David Parton
Famously, Stevie Wonder would not allow Motown to release this sweet tribute to his newborn daughter Aisha from Songs in the Key of Life as a single, so Newcastle singer Parton took it upon himself to do a soundalike cover. Good karaoke, nothing more.
18 - "Knowing Me, Knowing You," ABBA
The Swedish pop machine scored their fifth U.K. #1 with this slick breakup song. I love it. There is nothing I can do.
17 - "Baby I Know," The Rubettes
The ninth and last hit for these MOR poppers was this folky tune about knowing your lover is stepping out. Pretty average radio pop of the time.
16 - "Sideshow," Barry Biggs
The biggest of this Jamaican reggae star's four U.K. hits was this pretty straight cover of Blue Magic's 1974 hit about a circus of the lonely. You can afford to pass this byear for the original.
15 - "Sound + Vision," David Bowie
Another hit for Mr. Bowie, this time a bouncy yet dark funk-rocker about craving sensory stimulation in solitude. This would be the first taste the public got of what would be his influential "Berlin trilogy," and these ears find it quite delectable.
14 - "They Shoot Horses, Don't They," Racing Cars
This Welsh band's only hit was this ballad clearly inspired by its namesake, a 1969 Jane Fonda movie about a Depression-era dance marathon. The song's a bit of downer, but from what I read of the film, it's a laugh riot by comparison. And for some reason, the song reminds me of April Wine.
13 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
This disco classic was a #1 in the States, but only got this high here. But there might be an explanation for that coming up.
12 - "Torn Between Two Lovers," Mary MacGregor
The Minnesotan's adultery admission was a #1 at home and a Top Five here. It's not good, not bad, it just is.
11 - "This is Tomorrow," Bryan Ferry
Ferry had been having solo hits from the beginning of Roxy Music's stardom, and his output increased during the band's 1976-79 hiatus. This one's a stylish rock tune about looking forward to the future. Greatness.
10 - "What Can I Say," Boz Scaggs
From the breakthrough Silk Degrees LP, this is a smooth take-me-back disco track that somehow missed the Top 40 in the U.S. That's a lowdown shame, one might say.
9 - "Jack in the Box," The Moments
The men behind "Love on a Two-Way Street" had three Top Tens in Britain, the last being this dance number in which a man assures his lover that his devotion is as much of a fact as that clown coming out of his container when his crank is turned, the Three Bears catching Goldilocks, and Little Boy Blue having a horn. Interesting choices. Still, very good song.
8 - "Sing Me," The Brothers
The only hit for the fivery Bayou Brothers from the island nation of Mauritius was this reggae song about being someone's song, ship, and kite. This was a time for slightly weird analogies, apparently.
7 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The original version of this song was by these Philly stalwarts, and it was released as a single here in the wake of the Houston version. Not only that, it outcharted it. I wouldn't say it's better or worse, it's just it's own wonderful thing.
6 - "Don't Give Up on Us," David Soul
Hutch sings. It's a hit. America is satiated, but Britain came back for more.
5 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Julie Covington
Londoner Covington was an established stage and TV actress when she was selected to sing the lead role on the Evita LP. It's the project's most famous song, Eva Peron's justification for her actions and plea for the continued love of her public. Covington does very well with it, but am I a heretic if I say I like Madonna's version better?
4 - "Romeo," Mr. Big
Before the American hair farmers of "To be With You" in My, there were these Brits and their pop-rock imagining of a tryst between Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Apparently, lyrics like "step back inside me, take me to your bed" were considered too hot for the BBC, who briefly banned it. That adds a bit of a kick to it's general, pleasantly catchy 70sness.
3 - "Chanson D'Amour," The Manhattan Transfer
The only #1 for the New York jazz vocal quartet was this cover of a 1958 hit by Al and Dotty Todd. Janis Siegel sounds more than a little like Edith Piaf on this, which captures the vibe perfectly. And that feeling of another eradicated gives it this chart's Uneasy Rider.
2 - "Boogie Nights," Heatwave
#2 on both sides of the pond, but still the best in town nevertheless.
And on top some 40 years ago was...
1 - "When I Need You," Leo Sayer
Not much to say about this, except that I just learned that Leo had to settle a lawsuit from Leonard Cohen because of the strong similarities between this song's chorus and that of "Famous Blue Raincoat." Never noticed that before, but yeah, it's definitely there. I miss Leonard. But maybe I can be with him if I just close my eyes. I heard that somewhere.
Another entry, another chart. There will be more soon.
20 - "Rockaria," Electric Light Orchestra
The band's third Top Ten was this tale of a rock fan meeting an opera diva and turning her and her fellow classical musicians on to more modern sounds. A fun little collision.
19 - "Isn't She Lovely," David Parton
Famously, Stevie Wonder would not allow Motown to release this sweet tribute to his newborn daughter Aisha from Songs in the Key of Life as a single, so Newcastle singer Parton took it upon himself to do a soundalike cover. Good karaoke, nothing more.
18 - "Knowing Me, Knowing You," ABBA
The Swedish pop machine scored their fifth U.K. #1 with this slick breakup song. I love it. There is nothing I can do.
17 - "Baby I Know," The Rubettes
The ninth and last hit for these MOR poppers was this folky tune about knowing your lover is stepping out. Pretty average radio pop of the time.
16 - "Sideshow," Barry Biggs
The biggest of this Jamaican reggae star's four U.K. hits was this pretty straight cover of Blue Magic's 1974 hit about a circus of the lonely. You can afford to pass this byear for the original.
15 - "Sound + Vision," David Bowie
Another hit for Mr. Bowie, this time a bouncy yet dark funk-rocker about craving sensory stimulation in solitude. This would be the first taste the public got of what would be his influential "Berlin trilogy," and these ears find it quite delectable.
14 - "They Shoot Horses, Don't They," Racing Cars
This Welsh band's only hit was this ballad clearly inspired by its namesake, a 1969 Jane Fonda movie about a Depression-era dance marathon. The song's a bit of downer, but from what I read of the film, it's a laugh riot by comparison. And for some reason, the song reminds me of April Wine.
13 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Thelma Houston
This disco classic was a #1 in the States, but only got this high here. But there might be an explanation for that coming up.
12 - "Torn Between Two Lovers," Mary MacGregor
The Minnesotan's adultery admission was a #1 at home and a Top Five here. It's not good, not bad, it just is.
11 - "This is Tomorrow," Bryan Ferry
Ferry had been having solo hits from the beginning of Roxy Music's stardom, and his output increased during the band's 1976-79 hiatus. This one's a stylish rock tune about looking forward to the future. Greatness.
10 - "What Can I Say," Boz Scaggs
From the breakthrough Silk Degrees LP, this is a smooth take-me-back disco track that somehow missed the Top 40 in the U.S. That's a lowdown shame, one might say.
9 - "Jack in the Box," The Moments
The men behind "Love on a Two-Way Street" had three Top Tens in Britain, the last being this dance number in which a man assures his lover that his devotion is as much of a fact as that clown coming out of his container when his crank is turned, the Three Bears catching Goldilocks, and Little Boy Blue having a horn. Interesting choices. Still, very good song.
8 - "Sing Me," The Brothers
The only hit for the fivery Bayou Brothers from the island nation of Mauritius was this reggae song about being someone's song, ship, and kite. This was a time for slightly weird analogies, apparently.
7 - "Don't Leave Me This Way," Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The original version of this song was by these Philly stalwarts, and it was released as a single here in the wake of the Houston version. Not only that, it outcharted it. I wouldn't say it's better or worse, it's just it's own wonderful thing.
6 - "Don't Give Up on Us," David Soul
Hutch sings. It's a hit. America is satiated, but Britain came back for more.
5 - "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," Julie Covington
Londoner Covington was an established stage and TV actress when she was selected to sing the lead role on the Evita LP. It's the project's most famous song, Eva Peron's justification for her actions and plea for the continued love of her public. Covington does very well with it, but am I a heretic if I say I like Madonna's version better?
4 - "Romeo," Mr. Big
Before the American hair farmers of "To be With You" in My, there were these Brits and their pop-rock imagining of a tryst between Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers. Apparently, lyrics like "step back inside me, take me to your bed" were considered too hot for the BBC, who briefly banned it. That adds a bit of a kick to it's general, pleasantly catchy 70sness.
3 - "Chanson D'Amour," The Manhattan Transfer
The only #1 for the New York jazz vocal quartet was this cover of a 1958 hit by Al and Dotty Todd. Janis Siegel sounds more than a little like Edith Piaf on this, which captures the vibe perfectly. And that feeling of another eradicated gives it this chart's Uneasy Rider.
2 - "Boogie Nights," Heatwave
#2 on both sides of the pond, but still the best in town nevertheless.
And on top some 40 years ago was...
1 - "When I Need You," Leo Sayer
Not much to say about this, except that I just learned that Leo had to settle a lawsuit from Leonard Cohen because of the strong similarities between this song's chorus and that of "Famous Blue Raincoat." Never noticed that before, but yeah, it's definitely there. I miss Leonard. But maybe I can be with him if I just close my eyes. I heard that somewhere.
Another entry, another chart. There will be more soon.
Monday, March 6, 2017
GATW: UKT40 March 5, 1977 Part One
Spring 1977. The Queen was in the middle of a two-month tour during which she would visit Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa. Back home, her subjects were enjoying the following music.
40 - "Moody Blue," Elvis Presley
Months before his death, the King found the Top Ten with this country/disco hybrid about an emotionally unpredictable lady. A decent late effort.
39 - "Wake Up Susan," The Spinners
The Detroit soul stars try to rouse a lady friend for a late night booty call. Of course, that's not what they called it then. Ah, the evolution of language. Anyway, not among their best. Just mid-range disco.
38 - "Go Your Own Way," Fleetwood Mac
This greatness only got this high here? To quote one of our most prominent modern philosophers, "Sad!"
37 - "Oh Boy," Brotherhood of Man
The not-quite-ABBA added to their hitpile with this tepid attempt to covey the emotion of a woman trying to track down her wayward man. They’re more forgiving of him than I am for this.
36 - "Soul Cha Cha," Van McCoy
In one of his post-"Hustle" efforts, McCoy tries to bring the cha-cha to the disco. Not too bad. I might actually get up for this.
35 - "One Drink Too Many," Sailor
The thirdand last hit for this glam footnote was this tale of dates gone wrong due to overserving. The singer adopts a bad Spanish accent at the end. I regret listening to this twice.
34 - "Groovy Kind of Love," Les Gray
The only solo hit for this ex-Mud man was this cover of The Mindbenders 1966 hit. There's a talk-box at the beginning, and a boring sax solo in the middle. Phil Collins did it better, and I didn't like his version much at all
33 - "Crazy Water," Elton John
Sir Elton's flirtation with disco produced this tune about how life separates us from the ones we love. Or something like that. A buried track that belongs there.
32 - "First Thing in the Morning," Kiki Dee
Elton's protégé picked up her last 70s hit with this midtempo rocker abouttempestuous romance. I appreciate her more with every new song I hear.
31 - "Mighty Power of Love," Tavares
The New England soul brothers funk it up with this ode to nature’s most formidable force. I think this is my favorite of theirs now.
30 - "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," Barbara Dickson
Scottish Dickson was a fixture in British folk circles during the 60s and 70s, but it was her turn in a Beatles-themed stage musical that caught the attention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who tapped her to play the role of "Mistress" in their concept album about the life of Argentine political figure Eva Peron. Dickson gives a solid performance as a woman deciding that she can and will move on from a life as a powerful man's kept woman. We will hear more from this album later.
29 - "You're More Than a Number in My Little Red Book," The Drifters
Though none of the original members of this legendary soul vocal group remained, they were still managing hits in the U.K., including this old-school number about assuring a woman that she's more than just a conquest. They didn’t need to go disco to connect with listeners, which is heartening.
28 - "Maybe I'm Amazed," Wings
Live version of McCartney's best non-Beatle love song. Nothing more to say.
27 - "More Than a Feeling," Boston
Only U.K. hit for the Tom Scholz corporation. They clearly figured out early that all there was to come would sound pretty much like this.
26 - "Car Wash," Rose Royce
Surprisingly, only their third biggest hit on these shores. But still the funkiest song ever about automobile detailing.
25 - "You'll Never Know What You're Missing," The Real Thing
Third hit for the Liverpool soul band. Decent ballad. For some reason, the lead singer sounds to me a lot like the guy from Dr. Hook on this. Do I need my ears checked?
24 - "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," The O'Jays
Terrific Philly soul from these legends. Mix it in with the Barry White the next time you play music with...intentions.
23 - "Suspicion," Elvis Presley
This number about romantic doubt was recorded by Elvis in 1962, but was initially an album cut only. Two years later, Texas Terry Stafford went to #3 with it, and thirteen years after that the original made the British Top Ten. Just the man doing his thing, effortlessly.
22 - "Saturday Nite," Earth, Wind and Fire
The funk masters with a party jam about...taking life more seriously. These guys make it work though, because they're, well, the masters.
21 - "Daddy Cool," Boney M
The German dance machine with their nonsensical disco breakthrough. No one has done Eurodance silliness better, and no one ever will.
In Part Two: toys, senses, and taking the term "rock opera" literally.
40 - "Moody Blue," Elvis Presley
Months before his death, the King found the Top Ten with this country/disco hybrid about an emotionally unpredictable lady. A decent late effort.
39 - "Wake Up Susan," The Spinners
The Detroit soul stars try to rouse a lady friend for a late night booty call. Of course, that's not what they called it then. Ah, the evolution of language. Anyway, not among their best. Just mid-range disco.
38 - "Go Your Own Way," Fleetwood Mac
This greatness only got this high here? To quote one of our most prominent modern philosophers, "Sad!"
37 - "Oh Boy," Brotherhood of Man
The not-quite-ABBA added to their hitpile with this tepid attempt to covey the emotion of a woman trying to track down her wayward man. They’re more forgiving of him than I am for this.
36 - "Soul Cha Cha," Van McCoy
In one of his post-"Hustle" efforts, McCoy tries to bring the cha-cha to the disco. Not too bad. I might actually get up for this.
35 - "One Drink Too Many," Sailor
The thirdand last hit for this glam footnote was this tale of dates gone wrong due to overserving. The singer adopts a bad Spanish accent at the end. I regret listening to this twice.
34 - "Groovy Kind of Love," Les Gray
The only solo hit for this ex-Mud man was this cover of The Mindbenders 1966 hit. There's a talk-box at the beginning, and a boring sax solo in the middle. Phil Collins did it better, and I didn't like his version much at all
33 - "Crazy Water," Elton John
Sir Elton's flirtation with disco produced this tune about how life separates us from the ones we love. Or something like that. A buried track that belongs there.
32 - "First Thing in the Morning," Kiki Dee
Elton's protégé picked up her last 70s hit with this midtempo rocker abouttempestuous romance. I appreciate her more with every new song I hear.
31 - "Mighty Power of Love," Tavares
The New England soul brothers funk it up with this ode to nature’s most formidable force. I think this is my favorite of theirs now.
30 - "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," Barbara Dickson
Scottish Dickson was a fixture in British folk circles during the 60s and 70s, but it was her turn in a Beatles-themed stage musical that caught the attention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who tapped her to play the role of "Mistress" in their concept album about the life of Argentine political figure Eva Peron. Dickson gives a solid performance as a woman deciding that she can and will move on from a life as a powerful man's kept woman. We will hear more from this album later.
29 - "You're More Than a Number in My Little Red Book," The Drifters
Though none of the original members of this legendary soul vocal group remained, they were still managing hits in the U.K., including this old-school number about assuring a woman that she's more than just a conquest. They didn’t need to go disco to connect with listeners, which is heartening.
28 - "Maybe I'm Amazed," Wings
Live version of McCartney's best non-Beatle love song. Nothing more to say.
27 - "More Than a Feeling," Boston
Only U.K. hit for the Tom Scholz corporation. They clearly figured out early that all there was to come would sound pretty much like this.
26 - "Car Wash," Rose Royce
Surprisingly, only their third biggest hit on these shores. But still the funkiest song ever about automobile detailing.
25 - "You'll Never Know What You're Missing," The Real Thing
Third hit for the Liverpool soul band. Decent ballad. For some reason, the lead singer sounds to me a lot like the guy from Dr. Hook on this. Do I need my ears checked?
24 - "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," The O'Jays
Terrific Philly soul from these legends. Mix it in with the Barry White the next time you play music with...intentions.
23 - "Suspicion," Elvis Presley
This number about romantic doubt was recorded by Elvis in 1962, but was initially an album cut only. Two years later, Texas Terry Stafford went to #3 with it, and thirteen years after that the original made the British Top Ten. Just the man doing his thing, effortlessly.
22 - "Saturday Nite," Earth, Wind and Fire
The funk masters with a party jam about...taking life more seriously. These guys make it work though, because they're, well, the masters.
21 - "Daddy Cool," Boney M
The German dance machine with their nonsensical disco breakthrough. No one has done Eurodance silliness better, and no one ever will.
In Part Two: toys, senses, and taking the term "rock opera" literally.
Monday, February 27, 2017
GATW: UKT40 February 19, 1983
The business end.
20 - "The Story of the Blues," Wah!
20 - "The Story of the Blues," Wah!
Wah! was essentially Liverpudlian Pete Wylie, a New Wave scene fixture whose biggest hit was this bit o' synthpop about feeling bad. Not nearly as interesting as the credited name.
19 - "Twisting by the Pool," Dire Straits
19 - "Twisting by the Pool," Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler's crew had their fifth home Top 40 with this aytipically exuberant rock song about getting away from it all at some warm holiday destination. Just happiness and fun from an unlikely source.
18 - "The Cutter," Echo and the Bunnymen
Their first of three Top Tens was this gothy number about...um, not wanting to be cut, I think. Doesn't matter, it's these guys doing what they do best.
17 - "You Can't Hurry Love," Phil Collins
His first of three Number Ones here was this Supremes cover. Again, it's surprisingly good.
16 - "Never Gonna Give You Up," Musical Youth
16 - "Never Gonna Give You Up," Musical Youth
This Birmingham reggae boy band is known only for first hit "Pass the Dutchie," in the U.S., but back home they had five more Top 40s, including this loping pledge of teenage romantic devotion. Definitely better than that Rick Astley song. It rolls right over it.
15 - "Love on Your Side," Thompson Twins
15 - "Love on Your Side," Thompson Twins
The second Top Ten for the unrelated trio was this burbly popper about trying to start a relationship with someone who isn't cooperating. Or something like that. My lyric interpretation software may need an upgrade. Good song, regardless.
14 - "The Tunnel of Love," Fun Boy Three
The first of two Bananarama-free Top Tens for these ex-Specials was this cool slice of tango-pop about how young romance is doomed to end in heartbreak and divorce. Bleak worldview aside, this is fantastic stuff.
13 - "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life," Indeep
The only hit for this New York funk outfit was this dance classic about how a woman was spared from dwelling on her cheating man by a disc jockey playing just the right song. I wish there wasn't a problem I couldn't fix because of my ability to do so in the mix. Life would be so much easier.
12 - "Christian," China Crisis
12 - "Christian," China Crisis
From the Liverpool suburb of Kirkby, this band scored their first of five Too 40s with this enigmatic synth ballad about losing oneself in honesty. At least that's what the most repeated lyric says. Don't know what it has to do with Christians, or China for that matter.
11 - "Gloria," Laura Branigan
11 - "Gloria," Laura Branigan
The late New York belter only charted twice in Britain, but she went Top Ten both times. The first was this dance-rock soap opera masterpiece. Just perfect.
When I hear that Top Ten bling, it can only mean one thing.
When I hear that Top Ten bling, it can only mean one thing.
10 - "Electric Avenue," Eddy Grant
I would have thought his homeland would have let him "take it higher" than he did in America, but no, it stopped at #2 here too. Oh well, Canada did right by Eddy. You're welcome.
9 - "Oh Diane," Fleetwood Mac
Surprisingly, the slick later version of this band that conquered America wasn't that much more successful in Britain than the original, more blues-oriented version. This was only the second U.K. Top Ten of the Buckingham/Nicks eradicated, and it didn't even chart in America. Which is a shame, because it's a nice little Buckingham-sung love song that's a throwback to late-50s/early-60s sock hop slowdanceballads. A forgotten gem.
8 - " Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do)," Wham!
Before the London heartthrob duo broke through in the U.S. in '84, they scored five Brit hits, the second being this hip-hop homage about the fun and splendor of unemployment. Surprisingly, George Michael does a more than adequate job of aping the early rap style of artists like The Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow, and he one-ups a lot of future rappers by singing the hook as well. I can honestly say I enjoyed what they did here. And in a field lacking in real strangeness, this gets an Uneasy Rider.
7 - "Up Where We Belong," Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
Only got this high here, but the iconic An Officer and a Gentleman ballad was a U.S. #1 and won an Oscar. Movie producer Don Simpson wanted it cut from the movie, insisting it was awful and would never be a hit, and he remained unmoved by it's success. I can't say I love it either, but I recognize the commercial sweet spots it hits.
6 - "Africa," Toto
They blessed a continent's rains. I don't know if that had any effect, but hey, if a flapping butterfly can...
5 - "Billie Jean," Michael Jackson
5 - "Billie Jean," Michael Jackson
The only better strutting song in the world than "Staying Alive."
4 - "Change," Tears for Fears
Another duo with hits here at home before breaking America. The second Top Five for these Bath boys was this smooth new waver about relationship evolution. It might be my favorite of theirs.
3 - "Sign of the Times," The Belle Stars
The third and biggest of four Top 40s for these eight women from London was this bouncy pop song about a relationship that can't last due to incompatibility. Head-bobbingly fun. But their best hit was their first, an amazing cover of the Mardi Gras song "Iko Iko" that would later become their only American hit after its use in the movie Rain Man.
2 - "Down Under," Men at Work
2 - "Down Under," Men at Work
I don't care how many times I hear this song, I'm still never trying Vegemite.
And your U.K. charttopper of 34 years ago was...
And your U.K. charttopper of 34 years ago was...
1 - "Too Shy," Kajagoogoo
The nonsensically-named ones actually had four more hits after this here. But does the rest of the world care? Uh...that's a kajanono. This is quite enough, thanks.
Tune in next time to see what month and year I'll land in next.
The nonsensically-named ones actually had four more hits after this here. But does the rest of the world care? Uh...that's a kajanono. This is quite enough, thanks.
Tune in next time to see what month and year I'll land in next.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
GATW: UKT40 February 19, 1983
February 1983. This month, a by-election in the London district of Bermondsey marked the first candidacy of a representative of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. They didn’t win, of course. No one would be silly enough to vote a monster raving loony into power. If they did, that would be Sad! Anyway, these were the song's of the British moment.
40 - "She Means Nothing to Me," Phil Everly and Cliff Richard
The younger of the legendary Iowa brother act scored a U.K. Top Ten teaming up with Sir Cliff on this country-rocker about self- defeating romantic denial. The voices blend well, but it was still for the best that Phil and Don soon reunited.
39 - "He Knows You Know," Marillion
The first of two dozen Top 40s for this Buckinghamshire prog outfit was this rocker about drug abuse, described using the almost humorously abstract language of Scottish singer/lyricist Derek "Fish" Dick. I mean, why say "vomiting" when you can call it "Singing psychedelic praises to the depths of a China bowl?" It's kind of catchy, but maybe too self-indulgent by half. Although that describes prog rock in general, doesn't it? And is anyone surprised that the name is Tolkien reference?
38 - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Eurythmics
Just the fucking best. How did it only hit #2 here? America knew better.
37 - "Genetic Engineering," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Their sixth hit was this dark new waver about fooling with dna and stuff. Apparently, they weren't really against it, but more resigned to its inevitability. A cool little bit of sci-fi po
36 - "Going Underground," The Jam
Three years ago, this became their first Number One, and here it had another chart run in the wake of their breakup. It's a fantastic rock rejection of societal norms that will have a place on my playlist any time.
35 - "Baby Come to Me," Patti Austin and James Ingram
Bland U.S. #1 that missed the Top Ten here. Doesn't make up for the Eurythmics injustice though.
34 - "Hey Little Girl," Icehouse
The biggest U.K hit by the Australian band originally known as Flowers was this synth rocker about either sympathizing with or stalking a lonely woman. I'm not sure which. Good song, but "Crazy" is so much better.
33 - "Communication," Spandau Ballet
Their eighth hit was this jazzy strut about a breakdown in contact. These guys are so much more than "True." And the world should know this much.
32 - "The Harder They Come," Rockers Revenge
A dance-funk cover of Jimmy Cliff's 1972 reggae classic about street life in Jamaica, produced by emerging American studio whiz Arthur Baker and sung capably by Donnie Calvin. Won't make you forget the original, but still worth a spin.
31 - "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain," Billy Griffin
Maryland native Griffin replaced Smokey Robinson in The Miracles in 1972, and sang on their smash "Love Machine." He would find his biggest solo success with this midtempo love song. Above average soul from the period.
30 - "Steppin' Out," Joe Jackson
The Staffordshireman's biggest transatlantic hit. Still slick, cool, and sensational.
29 - "The Chinese Way," Level 42
The second hit for the men from the Isle of Wight was this mild synth tune that fetishists "Oriental" wisdom. Nothing special. It does remind me that in my lifetime, Beijing was known in the west as "Peking."
28 - "Cold Sweat," Thin Lizzy
The first single from the band's final studio album was this hard rock grinder aboutique the thrill of gambling. Some fine guitar shredding, and a solid 4 out of 5 on the headbangometer. Another fun discovery.
27 - "Jailhouse Rock," Elvis Presley
The peak of a brief '83 chart run for the classic tale of a prison party so good that it sparked up a shocking romance between inmates #47 and #3, quashed a jailbreak, and gave us all the immortal advice "If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair." Maybe the pinnacle of the man's rock brilliance.
26 - "1999," Prince
The apocalyptic jam of all apocalyptic jams was Mr. Nelson's first Brit hit. I wonder if he was actually dreaming when he wrote this.
25 - "Nature Boy," Central Line
The only hit for this London funk band was this covereturn of a 1948 Nat King Cole classic about a "strange, enchanted boy," who wanders the world imparting such pearls of wisdom as "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return." Cole's version is transcendent. This is just crap disco. Hear Nat, don't cross this Line.
24 - "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)/Madness (Is All in the Mind)," Madness
The ska stars' 12th Top Ten was this double-sided, double-bracketed single. The A is a loping track about trying to remain hopeful. The B is a bluesy strut about being happy with oneself despite what anyone says, Flip sides in more ways than one. I like the B better
23 - "Shiny Shiny," Haysi Fantayzee
The second and last hit for this New Wave trio was this bouncy, nonsensical ode to positivity. A fun lost gem. If you want to hear more songs in the vein of "Come on Eileen," look here.
22 - "Get the Balance Right," Depeche Mode
Their fifth hit was this moody synth number about finding the proper balance in life between living for others and taking care of yourself. We all have that, don't we?
21 - "New Year's Day," U2
Bono and Co.'s first U.K. Top Ten was this love song-turned-ode to Poland's Solidarity labor movement. This is as good an encapsulation as any of the sound that made them famous, and it just might be their best song.
In Part Two: dancing near water, amorous rides, and a heroic record spinner.
40 - "She Means Nothing to Me," Phil Everly and Cliff Richard
The younger of the legendary Iowa brother act scored a U.K. Top Ten teaming up with Sir Cliff on this country-rocker about self- defeating romantic denial. The voices blend well, but it was still for the best that Phil and Don soon reunited.
39 - "He Knows You Know," Marillion
The first of two dozen Top 40s for this Buckinghamshire prog outfit was this rocker about drug abuse, described using the almost humorously abstract language of Scottish singer/lyricist Derek "Fish" Dick. I mean, why say "vomiting" when you can call it "Singing psychedelic praises to the depths of a China bowl?" It's kind of catchy, but maybe too self-indulgent by half. Although that describes prog rock in general, doesn't it? And is anyone surprised that the name is Tolkien reference?
38 - "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Eurythmics
Just the fucking best. How did it only hit #2 here? America knew better.
37 - "Genetic Engineering," Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Their sixth hit was this dark new waver about fooling with dna and stuff. Apparently, they weren't really against it, but more resigned to its inevitability. A cool little bit of sci-fi po
36 - "Going Underground," The Jam
Three years ago, this became their first Number One, and here it had another chart run in the wake of their breakup. It's a fantastic rock rejection of societal norms that will have a place on my playlist any time.
35 - "Baby Come to Me," Patti Austin and James Ingram
Bland U.S. #1 that missed the Top Ten here. Doesn't make up for the Eurythmics injustice though.
34 - "Hey Little Girl," Icehouse
The biggest U.K hit by the Australian band originally known as Flowers was this synth rocker about either sympathizing with or stalking a lonely woman. I'm not sure which. Good song, but "Crazy" is so much better.
33 - "Communication," Spandau Ballet
Their eighth hit was this jazzy strut about a breakdown in contact. These guys are so much more than "True." And the world should know this much.
32 - "The Harder They Come," Rockers Revenge
A dance-funk cover of Jimmy Cliff's 1972 reggae classic about street life in Jamaica, produced by emerging American studio whiz Arthur Baker and sung capably by Donnie Calvin. Won't make you forget the original, but still worth a spin.
31 - "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain," Billy Griffin
Maryland native Griffin replaced Smokey Robinson in The Miracles in 1972, and sang on their smash "Love Machine." He would find his biggest solo success with this midtempo love song. Above average soul from the period.
30 - "Steppin' Out," Joe Jackson
The Staffordshireman's biggest transatlantic hit. Still slick, cool, and sensational.
29 - "The Chinese Way," Level 42
The second hit for the men from the Isle of Wight was this mild synth tune that fetishists "Oriental" wisdom. Nothing special. It does remind me that in my lifetime, Beijing was known in the west as "Peking."
28 - "Cold Sweat," Thin Lizzy
The first single from the band's final studio album was this hard rock grinder aboutique the thrill of gambling. Some fine guitar shredding, and a solid 4 out of 5 on the headbangometer. Another fun discovery.
27 - "Jailhouse Rock," Elvis Presley
The peak of a brief '83 chart run for the classic tale of a prison party so good that it sparked up a shocking romance between inmates #47 and #3, quashed a jailbreak, and gave us all the immortal advice "If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair." Maybe the pinnacle of the man's rock brilliance.
26 - "1999," Prince
The apocalyptic jam of all apocalyptic jams was Mr. Nelson's first Brit hit. I wonder if he was actually dreaming when he wrote this.
25 - "Nature Boy," Central Line
The only hit for this London funk band was this covereturn of a 1948 Nat King Cole classic about a "strange, enchanted boy," who wanders the world imparting such pearls of wisdom as "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return." Cole's version is transcendent. This is just crap disco. Hear Nat, don't cross this Line.
24 - "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)/Madness (Is All in the Mind)," Madness
The ska stars' 12th Top Ten was this double-sided, double-bracketed single. The A is a loping track about trying to remain hopeful. The B is a bluesy strut about being happy with oneself despite what anyone says, Flip sides in more ways than one. I like the B better
23 - "Shiny Shiny," Haysi Fantayzee
The second and last hit for this New Wave trio was this bouncy, nonsensical ode to positivity. A fun lost gem. If you want to hear more songs in the vein of "Come on Eileen," look here.
22 - "Get the Balance Right," Depeche Mode
Their fifth hit was this moody synth number about finding the proper balance in life between living for others and taking care of yourself. We all have that, don't we?
21 - "New Year's Day," U2
Bono and Co.'s first U.K. Top Ten was this love song-turned-ode to Poland's Solidarity labor movement. This is as good an encapsulation as any of the sound that made them famous, and it just might be their best song.
In Part Two: dancing near water, amorous rides, and a heroic record spinner.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
GATW: UKT40 January 12, 1974
The end, at long last.
20 - "When I Fall in Love," Donny Osmond
Heavily produced cover of the 1952 song popularized by Doris Day. Donny's voice was starting to change, but I guess it was still working for Britain's Osmond-crazed teens. I am not, and have never been, one of those.
19 - "Vado Via," Drupi
This Italian, born Giampiero Anelli, sung this song in the 1973 Sanremo Music Festival (an inspiration for Eurovision, and now the Italian qualifying competition for that contest). The song finished last, but had success internationally, including reaching the Top 20 here. It's a pop ballad about leaving a lover (the title means "I Go Away"). His voice has a nice rasp, and the performance is passionate, but there isn't much more that overcomes the language barrier.
18 - "Truck On (Tyke)," T. Rex
The song that broke Bolan and Co.'s streak of ten consecutive Top Fives was this bit o' glam with lyrics about space cowboys and riding dinosaurs. The usual, but a lesser version of it. I get why it fell short.
17 - "Why Oh Why Oh Why," Gilbert O'Sullivan
This guy's last Top Ten was this return to feeling bad, this time about a relationship that is quickly souring. He does the best he can, but I remain annoyed. Perhaps that's why, Gil.
16 - "Gaudete," Steeleye Span
The first of two hits for this London folk band was an a capella version of a Latin Christmas Carol dating back to the 16th century. The title means "Rejoice." I like the female solo parts better than the overly British-accented choral parts. But it all combines to form a clear Uneasy Rider.
15 - "Street Life," Roxy Music
The band's third Top Ten was this sleek rocker about the beautiful and hopeless. The people Bryan Ferry was born to sing about. So good.
14 - "Paper Roses," Marie Osmond
In the midst of Osmond mania, the little sister scored her only hit with her Anita Bryant cover. It...exists.
13 - "Roll Away the Stone," Mott the Hoople
Mott's third and final Top Ten was this solid glammer inviting a lady to stop being lonely and come to a "rockabilly party. I'd go if they were asking me. Sounds like fun.
12 - "Forever," Roy Wood
Birmingham's Wood was a founding member of The Move, but when that band morphed into ELO, he started a new band, Wizzard, and also recorded on his own. The biggest of his four solo hits was this retro-rocker about the trials of teen romance. Very nice. And we'll hear more from him later.
11 - "Love on a Mountaintop," Robert Knight
Tennessee soul man Knight had the original hit recording of "Everlasting Love" in 1967. A year later, he released this tune about a Romeo and Juliet-style couple who join their own version of the Mike High Club, and six years later it found U.K. popularity thanks to the Northern Soul scene. A very worthy reclamation project.
I have just signed an executive order to restore witty introductions to the Top Ten. It's going to be yuuuge. We're making Glovehead great again.
10 - "Lamplight," David Essex
His first post-"Rock On" hit was this strutting number about wanting to spend the night. It' s got a Dr. John vibe to it. This makes me get how he had a big career at home.
9 - "Radar Love," Golden Earring
Evidence of secret Dutch technology, or just a classic rock standard? You decide.
8 - "Pool Hall Richard," Faces
This amalgamation of the Small Faces and the Jeff Beck Group (the latter represented by Rod Stewart and future Stone Ron Wood) had their last U.K. Top Ten with this blues rocker about a pool shark/ladies' man that even Rod the Mod is jealous of. This is the kind of stuff that truly made Mr, Stewart a legend.
7 - "I Love You Love Me Love," Gary Glitter
The second and last #1 by this creep. No love.
6 - "Dance With the Devil," Cozy Powell
Speaking of the Jeff Beck Group, this Gloucester man was their drummer before finding his biggest solo success with this percussive instrumental. Great on its own, plus bonus points for inspiring the intro of Boney M.'s legendary "Rasputin."
5 - "My Coo-Ca-Choo," Alvin Stardust
As I mentioned when we encountered Stardust in '81, this was done as a one-off by singer Peter Shelled, but when it hit here hired someone else to inhabit the persona. The song is nonsensical, lovey-dovey glam rock, catchy but inessential.
4 - "I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day," Wizzard
The fourth hit by Roy Wood's band is this Spectorish holiday tune about snow and Santa and such. Pretty good, and still a favorite in Britain, but it isn't even the best glam rock Christmas song of 1973, as we shall see.
3 - "The Show Must Go On,"Leo Sayer
Sayer's breakthrough hit was this circus-themed cry of frustration. Later in the year, it would become Three Dog Night's last American Top Ten. Leo did it better.
2 - "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me," The New Seekers
The second and last of this group's Number Ones (the first was the repuposed Coke jingle "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing") was this light pop song about always taking a lover back no matter what. What they should be seeking is therapy for their self-esteem issues.
And on top way back when was...
1 - "Merry Xmas Everybody," Slade
The Brit institution had their sixth and last #1 with what I unequivocally declare to be the greatest Christmas rock song ever. It features a cheeky reference to Santa's weakness for adult beverages ("Do the fairies keep him sober for the day?"), old people acting young, a cheesy but somehow cool pun on the band's name, and a burst of Yuletide optimism in the chorus ("Look to the future now, it's only just begun.") It doesn't skimp on the rock for the sake of sentiment, but rather finds the perfect balance. Nothing short of classic.
And another one's gone. But there will be more. Join me then.
20 - "When I Fall in Love," Donny Osmond
Heavily produced cover of the 1952 song popularized by Doris Day. Donny's voice was starting to change, but I guess it was still working for Britain's Osmond-crazed teens. I am not, and have never been, one of those.
19 - "Vado Via," Drupi
This Italian, born Giampiero Anelli, sung this song in the 1973 Sanremo Music Festival (an inspiration for Eurovision, and now the Italian qualifying competition for that contest). The song finished last, but had success internationally, including reaching the Top 20 here. It's a pop ballad about leaving a lover (the title means "I Go Away"). His voice has a nice rasp, and the performance is passionate, but there isn't much more that overcomes the language barrier.
18 - "Truck On (Tyke)," T. Rex
The song that broke Bolan and Co.'s streak of ten consecutive Top Fives was this bit o' glam with lyrics about space cowboys and riding dinosaurs. The usual, but a lesser version of it. I get why it fell short.
17 - "Why Oh Why Oh Why," Gilbert O'Sullivan
This guy's last Top Ten was this return to feeling bad, this time about a relationship that is quickly souring. He does the best he can, but I remain annoyed. Perhaps that's why, Gil.
16 - "Gaudete," Steeleye Span
The first of two hits for this London folk band was an a capella version of a Latin Christmas Carol dating back to the 16th century. The title means "Rejoice." I like the female solo parts better than the overly British-accented choral parts. But it all combines to form a clear Uneasy Rider.
15 - "Street Life," Roxy Music
The band's third Top Ten was this sleek rocker about the beautiful and hopeless. The people Bryan Ferry was born to sing about. So good.
14 - "Paper Roses," Marie Osmond
In the midst of Osmond mania, the little sister scored her only hit with her Anita Bryant cover. It...exists.
13 - "Roll Away the Stone," Mott the Hoople
Mott's third and final Top Ten was this solid glammer inviting a lady to stop being lonely and come to a "rockabilly party. I'd go if they were asking me. Sounds like fun.
12 - "Forever," Roy Wood
Birmingham's Wood was a founding member of The Move, but when that band morphed into ELO, he started a new band, Wizzard, and also recorded on his own. The biggest of his four solo hits was this retro-rocker about the trials of teen romance. Very nice. And we'll hear more from him later.
11 - "Love on a Mountaintop," Robert Knight
Tennessee soul man Knight had the original hit recording of "Everlasting Love" in 1967. A year later, he released this tune about a Romeo and Juliet-style couple who join their own version of the Mike High Club, and six years later it found U.K. popularity thanks to the Northern Soul scene. A very worthy reclamation project.
I have just signed an executive order to restore witty introductions to the Top Ten. It's going to be yuuuge. We're making Glovehead great again.
10 - "Lamplight," David Essex
His first post-"Rock On" hit was this strutting number about wanting to spend the night. It' s got a Dr. John vibe to it. This makes me get how he had a big career at home.
9 - "Radar Love," Golden Earring
Evidence of secret Dutch technology, or just a classic rock standard? You decide.
8 - "Pool Hall Richard," Faces
This amalgamation of the Small Faces and the Jeff Beck Group (the latter represented by Rod Stewart and future Stone Ron Wood) had their last U.K. Top Ten with this blues rocker about a pool shark/ladies' man that even Rod the Mod is jealous of. This is the kind of stuff that truly made Mr, Stewart a legend.
7 - "I Love You Love Me Love," Gary Glitter
The second and last #1 by this creep. No love.
6 - "Dance With the Devil," Cozy Powell
Speaking of the Jeff Beck Group, this Gloucester man was their drummer before finding his biggest solo success with this percussive instrumental. Great on its own, plus bonus points for inspiring the intro of Boney M.'s legendary "Rasputin."
5 - "My Coo-Ca-Choo," Alvin Stardust
As I mentioned when we encountered Stardust in '81, this was done as a one-off by singer Peter Shelled, but when it hit here hired someone else to inhabit the persona. The song is nonsensical, lovey-dovey glam rock, catchy but inessential.
4 - "I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day," Wizzard
The fourth hit by Roy Wood's band is this Spectorish holiday tune about snow and Santa and such. Pretty good, and still a favorite in Britain, but it isn't even the best glam rock Christmas song of 1973, as we shall see.
3 - "The Show Must Go On,"Leo Sayer
Sayer's breakthrough hit was this circus-themed cry of frustration. Later in the year, it would become Three Dog Night's last American Top Ten. Leo did it better.
2 - "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me," The New Seekers
The second and last of this group's Number Ones (the first was the repuposed Coke jingle "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing") was this light pop song about always taking a lover back no matter what. What they should be seeking is therapy for their self-esteem issues.
And on top way back when was...
1 - "Merry Xmas Everybody," Slade
The Brit institution had their sixth and last #1 with what I unequivocally declare to be the greatest Christmas rock song ever. It features a cheeky reference to Santa's weakness for adult beverages ("Do the fairies keep him sober for the day?"), old people acting young, a cheesy but somehow cool pun on the band's name, and a burst of Yuletide optimism in the chorus ("Look to the future now, it's only just begun.") It doesn't skimp on the rock for the sake of sentiment, but rather finds the perfect balance. Nothing short of classic.
And another one's gone. But there will be more. Join me then.
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