Posted February 13, 20178 yr This time,I have chosen a week in the 'summer of love' to see what delights await.
February 13, 20178 yr Author 20. Just Loving You - Anita Harris Peak position - 6 A string soaked ballad with a nifty harmonica solo in the middle. The song was written by Dusty Springfield's brother and spent a total of 30 weeks on the chart,a long run in those days. It was her only top 20 single. I remember her from the 70s family entertainment TV shows my parents often liked watching. She still sings but is more of an actress nowadays.
February 13, 20178 yr Author 19. 7 Rooms Of Gloom - The Four Tops Peak position - 12 This song has the typical Motown sound to it with a very strong lead vocal. Blondie and Pat Benatar are amongst those who have covered it. The Four Tops performed from 1953 to 1997 without any personnel changes but today,Abdul"Duke"Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group.
February 14, 20178 yr loved that Anita harris hit as a kid, fab tune in old-fashioned stylee. Four Tops were brilliant, though this one I didn't know at the time - I got to see the original line-up in 1989, which was a treat.
February 14, 20178 yr Author 18. Here Come The Nice - The Small Faces Peak position - 12 I know many of their songs but I haven't heard this one before. It's about a drug dealer who sells speed but somehow escaped any censorship. I like the drum pattern and the organ but the song isn't memorable and I can see why it didn't make the top 10.
February 14, 20178 yr Author 17. You Only Live Twice/Jackson - Nancy Sinatra/Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood Peak position - 11 This is one of the better James Bond themes. The guitar sound on it is quite unusual,her vocal is very good and you have a full orchestra as well. The opening bit is very well known as Robbie Williams used it for his song 'Millennium'. It actually originates from Tcherepnin's First Piano Concerto (op.12). I'm surprised to see a Bond theme as part of a double A side with a song not connected with the film. I quite liked 'Jackson',an uptempo country song.
February 15, 20178 yr Nancy :heart: Still a legend to me, and busily tweeting sensible political comments to boot these days.
February 15, 20178 yr Author 16. Carrie-Anne - The Hollies Peak position - 3 I was trying to think of another song this reminded me of and then I remembered. The chorus is very similar to Mr Tambourine Man. The steel drums in the middle were unexpected. Good song but points deducted for sounding like another song.
February 15, 20178 yr Author 15. Groovin' - The Young Rascals Peak position -8 I like this one,the sort of song to listen to on a hot summer's day by the river with its conga drums,harmonica and twittering birds. This is one of three no.1s for The Young Rascals in their native USA but their only top 30 hit over here. They split up in 1972.
February 16, 20178 yr Author 14. 007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker and the Aces Peak position - 14 Desmond's first hit and also the first Jamaican record to make the UK top 20. At the time,it would have sounded new and different but as I'm hearing it for the first time in 2017,I'm not too impressed. A cover version by Musical Youth reached the top 30 in 1983.
February 16, 20178 yr Author 13. Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me - Gladys Knight and the Pips Peak position - 13 Another debut hit now. This is a Motown ballad with an orchestra as well as a band playing. Not bad but I wouldn't want to hear it again.
February 17, 20178 yr Author 12. Respect - Aretha Franklin Peak position - 10 The third song in a row which is a debut hit by a black singer. This one is much more well known,a soul classic. A great vocal from Aretha. I also like the production and the backing vocals which were provided by her sisters. The original version was recorded by Otis Redding in 1965.
February 17, 20178 yr Author 11. Let's Pretend - Lulu Peak position - 11 There's a lot going on here with the piano,organ,strings etc. but the production isn't too cluttered and Lulu belts the song out as she always does. The B side of this single,'To Sir With Love',was the best selling single of the year in the USA,a fine achievement for a Scottish teenager in a year of so many good singles.
February 18, 20178 yr Author 10. Death Of A Clown - Dave Davies Peak position - 3 I don't remember hearing this one before. A piano and acoustic guitar song with a loose,informal arrangement. I enjoyed it. It's not very commercial so I think the main reason it reached the top 3 was the fact that Dave Davies was the lead guitarist with The Kinks who were very popular at this time. Ray Davies and his wife also contributed to the song.
February 18, 20178 yr Author 9. Up,Up And Away - The Johnny Mann Singers Peak position - 6 A one hit wonder for the American choir. I'm much more familiar with this one,I'm not sure where from. It must have been played on the radio in the 70s long after it was a hit or maybe on TV on any programme involving hot air balloons. Very cheesy but I don't mind a bit of cheese. They sound like they're having a great time singing it. The original version was recorded by the 5th Dimension in the same year.
February 19, 20178 yr Author 8. There Goes My Everything - Engelbert Humperdinck Peak position - 2 Engelbert's cover of Jack Greene's song from the previous year. A boring ballad which would have been outdated even in 1967. This was the second of five consecutive top 3 singles for him. Edited February 19, 20178 yr by King Rollo
February 19, 20178 yr Author 7. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum Peak position - 1 One of my favourite songs from the 60s. The vocal,the lyrics and the Hammond organ are all fantastic. This is one of fewer than 30 singles to have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Procol Harum are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a UK and European tour and a new album.
February 19, 20178 yr Another eclectic group of songs so far, and am quite familiar with the Procol Harem, Engelbert Humperdink and Johnny Mann Singers offerings... :) :)
February 20, 20178 yr Author 6. See Emily Play - Pink Floyd Peak position 6 A great example of psychedelic pop,this is probably the most commercial thing they ever did. I love the speeded up piano bit. Syd Barrett is already on his downward spiral at this point. Much more of an album band,they only had one other top 10 single,the last no.1 of the 70s,Another Brick In The Wall.
February 20, 20178 yr Author 5. She'd Rather Be With Me - The Turtles Peak position - 4 A lively song with good harmonies and a prominent brass section. I like it. The Turtles are best known for 'Happy Together',even though it failed to make the top 10. They split up in 1970.
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