Kill or Save: UK No. 1-hits of the 70s

[time 8,602]

29 minutes ago, En Passant said:

 

People like a lot of shit it seems. Plenty of garbage made #1. 

Also, the part of the population that decides what makes #1 is a very small subset - usually very young comparative to the whole population.

For 'the charts' it was those that bought singles. Older folk bought albums or nothing at all.

 

Similarly nowadays in movies, the people who actually pay to put their bum on a seat in a cinema are mostly under 25 thus you end up with Marvels brain numbing and endless sequels and 'blockbusters' in general. 

Generally true, but I think Christmas number ones are bought by a different demographic (or were 40 years ago). I was 17 when MoK became number one, and no-one my age was buying it. It was definitely the oldies that got it there. Even my dad, who ordinarily had halfway decent taste in music, bought it. 

[Toast 16,140]

43 minutes ago, En Passant said:

People like a lot of shit it seems. Plenty of garbage made #1. 

Also, the part of the population that decides what makes #1 is a very small subset - usually very young comparative to the whole population.

For 'the charts' it was those that bought singles. Older folk bought albums or nothing at all.

 

Old people liked Mull of Kintyre though.  I remember being in the pub with bad old Uncle Bill, now he was as old as the century so he must have been 77, and Mull of Kintyre came on.

"I love this song," he said.

"Do you know it's Paul McCartney?" I said, because I thought he probably wouldn't.

"Oh, I don't care who it is," he said.  "I still think it's lovely."

 

It amused me that he clearly disapproved of the Beatles.  I had thought that by then they were widely respected.

[Bibliogryphon 9,582]

1 hour ago, TQR said:

I’ve honestly never understood why it sold so well and was at no.1 for so long.

 

Like many of the novelty hits that were big in the 70s it managed to breakout of the usual singles buying demographic into the Mums & Grannies buying it

[En Passant 3,741]

1 hour ago, time said:

It was definitely the oldies that got it there.

 

1 hour ago, Toast said:

Old people liked Mull of Kintyre though.

 

The exception of a different type of abysmal junk proving the rule for the others because....

 

49 minutes ago, Bibliogryphon said:

Like many of the novelty hits that were big in the 70s it managed to breakout of the usual singles buying demographic into the Mums & Grannies buying it

 

 

I suppose at the end of the day it doesn't matter much exactly who bought what, simply that ultimately the singles charts were, in one fashion or another, not really a representative yardstick of the musical taste of the nation?

I'd have said albums were a better measure, but then some of those were pretty bad too I suppose.

I guess I'm forced to go back to - some people just seem to like shit. 

 

[msc 18,473]

It's essentially a harmless (if twee) bit of nostalgia fluff performed by one of the UK's most beloved singer-songwriters of all time. He's clearly written dozens (hundreds?) of better songs but its success is no mystery to me.

[Joey Russ 7,228]

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

36 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night) 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest +4

27 ABBA - Fernando

25 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

23 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour

22 ABBA – Dancing Queen

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me

20 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

12 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go

2 Johnny Mathis – When a child is born (Soleado) -6 

 

Someone kill the Christmas song to get it over with. Bah humbug 

[Great Uncle Bulgaria 1,283]

43 minutes ago, msc said:

It's essentially a harmless (if twee) bit of nostalgia fluff performed by one of the UK's most beloved singer-songwriters of all time. He's clearly written dozens (hundreds?) of better songs but its success is no mystery to me.

It's not harmless, there are bagpipes involved....

Its only saving grace is that - unlike his trite, repetitive Christmas record - you can avoid it for several years at a time...

 

Apropos of which, not heard Last Christmas yet this year, although I have heard Mud, Jona Lewie and (courtesy of GAB on a long car journey yesterday) the entire Michael Buble Christmas album

[En Passant 3,741]

13 minutes ago, Great Uncle Bulgaria said:

not heard Last Christmas yet this year,

 

I believe we have a couple of days before Whamaggedon (22) officially starts don't we?

Definitely going to post a thread on the 1st if nobody else does and I remember to do so.

[Toast 16,140]

25 minutes ago, Great Uncle Bulgaria said:

It's not harmless, there are bagpipes involved....

 

That made me LOL.

[ladyfiona 2,585]

Nobody likes Christmas it seems or Wings' best song ever with bagpipes.

 

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

36 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night) 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't wa nt to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 ABBA - Fernando

25 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart 

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me +4

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

23 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour

22 ABBA – Dancing Queen

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) -2

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

10 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go -2

0 Johnny Mathis – When a child is born (Soleado) -2

[RIP Wee Jum 1,559]

Sorry skipped the queue

 

I'm waiting for LadyFiona edit

[RIP Wee Jum 1,559]

3 minutes ago, ladyfiona said:

Ok ignore this @RIP Wee Jum got there before me. I'll post below them. 

You can go first

[ladyfiona 2,585]

 

@RIP Wee Jum you can go now.

[RIP Wee Jum 1,559]

3 minutes ago, ladyfiona said:

 

@RIP Wee Jum you can go now.

Sorry about that

 

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

36 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night) 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't wa nt to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 ABBA - Fernando

27 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour +4

25 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart 

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me +4

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 ABBA – Dancing Queen

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) -2

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

04 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go -6

 

[Bibliogryphon 9,582]

I can see this coming down to a tussle over which ABBA track(s) should progress 

[wannamaker 1,407]

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

36 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night) 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't wa nt to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour 

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen +4

25 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart 

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

21 ABBA - Fernando -6

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

04 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go 

[TQR 14,397]

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie +4

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart 

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night) -6

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

21 ABBA - Fernando

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

04 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go

[Bibliogryphon 9,582]

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

32 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart +2

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour -2

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance) +2

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

21 ABBA - Fernando

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

0 The Jacksons – Show you the way to go -4

[Book 3,556]

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you  +4

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

21 ABBA - Fernando

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

19 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour  -6

18 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge 

[theoldlady 2,301]

Here are my selections for Tuesday, November 29th:

 

45 Donna Summer – I Feel Love 

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando +4

24 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

19 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge

12 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) -6

[En Passant 3,741]

49 Donna Summer – I Feel Love +4

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

19 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour 

18 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me -6

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

12 J.J. Barrie – No charge

12 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)

[Great Uncle Bulgaria 1,283]

 

49 Donna Summer – I Feel Love +4

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

28 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

21 ABBA – Mamma Mia

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

20 David Soul – Silver Lady

19 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour 

18 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me 

17 Pussycat – Mississippi

16 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key) +4

6  J.J. Barrie – No charge -6

 

 

[Grim Up North 3,726]

49 Donna Summer – I Feel Love

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

30 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest +2

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando

24 ABBA – The name of the game

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

23 ABBA – Mamma Mia +2

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

18 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me

18 David Soul – Silver Lady -2

17 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour -2

15 Pussycat – Mississippi -2

16 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)

6  J.J. Barrie – No charge

 

I haven't given any votes to Donna Summer yet but it's the best song by miles.

[msc 18,473]

49 Donna Summer – I Feel Love

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

30 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest 

28 ABBA – The name of the game +4

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

24 Hot Chocolate – So you win again

23 ABBA – Mamma Mia 

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

18 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me

16 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)

15 David Soul – Silver Lady  -2

15 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour -3

14 Pussycat – Mississippi -1

6  J.J. Barrie – No charge

 

Unlike the previous rounds there's at least a dozen tracks here I can at the least appreciate so it's harder to chose.

[time 8,602]

49 Donna Summer – I Feel Love

40 Baccara – Yes Sir, I can boogie

36 ABBA – Knowing me, knowing you 

30 Rod Stewart – I don't want to talk about it / The first cut is the deepest 

28 ABBA – The name of the game

28 Hot Chocolate – So you win again +4

27 Elton John & Kiki Dee – Don´t go breaking my heart

26 ABBA – Dancing Queen

25 ABBA – Fernando

24 Elvis Presley – Way down 

23 ABBA – Mamma Mia 

22 Julie Covington – Don´t cry for me Argentina

22 The Four Seasons – December 1963 (Oh, what a night)

22 Tina Charles – I love to love (But my baby loves to dance)

20 Slik – Forever and ever

20 The Real Thing – You to me are everything

20 Leo Sayer – When I need you

20 Deniece Williams – Free

20 Kenny Rogers – Lucille 

20 The Floaters – Float on

18 Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me

16 The Wurzels – Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)

15 David Soul – Silver Lady 

15 Manhattan Transfer – Chanson d´amour

14 Pussycat – Mississippi

0  J.J. Barrie – No chance -6