Every UK #1 Single of the 1970's Discussion Thread (REVISITED)

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by W.B., Mar 30, 2020.

  1. Alf.

    Alf. Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Dr Hook – Watered down Rock Your Baby. Blandsville USA.

    Union City Blue – Another excellent 45 from Eat To The Beat; Blondie’s best album IMO.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Janis Ian never really troubled the UK charts; a pity, since she had oodles of talent. Anyway, Fly Too High is a great jazzy r&b hybrid, courtesy of a surprising jump onto the Moroder bandwagon.


    Turning Chic’s Good Times inside out, Rapper’s Delight became a watershed moment for rap & hip-hop. I find it pretty boring though.

    Brass In Pocket is the third consecutive good 45 from Ms Hynde & gang. Moody; broody; with an insistent guitar motif.
    [​IMG]

    The Damned's second 45 from their excellent Machine Gun Etiquette album:
    [​IMG]

    Meanwhile, The Cockney Rejects & UK Subs scrape the bottom of the punk barrel. Wooden spoon time.
     
    LoveYourLife, Yam Graham and Randoms like this.
  2. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    We are compelled to go back one week, prior to "When You're In Love..." topping the "Official" Charts, as NME and Melody Maker both had it at the top for the week before all that:

    NME SINGLES CHART - Week Ending 10 November 1979

    01 (02) - Dr. Hook - WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
    02 (01) - Lena Martell - ONE DAY AT A TIME
    03 (06) - ABBA - GIMME, GIMME, GIMME (A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT)
    04 (03) - Sad Café - EVERY DAY HURTS
    05 (07) - Fleetwood Mac - TUSK
    06 (05) - Michael Jackson - DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH
    07 (04) - The Buggles - VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR
    08 (15) - Queen - CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
    09 (08) - The Dooleys - THE CHOSEN FEW
    10 (20) - The Selecter - ON MY RADIO
    11 (12) - Chic - MY FORBIDDEN LOVER
    12 (11) - Viola Wills - GONNA GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU NOW
    13 (27) - Earth, Wind And Fire - STAR
    14 (18) - Suzi Quatro - SHE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU
    15 (21) - The Specials Featuring Rico + - A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY / NITE KLUB
    16 (16) - The Charlie Daniels Band - THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA
    17 (NEW) - Commodores - STILL
    18 (09) - Errol Dunkley - O.K. FRED
    19 (NEW) - The Jam - THE ETON RIFLES
    20 (28) - Kool And The Gang - LADIES NIGHT
    21 (13) - XTC - MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL
    22 (26) - Herb Alpert - RISE
    23 (10) - The Police - MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
    24 (19) - Status Quo - WHATEVER YOU WANT
    25 (22) - Cats U.K. - LUTON AIRPORT
    26 (17) - Blondie - DREAMING
    27 (24) - Dave Edmunds - QUEEN OF HEARTS
    28 (25) - The Ramblers (From The Abbey Hey Junior School) - THE SPARROW
    29 (14) - Rainbow - SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
    30 (NEW) - Dynasty - I DON'T WANT TO BE A FREAK (BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF)


    MELODY MAKER SINGLES CHART - Week Ending 10 November 1979

    01 (01) - Dr. Hook - WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
    02 (03) - Sad Café - EVERY DAY HURTS
    02 (04) - ABBA - GIMME, GIMME, GIMME (A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT)
    04 (02) - Lena Martell - ONE DAY AT A TIME
    05 (07) - Fleetwood Mac - TUSK
    06 (15) - Queen - CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
    07 (26) - The Jam - THE ETON RIFLES
    08 (20) - Chic - MY FORBIDDEN LOVER
    09 (08) - The Dooleys - THE CHOSEN FEW
    10 (06) - Michael Jackson - DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH
    11 (13) - Viola Wills - GONNA GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU NOW
    12 (05) - The Buggles - VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR
    13 (11) - The Selecter - ON MY RADIO
    14 (09) - Errol Dunkley - O.K. FRED
    15 (18) - Suzi Quatro - SHE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU
    16 (14) - The Specials Featuring Rico + - A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY / NITE KLUB
    17 (NEW) - Commodores - STILL
    18 (26) - Earth, Wind And Fire - STAR
    19 (16) - The Charlie Daniels Band - THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA
    20 (28) - The Ramblers (From The Abbey Hey Junior School) - THE SPARROW
    21 (24) - Herb Alpert - RISE
    22 (10) - XTC - MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL
    23 (12) - The Police - MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
    24 (NEW) - Kool And The Gang - LADIES NIGHT
    25 (23) - Cats U.K. - LUTON AIRPORT
    26 (22) - Dave Edmunds - QUEEN OF HEARTS
    27 (NEW) - B.A. Robertson - KNOCKED IT OFF
    28 (NEW) - Donna Summer / Barbra Streisand - NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH)
    29 (19) - Blondie - DREAMING
    30 (NEW) - Iris Williams - HE WAS BEAUTIFUL (CAVATINA)
     
  3. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Now for another batch of U.S. hits that failed to make the grade in Britain. First this tune with the retro arrangement suggesting Roy Orbison and the whole era (c. early 1960's), "You're Only Lonely" by J. D. Souther:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    His biggest solo hit, making #7 in US Billboard and Cash Box, and #8 in Record World and Radio & Records.
     
    John54 and Randoms like this.
  4. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Next, from Supertramp is the single that in the States followed "Goodbye Stranger," "Take The Long Way Home":

    [​IMG]
    This one - which studio version did not see UK release (a live version was ish'd as a single in Britain the next year) - reached #10 in Billboard and Record World, #16 in Cash Box, and #6 in Radio & Records.
     
    Randoms likes this.
  5. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Then the Little River Band again, this time with "Cool Change":

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    In the UK, this was the flip of "Lonesome Loser." In the U.S., it was another hit for the Aussie group - #10 in Billboard, #13 in Cash Box, #12 in Record World, and #5 in Radio & Records.
     
    Randoms likes this.
  6. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Then this hit from Crystal Gayle, after switching to US Columbia (and UK CBS), "Half The Way"; the opening string flourish sounded to me like it was lifted from The Elton John Band's 1975 hit "Philadelphia Freedom":

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Made it to #15 in Billboard, #18 in Cash Box, #23 in Record World and #19 in Radio & Records. Brits wouldn't see Ms. Gayle on their chart again until a little over three years from here.
     
  7. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    After "Blue Morning, Blue Day," it would be more than two years before Foreigner would be seen again on the UK singles charts. Here is one of their US hits that failed to make the grade in Britain during this interim, "Head Games":

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    This one got to #14 in Billboard, #12 in Cash Box and Radio & Records, and #15 in Record World.
     
  8. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Then this solo comeback from Smokey Robinson, who the UK wouldn't see on their singles charts for nearly two years from this:

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Pay no attention to the clip title (that his onetime Miracle fellow band member Marv Tarplin co-wrote this may explain it); this was a "sorta', kinda' " #1, albeit on the Cash Box chart for 1 week (16 February 1980); elsewhere, it reached #4 in Billboard, #5 in Record World, and #11 in Radio & Records.
     
  9. Dr. Hook - WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
    Nice enough...just not my thing I suppose.
    3/5
     
    Silksashbash and Randoms like this.
  10. Favs...

    Week Ending 17 November 1979
    1 - NEW - 57 - Pretenders - BRASS IN POCKET
    1 - NEW - 61 - Def Leppard - WASTED

    Week Ending 24 November 1979
    1 - NEW - 15 - Gary Numan - COMPLEX
    1 - NEW - 34 - The Skids - WORKING FOR THE YANKEE DOLLAR
    1 - NEW - 35 - Blondie - UNION CITY BLUE
    1 - NEW - 54 - Status Quo - LIVING ON AN ISLAND
    1 - NEW - 55 - Marianne Faithfull - THE BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN
    1 - NEW - 62 - Sheila And B. Devotion - SPACER

    Week Ending 01 December 1979
    1 - NEW - 05 - The Police - WALKING ON THE MOON
    1 - NEW - 26 - Pink Floyd - ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART II)
    1 - NEW - 38 - Sugarhill Gang - RAPPER'S DELIGHT
    1 - NEW - 45 - The Stranglers - DON'T BRING HARRY (EP)
    1 - NEW - 61 - Paul McCartney - WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME
    1 - NEW - 67 - Motörhead - BOMBER
     
    Silksashbash, Randoms and Alf. like this.
  11. sotosound

    sotosound Forum Resident

    "Brass In Pocket" might not have existed had "Hold Your Head Up" by Argent never been recorded. :)
     
    LoveYourLife, Randoms and Alf. like this.
  12. sotosound

    sotosound Forum Resident

    I can understand why that was never a hit in the UK.....
     
    Randoms likes this.
  13. Silksashbash

    Silksashbash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Finland
    In 1953 brothers Johnny and Dorsey Burnette both had sons, whom they named Rocky and Billy, and wrote a song called "Rocky n' Billy boogie", which they released in 1956 as "Rockbilly boogie", and that's why we call that music "rockabilly". True or false? No idea, but a great story. "Tired of toein' the line", a cool performance, not unlike Roy Orbison, or later Robert Gordon.
     
    LoveYourLife, Randoms and Yam Graham like this.
  14. Silksashbash

    Silksashbash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Finland
    When you're in love with a beautiful woman - this funky disco thing gets my goat. For the subject matter I prefer "All the boys love my baby" from the Matchbox debut.
     
    LoveYourLife, Randoms and Yam Graham like this.
  15. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    There are many who much prefer their days as Dr. Hook And The Medicine Show and such hits as "Sylvia's Mother" and "The Cover Of 'Rolling Stone'." (The latter of which no doubt was in the BBC's crosshairs because of the reference to a certain magazine and their ban on advertising references in songs.)
     
    Randoms likes this.
  16. Like I said ace...I don't mind it...but yeah, give me Sylvia's Mother any day of the week.
     
    duggan, Silksashbash and Randoms like this.
  17. Mulderre

    Mulderre 60s and 70s Music Lover

    In fact, it was banned: the Hook tried to re-make the song with the Radio Times (then, and now, the BBC's flagship magazine). It flopped again.

     
    sotosound and Randoms like this.
  18. Randoms

    Randoms Aerie Faerie Nonsense

    Location:
    UK
    Dr. Hook - When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman




    A song I've never disliked, but equally cannot get very enthusiastic towards. I wouldn't buy or play it, but equally wouldn't turn it off - apathy rules OK!
     
    Yam Graham, duggan and bob60 like this.
  19. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    To quote an old Benny Hill gag, "Marquis of Queensbury Rules KO!"
     
    John54, Yam Graham and Randoms like this.
  20. bob60

    bob60 Forum Resident

    Location:
    London UK
    That pic of The Pretenders is absolutely amazing, one of the coolest band pics ever..
     
    Yam Graham, Alf. and Randoms like this.
  21. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    #17 of 1979 (#447 in total) - "Walking On The Moon" by The Police
    (#1 for 1 week - 08 December 1979)

    The UK single:
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
    The US single (not ish'd until seven years later):
    [​IMG]
    Wikipedia entry - also NME #486 (same time period and duration - 08 December 1979) and Melody Maker #426 (2 weeks - 08 December-15 December 1979); in U.S., despite it being a "classic rock" staple today, when it finally came out as a single in late 1986/early 1987 it did not chart.
     
    Randoms likes this.
  22. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Week Ending 08 December 1979

    02 - 05 - 01 - The Police - WALKING ON THE MOON
    02 - 26 - 02 - Pink Floyd - ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART II)
    06 - 03 - 03 - Donna Summer / Barbra Streisand - NO MORE TEARS (ENOUGH IS ENOUGH)
    12 - 01 - 04 - Dr. Hook - WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
    04 - 12 - 05 - Gibson Brothers - QUE SERA MI VIDA
    05 - 22 - 06 - The Tourists - I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU
    08 - 02 - 07 - Queen - CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
    03 - 06 - 08 - Gary Numan - COMPLEX
    04 - 08 - 09 - Electric Light Orchestra - CONFUSION / LAST TRAIN TO LONDON
    05 - 07 - 10 - Madness - ONE STEP BEYOND
    06 - 04 - 11 - Commodores - STILL
    02 - 38 - 12 - Sugarhill Gang - RAPPER'S DELIGHT
    06 - 09 - 13 - The Jam - THE ETON RIFLES
    05 - 23 - 14 - The Moody Blues - NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN
    04 - 13 - 15 - The Boomtown Rats - DIAMOND SMILES
    03 - 21 - 16 - Blondie - UNION CITY BLUE
    06 - 14 - 17 - The Isley Brothers - IT'S A DISCO NIGHT (ROCK DON'T STOP)
    07 - 11 - 18 - Kool And The Gang - LADIES NIGHT
    09 - 15 - 19 - The Ramblers (From The Abbey Hey Junior School) - THE SPARROW
    07 - 10 - 20 - B.A. Robertson - KNOCKED IT OFF
    06 - 18 - 21 - Matchbox - ROCKABILLY REBEL
    03 - 25 - 22 - Michael Jackson - OFF THE WALL
    09 - 20 - 23 - Herb Alpert - RISE
    08 - 24 - 24 - Thin Lizzy - SARAH
    09 - 33 - 25 - Dynasty - I DON'T WANT TO BE A FREAK (BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF)
    03 - 31 - 26 - The Three Degrees - MY SIMPLE HEART
    11 - 16 - 27 - Lena Martell - ONE DAY AT A TIME
    03 - 32 - 28 - The Skids - WORKING FOR THE YANKEE DOLLAR
    04 - 34 - 29 - Rose Royce - IS IT LOVE YOU'RE AFTER
    03 - 36 - 30 - Status Quo - LIVING ON AN ISLAND
    02 - 61 - 31 - Paul McCartney - WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME
    07 - 17 - 32 - The Specials Featuring Rico + - A MESSAGE TO YOU RUDY / NITE KLUB
    04 - 47 - 33 - Pretenders - BRASS IN POCKET
    08 - 19 - 34 - ABBA - GIMME, GIMME, GIMME (A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT)
    03 - 43 - 35 - Sheila And B. Devotion - SPACER
    02 - 62 - 36 - U.K. Subs - SHE'S NOT THERE / KICKS (EP)
    03 - 41 - 37 - Lowrell - MELLOW MELLOW RIGHT ON
    05 - 30 - 38 - Dan-I - MONKEY CHOP
    08 - 27 - 39 - Suzi Quatro - SHE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU
    03 - 44 - 40 - Diana Ross - IT'S MY HOUSE
    02 - 45 - 41 - The Stranglers - DON'T BRING HARRY (EP)
    02 - 67 - 42 - Motörhead - BOMBER
    09 - 28 - 43 - The Selecter - ON MY RADIO
    04 - 46 - 44 - Janis Ian - FLY TOO HIGH
    03 - 53 - 45 - Shalamar - THE SECOND TIME AROUND
    02 - 69 - 46 - The Damned - I JUST CAN'T BE HAPPY TODAY
    08 - 40 - 47 - Robert John - SAD EYES
    03 - 50 - 48 - Marianne Faithfull - THE BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN
    05 - 39 - 49 - Secret Affair - LET YOUR HEART DANCE
    04 - 55 - 50 - Storm - IT'S MY HOUSE
    04 - 48 - 51 - Atmosfear - DANCING IN OUTER SPACE
    10 - 35 - 52 - Viola Wills - GONNA GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU NOW
    07 - 29 - 53 - Iris Williams - HE WAS BEAUTIFUL (CAVATINA)
    02 - 73 - 54 - Darts - REET PETITE
    04 - 49 - 55 - The Police - FALL OUT
    1 - NEW - 56 - Chic - MY FEET KEEP DANCING
    03 - 57 - 57 - Dollar - I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND
    04 - 58 - 58 - Rocky Burnette - TIRED OF TOEIN' THE LINE
    05 - 42 - 59 - Showaddywaddy - A NIGHT AT DADDY GEE'S
    03 - 59 - 60 - Dave Edmunds - CRAWLING FROM THE WRECKAGE
    12 - 37 - 61 - Sad Café - EVERY DAY HURTS
    03 - 52 - 62 - Stevie Wonder - SEND ONE YOUR LOVE
    03 - 54 - 63 - Freddie James - GET UP AND BOOGIE
    1 - NEW - 64 - M - MOONLIGHT AND MUZAK
    02 - 74 - 65 - Cockney Rejects - I'M NOT A FOOL
    1 - NEW - 66 - The Inmates - THE WALK
    1 - NEW - 67 - The Beat - TEARS OF A CLOWN / RANKING FULL STOP
    1 - NEW - 68 - The Barron Knights - FOOD FOR THOUGHT
    10 - 51 - 69 - Fleetwood Mac - TUSK
    1 - NEW - 70 - Lori And The Chameleons - TOUCH
    1 - NEW - 71 - One Way Featuring Al Hudson - MUSIC
    1 - NEW - 72 - Mike Oldfield - BLUE PETER
    1 - NEW - 73 - Dr. Feelgood - PUT HIM OUT OF YOUR MIND
    1 - NEW - 74 - K.C. And The Sunshine Band - PLEASE DON'T GO
    02 - 66 - 75 - Eagles - THE LONG RUN
     
    Randoms likes this.
  23. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Now for those 45's in my collection from this week . . .
     
  24. Mulderre

    Mulderre 60s and 70s Music Lover



    In fact, this is the UK version: shortened a bit.
     
    LoveYourLife likes this.
  25. W.B.

    W.B. The Collector's Collector Thread Starter

    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    And for the 'newies' . . .
    [​IMG]
    Could only 'bubble under' to #101 in US Billboard.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Made it to #51 in US Billboard, #95 in Cash Box, and #84 in Record World.
    Only the A side saw U.S. single release:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

Share This Page

molar-endocrine