With a Nod to Talmadge... July 30, 1977, revisited

I have the greatest friends! In Talmadge Gleck's last post, he went down the list of the top-40 of the week of July 30, 1977. I will give my feedback to that list here shortly, but I had to stop and reflect on that time in history...

At that time, I was one day away from turning 9 years old (July 31 is my birthday). I was having the greatest summer of my life. I have had summers before I had to grow up and get a job where there were certain moments that I will forever remember, but the summer of 1977 will stand above and beyond the rest as the best summer of my life. I was living in an apartment complex in Irving, Texas, about one mile from Texas Stadium. The days were hot, & I spent them with my friends playing baseball. We had a swimming pool in my complex, and I spent every day that summer there, when I wasn't playing ball. I had my first crush on an older lady (she was 19 years old & attending SMU; she thought I was soooooo cute - she thought of me as her little brother). I also had my first kiss with a girl who was my age. We were riding our bicycles when we stopped, and all of a sudden, she just grabbed me & kissed me - right on the lips! And what did I do? Was I offended? Well, I grabbed her & kissed her right back! Talk about banging my nose into adolesence! My first crush & my first kiss - in the same summer! Good times, good times...

But there was one other time that summer that stood out in my memory. When the report cards came out at the beginning of the summer, I had made straight As. As a result, my mother bought an LP that I had wanted - the first Wild Cherry LP. I played that album a lot that summer. However, shortly after that, my father weeded out a bunch of his old LPs, & he divided them between me and my sister (I wound up taking all of them because my sister didn't like her stack). He had some killer stuff, LPs that still grace my collection some 30 years later: Cream's "Disraeli Gears", the Music Machine LP with "Talk Talk", the Standells' LP with "Dirty Water", the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl" LP, the first Hendrix LP, & the Who's "Tommy" LP. What's more, for my birthday that year, I got three more LPs to add to my collection: Peter Frampton's "I'm in You", Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic", and, unfortunately, Barry Manilow's "Live" LP (that last one courtesy of my MOTHER). The strange thing about the Manilow LP, even though it had a lot of crap on it, it also had him doing a medley of commercials he had written, & it was actually pretty funny. It also had his first recording of "It's Just Another New Years' Eve", which was a staple of the New Years' Rockin' Eve show for many years. And before we slam Manilow too hard, remember that he produced the first two Bette Midler LPs - and I LOVE Bette!

This was also the first summer I grew attached to the radio. I felt that pop music was at a peak during this time. Even though it seemed like the Eagles & Fleetwood Mac were all we heard that summer, I certainly wasn't complaining. There were a lot of good songs during this time. So, without further adieu, here is the top-40 list for the week of July 30, 1977, with my rubbish comments - take them for what they are worth. Discussion to follow...

40. "Float On" - The Floaters

I vaguely remember this one, & I remember it being OK.

39. "Christine Sixteen" - KISS

I might as well say it now - KISS is the most overrated rock band in history. KISS was forbidden by my mother as well, but, at one time, I owned the "Double Platinum" LP. That LP contains all the KISS you ever need. Totally useless band.

38. "Slide" - Slave

I had forgotten about this one - how dare me! Killer song, killer groove.

37. "Strawberry Letter 23" - Brothers Johnson

Another one I had forgotten about! This is also pretty cool.

36. "Slow Dancin' (Swayin' to the Music)" - Johnny Rivers

Real light groove, along with Johnny's vocals - far from the "Go-Go" days, but I have always liked this song.

35. "Way Down" - Elvis Presley

August 16 was a sad day at my house. My mother cranked up Elvis all day long. Even though this is not my favorite Elvis song by any means, Elvis will always remain "The King".

34. "Remember the Days of the Old Schoolyard" - Cat Stevens

I'm sorry - Cat Stevens is the most overrated singer/songwriter of all time. I could care less about his vendetta with Salman Rushdie. Cat made only one great song - "Morning Has Broken". I should note that the guy playing piano (and the solo) on that song goes by the name of Rick Wakeman. Shortly after the "Broken" session, he would give up session work to join a little band called Yes - one of my all-time favorite bands.

33. "Ariel" - Dean Friedman

I agree with Tal - this song sucked. 30 years hasn't changed that.

32. "On and On" - Stephen Bishop

This is an OK song, but I still feel that Stephen should have had an Academy Award nomination for his performance (albeit brief) in "Kentucky Fried Movie". His performance brought tears to my eyes - it was so good! Actually, it was hilarious!

31. "Black Betty" - Ram Jam

What a killer song! My ex-wife didn't believe me when I told her that I used to have a copy of this on a 45. When she first heard it in 2002, she thought that it was a new song. That just goes to show how STUPID my ex-wife is. I could care less if the cold, spineless, heartless, two-faced, backstabbing b*tch likes this song - I still love it anyway. So there.

30. "Got to Give It Up (part 1)" - Marvin Gaye

Not my favorite Marvin Gaye song, but still a good song nonetheless. It's funny that Tal would mention about the Here, My Dear album. Yes, the royalties from that album went to Marvin's ex-wife (who was Berry Gordy's sister Anna). Ironically speaking, that LP was Marvin's worst selling LP of all time. Just desserts, my friends. And let's get one thing straight right now - the royalties from my next album will not go to my ex-wife. And I will write whatever I want! And she can't stop me!! She will not get royalties from my 8-minute opus to Nettiemac!

29. "Smoke From a Distant Fire" - Sanford-Townsend Band

Cool song - good memories from that summer.

28. "Rocky (Gonna Fly Now)" - Bill Conti

I could care less about this song, but I must admit - I loved the first Rocky movie, even though they ran it into the ground pretty quick. And Talmadge, it isn't Sly Stallone you have to worry about. Sly doesn't do a roundhouse kick like Chuck Norris can. Sly is allowed to stay around because Chuck Norris allows Sly to stay around. If Apollo Creed's punches aren't enough to knock Sly out, a roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris can.

27. "How Much Love?" - Leo Sayer

Not my favorite Leo Sayer song (you have to fast-forward to 1981 for that one), but it is OK.

26. "Telephone Line" - ELO

I will get flack from Tal & Nettie for this, but I LOVE this song. And the album it's from, A New World Record, is ELO's best album by a mile and a half. I prefer "Livin' Thing" & "Do Ya", but I have always loved this song. One of my favorites on this list.

25. "Give a Little Bit" - Supertramp

Another of my faves on this list. And the album it's from, Even in the Quietest Moments, is a classic as far as I'm concerned. No bad songs on the LP, and the title track is a killer.

24. "Telephone Man" - Meri Wilson

I have this and "Peter the Meter Reader" on a couple of Dr. Demento collections. I love both.

23. "It's Sad to Belong" - England Dan and John Ford Coley

The Peter and Gordon of the 1970s insofar as they are totally irrelevant. And forgotten. And rightly so.

22. "Don't Stop" - Fleetwood Mac

Oh boy, I may get in trouble for this... OK, I loved this song & the Rumours album when it came out. I still can not find it in myself to put this album down. However, in the 1980s, I became aware with the rest of their catalog. The early stuff with Peter Green, their middle period with Bob Welch... and you know what? I prefer that over Lindsey and Stevie! "Oh Well" with Peter Green is a bitter song. "Station Man", from Kiln House, is a very underrated song. I prefer "Hypnotized", "Future Games", & the original version of "Sentimental Lady" over this. I'm sorry.

21. "Jet Airliner" - The Steve Miller Band

How's this for early sampling? Compare the opening notes of this song to Cream's "Crossroads". I still love this song anyway. Three cheers for the "funky sh*t"!

20. "Barracuda" - Heart

Oh man!! I love, love, love this song. I don't care who they stole it from! Annie Wilson could sing me the yellow pages & I would buy it. And the future Mrs. Cameron Crowe was pretty sexy too. Early Heart remains my favorite, and 1980's Bebe Le Strange, in my opinion, is Heart's "Led Zeppelin 4".

19. "Handy Man" - James Taylor

You gotta love that voice - very distinctive. The moment he sings, you know who he is. This isn't my favorite James Taylor song by any means, but this is still good.

18. "You're My World" - Helen Reddy

From "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar" to "You're My World"? Give me a break.

17. "Just a Song Before I Go" - CSN

To answer Nettie - yes, "Dark Star" is on the CSN album, and it is my favorite track on the LP. However, I love the "story" behind this song. A limo came to pick Graham Nash up to take to the airport. The limo driver told Graham, "We've got about 15 minutes to get to the airport; I bet you can't write a song in that amount of time." Guess what? This is the result, as told by David Crosby on the CSN boxed set. Cool story, cool song. I love it.

16. "Angel in Your Arms" - Hot

Haven't heard this one in many years, but I remember it being OK - better than #15.

15. "Undercover Angel" - Alan O'Day

Proof positive that there were too many angels on this list. Where are the devils? Oops, I forgot - "Devil Woman" was in 1976. Sorry!

14. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" - ABBA

Talmadge, please forgive me for this, OK? I love this song. OK, they made some pretty crummy studio albums. However, in 1982, they put out an album called The Singles - The First Ten Years. Believe it or not, Rolling Stone magazine gave that album 5 stars back in 1982. In my humble opinion, it deserved 5 stars. They made some classic pop songs, & this is one of my favorites.

13. "Easy" - The Commodores

I like this song, despite the fact that it would lead to "Three Times a Lady" and "Sail On". But once again, I apologize - Lionel Richie took the funk out of this band. Give me "Brick House" over this 99 times out of 100.

12. "You Made Me Believe in Magic" - The Bay City Rollers

And this song nearly killed all the magic for me in 1977. Pathetic.

11. "You and Me" - Alice Cooper

Alice's bid to become Barry Manilow. And it worked. Give me a break.

10. "Whatcha Gonna Do" - Pablo Cruise

Great, great song. Pablo Cruise was a breath of fresh air for pop music in the 70s. It's a shame they are all but forgotten.

9. "Higher and Higher" - Rita Coolidge

Got a ton of airplay in 1977. I prefer Jackie Wilson's version, but this is OK.

8. "Margaritaville" - Jimmy Buffett

What can be said about this song that hasn't already been said? Timeless music that has only improved as the years go by. I can see myself, Talmadge, Seraphim, & Nettiemac in our 80s, out on our swings, still looking for that lost shaker of salt. And still singing this song, drinking margaritas, & living the rest of our lives in total peace. What a cool thought!

7. "Do You Wanna Make Love" - Peter McCann

"... or do you just wanna fool around?" Isn't that the same thing, Peter? Crummy song, although I had the 45 at one time. What was the flip side to this song? A song Peter wrote called "Right Time of the Night", that Jennifer Warnes turned into a big hit in 1977. That one was far better than this one.

6. "Best of My Love" - The Emotions

I agree with Nettie - anything Earth, Wind, & Fire had a hand in, I will take anyday. Soul music & funk music still lives!

5. "Da Doo Ron Ron" - Shaun Cassidy

I despise this song with a passion. I must make note of the original performing family, the Cowsills, who I prefer by a wide margin. Barry Cowsill was one of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He was identified by his dental records this past weekend. A very sad tragedy - RIP, Barry.

4. "My Heart Belongs to Me" - Barbra Streisand

Thank God this song doesn't! Egad!

3. "Looks Like We Made It" - Barry Manilow

Inspired "Hari Kari for Barry" by Billy and the Boingers (with Bill the Cat on "lead tongue").

2. "I'm in You" - Peter Frampton

Very fond summer 1977 memories. Loved this song, loved this album. It's a plain shame (no pun intended) that Peter would kill his career in 1978 by making the boneheaded career decision of all time: to become an actor. That movie he did, Sgt. Peppers, killed the careers of so many great talents. Peter has yet to recover. The Bee Gees never did. And speaking of the Bee Gees...

1. "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" - Andy Gibb

I prefer the Bee Gees, but I have to say this: I liked this song, and it was Andy's best song by a mile and a half.

So there it is - there will be a pop quiz on this. I hope you all were paying attention.

Bolivar "Forward Into the Past!" Shagnasty