5 June 1970 When did pop music, traditionally for the kids, start pitching to adults too? Perhaps in the mid-'60s with The Beatles taking Dylan's influence on board, along with Paul going music-hall, and around the same time as the advent of Bacharach & David's sophisticated masterpieces. Later on, bubblegum pop was always made by … Continue reading Christie – ‘Yellow River’
Tag: 1970
The Moody Blues – ‘Question’
29 May 1970 Remember 'Spaceman' by Babylon Zoo, that '90s chart-topper from a jeans ad that used its catchy electronica opening, only for the track itself to be a stodgy rocker? I wonder if 'Question' by The Moody Blues' gave the music punters of 1970 a similar bout of buyer's remorse. Its opening verses of … Continue reading The Moody Blues – ‘Question’
Norman Greenbaum – ‘Spirit In The Sky’
22 May 1970 I'm surprised to listen attentively to the original 'Spirit In The Sky' and find myself feeling a little disappointed. Okay, obviously the scuzzy minimalist riff is pure gold and the stompy clap-along beat is great fun: no issues there. And I'm already familiar with the buzz-killing Jesus namecheck, making this the first … Continue reading Norman Greenbaum – ‘Spirit In The Sky’
Dana – ‘All Kinds Of Everything’
20 March 1970 The 1970 episode of Reeling In The Years shows Dana's celebratory post-Eurovision homecoming, which includes a meeting with Ireland's then-president, an elderly Éamon de Valera. Dana went on to try to emulate Dev by becoming a fundamentalist Catholic, then an Irish presidential candidate, and finally an American citizen. Still, Dana could claim … Continue reading Dana – ‘All Kinds Of Everything’
Lee Marvin – ‘Wand’rin’ Star’
6 March 1970 You may remember a great Simpsons bit where Homer and Bart sit down to watch violent shoot-'em-up western Paint Your Wagon, only to discover to their horror that it's actually rootin'-tootin' comedy musical western Paint Your Wagon. I already knew that, which is why I've never watched it. I've heard enough snatches … Continue reading Lee Marvin – ‘Wand’rin’ Star’
Edison Lighthouse – ‘Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)’
6 February 1970 Our final socially-acceptable number one of the '60s was bubblegum pop by a made-up band, and our first of the '70s arguably is too. (That now-cancelled chart-topper in between is listed in the 'By date' section above if you're curious.) Apparently 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)' existed before its makers realised … Continue reading Edison Lighthouse – ‘Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)’
