22 November 1973 Yes, this is a Wolfe Tones song about the escape by helicopter of three Republican prisoners, including the Provisional IRA chief of staff, from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin a few weeks earlier, in October 1973 - in other words, literally "ooh, ahh, up the 'Ra". However, it's not really a rebel song … Continue reading The Wolfe Tones – ‘Up And Away (The Helicopter Song)’ →

8 November 1973 "For The Good Times' was written by Kris Kristofferson and appeared on his 1970 debut album. As you'd expect from an outlaw country original by an outlaw country original, Kristofferson's own version is a world-weary, heartsore ballad charged with relatable feeling. Perry Como had something of a revival in 1973 by inching … Continue reading Perry Como – ‘For The Good Times’ →

18 October 1973 I don't think I know 'My Friend Stan' by Slade. If it had been used in a retro clips show like Reeling In The Years or Match Of The '70s I'm sure I would have been curious enough to find it out. So, following the Irish Number Ones process document, I will … Continue reading Slade – ‘My Friend Stan’ →

27 September 1973 'The Ballroom Blitz' stands with 'Bootylicious' by Destiny's Child on the short list of songs that begin by naming the members of the group. Also memorable here: the swinging drum intro, the crunchy glam guitars, the lightning-flash three-chord riff that nails the chorus, and another of Steve Priest's flamboyant pre-chorus calls to … Continue reading The Sweet – ‘The Ballroom Blitz’ →

20 September 1973 No rubber bullets this time, just the hint of a shotgun wedding. Still, 'The Dean And I' is also full of light-entertainment Americana such as proms, dollars, soda pop, and a backing vocal that sounds like a Hollywood western's Native American war chant or rain dance. I think the soda pop is … Continue reading 10cc – ‘The Dean And I’ →

6 September 1973 We've already seen one of the teen-idol dreamboat boys of the early '70s at the top of our charts, David Cassidy with 'How Can I Be Sure'. Now here's his rival for your affections. I like to imagine both sets of fans fighting pitched battles on the street, trashing the others' favourite … Continue reading Donny Osmond – ‘Young Love’ →

23 August 1973 Three Counties was an Irish brand of processed cheese in my childhood, named after the Golden Vale agricultural heartland in Munster that takes in parts of Cork, Tipperary and Limerick. I remember it came in a round cardboard box as a wheel of individual segments wrapped in tinfoil. Like most processed cheese … Continue reading Brendan Shine – ‘Where The 3 Counties Meet’ →

19 July 1973 Could a song like 'Welcome Home' get to number one these days? The quaint sentimentality and intravenous nostalgia, for sure—see the parochial 'Killeagh'—but perhaps not the squarely middle-aged cabaret sound: I remember it being covered by light entertainment troupers and showband stragglers on Irish TV regularly during my '80s childhood and it … Continue reading Peters and Lee – ‘Welcome Home’ →

12 July 1973 I thought I knew Slade's ''Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me'. Turns out I didn't. Perhaps I simply forgot it. Anyway, it's here now, on my nerves. If you don't know it but you're already familiar with Slade, don't bother. 'Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me' is AI Slade: a familiar-sounding verse and chorus of screeching … Continue reading Slade – ‘Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me’ →