19 April 1973 The protagonist of this massive early-'70s US hit isn't returning from a tour of duty in Vietnam or protesting the proposed felling of trees for Dublin bus corridors. He's just been released from prison, the second verse makes clear. Don't panic, though. While our late-'60s pop felons, like Tom Jones in 'Delilah' … Continue reading Dawn ft. Tony Orlando – ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree’
Tag: 1973
Gilbert O’Sullivan – ‘Get Down’
29 March 1973 Okay, 'Get Down' is not really about a dog. That would merely be a dad joke. Instead, this is a whole Dad Stand-Up Comedy Special, baby! So, we have a song called 'Get Down' that sounds funky so you think it's about getting down on the dancefloor, but then it starts off … Continue reading Gilbert O’Sullivan – ‘Get Down’
Slade – ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’
15 March 1973 You made it. At least we know now that your parental control settings aren't on, and that this sort of language is par for the course with your web browsing. Anyway, welcome: hope you're not at work. Spicy title spelling aside, my main surprise with an attentive full listen to 'Cum On … Continue reading Slade – ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’
Big Tom and The Mainliners – ‘I Love You Still’
1 March 1973 'I Know You're Married But I Love You Still' was co-written by Dolly Parton, and among its recordings is a duet by her with her long-time double-act partner Porter Wagoner. The shortened title of Big Tom's version seems like an effort to ensure provincial '70s Ireland didn't think this was a song … Continue reading Big Tom and The Mainliners – ‘I Love You Still’
The Sweet – ‘Block Buster!’
15 February 1973 You'll find it easily enough online - The Sweet performing 'Block Buster!' on the 1973 Top Of The Pops Christmas special with bassist Steve Priest dressed as a camp Nazi in Kaiser Bill spiked helmet and retrospectively-blurred-out swastika armband. Both versions, in fact: there's an alternate take, not on the official Sweet … Continue reading The Sweet – ‘Block Buster!’
Little Jimmy Osmond – ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’
18 January 1973 Leave the kid out of this. Little Jimmy Osmond simply stands in a line of cutesy and precocious child performers, from Shirley Temple to whatever senior infant is currently wowing 'em on social media, and that strand of light entertainment has thrived since the days of vaudeville and music hall. Here in … Continue reading Little Jimmy Osmond – ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’
John Lennon and Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir – ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’
4 January 1973 There's some irony in John and Yoko's perennial Yuletide anthem for peace being kept off Ireland's 1972 Christmas number one spot by a song about an Irish bandit shooting a British Army officer. That said, given that year's events and chart-topping singles, plus Ireland's liking for Christmas number ones that have a … Continue reading John Lennon and Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir – ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’
