28 February 1974 Would it be doing the dog on my ongoing "Chinn & Chapman, the Stock Aitken & Waterman of glam" narrative to suggest that with Suzi Quatro they even had their own Kylie? Maybe not. After all, she had star quality and seemed perfect for their writing-production style, but only ever seemed to … Continue reading Suzi Quatro – ‘Devil Gate Drive’
Tag: 70s
The Sweet – ‘Teenage Rampage’
14 February 1974 The key information you need in advance for 'Teenage Rampage' is that, this time around, Steve Priest's pre-chorus bit is not camp. I repeat: not camp. Even in the TV appearances, such as the video below, he's not fluttering his fingers while staring down the camera straight into your there-to-be-corrupted soul. Without … Continue reading The Sweet – ‘Teenage Rampage’
Mud – ‘Tiger Feet’
31 January 1974 Here's the first of three chart-topping singles in a row in early 1974 for the writer-producer duo of Chinn & Chapman - the Stock Aitken & Waterman of glam, and I mean that to hurt. We already saw their wares at the top of the Irish charts in 1973 with The Sweet's … Continue reading Mud – ‘Tiger Feet’
The New Seekers – ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’
24 January 1974 We know these songs today from retro clip shows, but what exactly was the new bubblegum pop of 1974? The Americanised "darn well" in its pre-chorus suggests 'You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me' took its pop with a splash of late-'60s Broadway showtune bluster and a dash of Nashville country sentimentality. … Continue reading The New Seekers – ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’
Joe Cuddy – ‘I’m Gonna Make It’
10 January 1974 You fans of Big Tom and Brendan Shine may be galled to learn that for number one singles in Ireland in 1974 your guys trailed in behind Joe Cuddy. Some others of you may be learning about the existence of an Irish singer called Joe Cuddy. I only knew his name because … Continue reading Joe Cuddy – ‘I’m Gonna Make It’
Slade – ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
20 December 1973 In a titanic Yuletide chart battle of the kind not seen again until that time you stuck it to Simon Cowell by buying a Rage Against The Machine single with a sweary chorus, Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' beat Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' to the 1973 Christmas number … Continue reading Slade – ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
The Wolfe Tones – ‘Up And Away (The Helicopter Song)’
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)’
Perry Como – ‘For The Good Times’
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’
Slade – ‘My Friend Stan’
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’
The Sweet – ‘The Ballroom Blitz’
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’
Irish Number Ones 