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Post by 1finemrg on Dec 30, 2015 17:01:20 GMT -5
In honor of Jeff Lynne, on his 29th birthday "Livin Thing" was holding steady at #15 for the January 1, 1977 Hot 100. It would ascend to its #13 peak the following week and stay a second week before falling off. In the UK, the great instrumental "Fire On High" was the "B" side. In the US, it was this early pre-hit rocker that is a personal favorite of mine. Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle - Electric Light Orchestra
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 3, 2016 21:12:23 GMT -5
John Lennon's "#9 Dream" made its Top 40 debut at #35 on January 11, 1975. The single would end up being the rare occasion where the peak position would match the number referenced in the title. He would become the second and last Beatle to peak at #9 on the Hot 100. Ringo was the first to do so with "Back Off Boogaloo". This would be an insignificant piece of trivia, except that the Beatles never had a single peak at #9...#9...#9. Actually at the time the single was released, they had never had a single peak at #6 or #7 as well. In 1976, "Got To Get You Into My Life" was released as a single and peaked at #7, and "Free As A Bird" reached #6 in the 90s. But I digress... The "B" side classic is a straight ahead rocker that is in stark contrast to the heavily produced "A" side. What You Got - John Lennon
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 11, 2016 21:40:37 GMT -5
David Bowie's "Changes" was poised to crack the top 40 during its second run up the Hot 100. Moving from 48 - 42 in its sixth week on January 11, 1975 seemed to ensure that it would become his second Top 40 hit following "Space Oddity". Instead it became a two time lost 70s classic when it could only nudge up 1 more position in its remaining 5 weeks in the Hot 100. Its first chart run lasted 7 weeks with a #66 peak in the spring of 1972. With all the accolades and artists rightfully praising David for influencing their work upon his passing, this week's "B" side classic turns the table. It's a song written by David about a man who greatly influenced his career. It was the "B" side for both the original 45 and the reissue. Andy Warhol - David Bowie
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 19, 2016 6:40:27 GMT -5
January 18, 1975 saw the Eagles fly into the Top 20, moving from 26-19 with what would become their first #1 single "Best Of My Love". The writer of the "B" side classic, Tom Waits, has been somewhat critical of the Eagles' treatment of his tune calling it "sanitized". Especially as the writer, he's entitled to his opinion. My take is that it showcases the harmonies of the lead vocalists who were the heart of the Eagles, Don Henley and unfortunately the late Glenn Frey. A great remake of Tom Waite's classic. Ol' 55 - Eagles
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Post by mga707 on Jan 19, 2016 14:57:18 GMT -5
January 18, 1975 saw the Eagles fly into the Top 20, moving from 26-19 with what would become their first #1 single "Best Of My Love". The writer of the "B" side classic, Tom Waits, has been somewhat critical of the Eagles' treatment of his tune calling it "sanitized". Especially as the writer, he's entitled to his opinion. My take is that it showcases the harmonies of the lead vocalists who were the heart of the Eagles, Don Henley and unfortunately the late Glenn Frey. A great remake of Tom Waite's classic. Ol' 55 - EaglesCan't think of a better song to blast while driving down the highway into the first light of dawn, even if one is not in a classic '50s Chevy... Personally, I think Waits should be mighty grateful that The Eagles--and Rod Stewart--recorded his songs. Talented songwriter, but a definite acquired taste as a singer/performer.
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 25, 2016 22:56:12 GMT -5
From January 24, 1976, Fleetwood Mac was spending its final week in the Top 40 with "Over My Head". It was their first trip to the upper echelon. The "B" side classic is a great Lindsey Buckingham rocker that closes out his and Stevie Nicks first album as members of the band. I'm So Afraid - Fleetwood Mac
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Post by 1finemrg on Feb 1, 2016 22:21:10 GMT -5
It took 12 weeks, but on January 31, 1970 the Jackson 5 leap-frogged over the Shocking Blue's "Venus" into the #1 position with "I Want You Back. It was their lone week at the top for the group's first Hot 100 single. All I can say about the "B" side classic is that even an 11 year old boy can sing the blues. Wow! Who's Lovin' You - Jackson 5Written by Smokey Robinson, it was also the "B" side to the Miracles "Shop Around", which sat at #5 on the January 31, 1961 Hot 100. It would peak at #2. Who's Lovin' You - MiraclesIt was also the "B" side to the Supremes second single "Buttered Popcorn", a non-charter. Who's Lovin' You - SupremesThe Temptations with David Ruffin singing lead did a great rendition. Who's Lovin' You - TemptationsFinally, it was a non-charting "A" side for this girl group in 1967. Who's Lovin' You - Brenda & the Tabulations
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Post by 1finemrg on Feb 9, 2016 22:41:09 GMT -5
On February 12, 1966, The Who single "My Generation" would reach its #74 peak on its final week in the Hot 100. Despite it's low peak, it would become an anthem for kids growing up during this time frame and for generations to come. The "B" side classic is a great James Brown cover with a little Isley Brothers thrown in for good measure. Shout And Shimmy - The Who
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Post by mga707 on Feb 9, 2016 22:43:04 GMT -5
From January 24, 1975, Fleetwood Mac was spending its final week in the Top 40 with "Over My Head". It was their first trip to the upper echelon. The "B" side classic is a great Lindsey Buckingham rocker that closes out his and Stevie Nicks first album as members of the band. I'm So Afraid - Fleetwood MacMinor correction: January 24, 1976.
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Post by 1finemrg on Feb 9, 2016 22:45:48 GMT -5
From January 24, 1975, Fleetwood Mac was spending its final week in the Top 40 with "Over My Head". It was their first trip to the upper echelon. The "B" side classic is a great Lindsey Buckingham rocker that closes out his and Stevie Nicks first album as members of the band. I'm So Afraid - Fleetwood MacMinor correction: January 24, 1976. Duly noted and corrected. Thanks!
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Post by 1finemrg on Feb 19, 2016 19:44:16 GMT -5
It took Elton John five weeks to reach #15 with his latest single. From the "Rock Of The Westies" Elton's second album to debut at #1, "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own" wilted and died quickly. The following week, it peaked at #14 then it dropped 14-42 on the next survey. The "B" side classic from February 21, 1976 was lyricist Bernie Taupin's comparing his failed marriage to Jesse James being shot by his partner. A great melancholy ballad. I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun Of Robert Ford) - Elton John
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Post by 1finemrg on Feb 24, 2016 22:17:52 GMT -5
The February 25, 1978 Hot 100 saw "Night Fever" shoot into the Top 10, and "How Deep Is Your Love" hanging on to the #10 spot for 4 consecutive weeks. The Bee Gees also were atop the Hot 100 for their fourth and final week with "Stayin' Alive". The flip of "Stayin' Alive" is this week's "B" side classic. A cover version was in the Top 40 at #40 and would go on to hit #1 as well. If I Can't Have You - Bee Gees
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Post by dukelightning on Feb 25, 2016 8:18:59 GMT -5
So there were 5 top 40 singles from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack that were originally released from it. All 5 were either done by the Bee Gees or were covers of songs they did. 2 covers and their "More Than a Woman" got significant airplay and would have certainly been a top 40 hit had it been released. But this one I can see why it was not even played. Yvonne Elliman's cover is by the far the better version.
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 2, 2016 21:40:19 GMT -5
Steely Dan's first single "Do It Again" had peaked at #6 where it stayed for 3 weeks. On March 3, 1973 it fell out of the Top 10 landing at #14. It would spend its final week at #24 before exiting the Hot 100 after a 17 week chart run. Their first album "Can't Buy A Thrill" is so good that you couldn't go wrong with any track that was pulled off to be the "B" side classic (see below). ABC records chose this great track. Fire In The Hole - Steely DanThis Steely Dan classic goes all the way to 11! Unfortunately, #11 on the Hot 100 means just missing the top 10 with the second single release from their debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill". That's where "Reelin' In The Years" was for a second week on May 26, 1973. The "B" side is a great jazzy tune that showcased what would be their signature sound in the years to come. Only A Fool Would Say That - Steely Dan
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Post by dukelightning on Mar 9, 2016 21:42:47 GMT -5
1finemrg does a great job on this thread. So this will likely be a one time appearance from me here. The Music Expert Retro Countdown will be doing a show from 1970 next week. Not sure if it will be the week of 3/14 or 3/21/70 but it does not matter. This "B" side debuted as an "A" side in the first of those weeks and moved up the chart in its second week. But it was a "B" side prior to that to the "A" side "Whole Lotta Love". Rather than release a new single, Atlantic decided to promote that former "B" side as the followup 'song' to "Whole Lotta Love". But the song this one is associated with is not that one. It is another song from Led Zeppelin's second album. Radio stations have always played these 2 songs in a medley arrangement a la a couple hits by Journey in the late 70s, one of which 1finemrg spotlighted not too long ago. Here is my favorite of nearly 10 songs titled "Heartbreaker" (and there actually was a song on the Hot 100 those 2 weeks with that title, but by Grand Funk) and the tag along former "B" side "Living Loving Maid", which peaked at 65 as an "A" side. (maybe Atlantic should have released it in this setup and scored another top 40 hit for Led Zeppelin) www.youtube.com/watch?v+=nwmCOSYUSII
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