1975
Week 20
WEEK ENDING 17TH MAY1975

TOP 40 SINGLES

Last weeks position in Brackets

1-(-3) Tammy Wynette - - - Stand By Your Man
2-(-1) Mud - - - - - - - - - - - - Oh Boy
3-(-2) Minnie Riperton - - - -Loving You
4-(-4) Susan Cadogan - - - - Hurt So Good
5-(-6) Tammy Jones - - - - - -Let Me Try Again
6-(12) Disco Tex And The Sex-O-Lettes - - - I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
7-(14) Carpenters - - - - - - - - Only Yesterday
8-(-5) Bobby Goldsboro - - - Honey
9-(-7) Four Seasons - - - - - -The Night
10(13) Gary Glitter- - - - - - - - -Love Like You And Me
11(22) Gladys Knight - - - - - - The Way We Were
12(36) Stylistics - - - - - - - - - - Sing Baby Sing
13(10) Gilbert Becaud - - - - - - A Little Love And Understanding
14(---) Slade- - - - - - - - - - - - - -Thanks For The Memory
15(-9) Three Degrees - - - - - - -Take Good Care Of Yourself
16(27) Mac And Katie Kisson- - - Don't Do It Baby
17(17) Stephanie De Sykes - - - -We'll Find Our Day
18(11) Glitter Band - - - - - - -- - The Tears I Cried
19(-8) Bay City Rollers - - - - - -Bye Bye Baby
20(15) 10CC - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Life Is A Minestrone
21(40) Desmond Dekker - - - - - Israelites
22(38) Kraftwerk - - - - - - - - - - Autobahn
23(35) Wombles - - - - - - - - - - Wombling White Tie And Tails
24(19) Teach In - - - - - - - - - - - Ding - A - Dong
25(28) Ian Hunter - - - - - - - - - -Once Bitten Twice Shy
26(16) Peter Shelley - - - - - - - - Love Me Love My Dog
27(20) Peter Skellern - - - - - - - -Hold On To Love
28(---) Windsor Davies/Don Estelle - - - Whispering Grass
29(33) Jackie Wilson - - - - - - - I Get The Sweetest Feeling
30(---) Fox - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Imagine Me Imagine You
31(25) Betty Wright - - - - - - - - -Where Is The Love
32(37) John Lennon - - - - - - - - - Stand By Me
33(26) Sharonettes - - - - - - - - - - Papa Ooh Mow Mow
34(30) Silver Convention - - - - - -Save Me
35(---) Eric Clapton - - - - - - - - - - Swing Low Sweet Chariot
36(---)Tami Lynn - - - - - - - - - - - - I'm Gonna Run Away From You
37(---) Status Quo - - - - - - - - - - - Roll Over Lay Down
38(23) Diana Ross - - - - - - - - - - - - Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right
39(---) Judy Collins - - - - - - - - - - - Send In The Clowns
40(18) Jim Gilstrap - - - - - - - - - - - - Swing Your Daddy

1-(-3) Tammy Wynette - - - Stand By Your Man
This week saw Tammy Wynette make number one with a single that she originally released sometime around 1968. Why it was suddenly a hit now I don't know, but as had happened so often before, the charts were appearing to conspire against me. My parents were going through a divorce at this time, just as they were when Tammy's next hit "D.I.V.O.R.C.E." was in the charts. After making a 20 place last week, she naturally went to number one this week, where she reigned for three weeks. Unfortunately, Tammy passed away in April 1998.

2-(-1) Mud - - - - - - - - - - - - Oh Boy
Mud had just registered their last ever week at number one. They had been there for two weeks with their almost accapella rendition of "Oh Boy". This track wasn't even intended for release as a single, as the band had already signed a new contract with 'Private Stock' records. But as 'RAK' had quite a few Mud tracks in reserve, they decided to release a few. There were a further two releases, but the band were about to embark on their two year slide to oblivion.

3-(-2) Minnie Riperton - - - -Loving You
The late Minnie Riperton had just spent two weeks at number two with her only hit "Loving You". There was an excellent release from her a few years later called 'Stick Together', but it didn't get a sniff of the charts. Unfortunately, Minnie died of Cancer in 1979.

4-(-4) Susan Cadogan - - - - Hurt So Good
Susan Cadogan spent three weeks at number four with the reggae-ish."Hurt So Good". Lovely echo to Susan's vocals on this one. Susan was a bald Librarian with a glass eye until Pete Waterman discovered her in Kingston Jamaica. He paid just 80 dollars for the rights to release it in the UK and it was the first of his many successes.
Jimmy Somerville had a hit with this in 1995 and took it to number 15..

5-(-6) Tammy Jones - - - - - -Let Me Try Again
Another Tammy in the top Five, this one was the Welsh singer Tammy Jones, who had been a winner on the talent show 'Opportunity Knocks'. This was her only hit and was peaking this week.

6-(12) Disco Tex And The Sex-O-Lettes - - - I Wanna Dance Wit Choo
Disco Tex and the Sex -O-Lettes were having the biggest of their two hits with "I Wanna Dance Wit Choo" peaking at number six this week. I remember a third single failing to chart later in the year (A ballad, I think), but no more was heard from them after that.

7-(14) Carpenters - - - - - - - - Only Yesterday
The Carpenters were also peaking this week with "Only Yesterday". They would have to wait until the Autumn of 1977 for their next (and final) top ten hit. I do hope that the fatality rate of the acts in this particular top ten isn't something that the other acts should bear in mind.

8-(-5) Bobby Goldsboro - - - Honey
Bobby Goldsboro had taken "Honey" to number two for the second time in seven years, but was now on his way down with his last ever hit. This song is one that you either love or hate. Personally, I love it, it's one of my earliest musical memories and I remember my Mum buying it back in 1968. I hi-jacked her copy sometime during the mid 70s.

9-(-7) Four Seasons - - - - - -The Night
The big comeback single from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons was also on it's way down from it's peak of number seven. This single had been recorded a few years previous for the Motown subsidiary label 'Mowest', and had been re-released due to demand from disco regulars. For a while this was my favourite song of all time (well it was until a certain big hit from Queen right at the end of 1975). Frankie and the boys would be back later this year.

10(13) Gary Glitter- - - - - - - - -Love Like You And Me
Gary Glitter was surprisingly peaking as number ten with "Love Like You And Me". It was his first single to peak lower than number four in three years (ten releases). It was in fact the beginning of the end for Gary's chart fortunes. Does anyone remember his Top Of The Pops appearance for this one with him sitting on a moon like object ? (cue the sarcasm)

11(22) Gladys Knight - - - - - - The Way We Were
Gladys Knight was on her way to number four with the song that had relatively failed for Barbra Streisand a year previous. Initially, it didn't seem as though Gladys was going to have a major hit on her hands either. This was already it's sixth week in the top 40, but it was now gaining momentum. It was Gladys' first hit for two years, but was the start of a run of regular hit singles for her.

12(36) Stylistics - - - - - - - - - - Sing Baby Sing
The Stylistics had taken a massive leap from 36 to 12. It halved it's position over each of the next two weeks to reach number three. One of the best offerings from one of the best pop/soul acts of the decade.

13(10) Gilbert Becaud - - - - - - A Little Love And Understanding
Gilbert Becaud was a strange man from France who peaked last week with "A Little Love And Understanding". He certainly enjoyed the gaze of the camera when he appeared on Top Of The Pops, especially as he turned to it to utter "OK" at the end of every verse. He was one of the strangest sights I ever saw on the show, still, if it made him happy !

14(---) Slade- - - - - - - - - - - - - -Thanks For The Memory
Slade had the highest new entry of the week with 'Thanks For The Memory'. The band were clearly past their peak as far as chart performance can tell, even though they did manage to climb to number seven with this one. However, it was to be six years before they graced the top ten again.

15(-9) Three Degrees - - - - - - -Take Good Care Of Yourself
The Three Degrees had just spent the last week they would spend inside the top ten for four years with the number nine peaking "Take Good Care Of Yourself ". To be totally honest, after the girls had failed to have a major hit with "Get Your Love Back", they seem to have recorded an almost identical copy of "When Will I See You Again" for this release. Tut Tut girls.

16(27) Mac And Katie Kisson- - - Don't Do It Baby
Mac And Katie Kissoon were having their second hit (the first being "Sugar Candy Kisses" earlier in this year). "Don't Do It Baby" was to peak at number nine the following week. The Brother/Sister duo had already had their sole US hit back in 1971 with "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". Katie later joined 'Roger Waters Bleeding Heart Band' singing backing vocals.Strange thing is, in the very week that this single debuted in the top 40, the Rubettes spent their first and only week in the Album chart with their second (and only charting) album 'We Can Do It'. The album included their rendition of "Don't Do It Baby".

17(17) Stephanie De Sykes - - - -We'll Find Our Day
Stephanie De Sykes was spending the second of two weeks at her peak of number 17 with her second hit to come from the soap 'Crossroads'. In the soap, "We'll Find Our Day" was sung by Stephanie at the wedding of Hugh Mortimor and Meg Richardson (but that doesn't prove I ever watched the show ! ).

18(11) Glitter Band - - - - - - -- - The Tears I Cried
The Glitter Band were on their way down with their fifth consecutive top ten hit "The Tears I Cried" , which had peaked at number eight. Unfortunately they didn't extend the run, and their decline almost mirrored that of their leader, Gary.

19(-8) Bay City Rollers - - - - - -Bye Bye Baby
Bay City Rollers had spent six weeks at number one. This was the biggest selling single of the year and a cover of a song that was a complete flop in the UK for the Four Seasons ten years earlier.

20(15) 10CC - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Life Is A Minestrone
10CC had just peaked at number seven with "Life Is A Minestrone". This was the first single from them since their change of record company from Jonathan King's 'UK' to 'Mercury'. This change also seemed to indicate a change in their music too, as their real classics were starting to happen beginning with the latest album 'The Original Soundtrack'. I must admit that some of the lyrics to this song seemed somewhat vague to me at the time. For instance, I didn't have a clue what Parmison cheese was, I'd never heard of Spaggetti bolognase and most of us Brits didn't have a clue that pizza is just very expensive junk food.

21(40) Desmond Dekker - - - - - Israelites
Desmond Dekker was on the climb as he sped towards his number ten peak with a song that he had taken to number one back in 1969 (what is it with that era and this weeks chart ?). To be quite honest, I wouldn't say I dislike the song, but I find it's popularity confusing.

22(38) Kraftwerk - - - - - - - - - - Autobahn
One of the pioneers of Synth 'Kraftwerk' were on their way to number 11 with a brilliant piece of music called "Autobahn". I remember someone telling me a few years later how he used to go to a pub which had this on the jukebox. He said that there were speakers all along one wall, and when this track was played, the sounds of the car travelling along the Autobahn would go from one speaker to the next all along the wall. I must have been naive at the time, because I believed every word he said. However, I would recommend listening to it on headphones. Even though they influenced a generation, Kraftwerk would have to wait almost seven years before they got into the top 20 again, with the number one single "The Model".

23(35) Wombles - - - - - - - - - - Wombling White Tie And Tails
The Wombles were to peak at number 22 with their sixth hit in less than 18 months. I'll say this for them, all of their hits sounded different.

24(19) Teach In - - - - - - - - - - - Ding - A - Dong
The Eurovision song contest winner was on it's way down from number 13. Who could forget the immortal lines "When you're feeling allright, everyone is uptight, Try to sing a song that goes Ding Ding A Dong" ?
I recently heard an interesting tale about this song from a friend of Teach In's vocalist. That band were actually taking the p**s out of Eurovision and the rest of us with this apparently innocent song. If I mention a certain arrest by the L.A. PD in a public convenience, then you should guess what the song was really all about.

25(28) Ian Hunter - - - - - - - - - -Once Bitten Twice Shy
Ex 'Mott The Hoople' vocalist Ian Hunter was having his first and only solo hit with the number 14 peaking "Once Bitten Twice Shy". Just goes to show what a hell of a mistake he made in leaving the band (even though this was a very good single).

26(16) Peter Shelley - - - - - - - - Love Me Love My Dog
This seemed to plummet rather quickly. Peter had been to number two with "Love Me Love My Dog". Not to be confused with the Buzzcocks singer, this Peter Shelley had been responsible for Alvin Stardust's big hits over the last 18 months. This was Peter's last solo hit though.

27(20) Peter Skellern - - - - - - - -Hold On To Love
Peter Skellern was at last having a follow up hit to his 1972 number one "You're A Lady" with "Hold On To Love", which had peaked at number 14. After this Peter started recording with Brass bands and the like, and didn't bother the chart compilers anymore.

28(---) Windsor Davies/Don Estelle - - - Whispering Grass
The new entry at number 28 was by two of the stars of the popular sitcom 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum'. Windsor Davies and Don Estelle's recording of the old song "Whispering Grass" took a mighty leap to number two the following week, only to be held off by Tammy Wynette for a further week before reaching the number one position for a three week stay.

29(33) Jackie Wilson - - - - - - - I Get The Sweetest Feeling
"I Get The Sweetest Feeling" had been a number nine hit in 1972 for Jackie Wilson and here it was again, just three years later. It would only reach number 25 this time around, but 12 years later would go all the way to number three. In August of 1975, Jackie suffered a stroke on stage and lay in a coma until his death in 1984.

30(---) Fox - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Imagine Me Imagine You
Fox were back with a new entry at number 30. "Imagine Me Imagine You" sadly only reached number 15. Lead vocalist Noosha Fox wasn't regarded as a great singer at this time. But almost a quarter of a century later, after extensive plastic surgery, she returned with a new name, Macy Gray. She then won lots of awards and was regarded as the most important discovery since Mobile Phones (until the following year's new fad).

31(25) Betty Wright - - - - - - - - -Where Is The Love
Betty Wright was having her second minor hit of the year with "Where Is The Love". This was the biggest of the two, reaching number 25. Despite Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway having the original hit version of this song back in 1972, it was indeed Betty who wrote the song. She had no more hits despite a couple of near misses in the late 80's.

32(37) John Lennon - - - - - - - - - Stand By Me
John Lennon would peak at number 30 with his second hit of the year, his fantastic version of "Stand By Me" taken from his 'Rock And Roll' album. If you don't have the album, GET IT, it's a great buy. This would be the last 'new' song to chart for John Lennon for over 5 years. I've always wondered why this track wasn't included on his Shaved Fish compilation released in late 1975. Incidentally, as far as I'm aware, John is the last deceased person that I have to mention in this chart of the dead..

33(26) Sharonettes - - - - - - - - - - Papa Ooh Mow Mow
The Sharonettes were having their only top 40 hit with "Papa Ooh Mow Mow" and had peaked at number 26. Gary Glitter revived this song for a single just six months later and only reached number 38. There's a little story behind the Gary Glitter version. While he was promoting it on a TV show called 'Supersonic', he burnt his backside on the fire spewing forth from the mouth of a dragon being used for effects. With a bit of luck, British readers may catch that incident if they tune into Granada Plus at 8:30am weekends from the middle of May (2000).

34(30) Silver Convention - - - - - -Save Me
Silver Convention were having their very first hit, but had only got as high as number 30.

35(---) Eric Clapton - - - - - - - - - - Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Eric Clapton was having only his second solo hit with "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", and would rise to number 19. In 1997 at the exact moment that I was typing my original commentary for this hit, I was listening to that week's new top 40 and a new entry was played at number three. It was by a band called 'Damage' with a very damaging version of one of Eric's greatest songs "Wonderful Tonight". Why can't those useless warblers (copyright - Edwin Starr) write songs these days, instead of badly covering classics from the Golden Days ?

36(---)Tami Lynn - - - - - - - - - - - - I'm Gonna Run Away From You
A third Tami (Tammy) in the chart, I bet that hasn't happened at any other time.
Tami Lynn was trying to have a hit for the second time with her 1971 number four hit "I'm Gonna Run Away From You", but could only manage number 36 this time with the only song she ever charted.

37(---) Status Quo - - - - - - - - - - - Roll Over Lay Down
Status Quo were following their number one single "Down Down", with a live recording of a track from their 1973 album 'Hello'. "Roll Over Lay Down" would peak at number nine for them. This track also reminds me of the Hightown Discos from 1977 (mentioned in other commentaries) as it used to get played a lot there.

38(23) Diana Ross - - - - - - - - - - - - Sorry Doesn't Always Make It Right
Diana was going through a short lean spell where she couldn't make it into the top 20. This single had been a bigger hit than the previous three and had peaked at number 23 the previous week.

39(---) Judy Collins - - - - - - - - - - - Send In The Clowns
Judy Collins was having her first hit for over four years with "Send In The Clowns". This peaked at number six, just one place lower than "Amazing Grace", but spent nowhere near as long in the charts.

40(18) Jim Gilstrap - - - - - - - - - - - - Swing Your Daddy
Jim Gilstrap was on his way down from number four with his only hit, and what a tumble ! He sang about having "Your love Jones out of control", and I still don't have any idea what the poor fella was on about. Jim later covered the '5000 Volts' hit "I'm On Fire".

Disclaimer All comments concerning the quality of the songs in this and any other chart, are purely my opinion and not a statement of fact. I believe that we are all equal when it comes to deciding what makes a good song. I do not believe that good songs have to be serious or dull. I am of the opinion that if a single sells many copies, then many people like it, so it must be good whether I like it or not. Good music is everything YOU like, and it's also everything I like.

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Email: nige@innotts.co.uk