REMEMBER WHEN - 28TH FEBRUARY 1976

1976
Week 9
WEEK ENDING 28TH FEBRUARY 1976

TOP 40 SINGLES

TW	LW
1	1	Four Seasons	December '63 (Oh What A Night)
2	3	Tina Charles	I Love To Love
3	4	Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains	Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto
4	7	C.W. McCall	Convoy
5	2	Slik	Forever And Ever
6	14	Yvonne Fair	It Should Have Been Me
7	10	Pluto Shervington	Dat
8	11	Walker Brothers	No Regrets
9	17	Status Quo	Rain
10	15	Who	Squeeze Box
11	18	Slade	Let's Call It Quits
12	6	Donna Summer	Love To Love You Baby
13	5	Abba	Mamma Mia
14	8	Miracles	Love Machine
15	13	Glenn Miller	Moonlight Serenade / Little Brown Jug / In The Mood
16	12	War	Low Rider
17	9	R & J Stone	We Do It
18	22	Stylistics	Funky Weekend
19	21	Smokie	Something's Been Making Me Blue
20	34	Billy Ocean	Love Really Hurts Without You
21	19	Wing And A Prayer Fife And Drum Corps	Baby Face
22	20	O'Jays	I Love Music
23	39	Fatback Band	(Do The) Spanish Hustle
24	16	David Ruffin	Walk Away From Love
25	31	Cliff Richard	Miss You Nights
26	24	Manhattan Transfer	Tuxedo Junction
27	27	L.J. Johnson	Your Magic Put A Spell On Me
28	26	Evelyn Thomas	Weak Spot
29	NEW	Guys And Dolls	You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
30	25	Barbara Dickson	Answer Me
31	40	St. Andrews Chorale	Cloud 99
32	28	E.L.O.	Evil Woman
33	29	Donny And Marie Osmond	Deep Purple
34	NEW	Amen Corner	(If Paradise Was) Half As Nice
35	30	Billy Howard	King Of The Cops
36	32	Queen	Bohemian Rhapsody
37	NEW	Glitter Band	People Like You People Like Me
38	23	Paul Davidson	Midnight Rider
39	NEW	Juggy Jones	Inside America
40	NEW	M&O Band	Let's Do The Latin Hustle

Four Seasons

December '63 (Oh What A Night)

The Four Seasons had experienced an amazing comeback over the previous 12 months. They had been hitless as a band for over eight years in the UK, before Lead Vocalist Frankie Valli had his first solo hit in five years the previous April with "My Eyes Adored You". This prompted Tamla Motown to re-release their single "The Night" on it's 'Mowest' Label. After this became a top ten hit, the band recorded the 'Who Loves You' album and gained another top ten hit with the title track. "December '63" was the second single from the album, and gave them their first number one, after over 13 years of hitmaking. They were to have one more big hit before disappearing again, though many of their hits have become hits all over again when recorded by other artists, such as Clock's version of "December '63" in the Autumn of 1996. Part of the song's title "Oh What A Night" was used as the title to a seventies based musical that I was privileged to see twice in 1997. It starred Kid Creole and the wonderful Bernie Nolan amongst others, and a TV advertised album obviously inspired by the show was released in March 1998.

Tina Charles

I Love To Love

This was Tina Charles first hit, at least the first with her name on the record as she had actually sang lead vocal on the 5000 Volts number four hit "I'm On Fire" the previous Autumn. Tina spent three weeks at number one with this, and went on to have six more hits over the next two years. If you get the opportunity, check out "You Set My Heart On Fire" on her debut album also titled 'I Love To Love'.

Manuel And The Music of The Mountains

Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto

If you think that number one's don't stay at the top very long these days, then spare a tought for poor old Geoff Love who's alter ego Manuel And The Music Of The Mountains reached number one with this in February 1976. Just a three hours or so after announcing that this was number one, the 'British Market Research Bureau' realised that a mistake had been made and not all the sales had been fed into the computer. And so, a new chart was released with the 'FourSeasons' at number one and this at number four. It did climb one more place to three, but this first hit in 15 years turned out to be the very last one for Manuel.
The intro to this single was back in the chart shortly afterwards when Slik used it on their "Requiem" single.

C.W. McCall

Convoy

C.W. McCall was having his only hit with "Convoy". Contrary to popular belief, this song did not come from the film, the song inspired the film. C.W. released a very similar sounding follow up shortly afterwards called "Classified".

Slik

Forever And Ever

Slik was the first hitmaking band that Midge Ure was a part of. At the time Slik were heralded as the new 'Bay City Rollers'. They spent a week at number One with "Forever And Ever", but sadly only managed one minor hit after this (despite fronting their own TV show). I always liked this, it had an eerie sound about it that I still think sounds good today.

Yvonne Fair

It Should Have Been Me

Most of you will know that I'm in the minority who consider a good voice as being a major talent, a talent that is just as important as the ability to compose songs. You will also know that I consider Gladys Knight to be someone possessed with one of the finest voices. But, you will be surprised to learn that I think this cover of Gladys' 1968 US hit is much better than the original. I've always thought that Tina Turner could do a good job of this song, I wonder if she's ever recorded it. This version went to number five, and we heard no more from Yvonne afterwards. We almost had the song back in the chart in 1991 when covered by 'Adeva', but she had to settle for number 48.

Pluto Shervington

Dat

Pluto Shervington peaked at number six with this. Very strange song, and at times he seemed to be singing "I'm not a killer queen". He had to wait six years before his next hit "Your Honour".

Walker Brothers

No Regrets

The Walker Brothers were having their first chart hit for nine years, and would reach number seven ensuring their first top ten hit for ten years. By a strange coincidence, Midge Ure, who was making his chart debut this very week as the lead vocalist of 'Slik' would have his first Solo hit with a cover of "No Regrets" six years later. The thing is, the Walker Brothers version was also a cover, and the original by it's composer 'Tom Rush' was around at this time, but convincingly beaten by the Walker Brothers.
This song should not be confused with the 1998 song by Robbie Willliams.

Status Quo

Rain

Status Quo peaked at number seven with this track from the highly successful 'Blue For You' album. It was their third long player to top the album chart.

Who

Squeeze Box

The Who went as high as number ten with their biggest hit in almost four years "Squeeze Box". Strange how the big screen version of the rock opera "Tommy" was doing the rounds of the country's cinemas at the time, yet the only single to be released from the soundtrack was Elton John's version of "Pinball Wizard".

Slade

Let's Call It Quits

Slade were having their 17th consecutive top 20 hit with "Let's Call It Quits", and went as high as number 11. Just like the Glitter Band, it was apparent that they were trying to change their sound, but this was the last time that they'd be in the top 20 for five years.

Donna Summer

Love To Love You Baby

Donna Summer was making her debut with her very first hit. This song was barred from the Radio One playlist (simulated orgasm, or was it ?), and played to death on Radio Luxembourg. Still, it managed to climax at number four play it loud ;-)
Two years later and Donna had released SIX albums, five of which charted.

Abba

Mamma Mia

And this is the one that after a slow start, finally toppled Queen from number one. And just to get into the spirit of things, it's title was two words from the lyrics of "Bo Rap". After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 and reaching number one with "Waterloo", it seemed as though Abba had gone the way of most Euro winners and wouldn't be heard of again. They then started their comeback with the number six peaking "SOS" in October 75, but this latest single started an amazing run for them where they had Six Number Ones from Seven Releases. It spent two weeks on top before gradually falling and completing 13 weeks in the 40. No matter what I may have thought about them, they were easily the most popular band in the world during the years 1976 & 1977.

Miracles

Love Machine

This was the only hit that the Miracles managed without Smokey Robinson. Quite a shockingly high new entry at number 16 that peaked at number three a few weeks later. Billy Griffin had taken over as lead vocalist, and would have a solo top 20 hit seven years later.
Funny how I remember a girl named Susan Sharp loving this record, I bet she can't remember herself !

Glenn Miller

Moonlight Serenade / Little Brown Jug / In The Mood

I wonder what it was with Glenn Miller this year. Not only did this single peak at number 13, but the cast of the TV series 'Rock Follies' (which included Julie Covington) also released a single called "Glenn Miller Is Missing".

War

Low Rider

I hated this song at the time, but began to appreciate it a little more a couple of years later. It peaked at number 12 and is now better known for Marmite commercials.

R & J Stone

We Do It

Plenty of innuendo in this song by these one hit wonders that had been another surprisingly high new entry at number 17 in 1976's infancy. After an impressive leap to number seven the following week, it had to settle for a number five peak.

Stylistics

Funky Weekend

The Stylistics were having their 12th top 40 hit, but got no higher than number Ten this time. This was the second track to be lifted from the "You Are Beautiful" album. The strangest thing is, this song reminds me of sitting waiting for a haircut at 'Tony The Barber's' shop in nearby Acrefair (pronounced Ak rev i), as I remember it being played on the radio there. Whatever happened to Barber's Shops ?
It's all ;Gentleman's hairdressers' and 'Gentleman's stylists' now. Yet the people you see in these places hardly resemble Gentlemen. They come out looking as though they've just been treated for headlice (shaved heads you see, short hair usually meant that you've recently had nits, bugs, whatever).

Smokie

Something's Been Making Me Blue

Smokie were having their third and first hit. The reason I say that is, it was actually their third hit as a band, but the first on which they were named 'Smokie' rather than 'Smokey'. I liked this number 17 peasking single, but maybe it was because we had a British Blue cat named 'Smokey'. All attempts by myself to change the spelling of her name to 'Smokie' failed (I did try, honest). Probably just as well as she outlived the band to a ripe old age of 17 and a half before disappearing.

Billy Ocean

Love Really Hurts Without You

Billy Ocean was having his first hit and peaked at number two. He had three more hits during the next 12 months, before he seemingly vanished forever. He then surprised everyone by coming back in 1984 to become a major star for a few years. He achieved his only number one with "When The Going Get's Tough" ten years after his debut. A cover of that hit by 'Boyzone' also made number one in 1999.

Wing And A Prayer Fife And Drum Corps

Baby Face

Any credibility that I still held will be washed away when I admit that I liked this. But, I did like this disco version of the Little Richard hit that I had known for most of my life. It reached number 12 and they were never heard of again.

O'Jays

I Love Music

The O'Jays were in the chart for the first time in three years with one of their best known songs "I Love Music", and peaked at number 13. For no reason apparent to me, this single was re-issued just two years later and it climbed as high as number 36. I also have a feeling that it had already been released once before too, in 1973.

Fatback Band

(Do The) Spanish Hustle

The Fatback Band were heading for the top twenty for the second time this year and they reached number Ten. I thought that this was much better than that silly "Bus Stop" thing. They didn't get anywhere near this high again until they reached number seven with "I Found Lovin' " in October 1987.

David Ruffin

Walk Away From Love

David had been with the Temptations from 1963 until 1968 after which he began his solo career. But this was the only time that any of his solo singles made the UK chart. Quite a good single and it made it to number ten.
The silly bugger later started taking drugs and died after overdosing on crack in 1991.

Cliff Richard

Miss You Nights

Cliff Richard must have been relieved to get his first hit for almost two years. 1975 had been the first year since 1957 when he hadn't managed a single week on the chart. Cliff peaked at number 15 with this, the first of three extremely good songs that he hit the chart with in 1976.
I really must stop praising Cliff, it isn't as though I'm a fan or anything. I'm just realising that I like some of his songs more than I would have previously admitted.

Manhattan Transfer

Tuxedo Junction

This was the first that we saw of Manhattan Transfer in the chart. It wasn't the normal sort of thing I liked, but I did like it, it had a kind of 'cute' sound about it. It peaked at number 24.

L.J. Johnson

Your Magic Put A Spell On Me

L.J. Johnson was having his having his one and only hit, peaking at number 27. In another time and place it could have been the big hit I felt it deserved to be.

Evelyn Thomas

Weak Spot

Evelyn debuted on the chart at number 39 and then slowly climbed to number 26. It was another song from the northern soul scene, but not particularly good, she seemed to rush her way through it as if she had something more important to be getting on with. Evelyn's only other top 40 hit came eight years later, and it was a top five smash.

Guys 'N' Dolls

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

This put Guys And Dolls in the upper reaches of the chart for the last time, and peaked at number five. It was a cover of a song that provided the late Dusty Springfield with her only number one single almost exactly ten years earlier. Two of the members of Guys And Dolls, Therese Bazzar and David Van Day, would enjoy greater success between 1978 & 1982 as Dollar (not forgetting their brief 1988 top ten comeback).

Barbara Dickson

Answer Me

This debut hit for Barbara was a cover of a song that had been to number one for both Frankie Laine and David Whitfield in 1953. Frankie spent eight weeks on top with it, while David spent two, one of which was a week when both titles shared the top spot.
Barbara didn't make it a hat trick, but she did make it to number nine. I wasn't too keen on it, I seemed to hear it far too often.

St Andrew's Chorale

Cloud 99

It wasn't an isolated incident, bit it's extremely rare that a church choir gets into the UK chart. This was one of those occasions, and they stopped just short of an almost guaranteed Top Of The Pops appearance when they peaked at number 31.

E.L.O.

Evil Woman

E.L.O. weren't yet chart regulars and were only considered as good as their latest single. This was their hit for almost two years. And it quickly reached number ten to become their biggest hit since "Roll Over Beethoven" in 1973. It also reached number ten in the States.
I remember hearing the chart rundown in the week that it reached number ten. It was in classroom number 66, and was at the same time that I'd started a new hobby. The hobby was taking the starter thingy out of the fluorescent lights in the school classrooms, and then throwing them onto the ground so that they exploded. I enjoyed the frustrations of the various teachers as lights flickered without coming on properly. That was until a message written in chalk appeared on the door of room 66. It read "Nigel Jones Room 65 nicked the starters from the lights". I was summoned to the deputy head (Mr McDonna) where I admitted taking one starter and had to pay 22 1/2 p.

Donny And Marie Osmond

Deep Purple

The final hit from Donny And Marie was a cover of the Larry Clinton song (There's a joke to be made there somewhere, ask Monica) from 1939 that had been taken to number 17 by 'Nino Tempo & April Stevens' in 1963. This was a slow climber that spent seven weeks on the chart and eventually peaked at number 25.

Amen Corner

(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice

To cash in on Andy Fairweather Lowe's recent solo success, this 1969 number one by his former band was re-issued. It didn't do quite as well this time around though, it peaked at number 34.

Billy Howard

King Of The Cops

A comedy hit where Billy impersonated TV Cops singing a parody of the Roger Miller hit "King Of The Road". Yes, it was funny. It peaked at number six.
Speaking of cops, just two days before I typed this, this place was swarming with cops. The Nottingham bomb went off approx 50 yards from our home on December 11th (2000), and I got a rude awakening just after 7:00am. Now, I'm all for strapping bombs to people who experiment on animals or take part in other acts of animal cruelty, then dumping them far away from any other life form to explode. But when the intended victim was only loosely connected to a company that carries out such experiments, and was probably not even aware of the fact, AND any other innocent member of the public could have been killed (in particular my wife and baby daughter if we hadn't had a problem with the car over the weekend), then it's well out of order. The guilty party has been caught, I shall await his release from prison.

Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody

1975 had already seen the longest running number one for four years when the Bay City Rollers had spent six weeks on top with "Bye Bye Baby". But as that same year was drawing to a close, Queen entered the chart at number 17 with their fourth hit single, and climbed to number nine the following week. It wouldn't have been too much of a surprise if it had dropped a couple of places the following week, but no. It rose to number one for the first week of a nine week spell, the longest spell at number one since Paul Anka had also managed nine weeks with "Diana" in 1957. In fact, only two singles had spent more consecutive weeks at number one ("Cara Mia" by David Whitfield & "Rose Marie" by Slim Whitman). It even went back to number one following Freddie Mercury's death in 1991 for a further five weeks over the Christmas/New Year period. That means that this recording is the only one to have been at number one in four different years
The song itself is unlike any other record ever made, and I'm sure most of you have heard the stories about Freddie first playing the song to the rest of the band, and of the Kenny Everett incident. It regularly comes out on top of polls as the best song of all time (excepting radio one since they decided they don't want to play songs by older bands due to their fear of melodies), and I believe it is the third best selling single of all time in the UK. Something else of interest about this single was the ground breaking promo film. This was the one that is credited with starting the whole 'Music Video' boom. Others had been filmed before, but most were less than interesting. So the question is asked, "Was the video the only reason why it was so successful ?"
With one play a week on Top Of The Pops ?
Of course it wasn't.

Glitter Band

People Like You People Like Me

The Glitter Band were having their seventh and final hit with the number five peaking "People Like You People Like Me". The B Side "Makes You Blind" was a big disco hit in the States, but only made number 91 on the Billboard chart. Soon afterwards, in an attempt to get away from the dying glam rock scene, they shortened their name to 'The G Band', but the change didn't do them any favours.

Paul Davidson

Midnight Rider

Rather a good cover of a song that had first been performed by the 'Allman Brothers' on their 1970 album 'Idlewind South', and had later been recorded by Greg Allman solo and taken to number 19 in the Billboard chart. Now two years later, Paul Davidson was taking an entirely different version of the song into the UK chart. This Jamaican singer took it to number ten, but was unable to promote it on Top Of The Pops (Pans People did their stuff with police cars etc. instead) and it got no further.

Juggy Jones

Inside America

I don't know anything about this except that Mr Jones played all of the instruments himself and it spent just one week in the top 40.

M&O Band

Let's Do The Latin Hustle

There was a battle between two versions of the Latin Hustle. M&O band entered first, but the Eddie Drennon version then led for a while. Eddie eventually stalled at number 20, while the M&O Band reached number 16. I wonder what it was with hustles in those days !

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
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