REMEMBER WHEN - 26TH FEBRUARY 1977

1977

Week 9
WEEK ENDING 26TH FEBRUARY 1977

TOP 40 SINGLES

TW	LW
1	1	Leo Sayer	When I Need You
2	2	Julie Covington	Don't Cry For Me Argentina
3	3	David Soul	Don't Give Up On Us
4	6	Heatwave	Boogie Nights
5	7	Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes	Don't Leave Me This Way
6	12	Manhattan Transfer	Chanson D'Amour
7	8	Moments	Jack In The Box
8	11	Brothers	Sing Me
9	4	Barry Biggs	Sideshow
10	17	Bryan Ferry	This Is Tomorrow
11	16	Mr. Big	Romeo
12	19	Boz Scaggs	What Can I Say
13	9	Boney M	Daddy Cool
14	5	David Parton	Isn't She Lovely
15	13	Rose Royce	Car Wash
16	21	Racing Cars	They Shoot Horses Don't They
17	22	Rubettes	Baby I Know
18	38	Mary MacGregor	Torn Between Two Lovers
19	10	Elvis Presley	Suspicion
20	NEW	David Bowie	Sound And Vision
21	18	Thelma Houston	Don't Leave Me This Way
22	24	Boston	More Than A Feeling
23	14	Drifters	You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book
24	32	O'Jays	Darlin' Darlin' Baby
25	27	Tavares	Mighty Power Of Love
26	29	Earth Wind And Fire	Saturday Nite
27	20	Liverpool Express	Everyman Must Have a Dream
28	15	Thin Lizzy	Don't Believe A Word
29	31	Real Thing	You'll Never Know What You're Missing
30	40	Electric Light Orchestra	Rockaria
31	26	Eagles	New Kid In Town
32	34	Detroit Spinners	Wake Up Susan
33	NEW	Wings	Maybe I'm Amazed
34	NEW	Van McCoy	Soul Cha Cha
35	23	Status Quo	Wild Side Of Life
36	NEW	Kiki Dee	First Thing In The Morning
37	30	Silver Convention	Everybody's Talkin' About Love
38	25	Gary Glitter	It Takes All Night Long
39	NEW	Sailor	One Drink Too Many
40	NEW	Fleetwood Mac	Go Your Own Way

Leo Sayer

When I Need You

After reaching number two three times, Leo Sayer finally reached the top with his sixth hit single (ironically not composed by himself). On the other side of the Atlantic however, this was to become Leo's second consecutive number one. Having ignored his superior (and original) version of "The Show Must Go On", the North Americans had finally warmed to him with what was his third British hit "Long Tall Glasses" and given him a number nine hit in 1975. They then ignored him again until he released the uncharacteristic "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" in late 1976. This gave him his biggest Stateside hit in reaching number one and spending 17 weeks in the top 40. A 1998 cover version of "When I Need You" by Will Mellor hit number five.

Julie Covington

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

After three weeks at number two, Julie Covington finally hit the top in February 1977 for just one week. This single became the best selling single ever by a female vocalist. A whole new generation was made aware of this classic song through Madonna's number three hitting cover version taken from the movie version of 'Evita' in 1996. But that isn't the only cover version of the song to chart. The Shadows reached number five with their instrumental cover of the song in February 1979, and Mike Flowers Pops reached number 30 with their 1996 cover. Good covers that have not appeared on the top 40 include one by Sinead O'Connor from 1992, Elaine Paige's version from the Evita stage cast recording, the Carpenters version from the 'Passage' album, and the one by 'Donna Summer', from her 'I'm A Rainbow' album. There was also the number three peaking single by David Essex called 'Oh What A Circus' that resembled "Argentina" a lot.

David Soul

Don't Give Up On Us

Starsky and Hutch star, David Soul spent four weeks at number one with this debut hit. It was a pleasant enough song and finished top of the pile on Music Week's official chart of the year, but I seriously doubt that it would have got anywhere near the top had it not been for David's popularity in the TV show. He was also a woman beater, so any success at all was more than the evil bastard deserved.

Heatwave

Boogie Nights

Heatwave were having the first and biggest of their seven hits with "Boogie Nights" and reached number two. Heatwave had first come to the attention of the public (well, some of them) through the TV talent show 'New Faces' and their hits spanned a period of four years. Rod Temperton of the band later penned one of Michael Jackson's most well known songs "Thriller", while vocalist J.D.Douglas later joined the Commodores and featured on their last big hit "Nightshift".

5		Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes		Don't Leave Me This Way
21		Thelma Houston		Don't Leave Me This Way

Harold Melvin drew first blood in the "Don't Leave Me This Way" battle in the UK, by entering at number 36, 2 weeks before Thelma Houston entered at number 38. By then, Harold had climbed to number 14. It took Harold another three weeks to hit his peak of number five, by which time it looked as Thelma had peaked at 18 as she had fallen to number 21. But as Harold then dropped a couple, Thelmaa's single had a second wind and climbed to number 13. Both songs then descended down the chart with Thelma managing to outsell Harold just one week during her Eight week run compared to Harold's Ten weeks. It was a different story in the States though, where Thelma reached number one and the original failed to chart (possibly not released as a single). Over nine years later the battle in the UK was belatedly won by the Communards who hit number one and had the biggest selling single of 1986 with a cover that owed more to Thelma's cover than the original. Despite this, they could only reach number 40 over the water. All three stand up as fine recordings.

Manhattan Transfer

Chanson D'Amour

Manhattan Transfer's cover of a very old song that surprisingly reached number one and spent three weeks there. It was the second of the eight top 40 hits that they had between 1976 & 1984, and yet was the only one to make the top ten. Some of us prefer to fondly associate this song with the sitcom 'Are You Being Served ?' (Right Shawn ?).

Moments

Jack In The Box

The Moments were enjoying the last of the three top ten hits that they had between '75 & '77. This one peaked at number seven and owed more to 'Pure Pop' than it did to 'Soul' or 'Disco'. Despite them having 12 Hot 100 hits in the States, only one of those hits came close to the UK top 40. The song in question was 'Look At Me (I'm In Love)' which peaked at number 42 in 1975.

Brothers

Sing Me

The Brothers were having their first and only hit with a song that would reach number eight. I 'think' that this band had also been winners of the 'New Faces' talent show, but either way I didn't like it at all.

Barry Biggs

Sideshow

Barry Biggs spent three weeks at number three with this, his first hit single. When he had fallen from that position he wasn't going to go quietly and amassed a total of 14 weeks in the top 40. And that still wasn't the end of it, because almost a year later one of those BBC strikes (that always seems to disrupt Top Of The Pops more than any other show) occurred. To compensate us regular Top Of The Pops viewers (there were a lot of us in those days), the show from exactly a year ago was repeated (That's the only time I can recall the Beeb doing that), and you guessed it, "Side Show" was featured.

Bryan Ferry

This Is Tomorrow

This reached number nine to become Bryan's third top ten hit in eight months. It just passed me by really, I hardly noticed it, very sub-standard.

Mr. Big

Romeo

'Mr. Big' quickly climbed to number four with this song that surprisingly got past the BBC censors. This is not the same 'Mr. Big' that hit number three with "To Be With You" 15 years later, and the "Romeo" band are probably pleased about that fact.

Boz Scaggs

What Can I Say

It's Boz again with the biggest of the five tracks to be lifted as singles from his 'Silk Degrees' album (that was a little naughty Boz ! ). This was his only top ten hit and reached number ten. It was OK I suppose.

Boney M

Daddy Cool

Boney M were having their first hit and giving no warning whatsoever that they would be treating us to "Rivers Of Babylon" & "Mary's Boy Child" in 1978. "Daddy Cool" made number six and spent 12 weeks in the top 40. This was also a minor hit in the States. At the time they were regarded as just another 'Disco Group', but before long they would earn the ultimate accolade to be given to any pop band by critics. They would be described as being 'More plastic than the records themselves', and this invariably means that the act in question is getting it right and the critics are pissed off about it !

David Parton

Isn't She Lovely

David Parton peaked at number four with the song that Stevie Wonder decided not to release as a single (or he couldn't because of this version being such a big hit). Stevie had written and recorded it for his 'Songs In The Key Of Life' album, but had opted to release "I Wish" as the first single. I don't suppose Stevie worried too much, as his second single from the album was more successful than David's record anyway.
Now, I have a different opinion of this song than the one I had for almost the first 24 years after it's release. Instead of just being average sentimental slush, it's actually a very good well written song.

Rose Royce

Car Wash

Rose Royce were having the first of the seven top 40 hits they were to have over the next three years. This number nine peaking single was the title song from the supposedly very funny 'Car Wash' film. It was quite funny in places, but certainly not 'Very'. The best thing about it was the soundtrack that included more future hits from Rose Royce (I think 'Stargard' were featured too). "Car Wash" the single has since been re-issued/re-mixed and diced more times than I care to remember, the latest being near the end of 1998.

Racing Cars

They Shoot Horses Don't They

The Racing Cars were having their only hit, and eventually reached number 14. This is the only difficult song on the Rock and Pop version of Trivial Pursuit CD.

Rubettes

Baby I Know

This was the last of the Rubettes' nine hits. Four weeks after it entered, this country influenced song peaked at number ten to become their first top ten hit since their fourth single "I Can Do It" two years earlier.

Mary MacGregor

Torn Between Two Lovers

Mary was a one hit wonder who quickly climbed the chart to peak at number four. This single was toppled from a two week stay at number one in the Billboard chart in the very week that it entered the UK chart.

Elvis Presley

Suspicion

Elvis Presley was having a comeback in terms of chart fortunes as "Suspicion" was the second of three top tenners in six months. This was the first time since 1972 that Elvis had managed three consecutive top ten hits. His death six months later would boost this total to five by the end of the year. "Suspicion" had originally been a track on his 1962 album 'Pot Luck'.

David Bowie

Sound And Vision

Just when it seemed as though Bowie was going into decline, up he pops with this gem. It gave him his first top three single (with a new song) since 1973. Just a pity that there wasn't much else to write home about on the parent album "Low", save for the excellent "Always Crashing In The Same Car".

Thelma Houston

Don't Leave Me This Way

See number 5 - Harold Melvin

Boston

More Than A Feeling

Boston were in the UK top 40 with a single that got no higher than number 22. To tell the absolute truth, I thought this was a brand new Queen track when I first heard it, as it had that sound to it. Surprisingly, this is the only hit that the band have had in the UK. they have fared much better in the States where they had a number one single in 1986 with "Amanda" taken from the excellent 'Third Stage' album.

Drifters

You're More Than A Number In My Little Red Book

This was the last top 10 hit for the Drifters in their long career, and they would not even appear in the top 40 again once this had fallen out of the chart. For the record, they peaked at number five. For no apparent reason, my ten year old younger brother bought me this for Christmas in 1977.

O'Jays

Darlin' Darlin' Baby

Not one of their best known hits, but it still managed to climb to number 24.

Tavares

Mighty Power Of Love

After two number four singles, they had to settle for a number 25 peak with this 'more of the same' single. Still, it didn't take them long to release the follow up to this, and it returned them to the top five.

Earth Wind And Fire

Saturday Nite

This is where it all began for 'Earth Wind And Fire' in the UK. This debut hit peaked at number 17 and paved the way for all those other great hits that followed during the following five years.

Liverpool Express

Everyman Must Have A Dream

Liverpool Express took eight weeks to reach their high of number 17 with the second of their three top 40 hits. It was quite a nice song, but contained some very dodgy lines for the sake of rhyming. They are best known for their number 11 hit "You Are My Love" from the previous summer, a song that George Michael had obviously heard before writing his 1997 hit "You Have Been Loved".

Thin Lizzy

Don't Believe A Word

Having made a successful comeback the previous Summer with '"The Boys Are Back In Town" and the 'Jailbreak' album, the band had returned with their seventh (officially released) album 'Johnny The Fox' just seven months after the last one. Just one single was released from that album, and this was it. It was their 11th single to be issued in the UK (including an EP), but only the fourth to chart. It reached number 12.

Real Thing

You'll Never Know What You're Missing

Some things never change. After two upbeat top three hits with "You To Me Are Everything" and "Can't Get By Without You", a smoochy end of the night song was naturally released as the third single. Unfortunately for the band, their popularity instantly waned and they had to settle for a number 16 peak. They didn't return to the top ten until March 1979.

Electric Light Orchestra

Rockaria

E.L.O. were finally getting a run of commercial success with this second single from the 'A New World Record' album. I was never convinced that it was a good choice for single release, but it peaked at number nine anyway.

Eagles

New Kid In Town

The Eagles couldn't get any higher than number 20 with the US number one "New Kid In Town". This was the first of three singles to be lifted from the highly successful 'Hotel California' album, and also the first to feature 'Joe Walsh' who'd recently replaced 'Bernie Leadon'. A classic single, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Detroit Spinners

Wake Up Susan

The Detroit Spinners (known as just 'The Spinners' in the states) peaked at number 29 with this sixth hit single. It was quite a good one too, but their best period in terms of chart activity was to come three years later.

Wings

Maybe I'm Amazed

This song was originally released on Paul McCartney's debut solo album "McCartney" in 1970, and had been a favourite amongst fans since then. This was a live version taken from the "Wings Over America" album, and struggled to peak at number 28. Who would have guessed that his next single would be the first to sell two million copies in the UK ?

Van McCoy

Soul Cha Cha

This one had a Latin feel to it, had some woman getting all excited about being on a record, had the title chanted a lot, and wasn't particularly any good. It peaked at number 34 on it's debut, but in a perfect world would not have charted at all.

Status Quo

Wild Side Of Life

Another good single by Status Quo, and their version of a Tommy Quickly song that seemed to be doing the rounds at the time. Rod Stewart had a cover of this on his then current album "A Night On The Town". It's also a very popular song on the country music scene. Quo's version is the best that I've ever heard, and it reached number nine at the end of January.

Kiki Dee

First Thing In The Morning

Kiki didn't get into the chart too often, but when she did, it was usually a good one. Not so hot this time though. She reacched number 32.

Silver Convention

Everybody's Talkin' 'Bout Love

Silver Convention peaked at number 25 with their fourth and last hit, though they did later take part in the Eurovision song contest with a song called "Telegram". Someone did sed me some information about that a couple of years ago, and I intended to use it here. Sadly I can't find it, and so I apologise in advance for any lack of sleep caused.

Gary Glitter

It Takes All Night Long

Gary Glitter was attempting a return to past glories, after almost two years away from the top ten. But it would be almost eight years before he succeeded in reaching the top ten hit again. This peaked at number 25.

Sailor

One Drink Too Many

Oh yes, this was better. Had more of the "Traffic Jam" sound than the previous two hits. I prefer it to those two and it deserved to be a much bigger hit than it's number 35 peak.

Fleetwood Mac

Go Your Own Way

The first single from what became a classic album, "Rumours". But at the time, it had trouble breaking over here. This first single could only climb to number 38. And they didn't get into the top 29 with any of the other three singles pulled from the album either.

This song was in the top 50 this week, but failed to reach the top 40.

Genesis

Your Own Special Way

Quite a good song, even if it did seem to go on a little too long, but not one that you'd have expected to see in the upper reaches of the chart. We didn't, it reached number 43.

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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