1. Living In The 70’s – Skyhooks
2. Rock Your Baby – George McCrae
3. Rhythm Of Life – Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations
4. Gee Baby – Peter Shelley
5. Living Next Door To Alice – Smokie
6. Double Barrel – Dave & Ansil Collins
7. Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
8. Dead Skunk – Loudon Wainwright III
9. Moviestar – Harpo
10. Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks
11. Run Sally Run – The Cuff Links
12. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – Graham Bonnet
13. Chick-A-Boom (Don’t Ya Jes’ Love It) – Daddy Dewdrop
14. Honey Honey – ABBA
15. Falling In Love Again – Ted Mulry
16. Hold Me Close – David Essex
17. Mouldy Old Dough – Lieutenant Pigeon
18. It’s A Heartache – Bonnie Tyler
19. Heartbeat – It’s A Lovebeat – De Franco Family
featuring Tony De Franco
20. Last Song – Edward Bear
1. Billy, Don’t Be A Hero – Paper Lace
2. Albert Flasher – The Guess Who
3. Rockaria – Electric Light Orchestra
4. Could You Ever Love Me Again – Gary and Dave
5. Moonlighting – Leo Sayer
6. Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep – Middle Of The Road
7. Dancin’ (On A Saturday Night) – Barry Blue
8. Make Love To Me – Kelly Marie
9. Easy Come, Easy Go – Bobby Sherman
10. Daddy Cool – Boney M
11. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) – Styx
12. Stir It Up – Johnny Nash
13. Money Honey – Bay City Rollers
14. One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show – Honey Cone
15. Magazine Madonna – Sherbet
16. Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett and
The Crypt Kickers
17. Never Gonna Fall In Love Again – Mark Holden
18. Candida – Dawn
19. Swamp Witch – Jim Stafford
20. Rubberband Man – The Spinners
Easy Come, Easy Go – Bobby Sherman
Prior to becoming a brief teen sensation as the 60s became the 70s, Californian native Bobby Sherman first made the charts in Australia during 1965,
via the Adelaide charts with Well All Right. This track didn’t even make a ripple back in the States for Sherman, who would have to wait until 1969’s Little
Woman to break through, aided by his TV work at the time. Easy Come, Easy Go while not his biggest Australian hit is easily one of his most recognised.
Run Sally Run – Cuff Links
This 1970 hit shares something in common with the Bobby Sherman track on this collection – both featured the famous American Wrecking Crew session
players, including drummer Hal Blaine. While the Cuff Links were essentially a studio band initially fronted by session singer Ron Dante (Dante also sang
The Archies hits), he was no longer involved in the sessions at the time of this single. Essentially on the back of this and earlier hits, a touring version of
The Cuff Links did the rounds here in Australia with audiences unaware the band they watched had little connection with what they heard on their records.
Candida – Dawn
Candida was originally recorded by The Tokens with average results, so a decision was taken to re-do much of the track, including the lead vocal by Tony
Orlando - an early 60s hit maker, who had been working more recently in the publishing side of the industry. The rest of Dawn on this record consisted of Toni Wine
(who had been a part of The Archies records), Robin Grean and The Tokens Jay Siegel. This track proved a winning formula for other subsequent follow up singles.
The Rhythm Of Life – Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations
Following on from the success of the 1968 NBC-TV Special called TCB (Taking Care of Business), The Supremes (now billed as Diana Ross & The Supremes)
& The Temptations again teamed up in late 1969 for another hugely successful live show – called G.I.T. On Broadway (G.I.T. standing for Gettin’ It Together)
resulting in another soundtrack album that again hit the spot on the U.S. album charts. Meanwhile here in Australia, oddly enough it was this track released as a
single (and listed on the single as coming from album On Broadway) during 1970 that became one of the standout Motown hits of the decade. It seems Australia
was about the only place where this album track became a major hit single, thus explaining why it seldom turns up on any Motown re-issues. Interestingly, Diana
Ross had already left the Supremes as this track was charting in Australia!
Falling In Love Again – Ted Mulry
This Vanda and Young penned song would become the second significant hit record for Ted Mulry, even eclipsing the success of his debut hit Julia. This would
cement his long running relationship with not only Vanda and Young but the extended Alberts record family, not only as singer and performer but as a songwriter.
Prior to the arrival of The Ted Mulry Gang in the mid 70s, Ted would write hit singles for the likes of Sherbet and Mr George.
One Toke Over The Line – Brewer & Shipley
Brewer & Shipley (or Mike and Tom) were an American folk rock duo who became another 70s one-hit wonder in these parts with this 1971 record, that raised a
few eyebrows at the time. Recording for the iconic 60s Kama Sutra label their album Takio also managed a strong following in the early 70s with One Toke Over
The Line reaching as high as number 2 on the South Australian Top 40 charts.
Albert Flasher – The Guess Who
Between 1969 and 1975 Canadian rockers The Guess Who notched up 15 hits on the Australian charts all with varying degree of success, depending on which part
of the country you were in. Certainly on a national basis this was their strongest chart effort, again displaying the stand-out vocals of Burton Cummings, arguably one
of rock and roll’s finest voices.
Don’t Pull Your Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
This trio comprising of Don Hamilton, Joe Frank Corollo and Tommy Reynolds first made the Australian charts in 1966 as members of the T-Bones whose big claim
to fame was the instrumental hit No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In). This remains their best remembered work in Australia, with later following singles
Daisy Mae and Fallin’ In Love receiving plenty of radio airplay and some respectable chart placings around the country.
Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep – Middle of The Road
For Scottish group Middle Of The Road this was the first in a sequence of hits on the Australian charts, others included Soley Soley and Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum.
While this was a cover of the original Lally Stott version (which also fared well here), it has also remained the most fondly remembered.
Double Barrel – Dave & Ansil Collins
Another classic one-hit wonder (in Australia) is this 1971 reggae flavoured song from Caribbean-based Dave (Barker) & Ansil Collins. Recording for Trojan Records,
a label famous for its reggae repertoire and artists such as Desmond Dekker, Double Barrel made most Top Ten charts around the country, at a point when
the “reggae” sound was all quite new to us. This hit has always been instantly recognisable from that spoken word intro: “I am the magnificent.........”
Chick-A-Boom (Don't Ya Jes' Love It) – Daddy Dewdrop
Daddy Dewdrop was the brainchild of songwriter Dick Monda who along with several studio musicians created one of the infectious pop records of the early 70s.
The song was originally created for the animated TV series Groovy Goolies where it achieved some instant reaction, and with this sudden interest Monda quickly
went back to the studio to record the hit version we now all know and love.
(Blame It) On The Pony Express – Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon
For U.S. based Johnny Johnson much of his chart success would come via the U.K. where several hits made the charts. In this part of the world, this is what we
would remember Johnson and his group The Bandwagon for. This was another cleverly crafted pop hit from the hands of very experienced hit makers Tony
Macaulay, Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. Just a sample of their credits include My Baby Loves Lovin’, hits for Blue Mink and in Macaulay’s case, penning
such Foundations hits as Build Me Up Buttercup.
One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show – Honey Cone
Hot Wax records was created by Motown legends Edward Holland Jr, Lament Dozier and Brian Holland upon their departure from that label with one of their new
signings being the three piece girl group (sound familiar!) Honey Cone. This trio comprised of Edna Wright, Shellie Clark and Carolyn Willis who would notch up
one notable hit on the Aussie charts. An earlier single Want Ads, while receiving some local airplay, failed to make any impact here. Interesting to note one of the
studio session players on this track included a young Ray Parker Jnr.
Who Was It? – Hurricane Smith
Norman (Hurricane) Smith became one of the legendary engineers at EMI’s Abbey Rd studios during one of their most creative and influential eras – the 1960s.
Smith was the engineer in the booth behind all The Beatles recording sessions up to 1965 and by the early 70s had written a song called Don’t Let It Die, intending
it for John Lennon to record. Luckily for Smith, producer Mickie Most took an active interest in his recording career which included the Number 1 Oh Babe, What
Would You Say. This third single, a cover of a Gilbert O’Sullivan song also proved to be a major hit in Australia and for whatever reason has seldom been
re-issued here since.
Lady Love Bug – Clodagh Rodgers
Ireland’s Clodagh Rodgers first came to our attention with 1969’s Come Back And Shake Me , which still remains her most prominent Australian hit. Signed to
RCA Records other follow up singles met with varied success on the Australian charts, including Biljo, Jack In The Box and this 1972 hit record. All these had a
familiar early 70s “Europop” sound to them, with Clodagh being no stranger to the Eurovision contest.
Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
The first of two (yes two) singles from Looking Glass to make the charts here in the early 70s. The quartet formed by Elliot Lurie while still attending University,
managed another lesser hit the following year in 1973 – mind you with a similar sound and style, titled Jimmy Loves Marie-Anne . Brandy itself tells a great story
about a devoted barmaid in a seedy sailor filled sea port, who fancies herself with just the one man, but seemingly never quite getting her man. That is the brief
synopsis, for the complete story have close listen to the song!
Mouldy Old Dough – Lieutenant Pigeon
1972, and a bumper year for big instrumental hits (this one not being totally instrumental!). Think, Joy by Apollo 100, The Rangers Waltz and Hot Butter’s Popcorn
and this gem of a hit that seldom gets re-issued. This U.K. group, bordering on novelty had the most distinctive feature of a “honky tonk” style piano, a most
unusual sound on radio during the 70s nestled between Slade and Led Zeppelin. An even bigger Australian only hit was yet to follow during 1974 with the
quirky cover of I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen.
Dreams Are Ten A Penny – Kincade
From the U.K. label Penny Farthing (also the home of Daniel Boone hits) came this uniquely big hit down under in 1973 from Kincade (as in lead vocalist
John Kincade). Success seemed to evade this perfect pop ditty elsewhere in the world, except for some lesser chart placings in Europe. The song was
authored by John Carter who had been an integral part of 60s pop bands Ivy League and Flowerpot Men. Carter also surfaced later as lead vocalist for First
Class with their hit Beach Baby.
Last Song – Edward Bear
Another enormous 70s one-hit wonder, and a number one at that! Many have assumed over the years that Edward Bear was an actual person, but truth be
known this was actually a trio from Toronto, Canada. Formed back in 1966 and signed to Capitol Records in 1969, the group’s name is derived from
A.A Milne’s Winnie The Pooh whose actual name is Edward Bear. While follow up singles were issued by the label, they were all but ignored by radio.
The First Cut Is The Deepest – Keith Hampshire
This often covered track was written by Cat Stevens in the late 60s early in his career (but not a hit single release for him), and picked up by P.P. Arnold and later
in 1973 by Canadian Keith Hampshire who in turn took it to the next level. Hampshire has had a large following over the years in his native Canada as a performer
and radio presenter. Since this version, the track has been covered by Rod Stewart (which receives the most radio attention these days) and more recently by
Sheryl Crow. So far as chart performance goes in Australia this gutsy Hampshire take still remains the most successful.
Half-Breed – Cher
Still riding a wave of success on the back of TV’s Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour came another solo hit from Cher, albeit a couple of years after her last solo
hit Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves, about un-married mothers. Half-Breed told the tale of a woman who was half white and half Cherokee and the racism issues
she faced (Cher herself is half Cherokee). Another big hit Dark Lady followed soon after, but until she re-emerged and re-invented herself in the 90s with hits like
Believe and If I Could Turn Back Time this hit remained her biggest solo outing.
Swamp Witch – Jim Stafford
Born in Florida, this was Jim Stafford’s first in a small series of hits around 1973-1974. Mind you, Swamp Witch (which sounded like it may have been more at
home recorded by the likes of Tony Joe White) was produced by fellow 70s hit maker Lobo. While we took to this Southern swamp fable, it barely made a dent on
the U.S. charts for Stafford - this would occur in 1974 with the similar flavoured Spiders and Snakes and the clever My Girl Bill (covered in Australia by Cash Backman).
This track makes an all too rare CD appearance here.
Dead Skunk – Loudon Wainwright III
The charts of 1973 seemed to have no shortage of glam rock acts, country-flavoured pop records and the occasional interesting novelty number such as Monster
Mash - and this offering from Loudon Wainwright III. One could not help but notice a song on the radio with such a subject matter (even if you could not smell it),
and even if it has not maintained much radio airplay since 1973 , we all remember this one oh so well . Wainwright himself would have many album credits under
his belt over the years, but it will always be this track we associate his name with.
Heartbeat - It’s A Lovebeat – De Franco Family featuring Tony DeFranco
A massive hit in Australia from a “real deal” family (as opposed to say, The Partridge Family) hailing from Canada late in 1973, with this track peaking on the top
of the charts in 1974. Fronted by teen sensation Tony De Franco, it is hard to believe this hit record has not been re-issued on any local compilations such as this
since its original release as a 45. As is often the case, a follow up single was released but was ignored mostly, leaving the family as another one-hit wonder.
Most of the playing on this recording was left to the session players known as The Wrecking Crew, including Hal Blaine on drums (who ironically was also the
drummer for the Partridge Family recordings). These days none of the De Franco siblings are involved in the music business, with Tony recently selling real-estate
in California.
Skydiver – Daniel Boone
Another case here of an English act, Daniel Boone (born Peter Stirling) scoring a hit in Australia, that pretty well did zilch elsewhere around the world. His string of
hits here (on the Penny Farthing label) began with Beautiful Sunday, then proceeded with Annabelle, Rock And Roll Bum and Sunshine Lover (the latter three
never became giant national hits, but were big in specific areas only) and finally, Skydiver- another 70s hit often hard to find.
Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks
Canadian Terry Jacks had already made the Australian charts several years earlier via The Poppy Family (a teaming with his then wife Susan) who managed a
couple of hits here, the biggest being 1971’s That’s Where I Went Wrong. Originally penned by Frenchman Jacques Brel, and re-worked by Rod McKuen, it was
this Terry Jacks version which topped the charts here during 1974, with the exception of Western Australia which opted for yet another take on it - Bobby Wright’s
recording. This was a year with no shortage of tragic tales, including Hot Chocolate’s Emma and both Paper Lace number 1’s.
Could You Ever Love Me Again – Gary and Dave
Yet another significant Canadian hit to feature on this collection, this time from Gary (Weeks) and Dave (Beckett) who had signed with Greg Hambleton’s Axe Records
in 1972. Released locally through the “London” label this song became a major hit in Australia during 1974, and despite around eight notable hits back in Canada
this solitary release made this duo another classic one-hit wonder downunder. This is one of those much sought after 70s hits that still receives radio airplay around
the country, and after an absence of a few years it makes a welcome return to the CD world.
A Matter Of Time – Railroad Gin
From Queensland comes this legendary local band who scored a sizable number one hit on the Brisbane charts with this Jethro Tull-ish sounding record
(the flute influence at least) in 1974. While huge in their home State, the “Gin” (as they are affectionately known) never quite secured the national attention they
deserved (although this single did chart well in Canberra). An album of the same name also topped the album charts, containing an extended and orchestral
version of this track – the original single version is included here. After several more hit singles, lead singer Carol Lloyd left to form her own band and Laurie Stone
would later surface in the Moscos and Stone duo.
Billy, Don’t Be A Hero – Paper Lace
Becoming one of the biggest hits in Australia in 1974, was this tale of tragedy from U.K. band Paper Lace, who also managed the tough task of another number
one with the follow-up hit The Night Chicago Died. While the latter was also a hit in the U.S., “Billy” was covered in the States by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
rendering them a U.S. one-hit wonder. A third single, The Black Eyed Boys also made the charts here but lacked the national support and radio airplay of those first
two giant hit records.
Jealous Mind – Alvin Stardust
A lifelong rock and roll fan is Alvin Stardust (born Bernard Jewry, but also known as Shane Fenton), so much so, he has owned a guitar since the 1950s, and
collected famous autographs on it . Over the years Stardust collected names on this guitar from Buddy Holly to The Beatles, all except one name – Elvis Presley.
In 1974 Stardust was set to head to Memphis to meet Presley (and get his prized guitar signed), however, it was never meant to be due to this record as his label
insisting he head to Europe on a promotional tour to push this record. Jealous Mind became his second consecutive hit on our charts with others records in 1974
getting some attention in select parts (South Australia mostly). Via Stiff Records he would finally make our National Top 40 again in 1982 with Pretend. By the way,
last we heard Alvin had his well signed guitar tucked away in a very secure bank vault!
Rock Your Baby – George McCrae
1974 and we started seeing the first traces of would become known as the “disco sound”, with two of the earliest official disco hits being Rock The Boat from the
Hues Corporation and this offering co-written by future disco star Harry Casey (as in KC & The Sunshine Band). If you owned this 45 back in the 70s, it also
marked one of the earliest occasions where Part Two was continued on the flipside – value for money indeed ($1.25 to be exact for an RCA 45 in ‘74). Like so
many others through the years, that next big follow up hit never happened for McCrae.
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
Hot on the heels of the Kung Fu craze in the 70s (we all remember watching that show back then – grasshopper!) came this one and only hit for Carl Douglas, who
got more than a little stereotyped with this highly successful song and subsequent follow up (which died very quickly) Dance The Kung Fu. Too bad for Douglas,
however - his producer Biddu moved onto further disco fortunes, including the producing of hits for Tina Charles.
Honey Honey – ABBA
On the back of the Waterloo success that catapulted this then little known Swedish band called Abba during 1974 into the spotlight came hit single number
two – Honey Honey. Even with that first big single, Abba were not yet the household name they would soon become the following year with this track being
covered by U.K. band Sweet Dreams (whose lead singer had already fronted Pickettywitch). With that, many parts of the country opted to go with the U.K. cover
and not the Abba original, but all that was about to change.
Gee Baby – Peter Shelley
The mid 70s treated Englishman Peter Shelley with two reasonable size hit records on the Australian charts with Love Me, Love My Dog and Gee Baby, included
here. Of the two, the latter was the biggest - reaching as high number 1 here, whereas back in the U.K. it was the other way around. Shelley recorded for a U.K. label
called Magnet Records, who had just had a good run with Alvin Stardust, and would soon include Chris Rea and Major Matchbox in their label roster.
Money Honey - Bay City Rollers
1975 and the “Rollers” were the hottest teen act around, culminating with an Australian tour late in the year, with scenes of tartan teen frenzy wherever the band
were due to appear. It was also in this year the band would give us some of their most memorable hit records, such as Bye Bye Baby, Give A Little Love and the
track included here, released just on the back of that ‘75 Roller tour which also help catapult it to great chart heights.
Roll Over Lay Down – Status Quo
Included here at long last is the original hit version of this Status Quo classic! Over the years perhaps many have forgotten the actual charted hit record of this
was actually a “live” recording of the song, as opposed to the now more commonly found studio recording. It was this “live” version, (which “pumps” somewhat
more than the more subdued studio take) issued on an “EP” 45 that we heard thumping out of radios halfway through 1975. For those who remember, as with
all EP’s in those days they came packaged in a nice picture sleeve of the band.
Moviestar – Harpo
Abba and Volvos were not the only exports to Australia during the mid 70s – we also had Harpo (Jan Svensson)! Pushed along by a nice film clip often screened
on Countdown (wonder what was happening with his eyes during that clip), Harpo climbed into the Top 10 during 1976. Often tagged a one-hit wonder here in
Australia, let us not forget his follow up Horoscope also charted well, albeit in the shadow of the earlier hit. Harpo was in good company for backing singers for his
recording sessions, listen carefully to hear Frida from Abba on those female backing vocals.
Never Gonna Fall In Love Again – Mark Holden
This song, written by Eric Carmen marked the debut of Mark Holden and his run of hits over the next couple of years. Holden was another act who would be in
debt to shows like Countdown where he was a frequent performer, carnations in hand and screaming girls never far away! When the hits dried up, Holden based
himself in the U.S. writing songs prior to his return to Australia, managing artists plus his high profile return to TV.
The Way That You Do It – Pussyfoot
Like others of the era, Countdown had much to do with the promotion of this record late in 1976 which soon sent it to Number 1 around the country. Pussyfoot
consisted of singer Donna Jones (the only one we ever saw on Countdown) and former Mixtures member Mick Flinn, who also wrote and produced this track.
After the “Ooh Na Na Hi Ya’s” (one of the songs main lines) were done, Pussyfoot were back with one more hit record, the very similar sounding Ooh Ja Ja.
Living Next Door To Alice – Smokie
Songwriters and producers of many hits, Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn were certainly into recycling long before it became the norm! They gave this track to
former Brisbane group New World to record in 1973, where it had some modest chart success for the group, but giving it to another of their groups later in same
decade took the song to a whole new level – Number 1. This was a period in the 70s when their seemed to be another Smokie smash rolling off the Chinn-Chapman
assembly line every few months.
What A Way To Go – Dr Hook
With the huge following and track record achieved by Dr Hook in this country alone by 1977, it is quite surprising how this song hit big in some places, and was
all but ignored elsewhere around the country. With that, this Dr Hook hit is always overlooked on the artist’s Best Of’s and retrospective type packages released
over the years, making it quite an elusive Dr Hook hit to find. This has been corrected here, now being available locally on a compilation for the first time in a while.
Magazine Madonna – Sherbet
Little did we know, when we made this song such a big hit in 1977, it would prove to be the last significant hit single for the band. Sure, other singles did follow
during the tumultuous name change (Highway...Sherbet....Sherbs) period over the next year or so, but none of those singles came close to matching the strength
of this track displaying this iconic Aussie band at their peak on the back of an amazing six year run. By now the band were also recording on their own
label – Razzle Records, which also released the solo Daryl Braithwaite output during 1977.
Silver Lady – David Soul
David Soul (born David Solberg) had found much adulation as the blonde half (Hutch) in one of the hottest TV shows of the decade (Starsky and Hutch), so it
made sense to venture into the pop charts of the day. He was not the only TV cop of the decade to go down this avenue, with Peggy Lipton (Mod Squad) releasing a
single and album (with limited great success or acclaim) and even Telly Savalas (Kojak) with his intriguing take on Bread’s If becoming a hit in 1975. Soul had
more luck (and musical talent) with his three hits, including Silver Lady. We can be grateful Buddy Ebsen (Barnaby Jones) or even Peter Falk (Columbo) decided
not to tackle a pop career during the decade!
They Shoot Horses Don’t They – Racing Cars
This 70s group from Manchester has a direct link with 60s hit makers The Mindbenders, via their former bass player Bob Land who was instrumental in assembling
this group in 1975. Their only hit came two years later, and shares it title with a famous movie – but that is the only link. The album Downtown Tonight also
contained a lengthier slightly different recording of this song and wound up being their only claim to fame in these parts.
Rockaria – Electric Light Orchestra
In the latter half of the 70s Electric Light Orchestra kept jumping from hit to hit, and album to album. In the case of Rockaria, this was one of several singles
lifted from the incredibly huge album A New World Record, which also gave us other classic hits including Telephone Line and Livin’ Thing. By the end of the
decade ELO would deliver us two more big albums and a stack more hit singles, all in the spate of just a few years.
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue – Graham Bonnet
Although we did not really know him by name in the late 60s, we did hear from Graham Bonnet as part of The Marbles, who notched up a hit with Only One Woman
penned by The Bee Gees. A few years under his belt and Graham Bonnet returned with a slightly more mature voice and his cover of this Bob Dylan song.
Interestingly this Dylan track had yet to be a major hit for anyone, with The Byrds doing a superb (non-hit) interpretation in their mid 60s heyday. The Bee Gees
connection would strike one more time for Bonnet, writing his second consecutive hit Warm Ride.
Rubberband Man – The Spinners
One of the most outstanding singles of 1977 belonged to The Spinners, who up to this point had notched up two medium size hits, one of which was a duet with
Dionne Warwick. For those wishing to “disco” along to this one, a much longer version was available of Rubberband Man at the time. As for The Spinners, bigger
chart efforts were still yet to come with re-makes of The Four Seasons Working My Way Back To You and Sam Cooke’s Cupid, which was paired up with
I’ve Loved You For A Long Time in a medley.
If You Can’t Give Me Love – Suzi Quatro
This 1978 hit came as Suzi embarked on a slightly different less rockier direction with this “west coast” sounding pop record. By now Suzi had a recurring role in
the sitcom Happy Days, but a U.S. hit had still eluded her. This would change when she would team up with Smokie’s Chris Norman for Stumblin’ In which peaked
at number 4 Stateside. To this day Suzi is still impressed with this particular track, and feels it is one of her best vocal performances on record.
It’s A Heartache – Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie’s debut hit was 1977’s Lost In France, following which she had a throat operation to remove a nodule which left her voice sounding a little raspier for this
next big hit. By now she was tagged the “female Rod Stewart” by many a radio announcer back announcing this track, however the 70s hit were short-lived
returning with a vengeance with 1983’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart produced by Jim Steinman.
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) – Styx
Widely respected back in the U.S.,Styx has never commanded similar respect or following here in Australia, even with some good chart performances and
quality hits behind them. We first noticed Styx via their 1975 debut single Lady, a break then this arrived several years later, aided by the regular screening of
the “live” film clip on Countdown. Fooling Yourself is by no means their biggest hit, but certainly one of their finest, sometimes left off their “Greatest Hits” packages
for whatever reason. Bigger more commercial broad appeal hits were to follow including 1979’s Babe.
Make Love To Me – Kelly Marie
Singer/Songwriters Yellowstone and Voice scored a 1973 hit with Well Hello, but most of their achievements go unnoticed as prolific songwriters for others.
This includes Make Love To Me, a killer on the disco dance floors of 1979, and one of the biggest Australian singles of the year. Yet again this track would
prove uniquely successful in Australia, and not back in the U.K. for Kelly Marie who managed some other hits at home. The following year she returned with
one more hit Feels Like I’m In Love.
Pop Muzik – M
As the 70s came to a close, Pop Muzik was almost of sign of things to come musically, being a synthesised techno-based pop song, a sound that would
dominate the next decade. For M (whose real name is Robin Scott) this would prove to be his only notable hit, with his next single Moonlight and Muzak barely
setting the music buying public (or radio programmers) on fire and just making a small dent on the charts. Thus poor old M has been relegated to the world
of the one-hit wonder, even if technically he isn’t.
Hold Me Close – David Essex
By late 1975 David Essex was at the peak of female teen adulation, already thus far during the year, this “sparkly eyed” lad with a cute cockney image had
already secured several strong singles including Gonna Make You A Star and Rolling Stone (which almost sounded like a flashback to 1973’s Rock On).
This single came from All The Fun Of The Fair, perhaps his most fondly remembered album, so much so Essex has since adapted it and turn it into a musical
which he has toured the U.K. . Since his pop stars days, musical stage work has proved to be a big winner for David Essex.
Daddy Cool – Boney M
January 1977, marked the first time we heard from producer Frank Farion’s German based disco and pop outfit Boney M with Daddy Cool. Somebody at
Countdown must have taken a liking to this one, as it was often used as the backing track to Molly’s “Humdrum” segment on the show. While this one performed
strongly, much bigger hits followed in particular Rasputin and Rivers Of Babylon.
Living In The 70’s – Skyhooks
Straight out of left-field, and into our lounge-room stormed Skyhooks with this killer track that just about summed up 70s Australia. Their image, biting lyrics and
no small measure of establishment censorship all contributed to the band’s aura. And no better song to kick off this set than their iconic Living In The 70s.
What more could we say about suburbia – “my face gets dirty just walkin’ around”!
Dancin’ (On A Saturday Night) – Barry Blue
A case of Green turning to Blue for this Barry who changed his name from Barry Green to Barry Blue, which seemed a little more “pop-star”. This hit was written by
Blue and his songwriting partner Lynsey De Paul who the year before had both penned De Paul’s smash hit Sugar Me. Blue notched up around five hits in the U.K.
around this time, but only managed this hit with a couple of lesser follow-ups on the Australian charts.
Moonlighting – Leo Sayer
Since early 1974 Leo Sayer had been on a continuous hit single spree, with this his 4th major hit record in a row. It was not only his singles performing
well - Sayer’s albums consistently topped the album charts with Just A Boy, Another Year and Endless Flight. This single seemed to strike a chord with
us in those free wheelin’ times of the mid-70s.
Monster Mash – Bobby “Boris” Pickett And The Crypt Kickers
It’s not often that an early 60s novelty hit gets a chance to take on a whole new life a decade later, but this is precisely what occurred with this particular track.
During 1973, PolyGram Records (as they were known back then) via their “London” label had the amazing foresight to re-issue and promote this medium size
1962 hit single. This was a clever strategy, which paid dividends – perhaps the right song at the right time. Radio loved it, the public loved it and turned this
ghoulish gem (or should I say “graveyard smash”) into a much larger hit than it ever was back in the 60s. An album followed which fared well, and
Pickett happily lived with his Monster Mash persona until his passing several years ago. In between all this, in addition to the interesting chart life of this
song, it made the Perth charts in 1970 – not 1973!
Stir It Up – Johnny Nash
This Bob Marley song was given wide exposure when covered by Johnny Nash in 1973, who had specialised with reggae flavored hits such as Hold Me Tight and
I Can See Clearly Now. Marley himself was still several years from breaking through to the Aussie charts with Is This Love. While this would not become Nash’s
last chart appearance in Australia, it would remain his last truly notable hit.
Dr Love – Tina Charles
Very much a product of the “disco” era was Tina Charles (obviously no relation to Ray, but believe or not she has often been asked that question) with her bunch
of 70s disco records that all fared well on the Australian charts including this 1977 effort. Again like her other hits this was produced by Biddu (and written as well),
who was also responsible for other U.K. hits such as Kung Fu Fighting. Tina’s hit formula started to wane as the 70s came to an end, with a couple of low
charting records rounding off the run.
1. Roll Over Lay Down – Status Quo
2. Jealous Mind – Alvin Stardust
3. They Shoot Horses Don’t They – Racing Cars
4. Don’t Pull Your Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
5. Dreams Are Ten A Penny – Kincade
6. What A Way To Go – Dr Hook
7. Pop Muzik – M
8. Lady Love Bug – Clodagh Rodgers
9. The First Cut Is The Deepest – Keith Hampshire
10. Silver Lady – David Soul
11. A Matter Of Time – Railroad Gin
12. The Way That You Do It – Pussyfoot
13. (Blame It) On The Pony Express – Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon
14. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
15. Half-Breed – Cher
16. Who Was It? – Hurricane Smith
17. If You Can’t Give Me Love – Suzi Quatro
18. Skydiver – Daniel Boone
19. Dr Love – Tina Charles
20. One Toke Over The Line – Brewer & Shipley
