Music: Five from the Seventies Part One – A Challenge!

This is a continuation of the previous challenge, ‘Six from the Sixties’, me being a little dry on imagination right now and a reason to write something as HF20 seems to have impaired Steemit somewhat. (this was written some weeks earlier).

My daughter, @dismayedworld tells me she loves the old music, but needs a little education. I’ll be sending this article on to her when it’s finished.

Source

The seventies is the first decade that I can really remember and to me it’s a decade of two parts with less juice in the centre.

The first few years were the overspills of 60’s music, glam rock, flares, Birmingham bags and outrageous platform shoes that even blokes used to wear. Even me as a young kid had these crazy shoes, it was quite normal.

The latter years were punk, disco and the start of the electronic music scene.

So what was in between? Well, after around 1974 I got a little bored of the sounds and missed quite a lot, returning in early 1978. I do remember ’78 very well, was still at school but really ‘digged’ the music at the time. See even that’s terminology from the time!

So the rules are a little different this time and unless you are a walking music encyclopaedia may mean more work for you, shock horror!

The Early Seventies

In 1973 I was very into my music. I was still at primary school, but remember the Top 40 charts were always announced at 12.45pm – 1pm on Tuesdays. Can anyone else remember that?

I lived very close to my school so lunch was at home. Sometimes it made me a little late listening to this radio show as school resumed at 1pm, but it was literally a 2 minute run to the gates.

The charts were full of glam rock at this time, Slade, Garry Glitter (ouch), Nazareth, Marc Bolan, Suzi Quattro and then there was the stuff the girls loved, David Cassidy, and Donny Osmand were two I can remember.

Every now and again something really crap (In my opinion) would make it big like ‘Billy don’t be a Hero – Paper Lace’ or even worse, ‘The Floral Dance – The Brighouse and Rastrick Band’.

At an early age music had a tight grip on me, and now Ill name my FIVE for the first five years of this decade.

The Rules

• Link FIVE singles from the 1970’s and let us know why they are memorable to you.

• One from 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.

• Make sure they are not too obscure, we are trying to teach the younger readers what was good, not about old ‘B-sides’.

• State the year of release, we are trying to educate people!

• Use the tag #seventieschallenge

• Add a Wikipedia link to each song so the uneducated can learn a little about the song. If there isn’t one available, then choose something a little more popular.

It’s been a while since there’s been a music challenge, and not one of these ‘you must do one every day’. No big commitment needed.

If you are not an old fart like me, then just take it in and listen to the music. These were hot songs in the day.

End of Rules! Not many for this one; over to the music.

The Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun (1970)

I’m not just a progressive, death metal freak I’ll have you all know! From a young age I was transfixed with the lovely voice of Karen Carpenter and could have chosen one of many of their songs.

I have never heard a voice like hers since and still get those bumps when listening to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We%27ve_Only_Just_Begun

Carole King – It’s too Late (1971)

Was ‘Tapestry’ a masterpiece? It’s been hailed so by many but after listening countless times it still hasn’t really sunk in. I do love ‘So Far Way’ and this classic though.

As for "You've Got a Friend", I prefer the James Taylor version.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Too_Late_(Carole_King_song)

Python Lee Jackson – In a Broken Dream (1972)

So who’s this then? A few seconds after the vocals begin it’s pretty obvious it’s Rod Stewart. I could have picked ‘Maggie May’ in the 1971 slot but everyone’s heard that haven’t they?

Me being the guitar freak loves that distorted bit at the start. If you haven’t heard it before, then give it a try.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_a_Broken_Dream

David Bowie - Drive in Saturday (1973)

Christmas 1973 and I received a certain ‘Aladdin Sane’ album as a present. I was initially disappointed ‘Life on Mars’ was not on it. ‘All the good songs are on Hunky Dory’ I complained!

Nevertheless, this gem was on said album. I never really got to grips with the other album tracks though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-In_Saturday

The Hollies – The Air that I Breathe (1974)

A band on their last legs? The big 60’s band had this huge hit in 1974, and I still remember it. Looking back at the songs of this year, I realised I haven’t heard it in years.

Certain memories can be recalled by music in some cases, and this one brings them back for me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Air_That_I_Breathe

If you want to do the challenge yourself then feel free to post! Make sure you use the tag #seventieschallenge.

The song is characteristically melancholy and very much in the theme of their huge hit, ‘Albratross’.