The end of 1978 marked the first time I actually created my own Top Ten of the year. Yes, I’d had my weekly radio and Billboard inspired WDNP lists so I’m not sure what made me compile that first list of favorite songs. Perhaps it was my own frustrations with the
The soundtrack of my youth!! Love the photos. We had a van and an 8-track player. And it was a bummer if I couldn’t bring a friend to the cottage on the label.
Oh yeah! Loved the in car 8-track players! It was only annoying when songs would fade out at the end of one "program" and start up again in the next. For years there were songs that then felt odd when I heard them in full without the fades!
I love these, Dan. It's what I tried to do on WordPress, but you've made it so vivid with music and personal photos. I'm hoping we're new friends because I had (and miss) buddies like you when I was growing up. Cheers Mike
It’s on Benatar’s Crimes of Passion. Just listened to Sweet’s version … I may include it in MY ‘22 list 🤣. I did notice that 2 out of 3 was one of the ones switched out. Meat Loaf’s ballads - always a good 4+ minutes - were great for the walking sections when I was making playlists to accompany my running.
Here You Come Again, You’re the One That I want, and If I Can’t Have You were all in my runners up list. (I started a new methodology: I go through the song lists in Wikipedia for the year; add them to a Spotify list; then listen to them and eliminate the now-cringy ones while thinking “WHAT was I thinking?!?) then I pick my favs from the remainder. This year was the longest runners up list so far.
You mentioned how the BeeGees took over Emotion; I remember when that first came out not realizing that it WASN’T entirely done by them. 🤷♀️
I like your methodology! That's pretty much how I came up with the lists through 1978. The next one will be the first actually done that year!
I can't believe I didn't know about Benatar's version of Wuthering Heights! I loved that album! Was I always skipping that track?! Of course, I probably didn't know who Kate Bush was at the time and ignored the writing credit!
This must-a been a good 'un, Dan....you've sent me down a couple of bunny-holes! Care to join me?
Only vaguely recall the Rita song (I was 23 in '78, and at a Houston record store)....it's a good one, and helps prove that no "respectable" (and respected) artist wasn't above bending their style to take a shot at a chartin' disco hit! "You" was written by longtime hit songwriter, Tom Snow. Just before Rita recorded it, Bostonite, Marcia Hines, did. Marcia played Mary Magdalene in an early '70s Australian production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" (just like Yvonne did on B-way...more on her in a moment)!
Here's Marcia's "You," also a disco banger (and not released in N. America, but it got to #2 in Australia), but a little rougher, I think, than Rita's slightly more polished disco production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRQbFDLmDo
Marcia's was produced by Robie Porter. Interesting story (from Wiki): "The song was nearly kept from Hines as Robie Porter, the producer, had put the song into his 'don't use' pile. Mark Kennedy – her backing band's drummer – saw the sheet music in the studio and began arguing the song's worth to Porter. Porter subsequently changed his mind about the song."
Yvonne's "If I Can't Have You"....one of my favorite "SNF" ST songs! Did you know that her single's flip side was a song called "Good Sign," written by Carole Bayer Sager, David Wolfert, and Melissa Manchester? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rWYTc2DHT8
"If I Can't Have You": I've always been astounded by its arrangement! Produced by longtime Motown-er, Freddie Perren (who also played synth and percussion on the track), I'm guessing he had a lot to do with the arrangement (I can't find anyone's actual credit for it for the song)....Here's the instrumental track sans vocals that highlight the arrangement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QMsj6U6ssA
The crashing together of those chunky barre chords with French horns jumping into the verses, with strings swirling along! The flute that carries us into the pre-chorus, too, is an unusual touch, and another unique creative addition! Amazing that all that is going on behind Yvonne's incredible vocal!
Stunning recreation of the production by the band (I don't think they've got recorded enhancements)...I believe I saw two keyboards, so that could be our answer! And, her voice at 70! Amazing! Enjoy, Dan, and thanks again!--B
Love your deep dive! I've not heard of the Marcia Hines version of "You" before. It sounds more poppy than what Coolidge was doing with it. Interesting to hear it was such a big hit down under! Her voice is great.
I did not know the B-side of Elliman's hit because I had the SNF album. The tune couldn't be more different! As far as I know Manchester never recorded it. Not sure what her full contribution was to it either.
Yes, I've always loved the production on "If I Can't Have You!" There's so much drama that beautifully captures the song's emotional lyrics. Great to see the 2021 performance! Her voice does still sound strong! It's too bad she couldn't capitalize on that big hit. I'm thinking it was the Bee Gees production that really made it soar. The same with Samantha Sang and "Emotion" although the Gibb Bros really take over that song!
Sager wrote the lyrics to "Good Sign," while Melissa and Wolfert composed the music. I'm not finding anything about Melissa having recorded it. Glad you liked!
Another great year!
I wanna go on an RV trip so bad lol
Did you know that Todd Rundgren produced and wrote much of bad out of hell? Meat never liked to give him credit.
Grease, Saturday night fever, the Billy Joel album--these things so much remind me of that summer.
An RV trip! That's what we should do next summer! We'll bring all of our music! Has Todd ever sung one of the Bat Out of Hell songs?
The soundtrack of my youth!! Love the photos. We had a van and an 8-track player. And it was a bummer if I couldn’t bring a friend to the cottage on the label.
Oh yeah! Loved the in car 8-track players! It was only annoying when songs would fade out at the end of one "program" and start up again in the next. For years there were songs that then felt odd when I heard them in full without the fades!
I never thought of that 🤔
Lake, not label!
I love these, Dan. It's what I tried to do on WordPress, but you've made it so vivid with music and personal photos. I'm hoping we're new friends because I had (and miss) buddies like you when I was growing up. Cheers Mike
Aw! That's nice to hear Mike!
Oops! Forgot to credit Billy Joel for Rosalinda’s Eyes
We were listening to some of the same albums but liked different songs 😉
Here’s my list … in order of Melancholiness
Two out of three ain’t bad (Meat Loaf)
* I liked Paradise but it’s too hard to sing unless it’s a duet
Even Now (Manilow)
Hot Child in the City
* I always seem to have a city song …
Wuthering Heights (Kate Bush)
* and in a few years, Wuthering Heights by Pat Benatar will also make my list.
Darkness on the Edge of Town (Bruce Springsteen
Summer Nights (Olivia and John)
September (Earth Wind and Fire)
Rosalinda’s Eyes
You’re Just What I Needed (The Cars)
Whenever I call you friend (Loggins and Nicks)
Two out of Three Ain't Bad was originally in this Top Ten but I've rarely listened to it since.
My sister has been attempting to play Even Now on the piano for over 40 years! There was always a bit of pause between "Even" and "Now...."
I don't think I've heard Benatar's version of Wuthering Heights but Matthew Sweet has a cool version that almost made my Top Ten two years ago.
LOVE Summer Nights and Just What I Needed!
It’s on Benatar’s Crimes of Passion. Just listened to Sweet’s version … I may include it in MY ‘22 list 🤣. I did notice that 2 out of 3 was one of the ones switched out. Meat Loaf’s ballads - always a good 4+ minutes - were great for the walking sections when I was making playlists to accompany my running.
Here You Come Again, You’re the One That I want, and If I Can’t Have You were all in my runners up list. (I started a new methodology: I go through the song lists in Wikipedia for the year; add them to a Spotify list; then listen to them and eliminate the now-cringy ones while thinking “WHAT was I thinking?!?) then I pick my favs from the remainder. This year was the longest runners up list so far.
You mentioned how the BeeGees took over Emotion; I remember when that first came out not realizing that it WASN’T entirely done by them. 🤷♀️
I like your methodology! That's pretty much how I came up with the lists through 1978. The next one will be the first actually done that year!
I can't believe I didn't know about Benatar's version of Wuthering Heights! I loved that album! Was I always skipping that track?! Of course, I probably didn't know who Kate Bush was at the time and ignored the writing credit!
This must-a been a good 'un, Dan....you've sent me down a couple of bunny-holes! Care to join me?
Only vaguely recall the Rita song (I was 23 in '78, and at a Houston record store)....it's a good one, and helps prove that no "respectable" (and respected) artist wasn't above bending their style to take a shot at a chartin' disco hit! "You" was written by longtime hit songwriter, Tom Snow. Just before Rita recorded it, Bostonite, Marcia Hines, did. Marcia played Mary Magdalene in an early '70s Australian production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" (just like Yvonne did on B-way...more on her in a moment)!
Here's Marcia's "You," also a disco banger (and not released in N. America, but it got to #2 in Australia), but a little rougher, I think, than Rita's slightly more polished disco production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRQbFDLmDo
Marcia's was produced by Robie Porter. Interesting story (from Wiki): "The song was nearly kept from Hines as Robie Porter, the producer, had put the song into his 'don't use' pile. Mark Kennedy – her backing band's drummer – saw the sheet music in the studio and began arguing the song's worth to Porter. Porter subsequently changed his mind about the song."
Yvonne's "If I Can't Have You"....one of my favorite "SNF" ST songs! Did you know that her single's flip side was a song called "Good Sign," written by Carole Bayer Sager, David Wolfert, and Melissa Manchester? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rWYTc2DHT8
"If I Can't Have You": I've always been astounded by its arrangement! Produced by longtime Motown-er, Freddie Perren (who also played synth and percussion on the track), I'm guessing he had a lot to do with the arrangement (I can't find anyone's actual credit for it for the song)....Here's the instrumental track sans vocals that highlight the arrangement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QMsj6U6ssA
The crashing together of those chunky barre chords with French horns jumping into the verses, with strings swirling along! The flute that carries us into the pre-chorus, too, is an unusual touch, and another unique creative addition! Amazing that all that is going on behind Yvonne's incredible vocal!
One more: Yvonne and Ted Neeley (old friends from Broadway!) in concert 3 years ago! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZA9mhJF_dI
Stunning recreation of the production by the band (I don't think they've got recorded enhancements)...I believe I saw two keyboards, so that could be our answer! And, her voice at 70! Amazing! Enjoy, Dan, and thanks again!--B
Love your deep dive! I've not heard of the Marcia Hines version of "You" before. It sounds more poppy than what Coolidge was doing with it. Interesting to hear it was such a big hit down under! Her voice is great.
I did not know the B-side of Elliman's hit because I had the SNF album. The tune couldn't be more different! As far as I know Manchester never recorded it. Not sure what her full contribution was to it either.
Yes, I've always loved the production on "If I Can't Have You!" There's so much drama that beautifully captures the song's emotional lyrics. Great to see the 2021 performance! Her voice does still sound strong! It's too bad she couldn't capitalize on that big hit. I'm thinking it was the Bee Gees production that really made it soar. The same with Samantha Sang and "Emotion" although the Gibb Bros really take over that song!
Sager wrote the lyrics to "Good Sign," while Melissa and Wolfert composed the music. I'm not finding anything about Melissa having recorded it. Glad you liked!