WEEK ENDING 29TH APRIL 1978
TOP 40 SINGLES
Last weeks position in Brackets
1-(-2)----Bee Gees---------Night Fever
2-(-1)----Brian & Michael----Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk
Cats And Dogs
3-(-3)----Showaddywaddy---I Wonder Why
4-(-4)----Suzi Quatro-----------If You Can't Give Me Love
5-(-7)----Johnny Mathis And Deniece Williams------------Too Much
Too Little Too Late
6-(-6)----Andrew Gold---------Never Let Her Slip Away
7-(-9)----Genesis----------------Follow You Follow Me
8-(-5)----Wings-----------------With A Little Luck
9-(-8)----Gerry Rafferty--------Baker Street
10(20)---Michael Zager Band-------Let's All Chant
11(11)---Sheila And B. Devotion----Singin' In The Rain
12(18)---Chic---------------------Everybody Dance
13(27)---Dee D. Jackson-------Automatic Lover
14(14)---Dr. Hook----------------More Like The Movies
15(19)---Boomtown Rats-------She's So Modern
16(39)---CoCo---------------------Bad Old Days
17(21)---Richard Myhill---------It Takes Two To Tango
18(13)---Dan Hill-----------------Sometimes When We Touch
19(12)---Manhattan Transfer------Walk In Love
20(10)---Blondie-----------------Denis
21(---)---Boney M---------------Rivers Of Babylon
22(28)---Raydio------------------Jack And Jill
23(22)---Squeeze----------------Take Me I'm Yours
24(23)---Elvis Costello---------(I Don't Wanna Go To) Chelsea
25(34)---Raffaella Carra--------Do It Do It Again
26(---)---Richard Denton & Martin Cook----Theme From Hong
Kong Beat
27(---)---Patti Smith Group-----Because The Night
28(15)---Kate Bush--------------Wuthering Heights
29(40)---Donna Summer--------Back In Love Again
30(--)----Ruby Winters----------Come To Me
31(17)---Eruption-----------------I Can't Stand The Rain
32(29)---Real Thing--------------Whenever You Want My Love
33(--)----Gene Farrow------------Move Your Body
34(31)---Tina Charles------------I'll Go Where Your Music Takes
Me
35(35)---Elton John--------------Ego
36(25)---Nick Lowe---------------I Love The Sound Of Breaking
Glass
37(16)---Hot Chocolate----------Every 1's A Winner
38(37)---Maggie Bell-------------Hazell
39(---)---Rutles---------------------I Must Be In Love
40(24)---Samantha Sang---------Emotions
1-(-2)----Bee Gees---------Night Fever
This was the week that the Bee Gees achieved their third number
one, almost ten years after their second chart topper. The song
remained on top for two weeks, and was of course from the 'Saturday
Night Fever' soundtrack. Saturday Night Fever was based on an
article written by Nik Cohn that had appeared in 'New Yorker'
called 'Tribal Rites Of The New Saturday Night' and was
originally to be called simply 'Saturday Night'. But after the
Bee Gees were approached to come up with five new songs for the
soundtrack and came up with one called "Night Fever",
the title of the film was changed to 'Saturday Night Fever'. The
soundtrack became the biggest selling album ever, but the Bee
Gees were later accused of killing disco music. Robin Gibb has
since described the whole thing as an Albatross around their
necks.
2-(-1)----Brian & Michael----Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk
Cats And Dogs
Brian and Michael had just spent three weeks at number one with
their tale about the artist 'Lowrey'. This was their only hit. It's
success was helped in no small part by it being plugged strongly
by Noel Edmonds on 'Multi Coloured Swap Shop'.
3-(-3)----Showaddywaddy---I Wonder Why
Showaddywaddy had been at number two, two weeks previous with
their 13th top 40 hit, but this was to be their last ever week in
the top three.
4-(-4)----Suzi Quatro-----------If You Can't Give Me Love
Suzi Quatro was in the top five for the first time in four years
and peaking this week. But this was to be her last journey into
the top 10.
5-(-7)----Johnny Mathis And Deniece Williams------------Too Much
Too Little Too Late
Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams would eventually reach
number three with "Too Much Too Little Too Late". The B
side of this single was their rendition of this weeks number 40
"Emotions".
6-(-6)----Andrew Gold---------Never Let Her Slip Away
Andrew Gold was having the biggest of the three top 40 hits he
had between 1977 & 1978, with the single that would peak at
number five the following week. Andrew later formed 'Wax' with
Graham Gouldman from 10.C.C.
7-(-9)----Genesis----------------Follow You Follow Me
Genesis were having their biggest hit to date with "Follow
You Follow Me". It would be five years before they would
better the number seven peak of this hit.
8-(-5)----Wings-----------------With A Little Luck
Wings were following up the biggest selling single of all time in
the UK (up to then) "Mull Of Kintyre", with "With
A Little Luck". They only managed number five this time in
the UK, but this single reached number one in the US. It was
taken from the very under-rated 'London Town' album.
9-(-8)----Gerry Rafferty--------Baker Street
Gerry Rafferty had been to number three with Baker Street, his
first hit since he was part of Stealers Wheel when they had last
hit the top 40 in 1974 with "Star". By a strange
coincidence both this and the Andrew Gold hit were revived and
taken into the UK top five by 'Undercover' in 1992.
10(20)---Michael Zager Band-------Let's All Chant
The Michael Zager Band were on their way up to number eight with
their only chart hit. Later revived by 'Pat And Mick', and I
think someone else has used it on a hit during the last few years.
11(11)---Sheila And B. Devotion----Singin' In The Rain
Sheila And B Devotion were peaking at number 11 with their disco
version of the old film song. Hardly a classic cover and the type
of thing that used to figure on that show that was based around
James Last on Sunday Evenings.
12(18)---Chic---------------------Everybody Dance
Chic were on their way to number nine and their second top ten
hit with a song that sounded similar to a bigger hit a couple of
months later. The song in question is "Boogie Oogie Oogie"
by 'Taste Of Honey'.
13(27)---Dee D. Jackson-------Automatic Lover
I'll be polite and just say that "Automatic Lover"
peaked at number four, was a little strange and had nothing to do
with the 'Vibrators' song of the same title that was around at
the same time. Her follow up "Meteor Man" was truly
abysmal though.
14(14)---Dr. Hook----------------More Like The Movies
Doctor Hook were having their first hit for 18 months with the
number 14 peaking "More Like The Movies". They would
have to wait another 18 months for the next hit, which would
prove to be their biggest.
15(19)---Boomtown Rats-------She's So Modern
The Boomtown Rats were in the top 20 for the third time and would
rise to number 12 with "She's So Modern". The top ten
hits would begin with their next single.
16(39)---CoCo---------------------Bad Old Days
Eurovision was of course with us at this time of year. This years
UK entry was the number 13 peaking "Bad Old Days" by 'CoCo'.
They didn't win the contest, neither did they have any further
hits. Quite a contrast to band member 'Cheryl Baker's' next chart
act. They won Eurovision and had 13 top 40 hits including three
number ones. You've guessed it, 'Bucks Fizz'.
17(21)---Richard Myhill---------It Takes Two To Tango
Richard Myhill was peaking at number 17 this week with his only
hit. "It Takes Two To Tango" sounded remarkably like it
too had come from the Eurovision Song Contest, and may have been
some kind of inspiration for one of the following year's
Eurovision entries called 'Disco Tango' by a bloke from Denmark'.
18(13)---Dan Hill-----------------Sometimes When We Touch
Dan Hill was on his way down from number 13 with his only hit.
"Sometimes When We Touch" has been covered by other
artists many times over the years. Some dodgy teen act who's name
I can't remember and don't really want to took their attack on
the song into the UK charts just over two years ago, but for a
good recent cover of it, check out the Rod Stewart album 'If We
Fall In Love Tonight'.
19(12)---Manhattan Transfer------Walk In Love
Manhattan Transfer were surprising everyone who thought they
would disappear after "Chanson D'Amour" by continuing
to have hit records. This was their second biggest hit and had
peaked at number 12. They were to have two more and a near miss
before the year was out.
20(10)---Blondie-----------------Denis
Blondie were having their first hit with "Denis". This
was a former Randy and the Rainbows song, that had taken Blondie
to number two for a three week stay. The rest is History, but
Blondie can single handedly blow to pieces the argument that 'New
Wave' ever happened. They could hardly be called a 'punk band',
so instead Blondie were classed as 'New Wave' and Debbie Harry as
the Queen of New Wave. But the truth of the matter is, they weren't
really doing anything remarkably different in style to what 'Pop'
groups such as 'Abba' and 'Brotherhood Of Man' were doing, and
that didn't really change throughout their four year run of hits.
Having said that, they were still a great pop band that gave us
some wonderful singles and (IMO) four good albums. Then of course,
they returned in 1999
21(---)---Boney M---------------Rivers Of Babylon
The biggest selling single of the year entered the top 40 this
week. "Rivers Of Babylon" was Boney M's fifth hit and
was about to spend 26 weeks in the top 40. Two weeks after it's
chart debut, the top 50 was extended to a top 75, and radio one
started to run down the top 40 on Tuesday lunchtimes, rather than
the top 30 that it had previously featured. That was the very
week that "Rivers Of Babylon" reached number one for
the first week of a five week stay. Covering this particular song
was a very crafty move by the group, more so their producer Frank
Farian. As it was an old non copyrighted song (originally
included in the Bible), then there were no royalties to pay.
Boney M were often criticized for their type of 'plastic pop',
but as group member 'Maizie Williams' once said "Someone is
buying our records and coming to our concerts, so we must be
doing something right. In cold facts, a record sale is equally
valid from anyone". That's one of the best quotes I've ever
read, and it's one that the Spice knockers should think about,
instead of ranting on about how much better Spiritualized or some
other almost obscure band are better than the most popular acts.
The argument can be applied even more so for so called 'dinosaurs'
like Bowie, McCartney, Rod and Elton. If they weren't doing
something right, then they wouldn't still be selling after all
this time would they ?
22(28)---Raydio------------------Jack And Jill
Raydio were on their way to number 11 with their first and
biggest hit "Jack And Jill". Vocalist 'Ray Parker
Junior' would have greater success as a solo artist in the mid 80s.
23(22)---Squeeze----------------Take Me I'm Yours
Squeeze were on their way to number 19 with their first hit in a
chart career that's still active today (barely).
24(23)---Elvis Costello---------(I Don't Wanna Go To) Chelsea
Elvis Costello was having his second hit, and would have two more
before the year was out. This one peaked one place short of his
previous hit, the number 15 peaking " Watching The
Detectives ".
25(34)---Raffaella Carra--------Do It Do It Again
Raffaella Carra was on her way to number nine with yet another
Eurovision sounding song. It was very annoying
26(---)---Richard Denton & Martin Cook----Theme From Hong
Kong Beat
This atmospheric piece of music had a slightly eerie feel to it.
It only managed to climb oe more place to number 25. The
programme that is was taken from was filmed in a cross between
the dirty real camerawork style of The Sweeney and the epic gloss
of Miami Vice - and the storylines were intricate with a mystical
touch here and there.
27(---)---Patti Smith Group-----Because The Night
Patti Smith was making her debut this week with the eventual
number five hit, "Because The Night". A long run of
hits looked on the cards, but she never got close to breaking
into the top 40 again.
28(15)---Kate Bush--------------Wuthering Heights
Kate had spent four weeks on top with her first and biggest hit.
None of us quite knew what to make of Kate when we first saw her
perform this song on Top Of The Pops, and I suspect that many
hated the song and hoped not to see or hear this dreadful woman
again. But we soon warmed to her, and now 20 years later she is
virtually assured of a hit with whatever her next release is.
29(40)---Donna Summer--------Back In Love Again
Donna Summer never seemed to be out of the charts in those days
and this week was no exception. The 'Diana Ross' sounding "Back
In Love Again" was her latest hit, but would get no higher
than it's current position of number 29 while her next single
"Last Dance" would fail to crack the top 40 altogether.
The reason for "Back In Love Again" failing to chart
higher can be put down to the fact that it was the fourth single
to be milked from the 'I Remember Yesterday' album. But another
reason was due to the complex record company situation. Up to the
Summer of 1977 all of her UK hits had been released on the GTO
label. Yet the same singles had been released through Casablanca
records in the US. Casablanca did not become active in the UK
until the release of "Down Deep Inside" in late summer
'77. So from then, all new material from Donna was released on
that label, but GTO still had the distribution rights to the
songs from the first four albums. So they continued to release
singles and even a Greatest Hits album. This was the final GTO
single to chart for Donna.
30(--)----Ruby Winters----------Come To Me
Ruby Winters was following the massive hit "I Will"
with "Come To Me". This was one of those singles that
bobbed up and down a little before peaking at number 11. No
further hits for Ruby though.
31(17)---Eruption-----------------I Can't Stand The Rain
Eruption were spending their last week on the chart with a single
that had been at number five four weeks previous. The song had
reached number 41 when recorded by Ann Peebles in 1974, and was
to reach number 57 for Tina Turner in 1985. Something bothers me
though, the Eruption version is just the type of song to be re-mixed
and chart 90's style, I just hope it doesn't happen.
32(29)---Real Thing--------------Whenever You Want My Love
They had been back in the top twenty for the first time in a year,
and peaked at number 18. A very ordinary song from a band that
had done better in the past, and would also do better in the
future. It reminds me of playing truant from school at the worst
time possible (O Levels just around the corner).
33(--)----Gene Farrow------------Move Your Body
"Move Your Body" by Gene Farrow is the record I know
nothing about. It peaked at it's current number 33. This and the
"Hong Kong Beat" single are the only two of this top 40
that I haven't got in my collection, but I may need to correct
that statement as something has just triggered in my brain
telling me that I have it on a compilation album (possibly the '208
Powerplay' one).
34(31)---Tina Charles------------I'll Go Where Your Music Takes
Me
Tina Charles had been to number 27 with the last of her seven
hits in two years. "I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me"
had previously been a number 23 hit just after Tina had her first
hit with "I Love To Love". That version was recorded by
'Jimmy James And The Vagabonds'.
35(35)---Elton John--------------Ego
A very unremarkable single by Elton was his third in a row not to
get into the top 20, and it was now two years since he had a solo
single inside the top ten. "Ego" peaked at number 34.
36(25)---Nick Lowe---------------I Love The Sound Of Breaking
Glass
Nick Lowe was about to fall out of the top 40 with his first hit
"I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass",and had reached
number seven. Nick had previously released three singles that had
failed to chart, including the EP "Bowi", which was
apparently a response to David Bowie releasing an album called 'Low'.
Nick was a very hardworking performer in the late seventies, and
was also involved in 'Rockpile' along with 'Dave Edmunds'. His
commercial success came to an end as the decade ended, but he's
still actively recording. \par Since the 80s his career has
concentrated in the US, where he's been involved in the new
country market and working with people like Ry Cooder. There's a
distinctly friendly helping hand for Nick whenever he needs it
from a good number of people he's worked with over the years,
Elvis Costello (especially on 'Blood and Chocolate'), Dave
Edmunds and the like - not surprising as he's a certified pop
genius by any standards. And his studio production skills have
made sure that there's no shortage of work when he wants it. One
day there should be proper recognition for his personal output
and deft skills with others over the years. Alcohol problems and
a little tinge of erraticness may have prevented him being as
well known as he should be, but he's a demon songwriter.
37(16)---Hot Chocolate----------Every 1's A Winner
Hot Chocolate were still notching up the hits with the former
number 12 hit "Every One's A Winner". It's popularity
was heightened by it's inclusion in the film 'The Stud'.
38(37)---Maggie Bell-------------Hazell
Maggie Bell had only been as far as number 37 with the theme to
the TV series (recently repeated on UK Gold) Hazell. The series
starring Nicholas Ball (who looked like one of the blokes in UB40)
was co written by former England Football Manager Terry Venables.
39(---)---Rutles---------------------I Must Be In Love
The Rutles were of course the greatest band ever. The fab four
influenced everyone including Mick Jagger as he admitted in the
famous documentary. The b side was the excellent "Cheese And
Onion", and it was good to see them back again in 1997 with
the single "Shangri La". ;>))
40(24)---Samantha Sang---------Emotions
Samantha Sang was finally spending her 12th and last week on the
chart with her only hit, the Barry Gibb written "Emotions"
that had reached number 11. But the song was still to be
technically on the chart for a few more weeks, as a cover of the
song featured on the B.Side of the 'Johnny Mathis & Deniece
Williams' hit "Too Much Too Little Too Late"
The other singles that had charted since 25th February 1978 are,
Lilac Wine (Elkie Brooks #16), We've Got The Whole World In Our
Hands (Nottingham Forest And Paper Lace #24), Ally's Tartan Army
(Andy Cameron #6), Clash City Rockers (Clash #35), Baby Come Back
(Player #32), News Of The World (Jam #27), What's Your Name What's
Your Number (Andrea True Connection #34), The Ghost Of Love (Tavares
#29), Too Hot To Trot/Zoom (Commodores #38), Automatic Lover (Vibrators
#35), I Love Music (O'Jays #36), Long Live Rock & Roll (Rainbow
#33), The One And Only (Gladys Knight And The Pips #32), Hey
Senorita (War #40), Foxhole (Television #36)
Thank you to Paul Kakzmarek for the Nick Lowe information.
