4x Life

One month in pop history, every week.

It’s April, 1974

Written by

Thomas Scovell

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We’re coming to you this week from a sunny Easter weekend in Wellington, 2026.  But let’s tune our ears back to April of 1974…

Songs of the month

  • “A Very Special Love Song” – Charlie Rich
  • “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
  • “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
  • “Boogie Down” – Eddie Kendricks
  • “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
  • [new] “Dancing Machine” – Jackson 5
  • “Dark Lady” – Cher
  • “Eres Tu” – Mocedades
  • [new] “Help Me” – Joni Mitchell
  • “Hooked On A Feeling” – Blue Swede
  • “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” – Jim Croce
  • [new] “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
  • “Jet” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
  • “Jungle Boogie” – Kool And The Gang
  • “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – Main Ingredient
  • [new] “Keep On Singing” – Helen Reddy
  • [new] “Let It Ride” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  • “Lookin’ For A Love” – Bobby Womack
  • [new] “Looking For A Love” – Bobby Womack
  • [new] “Midnight At The Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
  • “Mighty Love” – Spinners
  • “Mockingbird” – Carly Simon And James Taylor
  • [new] “My Mistake” – Diana Ross And Marvin Gaye
  • “Oh My My” – Ringo Starr
  • [new] “Oh Very Young” – Cat Stevens
  • [new] “Piano Man” – Billy Joel
  • “Rock On” – David Essex
  • [new] “Searching So Long” – Chicago
  • “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
  • “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver
  • “Tell Me A Lie” – Sami Jo
  • [new] “The Entertainer” – Marvin Hamlisch
  • [new] “The Locomotion” – Grand Funk
  • “The Lord’s Prayer” – Sister Janet Mead
  • [new] “The Show Must Go On” – Three Dog Night
  • [new] “The Streak” – Ray Stevens
  • “There Won’t Be Anymore” – Charlie Rich
  • “Touch A Hand Make A Friend” – Staple Singers
  • “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” – Lamont Dozier
  • “TSOP” – MFSB
  • [new] “Tubular Bells” – Mike Oldfield
  • [new] “You Make Me Feel Brand New” – Stylistics

[new] = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

The modern era of pop music arguably found its spark on April 6, 1974, at the Dome in Brighton, UK. ABBA took the stage for the Eurovision Song Contest performing “Waterloo,” decked out in glitter, platform boots, and Napoleon-inspired costumes. Their victory wasn’t just a win for Sweden; it was the launch of a global phenomenon. “Waterloo” broke the “Eurovision curse” by becoming a massive international hit, proving that the contest could produce legitimate, world-conquering pop stars.

On the 2nd live television reached a peak of 70s absurdity during the 46th Academy Awards. As host David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor, a man named Robert Opel ran naked across the stage behind him, flashing a peace sign. While the audience gasped, Niven saved the moment with one of the most famous ad-libs in history: “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”

On the 8th Hank Aaron’s hit his 715th home run to a record-breaking national TV audience. By hitting the home run that surpassed Babe Ruth’s long-standing record, Aaron didn’t just change the record books; he became a symbol of resilience in the face of intense racial hostility and threats. The image of the two fans running onto the field to congratulate him as he rounded the bases is one of the most iconic pieces of 1970s film footage, capturing a rare moment of pure, transcendent triumph.

What’d Sadie think?

It’s “Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Swede then “Bennie And The Jets” by Elton John before MFSB take the top spot for two weeks with “TSOP”.  (Or, “The Sound of Philadelphia” by “Mother Father Sister Brother” to decode the acronyms!”)

Loved ’em

It’s not that often that we discover a song that we thought was the original was a cover, but certainly Grand Funk’s psychedelic rock version of “The Locomotion” is quite different from the Kylie Minogue version from my youth…and the actual original, from 1962 by Little Eva!

  • “Dancing Machine” – Jackson 5
  • “Help Me” – Joni Mitchell
  • “Oh Very Young” – Cat Stevens
  • “Piano Man” – Billy Joel
  • “The Locomotion” – Grand Funk
  • “You Make Me Feel Brand New” – Stylistics

Liked ’em

  • “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
  • “Keep On Singing” – Helen Reddy
  • “Let It Ride” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  • “Looking For A Love” – Bobby Womack
  • “Midnight At The Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
  • “My Mistake” – Diana Ross And Marvin Gaye
  • “The Entertainer” – Marvin Hamlisch
  • “The Show Must Go On” – Three Dog Night
  • “Tubular Bells” – Mike Oldfield

Leave ’em

  • “The Streak” – Ray Stevens

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

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