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It’s 46 years and 1 months before Sadie is born and 2 years and 7 months before Thomas is.

Songs of the month

• “Annie’s Song” – John Denver
• “Band On The Run” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “Be Thankful For What You Got” – William Devaughn
• “Be Thankful For What You Got” – Williams Devaughn
• “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” – Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods
• [new] “Call On Me” – Chicago
• [new] “Come Monday” – Jimmy Buffett
• “Dancing Machine” – Jackson Five
• [new] “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – Elton John
• [new] “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberta Flack
• [new] “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberts Flack
• [new] “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberta Fack
• [new] “Finally Got Myself Together” – Impressions
• [new] “Fish Ain’t Bitin’” – Lamont Dozier
• “For The Love Of Money” – O’jays
• “Haven’t Got Time For The Pain” – Carly Simon
• “Hollywood Swinging” – Kool And The Gang
• [new] “I Finally Got Myself Together” – Impressions
• “I’m Coming Home” – Spinners
• [new] “If You Love Me” – Olivia Nerwton-John
• “If You Love Me” – Olivia Newton-John
• [new] “If You Talk In Your Sleep” – Elvis Presley
• “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” – Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• [new] “Keep On Smilin’” – Wet Willie
• [new] “Machine Gun” – Commodores
• “Midnight At The Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
• “On And On” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• [new] “One And On” – John Denver
• “One Hell Of A Woman” – Mac Davis
• [new] “Please Come To Boston” – Dave Loggins
• “Radar Love” – Golden Earring
• “Rikki Don’t Lose My Number” – Steely Dan
• [new] “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” – Steely Dan
• “Rock And Roll Heaven” – Righteous Brothers
• [new] “Rock Me Gently” – Andy Kim
• “Rock The Boat” – Hues Corporation
• “Rock Your Baby” – George Mccrae
• [new] “Shinin’ On” – Grand Funk
• “Sideshow” – Blue Magic
• “Sundown” – Gordon Lightfoot
• [new] “Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here” – Three Dog Night
• [new] “Takin’ Care Of Business” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• [new] “Tell Me Something Good” – Rufus
• “The Air That I Breathe” – Hollies
• “The Entertainer” – Marvin Hamlisch
• [new] “The Night Chicago Died” – Paper Lace
• “The Streak” – Ray Stevens
• [new] “This Heart” – Gene Redding
• “Waterloo” – Abba
• [new] “Wildwood Weed” – Jim Stafford
• “You Make Me Feel Brand New” – Stylistics
• “You Won’t See Me” – Anne Murray

[new] = New to the chart this week.

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

This month in history

Some history

What’d Sadie think?

The number one song this month was {number_one_song}.

• “Call On Me” – Chicago
• “Come Monday” – Jimmy Buffett
• “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – Elton John
• “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberta Flack
• “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberts Flack
• “Feel Like Makin’ Love” – Roberta Fack
• “Finally Got Myself Together” – Impressions
• “Fish Ain’t Bitin’” – Lamont Dozier
• “I Finally Got Myself Together” – Impressions
• “If You Love Me” – Olivia Nerwton-John
• “If You Talk In Your Sleep” – Elvis Presley
• “Keep On Smilin’” – Wet Willie
• “Machine Gun” – Commodores
• “One And On” – John Denver
• “Please Come To Boston” – Dave Loggins
• “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” – Steely Dan
• “Rock Me Gently” – Andy Kim
• “Shinin’ On” – Grand Funk
• “Sure As I’m Sittin’ Here” – Three Dog Night
• “Takin’ Care Of Business” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• “Tell Me Something Good” – Rufus
• “The Night Chicago Died” – Paper Lace
• “This Heart” – Gene Redding
• “Wildwood Weed” – Jim Stafford

Loved ’em

here

Liked ’em

here

Leave ’em

here

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

We’re half-way through 1974 already, nearing on having listened to a quarter century of hits in this project! What more will we hear before we get there? Let’s see what June has to offer…

Songs of the month

• [new] “Annie’s Song” – John Denver
• “Band On The Run” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “Be Thankful For What You Got” – William Devaughn
• “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
• “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” – Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods
• “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
• [new] “Dancing Machine” – Jackson Five
• “Don’t You Worry ’bout A Thing” – Stevie Wonder
• “For The Love Of Money” – O’jays
• [new] “Haven’t Got Time For The Pain” – Carly Simon
• “Help Me” – Joni Mitchell
• “Hollywood Swinging” – Kool And The Gang
• “I Won’t Last A Day Without You” – Carpenters
• [new] “I’m Coming Home” – Spinners
• “I’m In Love” – Aretha Franklin
• [new] “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
• “If You Love Me” – Olivia Newton-John
• [new] “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” – Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – Main Ingredient
• “Midnight At The Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
• “My Girl Bill” – Jim Stafford
• “Oh Very Young” – Cat Stevens
• [new] “On And On” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• [new] “One Hell Of A Woman” – Mac Davis
• [new] “Radar Love” – Golden Earring
• [new] “Rikki Don’t Lose My Number” – Steely Dan
• [new] “Rock And Roll Heaven” – Righteous Brothers
• [new] “Rock The Boat” – Hues Corporation
• [new] “Rock Your Baby” – George Mccrae
• [new] “Save The Last Dance For Me” – Defranco Family
• “Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
• [new] “Sideshow” – Blue Magic
• [new] “Son Of Sagittarius” – Eddie Kendricks
• “Sundown” – Gordon Lightfoot
• [new] “The Air That I Breathe” – Hollies
• “The Entertainer” – Marvin Hamlisch
• “The Locomotion” – Grand Funk
• “The Show Must Go On” – Three Dog Night
• “The Streak” – Ray Stevens
• [new] “Train Of Thought” – Cher
• “TSOP” – MFSB
• “Tubular Bells” – Mike Oldfield
• [new] “Waterloo” – Abba
• “You Make Me Feel Brand New” – Stylistics
• [new] “You Won’t See Me” – Anne Murray

[new] = New to the chart this week.

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

This month in history

This month Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” Reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Written as a farewell to her longtime musical partner Porter Wagoner, the song remains one of the most successful and enduring ballads in music history. It famously caught the attention of Elvis Presley, who wanted to cover it, but Dolly turned him down because his manager demanded half the publishing rights—a savvy business move that preserved her legacy and paved the way for Whitney Houston’s record-breaking 1992 version.

The 10th FIFA World Cup began in West Germany on June 14, 1974, marking a revolutionary shift in the world’s most popular sport. This tournament introduced the world to “Total Football,” a fluid tactical system popularized by the Netherlands and their star Johan Cruyff. It was also the first World Cup to feature the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, as the previous Jules Rimet Trophy had been permanently awarded to Brazil in 1970. The tournament’s blend of high-stakes drama and tactical innovation captivated a global television audience and defined the sporting summer of ’74.

On June 20, 1974, Roman Polanski’s neo-noir masterpiece Chinatown premiered in the United States. Starring Jack Nicholson as private investigator J.J. Gittes and Faye Dunaway as Evelyn Mulwray, the film revitalized the hardboiled detective genre with its cynical, complex screenplay by Robert Towne. Chinatown is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made, known for its haunting Jerry Goldsmith score and its exploration of power, corruption, and drought in 1930s Los Angeles—themes that felt particularly resonant during the political disillusionment of the mid-70s.

What’d Sadie think?

It’s a week for “The Streak” by Ray Stevens, “Band On The Run” by Paul Mccartney And Wings, two for “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” by Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods before  Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown” rounds out a varied month of number ones.

Loved ’em

• “Dancing Machine” – Jackson Five
• “I’m Coming Home” – Spinners
• “Rock The Boat” – Hues Corporation
• “The Air That I Breathe” – Hollies
• “Waterloo” – Abba

Liked ’em

• “Annie’s Song” – John Denver
• “Haven’t Got Time For The Pain” – Carly Simon
• “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
• “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” – Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• “Radar Love” – Golden Earring
• “Rikki Don’t Lose My Number” – Steely Dan
• “Rock And Roll Heaven” – Righteous Brothers
• “Rock Your Baby” – George Mccrae
• “Sideshow” – Blue Magic
• “Son Of Sagittarius” – Eddie Kendricks
• “Train Of Thought” – Cher
• “You Won’t See Me” – Anne Murray

Leave ’em

• “On And On” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• “One Hell Of A Woman” – Mac Davis
• “Save The Last Dance For Me” – Defranco Family

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

We’ve slipped into a Tuesday release this week so we’ll dive straight into the tunes of May, 1974…

Songs of the month

• [new] “Band On The Run” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• [new] “Be Thankful For What You Got” – William Devaughn
• “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
• [new] “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight & The Pips
• “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• [new] “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” – Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods
• “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
• “Dancing Machine” – Jackson 5
• [new] “Don’t You Worry ’bout A Thing” – Stevie Wonder
• [new] “For The Love Of Money” – O’jays
• “Help Me” – Joni Mitchell
• [new] “Hollywood Swinging” – Kool And The Gang
• “Hooked On A Feeling” – Blue Swede
• [new] “I Won’t Last A Day Without You” – Carpenters
• “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” – Jim Croce
• [new] “I’m In Love” – Aretha Franklin
• [new] “If You Love Me” – Olivia Newton-John
• “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – Main Ingredient
• “Keep On Singing” – Helen Reddy
• “Let It Ride” – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• “Lookin’ For A Love” – Bobby Womack
• “Midnight At The Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
• [new] “Mighty Mighty” – “Earth Wind And Fire”
• [new] “My Girl Bill” – Jim Stafford
• “My Mistake” – Diana Ross And Marvin Gaye
• “Oh My My” – Ringo Starr
• “Oh Very Young” – Cat Stevens
• [new] “Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
• “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
• [new] “Sundown” – Gordon Lightfoot
• “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver
• “The Entertainer” – Marvin Hamlisch
• “The Locomotion” – Grand Funk
• “The Lord’s Prayer” – Sister Janet Mead
• [new] “The Payback” – James Brown
• “The Show Must Go On” – Three Dog Night
• “The Streak” – Ray Stevens
• “TSOP” – MFSB
• “Tubular Bells” – Mike Oldfield
• “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

On May 24, David Bowie officially shifted from the cosmic glam of Ziggy Stardust to the grit of a post-apocalyptic dystopia with the release of Diamond Dogs. Inspired by George Orwell’s 1984, the album introduced a “half-man, half-dog” hybrid on its controversial cover and featured the massive anthem “Rebel Rebel.” This release was a theatrical turning point, moving Bowie into a darker, more soul-influenced art-rock sound that would define his “Diamond Dogs Tour” later that year.

The same day Bowie released his new vision for rock, the music world lost one of its original architects. Duke Ellington passed away at the age of 75, marking the symbolic end of the “Big Band” jazz era. His funeral at New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine was a massive cultural event, attended by over 12,000 people and featuring tributes from jazz royalty like Ella Fitzgerald.

On the 17th the premiere of the documentary That’s Entertainment! ignited a massive 1974 craze for the “Golden Age” of MGM musicals. Featuring stars like Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor introducing classic clips, the film was a surprise box-office smash. It single-handedly legitimized the “nostalgia market,” proving that even in the midst of the 70s counterculture, audiences were hungry for the glamour and escapism of the past.

What’d Sadie think?

Two weeks at the top for “The Locomotion” by Grand Funk and then for Ray Stevens with “The Streak”.

Loved ’em

• “Be Thankful For What You Got” – William Devaughn
• “Don’t You Worry ’bout A Thing” – Stevie Wonder
• “Searchin’ So Long” – Chicago
• “Sundown” – Gordon Lightfoot

Liked ’em

• “Band On The Run” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight & The Pips
• “For The Love Of Money” – O’jays
• “Hollywood Swinging” – Kool And The Gang
• “I Won’t Last A Day Without You” – Carpenters
• “I’m In Love” – Aretha Franklin
• “If You Love Me” – Olivia Newton-John
• “Mighty Mighty” – “Earth Wind And Fire”
• “My Girl Bill” – Jim Stafford
• “The Payback” – James Brown

Leave ’em

• “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” – Bo Donaldson And The Heywoods

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

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.

A jazzed up intro for this week’s playlist, with Sadie announcing over the top of Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling”, which was her ear-worm of the week. Hear the whole month here*…

*But not the intro in Belarus or Russia, as the copyright holders of the track have blocked it those countries randomly.

Songs of the month

• [new] “A Very Special Love Song” – Charlie Rich
• “Americans” – Byron Macgregor
• [new] “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
• [new] “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• [new] “Boogie Down Baby” – Eddie Kendricks
• “Boogie Down” – Eddie Kendricks
• [new] “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
• “Dark Lady” – Cher
• “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo” – Rolling Stones
• “Eres Tu” – Mocedades
• [new] “Hooked On A Feeling” – Blue Swede
• [new] “I Like To Live The Love” – B.B. King
• “I Love” – Tom T. Hall
• [new] “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” – Jim Croce
• “Jet” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “Jungle Boogie” – Kool And The Gang
• [new] “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – Main Ingredient
• “Last Time I Saw Him” – Diana Ross
• “Let Me Be There” – Olivia Newton-John
• [new] “Lookin’ For A Love” – Bobby Womack
• “Love Song” – Anne Murray
• “Love’s Theme” – Love Unlimited Orchestra
• “Midnight Rider” – Gregg Allman
• [new] “Mighty Love” – Spinners
• “Mockingbird” – Carly Simon And James Taylor
• [new] “My Sweet Lady” – Cliff Deyoung
• [new] “Oh My My” – Ringo Starr
• “Put Your Hands Together” – O’jays
• [new] “Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo” – Rick Derringer
• “Rock On” – David Essex
• “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
• “Sexy Mama” – Moments
• “Show And Tell” – Al Wilson
• “Spiders And Snakes” – Jim Stafford
• [new] “Star” – Stealers Wheel
• “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver
• [new] “Tell Me A Lie” – Sami Jo
• [new] “The Lord’s Prayer” – Sister Janet Mead
• “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
• [new] “There Won’t Be Anymore” – Charlie Rich
• [new] “Touch A Hand Make A Friend” – Staple Singers
• “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” – Lamont Dozier
• [new] “Tsop” – Mfsb Feat Three Degrees
• “Until You Come Back To Me” – Aretha Franklin
• “You’re Sixteen” – Ringo Starr

[new] = New to the chart this week.

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

This month in history

On the 2nd of the month, the 16th Annual Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles, dominated by the creative genius of Stevie Wonder. His groundbreaking album Innervisions won Album of the Year, marking a historic achievement as he also took home several other trophies, including Best R&B Song for “Superstition.” This era of Wonder’s career is often called his “Classic Period,” and this Grammy night solidified his transition from a Motown child star to one of the most respected and influential musical innovators in the world.

On the 4th, the first edition of People magazine debuted in the USA. Featuring Mia Farrow—decked out in her Great Gatsby pearls—on the inaugural cover, the weekly publication signaled a transition from hard news to a dedicated focus on “the stars, the headliners, and the ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations.” For 35 cents, readers were given a new, intimate window into the lives of public figures, a format that fundamentally reshaped celebrity journalism and remains a juggernaut in the industry today.

 

The end of the month saw the highly anticipated US release of The Great Gatsby, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Despite a mixed critical reception, the film was a massive cultural event that sparked a full-blown “Gatsby-mania” in fashion and interior design. The production’s lavish 1920s aesthetic—outfitted largely by Ralph Lauren—influenced 1970s style trends for years, proving that cinema could drive the consumer market just as much as it could drive the box office.

Down under that month, New Zealand was gripped by “Big Norm” fever. The pop group Ebony released their tribute song to Prime Minister Norman Kirk, which hit #4 on the NZ charts that March.

 

What’d Sadie think?

Three weeks at the top for “Seasons In The Sun” by Terry Jacks before Cher’s “Dark Lady” and  John Denver’s “Sunshine On My Shoulders” get their own week…in the sun.

Loved ’em

• “Bennie And The Jets” – Elton John
• “Come And Get Your Love” – Redbone
• “Hooked On A Feeling” – Blue Swede

Liked ’em

• “A Very Special Love Song” – Charlie Rich
• “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• “Boogie Down Baby” – Eddie Kendricks
• “I Like To Live The Love” – B.B. King
• “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” – Jim Croce
• “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” – Main Ingredient
• “Lookin’ For A Love” – Bobby Womack
• “Mighty Love” – Spinners
• “My Sweet Lady” – Cliff Deyoung
• “Oh My My” – Ringo Starr
• “Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo” – Rick Derringer
• “Star” – Stealers Wheel
• “Tell Me A Lie” – Sami Jo
• “The Lord’s Prayer” – Sister Janet Mead
• “There Won’t Be Anymore” – Charlie Rich
• “Touch A Hand Make A Friend” – Staple Singers
• “TSOP” – Mfsb Feat Three Degrees

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

My how time flies…its only 3 years in our journey before I, Thomas, am born! Which probably explains why I’m making mistakes like forgetting to drag Sadie’s intros to the _top_ of the playlist!

Anyway, we’ve now fixed that for a few months and this month indeed starts with Sadie’s lovely intro, so turn your ears back to February 1974…

Songs of the month

• “Americans” – Byron Macgregor
• [new] “Baby Come Close” – Smokey Robinson
• [new] “Boogie Down” – Eddie Kendricks
• [new] “Dark Lady” – Cher
• [new] “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo” – Rolling Stones
• [new] “Eres Tu” – Mocedades
• “Helen Wheels” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “I Love” – Tom T. Hall
• “I’ve Got To Use My Imagination” – Gladys Knight And The Pips
• [new] “Jet” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• [new] “Jim Dandy” – Black Oak Arkansas
• [new] “Joy” – Isaac Hayes
• “Jungle Boogie” – Kool And The Gang
• [new] “Last Time I Saw Him” – Diana Ross
• “Let Me Be There” – Olivia Newton-John
• “Livin’ For You” – Al Green
• “Living For The City” – Stevie Wonder
• [new] “Love Song” – Anne Murray
• “Love’s Theme” – Love Unlimited Orchestra
• “Me And Baby Brother” – War
• [new] “Midnight Rider” – Gregg Allman
• [new] “Mockingbird” – Carly Simon And James Taylor
• [new] “My Sweet Lady” – Cliff Deyoung & Bill Mumy & Corey Fischer
• “Never Never Gonna Give Ya Up” – Barry White
• “Put Your Hands Together” – O’jays
• “Rock On” – David Essex
• [new] “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
• [new] “Sexy Mama” – Moments
• “Show And Tell” – Al Wilson
• “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” – Brownsville Station
• “Spiders And Snakes” – Jim Stafford
• [new] “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver
• “The Americans” – Gordon Sinclair
• “The Joker” – Steve Miller Band
• “The Most Beautiful Girl” – Charlie Rich
• “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
• “Time In A Bottle” – Jim Croce
• [new] “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” – Lamont Dozier
• “Until You Come Back To Me” – Aretha Franklin
• [new] “Until Your Come Back To Me” – Aretha Franklin
• “You’re Sixteen” – Ringo Starr

[new] = New to the chart this week.

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

This month in history

On the 2nd the 10th British Commonwealth Games concluded in Christchurch. Dubbed the “Friendly Games,” the event was a massive success for New Zealand and was famously opened and closed by Queen Elizabeth II. The games are best remembered for the 1,500m final on the final day, where Tanzania’s Filbert Bayi broke the world record in what is often cited as the greatest middle-distance race of all time, closely followed by New Zealand’s own John Walker.

On the 7th of February, Mel Brooks’ satirical Western, Blazing Saddles, premiered and instantly became a comedy phenomenon. Starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, the film fearlessly parodied the tropes of the Old West while taking sharp aim at racism and Hollywood conventions. Its world premiere was a true pop culture spectacle: 250 invited guests, including the stars, watched the film from horseback at a drive-in theater in Burbank. It went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of the decade, cementing Mel Brooks’ status as a master of the spoof genre.

The next day television history was made when Good Times premiered on CBS. A spin-off of Maude (which was itself a spin-off of All in the Family), it was the first sitcom to feature a two-parent African-American family. Set in a Chicago housing project, the show balanced humor with the harsh realities of urban poverty. While it was intended as a serious look at family life, Jimmie Walker’s character, J.J., and his catchphrase “Dyn-o-mite!” quickly became a national craze, making the show a definitive staple of mid-70s TV culture.

What’d Sadie think?

It’s three weeks at number one for “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand but interrupted in the middle of the month  by Love Unlimited Orchestra with “Love’s Theme”.

Loved ’em

• “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo” – Rolling Stones
• “Last Time I Saw Him” – Diana Ross
• “Sunshine On My Shoulders” – John Denver

Liked ’em

• “Baby Come Close” – Smokey Robinson
• “Boogie Down” – Eddie Kendricks
• “Dark Lady” – Cher
• “Jet” – Paul Mccartney And Wings
• “Jim Dandy” – Black Oak Arkansas
• “Joy” – Isaac Hayes
• “Love Song” – Anne Murray
• “Midnight Rider” – Gregg Allman
• “Mockingbird” – Carly Simon And James Taylor
• “Seasons In The Sun” – Terry Jacks
• “Sexy Mama” – Moments
• “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” – Lamont Dozier
• “Until Your Come Back To Me” – Aretha Franklin

Leave ’em

• “Eres Tu” – Mocedades

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