I know what you’re thinking: isn’t Popdose closed for the season? What the hell is CHART ATTACK! doing here? You raise a good point, but today’s post is here for two reasons. First, I scheduled this CHART ATTACK! well over a year ago, before Popdose was even hatched, and second, today’s chart is by our good friend (and talented writer) David Eastman. And we all owe a big debt of gratitude to David Eastman. You wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for him.
You see, it was back in September ‘07 when our fearless leader Jefito had his website, well, pwned. His web hosting company went under, and took all of Jeff’s hard work with him. Jeff wasn’t so sure he ever wanted to bother doing a personal website again. I wrote a post about it, and in the comments, Mr. Eastman wrote the following:
I humbly submit that Jeff and Jason join forces, divvy up the work, and rely on a growing cadre of eager submitters to build J-blog v. 2.0.
Jeff could be the editor and do whatever features he pleased, Jason could do Mellow Gold and post McD. pictures, and the rest of us could kick in other flotsam on a regular basis to help them build the bestest blog ever. It’d be like Voltron!
Well, it didn’t exactly happen just like that, but Jeff and I took David’s suggestion to heart, and a few months later, Popdose was born. So this holiday season, when you’re either reflecting on how thankful you are for Popdose or cursing us for the Mellowmas dreck we’re putting you through, remember that it’s pretty much because of David.
On that note, enjoy one final CHART ATTACK! for 2008 and we’ll see you in the new year. Take it away, David! — JH
1977 was a monster. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was named top single of the previous 25 years. Punk spewed forth in the form of the Damned, the Clash, the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. Billy Joel planted his flag with The Stranger; Steely Dan gave us Aja; Fleetwood Mac unleashed a little collection known as Rumors. The Police, Van Halen, the Cars and Devo all signed their first record contracts. Led Zeppelin and the Supremes, meanwhile, performed their last US concerts. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s plane went down. Studio 54 went up. And Elvis Presley, the King of it all, died on his porcelain throne.
Yeah, ‘77 was huge. But man, speaking of toilets …
Ha-ha, I kid, of course! The pop charts of ‘77 were as good as the greater rock scene; bedecked in gems the likes of which we’ve ha-ha-ha-ha, I kid you again! A lot of this stuff sucked. Not all of it, but a lot of it. Really, there must have been something in the water that year. (Note: the obvious Jonestown joke would not be operative for another 11 months.) That said, most of these songs have long been lurking on my iPod, so you can’t trust me for anything but hypocrisy. Hey, speaking of awkward segues, let’s talk about the week of December 5, 1977:
10. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again — L.T.D. Amazon iTunes
9. It’s So Easy — Linda Ronstadt Amazon iTunes
8. Boogie Nights — Heatwave Amazon iTunes
7. We’re All Alone — Rita Coolidge Amazon iTunes
6. Heaven on the 7th Floor — Paul Nicholas Amazon
5. Blue Bayou — Linda Ronstadt Amazon iTunes
4. Baby, What a Big Surprise — Chicago Amazon iTunes
3. How Deep is Your Love — Bee Gees Amazon iTunes
2. Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue — Crystal Gayle Amazon iTunes
1. You Light Up My Life — Debby Boone Amazon iTunes
10. (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again –- L.T.D.
L.T.D. was formed in 1968 by two former members of Sam & Dave’s backing group. Within a year they were fronted by drummer/vocalist Jeffrey “Wings of Love” Osborne. This song, the band’s second top 40 hit, was penned by Messrs. Zane Gray and Len Ron Hanks, who would later write hits for Tavares (”Never Knew Love Like This Before”) and Will Smith (”Da Butta”).
Hahahahahaha! I kid a third time! Wait, no I don’t. There really is a song called “Da Butta” by Will Smith. Damn. Well, in any event, L.T.D.’s little slice o’ funk is pleasant enough, and the echoes of Stax in the track start our Attack off pretty strong. Move to the groove with this Soul Train appearance, starring the USC Marching Band and 12 bolts of shiny red fabric:
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