1977 - Part II A New Hope DONE- Top 10 Sex Pistols, Meco, Rocky, Kraftwerk, Saints, Marvin Gaye, JM Jarre, Stranglers, John Williams & Stevie Wonder (1 Viewer)

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up
Two musical giants.
Our first artist makes his first appearance on my list. He will make a second appearance later. This haunting track could easily make the electronic catgeory

The second artist will be in the electronic category. Better known as a producer, but at this stage of his career he was doing both and 1977 was a huge year for him

 

[Gr00vus]

#27 - Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
#2 Out of 7 - Disco

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed the Big Apple Boys in 1970. They drifted along making nice music, but it wasn’t until 1976 when seeing a Roxy Music show that the penny dropped on how to present themselves and their music. A Kiss show soon after solidified it. Gaining a big record contact in that time their first major release was Dance Dance Dance. Tony Thompson had joined them by now on drums. It went to #6 in the US and started the brilliant combination of Edwards and Rodgers as a musical force. Le Freak and Good Times followed shortly after and went to #1. Branching out into a songwriting and production team Edwards and Rodgers became a highly sought after team during the 80s and 90s until Edwards unfortunate early death due to pneumonia. Rodgers continued on

I've ranted so many times on this board about how underrated Chic is as musicians and influencers that I won't bore you folks with it anymore.

They did everything inside-out. The bass and strings were the lead instruments, while the guitar and keys carried the rhythm. Tony Thompson could have played for Black Sabbath. The vocalists weren't powerhouse divas like so many popular late '70s artists. It was a heady mix and had a huge effect in '80s music.

All spot on. Tony Thompson is my 2b favorite drummer of all time. Nobody laid a groove down better than that guy, and he could bring the hammer down when it was called for as well. He left us too soon.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#27 - Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
#2 Out of 7 - Disco

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed the Big Apple Boys in 1970. They drifted along making nice music, but it wasn’t until 1976 when seeing a Roxy Music show that the penny dropped on how to present themselves and their music. A Kiss show soon after solidified it. Gaining a big record contact in that time their first major release was Dance Dance Dance. Tony Thompson had joined them by now on drums. It went to #6 in the US and started the brilliant combination of Edwards and Rodgers as a musical force. Le Freak and Good Times followed shortly after and went to #1. Branching out into a songwriting and production team Edwards and Rodgers became a highly sought after team during the 80s and 90s until Edwards unfortunate early death due to pneumonia. Rodgers continued on

I've ranted so many times on this board about how underrated Chic is as musicians and influencers that I won't bore you folks with it anymore.

They did everything inside-out. The bass and strings were the lead instruments, while the guitar and keys carried the rhythm. Tony Thompson could have played for Black Sabbath. The vocalists weren't powerhouse divas like so many popular late '70s artists. It was a heady mix and had a huge effect in '80s music.

If I cared about the RnR HOF, I would rant endlessly about how unjust it is that they're not in it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

#27 - Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
#2 Out of 7 - Disco

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed the Big Apple Boys in 1970. They drifted along making nice music, but it wasn’t until 1976 when seeing a Roxy Music show that the penny dropped on how to present themselves and their music. A Kiss show soon after solidified it. Gaining a big record contact in that time their first major release was Dance Dance Dance. Tony Thompson had joined them by now on drums. It went to #6 in the US and started the brilliant combination of Edwards and Rodgers as a musical force. Le Freak and Good Times followed shortly after and went to #1. Branching out into a songwriting and production team Edwards and Rodgers became a highly sought after team during the 80s and 90s until Edwards unfortunate early death due to pneumonia. Rodgers continued on

I've ranted so many times on this board about how underrated Chic is as musicians and influencers that I won't bore you folks with it anymore.

They did everything inside-out. The bass and strings were the lead instruments, while the guitar and keys carried the rhythm. Tony Thompson could have played for Black Sabbath. The vocalists weren't powerhouse divas like so many popular late '70s artists. It was a heady mix and had a huge effect in '80s music.

All spot on. Tony Thompson is my 2b favorite drummer of all time. Nobody laid a groove down better than that guy, and he could bring the hammer down when it was called for as well. He left us too soon.

He was also a car accident away from potentially permanently replacing John Bonham in Led Zeppelin.

After he filled in for Bonham at Live Aid, Page, Plant and Jones invited him to a studio session to see if they all could continue to work together. But before the sessions happened, Thompson was badly injured in a car accident, and by the time he recovered, Page, Plant and Jones were on to other things separately.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#27 - Chic - Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
#2 Out of 7 - Disco

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards formed the Big Apple Boys in 1970. They drifted along making nice music, but it wasn’t until 1976 when seeing a Roxy Music show that the penny dropped on how to present themselves and their music. A Kiss show soon after solidified it. Gaining a big record contact in that time their first major release was Dance Dance Dance. Tony Thompson had joined them by now on drums. It went to #6 in the US and started the brilliant combination of Edwards and Rodgers as a musical force. Le Freak and Good Times followed shortly after and went to #1. Branching out into a songwriting and production team Edwards and Rodgers became a highly sought after team during the 80s and 90s until Edwards unfortunate early death due to pneumonia. Rodgers continued on

I've ranted so many times on this board about how underrated Chic is as musicians and influencers that I won't bore you folks with it anymore.

They did everything inside-out. The bass and strings were the lead instruments, while the guitar and keys carried the rhythm. Tony Thompson could have played for Black Sabbath. The vocalists weren't powerhouse divas like so many popular late '70s artists. It was a heady mix and had a huge effect in '80s music.

If I cared about the RnR HOF, I would rant endlessly about how unjust it is that they're not in it.

Its just bizarre how they have been nominated, what 11 times? Rodgers is in though, but heres what he said

“In 2017, after 11 nominations for Chic, Rodgers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Famewith an award for Musical Excellence. "It's sort of bittersweet," says Rodgers. "I'm quite flattered that they believed that I was worthy, but my band Chic didn't win. They plucked me out of the band and said, 'You're better than Chic.' That's wacky to me ... I am flattered and I think it's cool, but I feel like somebody put me in the lifeboat and told my family they can't get in”

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#26 - David Bowie - Warszawa
#3 out of 19 - Mainstream/Other

On the Iconic Low album, this track is haunting, beautiful, depressing and uplifting. There is a lot of producer Brian Eno on this track. It became heavily influential on the upcoming new wave and synth pop movement. Joy Division originally called themselves Warsaw based on this track before going with the not so uplifting Joy Division...dont look it up lol. We will see another Bowie track later on. Which one will it be?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#25 - Giorgio Moroder - From Here to Eternity
#3 Out of 9 - Electronic

Another pioneer now. This track was a few years ahead of its time. Fresh off his success with Donna Summers particularly, I Feel Love, Moroder continued his solo career which began well over a decade before. Like yesterdays Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk and many others, , Moroder eeked out a career that didnt take off until the technology caught up to his brain. Soon after this great track Moroder began work on the Academy Award winning score to Midnight Express, featuring Chase. It was the first of three oscars. Looking at a list of collaborators is like a whos who of music. Moroder is credit with pioneering so many forms of euro music its too long to list.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up
We have a total 180 degrees on the last few days.
First up an energetic number from the punk movement. It got a major part in a recent movie (last 10 years) soundtrack too. Surprised it didnt make Tims list, but that may become a more frequent thing as we hit the top 20.

After that an Australian band that had an influence on Guns N Roses. This was their first single and it got the magic touch of a Harry Vanda and George Young production. The mix of hard rock and boogie makes for interesting listening, but no more than the striking lead singer

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#24 - The Damned - Neat, Neat, Neat
#3 Out of 17 - New Wave

This classic song from one of the more imaginative punk bands received a big screen reboot courtesy of the Baby Driver movie which featured it strongly. The Damned always seemed an oddity during punk and morphed into a new wave and then goth band enduring longer than most of their compatriots. This song holds up well and deserves a high spot here. Dave Vanian was always an interesting frontman and the bass play of Captain Sensible here rightly receives recognition.

 

[otb_lifer]

there were 3 impresarios/friendly rivals behind the curtains of that early London scene - they were called: The Rabbi (Bernard Rhodes - The Clash), The Tailor (Malcolm McClaren - Sex Pistols), and The Lawyer (Andy Czezowski - The Damned) ... they all got their band, and that trifecta were the Vanguard, no question.

Czezowski knew how hard McClaren & Rhodes were gonna go with the politics (famous story of Rhodes telling Strummer & Mick to NOT write about girls or cars or love), seeing as how they were both so infatuated with the Situationist demonstrations/protests from Paris '68.

so he steered his band more towards concentrating on nihilism solely in the sound scape - saving the burden of social consciousness to the other 2 outfits ... which did kinda ostracize the Damned to a certain extent, but, for my money, they were always a better "punk" outfit than the Clash ... and i believe their debut platter ranks as 2b of all the opening salvos (Ramones at #1, Pistols at #2a) - Rat, Vanian, and Brian James were so unbelievably tight - along with the Captain, as you already mentioned ... these cats were extremely proficient, and powerful and so full of energy ... setting the stage for such high octane acts like Sham & the Jam, who were right on everyone's heels, and just waiting to explode.

they have remained a fascinating follow , and have succeeded in all their iterations - their goff pop turn in the 80s was a right proper BLAST - with "Phantasmagoria" and "The Black Album" both delivering some of the decade's best listening.

- and they never fellated themselves, nor take themselves oh so seriously, like that certain other aforementioned blowhard act from Camden town.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#23 - Rose Tattoo - Bad Boy for Love
#4 Out of 10 - Australia

Now for an unusual band from Australia. Fronted by a short bald man with tattoos called Angry Anderson, they were a magnet for bikers with their look and sound. The band courted them too so their gigs were rowdy and wild. Thankfully for them they fell under the wing of George Young and Harry Vanda so their production was top notch. Surprisingly this is their highest charting song in Australia at #19 and it was their debut. They weren’t short of well crafted songs in future years such as Rock N Roll Outlaw, Scarred for Life, Nice Boys and We Cant Be Beaten. Oddly enough there is no video available for this clip. The live versions on youtube are way inferior and when they are all old. Guns N Roses were big fans of the band and always have them supporting when in Australia and even invited them to support in the US occasionally.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

there were 3 impresarios/friendly rivals behind the curtains of that early London scene - they were called: The Rabbi (Bernard Rhodes - The Clash), The Tailor (Malcolm McClaren - Sex Pistols), and The Lawyer (Andy Czezowski - The Damned) ... they all got their band, and that trifecta were the Vanguard, no question.

Czezowski knew how hard McClaren & Rhodes were gonna go with the politics (famous story of Rhodes telling Strummer & Mick to NOT write about girls or cars or love), seeing as how they were both so infatuated with the Situationist demonstrations/protests from Paris '68.

so he steered his band more towards concentrating on nihilism solely in the sound scape - saving the burden of social consciousness to the other 2 outfits ... which did kinda ostracize the Damned to a certain extent, but, for my money, they were always a better "punk" outfit than the Clash ... and i believe their debut platter ranks as 2b of all the opening salvos (Ramones at #1, Pistols at #2a) - Rat, Vanian, and Brian James were so unbelievably tight - along with the Captain, as you already mentioned ... these cats were extremely proficient, and powerful and so full of energy ... setting the stage for such high octane acts like Sham & the Jam, who were right on everyone's heels, and just waiting to explode.

they have remained a fascinating follow , and have succeeded in all their iterations - their goff pop turn in the 80s was a right proper BLAST - with "Phantasmagoria" and "The Black Album" both delivering some of the decade's best listening.

- and they never fellated themselves, nor take themselves oh so seriously, like that certain other aforementioned blowhard act from Camden town.

Great comments. I had to retrofit their early days as i only caught the Grimly Fiendish and brilliant Eloise cover time with a conscious mind.
Interesting about the 3 managers. I need to read more lol. I know of McLaren as that has been the most storied.

 

[otb_lifer]

there were 3 impresarios/friendly rivals behind the curtains of that early London scene - they were called: The Rabbi (Bernard Rhodes - The Clash), The Tailor (Malcolm McClaren - Sex Pistols), and The Lawyer (Andy Czezowski - The Damned) ... they all got their band, and that trifecta were the Vanguard, no question.

Czezowski knew how hard McClaren & Rhodes were gonna go with the politics (famous story of Rhodes telling Strummer & Mick to NOT write about girls or cars or love), seeing as how they were both so infatuated with the Situationist demonstrations/protests from Paris '68.

so he steered his band more towards concentrating on nihilism solely in the sound scape - saving the burden of social consciousness to the other 2 outfits ... which did kinda ostracize the Damned to a certain extent, but, for my money, they were always a better "punk" outfit than the Clash ... and i believe their debut platter ranks as 2b of all the opening salvos (Ramones at #1, Pistols at #2a) - Rat, Vanian, and Brian James were so unbelievably tight - along with the Captain, as you already mentioned ... these cats were extremely proficient, and powerful and so full of energy ... setting the stage for such high octane acts like Sham & the Jam, who were right on everyone's heels, and just waiting to explode.

they have remained a fascinating follow , and have succeeded in all their iterations - their goff pop turn in the 80s was a right proper BLAST - with "Phantasmagoria" and "The Black Album" both delivering some of the decade's best listening.

- and they never fellated themselves, nor take themselves oh so seriously, like that certain other aforementioned blowhard act from Camden town.

Great comments. I had to retrofit their early days as i only caught the Grimly Fiendish and brilliant Eloise cover time with a conscious mind.
Interesting about the 3 managers. I need to read more lol. I know of McLaren as that has been the most storied.

and this awesome cover, which blows the original out the water, imo - not to mention a quintessential 80s vid vibe - classic all around.

btw, Czezowski made sure they had the first proper single release of the scene (New Rose), the first international gig (playing in France), and the first visit to America (playing 4 nights at CBs, and hitting the West coast, proper) - he beat the big boys to the punch with all.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

there were 3 impresarios/friendly rivals behind the curtains of that early London scene - they were called: The Rabbi (Bernard Rhodes - The Clash), The Tailor (Malcolm McClaren - Sex Pistols), and The Lawyer (Andy Czezowski - The Damned) ... they all got their band, and that trifecta were the Vanguard, no question.

Czezowski knew how hard McClaren & Rhodes were gonna go with the politics (famous story of Rhodes telling Strummer & Mick to NOT write about girls or cars or love), seeing as how they were both so infatuated with the Situationist demonstrations/protests from Paris '68.

so he steered his band more towards concentrating on nihilism solely in the sound scape - saving the burden of social consciousness to the other 2 outfits ... which did kinda ostracize the Damned to a certain extent, but, for my money, they were always a better "punk" outfit than the Clash ... and i believe their debut platter ranks as 2b of all the opening salvos (Ramones at #1, Pistols at #2a) - Rat, Vanian, and Brian James were so unbelievably tight - along with the Captain, as you already mentioned ... these cats were extremely proficient, and powerful and so full of energy ... setting the stage for such high octane acts like Sham & the Jam, who were right on everyone's heels, and just waiting to explode.

they have remained a fascinating follow , and have succeeded in all their iterations - their goff pop turn in the 80s was a right proper BLAST - with "Phantasmagoria" and "The Black Album" both delivering some of the decade's best listening.

- and they never fellated themselves, nor take themselves oh so seriously, like that certain other aforementioned blowhard act from Camden town.

Great comments. I had to retrofit their early days as i only caught the Grimly Fiendish and brilliant Eloise cover time with a conscious mind.
Interesting about the 3 managers. I need to read more lol. I know of McLaren as that has been the most storied.

and this awesome cover, which blows the original out the water, imo - not to mention a quintessential 80s vid vibe - classic all around.

btw, Czezowski made sure they had the first proper single release of the scene (New Rose), the first international gig (playing in France), and the first visit to America (playing 4 nights at CBs, and hitting the West coast, proper) - he beat the big boys to the punch with all.

It was surprising to see it reach #50 in the US as well. Their only charting song.
Sounds like Czezowski was the most competent manager, but didnt blow his own trumpet.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up
We start with an artist already seen. This track could have been one of about 8 for me, but chose this one due to the mood created. The band released 2 albums in the same year, not the only one on this list to do so.

After that we have a song that has a touch of Milli Vanilli, but it was a global smash. Recorded in a foreign language, it actually made the top 50 in the US

 

[otb_lifer]

there were 3 impresarios/friendly rivals behind the curtains of that early London scene - they were called: The Rabbi (Bernard Rhodes - The Clash), The Tailor (Malcolm McClaren - Sex Pistols), and The Lawyer (Andy Czezowski - The Damned) ... they all got their band, and that trifecta were the Vanguard, no question.

Czezowski knew how hard McClaren & Rhodes were gonna go with the politics (famous story of Rhodes telling Strummer & Mick to NOT write about girls or cars or love), seeing as how they were both so infatuated with the Situationist demonstrations/protests from Paris '68.

so he steered his band more towards concentrating on nihilism solely in the sound scape - saving the burden of social consciousness to the other 2 outfits ... which did kinda ostracize the Damned to a certain extent, but, for my money, they were always a better "punk" outfit than the Clash ... and i believe their debut platter ranks as 2b of all the opening salvos (Ramones at #1, Pistols at #2a) - Rat, Vanian, and Brian James were so unbelievably tight - along with the Captain, as you already mentioned ... these cats were extremely proficient, and powerful and so full of energy ... setting the stage for such high octane acts like Sham & the Jam, who were right on everyone's heels, and just waiting to explode.

they have remained a fascinating follow , and have succeeded in all their iterations - their goff pop turn in the 80s was a right proper BLAST - with "Phantasmagoria" and "The Black Album" both delivering some of the decade's best listening.

- and they never fellated themselves, nor take themselves oh so seriously, like that certain other aforementioned blowhard act from Camden town.

Great comments. I had to retrofit their early days as i only caught the Grimly Fiendish and brilliant Eloise cover time with a conscious mind.
Interesting about the 3 managers. I need to read more lol. I know of McLaren as that has been the most storied.

and this awesome cover, which blows the original out the water, imo - not to mention a quintessential 80s vid vibe - classic all around.

btw, Czezowski made sure they had the first proper single release of the scene (New Rose), the first international gig (playing in France), and the first visit to America (playing 4 nights at CBs, and hitting the West coast, proper) - he beat the big boys to the punch with all.

It was surprising to see it reach #50 in the US as well. Their only charting song.
Sounds like Czezowski was the most competent manager, but didnt blow his own trumpet.

Andy had a ton of irons in the fire, as did Malcolm ... but Andy was more benevolent to the entire scene.

real unsung Mensch of the movement.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#22 - Ultravox! - My Sex
#2 out of 17 - New Wave

Ultravox! With an ! Means John Foxx is the lead singer, not Midge Ure.
Ultravox!! Had critical acclaim up the wazoo, peer adolation and an influence over the next 5 years only surpassed by Bowie and Kraftwerk. I knew I was going to pick another track of theirs from 1977, they had 2 albums to pick from plus Young Savage (#61 here) which made neither album as it didnt fit. Hiroshima Mon Amour was the favorite, but the gorgeous synths from My Sex won me over. There were very few, if any British band making this music at the time. The punk movement was in full swing. No one wanted to hear sublety and emotion from a synth. The European sound eminating from France, Germany and Italy was just gaining momentum.
Oddly enough both John Foxx and Ultravox were better apart. Foxx had a moderately successful career with great synth work, while the rest of Ultravox in Chris Cross, Billy Currie and Canadian Warren Cann found their muse in former teen star Midge Ure, who had a No.1 with boy band Slik in Forever and Ever. He then joined Sex Pistols cast off Glen Matlock in the Rich Kids, then briefly with Thin Lizzy before Ultravox called. Simultaneously working with Visage and solo stuff. He was the silent partner behind Bob Geldofs Loudmouth founding Band Aid and Live Aid

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#21 - Plastic Betrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi
#2 Out of 12 - International

Now doing research for this throws up oddities and none more so than this one. The song was massive. During punk and sung almost entirely in french, it fitted the mood well. Nobody knew what he was singing, but the mood was infectious and more fun than the british punks. I am the King of the Divan or You are the king of the Divan are the english words spoken. Now it was a popular song, even making #47 in the US. #2 in Australia, #8 in the UK, #1 in France etc.
Now the research for this turned up a Milli Vanilli situation where the producer of this track was also the singer and Plastic Betrand was just a pretty face. Betrand had a reasonable career in his native country after this, but it wasn’t revealed until 30 years later that he never sung on this track. By far his biggest hit.

 

[otb_lifer]

#21 - Plastic Betrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi
Nobody knew what he was singing, but the mood was infectious and more fun than the british punks.

The Damned down?

 

[zamboni]

#22 - Ultravox! - My Sex
#2 out of 17 - New Wave

Ultravox! With an ! Means John Foxx is the lead singer, not Midge Ure.

Guess that exposes Wham for copying the exclamation point. Never knew Midge was not involved at one point with Ultravox.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

#22 - Ultravox! - My Sex
#2 out of 17 - New Wave

Ultravox! With an ! Means John Foxx is the lead singer, not Midge Ure.

Guess that exposes Wham for copying the exclamation point.

Similar to certain bands copying Blue Öyster Cult and their fancy umlaut.

 

[zamboni]

#22 - Ultravox! - My Sex
#2 out of 17 - New Wave

Ultravox! With an ! Means John Foxx is the lead singer, not Midge Ure.

Guess that exposes Wham for copying the exclamation point.

Similar to certain bands copying Blue Öyster Cult and their fancy umlaut.

Very trüe

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Oddly enough both John Foxx and Ultravox were better apart.

For some reason this was very true, big fan of both. Listening to the Metamatic album right now

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#21 - Plastic Betrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi
Nobody knew what he was singing, but the mood was infectious and more fun than the british punks.

The Damned down?

**** me. I thought this was the stuff of urban legend. And the Damned of all artists.
Allusions to gay sex swept through the school yard about this song, but it was in French so who knew?
I asked My father who speaks fluent french what he was singing....he said it makes no sense lol
I notice no king of the divan in Jet Boy Jet girl, so possibly french words that sound like king of the divan.
Im learning all the time

#22 - Ultravox! - My Sex
#2 out of 17 - New Wave

Ultravox! With an ! Means John Foxx is the lead singer, not Midge Ure.

Guess that exposes Wham for copying the exclamation point. Never knew Midge was not involved at one point with Ultravox.

I dont think Ultravox were the first either. I think they copied Neu! Who probably copied someone else

Oddly enough both John Foxx and Ultravox were better apart.

For some reason this was very true, big fan of both. Listening to the Metamatic album right now

Awesome. I wish id been old enough to see this album live. Crowds would always shout Underpants when Underpass got to the chorus. He definitely upped his synth game on this. Golden Section and the Garden are quite fun too.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up
A classic song that may not be identified by the song title but once you hear, you know it. This one is in the black category

After that a band that was running out of steam, but had a last great flurry with this song. Not fitting with the rest of their material, its almost surreal, but the gorgeous voice makes it instantly identifiable.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#20 - Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter #23
#3 Out of 10 - Black

Missed the opportunity to put this at #23. Wasnt thinking clearly lol. This is a great song. So smooth
I was surprised to see that this is a cover, but the Quincy Jones production on this makes it that much better. They had a few more hits before and after, most notably Stomp.
Notably Quentin Tarantino used tbis track in two of his movies. Has he done that with any other track? Briefly in Pulp Fiction and more noticeably in Jackie Brown.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

 

[otb_lifer]

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

LOVE them (Kat )

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

 

[zamboni]

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

This is a really cool song and indeed unusual for them, but in a good way. Actually has a bit of an early Yes feel to it (thinking Starship Trooper or And You And I). And of course that sweet fuzz guitar sound of Tony Peluso, who also shredded a few years back in Goodbye To Love.

 

[zamboni]

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

Now that's a band I haven't thought of in awhile. Always think of Beavis and Butthead when I hear them.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

LOVE them (Kat )

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

Yeah i bought that compilation the week it was released. Love the Top of the World Cover by Shonen Knife, would have included it in Kristas 31 if it werent for Japan being well covered.
The Sonic Youth cover of Superstar is amazing. Cranberries do Close to You well. Its a great album.

 

[otb_lifer]

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

Now that's a band I haven't thought of in awhile. Always think of Beavis and Butthead when I hear the m.

it's a shame Judge didn't go here instead, for Kat's "love letter" to Courtney ... (Kat )
shame, too, how i can't find ONE unedited version of the official vid - it loses a ton of it's punch with all of Kat's colorful language chopped ... ergo, WALA!!1!

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

LOVE them (Kat )

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

Yeah i bought that compilation the week it was released. Love the Top of the World Cover by Shonen Knife, would have included it in Kristas 31 if it werent for Japan being well covered.
The Sonic Youth cover of Superstar is amazing. Cranberries do Close to You well. Its a great album.

oh, yeah ... all great reworks of the tunes ... i especially loved Shonen Knife's vocal inflections: " tuppa da whirl/tuppa da whirrr-hirrrl/tuppa da whirl"

that SY fade-in on "Superstar", and the vocal track ... damn brilliant.

my fave was one i always fancied as having the chops to be a pretty awesome wedding song, had it been more popular - but maybe more coolly discerning couples applied it anyways - Bettie Serveert with For All We Know




PS - i be a big Carpenter honk

 

[zamboni]

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

I've got to check that album out - am familiar with the the Sonic Youth cover of "Superstar" of course.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

I've got to check that album out - am familiar with the the Sonic Youth cover of "Superstar" of course.

Some do a note for note cover, but the best ones are when they dont...sometimes lol.
Its almost a confronting listen the first time as you expect to hear Karen singing.
Some like Sonic Youth hit a home run, others are valiant efforts

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

Now that's a band I haven't thought of in awhile. Always think of Beavis and Butthead when I hear the m.

it's a shame Judge didn't go here instead, for Kat's "love letter" to Courtney ... (Kat )
shame, too, how i can't find ONE unedited version of the official vid - it loses a ton of it's punch with all of Kat's colorful language chopped ... ergo, WALA!!1!

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

also a 90s cover by Babes in Toyland - wherein Kat cedes the vocal to drummer Lori Barbero.

LOVE them (Kat )

from a compilation called "If I Were A Carpenter", featuring indie/alt/punk bands of that era covering Karen & Richard's hits n' such.

Yeah i bought that compilation the week it was released. Love the Top of the World Cover by Shonen Knife, would have included it in Kristas 31 if it werent for Japan being well covered.
The Sonic Youth cover of Superstar is amazing. Cranberries do Close to You well. Its a great album.

oh, yeah ... all great reworks of the tunes ... i especially loved Shonen Knife's vocal inflections: " tuppa da whirl/tuppa da whirrr-hirrrl/tuppa da whirl"

that SY fade-in on "Superstar", and the vocal track ... damn brilliant.

my fave was one i always fancied as having the chops to be a pretty awesome wedding song, had it been more popular - but maybe more coolly discerning couples applied it anyways - Bettie Serveert with For All We Know




PS - i be a big Carpenter honk

Yeah the Carpenters have an enduring appeal.
Its such an odd thing to feel down, listen to them and still feel down but happy at the same time.

On Shonen Knife a definite oddity to give it a grungy vibe, sweet japanese harmonies and language difficulties aplenty. Works great.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Next up an artist we have seen before and will see again. The only artist to have more than 2 songs here
A major punk artist, but they were clear oddities. 2 albums in the same year gives so much choice on their best two albums.

After that an artist from the International thread and our final International #1. Not their best song, but its still damn good.

 

[rockaction]

Dave Vanian was always an interesting frontman and the bass play of Captain Sensible here rightly receives recognition.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't point out Brian James, guitarist, he of the monster solo in the track.

"Neat, Neat, Neat" is a crazy good song, IMO. Perfect punk meets pop meets utter frenetics.

 

[shuke]

#19 - The Carpenters - Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft
#2 Out of 18 - Mainstream/Other

Now I love the Carpenters and the sad, but exquisite voice of Karen, but this song is definitely unusual for their catalog and divisive among their fans. Im always attracted to odd and unusal though and this song ticks a lot of those boxes. This is latter day Carpenters where her situation starts to take a tumble. Some but not all know this is a cover from the band Klaatu recorded within two years of each other. Now there are definite fans of the Klaatu version, but to me the voice of Karen always triumphs.

Never heard this before and couldn't decide if I loved it or hated it. Then I looked up the Klaatu version. Freaking epic!

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#18- The Stranglers - Peaches
#3 Out of 13 - Punk

This is hardly Bob Dylan, but Peaches is one of the odder songs to pop up during Punk. For one thing all the guys were over 30 and the drummer, the recently deceased Jet Black was almost 40. The guys were not in with their peers, but their attitude was brutal. Misogynistic, rough and their music was guttural. They courted trouble and the bass playing of Jean Jacques Burnel was like a man wielding a weapon. People didnt **** with them. Unfortunately their gigs were total sausage fests and songs like Peaches, Bring on the Nubiles and Bitching, to name a few, are not only women repellants, they are frankly disgusting. But they were authentic. As bad as that was. Peaches was a big hit single, with no film clip that is on youtube anway. Whats it going to be? 4 perverts looking at womens breasts on the beach? Despite all this its a great song. The debut album Rattus Norvegicusnand follow up No More Heroes, both released in 1977, are classics of the punk genre. Each song tells a story, is well written and catchy as hell.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#17 - Hot Chocolate - So You Win Again
#1 Out of 8 - International #1’s

This song is sandwiched inbetween their monster US hits You Sexy Thing and Every 1s a Winner, but this one only got to #33 in the US. Oddly it went to #1 in the UK, their only number one there. I do feel it gets lost in the shuffle, but its a damn fine song. Lead singer Errol Brown had an excellent way of conveying emotion with his voice, no more so than on their early hit Emma. 13 top 10 hits in the UK, 21 in the top 20 and their anonymity is relatively staggering there. In the US, only 5 songs made the top 40. The 4 mentioned here and Disco Queen

 

[otb_lifer]

#18- The Stranglers - Peaches
#3 Out of 13 - Punk

This is hardly Bob Dylan, but Peaches is one of the odder songs to pop up during Punk. For one thing all the guys were over 30 and the drummer, the recently deceased Jet Black was almost 40. The guys were not in with their peers, but their attitude was brutal. Misogynistic, rough and their music was guttural. They courted trouble and the bass playing of Jean Jacques Burnel was like a man wielding a weapon. People didnt **** with them. Unfortunately their gigs were total sausage fests and songs like Peaches, Bring on the Nubiles and Bitching, to name a few, are not only women repellants, they are frankly disgusting. But they were authentic. As bad as that was. Peaches was a big hit single, with no film clip that is on youtube anway. Whats it going to be? 4 perverts looking at womens breasts on the beach? Despite all this its a great song. The debut album Rattus Norvegicusnand follow up No More Heroes, both released in 1977, are classics of the punk genre. Each song tells a story, is well written and catchy as hell.

Burnel was actually 25 at that time, only a few months older than fellow scene glommer/pub rocker Joe Strummer ... the Brit bands certainly skewed younger for the most part, yes - but, hell - Johnny and Tommy Ramone were pushing 30 by this time, they actually played their first gigs in summer of '74, even getting a proper run at CBs.

i kinda got over all that stalinist bullchit, tho it were a deterrent to the Stranglers being fully "accepted" - but they did just fine, regardless - "Peaches" damn near hit #1 in England, it just couldn't leap over a certain banned Pistols tune (dunno if you featured it yet).

much like the Damned, they matured out the clubs and gobbing, and made some remarkably memorable magic in the 80s ... "Golden Brown" and "Always The Sun" are such incredibly gorgeous songs - the boys done good.

great selection here - so "anti-punk" that it was punk as f***

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#18- The Stranglers - Peaches
#3 Out of 13 - Punk

This is hardly Bob Dylan, but Peaches is one of the odder songs to pop up during Punk. For one thing all the guys were over 30 and the drummer, the recently deceased Jet Black was almost 40. The guys were not in with their peers, but their attitude was brutal. Misogynistic, rough and their music was guttural. They courted trouble and the bass playing of Jean Jacques Burnel was like a man wielding a weapon. People didnt **** with them. Unfortunately their gigs were total sausage fests and songs like Peaches, Bring on the Nubiles and Bitching, to name a few, are not only women repellants, they are frankly disgusting. But they were authentic. As bad as that was. Peaches was a big hit single, with no film clip that is on youtube anway. Whats it going to be? 4 perverts looking at womens breasts on the beach? Despite all this its a great song. The debut album Rattus Norvegicusnand follow up No More Heroes, both released in 1977, are classics of the punk genre. Each song tells a story, is well written and catchy as hell.

Burnel was actually 25 at that time, only a few months older than fellow scene glommer/pub rocker Joe Strummer ... the Brit bands certainly skewed younger for the most part, yes - but, hell - Johnny and Tommy Ramone were pushing 30 by this time, they actually played their first gigs in summer of '74, even getting a proper run at CBs.

i kinda got over all that stalinist bullchit, tho it were a deterrent to the Stranglers being fully "accepted" - but they did just fine, regardless - "Peaches" damn near hit #1 in England, it just couldn't leap over a certain banned Pistols tune (dunno if you featured it yet).

much like the Damned, they matured out the clubs and gobbing, and made some remarkably memorable magic in the 80s ... "Golden Brown" and "Always The Sun" are such incredibly gorgeous songs - the boys done good.

great selection here - so "anti-punk" that it was punk as f***

Thanks. I followed the Stranglers right up until High Cornwall left. The last album with him, 10 was pretty bad but still had a great cover of 96 Tears. Aural Sculture in the mid 80s was magnificent. Love playing Waltzinblack to people in the dark haha. I literally had every Stranglers album, including the demos, rare live stuff, compilations etc on CD.
I knew JJB was the young fella here, didnt realise how young. With Greenfield dying of Covid and Black of old age, JJB still tours. Hugh Cornwall and him have irreconcilable differences I believe.

Couldnt include the Pistols God Save the Queen as it was in Tims list. i think i put Pretty Vacant at #112 off of Tims list. Couldnt put 2 Pistols songs in the 10 I chose. There may be a surprise later on here though.

 

[otb_lifer]

Couldnt include the Pistols God Save the Queen as it was in Tims list. i think i put Pretty Vacant at #112 off of Tims list. Couldnt put 2 Pistols songs in the 10 I chose. There may be a surprise later on here though.

aaahhh, ok ... didn't kno this were an addendum/riff on a previous countdown - though it now does beg the question of "how could some of these NOT make a top 100 of '77??1!?", but, ehhhh - i'll leave it at that.

believe it were May '77 when "Peaches" rose up the charts, but it was buried by the cultural tsunami that were "God Save the Queen", punctuated by it being QEII's jubilee and all ... man, McClaren really pushed that button proper, and Johnny delivered the screed.

goodt stuff

 

[Gr00vus]

#18- The Stranglers - Peaches
#3 Out of 13 - Punk

This is hardly Bob Dylan, but Peaches is one of the odder songs to pop up during Punk. For one thing all the guys were over 30 and the drummer, the recently deceased Jet Black was almost 40. The guys were not in with their peers, but their attitude was brutal. Misogynistic, rough and their music was guttural. They courted trouble and the bass playing of Jean Jacques Burnel was like a man wielding a weapon. People didnt **** with them. Unfortunately their gigs were total sausage fests and songs like Peaches, Bring on the Nubiles and Bitching, to name a few, are not only women repellants, they are frankly disgusting. But they were authentic. As bad as that was. Peaches was a big hit single, with no film clip that is on youtube anway. Whats it going to be? 4 perverts looking at womens breasts on the beach? Despite all this its a great song. The debut album Rattus Norvegicusnand follow up No More Heroes, both released in 1977, are classics of the punk genre. Each song tells a story, is well written and catchy as hell.

Oh, **** yeah.

 

[Gr00vus]

It's pretty incredible that they could go from Peaches to something like All Roads Lead To Rome (which I also love). Not too many proto-punk artists made transitions like that.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Couldnt include the Pistols God Save the Queen as it was in Tims list. i think i put Pretty Vacant at #112 off of Tims list. Couldnt put 2 Pistols songs in the 10 I chose. There may be a surprise later on here though.

aaahhh, ok ... didn't kno this were an addendum/riff on a previous countdown - though it now does beg the question of "how could some of these NOT make a top 100 of '77??1!?", but, ehhhh - i'll leave it at that.

believe it were May '77 when "Peaches" rose up the charts, but it was buried by the cultural tsunami that were "God Save the Queen", punctuated by it being QEII's jubilee and all ... man, McClaren really pushed that button proper, and Johnny delivered the screed.

goodt stuff

Tims list is in the OP. Im sure he sees several on my list that he would have included subsequently, but theres no doubt I will be leaving some out too. Some are ignorance, some are cause I dont like them.

Anyway, next up we get a song that could be eligible for 1976, 77 and 78. Being released on 28Dec1976.....its a hard call to say its a 76 song. It has a complex history and will be our final song in the Disco category
After that we have perhaps one of the greatest omissions from Tims list. Its widely seen as one of the best songs from the era and finishes up our New Wave category

 

[FairWarning]

#20 - Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter #23
#3 Out of 10 - Black

Missed the opportunity to put this at #23. Wasnt thinking clearly lol. This is a great song. So smooth
I was surprised to see that this is a cover, but the Quincy Jones production on this makes it that much better. They had a few more hits before and after, most notably Stomp.
Notably Quentin Tarantino used tbis track in two of his movies. Has he done that with any other track? Briefly in Pulp Fiction and more noticeably in Jackie Brown.

definitely a top 100 song, it got a lot of airplay.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

It's pretty incredible that they could go from Peaches to something like All Roads Lead To Rome (which I also love). Not too many proto-punk artists made transitions like that.

Yeah the Feline album can be a hard listen. Its amazing they were so willing to piss off their punk fans, but they pretty much started that process with La Folie and before that The Gospel According to the Meninblack
They came right back to form, with Aural Sculpture and Dreamtime, but the punk days were gone. Just the attitude remained.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

#16 - The Trammps - Disco Inferno
#1 Out of 7 - Disco

This track would be a nightmare for our gb Timschochet, released on 28Dec1976, it only peaked at #53. It was then included on the mega successful 1977 Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and rereleased as a single in 1978 to much wider success reaching #11. I am including the 10 minute version. If its good enough for the Soundtrack, its good enough for here. We also say goodbye to our disco adventures as well.

 

[otb_lifer]

It's pretty incredible that they could go from Peaches to something like All Roads Lead To Rome (which I also love). Not too many proto-punk artists made transitions like that.

that tune always always got me wondering who were influenced by who ... was it Elfman (Oingo Boingo) biting off the Stranglers, or were it the Stranglers riffing off of Elfman (Oingo Boingo)?



anyways ... one band that came close to such transition were definitely the Jam, what with the Modfather portending his Style Council iteration with this smooove departure from their (Jam) usual kick in the balls output.

different styles, but certainly a seismic move away from '77