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The 100 Greatest Songs Of 1978 #1. Werewolves of London (1 Viewer)

I love the Grease pick and picked it as my album of 1978 in the Timdraft. He hated the pick. I have to say that it was a tough choice between that soundtrack and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and my five year-old self is backing off of neither. Great pick, great song. 

I've got chills they're multiplying
And I'm losing control 
Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying! 

 
timschochet said:
75. Van Halen “Jamie’s Cryin’” (from Van Halen) 

https://youtu.be/OOjm4I7LRgY

David Lee Roth is a better rock vocalist than John Travolta…I guess. 
Nah this is an excellent song from a pretty good debut album- I actually like their second album better, but this one has a few highlights that we will discuss here. Van Halen had a pretty fresh sound in 1978. 
Click to expand...


Has to be on the list.  For me it holds up but I know the younger folk(20 somethings) aren't into classic rock as much although my music nerd friends claim it's coming back with Greta Van Fleet bla bla bla.

In the movie "Everybody's Wants Some" Van Halen is accused of being a corporate band.  BTW, that movie has like 4 distinct music scenes of the era captured (punk/classic rock/country/disco)

 
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rockaction said:
I love the Grease pick and picked it as my album of 1978 in the Timdraft. He hated the pick. I have to say that it was a tough choice between that soundtrack and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and my five year-old self is backing off of neither. Great pick, great song. 

I've got chills they're multiplying
And I'm losing control 
Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying! 
Click to expand...
Your 5 year old self may need a timeout. Lol.

 
Grease songs have to be on the list because of their pop culture impact and all of us went through a grease phase...likely when we were 8 years old.

That being said, if you listen to Grease in your car in 2021 on purpose you are a sick #### and need some help.

Also:  Peak Olivia Newton John is top 5 on my "list."   

 
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rockaction said:
I love the Grease pick and picked it as my album of 1978 in the Timdraft. He hated the pick. I have to say that it was a tough choice between that soundtrack and the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and my five year-old self is backing off of neither. Great pick, great song. 

I've got chills they're multiplying
And I'm losing control 
Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying! 
Click to expand...
Tell me about it, stud! 

 
timschochet said:
74. Blondie “Hanging On the Telephone” (from Parallel Lines) 

https://youtu.be/uWhkbDMISl8

This is actually a cover; the original version was performed by a power pop band called The Nerves, now forgotten. The Blondie version is the definitive one. 
Deborah Harry was certainly lovely, wasn’t she? 
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I was worried about where this list was trending. Was expecting Charlene’s I’ve never Been to Me to get a mention. This one, hopefully, is a positive sign we are occasionally on the right track

 
TripItUp said:
Has to be on the list.  For me it holds up but I know the younger folk(20 somethings) aren't into classic rock as much although my music nerd friends claim it's coming back with Greta Van Fleet bla bla bla.

In the movie "Everybody's Wants Some" Van Halen is accused of being a corporate band.  BTW, that movie has like 4 distinct music scenes of the era captured (punk/classic rock/country/disco)
Click to expand...
I think there has to be 3 more coming from this album. At least.

 
timschochet said:
I love Charlene. But that song is from 1976. I’m sure I’ll get to it when I do that list. 
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You can make a case for 76, 77 and 82. 

If you want 78 you have to use the Mary McGregor version or the one more popular in Asia by the gorgeous taiwanese Tracy Huang.

Only thing I like, at all, about this song is some versions have the lyric “I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that costs too much to be free”

 
John Maddens Lunchbox said:
You can make a case for 76, 77 and 82. 

If you want 78 you have to use the Mary McGregor version or the one more popular in Asia by the gorgeous taiwanese Tracy Huang.

Only thing I like, at all, about this song is some versions have the lyric “I spent my life exploring the subtle whoring that costs too much to be free”
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Such an awesome line. But there are plenty more. 
I fell in love with it after watching Priscilla, Queen  of the Desert. 

 
TripItUp said:
Grease songs have to be on the list because of their pop culture impact and all of us went through a grease phase...likely when we were 8 years old.

That being said, if you listen to Grease in your car in 2021 on purpose you are a sick #### and need some help.

Also:  Peak Olivia Newton John is top 5 on my "list."   
Click to expand...


#### just got Physical...

 
I prefer the early ONJ, back when she was a sweet innocent country singer and not some brazen tart of an aerobics instructor.

 
timschochet said:
74. Blondie “Hanging On the Telephone” (from Parallel Lines) 

https://youtu.be/uWhkbDMISl8

This is actually a cover; the original version was performed by a power pop band called The Nerves, now forgotten. The Blondie version is the definitive one. 
Deborah Harry was certainly lovely, wasn’t she? 
Click to expand...
I own two Debbie Harry shirts. I am the comic book guy from the Simpsons, though, so I think only my corporeal problems could make Debbie Harry unattractive. 

 
73. Siouxsie and the Banshees “Hong Kong Garden” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/w0wTIwfRJtI

Moving in a very different direction here…

This was the first Siouxsie single, one of the first post-punk songs. It was written after she witnessed a bunch of skinheads harassing some immigrants who owned a Chinese restaurant. Everything about this tune, from the famous guitar line to the extraordinary vocal performance, was revolutionary. Amd it would prove to be the first of a long list of superb singles from this band that would stretch into the next decade. 

 
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It's hard to believe pop music had room for "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" and "Copacabana" but also "Hong Kong Garden" with only ::checks notes:: zero years in-between.

 
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rockaction said:
I own two Debbie Harry shirts. I am the comic book guy from the Simpsons, though, so I think only my corporeal problems could make Debbie Harry unattractive. 
Click to expand...
This take was without a doubt the Worst. Post. Ever. Rest assured I was on the internet in minutes registering my disgust throughout the world.

jk

 
72. Styx “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” (from Pieces of Eight) 

https://youtu.be/CDM6v1XhWEg

Tommy Shaw looked like a teen idol but he always wanted to be taken seriously as a hard rocker. Screw all of the Dennis De Young ballads, Tommy wanted to rock! This, and another tune we will discuss a little later, was his big chance. 

 
timschochet said:
72. Styx “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” (from Pieces of Eight) 

https://youtu.be/CDM6v1XhWEg

Tommy Shaw looked like a teen idol but he always wanted to be taken seriously as a hard rocker. Screw all of the Dennis De Young ballads, Tommy wanted to rock! This, and another tune we will discuss a little later, was his big chance. 
Click to expand...


Styx was never really for me....you don't really ever hear them any more and I think there's a reason for that.  

 
TripItUp said:
Styx was never really for me....you don't really ever hear them any more and I think there's a reason for that.  
Click to expand...


There were two Styx sounds, their progressive pop stuff like Babe and Lady, which are pretty much just played on bland classic rock stations and are rather boring for me to listen to now. 

And then were the Tommy Shaw penned numbers many of which kicked ### like Blue Collar Man,  Renegade, and Too Much Time On My Hands - all of which hold up pretty well today IMO. 

 
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timschochet said:
73. Siouxsie and the Banshees “Hong Kong Garden” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/w0wTIwfRJtI

Moving in a very different direction here…

This was the first Siouxsie single, one of the first post-punk songs. It was written after she witnessed a bunch of skinheads harassing some immigrants who owned a Chinese restaurant. Everything about this tune, from the famous guitar line to the extraordinary vocal performance, was revolutionary. Amd it would prove to be the first of a long list of superb singles from this band that would stretch into the next decade. 
Click to expand...
The list just got so much better

 
squistion said:
There were two Styx sounds, their progressive pop stuff like Babe and Lady, which are pretty much just played on bland classic rock stations and are rather boring for me to listen to now. 

And then were the Tommy Shaw penned numbers many of which kicked ### like Blue Collar Man,  Renegade, and Too Much Time On My Hands - all of which hold up pretty well today IMO. 
Click to expand...


I do like Too Much Time on My Hands...video is amazing and the Fallon remake is even more amazing.

It's just one of those bands that nobody would request at a party...Blondie?  of course.  Van Halen?  you betcha.  Styx?  Not so much.

 
timschochet said:
73. Siouxsie and the Banshees “Hong Kong Garden” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/w0wTIwfRJtI

Moving in a very different direction here…

This was the first Siouxsie single, one of the first post-punk songs. It was written after she witnessed a bunch of skinheads harassing some immigrants who owned a Chinese restaurant. Everything about this tune, from the famous guitar line to the extraordinary vocal performance, was revolutionary. Amd it would prove to be the first of a long list of superb singles from this band that would stretch into the next decade. 
Click to expand...


First time I had heard this...I knew they had earlier stuff but never took the time to seek it out.  This is why this is a great thread for me.  I love discovering new songs like this one.

 
TripItUp said:
First time I had heard this...I knew they had earlier stuff but never took the time to seek it out.  This is why this is a great thread for me.  I love discovering new songs like this one.
Click to expand...
Thats awesome.

Siouxsie is an interesting artist. Lots of really bad songs, in amongst genius. If you are curious find a best of and have a listen. The 1993 album Superstition was seen as a sell out, but was well regarded and charted well in the US. Its a different sound than 77-83 Siouxsie. Kiss them for Me, Shadowtime and Silly Thing are just magnificent, but its a solid album track to track.

Robert Smith of the Cure was a huge fan early on and joined them as just a musician, as well as being in the Cure to learn his craft

I think he learnt how to be a front person, just by standing next to Siouxsie for a couple of months every night. I think he completely changed his persona on stage because of that; he came out of his shell. I think that he learnt how to be a bit more flamboyant, and how it was okay, and I think he saw how, y'know... how should I put it... Siouxsie's more "diva" moments were kind of acceptable because they were the front person, and I think he learnt how to get away with stuff. And just a bit about stagecraft, and how to use the audience a bit more. Because if you look at early clips of their performances you can see he's sort of much more shy and retiring than he becomes a bit later on, and of course, his whole look changes as well.
Click to expand...

 
TripItUp said:
I do like Too Much Time on My Hands...video is amazing and the Fallon remake is even more amazing.

It's just one of those bands that nobody would request at a party...Blondie?  of course.  Van Halen?  you betcha.  Styx?  Not so much.
Click to expand...
Styx is awesome and you shut your whore mouth.

Yes, I'm from Chicago.  ;)

 
71. Journey “Wheel In the Sky” (from Infinity) 

https://youtu.be/MxGEVIvSFeY

This song pretty much introduced the world to Steve Perry, after which this band really took off. This is the Journey I prefer, (much like “Blue Collar Man” is the Styx I prefer): a good hard rock sound prior to the more pop sound from later albums. 

 
timschochet said:
71. Journey “Wheel In the Sky” (from Infinity) 

https://youtu.be/MxGEVIvSFeY

This song pretty much introduced the world to Steve Perry, after which this band really took off. This is the Journey I prefer, (much like “Blue Collar Man” is the Styx I prefer): a good hard rock sound prior to the more pop sound from later albums. 
Click to expand...


never liked Journey, but some of their stuff is undeniable - this is one of them.  

I have always like this song.  

 
timschochet said:
71. Journey “Wheel In the Sky” (from Infinity) 

https://youtu.be/MxGEVIvSFeY

This song pretty much introduced the world to Steve Perry, after which this band really took off. This is the Journey I prefer, (much like “Blue Collar Man” is the Styx I prefer): a good hard rock sound prior to the more pop sound from later albums. 
Click to expand...


I like both versions of Journey personally.  So timeless that if I'm not mistaken their greatest hits album kept popping up on Billboard charts decades after its release.  I'd probably have this song in this year's top 30 so this feel's way undervalued at #71, though I realize music snobs may roll their eyes at their formulaic 80s stuff.

Journey is a National Treasure IMHO.  I've seen them live a few times and its still a great show.  The Def Leppard/Journey tour a few years back was a ton of fun. 

Slightly related story, I was on a tour bus in Africa with a bunch of other 20/30 somethings about 10 years ago, probably about 10 nationalities represented.  We were each picking songs to play and sing along...one of the Dutch girls played Steve Perry's  "Oh Sherry" and the entire bus went nuts...every nationality knew every word...good times. (not a Journey song I know)

 
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Psychopav said:
Styx is awesome and you shut your whore mouth.

Yes, I'm from Chicago.  ;)
Click to expand...
Styx is awesome, despite the beating they took over the years from nitwit critics (who are probably the reason they never get their due as one of the great rock bands of the 70s and early 80s).  Not many classic rock artists had as many songs played regularly on classic rock radio as them back in the day. And the reason is that a lot of people love their music.  

 
timschochet said:
71. Journey “Wheel In the Sky” (from Infinity) 

https://youtu.be/MxGEVIvSFeY

This song pretty much introduced the world to Steve Perry, after which this band really took off. This is the Journey I prefer, (much like “Blue Collar Man” is the Styx I prefer): a good hard rock sound prior to the more pop sound from later albums. 
Click to expand...
Fun fact: Journey had previously toiled for 4 years as a prog rock band, with Gregg Rolie as their primary singer. In 1977, after 3 unsuccessful albums, their record label was fed up with the lack of sales, and basically told them: "Hire a real frontman and start recording pop songs, or else we're dropping you."

So they went out and hired.........Robert Fleischman.

Fleischman was with Journey for about 3 months in 1977, but due to various clashes (personality/management/musical direction) he was replaced by Steve Perry.

Anyway, while Fleischman was in the band, they wrote and recorded an album's worth of songs......including an early version of "Wheel In The Sky":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI4ko8CezGs

 
70. Warren Zevon “Excitable Boy” (from Excitable Boy) 

https://youtu.be/fZokPAuhD6k

In my review of Oingo Boingo’s “Only a Lad” (1981) I compared it to this song, which is quite similar in theme. But Danny Elfman was making a social and political argument; Zevon has no argument to make. He’s just relating a bizarre tale of a sociopath and setting it to a happy little melody. Zevon also revealed during an interview a few years later that “Excitable Boy” had been his nickname growing up, which just adds to the weirdness…a pretty brilliant song, nonetheless. 

 
[scooter] said:
Fun fact: Journey had previously toiled for 4 years as a prog rock band, with Gregg Rolie as their primary singer. In 1977, after 3 unsuccessful albums, their record label was fed up with the lack of sales, and basically told them: "Hire a real frontman and start recording pop songs, or else we're dropping you."

So they went out and hired.........Robert Fleischman.

Fleischman was with Journey for about 3 months in 1977, but due to various clashes (personality/management/musical direction) he was replaced by Steve Perry.

Anyway, while Fleischman was in the band, they wrote and recorded an album's worth of songs......including an early version of "Wheel In The Sky":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI4ko8CezGs
Click to expand...
THAT is a great post.

 
timschochet said:
70. Warren Zevon “Excitable Boy” (from Excitable Boy) 

https://youtu.be/fZokPAuhD6k

In my review of Oingo Boingo’s “Only a Lad” (1981) I compared it to this song, which is quite similar in theme. But Danny Elfman was making a social and political argument; Zevon has no argument to make. He’s just relating a bizarre tale of a sociopath and setting it to a happy little melody. Zevon also revealed during an interview a few years later that “Excitable Boy” had been his nickname growing up, which just adds to the weirdness…a pretty brilliant song, nonetheless. 
Click to expand...


Now we're cooking! I'm going to make a pot roast to celebrate.

 
[scooter] said:
Fun fact: Journey had previously toiled for 4 years as a prog rock band, with Gregg Rolie as their primary singer. In 1977, after 3 unsuccessful albums, their record label was fed up with the lack of sales, and basically told them: "Hire a real frontman and start recording pop songs, or else we're dropping you."

So they went out and hired.........Robert Fleischman.

Fleischman was with Journey for about 3 months in 1977, but due to various clashes (personality/management/musical direction) he was replaced by Steve Perry.

Anyway, while Fleischman was in the band, they wrote and recorded an album's worth of songs......including an early version of "Wheel In The Sky":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI4ko8CezGs
Click to expand...


Yeah, when the poster talked about "both versions of Journey" at first I thought he was referring to the pre-Steve Perry incarnation. 😆

Not sure if I would call the Rolie fronted band "progressive" but I suppose that label would apply as any (as well as jazz-fusion). They were however, an acquired taste and people talked more about Aynsley Dunbar's drumming than anything else (however, everyone was in agreement that they desperately needed a lead singer!). 

 
69. Kenny Rogers “The Gambler” (from The Gambler) 

https://youtu.be/7hx4gdlfamo

This list has lost too much of its cheese factor; time to bring it back! 
Actually this is one of the all time great country songs, and there’s no way I could leave it off the list. As iconic as the Grease tunes or YMCA. I never have followed his advice about counting money. I always seem to count my chips. 

 
[scooter] said:
Fun fact: Journey had previously toiled for 4 years as a prog rock band, with Gregg Rolie as their primary singer. In 1977, after 3 unsuccessful albums, their record label was fed up with the lack of sales, and basically told them: "Hire a real frontman and start recording pop songs, or else we're dropping you."

So they went out and hired.........Robert Fleischman.

Fleischman was with Journey for about 3 months in 1977, but due to various clashes (personality/management/musical direction) he was replaced by Steve Perry.

Anyway, while Fleischman was in the band, they wrote and recorded an album's worth of songs......including an early version of "Wheel In The Sky":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI4ko8CezGs
Click to expand...
Yeesh, that guy has some pipes, but bellowing out every line like you are constantly trying to remind listeners, "see what I can do?"" is oft-putting.  Pop star Adele does the same thing now, and it's annoying. 

 
TripItUp said:
I like both versions of Journey personally.  So timeless that if I'm not mistaken their greatest hits album kept popping up on Billboard charts decades after its release.  I'd probably have this song in this year's top 30 so this feel's way undervalued at #71, though I realize music snobs may roll their eyes at their formulaic 80s stuff.

Journey is a National Treasure IMHO.  I've seen them live a few times and its still a great show.  The Def Leppard/Journey tour a few years back was a ton of fun. 

Slightly related story, I was on a tour bus in Africa with a bunch of other 20/30 somethings about 10 years ago, probably about 10 nationalities represented.  We were each picking songs to play and sing along...one of the Dutch girls played Steve Perry's  "Oh Sherry" and the entire bus went nuts...every nationality knew every word...good times. (not a Journey song I know)
Click to expand...
So, you've seen Journey with the lead singer that replaced Steve Perry? The story of how he got the job is shown in "Don't Stop Believin' -Everyman's Journey". I thought it was a very good documentary. 

When Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll HOF, Steve Perry was there. But, he didn't perform with the band. 

 
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