In this post I will be sharing my reasons for omitting nineteen (19) of the ‘first’ fifty songs (1-50) on the 1975 Billboard Top 100 list; i.e., I chose not to share them on my Facebook timeline.
I choose songs for Nostalgic Dip from annual Top 100 Billboard charts. I could share every song on every list, but for various reasons I choose not to share some of them. This series of posts is my way of giving at least a modicum of recognition to the songs that I have rejected for my Facebook routine. They were legitimate “hits,” after all. The recognition I proffer here is somewhat back-handed, though, because I am telling you why I snubbed these songs. You may or may not agree with my reasons, but no worries, they are MY reasons. Nobody has to agree with them. >> smiley face <<
Let’s do this!!
“Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell ~ Part of me thinks, “If I have to tell you why I did not include this song, you are well beyond my ability to help you.” But I accept that people have varying tastes in music. This song is not horrible, by any means. It is in the category I call “YMCA,” which means I consider it fun to play around with sometimes but it is not a ‘standard’ in any of my playlists. There are some songs I cannot listen to at all. This is not one of those.
“Laughter in the Rain,” Neil Sedaka ~ This one is pretty much in the same category as “Rhinestone Cowboy,” but I will confess that for a few minutes when it first came out, I dug it. For me, though, it is kind of a goofy distant cousin to Little River Band’s “Reminiscing,” and “I Really Want to See You Tonight,” by England Dan and John Ford Coley.
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” John Denver ~ 1975 must be the year for the “YMCA” category. The song is fun for karaoke, but it will not be on any of my playlists. Maybe I need to create a “YMCA” category playlist! Still… who can resist the line, “Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle…”? I ask you.
“Lovin’ You,” Minnie Riperton ~ I really never cared much for this song. Minnie’s voice did not captivate me. The “whistle singing” did not excite me. Seems whiny and pathetic. Also, it is essentially about having sex, so… I consciously avoid that subject in my musical choices. As much as possible. Usually. If I can help it.
“Kung Fu Fighting,” Carl Douglas ~ Again, “You have to ask?” This one is not even on the “YMCA” list. Not even close. It might be on my “Songs that should never have been so popular” list. Epitome of goofy. I am not sure what to make of the fact that the three or four YouTube versions of this have garnered nearly fifty million views. 50 MILLION! “HUH!” “HA!”
“Ballroom Blitz,” Sweet ~ Not sure what to say. I have always thought Sweet was trying to be Queen. They did not quite get there. At all. Even a little bit. Yuck.
“(Hey! Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” B. J. Thomas ~ I am a fan of B. J. Thomas. I generally prefer him over Neil Diamond, for example. But, I don’t know, this particular song takes on a little too much of the “country cleverness” in its lyrics, for me, I think. Plus, it is sad and depressing. Sorry, B. J. I love ya, man.
“He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You),” Tony Orlando and Dawn ~ Well, first of all, poor grammar in lyrics – especially in the title – puts me off every time. Second, Tony et al are among the few artists that have to work really hard to get past my “thanks, anyway” filters (like Donny and Marie). I have trouble taking them seriously.
“Lady Marmalade,” Labelle ~ This song was and is wildly popular in its several versions. If you have been reading these blog entries, you already know that the subject of this song is in my “no fly zone,” (pun not originally intended…). As this series proceeds along the timeline, there will be many, many mega-popular songs in that zone. Go figure.
“Love Won’t Let Me Wait,” Major Harris ~ I need to develop a one-syllable code word for these types of songs. Besides the “obvious” reasons, this song also displays a complete lack of concern for the concept of self-control. The epitome of the misguided axiom, “If it feels good, do it.” Worse yet, he is blaming his lack of discipline on “love.”
“Angie Baby,” Helen Reddy ~ Creepy. The story is straight from a horror film. In fact, I am surprised no one ever made it into a scary movie! Helen is definitely on my list of favorite singers; and she does this song really well, but… ew.
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” Elton John ~ This is a truly worthy cover of an iconic Beatles song. It’s just that hallucination and psychedelia are not high on my list of favorite things to sing about, or to listen to others sing about, either.
“Mandy,” Barry Manilow ~ I am not afraid or ashamed to admit some appreciation for the much-maligned Barry Manilow. But, this song? Meh. Makes me sad. Being made sad is not usually a quality I am looking for in my listening choices.
“I’m Not Lisa,” Jessi Colter ~ Have I been talking about “sad”? This is the poster-song for sadness. On top of that, it is almost like the singer is confronting a mental patient (no offense to mental patients!). It is sad for the man she is singing to, and triply sad for her. Sadness overload. Also, it is possible that this song rang the death knell for the mid-’70s country crossover phenomenon.
“Could It Be Magic,” Barry Manilow ~ I can never decide if this song is beautiful or maudlin. There is that hauntingly lovely piano intro, but then he starts singing, and even though the lyrics are describing something wondrous, the chord structure and the style of his vocals sounds so melancholy, I always look out the window to see if it is raining.
“Feelings,” Morris Albert ~ From the first time I heard this song on the radio, my primary thought was, “Really? Someone thought this was good enough to record?” But then I realize, not only did they write it, sing it, play it, record it – a large segment of the public apparently loved it, bought it, voted for it! This makes me tend toward belief in alternate realities and parallel dimensions.
“Chevy Van,” Sammy Johns ~ I am not sure any other song glorifies promiscuity quite so thoroughly as this one. What I find particularly disturbing is the whole “carefree” approach to meeting a stranger and having sex. I am a prude, I guess. So, sue me. Now, musically – especially the vocal harmonies – are terrific! Like, Crosby, Stills, & Nash meets the Eagles.
“You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” Barry White ~ It’s Barry White, so it is automatically sexy. The good thing about this song’s lyrics is that the clear intent is loyalty, devotion, monogamy. Nevertheless, I find it tedious listening to the “come hither” style. Sue me some more.
“Please, Mister, Please,” Olivia Newton-John ~ If you had told me I would put an Olivia Newton-John song on this “reject” list, I would have scoffed. But, come to think about it, there are likely to be a few more of her songs on this list before it is all said and done. Anyway, this one honestly gets on my nerves in a couple of ways. The main thing is – talk about “First World Problems”! I mean, I get it. Songs evoke memories, and many times the memories that are evoked are not pleasant or happy memories. Fine. Somehow the imagery of being in a club (or bar, or wherever the jukebox is) and not wanting other random patrons to play THAT particular song – it is just… well, talk about “spoiled.” That’s all I’m saying. It is annoying.
That’s it for now,
Sayonara et Shalom!
~ Trivial Music Silliness ~ 
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