In this post I will be sharing my reasons for omitting twenty (20) of the ‘second’ fifty songs (51-100) 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!!
“Only Women Bleed,” Alice Cooper ~ OK, this is an artful song, to a certain extent. But it is sad. Stupendously sad. Is it a protest song? Is it feminist? Is it a powerful, strident declaration of a prevailing situation and attitude in our society? Fundamentally, this is a cry of hopelessness. It is just too sad.
“Doctor’s Orders,” Carol Douglas ~ Cheese. How many songs have been written based on the analogy of being SICK with love/lust. This one is just… cheese. The full orchestra, the crooning background vocals, the groovy hip guitars… Next.
“Get Down Tonight,” K.C. and the Sunshine Band ~ MAYBE this song is just about enjoying yourself on the dance floor. Yeah. Maybe. “…do the thing we like to do…” Definitely a top-notch (and insanely popular) disco dance song, for sure, though.
“One-Man Woman,” Paul Anka and Odia Coates ~ First of all, this is totally a country song, which, in and of itself is not a bad thing, right? But have mercy! Too cliché and ho-hum. Plus, it is about infidelity. Why? Why must there be so many songs about cheating?
“Feel Like Making Love,” Bad Company ~ Musically, this is a pretty enjoyable song. I like the vocal harmonies. It is a solid entry in the mid-‘70s country/rock genre. Perhaps he is singing this to his wife. Nevertheless, his focus is clear. He is horny. Hence, no sharing of this song on my Facebook timeline.
“I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone,” Paul Anka ~ Paul must have been having a rough time during these days. What image is he sharing with us when he says, “my mouth on yours and yours on mine”? Anyway, the music itself is depressing. No, thanks.
“Morning Side of the Mountain,” Donny and Marie Osmond ~ Ew. Just… ew. Why are a brother and sister singing this song to each other? And, it is just a silly concept, anyway. A boy and a girl who never met, so they don’t know what they missed. How is that so sad? It’s not. They don’t know. They are fine.
“Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor),” Joe Simon ~ Clearly, this “getting down” is completely about dancing, thank goodness. But I am not impressed. Don’t know what else to say. Standard phrases, overused rhymes. The background singers even sound bored. Don’t call us. We’ll call you.
“Killer Queen,” Queen ~ I will freely admit that Queen is on my list of favorite bands. I owned literally all of their albums. I chose not to share this song on my Facebook timeline because of the cryptic nature of the lyrics. Fascinating. Probably nothing terribly crude or profane. Just close enough to the edge to allow seedy interpretations. Meanwhile, it was and is musically fantastic. So, there.
“Shoeshine Boy,” Eddie Kendricks ~ I honestly cannot decide if this song is encouraging, depressing, or exploitative. Seems like I could write a whole book about the seemingly topsy-turvy nature of societal sensitivities. We all have perspectives and opinions based on our own personal experiences, and they are valid as far as they go. This song actually seems to be encouraging a young man to look beyond his present circumstances, but it also seems to be reminding him that his chances are slim. Rough.
“Do It (Til You’re Satisfied),” B. T. Express ~ This is one of those songs that is cool musically, and the actual message is a good one. But in the process, there is an underlying, not-so-subtle intimation of sexiness. The bass voice keeps saying, “whatever it is.” Oddly, that just leads us to KNOW what IT is.
“Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” Electric Light Orchestra ~ I am a fan of ELO, but this song makes me want to throw something at the speakers. To me, it sounds almost like it is being played a bit too slow. Don’t like it. That’s all.
“Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy),” Al Green ~ I love you, Al. What? You needed one more track to complete the album? Sorry. No. It is not really THAT bad. Not bad at all, I guess, if you like this sort of thing. It’s just that there were already about seven hundred and eighty-three songs out there that sounded pretty much exactly like this one. Ho-hum.
“No-No Song,” Ringo Starr ~ Wait. Is this a Jimmy Buffett song? It is just a silly song. On purpose. Silly. But I truly cannot tell if it is intended to be rehabilitative or celebratory. Technically, it is saying, “Don’t do these things.” But it makes us laugh, and it also makes us want to go out and do everything he is saying he doesn’t do anymore.
“Bad Blood,” Neil Sedaka ~ This one is kind of groovy, musically. The lyrics are fun, sort of; but they are also a bit stretched. I don’t know. I wouldn’t skip to the next song in a playlist, but I also would not deliberately go looking for it.
“I’m on Fire,” Dwight Twilley Band ~ I do not remember ever hearing this song before I called it up on YouTube to listen to it for this project. Meh. Doubt I will ever purposely bring it up again. There is a tiny bit of decent guitar work here, but mostly it is ordinary.
“Only You,” Ringo Starr ~ Sorry, Ringo buddy. Were you hanging out with Paul Anka in 1975? This is a pretty morbid cover of this much-loved standard. Not the version I will be hunting down for a love song playlist. Too bad, actually. I am serious. It is too bad to include in any playlist.
“Third Rate Romance,” Amazing Rhythm Aces ~ I think I remember sort of liking this song a little back in the day. I thought it was the Eagles. Also, I thought they were saying, “Third grade romance, golden rendezvous.” In any case, now I find it a little annoying, AND it is about a one night stand. I will leave this one on the rack.
“Swearin’ to God,” Frankie Valli ~ All the cool wah-wah, and snappy brass riffs, and disco rhythms in the world will not redeem you from this “Love Boat” horror story, Frankie. Did some fifteen year old poet win a contest? And don’t pretend you are really evoking God here. And, wow. Putting all those near-holy references into a nifty-keen disco mash-up. Not really working. The sax solo is pretty great, though.
“Get Dancin’,” Disco Tex and the Sex-O-lettes ~ I promise I would have put this song in the reject pile based solely on the name of the “recording artist,” and I use that term in the most extremely loose manner ever. However, the track itself manages to outdo the ridiculousness of the band name. This could absolutely be the best example of everything that was offensive about disco. I kid you not. Ugly. Boo. Hiss. Ptui.
That’s it for now,
Sayonara et Shalom!
~ Trivial Music Silliness ~ 
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