Blog Archives
FlinterFile: The Cars- Just What I Needed
From 1976 on, the Cars were playing live shows. However, they didn’t have a hit – yet. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Player- Baby Come Back
The band Player made their debut in the charts in 1978. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Tol Hansse- Achter De Rhododendron
In 1977, Tol Hansse released his first album. Read the rest of this entry
Song of the day: Meat Loaf- Paradise By The Dashboard Light
In 1978, Meat Loaf made his debut in the music scene with the album Bat Out Of Hell. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Dire Straits- Sultans Of Swing
The Dire Straits released their first single in 1978. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Lindisfarne- Run For Home
Lindisfarne had their first US hit with this song. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Earth, Wind & Fire- Got To Get You Into My Life
There have been quite some covers of songs by the Beatles. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Kenny Loggins- Easy Driver
Kenny Loggins released his second solo album, Nightwatch, in 1978. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Rainbow Train- Heaven On Earth
The Rainbow Train was a Dutch band that had some success in the seventies. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Luv’- Trojan Horse
In 1978, Luv had very much success with their songs. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Wings- London Town
Paul McCartney had quite a challenge when he started recording the new album London Town in 1978. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band- California
In 1978, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band released the album Watch. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Bob Dylan- Baby Stop Crying
Bob Dylan released his album Street Legal in 1978. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Cat Stevens- New York Times
Cat Stevens converted to the Islam in 1977 and changed his name with it to Yusuf Islam. The album Back To Earth would be his last album with the name Cat Stevens and the last with Western music for the coming thirty years. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Jay Ferguson- Thunder Island
In 1978, Jay Ferguson released his best known record. In the sixties, he was a member of Spirit and after that of Jo Jo Gunne. In 1976 he went solo, this song came from the second solo album he made. Though he is sometimes referred to as one hit wonder, he had another hit, Shakedown Cruise, in the year after. When this song came in the charts, Thunder Island also returned. The highest chart position in the US was number 9! Enjoy
Jay Ferguson- Thunder Island
FlinterFile: Graham Parker & The Rumour- Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions
In 1978, Graham Parker & the Rumour released a live album. Graham Parker and The Rumour worked together, but also had solo hits. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: Nick Lowe- (I Love The Sound Of) Breaking Glass
In 1978, Nick Lowe went on with teasing David Bowie. After an EP called Bowi (which lacked the ‘e’, since Bowie released the album Low, lacking an ‘e’ of Nick’s surname), he recorded a parody from the Bowie song Breaking Glass. It started as a vague idea of Lowe, who had a sort of tune. Together with his session musicians he made the track in the studio. Two of the musicians who shared in the royalties were Steve Goulding and Andy Bodnar, who played for Graham Parker And The Rumour, whose records Nick Lowe produced. The song was released as first single on Radar Records (Lowe’s album was the first album from Radar Records). It made a number 7 hit in the UK. Enjoy
Nick Lowe- (I Love The Sound Of) Breaking Glass
FlinterFile: Kenny Loggins- Whenever I Call You “Friend”
In 1978, Kenny Loggins released his first big solo hit. He wrote the song with Melissa Manchester, but did not record it with her. The reason for that was that they were contracted to different labels. Melissa Manchester later released a version with Arnold McCuller. Kenny Loggins recorded it with Stevie Nicks (not credited on the single, by the way), who he met when he was the opening act of Fleetwood Mac when they were touring with the album Rumours. The song became a number 5 hit in the US. Enjoy
Kenny Loggins- Whenever I Call You “Friend”
FlinterFile: Mother’s Finest- Piece Of The Rock
In 1978, Mother’s Finest released one of their few hits. The group was founded by Joyce ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy and Glenn ‘Doc’ Murdock, and they made a special mix of funk and rock. Their first single (Fire) was a small hit in the US, but the big success (in Europe) came with the song Baby Love. They became a regular act on several festivals, and their song Piece Of The Rock became a hit in especially the Netherlands, where it charted at number 7. Enjoy
Mother’s Finest- Piece Of The Rock
FlinterFile: Ian Dury & the Blockheads- Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
In 1978, Ian Dury wrote a song about his disability. At the age of seven, Ian Dury had polio and was disformed for life, which meant he had to use a walking stick. The lyrics had been there for some years, but the music wouldn’t fit. Chas Jankel, his partner in songwriting, was trying a disco-like style. However, it would not work. With a drum part of Dury, he could carry on, and made a good bass riff and an impressive saxophone solo (actually two saxophones being played at the same time by the same person). He then phoned home that he had written his first number 1 hit, which was right: the song hit number 1 in the UK! Enjoy
Ian Dury & the Blockheads- Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick
FlinterFile: Amanda Lear- Follow Me
In 1978, Amanda Lear released one of her biggest hits. The song, written by Amanda Lear, is a part of a bigger story about the devil tempting a girl. This part is about seduction. The music is inspired by Kraftwerk, but also fits in the disco era. Later it would be covered in several versions, including a High-NRG version. The song became a hit, peaking at number 3 in Germany and the Netherlands, and was also in the top 10 of a lot of European countries. Enjoy
Amanda Lear- Follow Me
Song of the day: Van Halen- Runnin’ With The Devil
In 1978, Van Halen got started with this song. As the very first song you would hear from Van Halen (unless you would start with side 2 from their album), it immediately introduced you to who Van Halen was. With an intro that was invented by Gene Simmons, who also recorded their demo, their career got started. With a guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen, a squeal and little tricks from the studio, they got to number 52 in the UK and 84 in the US. Enjoy
Van Halen- Runnin’ With The Devil
Song of the day: Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band- Still The Same
In 1978, Bob Seger was sitting in the studio with Chris Campbell, who played the bass, and David Teegarden, who played the drums. Together they played the song, which is about a lot of people Bob Seger met when going to L.A. In the US, it was a number 4 hit. Enjoy
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band- Still The Same
Song of the day: Gerry Rafferty- City To City
In 1978, Gerry Rafferty released the album that would establish his definitive fame. The album, called City To City, peaked at number 1 in the US album chart. Best known from the album is the song Baker Street, but the title song has also been a single, though only in Belgium and the Netherlands. It could have been the lead single, if Gerry Rafferty had not said United Artists could better release Baker Street. The song is about travelling between London and the home of Rafferty, Glasgow, in the time Stealers Wheel was falling apart. As this is 343.53 mile, he rounded it off to 400 mile. Enjoy
Gerry Rafferty- City To City
Song of the day: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band- Davy’s On The Road Again
In 1978, the song Davy’s On The Road Again is written for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. John Simon and Robbie Robertson (both members of the Band) wrote the song. It was included on the album Watch as a live song, and it became a hit: number 6 in the UK. Enjoy
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band- Davy’s On The Road Again
Song of the day: Hot Chocolate- Every 1’s A Winner
In 1978, Hot Chocolate released their annual hit. Since 1970, up and until 1984, they had one hit at least. They started with a reggae cover of Give Peace A Chance (original by John Lennon), which brought them shortly to Apple Records. They moved to RAK, the label from producer Mickie Most. With So You Win Again they first reached number 1 in 1977. The man who wrote most of the hits was Errol Brown. This song was invented after he heard his daughter crying in a particular rhythm. The song hit number 12 in the UK and number 6 in the US.
On the 6th of May, 2015, Errol died at the age of 71. Enjoy
Hot Chocolate- Every 1’s A Winner
Song of the day: Genesis- Follow You Follow Me
In 1978, Genesis was left with three members, causing the album title to be And Then There Were Three. Mike Rutherford wrote this love song in ten minutes, the band jammed a bit and then the song was there. In many ways this was a break through: it was the first Genesis hit in the US and the first written for a female audience, as almost all their fans were men. The song made it to number 7 in the UK and number 23 in the US. Enjoy
Genesis- Follow You Follow Me
Song of the day: Robert Palmer- Every Kinda People
In 1978, Robert Palmer had his first hit in the US. The song came from the album Double Fun, and reached number 16. It has some Carribean influences, with which Robert Palmer was experimenting at the time. These did not return later, however. For many artists, this was a favourite to cover, like Randy Newman and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Enjoy
Robert Palmer- Every Kinda People
Song of the day: Bonnie Tyler- It’s A Heartache
In 1978, Bonnie Tyler would release her new studio album, Natural Force. Of course it needed a single, which was It’s A Heartache. On this single, some say she sounded like Rod Stewart. At least it was popular, and with sales over six million singles, it made number 3 in the US, number 4 in the UK and it got to the list of best selling singles ever. Enjoy
Bonnie Tyler- It’s A Heartache
Song of the day: Kraftwerk- Das Modell
In 1978, Kraftwerk released their new album Die Mensch-Maschine. One of the main singles was inspired by some models in a night club. Read the rest of this entry
Song of the day: Billy Joel- Honesty
In 1978, Billy Joel released his fifth studio album 52nd Street. From this album, the song Honesty was the third single. It is said to be one of the earlier power ballads, and the theme is the lack of honesty, even in the best relationships. Phil Ramone produced the song, and it ended on number 24 in the US and even number 1 in France! Enjoy
Billy Joel- Honesty
Song of the day: Jimmy Bo Horne- Dance Across The Floor
In 1978, Jimmy ‘Bo’ Horne recorded his biggest hit ever. The song was written by Harry Wayne Casey, better known from KC & the Sunshine Band. It made it to number 8 in the R&B chart in the US. His other disco singles didn’t do so good or completely flopped. This song, however, has survived till today! Enjoy
Jimmy ‘Bo’ Horne- Dance Across The Floor
Song of the day: Joe Jackson- Is She Really Going Out With Him
This song was Joe Jackson’s first single ever! He released it in 1978 as the first single of the album Look Sharp! The song would hit the charts in 1979, when the album was released. Joe Jackson said he first heard the title, and then started thinking about the content with the pretty girls who meet monsters. Later live versions would also be hits, and often you hear the live version on the radio rather than the studio version. Enjoy
Joe Jackson- Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Song of the day: Karen Young- Hot Shot
Saturday night: time to get dancing! This song is very good to do that, since it was the number 1 on the US hot club songs chart for two weeks! On the normal US chart, it would make it to number 67. It came from the album Hot Shot, which was released in 1978. Though it was the only hit by Karen Young, it would be remembered: Daft Punk sampled a part from the song in 1996 and Blondie made a cover in 1999. Karen Young died in 1991, but this song will always stay alive! Enjoy
Karen Young- Hot Shot
Song of the day: The Motors- Airport
Talking about forgotten songs, you probably can bring up this one. It’s a pop/new wave song from the seventies: 1978 to be precise. It made it to number 4 in the UK. Lance Philips (no member, mind you) later said how it became such a hit: it’s outstanding and different from the rest of the music scene. Despite this song being a big hit, the concept of the Motors never became a big success. However, it still is a great record! Enjoy
The Motors- Airport
Song of the day: The Shirts- Tell Me Your Plans
Your year starts with some seventies! The Shirts were an American punk band, which got its name by one of the formers not caring about a name. He said: call it anything, shirts, pants, shoes, The Shirts! After a few years in which they got little to no attention by labels, they got to Harvest, who assigned them Mike Thorne, a former Sex Pistol, as producer. Their debut album became popular in Europe, and it featured this song as single. It even got to the top 5 in the Netherlands! They toured in the opening of Peter Gabriel, but they were never a big hit band. Enjoy
The Shirts- Tell Me Your Plans
Song of the day: Duncan Browne- Wild Places
A hit in the Netherlands today. And although the cover of the single says that the song is from 1991, the original is from 1978 (and I can’t explain the difference. Duncan Browne is someone who did quite some things in the pop music. He wrote the choir part in the song Hang On To A Dream from The Nice, hit the charts with Journey and made the song Criminal World, which would later be recorded by David Bowie on his album Let’s Dance. This is the only song I know by him, since we (in the Netherlands) may hear it on the radio. Enjoy
Duncan Browne- The Wild Places
Song of the day: Julie Covington- Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Probably this is one of the most beautiful songs ever sung. Just like the song of yesterday, the lyrics are written by Tim Rice, and the music is done by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was on the concept album Evita, and later included in the musical. Julie Covington plays the character of Eva Perron, and she sings it during a scene on a balcony. In the UK the song would chart on number 1. Later the song would be recorded by Madonna, but it does not have the same effect, I think. Listen to
Julie Covington- Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Song of the day: Suzi Quatro- If You Can’t Give Me Love
It’s a new month, so we’ll be leaving the sixties behind and do some seventies now! In 1978, the song If You Can’t Give Me Love meant a return to the charts, since she had not been in the charts for some years. Her last success had been The Wild One in 1974, but now she was back, later also with a single recorded with Chris Norman (from Smokie). The song would do number 4 in the UK! Enjoy
Suzi Quatro- If You Can’t Give Me Love
Song of the day: Exile- Kiss You All Over
In 1978, the new album by Exile appeared. One of the singles made it to number 6 in the UK and even to number one in the US! This song was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, who have written hits for Suzi Quatro, Mud, the Sweet, Tina Turner and lots of other artists. After this hit, one of the vocalists, Jimmy Stokley, left the group, and the group went on with making songs which were more like country music. This gave them several smaller hits. However, this song is the song we remember them for:
Exile- Kiss You All Over
Song of the day: Third World- Now That We Found Love
This song started its career in 1973, when the first recording was done by the O’Jays (known from the Love Train). Then some other artists came around, like Martha Reeves (who also recorded the original of Dancing In The Streets) and in 1978 the reggae band Third World. They recorded it in a reggae/disco version, and had a small hit with it. I think this is the best version, though the major success of the song came in 1991, when Heavy D and the Boyz recorded the song. Enjoy
Third World- Now That We Found Love
Song of the day: ABBA- Summer Night City
Yes, a seventies hit today! And one with a strange story. The song was intended to be the lead single of the album Voulez-Vous. However, it never appeared on the album! In recording and mixing the song, ABBA was not happy with the sound of it. They could not find what was wrong, and after some months, they decided to still release it. That’s why it was not included on the album. Whether they liked it or not, the public had no problems finding the single and buying it. In most countries it entered the Top 5 after some weeks, and it has even charted as number one in some countries! I think it’s a great song, maybe one of their best. Enjoy
ABBA- Summer Night City
Song of the day: Mink Deville- Spanish Stroll
In 1976, Mink DeVille released his debute album. One of the singles on the album was Spanish Stroll. Though Mink DeVille did not have a lot of hits, this song charted in the UK at place 20 and in the Netherlands it even reached place 3! The writer of the song was Willy DeVille. Now you are thinking: his father? No. Mink DeVille was a rock group, with Willy DeVille as the frontman. The bassist of the group spoke the part during the break, which makes it sound like a real summer record. Enjoy
Mink DeVille- Spanish Stroll
Song of the day: Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger- Walk And Don’t Look Back
Peter Tosh was a member of Bob Marley & The Wailers, Mick Jagger is a member of The Rolling Stones. Together they recorded a cover version of Don’t Look Back, a Temptations song. Making it a reggae song, they had a (small) hit, depending on the country and chart you watch. I think it’s a nice song, so enjoy
Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger- (You Gotta Walk &) Don’t Look Back
Song of the day: Andrew Gold- Never Let Her Slip Away
A great song from the seventies today. And what a song it is! It made it to a good number 5 on the UK singles chart, just like the cover by Undercover (who turned it into a dance track). Recalling from the things I’ve said before, you could think that I discovered this song later. That’s not true, since I found out today that a dance track existed. Well, moving on to some background information. I was surprised to find out who did the backing vocals. Although they are officially unknown, it’s said that Freddie Mercury did them! Enjoy
Andrew Gold- Never Let Her Slip Away
Song of the day: John Paul Young- Love Is In The Air
A seventies hit which sounds very good in the spring time. And it is spring time, and he is right. Love is in the air, I can see it everywhere. On school, it seems as if Cupido has come and couples persons, because everyone seems to be in love these days. To everyone who is in love, but mostly for the ones who are not yet in love: Enjoy
John Paul Young- Love Is In The Air
Song of the day: Jeff Wayne- The Eve Of The War
Oh, I’ve heard the strangest stories about War Of The Worlds. From people fleeing from their houses, because they thought it was real, to other stories. I’ve actually never heard or seen the whole thing, but I would love to, since I’ve heard some pieces, like Forever Autumn, which is great, and the song of the day, which was a big hit in 1978. And I love it! Enjoy
Jeff Wayne- The Eve Of War
Song of the day: Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive
Yeah, well, what’s to say about this song more than on the cover? It was a TOP Disco Hit, and it still is. It was even covered in the nineties by the Hermes House Band, and they made a house version of it. That version is nice, too, but the original is way better! Real disco from the late seventies, my favourites! Enjoy on your monday morning:
Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive
The FlinterFiles 