We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago….with some Top 40 hits from the late summer-early fall of 1972…..
It Never Rains In Southern California-Albert Hammond….written by the British born Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. It’s one of many tunes about a artist heading to the LA with high hopes only to land in the gutter. The musical backing is from the Wrecking Crew. It went to #5 on the Billboard charts but hit #2 in Canada and #1 in Japan.
Everybody Plays The Fool-The Main Ingredient…another “one hit wonder” as this tune hit #3 on the Billboard Chart and picked up a Grammy nomination for Best R&B song losing out to “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”
Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues-Danny O’Keefe….written and sung by O’Keefe…originally recorded in 1967 but never released. He recorded it again in 1971 but then re-recorded a slowed down version for his 2nd LP in 1972. It made it to #9 on the Billborad charts
You may remember Mel Torme’s version of the tune in a tribute to Harry Anderson on Night Court.
Thunder & Lightning-Chi Coltrane…man, I dig this song so much. The Racine Wisconsin native was signed to CBS after appearing at an international music festival. This was her first release and went to #17 on the charts. Her only American hit but she became a big deal in Europe and performed there for decades.
I’m gonna include this gospel-rock European smash from the same time period. Really too bad that she never broke through again in the US.
Popcorn-Hot Butter….and then there is this….This Moog instrmental was a cover song originally done in 1969 by the composer Gershon Kingsley….the band Hot Butter was led by keyboardist Stan Free who was a jazz guy classically trained at Julliard. He played in jazz groups and on studio sessions by groups like The Association, The Monkees and the Four Seasons. As far as the video and dance, I’m not quite sure what this is….The song made it to #1 in various European Countries including France, germany and Norway…but only hit #9 in America.
Here is the original recording….
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