The #1 Hits, April 1977 to July 1977

[Dawn]

I just found a series of cool videos someone posted on YouTube, and thought they might make for an interesting recurring feature here on the Click. Each video contains excerpts of songs that were #1 on the Billboard chart for a specific time period. I watched some of them, and they brought back a lot of memories. Interesting to hear how the songs styles changed over time, too.

Have a look at this one, spanning April through July 1977. Any thoughts/memories to share on these songs? Which song is your favorite?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Xyb2H-1rY

I had the 45s of Southern Nights, I'm Your Boogie Man (given to me by a friend), Undercover Angel, Da Doo Ron Ron and I Just Want to Be Your Everything. I wasn't quite 9 years old at the time, but I remember having a bit of a crush on Andy Gibb, and admiring the photo of him on the picture sleeve (same shot as the cover of his Flowing Rivers album).

When I Need You was a big favorite of my mom's, and she used to play it quite a lot, along with Dreams from the Rumours album.

Sir Duke reminds me of a camping trip in WV with my dad's sister's family. I remember us kids sitting in the back of my uncle's green Bronco, and I was drinking Fanta Red Creme soda (haven't had that soda in eons, do they even still make it?) That song must have been playing on the car radio or something, for it to have been associated with that memory.

Hotel California is overplayed, but still one of my favorites from them.

The Rocky theme, Gonna Fly Now, is one of those songs you never hear on the radio anymore. Undercover Angel is another.

Sir Duke is probably my favorite of the songs, although I like Southern Nights, Dreams and I Just Want to Be Your Everything a lot, too. Least favorite would be Da Doo Ron Ron - it hasn't held up as well as the others.

[55dodger]

That was a kinda cool montage of music Dawn, thanks for sharing.

My favorite of the bunch would have to Fleetwood Mac's Dreams. Is & always has been my favorite song from them.
And I really don't care how overplayed Hotel California is, it is still a great, great song.
I'm Your Boogieman, Sir Duke & Got to Give it Up, Pt 1 are three really good dance numbers.
Funny story about Gonna Fly Now. I was driving home from San Francisco down I-5 when the song came on the radio. This was back in the bad old days of 55 mph speed limits. Song comes on, I'm doing the limit, song ends, I'm doing 75. oops. As the song plays, you can't help but speed up. It happened alot in 1977.
Undercover Angel was kinda cheesy, but good cheddar.
Southern Nights was another good song I've always liked. Better than Rhinestone Cowboy.
Not really a teen boy idol fan, I usually changed the station when Shaun or Andy came on.
Pretty good 4 months of #1s.

[H2IZCOOL]

I'm glad you found those, Dawn. Looks like it could be a great feature for quite a while judging from the number of "parts" there seems to be available.

I have the 45 of all 14 songs, in keeping with my collection.

My favorites came back to back The Eagles "Hotel California" and Leo Sayres "When I Need You". Other that I like are "Don't Leave Me This Way", "Dreams", "Undercover Angel". "Sir Duke" has grown on me overe the years.

The period of time was a very sad one for us - especially Nancy. We had been married only 4 months when Nancy's dad passed away suddenly in April 1977 at the age of 54. Thus, all of these songs I remember with a tinge of sadness.

[Ken]

That was cool!!!!

An excellent find Dawn, thanks for posting that link.

Ah memories, I was also 9 years old at the time.

Don't Give Up On Us - David Soul - I heard this for the first courtesy of a buddy of mine, who lived just a couple of houses down from mine. He bought Ktel's "Stars" compilation and it's the first song on Side1. We listened to the album quite often


Southern Nights - I remember hearing this a lot back then, a very good tune.

Hotel California - Sure it's overplayed but you know it may sound weird. but I've never grown tired of it. I bought the 45 at the time, and my oldest brother had the album too and still has it, so I heard the record on a regular basis .

Undercover Angel - Heard this on the radio numerous times.

Looks Like We Made It - Barry Manilow - The oldest of the two daughters who lived next door to me growing up LOVED Barry's music, she had every one the albums. So whenever I hear one of his tunes, I always think of her.

Got To Give It Up and I'm You Boogie Man - I didn't become familiar with both of these until December of '77 when I recieved Ktel's "Music Machine" album for Xmas. The buddy who I mentioned above really liked "Boogie Man" so it (along with the entire album) was played constantly throughout '78 whenever he would come over to hang out and play. Got To Give It Up has a great feel to it.

Da Doo Ron Ron - I thought it was a good cover but I preferred his cover of Hey Deanie.

Sir Duke - Among Stevie's best

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac - I'm not a huge fan of Stevie Nicks, I 've always thought that Christine's McVie's voice was so much better. What makes this song for me, is Lindsay's guitar playing and that wonderful rhythm section of Mick and John.

When I Need You - Leo Sayer - Great tune! my main memory aside from hearing the track is I recall going to our local fair that summer, and a few of the games on the midway gave away albums as prizes. Well, that Leo Sayer album cover was EVERYWHERE! lol