(34) Sky High - Jigsaw

Another cop show theme tune that wasn't one. That first verse though! It should have been used in a more dramatic song. However, it was pleasant enough and the chorus makes up for the sin of trying to make this a disco single.  They hit number nine with this and spent a total of ten weeks in the top 40. Jigsaw had to wait almost two years for their only other hit.

(33) Mandy - Barry Manilow

Oh Barry! You came and stopped without waiting... (or something). This was his first British hit and it hit number 11. It took him four years for another top 40 hit and almost eight years before his first (and only) top ten single. "Mandy" was originally a hit for Scott English when it hit number 12 under it's original title of "Brandy" in 1971.

(32) I'm Stone In Love With You - Johnny Mathis

I always remember thinking how friendly Johnny looked.  Along with Neil Diamond, Johnny had the most recognisable voice to me at a very young age. This was a surprise hit because the Stylistics had only just had a hit with it two years before. The original hit number 9; Johnny got to number 10.  People liked to hear songs sung by their favourite singers in the 50s so there'd be like three or four versions of the same song in the charts by different people. Seems that trend was still sort of true.  Even in 1974 and 1975, there were instances of the same song in the chart twice by different people. Significantly, this was Johnny's first hit since 1960. He followed with another three hits before the seventies were out.

(31) Right Back Where We Started From - Maxine Nightingale

I don't know how but this song was almost an exact copy of "Goodbye Nothing To Say" by the Javells from 1974. I can't find anything on the internet about it being borrowed or licenced or by the same writer or anything. So, they must have just got away with it and got to number eight during a seven week chart run.

(30) The Hustle - Van McCoy

I'm not sure if this is a novelty single like the Macarena and Mambo Number 5 or not.  It's superb regardless. Van was behind lots of other hits for different artists over the previous few years but had a go on his own and spent two weeks at number three.

(29) Imagine Me Imagine You - Fox

It wouldn't surprise me if the lead singer of Fox was also the lead singer of Goldfrapp.  Definitely odd before Kate Bush's time.  She had such a distinctive voice and vocal style, this was bound to be a hit.  A lot of Fox hits featured time signature changes mid-verse, which only added to non-musical people's intrigue. They only got to number 15 with this. Lead singer Noosha Fox's stage name is a sort of anagram of her real first name, Susan (Nussa).

(28) Listen To What The Man Said - Wings

How do you follow an album like 'Band on the Run'? Well, Paul McCartney could write songs in his sleep and not just that, ones that were pleasant rather than spectacular. This is one of those songs which plods along and is very nice to listen to but was never going to be one of the songs mentioned in the same breath as other 70s classics in 40 years time.  He did cover the Crossroads theme tune on the 'Venus and Mars' album but we forgive him for that.  This song hit number six but neither of the next two singles got into the top 40. It was a full year before he did that again.  Listen to the McCartney version and then have a go of this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx6WuGfOV0Q (I dare you)

(27) Shame Shame Shame - Shirley And Company

Look at their little faces on the single cover.  That's Shirley on the left and I guess the guy on the right is company.  This is pretty funky for a bloke who looks like a Geography teacher.  This was their one and only hit single. The bloke's screaming is a little bit annoying but doesn't spoil it too much.  Research leads me to discover that Sinitta covered this in 1992. I hope to the sweet lord above that I never accidentally hear that version.  This song is a bit like Lord of the Rings (Return of the King) in that it fades out and you think it's over and then it fades back in and it goes on for another minute.

 

(26) Harmour Love - Syreeta

This is the ex-Mrs. Stevie Wonder with a lovely tune. It peaked at number 32, before she endured a four year absence from the chart.  Not entirely sure what Harmour love is but I want some.

(25) Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

I hate this. Well, not the song, just the vocal performance.  I personally can't stand his voice and I'm judging this as the 25th best single of 1975 purely on the catchy single-ness of it all.  I don't know who told him he could sing but to add insult to my personal injury - I went to see Phantom of the Opera in London in the early 90s and who should be unexpectedly playing the Phantom?  Steve EFFING Harley.  I mean WHY? How?  Anyway, this song got to number 1 not surprisingly.  I knew of this song only because it was the B-side of Duran Duran's Number 1 hit 'The Reflex'.  It was recorded live at one of the Duranies concerts if memory serves and they murdered it.

(24) I Only Have Eyes For You - Art Garfunkel

When Simon And Garfunkel went their separate ways, most expected Paul Simon to be the most successful of the two. Many think he has been. But, the UK singles chart tell a different tale. Paul has had seven minor hits along with three top ten hits, the biggest being the number four placing of "You Can Call Me Al" in 1986. Art Garfunkel on the other hand hit number one with his first two releases. "I Only Have Eyes For You" would eventually knock David Essex off the top and spend two weeks in pole position before rapidly plummeting down the chart. The song had been originally recorded by 'The Flamingos'.

(23) Fox On The Run - Sweet

Someone got a Synthesizer for Christmas didn't they?  This was loud! They'd changed their style a bit from their previous hits and they were about to go into full Queen mode with their next single.  The single before this, 'Turn it down' hadn't been playlisted by the BBC because it had the word 'bum' in the lyrics.  It only reached 41 but this single shot up to number 2.

(22) How Does It Feel - Slade

I might have said this before but, how good were Slade?  It's a surprise to me that I had to go digging to hear most of their 70s hits and that they didn't just naturally progress out into the 80s and beyond on radio and television.  Like what David Bowie and Queen did.  This was the first Slade single in ten releases not to make the top three. In fact it didn't go higher than number 15; Criminal.  Oh for something this good to be released these days!!

(21) Three Steps To Heaven - Showaddywaddy

This was the first cover version hit single of Showaddywaddy's career, and it was such a success (number 2), that when they later stopped having big hits with their own original songs they went back to the covers and re-activated their hit career.

(20) There's A Whole Lot Of Loving - Guys And Dolls

You might recognise David Van Day and Theresa Bazaar from Dollar at the bottom of the single cover.  This was 'Guys And Dolls' first and biggest hit, reaching number two. Bruce Forsyth's daughter was in the group too.  If you get a chance, have a look at the David Van Day - Bucks Fizz saga on Wikipedia. It deserves its own film. He wasn't an original member but after joining as a replacement temporarily, he contested the ownership of the band name and then went and recorded a lot of old Bucks Fizz songs so that his voice was on them, and released it as a Bucks Fizz album. It's just weird.   This song is great though.

(19) Your Kiss Is Sweet - Syreeta

This is in my countdown simply for the verse alone; its such a lovely song.  This was her first time in the top 40, and also her biggest solo hit. It reached number 12. She didn't have a price sticker on her head in real life.

 

(18) Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees

This was the first hit for the Gibb brothers since 1972, and also the beginning of their involvement in disco music. It spent two weeks at number five. The song was taken to number seven in 1987 when it was covered by Boogie Box High. At the time, nobody could confirm who the lead vocalist was, even though everyone knew it was George Michael (something about his contract with a record label and royalties or something).  Boogie Box High was a musical project of Andros Georgiou's (George's Cousin) that also featured Nick Heyward!

(17) Action - Sweet

 

I'm not sure if this was written by Queen, performed by Queen or whether the ghosts of Queen inhabited Sweet's bodies during the writing and recording of this but, it's basically Queen.  Using the same Synthesizer as previous (Fox on the run), they also layered some huge orchestral strings with power guitars straight out of Brian May's repertoire.  The layered vocals were straight from Freddie Mercury's too. Great song however which proves bands were doing what The Darkness were doing, and better, thirty years before they were.  This only got to number 15. Maybe the public weren't ready?

Def Leppard covered this in 1994 and got to number 14. Maybe the public still weren't ready?  The band on the single cover look like their manager has just asked them all to get haircuts.

(16) Mama Mia - ABBA

If anyone was worthy of knocking Bohemian Rhapsody off Number 1 it was this - and they both had the words 'Mamma Mia' in them!

Abba had released a few singles after 'Waterloo' but nobody thought they were going to be anything special.  However, SOS got to number 6 in October 1975 and then Number 1 with this.  They then had another five number 1's from the next six singles! It spent two weeks at number 1 and catapulted the band to international stardom that endures to this very day.

(15) That's The Way (I Like It) - K.C. And The Sunshine Band

Love it or hate it, this is infectious and remains a staple of wedding receptions up and down the land.  This was their 4th and biggest hit. They'd already defined disco with George McCrae's 'Rock your baby', which they wrote, and further defined it here.  It was the song that sparked the Media into a 'Disco is here' frenzy.  I can imagine it was impossible to escape this song at the time. It would have been on TV, radio and fair grounds the entire time.  It does go on a bit!

(14) Lady Marmalade - Labelle

This song has been murdered a fair few times over the years.  All Saints did a version in 1998 which wasn't awful but then Missy Elliot and P!nk and some others got their hands on it in 2000 and completely missed the point.   It didn't set the world alight at the time; it only got to number 17 but it's considered a classic these days.  Even the Happy Monday's borrowed the chorus for their hit 'Kinky Afro'. I'll bet they did it unconsciously - Shaun Ryder did most things unconsciously in them days.

(13) Get Down Tonight - K.C. And The Sunshine Band

If 'That's the way' didn't make you want to tear your ears off, here's another from KC and the SB.  This one was better though because it wasn't as repetitive but still an impossibly catchy single.  I've never been sure how that voice came out of that bloke.  My favourite by them is still 'Give it up' however.  Get down tonight got to 21 in the chart but has been used in numerous TV commercials and films so it never went away. It's probably been sampled dozens of times too.

(12) Ding-A-Dong - Teach In

OK so, hear me out before you switch off the playlist and never listen to anything I recommend ever again.  Eurovision is full of brilliant songs. Songs which are so sadly laughed at and forgotten far too easily.  I first heard this song when Erasure sang the chorus in between songs at a concert I went to in 1991.  I had no idea what it was but just that 5 second blast stayed in my head for years until I was researching this list.  The song is pure Eurovision!! This won the competition that year and got to number 13. The song was parodied in the recent Will Ferrell film about Eurovision which actually spawned an unbelievable song called 'Husavik (My Hometown)'.  I urge you to listen to it.... here in fact : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21c3duHlFAc

(11) I Believe In Father Christmas - Greg Lake

In almost any other year, this would have been the Christmas number one. But it had to settle for three weeks at number two behind Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. It would have been better if it wasn't actually about Christmas but then, it gets played every single year so maybe it's for the best. Not sure why the single cover says Emerson Lake and Palmer... this was just by Greg Lake.

 

(10) All Around My Hat - Steelye Span

I love this song. This group remind me of Fairground Attraction and All About Eve, both of which were New Age folk types. I remember singing this a lot when I was young. In fact, I think this and Boney M's 'Rivers of Babylon' are the two songs I have the earliest memories of.   If a three year old is skipping around the house singing it after a  few listens it's probably catchy enough to be a hit.  This song whizzed up to number five within 2 weeks of entering the top 40 and looked a likely Christmas number one. But it took a nosedive and ended up at number 19 by Christmas.

(9) Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

Yes, it's only at number 9.  And that's because it's a great song but only a good single.  What I mean by that is, it's two songs mashed together which makes for an epic 8 minutes but it's not something I like to sit and listen to as much as the eight songs ahead of it in my countdown.  A single needs to make you engage, and probably only for about three minutes before you put the needle back to the start and listen again. You can't do any of that with BoRap. Bay City Rollers' "Bye Bye Baby" was the longest running number 1 for four years when it hit the top in '75. Queen entered at 17, climbed to number nine the following week and then to number one for nine weeks.  This was the longest number 1 placing since Paul Anka managed it with "Diana" in 1957.

Only "Cara Mia" by David Whitfield & "Rose Marie" by Slim Whitman had spent more time at the top. BoRap returned to the top spot in 1991 following Freddie Mercury's death.  In fact, it hit the top at the end of 1975 and was still there in 1976, then at the end of 1991 and was still there in 1992 meaning the song was number one in four different years! There's a quiz question for you!

There was something fishy going on with Kenny Everett at the time of release - Everett got his hands on an early pressing of the song with strict instructions not to broadcast it. Somehow, by accident, he played the song 14 times over the course of two days. Despite my lowly ranking in this singles run down, Bohemian Rhapsody regularly comes out on top of polls as the best song of all time. Maybe it's because a lot of people voting for it weren't around in 1975 and haven't had the joy of hearing the other 8 songs ahead of it in my countdown? Maybe?

(8) I'm Not In Love - 10CC

Atmosphere, that's what this song is all about. It spent two weeks at number 1 and Kevin Godley had far too much hair.

(7) Your Mama Won't Like Me - Suzi Quatro

I could never work out if I liked Suzi Quatro or not. She definitely had character and there was no denying her prowess with a bass guitar but there was something about her that I couldn't get on board with. I still don't know what that is but this is a cracking track.  She'd had six consecutive top twenty hits but moved away from her usual style with this song.  It only reached number 31, and was followed by a run of singles that failed to even reach the top 50. She only hit the top ten twice more with 'If you can't give me love' in 1978 and 'She's in love with you' in 1979.

(6) Feel Like Makin' Love - Bad Company

All of Bad Company's 70s hits were great. This only got to number 20, proving there was a market for heavier guitars but it wasn't a mainstream one. There's not a lot wrong with this single if you're into that kind of thing. Which I'm not as it goes. Judging by their faces on the single sleeve, it doesn't look like any of them feel line makin' love.

(5) Send In The Clowns - Judy Collins

Adele might have thought she'd cornered the market in heartbreaking ballads a few years ago but she's just a pale imitation of all the greats that have gone before her. That's not to say that there aren't great exponents of the pop ballad these days, but the art of songwriting doesn't seem as well honed as it did back then.  This song is one of the true classics. This got to number six.

(4) Imagine - John Lennon

Just because it's John Lennon. Just because it's one of the most famous songs of all time.  This was actually on his 1971 album "Imagine" and hadn't been released as a single.  It was released in '75 to promote his last album before taking a five year break to raise his son Sean. It entered the chart at number 25, climbed to number six and stayed there for another two weeks. It then dropped to number ten and out of the chart.  It's amazing that it's held in such high esteem despite its modest chart activity.  The record buying public of the time bought more copies of 'Love Hurts' by Jim Capaldi and D.I.V.O.R.C.E by Billy Connolly.  The B side, "Working Class Hero" might actually have been a better choice of single and climbed higher up the chart had it been radio friendly. Maybe Imagine didn't do so well because all his fans had the record already?

(3) Sailing - Rod Stewart

I loathed this song growing up. I thought it was tedious. I'm much more mature now and realise it's actually very very good.  It was number one for four weeks. It fell out of the chart and then re-entered a year later climbing back to number three in another 14 week top 40 run.  I think it was because it was used as the theme tune on some BBC drama or such. The song wasn't Rod's however, it was originally recorded by the Sutherland Brothers. Bet they were gutted it wasn't them having the chart success - but when they looked at their royalty cheque, it probably helped.

(2) S.O.S. - Abba

Something of a comeback for Abba. After having a number one with the Eurovision winner "Waterloo" they had struggled with their next three singles not rising above number 32. Their days looked numbered until this release which was the third from their 'Abba' album. It went on to reach number six and became the first of 18 consecutive top ten hits. Check out the B side of this "Man In The Middle" (also available on the album 'Abba').

(1) Highfly - John Miles

John appeared from nowhere, climbed to number 17, and was gone within five weeks.  This epitomises my definition of a single. As I said all the way at the beginning of this blog journey, I'm looking for three minutes of pure joy. Something I want to listen to a number of times in a row. The thing that separates this song from the rest of the 1975 pack for me is the musicianship and the changes in pace. Whether he was influenced by Queen (as a lot of people were beginning to be around then) or not is debatable but there are elements of 10CC and Roy Wood here but they were contemporaries so I'm going to give John 'Music' Miles the benefit of the doubt. Please listen to this if you haven't before.

 

 

 

Honourable Mentions

Glass of Champagne - Sailor

This song challenged Bohemian Rhapsody for the top spot at the end of the year but didn't climb any higher than number 2. There was a lot of 'Sparks' about this. Quite original for it's time but I'm afraid Sparks got there first.

You Can Have It All - George McCrae

This only managed 23 in the chart. Great voice and a very nice song to have on in the background.

You Sexy Thing - Hot Chocolate

This hit the top ten in three separate decades. Their biggest hit was "So You Win Again", a number 1 in 1977 but this is probably their best known song. It spent three weeks at number two.

Crying Over You - Ken Boothe

The follow up to the big number one hit "Everything I Own" spent two weeks at number 11. We didn't see him in the chart again.

Bye Bye Baby - Bay City Rollers

The Bay City Rollers finally achieved a number one single with the release of this cover of a song that was a complete flop in the UK for the Four Seasons ten years earlier. They didn't just hit the top, they spent six weeks there and had the biggest selling single of the year with it.

Roll Over Lay Down - Status Quo

Status Quo were following their number one single "Down Down", with a live recording of a track from their 1973 album 'Hello'. "Roll Over Lay Down" would peak at number nine.

Only You Can - Fox

Goldfrapp, I mean, Fox hit number three with this. It was another song with time signature changes in it and a sing-a-long-a bit with the oh-oh oh-oh oh-oh oh-nly you can.

Shoorah Shoorah - Betty Wright

This wan't played very often on the radio and not a lot of people got to hear it so it barely reached the top 40. I think there was a lot of that going on. You were never going to hear every single song released and the only ones you did hear were on the radio or the local disco (if you were of that age). John Peel sorted that out though; he used to play loads of obscure stuff and kickstarted a lot of bands' careers who might have existed for a couple of singles max otherwise.  This was a lovely little record though and deserved better even though it was quite retro for it's time.

We Love Each Other - Charlie Rich

Just lovely. If Elvis had lived to his 60s he might have sounded like this. More great background music but worth a spin if you've got a couple of minutes spare.

What Am I Gonna Do With You - Barry White

A number five hit for Bazza.  If you've heard any Barry White single, you'll know what this sounds like. Lots of talking over the intro and then the build and then the chorus. It was a formula, but it worked.

Good Loving Gone Bad - Bad Company

This only got to number 31. Shocking. I'm not great on the facts here but everything about this song screams AC/DC, KISS and Iron Maiden. Were they influenced by Bad Company? Or did all those bands already exist and they were in the same stable. Whichever, it's very distinctive. Maybe they were all influenced by Free?

Sing A Happy Song - George McCrae

This criminally only spent one week in the top 40. Look at his face... of course he's singing a happy song.

Where Is The Love - Betty Wright

This reached number 25. Despite Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway having the original hit version of this song back in 1972, it was Betty who wrote the song. She had no more hits despite a couple of near misses in the late 80's. If you're familiar with early 80s pop, then you can imagine Kid Creole or Modern Romance having a hit with a cover of this.

Once Bitten Twice Shy - Ian Hunter

'ellaw! Ex 'Mott The Hoople' vocalist Ian Hunter was having his first and only solo hit with this number 14. This felt a lot like he was trying to sound like Steve Harley or an extra on Eastenders.

Tears On My Pillow - Johnny Nash

This was Johnny's first hit single in almost three years, and also his only number one (one week at the top). Absolutely gorgeous song this. 1975 was full of really great ballads. Probably the best year for ballads ever?

Take Me In Your Arms - Doobie Brothers

I don't know why the Doobie Brothers aren't regarded more highly than they are. (see my commentary on Slade)  They were massive in the USA but the UK just didn't want to know.  Their 1972 single "Listen To The Music" made a small dent in the chart when re-issued in 1974 (a truly timeless song which sounds great even today!) by reaching number 29. Then came this much less memorable single which also peaked at number 29. It would be over 18 years before they bettered number 29, and that was with a re-issue of a 20 year old track called "Long Train Running" which surprisingly reached number seven.

My White Bicycle - Nazareth

I like unusual songs and this is as unusual as it comes. It was a cover of a song previously recorded by Tomorrow and it rose to number 14.

I Don't Love You But I Think I Like You - Gilbert O'Sullivan

He was the king of the bland single was Gilbert. This very nice song peaked at number 14 however, but he had to wait five years for his next and final hit.

 

Fancy Pants - Kenny

Kenny were following up "The Bump" with this upbeat Bay City Rollers-sounding romp. It reached number four, and was their last top five single. Terrible name for a band by the way.

In Dulci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield

After 3 weeks just outside the top 20, this took a surprising jump up the chart to number 4 in the middle of January. This is rolled out every Christmas on the radio and those 'top 20288 songs of Christmas' documentaries.  It's a traditional Christmas carol that Bach used loads in his chorales. You'll just have to take my word for that though.

Swing Your Daddy - Jim Gilstrap

Jim Gilstrap went to number four with his only hit. He sings 'Your love Jones out of control' which is probably accurate? I'm not sure how to swing your daddy but it probably involves a system of weights and pulleys. (he also had a song called 'Take your daddy for a ride'. Maybe he took him to Alton Towers for the day?)

Blue Guitar - Justin Hayward & John Lodge

This might as well have been released as a Moody Blues single despite only two of them being on the song. It probably would have got to number one but I assume most people didn't know who these fellas were by their real life names. It got to number eight.

I Can Do It - Rubettes

The Rubettes were having their fourth hit and reached number seven. This was a proper school disco song - even though the lead singer spends most of the song whinging about when he was born and how he's too old for this and too young for that.  However, he can really rock so he doesn't seem too cut up about things.

Please Mr. Postman - Carpenters

This final top five single for the Carpenters was a cover of a song that was, in it's original form by the 'Marvelettes', Motown Records first Billboard number one (and it featured the drumming talents of Marvin Gaye). This cover was also a Billboard number one, but settled for number two in the UK. The Beatles also recorded it for their 1964 album 'With The Beatles'. This doesn't really suit the Carpenters very well but it's a decent effort.

Now I'm Here - Queen

Freddie with his signature call and response followed by swirling vocals and some pretty nifty studio trickery. Queen were all about the art of the music weren't they? Not just catchy tunes but real craft.