Music to My Years: 1975
This week we are going back to 1975 in my Music to My Years series. I turned 4 years old. My mum, dad, sister and brother lived in West Byfleet in Surrey. I can recall going to a playschool nearby. My mum used to walk or take the bus as she didn’t have her driving licence at this point.
This is the year where the memories to each piece of music start becoming clearer and I can relate them to specific events and times. It just shows that 4 years old is definitely where things become clearer.
There are a number of honourable mentions this week:
- Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man
- Roxy Music – Love Is The Drug
- Ralph McTell – Streets Of London
- The Bee Gees – Jive Talkin’
- KC & The Sunshine Band – That’s The Way (I Like It)
- Frankie Valli – My Eyes Adored You
- 10cc – Life is a Minestrone
As I am now a radio presenter on Radio Ninesprings, and I will be sharing my Top 10 all week and sharing 1 track from the list each day, Monday to Friday, on my show from 3pm. Plus, there is now a compilation show on Sunday’s at 6pm.
So, from the year I was born taking me right up to 2021, I am going to be sharing my top 10 chart songs from the year in question.
Table of Contents
10. Sailing by Rod Stewart
I had never realised until looking up the facts for this song that it was a cover version. This was originally recorded by the Sutherland Brothers on their Lifeboat album in 1972.
Rod confessed back in 2010 to the fact that he usually had a tipple before recording his songs but he had to record ‘Sailing’ completely sober because there was no alcohol available at the studio in Alabama. He said: “It’s the only song I ever recorded without a drink inside me. My thing was always to have a little tipple before I sang; even now I’ll have a Bacardi and Coke before I go on stage. It just helps.’
This song will actually always remind me of the Falklands War which didn’t actually start until 1982.
9. The Funky Gibbon by The Goodies
I have extremely fond memories of this song. I can recall it being on my Grandad’s record player in his lounge and dancing around the sofa to it!
The Funky Gibbon” is a novelty song by Bill Oddie and was recorded by The Goodies. It entered the UK Singles Chart on 15th March 1975 at no 37, remained on the chart for 10 weeks and peaked at number 4.
The Goodies were one of my earliest comedy memories. I can remember being in hysterical laughter at their footballers sketch where they turned into ballerinas. There was also a part where a footballer fell over in awful pain and the others crowded round him shouting ‘faking, faking, get up you great nancy!’ This carried on over a number of scenes – including the guys funeral! The Goodies were also responsible the name for my comfort blanket. My mum told me to ‘go to sleepy bo-bos’ – a term they used – and, so my comfort blanket became a bo-bo. And so has Grace’s, and Rex’s!
We recently played this track over lockdown – and Rex danced around the lounge to it just like I used to!
8. Bye Bye Baby by The Bay City Rollers
You see, cover versions even happened as far back as 1975! This was a song originally by The Four Seasons but this cover by the Bay City Rollers sold a million copies and hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for six weeks from March 1975.
It ended the year as the UK’s top selling single. The Bay City Rollers’ version is faster and has a fuller backing sound than the one the Four Seasons did.
I have to admit to having my first fan crush on the Bay City Rollers – at just 6 years old! I can remember my best friend at the time, Hannah, and I singing along to them in her room. Hannah moved away to Essex when I was 9. I have missed her ever since.
7. I Can Help By Billy Swan
It is funny how songs can just come to you, isn’t it? I was recently looking for a song to accompany an Instagram reel and, instantly, this one came to mind. It has always been there lingering in the background and is one of those songs I can never remember the artist for. When I saw it was released this year, it had to go in!
6. Hold Me Close by David Essex
One of my favourite memories of my mum relates to this song. I can recall being in our lounge in West Byfleet, my beautiful mummy singing along to this as it was on the record player on repeat and me dancing along. David Essex reached number one with this song in October 1975 and stayed there for three weeks.
5. You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate
This song was written by the lead singer, Errol Brown and bass guitarist Tony Wilson. It was originally a B side as they weren’t convinced it would be a hit. It was beaten to number one by what is my number one in this chart! It is still a great song though. Years later, two of my sisters went to the same school as Errol Brown’s daughter.
4. I’m Not in Love by 10CC
This song was written by band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. Stewart came up with the song when his wife asked him why he didn’t say “I love you” more often. They had been married for 8 years. He felt that to keep saying it would degrade the meaning so he figured out another way of saying it and this song was the result.
I have always loved 10cc and this song is beautifully done with the backing sounds.
3. Imagine by John Lennon
I could not really leave this off, could I?! The Beatles and Lennon and McCartney have always had a huge influence on my life. This song is beautifully written and, for a while I lived in Sunninghill – very near to the house that the video for this song was recorded in.
2. Sos by Abba
This song was ABBAs third single and second worldwide hit. It was clear with this song – and the lyrics – that they were going to be on the scene for the long game! I still love it now and never really tire of hearing it.
1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
There has never been a song like this. And I don’t think there ever will be again. The fact that this was released in my lifetime is brilliant to my mind! Freddie Mercury never explained what the lyrics were all about and many have speculated. Freddie wanted people to just listen to the song and enjoy it for what it was.
To me, it was always about him explaining that he was gay. I can really hear and understand that this is what he was trying to say. But, whatever it means, I really don’t care. It is just sheer brilliance and will never stop being amazing.
Find my playlist over on Spotify:
