I could’ve probably bundled the two Bee Gees “How” songs together and called it a day, but “How Deep Is Your Love” is such a fantastic song that I couldn’t give it short shrift by placing it in a post with another song. To this day, I get goosebumps when those famous Gibb harmonies kick… Read More “How Deep Is Your Love” by The Bee Gees (1977)
Let’s get the semi-embarrassing part of this out of the way: the first version of “Heroes” I became familiar with was the late ’90s remake by The Wallflowers that was on the soundtrack of the Matthew Broderick Godzilla movie. Did I know that “Heroes” was a Bowie song? Yes. Had I heard it a few… Read More “Heroes” by David Bowie (1977)
OK, I’m going to say this now and not bring it up again. The lawsuit the Gaye family brought (and won) against Pharrell and Robin Thicke for “Blurred Lines” is ridiculous. Yes, “Blurred Lines” was clearly inspired by “Got To Give It Up”. But the two songs aren’t the same. The melody lines are different,… Read More “Got To Give It Up (Pt. 1)” by Marvin Gaye (1977)
Lionel Richie came up in Tuskegee, Alabama in the fifties and sixties. It’s not a stretch to assume he was as steeped in country music as he was in soul. The Commodores were funky, but they were also ‘Bama as hell. One of their early songs (it’s on their Anthology CD) is literally called “Gimme… Read More “Easy” by The Commodores (1977)
First Choice came out of Philly, deftly straddling the line between Gamble & Huff’s lush production and the four-on-the-floor thump that signified New York City disco. “Doctor Love” was their biggest hit (although I’m not sure that it’s their best known song now), and it’s a joyful celebration of finding that person who…uh, knows how… Read More “Doctor Love” by First Choice (1977)
There’s a boyish warmth in Kenny Loggins’ voice that’s endearing. It’s still present even as the guy turns 70 this year (a stat I know without looking up, which I’m simultaneously impressed and mortified by). When I hear “Celebrate Me Home”, I still imagine a young man, back in his hometown after a semester at… Read More “Celebrate Me Home” by Kenny Loggins (1977)
“Brick House” is one of those songs I kinda hate but secretly love. You know how that goes? My opinion on it has changed four or five times. It’s one of those songs that has become annoyingly ubiquitous. And Lionel Richie gets all credit for it when all he did on the song was play… Read More “Brick House” by Commodores (1977)
Heatwave shows off some pretty nifty jazz chops in “Boogie Nights”’ intro, suggesting something akin to the fusion records that were charting with regularity in the mid Seventies. PSYCH! The band launches into a full-on disco/funk jam that you can’t help but dance to. “Boogie Nights” is interesting because it doesn’t really have a chorus,… Read More “Boogie Nights” by Heatwave (1977)
The Eagles (particularly Don Henley) didn’t seem like the type of guys you wanted to hang with at a party unless it was the ‘70s and there was a shit ton of cocaine, but they made some amazing music in their day. “Best Of My Love” is near if not at the top of the list of… Read More “Best Of My Love” by Eagles (1974)/”Best Of My Love” by The Emotions (1977)
And now we go from hopeful to hopeless with the same artist. As much as James Taylor’s voice has communicated reassurance and comfort to me on a number of occasions, the man has released some of the most profoundly sad songs I know. “Another Grey Morning”, from 1977’s album JT (his Columbia Records debut and the… Read More “Another Grey Morning” by James Taylor (1977)
Five Star Jamz 