Various Artists - Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 14 (1990)

Disc 14 of 25. One of the better compilations in the series, I'm giving this particular volume some bonus points for the picture of a pet rock on the cover.

Tracks:

• Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas: Peaked at #1 for 2 weeks in December 1974.
  Talk about riding the waves of a craze. The Kung Fu/chopsocky film and TV fad was peaking in 1974 (and don't forget about GI Joe with Kung Fu grip!), so this tune was very timely. Originally destined to be a B-side, the lyrics are inane and the Chinese flute riff is politically incorrect, but that didn't matter back then, baby. As an 8 year old kid, I danced around to the song doing my best roundhouse kicks.
• Don't Call Us, We'll Call You - Sugarloaf/Jerry Corbetta: Peaked at #9 in March 1975.
  I don't remember this one, probably because the lyrics are better than the music, which unsuccessfully rips off The Beatles and Stevie Wonder.
• Emma - Hot Chocolate: Peaked at #8 in April 1975.
  I remember this one, but since it wasn't disco and had depressing lyrics I usually changed the station when it came on. It's not terrible and I don't mind it now, but it wasn't my thing in '75. I had dancin' to do.
• Chevy Van - Sammy Johns:  Peaked at #5 in May 1975.
  He's trying to be The Allman Brothers with this one. I didn't pick up on the cheap one night stand lyrics back in the day, but this song has a catchy chorus that I would sing along with. I really dig the flanged keyboard. Man, those '70s hippie shaggin' wagons were sweet.
• So You Are A Star - The Hudson Brothers:  Peaked at #21 in November 1974.
  The liner notes call this one "a weak imitation of a McCartney record." I concur.
• Up In A Puff Of Smoke - Polly Brown:  Peaked at #16 in March 1975.
  Described by her producer as a cross between Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick, this driving disco shuffle tune reminds me of Shaun Cassidy's remake of Da Do Ron Ron. With a sound like that, of course I love it.
• Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) - Leo Sayer: Peaked at #9 in May 1975.
  Always liked this one. A boogie blues chart with one incessant 5 note melody repeated for three minutes, this one will be an earworm all day. Why this isn't the theme song to TV shows Dancing With The Stars or So You Think You Can Dance is beyond me.
• Jackie Blue - Ozark Mountain Daredevils:  Peaked at #3 in May 1975.
  Now things really get good. Don't know anything about this group or the song's lyrics, but I've always loved the music - the mournful guitar, the falsetto vocals, and the eighth-note keyboard part that drives the whole thing. One of the first tunes I (legally) downloaded once I set up my iTunes account.
• How Long - Ace: Peaked at #3 in May 1975.
  A great blue-eyed soul song sung by a great blue-eyed soul singer, Paul Carrack. Supposedly, the lyrics aren't about a cheating woman, Carrack composed the song upon discovering that Ace bassist Terry Comer had been secretly working with other bands.
• Wildfire - Michael Murphey: Peaked at #3 in June 1975.
  Previously heard on AM Gold Radio Gems. This is what I wrote then: "Not my thing, but as young boy, this song frightened me with its haunting, eerie mood and ghostly lyrics."
• Magic - Pilot: Peaked at #5 in July 1975.
  Previously heard on AM Gold Pop Classics. This is a great Beatles knock-off, full of hooks and a sing-along chorus. Produced by Alan Parsons, the song has been licensed for numerous TV ads.
• I'm Not in Love - 10cc: Peaked at #2 in July 1975.
  Atmospheric with lots of loops and overdubs, this was unlike anything I had ever heard and I couldn't get enough of it. I think it still holds up.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  This volume is full of songs that remind me of the summer of 1975, when I spent a lot of time with my friend Troy in the country club pool while his parents played golf.

Previously revisited for the blog:

Volume 1	Volume 2	Volume 3
Volume 6	Volume 9	Volume 12
Volume 15	Volume 16	Volume 17
Volume 18	Volume 19
Volume 21	Volume 22