Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Having a quick look and most of the good stuff seems to be 'sold out'.
Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1984 - (page 198)
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
If only we had a plan for '72? ;-)
No worries Rob, you won't have much extra homework given what is still to come this decade. But I do encourage you to listen to all of Fragile and/or The Yes Album in the meantime.
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Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
For those interested in Rock History (I suppose anyone who frequently inhabits this thread must be), I can recommend a cracking book, 1971, Never a Dull Moment by David Hepworth. Its a month by month journey through the year with lots of detail about many of the groups, albums and artists featured on this playlist. He also lists what he believes are the greatest 100 albums of 1971. Interestingly we have covered around 60% of those on this playlist so its a good indicator of just how rich the year was.
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
The History of Rock & Roll - 1971
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...
What a great playlist with a fantastic start off from @Saddleworth2 from such a classic year for rock. "The Bewlay Brothers" from David Bowie was the standout pick for me of the initial ones, a song I was not familiar with, but it and the Hunky Dory album were quite the change of pace from his prior and next albums, but I liked the acoustic guitar and the mellow approach to this track. For a more speed guitar and louder song I wasn't as familiar with, it had to be Rory Gallagher's "I Fall Apart".
The Big Winner
"Meeting of the Spirits" - John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, just a song I didn't see coming on that impressive jazz fusion with the blazing shredding guitar.
Top New Songs
Quite the year, 1971 - do we even try to follow it up??
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...
What a great playlist with a fantastic start off from @Saddleworth2 from such a classic year for rock. "The Bewlay Brothers" from David Bowie was the standout pick for me of the initial ones, a song I was not familiar with, but it and the Hunky Dory album were quite the change of pace from his prior and next albums, but I liked the acoustic guitar and the mellow approach to this track. For a more speed guitar and louder song I wasn't as familiar with, it had to be Rory Gallagher's "I Fall Apart".
The Big Winner
"Meeting of the Spirits" - John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, just a song I didn't see coming on that impressive jazz fusion with the blazing shredding guitar.
Top New Songs
- "The Pilgrim" - Wishbone Ash, 8 minutes of prog jazz that, Yes, reminded me of another
- "July Morning" - Uriah Heep, always saw this band in the CD catalogs, and wondered what the fuss was about. Now I know with thoat Deep Purple-like organ sound and those blistering guitars to take this track out. Wow!
- "Umbrellas" - Weather Report, another very nice prog jazzy acoustic number
- "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" - Redbone, reminded me a bit of CCR from this LA band
- "Gonna See My Baby Tonight" - The La De Da's, great nomination from NZ with a classic garage rock sound
- "Angel from Montgomery" - John Prine, such classic storytelling from this Americana institution that will inspire so many in years to come from tracks like this.
- "You Are Everything" - The Stylistics, memories of getting my infants back to sleep from my Stylistics CD from the late 1990's. I miss those days and playing this in a loop. The title here says it all to me.
- "Baba O'Riley" - The Who, love that Lifehouse synths opener from Pete and how there's three songs in one here.
- "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye, the classic song from the groundbreaking album, I think the backing vocals really helped this track reach the greatness it deservedly touched
- "Ain't No Sunshine" - Bill Withers, the simplicity of this led by Bill's powerful vocals just makes this a track to behold with that symphony behind him.
Quite the year, 1971 - do we even try to follow it up??
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Bill Walker
Well-Known Member
I bought LA Woman when it came out, along with Judee Sill's album.
Loved them both, still do..
I think the title track by the Doors is still the best song on a freeway/motorway drive ever.
And the poetry on Texas Radio is superb, some of Jim's best.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Funnily enough, "Texas Radio" was the song that I heard on the radio (Bob Harris on a Saturday evening show) that inspired me to buy the album. I was already familiar with the title track, "Riders on the Storm" and "Love Her Madly" from the best of I had previously bought.
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RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
A very enjoyable romp through the music of 1971, and a great detailed write-up from @Saddleworth2
@Black&White&BlueMoon Town is due to deliver the 1972 write-up today.
@Black&White&BlueMoon Town is due to deliver the 1972 write-up today.
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
1972 – The Singer-Songwriter Claims the Mic
“The next stop that we make will be England”
It’s hard to top 1971 from a Rock and Roll point of view, but there is a uniqueness about 1972 that moved music a bit into its next iteration. That appears most pronounced by significant releases in progressive and glam rock, soul and funk offerings that appear to have churned out the first “disco” track, and by far in my childhood memories is the dominance in the number and increased emergence of the singer-songwriter in popular music that would help define the “Me” Decade.
MY DISCLAIMER: It goes without saying again that there is no way to capture the breadth and depth that is music in 1972 as the offerings are numerous and the quality is evident all over. Instead, I’m going to focus on songs and albums that meant something to me, either back in the day, or upon recent discoveries, of which there is one. Have I omitted some classic albums and bands? Abso-friggen-lutely, and in some cases I’m sorry about that, but I’m SAVING those for YOU, the other contributors who can probably offer a vantage point or memory that I am just not going to even try attempt, even if there are a few more songs I certainly wish I could have included.
But first, the news of the year…
US
1972 was a year marked by significant political events, including a landslide reelection in the US for President Richard Nixon. This year could also be called “the beginning of the end” for Nixon as the Watergate burglary occurred on June 17, which would turn into a major scandal that would eventually lead to Nixon's resignation. Other notable events include the last Apollo moon mission, and Nixon's historic visit to China, which was a significant step in improving US-China relations. In addition, this year saw the enactment of Title IX, a law which prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs. American Bobby Fischer became the first American to win the World Chess Championship. The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) was signed, aiming to limit the development of nuclear weapons by the US and the USSR. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional. The only NFL team to ever complete a full season undefeated was the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They went 17-0, including winning in the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Vietnam War
Vietnam War protests escalated across the United States, fueled by the Easter Offensive by North Vietnam and continued US involvement in the conflict. Demonstrations, often organized by student groups and veterans, ranged from peaceful marches to more disruptive actions like campus occupations and sit-ins. The protests reflected growing public opposition to the war and the escalation of bombings in both North and South Vietnam. The US began withdrawing ground troops and focused on air power. The conflict also saw renewed bombing campaigns in North Vietnam, including Operation Linebacker II, and a return to peace negotiations.
UK
Unemployment exceeds the 1 million mark for the first time since the 1930s in January, almost double the 582,000 who were unemployed when Edward Heath's Conservative government came to power less than two years ago. A prolonged coal miners' strike began in February, eventually leading the government to declare a state of emergency and implement measures like a three-day working week. Also in February, the British Parliament voted to join the European Economic Community. The UK's last trolleybus system, in Bradford, is closed on 26 March. Edward, Duke of Windsor, dies of cancer at his home in France on 28 May at age 77, 35 years after his abdication from the throne. His funeral is held on 5 June at Windsor Castle.
The Troubles escalate around events in Northern Ireland
'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland occurs on 30 Jan when fourteen Catholics are killed when troops open fire on unarmed demonstrators in Derry. A few days later on 2 February, the burning of the British Embassy in Dublin takes place as anti-British riots take place throughout Ireland. The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Merrion Square, Dublin, is burned to the ground, as are several British-owned businesses. An IRA bomb detonated at Aldershot Barracks in February, killing six people.
Following a power crisis, the British government introduced direct rule over Northern Ireland in March.
Nine people die and over a hundred are injured in a series of IRA explosions in Belfast city centre later in June.
Manchester City
In the 1971-72 season, City finished in fourth place in the First Division, missing out on the title by a significant margin despite being at the top of the table with eight games remaining. The signing of Rodney Marsh in March was blamed for the team's slip-up by some former players, who suggested his style of play did not suit the team. The club's season included a run in the UEFA Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Borussia Mönchengladbach. They also participated in the FA Cup, Football League Cup, and FA Charity Shield.
World events
Bands that called it quits in 1972 included Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, Martha and the Vandellas, MC5, Them, and The Velvet Underground, some with notable single artists branching out or bands that reformed under a slightly different lineup or name.
Bands that released their debut albums in 1972 included America, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Blue Öyster Cult, Steely Dan, Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, Foghat, Gary Glitter, Grover Washington Jr., Jackson Browne, JD Souther, Looking Glass, Lou Reed, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Pure Prairie League, Roxy Music, Stealers Wheel, Styx, and Yvonne Elliman. One notable band soon on the way that formed included the E Street Band in New Jersey.
The year of the singer-songwriter genre emergence
Many artists in this genre were already well known, such as Paul Simon, Carol King, Elton John, Carly Simon, Neil Young, Laura Nyro, and Neil Diamond. Newcomers such as Jackson Browne and Eagles brought their experiences in backup bands from California to make a name for themselves in their debut albums. Others released breakthrough albums in this genre that weren’t their first, but made quite the mark.
We’ll highlight (more than) a few here as we begin the playlist.
Folk Rock Album: You Don't Mess Around with Jim - Jim Croce
This was the third studio album and breakthrough for American folk and rock singer-songwriter Jim Croce released in April. The album was recorded in just under a month for ~$18K. This album had been previously rejected by up to 40 record labels, and Croce was signed to ABC Records after they heard cuts from a cassette tape of the finished album. The record spent 93 weeks on the charts, longer than any other Jim Croce album. Two singles were originally released from the album: the title track (#8 pop) and "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)" (#17 pop). The single "Time in a Bottle" (#1 pop, No. 1 Adult Contemporary) wasn’t actually released until after Croce’s tragic death from a plane crash in 1973. This album again became the best-selling album in the US for five weeks in early 1974 after that sad event.
Between 1966 and 1973, Jim Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles. During the early part of this period, Croce took a series of odd jobs to pay bills while he continued to write, record and perform concerts at bars and small venues. After Croce formed a partnership with the songwriter and guitarist Maury Muehleisen in the early 1970s, his fortunes turned, and the rest is history starting with this album.
The lyrics of the title track concern the fate of a 'pool-shooting son-of-a-gun' by the name of “Big” Jim Walker when his 'mark', Willie “Slim” McCoy, from South Alabama, shows up to get a refund from being hustled. The song is notable for the lines, "You don't tug on Superman's cape/You don't spit into the wind/You don't pull the mask off that ol' Lone Ranger/And you don't mess around with Jim." However, after the song ends with Jim being thoroughly thrashed by his victim, the chorus now goes, "You don't mess around with Slim."
Jim Croce’s music continued to chart throughout the 1970s following his death, and I remember listening to this and many of his songs as a child from my parents’ influence in enjoying his music. Croce was probably the first artist I remember hearing about when I was a kid that had passed away other than Buddy Holly in Don McLean’s American Pie song. Croce's widow and early songwriting partner, Ingrid, continued to write and record after his death. Their son, A. J. Croce, became a singer-songwriter in the 1990s.
Playlist track: “You Don't Mess Around with Jim” - Jim Croce
Folk Rock Album: Crying Laughing Loving Lying - Labi Siffre
This also was the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Labi Siffre. The record contains two of Labi's best known songs that charted: "It Must Be Love" (#14 UK Singles) and "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" (#11 UK Singles). Both songs were released as singles in the US by Bell Records but failed to chart. The album itself was never released in the US. Siffre had his first US singles success as a songwriter when, in 1983, the cover version of "It Must Be Love" by Madness peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 33.
“My Song” from this album, while not released as a single, stands as a strong testament to what the singer-songwriter was going for: brutal honesty, very personal, and artist ownership that is impactful. What has quickly become obvious to me is this is one overlooked artist and album from this year, and one I think warrants highlighting for its lasting impact and influence decades later.
Another song off the deluxe version of this album is Track 14, “Watch Me”. This song was prominently featured during the closing scene of the pilot NBC TV episode of This Is Us that aired in 2016 as the various storylines on “The Big 3” were all tied together with this song. It’s hard to tie a scene with both heartbreaking and uplifting components together at the same time, but this song does it, and has really resonated with me.
In 2023, the album title song was prominently featured in Alexander Payne's film The Holdovers, starring Paul Giamatti, which has quickly become one of our family’s favourite holiday movies to watch. Set in the early 1970s, this song really worked well to capture the overall mood the movie was going for. So, on a personal note, it has been quite enjoyable to discover the impact of this album and the songwriting and performance from Labi Siffre in recent years.
Playlist track: “Watch Me” – Labi Siffre
Folk /Country Rock Album: Harvest – Neil Young
Harvest was the fourth studio album by Canadian-American musician Neil Young, released on February 1. It featured the London Symphony Orchestra on two tracks and guest vocals by David Crosby, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills, and James Taylor. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart for two weeks. It was the best-selling album of 1972 in the US.
Young had recently purchased Broken Arrow Ranch in Redwood City, California, where he would live for the next four decades. While renovating his new home, Young injured his back, limiting his mobility and ability to perform electric guitar. Around the same time, Young would also begin his relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress. Young's new home and romantic relationship would inspire several songs off this album.
After injuring his back, Young was in and out of hospitals for the two years between recording his prior album After the Gold Rush and Harvest. Young couldn't move around well at all and could only stand up for four hours a day, so he stayed pretty secluded on his ranch and didn't have much contact with others. Most of Harvest was recorded with Neil in a back brace, which was a big factor why it's such a mellow album, as he couldn't physically play an electric guitar being mostly flat on his back for those two years. Heavier songs on side 2 of the album were completed after his disc removal operation.
Two of those mellow tunes were released as classic folk singles. "Old Man", which peaked at No. 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Heart of Gold", which reached No. 1. “Heart of Gold” rightfully is the most well known track from this album and was greatly assisted with the backup vocals courtesy of James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt and was inspired by Neil’s relationship with Carrie. This #1 track also upset Bob Dylan as he noted “I used to hate it when it came on the radio. I always liked Neil Young, but it bothered me every time I listened to "Heart of Gold." I think it was up at number one for a long time, and I'd say, "Shit, that's me. If it sounds like me, it should as well be me."
Taylor (six-string banjo) and Ronstadt (vocals) also contributed to Neil’s classic track “Old Man”, which was written for the caretaker of Neil’s Broken Arrow Ranch. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the young man has, to some extent, the same needs as the old one. I’ve taken different things from it as both of these songs have been favourites of mine for decades now, but I enjoyed learning more of Neil’s backstory in creating the more folk and country sounding hit tracks for this album.
Another powerful folk song over the years to me is “The Needle and the Damage Done” which is a blunt and direct plea warning about the dangers of heroin, which would sadly and eventually claim the life of Neil’s bandmate Danny Whitten.
On the louder rock tracks recorded after Young’s back surgery where he was able to play electric guitar again, "Alabama" is the second shot fired in the same spirit of Neil’s prior album hit of “Southern Man". More on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic response to both songs addressing racism in the South and their home state in particular in the next year will be covered, I am sure.
The final track "Words (Between the Lines of Age)" features a lengthy guitar workout with the band. Young noted that this track was inspired by Young's growing fame, and the first cracks in his relationship with Snodgress in it all happening so fast with her friends frequently visiting the ranch and it being overwhelming. Young noted in his autobiography that this was the first song that revealed early doubts of being in that new relationship. He observed this was how he did Harvest, in love in the beginning on those mellower folk tracks, and with some doubts at the end on the louder ones.
Playlist track: “Words (Between the Lines of Age)” – Neil Young
Rock / Power-Pop Album: Something/Anything? – Todd Rundgren
Something/Anything? was the third studio album from Philadelphia’s own and beloved Todd Rundgren. This album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold three years after its release. A single from the album, "Hello It's Me", was a top-five hit in the US, and it contained a further hit, "I Saw the Light". Something/Anything? later attracted critical acclaim as one of the most significant records of the 1970s.
Rundgren is considered a pioneer in the fields of electronic music, progressive rock, and in later years: music videos, computer software, and Internet music delivery. Rundgren began his professional career in the mid-1960s, forming the psychedelic band Nazz in 1967. After two years, he left Nazz to pursue a solo career and immediately scored his first US top 40 hit with "We Gotta Get You a Woman" in 1970. This album however, would serve as his solo breakthrough. It was ironically the first song he wrote and recorded as a slow ballad with Nazz as “Hello It’s Me” that took him to these new heights. The mid-tempo version off this album about the breakup of a relationship is the song of his that I distinctly recall hearing as a teen in the late ‘70s growing up on Philly Rock and Roll that really has resonated and stayed with me all these years. This is really a beautiful song and one that has a vocal honesty of pain that few songs I heard during those years conveyed. The overall music, especially in the use of horns, and falsetto vocals used on this track still give me tingles today, especially at 2:49 in where Todd sings “Think of me, Youuuuuuu, you know I would if I could”, and there was no-way no-how that this would not be part of my 10 for this year.
Playlist track: “Hello It's Me" – Todd Rundgren
Soft-rock / Pop Single: “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Interestingly enough, this track was not originally included on 21 year old Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan’s 1972 album, Back to Front. This song has been included in album reissues (often replacing the other single "Clair").
This single spent six non-consecutive weeks at number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 between late July and early September in the US. It ranked number 2 in the year-end chart, and sold over two million copies. I distinctly recall car rides to my grandparents listening to this song that summer. It was a great song to sing along to, even if the 5 year-old me didn’t come close to understanding the powerful lyrics behind it.
The song itself is a melancholic, introspective ballad. In the first verse, the singer contemplates suicide after having been left at the altar; in the second, he wonders if there is a God; finally, he laments the death of his parents. O'Sullivan has said the song is not autobiographical: for example, his mother was alive during its composition, and he was not close to his father, who was abusive to his mother and died when the singer was 11 years old. When Neil Diamond covered this hit single, he said he couldn't believe a 21-year-old wrote it. The memories of listening to this song as a boy remains with me today and it would be hard not to pay homage to this classic track that to me well defines the influential era of the singer-songwriter.
Playlist track: “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Folk Album: Hobo's Lullaby – Arlo Guthrie
Hobo's Lullaby was a studio album from folk great, Arlo Guthe, son of singer-songwriter, Woody Guthrie. It contained mostly covers from other writers, including one from his dad. The big hit and memorable song for me and most was the country folk song “The City of New Orleans” written by Chicago native Steve Goodman in 1970. Goodman got the idea for this song and the inspiration for the creative and visual lyrics while traveling by train on the Illinois Central line for a visit to his wife's family.
The lore on this version of the song is pretty entertaining as well. While at the Quiet Knight bar in Chicago, Goodman saw Guthrie, and asked to play a song for him. Guthrie grudgingly agreed, on the condition that Goodman bought him a beer. Goodman then played this song, which Guthrie liked enough that he asked to record it. The song was a hit for Guthrie reaching #4 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and #18 on the Hot 100; it would prove to be Guthrie's only Top 40 hit.
Good night, America, how are you?
Said don’t you know me? I’m your native son
Playlist track: “The City of New Orleans” – Arlo Guthrie
Funk and the birth of Disco
Funk music was experiencing a period of significant growth and influence this year, with artists pushing the boundaries of the genre and achieving commercial success. It was a time when funk, with its focus on rhythm and groove, was becoming increasingly popular and influencing other genres like soul and disco. Several funk songs achieved commercial success in 1972, including Lyn Collins' "Think (About It)", Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" and “Use Me”, and Curtis Mayfield's "Super Fly". Funk music also played a role in addressing social and political issues of the time, with artists like Mayfield using their music to explore themes of race, poverty, and social inequality.
Here are a few albums and songs that have stuck with me.
Album: All Directions - The Temptations
This album reached number 2 on the Billboard 200, making it the band's most successful non-collaborative album on the chart, and became their twelfth album to reach number one on the Top R&B Albums chart.
The LP features the #1 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", a twelve-minute cover of a Whitfield-produced Undisputed Truth single. "Papa" won three Grammy Awards in 1973 including Best R&B Performance by a Group.
According to group leader Otis Williams, the Temptations fought "tooth and nail" not to record "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". According to legend, lead singer Dennis Edwards didn't want to sing "Papa's" opening lines, because his father was a minister, "a good, steady, religious man", not a "rolling stone". Those 70s trademark funky guitars, horn solos, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and that driving bass along with the handclapping along with the various band member vocals simply make that song.
The group was certain that "Papa" and All Directions would flop, and that they would be back to singing ballads like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". Although the first single, "Mother Nature", charted at number 92 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, "Papa" was a number one hit and is today one of the Temptations' signature songs.
The Temptations also recorded "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)", which was written in 1957 by British folk singer Ewan MacColl and became the #1 song of the year for Roberta Flack earlier that same year. The album also included the Edwin Starr cover "Funky Music Sho' 'Nuff Turns Me On", the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell cover "Love Woke Me Up This Morning", and "I Ain't Got Nothin'", a rare lead showcase for Otis Williams.
Playlist track: “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone” - The Temptations
Album: Back Stabbers - The O’Jays
There is something special to me with the Philly Soul flavor of Funk given I grew up in this area. I had a couple artists to choose from, and it was not an easy decision. Honorable mention to the Spinners with “I'll Be Around”, but I had to go with the O’Jays. This was a breakthrough album for this group led by Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and William Powell and recorded at the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. This album reached the top 10 of the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and sold over 500K copies within a year of release. It also featured two of the O’Jays most successful singles, "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train". On September 1, the title track was certified as a gold single by the Recording Industry Association of America. It has gained the reputation as a landmark album of early 1970s soul and has been cited by critics as "the pinnacle of Philly soul.” In 2012, the album was ranked #318 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Most of the songs from the album were written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff who were a local songwriting and production duo credited for developing the “Philly sound” of the 1970s. In addition to forming their own label, Philadelphia International Records, Gamble and Huff have written and produced 175 gold and platinum records, earning them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category in March 2008. While The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with the minor hit "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, they reached their greatest level of success once the producers Gamble & Huff signed them to their label this year.
The single and album closer “Love Train” became the O'Jays' first and only number one record on the US pop chart. The song has also been considered one of the first songs of disco music. Any song that topically mentions to “start a love train” and to “tell all the folks in Egypt and Israel too” were certainly on the lyrics ball for what was needed to be said at that time. And parts of it certainly still resonate today as well. Another song “992 Arguments” from this album also has some obvious elements of disco as well. The O'Jays on this album were experimenting with disco elements by incorporating heavier rhythms, funk elements, and lush arrangements into their music. That was also heard on side 2 tracks "Listen to the Clock on the Wall” and "Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People".
Playlist track: “Love Train” - O'Jays
Glam Rock
Glam rock this year really took off in the UK. Glam rock was a flamboyant genre of rock music characterized by its visual style and theatrical performances. Key figures like David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, T. Rex, and Slade played a major role in popularizing the genre, known for its androgynous fashion, catchy music, and theatrical stage presence. Glam rock was visually striking, with performers often wearing extravagant costumes and makeup with stage shows being highly theatrical, with elaborate light shows, costumes, and set design. From a sound point of view, this genre blended elements of hard rock, pop, and sometimes punk and heavy metal, creating a catchy, energetic sound.
From a glam rock point of view, there was really one album and artist that was going to top my list.
Album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - David Bowie
In 1983, my best friend and I went to the State Theatre in downtown Newark, DE to see this new movie he was anxious to see, and I was talked into, Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture. I was already a casual fan of David Bowie, but this movie was simply incredible to the teenager who had never seen Bowie in concert, and certainly didn’t know as much about this period back in the 1970’s as Ziggy. That night changed everything with my appreciation of David Bowie and his musical genius from those songs played live. It made quite the impression and is something I can still recall over 40 years later. Eleven years prior, David Bowie’s 5th album Ziggy Stardust was released and dare I say everything changed and his musical career would never be the same. As much as this album is a crowning achievement for Bowie, the stars on this were Bowie’s band the Spiders from Mars: composed of Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Mick Woodmansey (drums). The album was recorded November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London.
Described as a loose concept album and rock opera, Ziggy Stardust focuses on Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous and bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour before an impending apocalyptic disaster. In the story, Ziggy wins the hearts of fans but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. The character was inspired by numerous musicians, including English singer Vince Taylor, whom Bowie met after Taylor had a mental breakdown and believed himself to be a cross between a god and an alien. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The glam rock and proto-punk musical styles were influenced by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed from The Velvet Underground, and Marc Bolan from glam rock band T. Rex. The lyrics explore the artificiality of rock music, political issues, drug use, sexuality, and stardom.
Ziggy Stardust reached top five of the UK Albums Chart and was preceded by the first single “Starman”. Critics responded favourably; some praised the musicality and concept while others struggled to comprehend it (I’m thinking of Rob here? ;-) ) . Shortly after its release, Bowie performed "Starman" on Britain's Top of the Pops in early July 1972, which propelled him to stardom. The Ziggy character was retained for the subsequent Ziggy Stardust Tour, and the rest as I saw 11 years later in the theatre, is history.
In later decades, Ziggy Stardust came to be regarded as Bowie's album masterpiece, appearing on numerous professional lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2017, this album was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The hits were amazing, and a re-listen this past week reminded me how well this album was tied together. The album begins with "Five Years"; where a news broadcast reveals that the Earth only has that amount of time left before it gets destroyed by an impending apocalyptic disaster. "Moonage Daydream" as the 3rd track directly introduces the character of Ziggy Stardust, after 2nd track "Soul Love" in which numerous characters deal with love before the impending disaster. "Moonage Daydream" has received critical acclaim, with many deeming Ronson's guitar work its clear standout. Retrospectively, it has been named one of Bowie's greatest songs. Bowie used several Americanisms on the original version of the song, most of them retained on the re-recording, using abbreviations such as "comin'", "'lectric" and "rock'n'rollin'", as well as phrases such as "busting up my brains", "lay the real thing on me", "freak out" and "far out". Ronson received numerous accolades for his playing on this song as well as rock classics like “Suffragette City” and “Hang On to Yourself”.
The title character song on side 2 “Ziggy Stardust” is its centerpiece for the character of Ziggy, presenting the rise and fall of the star in a very human-like manner. Musically, it is a glam rock song, like its parent album, and is based around a Ronson guitar riff. The song has received widespread acclaim from music critics, with the majority praising its story, guitar riff and the band's performance. The song has since been included on lists of Bowie's greatest songs, and by some as one of the greatest songs of all time. Rolling Stone ranked it number 282 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010. The track is also one of four of Bowie's songs included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. All in all, the album is a tour-de-force and cemented David Bowie among the most influential performers of the 1970’s, and the decade was still pretty young, all things considered.
Playlist track: "Moonage Daydream" – David Bowie
Progressive Rock
1972 is often considered a peak year for progressive rock, with many prominent bands releasing critically acclaimed albums that defined the genre for generations. Bands like Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer released some of their most innovative, influential and enduring work. This year was a time when progressive rock was pushing musical boundaries, incorporating elements of classical music, jazz, and psychedelia.
From a progressive rock point of view, there is but one album that has been one of my all-time favourites, and I’m honored to highlight this below.
Progressive Rock Album: Close To The Edge - Yes
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen Yes live in concert. I first saw them in 1984, and have seen them through various lineup changes since then, including the classic Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe lineup in the late 1980’s. I saw this lineup of 4 of the 5 artists who originally recorded this album back in 1972 on 3 Aug 1989 in Philadelphia. It was one of the most memorable performances of the Yes members I have seen, and two of the three tracks from this album were performed that night. It was, for me, the title track that blew me away and one of my favourites of theirs of all time. When @Mancitydoogle noted he was unable to cover this year, the very first track that was already pre-determined for me was this one, and I’d have it no other way to nominate this from the first album of theirs I have loved from start to finish.
This was the final album that drummer Bill Bruford recorded with the band in the 1970s during their classic lineup. He left afterwards for the progressive rock band King Crimson. After scoring a critical and commercial hit with Fragile as covered on the 1971 playlist, Yes regrouped with producer and engineer Eddy Offord to record a follow-up. The album's centrepiece is the 18-minute side one title track, but more on that in a bit. Side two contains two non-conceptual tracks, the folk-inspired and concert classic "And You and I" and the comparatively straightforward rocker "Siberian Khatru". The album's cover, designed by Roger Dean, marked the debut of the band's "bubble" Yes logo.
This album became the band's greatest commercial success at the time of release, reaching No. 4 in the UK and No. 3 in the US, where it sold over one million copies.
It is the album title song that remains the centerpiece. Its 18-minute length marked the longest track Yes had recorded at the time. The track was written by Anderson and Howe, both of whom also share lyrical credits. Anderson gained initial inspiration from reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings while listening to Symphony Nos. 6 and 7 by Jean Sibelius, one of his favourite composers. The 7th symphony struck Anderson the most as he noticed that its main theme was introduced some time in the composition which influenced how "Close to the Edge" was shaped. He studied No. 7 and discussed his initial ideas with Howe. Howe devised the lyric "Close to the edge, round by the corner" later while working with Anderson, itself inspired when Howe had lived in Battersea, an area beside the River Thames. Anderson was inspired to base its theme and lyrics on the 1922 novel Siddhartha by German Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man during the time of the Gautama Buddha. The lyrics for the concluding verse were based on a dream Anderson once had about the "passing on from this world to another... yet feeling so fantastic about it that death never frightened me ever since".
I. The Solid Time of Change (0:00 - 6:04)
The song fades in with the sounds of running water, wind chimes, and birds chirping; a layering of sounds derived primarily from "environmental tapes" in a loop collected by Anderson. Anderson also suggested starting the track’s music with an improvised group jam, which the group saw as adventurous and is one of the reasons why the band comes in out of nowhere on the final take. The track was assembled in pieces throughout and parts of which were inspired after Yes toured with fusion group Mahavishnu Orchestra, with a fantastic track that was the Big Winner for me from our 1971 playlist.
The lyrics are introduced at 4:00, along with a chorus that repeats throughout the song.
Down at the edge, round by the corner ...
Close to the edge, down by a river
II. Total Mass Retain (6:04 - 8:27)
The song continues with generally the same melody and style, though Chris Squires’ bass part changes significantly. The chorus here changes to a faster pace, and then slows down again at the end of the section. The final words "I get up, I get down" introduce the next segment.
III. I Get Up I Get Down (8:27 - 14:12)
The song significantly slows its tempo and lowers its volume. This segment consists of two sets of vocals: the main vocals, sung by Anderson which contain most of the lyrics, and the pronounced and underrated backing vocals, sung by Squire and Howe. Anerson noted this part of song came about because Steve was playing these chords one day, and Jon started singing, 'Two million people barely satisfy.' It's about the incredible imbalance of the human experience on the planet.
Howe and Anderson were working on this section, and Steve volunteered he had this other song and started singing:
In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking
saying that she'd take the blame for the crucifixion of her own domain
At about 12 minutes into the song, Rick Wakeman, recorded on the pipe organ of London's St Giles-without-Cripplegate church, begins the main theme of this segment, which changes from a major to a minor key as the music progresses.
IV. Seasons of Man (14:12 - 18:43)
The original, fast-paced theme picks up followed by musical and lyrical structure which sounds similar to "The Solid Time of Change", except this time with exclusively major chords. Wakeman's organ parts are particularly complex. The chorus is sung one last time before the vocals build up to the climax of the song in which all three themes from the prior movements are presented. Afterwards, the final lyrics "I get up, I get down" are repeated as the song fades away into the "sounds of nature" in which it began.
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand
There’s you, the time, the logic or the reasons we don’t understand
Playlist track: "Close To The Edge" – Yes
Well, like a Yessong, I realize this intro was long, but I hope you enjoy the start of the 1972 playlist as it really was enjoyable re-discovering these songs and artists I love and remember quite fondly from both my childhood and later years. I left plenty of other artists and options for others to highlight, but I have a few key tracks in my pocket if they don’t make it for the end if needed.
“The next stop that we make will be England”
It’s hard to top 1971 from a Rock and Roll point of view, but there is a uniqueness about 1972 that moved music a bit into its next iteration. That appears most pronounced by significant releases in progressive and glam rock, soul and funk offerings that appear to have churned out the first “disco” track, and by far in my childhood memories is the dominance in the number and increased emergence of the singer-songwriter in popular music that would help define the “Me” Decade.
MY DISCLAIMER: It goes without saying again that there is no way to capture the breadth and depth that is music in 1972 as the offerings are numerous and the quality is evident all over. Instead, I’m going to focus on songs and albums that meant something to me, either back in the day, or upon recent discoveries, of which there is one. Have I omitted some classic albums and bands? Abso-friggen-lutely, and in some cases I’m sorry about that, but I’m SAVING those for YOU, the other contributors who can probably offer a vantage point or memory that I am just not going to even try attempt, even if there are a few more songs I certainly wish I could have included.
But first, the news of the year…
US
1972 was a year marked by significant political events, including a landslide reelection in the US for President Richard Nixon. This year could also be called “the beginning of the end” for Nixon as the Watergate burglary occurred on June 17, which would turn into a major scandal that would eventually lead to Nixon's resignation. Other notable events include the last Apollo moon mission, and Nixon's historic visit to China, which was a significant step in improving US-China relations. In addition, this year saw the enactment of Title IX, a law which prohibited sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs. American Bobby Fischer became the first American to win the World Chess Championship. The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) was signed, aiming to limit the development of nuclear weapons by the US and the USSR. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional. The only NFL team to ever complete a full season undefeated was the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They went 17-0, including winning in the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Vietnam War
Vietnam War protests escalated across the United States, fueled by the Easter Offensive by North Vietnam and continued US involvement in the conflict. Demonstrations, often organized by student groups and veterans, ranged from peaceful marches to more disruptive actions like campus occupations and sit-ins. The protests reflected growing public opposition to the war and the escalation of bombings in both North and South Vietnam. The US began withdrawing ground troops and focused on air power. The conflict also saw renewed bombing campaigns in North Vietnam, including Operation Linebacker II, and a return to peace negotiations.
UK
Unemployment exceeds the 1 million mark for the first time since the 1930s in January, almost double the 582,000 who were unemployed when Edward Heath's Conservative government came to power less than two years ago. A prolonged coal miners' strike began in February, eventually leading the government to declare a state of emergency and implement measures like a three-day working week. Also in February, the British Parliament voted to join the European Economic Community. The UK's last trolleybus system, in Bradford, is closed on 26 March. Edward, Duke of Windsor, dies of cancer at his home in France on 28 May at age 77, 35 years after his abdication from the throne. His funeral is held on 5 June at Windsor Castle.
The Troubles escalate around events in Northern Ireland
'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland occurs on 30 Jan when fourteen Catholics are killed when troops open fire on unarmed demonstrators in Derry. A few days later on 2 February, the burning of the British Embassy in Dublin takes place as anti-British riots take place throughout Ireland. The Embassy of the United Kingdom in Merrion Square, Dublin, is burned to the ground, as are several British-owned businesses. An IRA bomb detonated at Aldershot Barracks in February, killing six people.
Following a power crisis, the British government introduced direct rule over Northern Ireland in March.
Nine people die and over a hundred are injured in a series of IRA explosions in Belfast city centre later in June.
Manchester City
In the 1971-72 season, City finished in fourth place in the First Division, missing out on the title by a significant margin despite being at the top of the table with eight games remaining. The signing of Rodney Marsh in March was blamed for the team's slip-up by some former players, who suggested his style of play did not suit the team. The club's season included a run in the UEFA Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Borussia Mönchengladbach. They also participated in the FA Cup, Football League Cup, and FA Charity Shield.
World events
- 1972 Summer Olympics
- The "Munich massacre" was a horrific terrorist attack that occurred during the Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. On September 5, eight members of the Palestinian militant group Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village, took eleven Israeli athletes and coaches hostage, and killed two of them immediately. A subsequent, botched rescue attempt resulted in the deaths of all nine remaining hostages.
- The Soviet Union “defeated” the United States in the men's basketball final with a controversial finish. The final 3 seconds of the game were replayed *three* times under questionable rule interpretations, ultimately leading to a Soviet victory. The Soviet Union received the gold medal, while the US team, who had previously dominated Olympic basketball, ended up with the silver. The US team refused to accept their silver medals and filed a protest against the ruling, which was ultimately denied. The team still considers the outcome unfair and refuses to accept their medals to this day. This loss is still considered one of the most controversial events in Olympic basketball history and continues to be discussed and debated. My quotes in the first sentence above make it obvious where I stand on this one.
- Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the Andes Mountains in October, resulting in the death of 13 passengers and the survival of 16. The crash occurred while transporting a Uruguayan rugby team to a match in Chile. Survivors endured extreme conditions, including starvation, exposure, and cannibalism. 10 days later, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa walked to seek help. After 72 days, the remaining 14 survivors were rescued. The story has been widely documented in books and films, including Alive and Society of the Snow.
- The first scientific hand-held calculator (HP-35) was introduced.
Bands that called it quits in 1972 included Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, Martha and the Vandellas, MC5, Them, and The Velvet Underground, some with notable single artists branching out or bands that reformed under a slightly different lineup or name.
Bands that released their debut albums in 1972 included America, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Blue Öyster Cult, Steely Dan, Eagles, Dan Fogelberg, Foghat, Gary Glitter, Grover Washington Jr., Jackson Browne, JD Souther, Looking Glass, Lou Reed, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Pure Prairie League, Roxy Music, Stealers Wheel, Styx, and Yvonne Elliman. One notable band soon on the way that formed included the E Street Band in New Jersey.
The year of the singer-songwriter genre emergence
Many artists in this genre were already well known, such as Paul Simon, Carol King, Elton John, Carly Simon, Neil Young, Laura Nyro, and Neil Diamond. Newcomers such as Jackson Browne and Eagles brought their experiences in backup bands from California to make a name for themselves in their debut albums. Others released breakthrough albums in this genre that weren’t their first, but made quite the mark.
We’ll highlight (more than) a few here as we begin the playlist.
Folk Rock Album: You Don't Mess Around with Jim - Jim Croce
This was the third studio album and breakthrough for American folk and rock singer-songwriter Jim Croce released in April. The album was recorded in just under a month for ~$18K. This album had been previously rejected by up to 40 record labels, and Croce was signed to ABC Records after they heard cuts from a cassette tape of the finished album. The record spent 93 weeks on the charts, longer than any other Jim Croce album. Two singles were originally released from the album: the title track (#8 pop) and "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)" (#17 pop). The single "Time in a Bottle" (#1 pop, No. 1 Adult Contemporary) wasn’t actually released until after Croce’s tragic death from a plane crash in 1973. This album again became the best-selling album in the US for five weeks in early 1974 after that sad event.
Between 1966 and 1973, Jim Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles. During the early part of this period, Croce took a series of odd jobs to pay bills while he continued to write, record and perform concerts at bars and small venues. After Croce formed a partnership with the songwriter and guitarist Maury Muehleisen in the early 1970s, his fortunes turned, and the rest is history starting with this album.
The lyrics of the title track concern the fate of a 'pool-shooting son-of-a-gun' by the name of “Big” Jim Walker when his 'mark', Willie “Slim” McCoy, from South Alabama, shows up to get a refund from being hustled. The song is notable for the lines, "You don't tug on Superman's cape/You don't spit into the wind/You don't pull the mask off that ol' Lone Ranger/And you don't mess around with Jim." However, after the song ends with Jim being thoroughly thrashed by his victim, the chorus now goes, "You don't mess around with Slim."
Jim Croce’s music continued to chart throughout the 1970s following his death, and I remember listening to this and many of his songs as a child from my parents’ influence in enjoying his music. Croce was probably the first artist I remember hearing about when I was a kid that had passed away other than Buddy Holly in Don McLean’s American Pie song. Croce's widow and early songwriting partner, Ingrid, continued to write and record after his death. Their son, A. J. Croce, became a singer-songwriter in the 1990s.
Playlist track: “You Don't Mess Around with Jim” - Jim Croce
Folk Rock Album: Crying Laughing Loving Lying - Labi Siffre
This also was the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Labi Siffre. The record contains two of Labi's best known songs that charted: "It Must Be Love" (#14 UK Singles) and "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" (#11 UK Singles). Both songs were released as singles in the US by Bell Records but failed to chart. The album itself was never released in the US. Siffre had his first US singles success as a songwriter when, in 1983, the cover version of "It Must Be Love" by Madness peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 33.
“My Song” from this album, while not released as a single, stands as a strong testament to what the singer-songwriter was going for: brutal honesty, very personal, and artist ownership that is impactful. What has quickly become obvious to me is this is one overlooked artist and album from this year, and one I think warrants highlighting for its lasting impact and influence decades later.
Another song off the deluxe version of this album is Track 14, “Watch Me”. This song was prominently featured during the closing scene of the pilot NBC TV episode of This Is Us that aired in 2016 as the various storylines on “The Big 3” were all tied together with this song. It’s hard to tie a scene with both heartbreaking and uplifting components together at the same time, but this song does it, and has really resonated with me.
In 2023, the album title song was prominently featured in Alexander Payne's film The Holdovers, starring Paul Giamatti, which has quickly become one of our family’s favourite holiday movies to watch. Set in the early 1970s, this song really worked well to capture the overall mood the movie was going for. So, on a personal note, it has been quite enjoyable to discover the impact of this album and the songwriting and performance from Labi Siffre in recent years.
Playlist track: “Watch Me” – Labi Siffre
Folk /Country Rock Album: Harvest – Neil Young
Harvest was the fourth studio album by Canadian-American musician Neil Young, released on February 1. It featured the London Symphony Orchestra on two tracks and guest vocals by David Crosby, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills, and James Taylor. It topped the Billboard 200 album chart for two weeks. It was the best-selling album of 1972 in the US.
Young had recently purchased Broken Arrow Ranch in Redwood City, California, where he would live for the next four decades. While renovating his new home, Young injured his back, limiting his mobility and ability to perform electric guitar. Around the same time, Young would also begin his relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress. Young's new home and romantic relationship would inspire several songs off this album.
After injuring his back, Young was in and out of hospitals for the two years between recording his prior album After the Gold Rush and Harvest. Young couldn't move around well at all and could only stand up for four hours a day, so he stayed pretty secluded on his ranch and didn't have much contact with others. Most of Harvest was recorded with Neil in a back brace, which was a big factor why it's such a mellow album, as he couldn't physically play an electric guitar being mostly flat on his back for those two years. Heavier songs on side 2 of the album were completed after his disc removal operation.
Two of those mellow tunes were released as classic folk singles. "Old Man", which peaked at No. 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Heart of Gold", which reached No. 1. “Heart of Gold” rightfully is the most well known track from this album and was greatly assisted with the backup vocals courtesy of James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt and was inspired by Neil’s relationship with Carrie. This #1 track also upset Bob Dylan as he noted “I used to hate it when it came on the radio. I always liked Neil Young, but it bothered me every time I listened to "Heart of Gold." I think it was up at number one for a long time, and I'd say, "Shit, that's me. If it sounds like me, it should as well be me."
Taylor (six-string banjo) and Ronstadt (vocals) also contributed to Neil’s classic track “Old Man”, which was written for the caretaker of Neil’s Broken Arrow Ranch. The song compares a young man's life to an old man's and shows that the young man has, to some extent, the same needs as the old one. I’ve taken different things from it as both of these songs have been favourites of mine for decades now, but I enjoyed learning more of Neil’s backstory in creating the more folk and country sounding hit tracks for this album.
Another powerful folk song over the years to me is “The Needle and the Damage Done” which is a blunt and direct plea warning about the dangers of heroin, which would sadly and eventually claim the life of Neil’s bandmate Danny Whitten.
On the louder rock tracks recorded after Young’s back surgery where he was able to play electric guitar again, "Alabama" is the second shot fired in the same spirit of Neil’s prior album hit of “Southern Man". More on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic response to both songs addressing racism in the South and their home state in particular in the next year will be covered, I am sure.
The final track "Words (Between the Lines of Age)" features a lengthy guitar workout with the band. Young noted that this track was inspired by Young's growing fame, and the first cracks in his relationship with Snodgress in it all happening so fast with her friends frequently visiting the ranch and it being overwhelming. Young noted in his autobiography that this was the first song that revealed early doubts of being in that new relationship. He observed this was how he did Harvest, in love in the beginning on those mellower folk tracks, and with some doubts at the end on the louder ones.
Playlist track: “Words (Between the Lines of Age)” – Neil Young
Rock / Power-Pop Album: Something/Anything? – Todd Rundgren
Something/Anything? was the third studio album from Philadelphia’s own and beloved Todd Rundgren. This album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold three years after its release. A single from the album, "Hello It's Me", was a top-five hit in the US, and it contained a further hit, "I Saw the Light". Something/Anything? later attracted critical acclaim as one of the most significant records of the 1970s.
Rundgren is considered a pioneer in the fields of electronic music, progressive rock, and in later years: music videos, computer software, and Internet music delivery. Rundgren began his professional career in the mid-1960s, forming the psychedelic band Nazz in 1967. After two years, he left Nazz to pursue a solo career and immediately scored his first US top 40 hit with "We Gotta Get You a Woman" in 1970. This album however, would serve as his solo breakthrough. It was ironically the first song he wrote and recorded as a slow ballad with Nazz as “Hello It’s Me” that took him to these new heights. The mid-tempo version off this album about the breakup of a relationship is the song of his that I distinctly recall hearing as a teen in the late ‘70s growing up on Philly Rock and Roll that really has resonated and stayed with me all these years. This is really a beautiful song and one that has a vocal honesty of pain that few songs I heard during those years conveyed. The overall music, especially in the use of horns, and falsetto vocals used on this track still give me tingles today, especially at 2:49 in where Todd sings “Think of me, Youuuuuuu, you know I would if I could”, and there was no-way no-how that this would not be part of my 10 for this year.
Playlist track: “Hello It's Me" – Todd Rundgren
Soft-rock / Pop Single: “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Interestingly enough, this track was not originally included on 21 year old Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan’s 1972 album, Back to Front. This song has been included in album reissues (often replacing the other single "Clair").
This single spent six non-consecutive weeks at number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 between late July and early September in the US. It ranked number 2 in the year-end chart, and sold over two million copies. I distinctly recall car rides to my grandparents listening to this song that summer. It was a great song to sing along to, even if the 5 year-old me didn’t come close to understanding the powerful lyrics behind it.
The song itself is a melancholic, introspective ballad. In the first verse, the singer contemplates suicide after having been left at the altar; in the second, he wonders if there is a God; finally, he laments the death of his parents. O'Sullivan has said the song is not autobiographical: for example, his mother was alive during its composition, and he was not close to his father, who was abusive to his mother and died when the singer was 11 years old. When Neil Diamond covered this hit single, he said he couldn't believe a 21-year-old wrote it. The memories of listening to this song as a boy remains with me today and it would be hard not to pay homage to this classic track that to me well defines the influential era of the singer-songwriter.
Playlist track: “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
Folk Album: Hobo's Lullaby – Arlo Guthrie
Hobo's Lullaby was a studio album from folk great, Arlo Guthe, son of singer-songwriter, Woody Guthrie. It contained mostly covers from other writers, including one from his dad. The big hit and memorable song for me and most was the country folk song “The City of New Orleans” written by Chicago native Steve Goodman in 1970. Goodman got the idea for this song and the inspiration for the creative and visual lyrics while traveling by train on the Illinois Central line for a visit to his wife's family.
The lore on this version of the song is pretty entertaining as well. While at the Quiet Knight bar in Chicago, Goodman saw Guthrie, and asked to play a song for him. Guthrie grudgingly agreed, on the condition that Goodman bought him a beer. Goodman then played this song, which Guthrie liked enough that he asked to record it. The song was a hit for Guthrie reaching #4 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart and #18 on the Hot 100; it would prove to be Guthrie's only Top 40 hit.
Good night, America, how are you?
Said don’t you know me? I’m your native son
Playlist track: “The City of New Orleans” – Arlo Guthrie
Funk and the birth of Disco
Funk music was experiencing a period of significant growth and influence this year, with artists pushing the boundaries of the genre and achieving commercial success. It was a time when funk, with its focus on rhythm and groove, was becoming increasingly popular and influencing other genres like soul and disco. Several funk songs achieved commercial success in 1972, including Lyn Collins' "Think (About It)", Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" and “Use Me”, and Curtis Mayfield's "Super Fly". Funk music also played a role in addressing social and political issues of the time, with artists like Mayfield using their music to explore themes of race, poverty, and social inequality.
Here are a few albums and songs that have stuck with me.
Album: All Directions - The Temptations
This album reached number 2 on the Billboard 200, making it the band's most successful non-collaborative album on the chart, and became their twelfth album to reach number one on the Top R&B Albums chart.
The LP features the #1 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", a twelve-minute cover of a Whitfield-produced Undisputed Truth single. "Papa" won three Grammy Awards in 1973 including Best R&B Performance by a Group.
According to group leader Otis Williams, the Temptations fought "tooth and nail" not to record "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". According to legend, lead singer Dennis Edwards didn't want to sing "Papa's" opening lines, because his father was a minister, "a good, steady, religious man", not a "rolling stone". Those 70s trademark funky guitars, horn solos, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and that driving bass along with the handclapping along with the various band member vocals simply make that song.
The group was certain that "Papa" and All Directions would flop, and that they would be back to singing ballads like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". Although the first single, "Mother Nature", charted at number 92 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart, "Papa" was a number one hit and is today one of the Temptations' signature songs.
The Temptations also recorded "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)", which was written in 1957 by British folk singer Ewan MacColl and became the #1 song of the year for Roberta Flack earlier that same year. The album also included the Edwin Starr cover "Funky Music Sho' 'Nuff Turns Me On", the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell cover "Love Woke Me Up This Morning", and "I Ain't Got Nothin'", a rare lead showcase for Otis Williams.
Playlist track: “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone” - The Temptations
Album: Back Stabbers - The O’Jays
There is something special to me with the Philly Soul flavor of Funk given I grew up in this area. I had a couple artists to choose from, and it was not an easy decision. Honorable mention to the Spinners with “I'll Be Around”, but I had to go with the O’Jays. This was a breakthrough album for this group led by Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and William Powell and recorded at the famous Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. This album reached the top 10 of the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and sold over 500K copies within a year of release. It also featured two of the O’Jays most successful singles, "Back Stabbers" and "Love Train". On September 1, the title track was certified as a gold single by the Recording Industry Association of America. It has gained the reputation as a landmark album of early 1970s soul and has been cited by critics as "the pinnacle of Philly soul.” In 2012, the album was ranked #318 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Most of the songs from the album were written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff who were a local songwriting and production duo credited for developing the “Philly sound” of the 1970s. In addition to forming their own label, Philadelphia International Records, Gamble and Huff have written and produced 175 gold and platinum records, earning them an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category in March 2008. While The O'Jays made their first chart appearance with the minor hit "Lonely Drifter" in 1963, they reached their greatest level of success once the producers Gamble & Huff signed them to their label this year.
The single and album closer “Love Train” became the O'Jays' first and only number one record on the US pop chart. The song has also been considered one of the first songs of disco music. Any song that topically mentions to “start a love train” and to “tell all the folks in Egypt and Israel too” were certainly on the lyrics ball for what was needed to be said at that time. And parts of it certainly still resonate today as well. Another song “992 Arguments” from this album also has some obvious elements of disco as well. The O'Jays on this album were experimenting with disco elements by incorporating heavier rhythms, funk elements, and lush arrangements into their music. That was also heard on side 2 tracks "Listen to the Clock on the Wall” and "Shiftless, Shady, Jealous Kind of People".
Playlist track: “Love Train” - O'Jays
Glam Rock
Glam rock this year really took off in the UK. Glam rock was a flamboyant genre of rock music characterized by its visual style and theatrical performances. Key figures like David Bowie, Mott the Hoople, T. Rex, and Slade played a major role in popularizing the genre, known for its androgynous fashion, catchy music, and theatrical stage presence. Glam rock was visually striking, with performers often wearing extravagant costumes and makeup with stage shows being highly theatrical, with elaborate light shows, costumes, and set design. From a sound point of view, this genre blended elements of hard rock, pop, and sometimes punk and heavy metal, creating a catchy, energetic sound.
From a glam rock point of view, there was really one album and artist that was going to top my list.
Album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - David Bowie
In 1983, my best friend and I went to the State Theatre in downtown Newark, DE to see this new movie he was anxious to see, and I was talked into, Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture. I was already a casual fan of David Bowie, but this movie was simply incredible to the teenager who had never seen Bowie in concert, and certainly didn’t know as much about this period back in the 1970’s as Ziggy. That night changed everything with my appreciation of David Bowie and his musical genius from those songs played live. It made quite the impression and is something I can still recall over 40 years later. Eleven years prior, David Bowie’s 5th album Ziggy Stardust was released and dare I say everything changed and his musical career would never be the same. As much as this album is a crowning achievement for Bowie, the stars on this were Bowie’s band the Spiders from Mars: composed of Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass) and Mick Woodmansey (drums). The album was recorded November 1971 to February 1972 at Trident Studios in London.
Described as a loose concept album and rock opera, Ziggy Stardust focuses on Bowie's alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous and bisexual rock star who is sent to Earth as a saviour before an impending apocalyptic disaster. In the story, Ziggy wins the hearts of fans but suffers a fall from grace after succumbing to his own ego. The character was inspired by numerous musicians, including English singer Vince Taylor, whom Bowie met after Taylor had a mental breakdown and believed himself to be a cross between a god and an alien. Most of the album's concept was developed after the songs were recorded. The glam rock and proto-punk musical styles were influenced by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed from The Velvet Underground, and Marc Bolan from glam rock band T. Rex. The lyrics explore the artificiality of rock music, political issues, drug use, sexuality, and stardom.
Ziggy Stardust reached top five of the UK Albums Chart and was preceded by the first single “Starman”. Critics responded favourably; some praised the musicality and concept while others struggled to comprehend it (I’m thinking of Rob here? ;-) ) . Shortly after its release, Bowie performed "Starman" on Britain's Top of the Pops in early July 1972, which propelled him to stardom. The Ziggy character was retained for the subsequent Ziggy Stardust Tour, and the rest as I saw 11 years later in the theatre, is history.
In later decades, Ziggy Stardust came to be regarded as Bowie's album masterpiece, appearing on numerous professional lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2017, this album was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress, being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The hits were amazing, and a re-listen this past week reminded me how well this album was tied together. The album begins with "Five Years"; where a news broadcast reveals that the Earth only has that amount of time left before it gets destroyed by an impending apocalyptic disaster. "Moonage Daydream" as the 3rd track directly introduces the character of Ziggy Stardust, after 2nd track "Soul Love" in which numerous characters deal with love before the impending disaster. "Moonage Daydream" has received critical acclaim, with many deeming Ronson's guitar work its clear standout. Retrospectively, it has been named one of Bowie's greatest songs. Bowie used several Americanisms on the original version of the song, most of them retained on the re-recording, using abbreviations such as "comin'", "'lectric" and "rock'n'rollin'", as well as phrases such as "busting up my brains", "lay the real thing on me", "freak out" and "far out". Ronson received numerous accolades for his playing on this song as well as rock classics like “Suffragette City” and “Hang On to Yourself”.
The title character song on side 2 “Ziggy Stardust” is its centerpiece for the character of Ziggy, presenting the rise and fall of the star in a very human-like manner. Musically, it is a glam rock song, like its parent album, and is based around a Ronson guitar riff. The song has received widespread acclaim from music critics, with the majority praising its story, guitar riff and the band's performance. The song has since been included on lists of Bowie's greatest songs, and by some as one of the greatest songs of all time. Rolling Stone ranked it number 282 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2010. The track is also one of four of Bowie's songs included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. All in all, the album is a tour-de-force and cemented David Bowie among the most influential performers of the 1970’s, and the decade was still pretty young, all things considered.
Playlist track: "Moonage Daydream" – David Bowie
Progressive Rock
1972 is often considered a peak year for progressive rock, with many prominent bands releasing critically acclaimed albums that defined the genre for generations. Bands like Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer released some of their most innovative, influential and enduring work. This year was a time when progressive rock was pushing musical boundaries, incorporating elements of classical music, jazz, and psychedelia.
From a progressive rock point of view, there is but one album that has been one of my all-time favourites, and I’m honored to highlight this below.
Progressive Rock Album: Close To The Edge - Yes
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen Yes live in concert. I first saw them in 1984, and have seen them through various lineup changes since then, including the classic Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe lineup in the late 1980’s. I saw this lineup of 4 of the 5 artists who originally recorded this album back in 1972 on 3 Aug 1989 in Philadelphia. It was one of the most memorable performances of the Yes members I have seen, and two of the three tracks from this album were performed that night. It was, for me, the title track that blew me away and one of my favourites of theirs of all time. When @Mancitydoogle noted he was unable to cover this year, the very first track that was already pre-determined for me was this one, and I’d have it no other way to nominate this from the first album of theirs I have loved from start to finish.
This was the final album that drummer Bill Bruford recorded with the band in the 1970s during their classic lineup. He left afterwards for the progressive rock band King Crimson. After scoring a critical and commercial hit with Fragile as covered on the 1971 playlist, Yes regrouped with producer and engineer Eddy Offord to record a follow-up. The album's centrepiece is the 18-minute side one title track, but more on that in a bit. Side two contains two non-conceptual tracks, the folk-inspired and concert classic "And You and I" and the comparatively straightforward rocker "Siberian Khatru". The album's cover, designed by Roger Dean, marked the debut of the band's "bubble" Yes logo.
This album became the band's greatest commercial success at the time of release, reaching No. 4 in the UK and No. 3 in the US, where it sold over one million copies.
It is the album title song that remains the centerpiece. Its 18-minute length marked the longest track Yes had recorded at the time. The track was written by Anderson and Howe, both of whom also share lyrical credits. Anderson gained initial inspiration from reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings while listening to Symphony Nos. 6 and 7 by Jean Sibelius, one of his favourite composers. The 7th symphony struck Anderson the most as he noticed that its main theme was introduced some time in the composition which influenced how "Close to the Edge" was shaped. He studied No. 7 and discussed his initial ideas with Howe. Howe devised the lyric "Close to the edge, round by the corner" later while working with Anderson, itself inspired when Howe had lived in Battersea, an area beside the River Thames. Anderson was inspired to base its theme and lyrics on the 1922 novel Siddhartha by German Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man during the time of the Gautama Buddha. The lyrics for the concluding verse were based on a dream Anderson once had about the "passing on from this world to another... yet feeling so fantastic about it that death never frightened me ever since".
I. The Solid Time of Change (0:00 - 6:04)
The song fades in with the sounds of running water, wind chimes, and birds chirping; a layering of sounds derived primarily from "environmental tapes" in a loop collected by Anderson. Anderson also suggested starting the track’s music with an improvised group jam, which the group saw as adventurous and is one of the reasons why the band comes in out of nowhere on the final take. The track was assembled in pieces throughout and parts of which were inspired after Yes toured with fusion group Mahavishnu Orchestra, with a fantastic track that was the Big Winner for me from our 1971 playlist.
The lyrics are introduced at 4:00, along with a chorus that repeats throughout the song.
Down at the edge, round by the corner ...
Close to the edge, down by a river
II. Total Mass Retain (6:04 - 8:27)
The song continues with generally the same melody and style, though Chris Squires’ bass part changes significantly. The chorus here changes to a faster pace, and then slows down again at the end of the section. The final words "I get up, I get down" introduce the next segment.
III. I Get Up I Get Down (8:27 - 14:12)
The song significantly slows its tempo and lowers its volume. This segment consists of two sets of vocals: the main vocals, sung by Anderson which contain most of the lyrics, and the pronounced and underrated backing vocals, sung by Squire and Howe. Anerson noted this part of song came about because Steve was playing these chords one day, and Jon started singing, 'Two million people barely satisfy.' It's about the incredible imbalance of the human experience on the planet.
Howe and Anderson were working on this section, and Steve volunteered he had this other song and started singing:
In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking
saying that she'd take the blame for the crucifixion of her own domain
At about 12 minutes into the song, Rick Wakeman, recorded on the pipe organ of London's St Giles-without-Cripplegate church, begins the main theme of this segment, which changes from a major to a minor key as the music progresses.
IV. Seasons of Man (14:12 - 18:43)
The original, fast-paced theme picks up followed by musical and lyrical structure which sounds similar to "The Solid Time of Change", except this time with exclusively major chords. Wakeman's organ parts are particularly complex. The chorus is sung one last time before the vocals build up to the climax of the song in which all three themes from the prior movements are presented. Afterwards, the final lyrics "I get up, I get down" are repeated as the song fades away into the "sounds of nature" in which it began.
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand
There’s you, the time, the logic or the reasons we don’t understand
Playlist track: "Close To The Edge" – Yes
Well, like a Yessong, I realize this intro was long, but I hope you enjoy the start of the 1972 playlist as it really was enjoyable re-discovering these songs and artists I love and remember quite fondly from both my childhood and later years. I left plenty of other artists and options for others to highlight, but I have a few key tracks in my pocket if they don’t make it for the end if needed.
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Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
Its another cracking year fully complimented by another cracking write up. I like your choices, a nice mix between iconic albums and others and a good mix of genres as well. Close to the Edge is an amazing track. I heard it first on a friends 'portable' tape deck (remember them). Despite the fact it played it at the lowest of low-fi it was mind blowing. There are many other albums for us to go at. My first nomination is an obvious one for me. Foxtrot by Genesis was released, the second album with the iconic and best line up. I can still remember buying the album and sticking 'watcher' on my dads hi-fi and being completely transfixed. There isn't a bad track on the album but despite its length (maybe needs to be separated from CTTE), Suppers Ready is the obvious choice. Still my favourite prog rock track of all time, its Gabriel's dream journey. Sadly since I'm deaf in one ear, I can no longer hear the music swing from left channel to right as he sings mum, to mad, to dad... :-).
Full of ideas and passage changes the band were never better.
Genesis/Foxtrot - Suppers Ready
Resurrection Joe...
Well-Known Member
awwww man, 'I saw the Light' by TR is one of my all time greats!!
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
There were just too many greats to choose from. Love that as well, but I had to go to the one that hit me first. There will be plenty of room for both once done?
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
Great write-up again, incredibly comprehensive and and a lot of leftfield selections.
I know the lyrics:-
Good night, America, how are you?
Said don’t you know me? I’m your native son
But I couldn't have told you who they were by or when I heard them, so it will be good to listen to the song properly.
Anyway, all of those selections leave it wide open for me to add a handful of classics:-
"Do It Again" - Steely Dan
The first song on their debut album. A glorious piece of jazz-rock with some delicious instrumental passages.
"Superstitious" - Stevie Wonder
For years I always claimed that I only liked one SW song - and this was it. Impossible not to move your feet to and an all-time classic riff played on the clavinet.
"Just Got Paid" - ZZ Top
ZZ Top getting ready for the big time with a superb slice of Texas rock.
"Smoke On The Water" - Deep Purple
The song about the fire at the Montreux Casino on the Lake Geneva shoreline features one of the most iconic guitar riffs of all time. Top 10? Top 5? The best? Answers on a postcard
Really_here
Well-Known Member
Great write-up, congratulations and thank you for a good read.
My album of the year has to be Transformer by Lou Reed, I could probably write down the lyrics today if pushed!
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
John Fogerty can have Centerfield, because I'll take Leftfield any day! ;-)
I enjoyed researching the non-obvious songs more than I thought I would.
I honestly didn't know that backstory before this week, but it was so fascinating how that cover came about, I had to include it. That song was a childhood gem I loved, and I'm glad to fill in "the rest of the story" about how it all came about.
I'm glad you got some of yours in that I couldn't fit, but I also enjoy, especially Stevie and ZZ.
Resurrection Joe...
Well-Known Member
Gonna throw a bit of reggae/ Hammomd Groove in here...the keyboard king of Studio 1...
'Ghetto Organ' Jackie Mittoo. From the Studio 1 album 'Macka Fat' 1972.
'Ghetto Organ' Jackie Mittoo. From the Studio 1 album 'Macka Fat' 1972.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Gilbert O’Sullivan Alone Again?
I can’t believe you didn’t go for Ooh Wacka-doo-wacka-Day.
Alone again was released in ‘72 on the Himself album in the US, which was released in ‘71 on this side of the Atlantic, without it.
Himself, is a much less cheesey album and had the excellent’’Nothing Rhymed’.
Anyway, I digress and must get my thinking cap on for ‘72.
I know my obvious choice would be a certain live album, but I’ll try and come up with something less obvious from me.
mancity111
Well-Known Member
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Great stuff , no doubt about it , you stole my thunder a little with Harvest but little wonder its in my top 20 albums of all time and the first album I bought in the year it came out remembering we were well behind the eight ball in OZ when it came to timely distribution back in the seventies.
It's way too good an album and a game changer for what was to come not to have a second track in the playlist.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Must admit, I haven’t played Close To The Edge, In decades.
It’s on at the moment and it’s great to go back in time.
Loved that album so much as a teenager.
It’s on at the moment and it’s great to go back in time.
Loved that album so much as a teenager.
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
Well-Known Member
LOL - you're just lucky I didn't put two from Yes on already. ;-)
Tough calls, but after relistens, I'd argue for 4 from Harvest and Ziggy overall minimum!
Plus, I want to hear the backstory on the songs that resonated the most with you and others that heard it when it initially came out. The preschool me did not.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Ok.
I’ve come to the conclusion that this whole album should be included in the 1972 playlist, but I have to pick one song.
I’m tempted to go with, Blue Sky, for the forum we’re on, or Melissa, for the hauntingly beautiful guitar,…….
But, I ain’t wasting time no more.
Because I want, Trouble no more……
The album: Eat a Peach.
Group: The Allman Bros.
Song: One Way Out.
I’ve come to the conclusion that this whole album should be included in the 1972 playlist, but I have to pick one song.
I’m tempted to go with, Blue Sky, for the forum we’re on, or Melissa, for the hauntingly beautiful guitar,…….
But, I ain’t wasting time no more.
Because I want, Trouble no more……
The album: Eat a Peach.
Group: The Allman Bros.
Song: One Way Out.