Pop Time Machine

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN • CLIFF RICHARD • SUDDENLY • 1980 “Suddenly” is a duet performed by Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard from the soundtrack “Xanadu,” and is the love theme from the 1980 film of the same name. “Suddenly” peaked at # 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, 46 years ago. The record also reached # 4 on the US Adult Contemporary Chart. #olivianewtonjohn #cliffrichard #suddenly xanadu 80spop 80sfilms

ABBA • TAKE A CHANCE ON ME • 1978 (This Month PopTimeMachine continues to hang out in the amazing year 1978. This is Entry #12) “Take a Chance on Me” is a song by Swedish supergroup ABBA, released in January 1978 as the second single from their fifth studio album, “ABBA: The Album” (1977). Agnetha Fältskog (sometimes called “Anna” for simplicity), and Anni-Frid Lyngstad share the lead vocals on the verses and choruses, with Fältskog singing two bridge sections solo. CHART SUCCESS “Take a Chance on Me” proved to be one of ABBA’s most successful chart hits. In the United States it reached number three and was certified gold for one million sales. It became the group’s seventh UK number one (and third consecutive chart-topper in the country after “Knowing Me, Knowing You” and “The Name of the Game”). RECEPTION OF CRITICS * Billboard magazine described “Take a Chance on Me” as “one of [ABBA’s] most busy, fast paced productions.” * Cash Box said that the vocals “are intricately arranged to produce a wall of sound.” * Record World called it a “pleasing tune, very well arranged” with “one of pop’s most captivating acappella openings since Blue Swede tackled ‘Hooked on a Feeling.’” * In 2017, Billboard ranked the song number two on their list of the 15 greatest ABBA songs. BACKGROUND OF THE SONG The song’s origins sprang from Ulvaeus, a keen runner, who would repeat a “tck-a-ch”-style rhythm to pace himself. This evolved into “take-a-chance” and the eventual lyrics. Roger Palm, the drummer on the track, described the song as “ABBA at their most energetic and forceful.” #abba #takeachanceonme #70spop #swedishpop

ROBERT DUVALL • LEFT US YESTERDAY AT 95 My favorite actor of all time — Robert Duvall, has ended his journey on this earth. At age 95. Hollywood icon Robert Duvall has died ... the actor passed away at his home Sunday at the age of 95, according to his wife. In a Monday morning Facebook post, Robert’s wife Luciana wrote ... “Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort.” She added ... “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented.” In a career that spanned 7 decades, Robert had iconic roles in films such as “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now,” “The Godfather Part II,” “The Conversation,” “Network,” and “The Natural” ... among a myriad of others. Robert won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a former country music star in the 1983 classic “Tender Mercies.” (Source: TMZ) #robertduvall #thegodfather #apocalypsenow #thegreatsantini #thejudge

10CC • THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE • 1977 On January 2nd 1977, “The Things We Do For Love” by 10CC entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart; and on April 10th, 1977 it peaked at #5 (for 2 weeks) and spent 19 weeks on the chart ... 10cc is an acclaimed English art-rock band formed in 1972, celebrated for their sophisticated songwriting, complex vocal harmonies, and clever, satirical lyrics. They are best known for their 1975 global number-one hit, “I’m Not In Love,” and other classics like “The Things We Do For Love.” Meaning of the Song The track ‘The Things We Do For Love’ by 10cc delves into the sacrifices and compromises made in the name of love. It portrays scenarios where individuals go to great lengths, endure hardships, and make concessions to maintain relationships, emphasizing the delicate balance between love, and the challenges it brings. —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #10cc #thethingswedoforlove #70spop

ELO • MR BLUE SKY • 1977 “Mr. Blue Sky” is a 1977 hit song by the English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), widely recognized as their signature track. Written by frontman Jeff Lynne in the Swiss Alps, it is a famously upbeat, mood-boosting anthem that blends rock, classical arrangements, and a heavily synthesized robotic voice. Today, the track is widely considered to be ELO’s signature song, but the song itself only ever reached the number six spot on the U.K. Singles chart and 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. So what is it about this song that has allowed it to persist in popular culture with immense amounts of fondness from its listeners? Much has been written about that, but the best answer is to listen for yourself. The answer is there. The Inspiration: Jeff Lynne wrote the song while staying at a mountain chalet in Switzerland. After four days of misty, gloomy weather, the clouds parted to reveal a massive, breathtaking blue sky, which inspired him to write a track celebrating the weather. ELO sold over 50 million albums in 11 years. They accumulated twenty-seven top 40 songs on the UK Singles Chart, and fifteen top 20 songs on the US Billboard Hot 100. ELO is an English rock band, the brainchild of Jeff Lynne, formed in 1970, out of Birmingham. Lynne was a major Beatles fan, and as you will see, the influence of The Beatles on this band is unmistakable. His goal was the fusion of contemporary rock and pop music together with a backdrop of classical overtones. Examples of his vision might be the Beatles’ songs, Yesterday and Eleanor Rigby, which were recorded with only acoustic guitar and a classical string quartet. This fusion of sounds and genres emerged in the mid 1960s, and some have referred to it as “Baroque Pop.” —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #elo #mrbluesky #70spop #baroquepop

60 YEARS AGO TODAY • BEACH BOYS • PET SOUNDS • MAY 16, 1966 1966 was a radical year in pop music. Four of the most iconic albums in rock ‘n’ roll history made their debuts in 1966: (1) The Beatles’ “Revolver,” (not to mention the Beatles “Rubber Soul” which was released right at the end of 1965), (2) The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” (3) Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” and (4) The Doors’ self-titled LP. Each album would go on to influence countless artists for decades to come. And they would shift the rock ‘n’ roll landscape (for better or worse) from the feel-good tunes of the late-‘50s and early-‘60s, to the counter-culture classics that defined the era to come. The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” was released on May 16, 1966 — 60 years ago today. Why is Pet Sounds so important? Quite simply, Pet Sounds ushered in a new approach to album making that revolutionized popular music. It was shaped by the musical sensibilities of songwriter/producer Brian Wilson, whose collection of carefully crafted pocket pop symphonies was unlike anything the Beach Boys – or any band for that matter – had done before. It brought about seismic changes to the landscape of pop music with its unusual sonics, novel textures, and structural innovations. (udiscovermusic.com) #beachboys #petsounds #60spop

ABBA • THE NAME OF THE GAME • 1977 ABBA’s “The Name of the Game” was a major international hit in late 1977, topping the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and hitting the top 10 in numerous countries, including Australia, Germany, and Sweden. It peaked at No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100, just missing the top 10. * UK Singles Chart: Entered at No. 20, rising to No. 5 before taking the No. 1 spot for four weeks starting in November 1977. * US Billboard Hot 100: Peaked at No. 12. * Global Impact: Reached the top 10 in Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Australia (peaking at #6). * Certifications: Certified Gold in the UK for over 500,000 units sold. * Album: Served as the lead single for ABBA: The Album. If “Knowing Me, Knowing You” was a tragic look at the end of love, “The Name of the Game” is a tentative sign of a blossoming new romance. Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyngstad are singing from the point of view of an ‘impossible case’ wondering whether she can let a new man into her heart. They’ve seen each other twice within a week and she can already feel her defences dropping. So what is the name of the game? Is it love, or is he messing her about? (everyuknumber1.com). #abba #thenameofthegame #70spop

YVONNE ELLIMAN • IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU • 1977 YOU NEED MORE MUSIC FROM 1977! (PopTimeMachine this month is doing a survey of the transitional music year 1977. Today is Entry #2) “If I Can’t Have You,” famously a 1977-78 hit for Yvonne Elliman from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, was written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. Though the Bee Gees also recorded a version, it was originally intended for and famously performed by Elliman. Yvonne Elliman’s rendition hit #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on May 14, 1978. The record held the top spot for one week, replacing the Bee Gees’ own hit “Night Fever.” Kim Wilde also released a cover of the song later in 1993, which became a Top Ten hit in the UK. —————— MORE ABOUT YVONNE ELLIMAN Yvonne Elliman was an experienced artist by the time Saturday Night Fever came along. She had spent several years in the touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar and had been in Eric Clapton’s backing band for a while. There were even a couple of US Top 20 hits under her own name in the mid-1970s. But nothing in her career up to that point would have prepared her for the phenomenal success of “If I Can’t Have You” — a 1977-78 Number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and a Top 5 UK hit the same year. Ironically, it wasn’t even the song she had been taken on to sing for Saturday Night Fever. At first, Yvonne Elliman was lined up for “How Deep Is Your Love,” but the Bee Gee’s manager felt that would be a better song for them and swapped Yvonne Elliman onto “If I Can’t Have You” instead. Which was an excellent decision on his part, of course, as the Bee Gees took “How Deep Is Your Love” to the top of pretty much every pop chart around the world. It has since gone on to become one of the Gibb Brothers’ signature songs. (Source: nowordsnosong.medium.com). —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #yvonneelliman #beegees #ificanthaveyou 70spop saturdaynightfever

MORE THAN A WOMAN • BEE GEES • 1977 YOU NEED MORE MUSIC FROM 1977! (PopTimeMachine recently finished our tour through the year 1987. Next up: a survey of the transitional music year 1977. Today is Entry #1) “More Than a Woman” by the Bee Gees did not chart as a major commercial single in the US or UK upon its 1977 release, as it was not officially released as a single. Instead, it was a massive album track and radio staple from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which topped charts worldwide and sold over 40 million copies. Writing and producing nine of their own No. 1 hits, dozens of Top 40 hits, and earning five Grammy Awards, the Bee Gees’ Barry, Robin (1949-2012), and Maurice Gibb (1949-2003) also composed a majority of the music for the 1978 John Travolta-starred musical drama “Saturday Night Fever,” including the head-over-heels, love song “More Than a Woman.” The Meaning A direct love letter to a special woman, “More Than a Woman” begins with an unusual twist. The woman in the song is someone that the narrator apparently knew for a long time but never considered in a romantic way until they were both much older. Saturday Night Fever The Bee Gees wrote and performed a majority of the songs featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, including their classic hits—”Stayin’ Alive,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “If I Can’t Have You” (performed by Yvonne Elliman for the film), which all reached No. 1 on the charts, along with top 10 hits “Jive Talkin’” and “You Should Be Dancing.” (Source: americansongwriter.com). —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #beegees #morethanawoman #saturdaynightfever #70spop 70sdisco

HALL & OATES • PRIVATE EYES • 1981 Hall and Oates have sold an estimated 80 million records, making them the most successful duo in rock history. They have scored 10 number one records on various charts, over 20 Top 40 hits, and have toured the world for decades. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2016. American pop-rock duo Daryl Hall & John Oates released the hit song and album "Private Eyes" on September 1, 1981. The song was their third #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for two weeks. It was released through RCA Records. Which of these Hall & Oates songs is nostalgic for you? Which is your fav? 1. Rich Girl (1977) • Charted No. 1 2. Private Eyes (1981) • Charted No. 1 3. I Can’t Go For That (1981) • Charted No. 1 4. Maneater (1982) • Charted No. 1 5. One On One (1983) • Charted No. 7 6. Say it Isn’t So (1983) • Charted No. 2 7. Out of Touch (1984) • Charted No. 1 —————— MORE STATS The duo reached the US Top 40 with 29 of their 33 singles charting on Billboard’s Hot 100 between 1974 and 1991. Six of these peaked at number one: “Rich Girl” (1977), “Kiss on My List” (1980), the two 1981 releases “Private Eyes,” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater” (1982) and “Out of Touch” (1984). Seven of their albums have been certified platinum and six of them gold. —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #hallandoates #privateeyes #80spop

KENNY G • SONGBIRD • 1987 “Songbird” (1987) was a massive, career-defining smash for Kenny G, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first instrumental in years to crack the top 5. It propelled his album “Duotones” to 5x Platinum status and cemented his status as a premier smooth jazz artist. The 1987 hit made Kenny G a household name and was heavily rotated on VH1. Reaching No. 4 on the charts, it became one of the biggest pop instrumental hits of the 1980s. The success of “Songbird” was so great, it was considered a “smooth jazz masterpiece” and established Kenny G as the best-selling instrumental musician of the modern era. —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #kennyg #songbird #smoothjazz #80spop

THE OLD FOLKS • THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW The “Old Folks” on The Carol Burnett Show were Molly and Bert, a recurring sketch featuring Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman. These sketches are famous for the duo breaking character and laughing during live takes, a feat often described as unscripted magic. They appeared on the show regularly beginning in 1972. —————— Disclaimer: We do not own rights to the audio/video. All credit to original artists — used here for promotional purposes only. #carolburnettshow #theoldfolks #70spop