Saturday, September 1, 2012

A Trip Down Saccharine Lane

I saw the title of the latest Listography from Kate Takes 5 (click on the link to read the other entries) and I knew my evening was shot. Who could resist finding five songs that you grew up to? Not me. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best year for pop music was 1976. If you read the list of hits from that year it's winner after memorable winner. So it's back to my tweens and early teens for a little trip down Saccharine Lane.

1. My first choice from 1976, of course, is the theme tune from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?) sung by Diana Ross. I've already written a whole post about being 14 years old and in love with myself, full of hope for the future, etc...,etc... Read it and listen to it here. It'll take you back to those innocent years of open doors and unburnt bridges.

2. A collection of three songs (I know I'm cheating a bit) featured in this post about Songs I Have Loved:

Georgy Girl by The Seekers (my Dad's favourite group) from the 1960s. I loved the film too. Click on Songs I Have Loved and see a very young Lynn Redgrave having a bad hair day. My personal memory is of eating lamb chops and mashed potato for lunch and hearing this track whilst waiting for Listen With Mother on the radio. I also remember dancing around the house singing it without any clue as to what it meant.

The other two are both from 1976 (also in Songs I Have Loved with videos) Both songs that almost define the 1970s. The decade I needed to have long straight hair with a centre parting like Marcia Brady but never quite managed it. The only other must have was a flat stomach above my hipster stonewashed jeans. Oh, and more than one pair of Kickers.

3. Anything by Neil Diamond. When Love At The Greek came out in 1977 after his concert at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (in 1976 of course) - I was in love. I only had 20 Golden Greats at home but used to put on the tape next to my bed and end each day with Neil (just the two of us). Here is Beautiful Noise for you.



4. Other childhood loves included all the Davids: David Essex (he didn't look anything like he looks in Eastenders, honestly), David Soul (from Starsky and Hutch), David Dundas (Jeans On), and David Cassidy (obviously - I was a tweenager in the 1970s so it would have been odd not to). I Think I Love You. I think I saw the original episode of The Partridge Family in 1970.




5. Aw poor Karen Carpenter. Possibly the best female voice pop music has ever known. :(



With apologies to ABBA - I still listen to you as I wash my floors but they only allow 5 items in Listography. And thanks to Kate  - not (I actually had things to do this evening.)

20 comments:

  1. I do love the Carpenters. And I know what you mean about Kate... I was certainly not planning to be blogging today but this was such a tempting linky!

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  2. I had to write them up immediately too and then spent the rest of the day organising playlists! x

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    1. LOL - I hope you get more real stuff done today.

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  3. Oh 1976 how I miss you! Late as usual but I'm doing up my list now and that year *may* also feature!

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    1. 1976 may have been the last year I did cartwheels and backflips. Looking forward to your list. :)

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  4. Brilliant choices. I have the Neil Diamond on my itunes - proper sing a long.
    I remember the Partridge family!

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  5. These lists have been great! Except I'm now thinking of re-doing mine! How could I have forgotten Abba?!

    Have just subscribed to your blog and am going to read through with a cuppa!

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    1. Thanks Magatha I hope you enjoy it. I think ABBA are so big they are onmipresent in any musical event from the 1970s/80s.

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  6. Some of those take me back! My big sister had loads of Carpenters tapes and I used to pretend I was Karen Carpenter!

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  7. Wow quite a list. I'm not sure I would have admitted your David love if I was you though!

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    1. It was so so so long ago I think the statute of limitations has run out.

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  8. I had to look up most of these as before my time. Have heard of them all, but not so familiar with their songs. Thanks for reminding me about the brilliant but tragic Karen Carpenter...

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    1. I'm experiencing the same thing with some of the younger bloggers - especially as I've been out of the UK for so long.

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  9. I love, love, love the Carpenters and was so sad when Karen passed away! My favourite is rainy days and mondays

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    1. Me too. My favourite is Can't Smile Without You but I wanted an upbeat, happy track for Karen.

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  10. I just found this via Kate's linky. Great list! I also, was deeply, DEEPLY in love with Neil Diamond. And I love that you chose one of his cheesier ones, I love that song too! (also, Longfellow Serenade)

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    1. I don't know Longfellow Serenade - I'll have to youtube it. Thanks for commenting.

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