Category: 70’s

Bonnie Tyler – It’s a Heartache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPOy7TPjfkE

“It’s a Heartache” is a country rock song that was recorded separately by Bonnie Tyler and Juice Newton in 1977. Tyler’s version charted in the UK in November 1977, Newton’s charted in Mexico in 1977, and both versions charted in the United States in 1978. The song was also recorded by Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes in 1978, but it was not a hit. Authorship is credited to Ronnie Scott & Steve Wolfe, who became Tyler’s managers, songwriters, and producers when they saw her in Wales in 1976.

Lou Reed – Perfect Day

“Perfect Day” is a song written by Lou Reed in 1972, originally featured on Transformer, Reed’s second post-Velvet Underground solo album, and then as the B-side of his major hit, “Walk on the Wild Side”. Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting, and after a star-studded version was released as a BBC charity single in 1997, which became the UK’s number one single for three weeks. Reed re-recorded the song for his 2003 album The Raven.

John Denver – Country Roads

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” (or simply “Country Roads”) is a song written by John Denver, Taffy Nivert, and Bill Danoff and initially recorded by John Denver. It was included on his 1971 breakout album Poems, Prayers and Promises; the single went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, topped only by “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” by The Bee Gees. It became one of John Denver’s most popular and world-wide beloved songs, and is still very popular around the world, considered to be John Denver’s own signature song. It also has a prominent status as an iconic symbol of West Virginia; for example, it was played at the funeral memorial for U.S. Senator Robert Byrd in July 2010.

Elton John – Rocket Man (live version)

“Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and originally performed by John. The song echoes the theme of David Bowie’s 1969 song “Space Oddity” (both recordings were produced by Gus Dudgeon), but according to an account in Elizabeth Rosenthal’s book His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John, the song was inspired by Taupin’s sighting of either a shooting star or a distant airplane. The account goes on to relate that the notion of astronauts no longer being perceived as heroes, but in fact as an “everyday occupation” led him to the song’s opening lines, “She packed my bags last night, pre-flight. Zero hour: 9 a.m. And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then.”

The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin’

“Long Train Runnin'” (or “Long Train Running”) is a song written by musician Tom Johnston and recorded by The Doobie Brothers. It was included on the band’s 1973 album The Captain and Me and released as a single, becoming a top-ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 8. This song became very famous for its intro with the guitar.