I'm turning 50 this summer and so many of these albums were in my parents' record collection, to form the soundtrack of those early years. The thought and effort you put into this post is remarkable and much appreciated.
Outstanding post! Regarding Paul Simon:I remember 13 year-old me listening to "50 Ways" on NYC Top 40 giant WABC and thinking " My goodness, that man sounds sad.Is that what it's like to be an adult?" I know the song is meant to be a bit of a raucous trifle, but I always hear it dripping with melancholy. Maybe it's the drums ...
Agreed, but I chalk it up to the chord progression during the verses - they set a very melancholy mood. The resignation and acceptance in his voice make the song even sadder.
Your album list is very well-rounded indeed! I'd suggest only two additions: The Who By Numbers and Gordon Lightfoot's Cold On the Shoulder. Thank you!
Yes! On both counts! Fun aside: Freddy "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" Fender did a cover of "Squeeze Box" that I'd spin on the air now and then back in the day.
I had no idea about Gary Stewart. It’s also wild that so much happened in 1975. What a year! I was also a big K-tel fan and remember begging my mom to let me order them through the mail.
Thanks for the mixtape, also. This is going to get me through my Saturday chores.
'Hissing' was in an earlier, longer draft, but I decided to limit it to my favorite 25, hence all the honorable mentions and the playlist (mixtape). Dig down into the 75-song playlist, and the title track is there.
I was six in 1975, and my uncle gave me my first rock and roll album (which was also released in 1975), 'Kiss Alive!' From the moment I set my eyes on its front cover, it blew my head off and catapulted me onto a runaway rock and roll train. Not long after receiving that Kiss album, I would discover Aerosmith, UFO, Grand Funk Railroad, and Led Zeppelin.
I don't listen to Kiss these days, but that Meters album is, as it says on the label, absolute fire! 🔥
Oh, and I remember the effect Jaws had on me. Even when swimming in a pool, my active imagination made me look under to ensure no shark was lurking below!
KISS was my first favorite band because of my exposure to them from that K-Tell album. That ended pretty abruptly when I saw "Kiss Meets the Phanton" a couple of years later. I could tell it was dreadful even back then!
Funny Jaws story:
I was 7 years old, and mom and dad took me to see a Disney movie about a donkey that kicked a football (easily entertained, I guess) named 'Gus.' The big movie that summer was Jaws 2, and they had a huge movie poster of it right as you went into the theater. I was TERRIFIED of Jaws. I thought we were going to see that. Mom said, "No, that’s just a poster. It’s not showing yet. We’re going to see 'Gus.'"
Well, we go inside, the trailers have already started, and all I see is deep blue on the screen. I hear that familiar two-note dirge, and the voice of the great Percy Rodriguez ominously intones, “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”
Let me tell you: I turned around, screamed, and about ran over my parents as I headed back to the lobby. I thought they were evil and were FORCING me to see that damn movie. I saw neither Jaws nor Jaws 2 until I was in my teens. I ended up loving both, while I hardly remember Gus at all.
Yeah, that Kiss film was SO bad! But it was just one of several bad career moves the band made in their lust for the dollar. I saw Jaws 2 and Jaws 3 at the cinema. I can't remember which of the two had the shark following the helicopter, but that was a moment when I realized it had become corny.
I remember Jaws 2 was surprisingly good for a sequel, but yes, Jaws 3 (originally in "3-D") was awful!
Oh, yes, Gene and Paul will keep the Kiss thing alive for as long as they are, I'm sure...and beyond. Their kids may be cashing in on hologram Kiss tours in the future.
I'm turning 50 this summer and so many of these albums were in my parents' record collection, to form the soundtrack of those early years. The thought and effort you put into this post is remarkable and much appreciated.
Thanks for reading and the kind words - and happy early birthday!
Love it. Man when “A Night at the Opera” is an honorable mention…
Great to see Gary Stewart appreciated. Last week a pal compiled a1976 Spotify playlist and I insisted he add Quits.
Oh, absolutely!
Outstanding post! Regarding Paul Simon:I remember 13 year-old me listening to "50 Ways" on NYC Top 40 giant WABC and thinking " My goodness, that man sounds sad.Is that what it's like to be an adult?" I know the song is meant to be a bit of a raucous trifle, but I always hear it dripping with melancholy. Maybe it's the drums ...
Agreed, but I chalk it up to the chord progression during the verses - they set a very melancholy mood. The resignation and acceptance in his voice make the song even sadder.
Well done piece. I’d add the Spinners’ Pick of the Litter & the Albums list. Top songs and production by Thom Bell.
Yes! It could've been a hundred songs and then some!
Your album list is very well-rounded indeed! I'd suggest only two additions: The Who By Numbers and Gordon Lightfoot's Cold On the Shoulder. Thank you!
Yes! On both counts! Fun aside: Freddy "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" Fender did a cover of "Squeeze Box" that I'd spin on the air now and then back in the day.
I had no idea about Gary Stewart. It’s also wild that so much happened in 1975. What a year! I was also a big K-tel fan and remember begging my mom to let me order them through the mail.
Thanks for the mixtape, also. This is going to get me through my Saturday chores.
Old white dude here. Just have to say that you nailed it. I might also offer, Joni Mitchell‘s “hissing of the summer lawns”.
'Hissing' was in an earlier, longer draft, but I decided to limit it to my favorite 25, hence all the honorable mentions and the playlist (mixtape). Dig down into the 75-song playlist, and the title track is there.
Thanks for reading and subscribing, Andrew!
Graduated high school spring. Worked the wheat harvest summer. Started college fall. This was the soundtrack of that life
Man oh man, that's a nice piece of writing, a great list, and a tribute to that era in music.
I am _here_ for the Guy Clark appreciation, but I could say the same for about 10 other artists on the list.
Very cool selections. Selfishly I wish you had given an Honorable Mention to Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack (another pair of Jaws)
Ooooo, of course! I finally saw Rocky Horror years later (and several times) at the Rialto in Raleigh, where bedlam ensued every time it showed.
The Ktel and Gary Stewart for sure!!
I was six in 1975, and my uncle gave me my first rock and roll album (which was also released in 1975), 'Kiss Alive!' From the moment I set my eyes on its front cover, it blew my head off and catapulted me onto a runaway rock and roll train. Not long after receiving that Kiss album, I would discover Aerosmith, UFO, Grand Funk Railroad, and Led Zeppelin.
I don't listen to Kiss these days, but that Meters album is, as it says on the label, absolute fire! 🔥
Oh, and I remember the effect Jaws had on me. Even when swimming in a pool, my active imagination made me look under to ensure no shark was lurking below!
KISS was my first favorite band because of my exposure to them from that K-Tell album. That ended pretty abruptly when I saw "Kiss Meets the Phanton" a couple of years later. I could tell it was dreadful even back then!
Funny Jaws story:
I was 7 years old, and mom and dad took me to see a Disney movie about a donkey that kicked a football (easily entertained, I guess) named 'Gus.' The big movie that summer was Jaws 2, and they had a huge movie poster of it right as you went into the theater. I was TERRIFIED of Jaws. I thought we were going to see that. Mom said, "No, that’s just a poster. It’s not showing yet. We’re going to see 'Gus.'"
Well, we go inside, the trailers have already started, and all I see is deep blue on the screen. I hear that familiar two-note dirge, and the voice of the great Percy Rodriguez ominously intones, “Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…”
Let me tell you: I turned around, screamed, and about ran over my parents as I headed back to the lobby. I thought they were evil and were FORCING me to see that damn movie. I saw neither Jaws nor Jaws 2 until I was in my teens. I ended up loving both, while I hardly remember Gus at all.
Yeah, that Kiss film was SO bad! But it was just one of several bad career moves the band made in their lust for the dollar. I saw Jaws 2 and Jaws 3 at the cinema. I can't remember which of the two had the shark following the helicopter, but that was a moment when I realized it had become corny.
I don't remember 'Gus' at all!
I remember Jaws 2 was surprisingly good for a sequel, but yes, Jaws 3 (originally in "3-D") was awful!
Oh, yes, Gene and Paul will keep the Kiss thing alive for as long as they are, I'm sure...and beyond. Their kids may be cashing in on hologram Kiss tours in the future.
Love that Guy Clark album.
Great list. Thanks for the thumbnails on each album. More gems added to my record store wish list.
Thanks Michael, This brought back some memories.