The song of the month for January 1972
Let’s Stay Together by Al Green (peak chart position: No.7)
Perhaps immortalised from its inclusion on the ‘Pulp Fiction’ movie, Al Green’s magnificent love song, decorated by an excellent horns section, deservedly climbed to the top of the tree in the Billboard singles list. British record-buyers were slightly less appreciative, but few observers and listeners three decades later can argue that this is perhaps the greatest soul recording to emerge from North America in the 1970s.
The song of the month for February 1972
Without You by Nilsson (peak chart position: No.1)
This tearjerker is steeped in tragedy.The composer, Pete Ham (from the group Badfinger) took his own life a few years later, whilst the singer Harry Nilsson also died rather prematurely in the mid-1990s after his hard living caught up with him. Nevertheless, this ‘bad luck charm’ proved to be one of the most successful sad songs of all time, as it proceeded to sit on the top perch of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
The song of the month for March 1972
Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple (peak chart position: No.21 in 1977)
This album track from the newly-released ‘Machine Head’ never featured prominently in the hit parade, but it unquestionably rates as one of the great rock songs of the twentieth century. Recounting the story of their appearance at Montreux where the casino was wrecked by a fire, Deep Purple treat the listener to one of the greatest instrumental breaks in popular music as well as a memorable intro. Some songs are just too good for the charts, and this rock milestone was clearly one of them.
The song of the month for April 1972
Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (peak chart position: No.1)
It was certainly one of the most unexpected of chart-toppers, but an instrumental version of the Christian hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’, dominated the British hit parade throughout the spring of 1972. Five weeks at Number One and a mere 27 weeks on the singles chart tells its own story. Long before the likes of the Bay City Rollers and Rod Stewart popularized tartan fashion, the Pipes And Drums Of The Military Band Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards got there first!
The song of the month for May 1972
Happy by The Rolling Stones (album track)
After the critical success of ‘Sticky Fingers’, the Fab Five delivered an hour of music in a similarly murky vein that would comprise the ‘Exile On Main St.’ album. Whilst many of the songs were a bit seedy, there were a few rays of light. One such item was ‘Happy’ in which Keef has another bash at lead vocals, having previously sang ‘You Got The Silver’ on the ‘Let It Bleed’ project. Richards was singing “I need your love to keep me happy”, but if this was directed at his partner, Anita Pallenberg, it would be closer to the truth to suggest that they had a mutual suicide pact, given their dangerous flirtation with hard drugs.
The song of the month for June 1972
American Trilogy by Elvis Presley (peak chart position: No.8)
As the 1970s unfolded, the behaviour and performances of Elvis Presley became increasingly erratic. However, what was good was exceptionally good. The King’s rendition of an ‘American Trilogy’ simply takes the breath away and helps to explain why this ‘has-been’ remained one of the greatest live attractions. Sourcing ‘Dixieland’, ‘All My Trials’, and ‘The Battle Hymn Of The Republic’, Elvis sings straight from the depths of his soul. Only the coldest heart could fail to be moved or impressed by four and a half minutes of this emotional piece.
The song of the month for July 1972
All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople (peak chart position: No.3)
Flavour of the month David Bowie stepped in to rescue the flagging career of Mott The Hoople by offering a composition of his own which he then produced for the combo. Not content with this, he weighed in with backing vocals. The group for their part rose to the challenge with a landmark rock song which opens wonderfully and goes from strength to strength, culminating in a formidable arms-swaying outro, during which Ian Hunter ad-libs “Hey you with the glasses/ I want you/ I want you up at the front.” They just don’t make them like this anymore.
The song of the month for August 1972
Virginia Plain by Roxy Music (peak chart position: No.4)
Former teacher Bryan Ferry joined forces all too briefly with Brian Eno as their new combo Roxy Music were at the forefront of art rock. The new act hit the ground running with the marvel that was ‘Virginia Plain’ which ought to be short-listed for the best debut single of all time. The song possesses a plethora of amusing lyrics featuring “you’re so chic/teenage rebel of the week” with references to flamingoes, a studebaker, and a rollercoaster ride. What a pity that Eno subsequently jumped ship, but the rest of the crew coped more than adequately in his subsequent absence.
The song of the month for September 1972
Mouldy Old Dough by Lieutenant Pigeon (peak chart position: No.1)
British record-purchasers have always been logic-defying suckers for novelty records, and good old Lieutenant Pigeon stepped forth with the mother of all novelty singles. Featuring a marching drum,a flute, and a fabulous piano contribution, this home-made recording stomped to the top of the UK charts. It was the kind of record that would have driven music critics to distraction, but I do confess to a liking for this bizarre smash hit.
The song of the month for October 1972
Clair by Gilbert O’Sullivan (peak chart position: No.1)
Gilbert O’Sullivan was a prolific hit-maker in the early ‘seventies. His finest four minutes are almost certainly ‘Clair’. I have an ambiguous attitude to this chart-topper. On a purely naive level, this is a sweet piece with beautiful strings music, but in the changed times of the twenty-first century it is doubtful whether O’Sullivan would get away with a song in which his intense affection for his niece Clair is perhaps questionable: “Nothing means more to me than hearing you say I’m going to marry you/ Will you marry me, Uncle Ray?”
The song of the month for November 1972
Long Haired Lover From Liverpool by Little Jimmy Osmond (peak chart position: No.1)
Having allowed the likes of Rolf Harris, Clive Dunn, and Benny Hill to reach Number One, it was hardly surprising that Britain’s record-buyers were bowled over by Little Jimmy Osmond’s delightful little ditty. It was perhaps fitting that the year of Osmond mania should finish with the youngest of their clan sitting on the top chart perch. In one crazy December week, the Osmonds and their rivals in the Jackson family were responsible for no fewer than five of the UK Top Ten singles. Little Jimmy himself was only nine years of age and thus made history as the youngest act to perform a British chart-topper!
The song of the month for December 1972
The Jean Genie by David Bowie (peak chart position: No.2)
David Bowie followed his friend Marc Bolan down the path of re-inventing himself from previous mod and then hippie into a fictional glam rock star, Ziggy Stardust. Bowie’s very own version of glam rock was critically better received than the less arty offerings from the likes of Slade and the Sweet. Ironically, Bowie’s great rocker, ‘The Jean Genie’ contained a fabulous riff from the great Mick Ronson which appeared to re-surface shortly afterwards on the Sweet’s ‘Block Buster’. Although ‘The Jean Genie’ didn’t quite match the heights of the Sweet’s effort, it remains one of the very best recordings from arguably the decade’s most important act.
1972’s CONCERTS OF THE YEAR
Whilst Ziggy Stardust and his Spiders From Mars were thrilling British concert-goers, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones resumed their sonic onslaught of North America. Back in the United Kingdom, teenage audiences were in near hysteria at Marc Bolan and T. Rex, while Mr.Paul McCartney took his new band Wings out on the road as they traversed the university circuit, a far cry from Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park. McCartney’s estranged musical partner, John Lennon, also took to the stage in his adopted home of New York, performing live for the first time in six years (an Apple rooftop appearance aside). Meanwhile in London an altogether different rock group, Pink Floyd, were introducing the assembled mass at Earl’s Court to some new sounds which would later form the bedrock of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’, released a year later. The rest is history.
1972’s ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Harvest by Neil Young
(released in February; reached No.1 in the UK)
Canada’s Neil Young had emerged in recent years as one of the most respected singer-songwriters, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with Crosby, Stills, and Nash. His reputation was cemented by his appearance at Woodstock and further enhanced by the success of the ‘After The Goldrush’ album. Young’s ‘Harvest’ project drew upon the assistance of his Stray Gators backing band as the singer veered off in the direction of country music as he attempted to follow the path of Gram Parsons in bringing country music to a rock audience. This big-selling long player is characterised by mellow music, though the theme is frequently one of loneliness, as illustrated on ‘A Man Needs A Maid’, ‘Out On The Weekend’, and ‘Old Man’. Young actually recorded this cycle of songs from a wheelchair, as a result of a car accident. Whatever physical pain he was in perhaps doesn’t compare with the emotional anguish he lays bare on ‘The Needle And The Damage Done’ as he sings of his departed guitarist Danny Whitten who was fighting a losing battle against heroin addiction. Harvest’s massive commercial success was due in no small part to the fact that it contained ‘Heart Of Gold’ which provided Young with a rare presence amongst the higher echelons of the singles charts on both sides of the ‘big pond’.
SPORT IN 1972
English Division One football champions: Derby County; runners-up: Leeds United
English FA Cup final: Leeds United 1 Arsenal 0
English League Cup Final: Stoke City 2 Chelsea 1
Scottish Division One football champions: Glasgow Celtic; runners-up: Aberdeen
Scottish FA Cup final: Glasgow Celtic 6 Hibernian 1
Scottish League Cup final: Partick Thistle 4 Glasgow Celtic 1
Irish League football champions: Glentoran; Irish Cup final: Coleraine 2 Portadown 1
League Of Ireland football champions: Waterford; cup winners: Cork Hibernians
European Cup final: Ajax Amsterdam 2 Inter Milan 0
European Cup-Winners’ Cup final: Glasgow Rangers 3 Dynamo Moscow 2
UEFA Cup final: Tottenham Hotspur beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on aggregate
English county cricket champions: Warwickshire
Five Nations’ rugby union champions: none, due to the troubles in Ireland
Formula One world drivers’ champion: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) in a Lotus car
Gaelic football All-Ireland champions: Offaly; runners-up: Kerry
British Open golf champion: Lee Trevino (at Muirfield)
US Masters golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
US Open golf champion: Jack Nicklaus
USPGA golf champion: Gary Player
Rugby league Challenge Cup final: St Helens 16 Leeds 13
Wimbledon men’s singles tennis final: S Smith beat I Nastase 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Wimbledon ladies’ singles tennis final: B-J King beat E Goolagong 6-3, 6-3
World snooker final: Alex Higgins (Northern Ireland) beat John Spencer (England) 37-32
The Aintree Grand National steeplechase winner: Well To Do; price 14-1
The Epsom Derby winner: Roberto; jockey - Lester Piggott; price 3-1F
European Championship final: West Germany 3 USSR 0
1972’s DEATHS
January 1st: Maurice Chevalier (French singer), aged 83
January 14th: King Frederik IX of Denmark, aged 72
February 5th: Marianne Moore (US poet), aged 84
February 15th: Edgar Snow (US writer), aged 66
April 9th: James Byrne (US judge), aged 92
April 27th: Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana’s ex-President), aged 62
May 2nd: John Edgar Hoover (US FBI chief), aged 77
May 22nd: Cecil Day Lewis (British poet laureate), aged 68
May 22nd: Dame Margaret Rutherford (British actress), aged 80
May 28th: Duke of Windsor, aged 77
June 8th: Jimmy Rushing (US singer), aged 69
June 13th: Clyde McPhatter (US singer), aged 39
August 26th: Sir Francis Chichester (British yachtsman), aged 70
August 28th: Prince William of Gloucester, aged 30
August 29th: Lale Andersen (German singer), aged 67
September 14th: Geoffrey Fisher (Archbishop of Canterbury), aged 85
October 1st: Dr Louis Leakey (British anthropologist), aged 69
October 26th: Igor Sikorsky (Russian aviation pioneer), aged 83
November 1st: Ezra Pound (US poet), aged 86
November 11th: Berry Oakley (US musician), aged 24
November 18th: Danny Whitten (US musician), aged 29
November 30th: Sir Compton Mackenzie (British author), aged 89
December 23rd: Andrei Tupolev (Soviet aviation pioneer), aged 84
December 26th: Harry S. Truman (ex-US President), aged 88
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