After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.
In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the disc covering the world of (mostly) 70s ballads and love songs. Many of these songs are not ones that a man in my position is “supposed” to enjoy, but occassionaly one wants to turn down the hard rock and roll and mellow out with a good tune. So, without further ado, I bring you Ballads, volume 1.
Neil Diamond – Cracklin Rosie
From 1970, this was Neil Diamond’s first #1 hit in the good ol’ US of A.
iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 2/23/2011
BJ Thomas – Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
From 1975, this tune became the longest titled #1 in the history of Billboard’s Hot 100.
iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/21/2011
Billy Joel – Piano Man
From 1973, this was Billy Joel’s first hit and peaked at #25 on the American pop charts.
iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 2/1/2013
Barry Manilow – Mandy
Originally titled Brandy, Barry Manilow changed the name when he covered it in 1974 to avoid confusion with Looking Glass’s Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).
iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 2/8/2013
The Carpenters – Rainy Days And Mondays
Released in 1971, the song did not chart in the UK until 1993.
iTunes stats: 1 play, on 1/27/2011
Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Released in September 1979, it wound up being the last U.S. number one song of the 1970s.
iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/13/2012
Eric Carmen – All By Myself
From 1975, this was Carmen’s first solo release after leaving the Raspberries.
iTunes stats: Never played
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
The stadium sing-a-long was released in 1969 and again in 1972.
iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012
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As they finish polishing up the statues for Sunday’s awards ceremony, it’s time to finish up our predictions, which are based on not having seen any of the nominated films, with a look at the acting categories and the big one: