THE 1970s: The Genres (70s Funk).
The countdown of the decade's 200 Most Essential Songs continues this weekend.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s It was the decade of glam, disco, funk, Philly Soul, heavy metal, the singer/songwriter, punk and new wave. Here are the 200 songs that mattered most during the Seventies, in terms of influence, impact and success. To be eligible, the song needed to be released- as a single or on an album- during the years 1970-1979.
	70s FUNK  Funk began in the 1960s, with seminal recordings from James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Sly & The Family Stone. By the dawn of the 1970s, the genre was a dominant force on the R&B and, later, pop music scene.  Funk was blended into the soul and R&B of established acts such as Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye and The Isley Brothers. George Clinton explored new funky territory with his groups Parliament and Funkadelic. Other groups followed, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Rose Royce, Chic, Rufus and The Ohio Players. Funk was an ingredient for disco and was a crucial influence on rap and hip hop in subsequent decades. Many funk classics have been sampled countless times.  EXPLORE FURTHER: Super Bad JAMES BROWN Play That Funky Music WILD CHERRY Machine Gun COMMODORES Shining Star EARTH, WIND & FIRE Jungle Boogie KOOL & THE GANG Soup For One CHIC Fire OHIO PLAYERS Lady Marmalade LABELLE Boogie On Reggae Woman STEVIE WONDER Funky Drummer JAMES BROWN Too Hot Ta Trot COMMODORES Do It (Til You're Satisfied) B.T. EXPRESS My Forbidden Lover CHIC Cut The Cake AVERAGE WHITE BAND Are You My Woman? CHI-LITES Hot Pants JAMES BROWN Love Rollercoaster OHIO PLAYERS Psychedelic Shack TEMPTATIONS The Heat Is On ISLEY BROTHERS Pick Up The Pieces AVERAGE WHITE BAND It's Too Funky In Here JAMES BROWN Mighty Mighty EARTH, WIND & FIRE Chic Cheer CHIC Brick House COMMODORES Is It Love You're After? ROSE ROYCE Fight The Power ISLEY BROTHERS Ball Of Confusion TEMPTATIONS Funky President JAMES BROWN

15 GREATEST EUROVISION PRESENTATIONS. 

A special look back on 15 imaginative & unforgettable props and choreography put to great effect at the Eurovision Song Contest from 1956- 2015.

ALL-TIME

TOP 15 

EUROVISION

GREATEST PRESENTATIONS

15 

O MIE Aliona Moon 

Moldova 2013

14

NEVER LET YOU GO Dima Bilan

Russia 2006

13 

WATERLINE Jedward

Ireland 2012

12 

TICK-TOCK Mariya  Yaremchuk

Ukraine 2014

 
11

HOLD ME Farid Mammadov

Azerbaijan 2013

 

10

ANGEL Mika Newton 

Ukraine 2011

9

POPULAR Eric Saade

Sweden 2011

 

8    

DANCING LASHA TUMBAI Verka Seduchka

Ukraine 2007

 

7    

RISE LIKE A PHOENIX Conchita Wurst 

Austria 2014

 

6    

BE MY VALENTINE (ANTI-CRISIS GIRL) 

Svetlana Loboda

Ukraine 2009

 

5    

DSCHINGHIS KHAN Dschinghis Khan 

Germany 1979

 

4   

WILD DANCES Ruslana 

Ukraine 2004

3    

PARTY FOR EVERYBODY 

Buranovskiye Babushki

Russia 2012

 

2    

HEROES Mans Zelmerlow

Sweden 2015

 

1  

HARD ROCK HALLELUJAH Lordi

Finland 2006

 

EUROVISION MEMORIES : Pump Pump

EUROVISION MEMORIES

Check back here for a regular look back from the Eurovision archives for some past songs from the last 60 years of the Eurovision Song Contest: the good, the bad & the ugly!

PUMP PUMP

Fredi & Friends

[1976 – Finland]

One of the cheesiest & most unusual Eurovision songs was performed by Fredi & Friends. This marked the return of Fredi who had previously represented Finland in 1967. "Pump Pump" finished 11th out of 18 nations, slightly improving Fredi's debut where he took 12th position out of a field of 17.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVrhYghrIg

200 MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS: #72. Continues next week.

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included. This is a personal listing of the albums I enjoy the most to this day.

#72

A: AGNETHA FALTSKOG

 [2013] 

Agnetha Faltskog added drama to many of ABBA's greatest songs, particularly "The Winner Takes It All", "S.O.S." and "The Day Before You Came". Her solo output has been infrequent. 'A' is the follow-up to 2004's 'My Colouring Book'. Fortunately, the wait was worth it. Unlike its predecessor, this album is a collection of all-new material. The songs were all either penned or co-written by Swedish hitmaker Jörgen Elofsson. One- "I Keep Them On The Floor Beside My Bed"- was composed with the singer. Despite wide gaps between releases, Faltskog's phrasing and vocal style can still embellish lyrics as well as she did in ABBA's heyday. There is also a duet recorded with Take That's Gary Barlow. While most of the tracks are ballads, there is a standout upbeat song: "Dance Your Pain Away". The album made the Top 10 in Britain, Europe and Australia.

Highlight tracks: Dance Your Pain Away; When You Really Loved Someone & The One Who Loves You Now.

EUROVISION MEMORIES: Give Me Your Love

EUROVISION MEMORIES

Check back here for a regular look back from the Eurovision archives for some past songs from the last 60 years of the Eurovision Song Contest: the good, the bad & the ugly!

GIVE ME YOUR LOVE

Fame

[2003 – Sweden]

Swedish duo Fame represented Sweden with the schlager and infectious entry "Give Me Your Love". The song finished in 5th position out of 26 competitors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qAkQRczjDI

 

EUROVISION'S "BIG 5"

EUROVISION’s

BIG 5

These countries automatically are in the Grand Final and are known as “The Big 5”. In the Eurovision Song Contest's early years, the small number of entries meant all countries competed on the one night.

As others entered the Eurovision family, new rules were introduced to determine which countries could compete in the Grand Final. Other entries are required to qualify in the semi-finals, while 5 countries have a place in the Grand Final every year. In most cases, this is because of their larger financial contribution to the Contest.

Has a direct pass to the Grand Final been an advantage? This blog looks back on how the 5 countries have fared overall.

GERMANY

Last win: 2010

Best result since last win: #8 (2012)

Germany competed in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest. Its first win was in 1982.

UNITED KINGDOM

Last win: 1997

Best result since last win: (#2) 1998

The United Kingdom first competed at Eurovision in its 2nd year 1957. No country has finished in the runner-up position as many times as the UK. It has had 5 wins: 1967, 1969 (tie), 1976, 1981 & 1997.

ITALY

Last win: 1990

Best result since last win: #2 (2011)

Italy's San Remo Festival inspired the Italian idea of bringing European nations together for an annual song contest. The country competed in the 1st year of the ESC. It has won twice: in 1964 and 1990.  Italy boycotted Eurovision from 1998 upto its comeback in 2011. It has been a part of The Big 5 since its return. Italy has finished in the Top 10 in 4 of the last 5 years. 

FRANCE

Last win: 1977

Best result since last win: #2 (1990 & 1991)

France participated in the debut staging of Eurovision in 1956. It was a dominant force in the ESC"s early years. Its first victory in 1958 was repeated in 1960, 1962, 1969 (tie) and 1977. In recent years, France has struggled to make the Top 10, with its last strong finish being in 2009 (#8).

SPAIN

Last win: 1969

Best result since last win: #2 (1971, 1973, 1979 & 1995)

Spain first appeared at Eurovision in 1961 and has been a regular ever since. Its first win was in 1968.  In the following year, there was a 4-way tie for the top prize which included Spain's entry. 

EUROVISION MEMORIES: Giorgio

EUROVISION MEMORIES

Check back here for a regular look back from the Eurovision archives for some past songs from the last 60 years of the Eurovision Song Contest: the good, the bad & the ugly!

GIORGIO

Lys Assia

[1958 – Switzerland]

Lys Assia sang Eurovision's first winning song, representing Switzerland in 1956. She returned to defend her title in both 1957 and 1958. Assia finished in 2nd place out of 10 countries with a fun song performed in Italian entitled "Giorgio". It even managed to attract more votes than Italy's entry: "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" (which came in 3rd) by Domenico Modugno!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO3cN4WDeV4

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The Eurovision Report…

Romania has been disqualified from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The song “Moment Of Silence” will now not be competing in Semi Final 2. This means both semis have an equal number of  nations hoping to qualify for a spot in the Grand Final. The reason for the disqualification is non-payment of a debt to the EBU.

THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. This update: #40- 31. Continues next weekend.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s It was the decade of glam, disco, funk, Philly Soul, heavy metal, the singer/songwriter, punk and new wave. Here are the 200 songs that mattered most during the Seventies, in terms of influence, impact and success. To be eligible, the song needed to be released- as a single or on an album- during the years 1970-1979.
40	PERSONALITY CRISIS New York Dolls [1973] "Personality Crisis" was punk before the genre existed. It was categorized as rock at the time of its release, but serves as a proto-punk track included on the band's debut album. The track features hints of glam, new wave and rock. Covers for both the single and its parent album 'New York Dolls' depict the group in an androgynous context. The song influenced The Ramones and many other acts that followed on the emerging American punk scene. Todd Rundgren produced the track.
39	HEROES David Bowie [1977] David Bowie established himself as both a musical and fashion chameleon in the 1970s. "Heroes" saw him soak up the innovative trends of Berlin. Bowie co-wrote the powerful track with Brian Eno. It has since become an anthem and is one of the musician's most beloved songs.
38	DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH Michael Jackson [1979] Michael Jackson met producer Quincy Jones while filming the film version of 'The Wiz'. The 2 joined forces for 'Off The Wall', an album launched with lead single "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". Gone was the impressive young boy from The Jackson 5. The world was introduced to an older Jackson; now the coolest African-American on the planet. This song propelled him to superstar status, reaching #1 all over the globe. Follow-up "Rock With You" kept the momentum going until it was eclipsed by 'Thriller' 3 years later.
37	BANGLA DESH George Harrison [1971] Before "We Are The World" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?", George Harrison assembled various musicians to raise funds for the troubled in Bangladesh. The single by Harrison is considered the first rock charity single. Countless worthy causes have followed in its wake. Ringo Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston are featured on the recording.
36	BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER Simon & Garfunkel [1970] The crowning moment in Simon & Garfunkel's catalogue is the stupendous track "Bridge Over Troubled Water". As the tumultuous 1960s gave way to a new decade, Paul Simon's lyrics offered solace. It captured the mood of the time. Art Garfunkel's vocal performance is at its peak on the track.
35	KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR Bob Dylan [1973] Bob Dylan has maintained his status as one of the key singer/ songwriters in rock music. In the 1970s, he dropped the beautifully crafted "Knockin' On Heaven's Door". It still stands up as one of his best compositions. The song was featured on the 'Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid' film soundtrack. It has been covered by many artists across a range of genres.
34	HEART OF GLASS Blondie [1979] The members of Blondie initially intended "Heart Of Glass" to be recorded as a reggae song. Producer Mike Chapman had other ideas. He transformed the demo into a 70s classic pop hit. The finished product was a creative mix of punk / new wave and disco. Record buyers loved it, with sales resulting in a #1 single in Britain, America, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
33	FLASH LIGHT Parliament [1977] George Clinton was the master of funk in the 1970s, surpassed only by James Brown in terms of influence. He was at the helm of 2 funk outfits: Parliament and Funkadelic. Like Brown, his recordings have been sampled countless times.
32	YOUR SONG Elton John [1970] Elton John broke through with the tender ballad "Your Song". Bernie Taupin's lyrics remain simple but direct throughout. This makes the song relatable and timeless. John has performed the love song at almost every concert since. It made him a star in America. The track helped launch the singer / songwriter era in the 1970s. Its beauty attracted a wider audience that still adores the piano player and his songbook.
31	ONE NATION UNDER A GROOVE Funkadelic [1978] George Clinton was all about positivity and cohesion on the funky anthem "One Nation Under A Groove". He led the group Funkadelic on an upbeat track that rivals James Brown's 70s funk workouts.