Best Song: Judge Dread - Big Seven
This was the highest charting single for Judge Dread. The lyrical nature of Judge Dread records meant they were always getting banned by the BBC. It's humorous and not to be taken seriously, but at the same time Judge Dread was well respected by the reggae community. I think his music is great personally.
Worst Song: Gilbert O'Sullivan - Clair
There were a few strong candidates for worst song but this one edges it for the simple fact the other ones were supposed to be crap but this wasn't. I respect Gilbert O'Sullivan as a musician and this record had good intentions, but I just find it really bland.
Top 40 Review
Lets start with those other records that were supposed to be crap. The Christmas number one was "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" by a then 9 year old Little Jimmy Osmond. A 9 year old makes crap music by default in my book. It beat off competition from the record it knocked off number one, "My Ding-a-Ling" by a then 46 year old Chuck Berry who wasn't doing much for his credibility with that record.
There were 2 records by Lieutenant Pigeon in the Top 40, their previous chart topping "Mouldy Old Dough" and their lesser known follow up hit "Desperate Dan" which was actually lower down in the charts.
Another novelty record came from Shag who was one of many aliases of Jonathan King with "Loop Di Love". There was also a hit from comedian Ken Dodd which wasn't funny.
Christmas record wise we had the big John Lennon Christmas record in the Top 40 for the first time. The other Christmas hit was a pipes and drums version of "Little Drummer Boy".
There were no less than 6 records making their 2nd outings in the Top 40 which consisted of 2 record with no points, 2 with half points and 2 with full points. The latter included a triple a-side from Neil Sedaka with "Oh! Carol/Breaking Up Is Hard To Do/Little Devil".
A record worth a shout is "Goodbye To Love" by The Carpenters which if anything I like for the guitar solo at the end. I recall it being the first time I acknowledged what an electric guitar sounded like when I was really young and made me want one.
One of the surprising sources of points comes from The Osmonds. The record was "Crazy Horses" which was a world away from the bubblegum pop they were associated with. It's a proper rock record.
There was also some decent music on a soul front coming from The Four Tops and The Stylistics.
The final score is the familiar reflection of there being some decent records but lots of crap too.
Score: 11
Table
1972 has the worst Christmas chart score out of those years score 14 in the best year search:
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