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Song of the Day #6,125: ‘Philadelphia Freedom’ – Elton John

Throwing back to the week of April 12, 1975, we find Elton John atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Philadelphia Freedom.’ This was John’s fourth #1 hit on the chart on his way to seven in his career.

This was the first song John and lyricist Bernie Taupin ever wrote as a standalone single. John wanted to honor his friend Billie Jean King, who had become an international voice for feminism after her defeat of Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match. The song was named for the Philadelphia Freedoms, King’s team in the World Team Tennis league.

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Song of the Day #6,124: ‘Down to Zero’ – Joan Armatrading

Continuing my look at the albums of 1976…

My favorite thing about the Decades series is when I get to fill in a glaring blind spot.

I’ve heard the name Joan Armatrading before, but I couldn’t have told you her nationality, her musical style, or her period of peak popularity. Gun to my head, I would have predicted she was an American folk artist in the Joni Mitchell vein, probably big in the 60s and early 70s.

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Song of the Day #6,123: ‘I Need To Be in Love’ – Carpenters

Continuing my look at the albums of 1976…

I’ve had a gut feeling for awhile that I’m going to find a Carpenters album that really knocks my socks off.

I have a soft spot for easy listening cheese when it’s done well, and especially when I really connect with the vocals. And Karen Carpenter, whatever else you think of her and her brother Richard, has an amazing voice.

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Song of the Day #6,122: ‘Last Child’ – Aerosmith

Continuing my look at the albums of 1976…

I was looking forward to hearing Aerosmith’s Rocks, the band’s fourth album and their follow-up to the previous year’s Toys in the Attic. I featured that album in the 1975 Decades installment and enjoyed it quite a bit.

This one was less of a hit but still went 4X Platinum, is a fan favorite, and is often cited as an inspiration by other artists.

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Song of the Day #6,121: ‘Night Moves’ – Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

Continuing my look at the albums of 1976…

One of the best albums I listened to for this dip into 1976 was Night Moves, Bob Seger’s 12th album (counting three he released with The Bob Seger System at the beginning of his career). This was his first release where the Silver Bullet Band was also credited, even though they don’t appear on nearly half of the songs.

This is a quintessential rock and roll album, with heartfelt lyrics sung over muscular guitars and plaintive pianos. It owes a lot to Bruce Springsteen and a little to Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

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