Hot Chunky and Sticky...

Every pop tune worth its existence wallows in the era it was written in. To use a broad brush, if it's the 1940s it's all about distraction, to keep your mind off World War II and its aftermath: "hot diggity dog diggity do what you do to me...".

If it's the 1950s it's all about getting all drippy and smoochy -before the pill- so you couldn't go 'all the way' "I only have eyes for you." Etc.

If it was the 1960s then it was about the latest fad or look: going surfing, wearing long hair, short skirts. The Monster craze "One Eyed Green Horn Flying Purple People Eater".

So what would sum up a 1970s era song? I picked three...

NEVER BEEN ANY REASON by Head East.

released on A&M Records 1975
https://youtu.be/R7jW8_2Us5c

"Did you see any action, did you make any friends?
Would you like some affection, before I leave again?"

It's all about 'gettin' some' drugs, drink, partying. Straight to the point of self indulgence. Unabashed hedonism. It wraps up with sex, obviously.

Then it switches with an impassioned plea to 'save my life'. That supply of high times, drugs, sex and happy existence is being threatened! All panic breaks out. It's a crisis, the endless flow of happy stuff might get sidetracked for a minute.

"Save my life I'm going down for the last time
Woman with a sweet lovin' better than a white line"

Somewhere there's a woman who's so good at love making she's actually better than cocaine. No really, she's that good. She'll save your life.

Head East gets bonus points for:

• gratuitous synthesizer organ playing (annoying the grown-ups category)
• Sharp, chunky to the point delivery in the first few guitar chords (you can just see the platform shoes),
• 1970s tradition of taking the last line and dragging it out an extra three minutes (Hey Jude phenomenon).

METAL GURU by Marc Bolan and T. Rex

released 1972
https://youtu.be/dLX8FK9S2R8

If it's not about getting high or staying high then it's about the big party. Metal Guru has this deep sweeping star-spangled stage show musical quality about it.

Who's the main attraction? Why, the Metal Guru of course (Guru being a familiar topic back then of a wizened holy seer who is not affiliated with any established religion, and who gets adoration and attention from avid seekers of enlightenment).

"Metal Guru, is it you?
Metal Guru, is it you?"

Oh my god. There he is, you can't believe it. There he is! He's a 'Metal' because he's decked out in shiny chrome and silver.

"Metal Guru, has it been
Just like a silver-studded sabre-tooth dream?"

And then it goes on with bringing my baby to me and being all alone without a telephone. Again finishing up with the 'Hey Jude' technique of petering out the last line for a minute or three.

• 1970s Glam Rock category winner.
• Solid points for staying well within the self-indulgent mindset.
• See also: 'All the Young Dudes' by Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople).

Okay, last but not least we go to a little harsher side of the 1970s, where there's so much pleasure and attraction that it's almost too much. Can you actually write a song that criticizes a person for being too desirable, like they need to tone it down? Yes you can! Here's...

FOX ON THE RUN by The Sweet

released 1976
https://youtu.be/aN-ldsWbFe8

It's funny how Jimi Hendrix's one song 'Foxy Lady' used an epithet that took on a life of its own and became a tag for a (usually) woman who had desirable qualities, blow-dried smooth hair like a fox's pelt, making her 'foxy.'

Somehow it became a put-down along the same thinking: that a fox doesn't allow itself to get captured. There's a sense of titillation or teasing, dangling your attributes out there for all to see without offering them up to anyone who wants them:

"Okay, you think you got a pretty face
But the rest of you is outta place
You looked alright before"

In fact, the woman in question who 'foxed herself up' looked just okay before she underwent the change. Now her face (huh?) is out of place with the rest of her body?

"You, you talk about just every band
But the names you drop are second hand (second hand)"

Oh and I love the added voices 'SECOND HAND' thrusted in there hastily. There's also the no-nonsense of the chorus:

"Fox On The Run, you're scream and everybody comes runnin'
Take a run and hide yourself away"

Bonus points:

• This band, like Head East clings to the fabric of the '70s -like a smiley button or peace symbol.
• Gratuitous synthesizer.
• Subtlety: zero.

Bad news. Kickstarter postponed a month.

I've gotten a sprained knee last week. It's effecting everything on my schedule, so the Kickstarter for Mayfield Eight 3: Faster, Faster! has been bumped to Jan 10 2021. I'll keep you posted as to new developments.