You can go ahead and skip this one...
March 16, 2021 1:36 PM Subscribe
Shields and Yarnell, Captain and Tennille, The Carpenters, Donny and Marie. One toke over the line....
Why? I don't know.
It just seemed important for some reason.
That kinda day
I miss the 70s!
posted by AugustWest at 1:51 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 1:51 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
Let's add to the mix William Shatner's 1978 rendition of Elton John's "Rocket Man".
Interesting historical note: the spacey sound heard at the 0:20 mark of that video marks the exact moment that the 1970s collapsed under the weight of its own bullshit.
posted by New Frontier at 1:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
Interesting historical note: the spacey sound heard at the 0:20 mark of that video marks the exact moment that the 1970s collapsed under the weight of its own bullshit.
posted by New Frontier at 1:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
Skip this? I'm SAVORING this.
posted by SoberHighland at 1:59 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by SoberHighland at 1:59 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
that is not the one toke over the line i was expecting.
posted by 20 year lurk at 2:02 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
posted by 20 year lurk at 2:02 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
Duet? Hell it damn near killed it
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 2:10 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 2:10 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
Not my go-to Suzi Quatro jam, but I'm sticking with the vibe: Stumblin' In
posted by bartleby at 2:13 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by bartleby at 2:13 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
I hope everyone is watching these with their jeans on.
posted by TedW at 2:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by TedW at 2:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
there's a lot to object to here, though the melodies are indeed fair ...
posted by philip-random at 2:21 PM on March 16, 2021
posted by philip-random at 2:21 PM on March 16, 2021
that is the one toke over the line that I was expecting
posted by polecat at 2:24 PM on March 16, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by polecat at 2:24 PM on March 16, 2021 [8 favorites]
...One toke over the line? Hah. Just wait 'til he sees those goddamned bubbles.
posted by delfin at 2:25 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by delfin at 2:25 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
So I don't think I'd ever watched the "crying Indian" ad in entirety before. When I watched it now, I thought: is that Ken Nordine? Nope. Wikipedia says William Conrad.
So have some jeans-on apropos Ken Nordine.
posted by polecat at 2:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
So have some jeans-on apropos Ken Nordine.
posted by polecat at 2:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Modernized, but bear with me:
#vanlife + #bandvan + long drives between gigs = Islands in the Stream
posted by bartleby at 2:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
#vanlife + #bandvan + long drives between gigs = Islands in the Stream
posted by bartleby at 2:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
Oh, I MUST add the finale from my favorite TV special from 1978.Olivia! ABC-TV Special with Andy Gibb & ABBA - Ultra Rare TRUE STEREO !
ONE OF A KIND - FIRST GENERATION AUDIO. This is the concert segment IN TRUE STEREO from the 1978 special "Olivia!" Just prior to shooting this segment with a live orchestra, the audio guy asked if I would like a stereo feed of the sound. Of course I said yes and fed two three-quarter inch VCRs with the special feed. Stereo TV was not available widely until the mid-1980s. After completion of the special, I manually synced the 2" master of the show to my ¾" master and, viola, a stereo version of the concert with Andy Gibb, ABBA, and Olivia!posted by mikelieman at 2:38 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
Shot just days before it aired, the ABC-TV special "Olivia!" was the marathon of all television specials I edited while in Hollywood. For 36 nonstop hours, director Steve Binder (my all time favorite) and the post-production crew dashed toward an unbelievable deadline and beat it. This is the entire concert segment. The air version begins at 3:01 and ends prior to "Thank you for the Music" (which was used for closing credits). Please select 480p and full screen (and don't forget headphones!); the quality is matchless!
This selection of videos would lead one to believe the 70s were populated exclusively by cheese. Please allow me to counter with Love Train - Papa Was a Rolling Stone - Every 1s a Winner - September?
posted by Meatbomb at 2:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 2:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
Oh, and that Donny & Marie special... Just started watching, and less than thirty seconds, it starts to go off the rails, then at 2:00 they double down. And Paul Lynde makes everything better. (Check out 1976's The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
(Donny & Marie, Betty White, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Hayes, Billy Barty, Tim Conway, Roz Kelly as Pinky Tuscadero, Florence Henderson, KISS as themselves)
posted by mikelieman at 2:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
(Donny & Marie, Betty White, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Hayes, Billy Barty, Tim Conway, Roz Kelly as Pinky Tuscadero, Florence Henderson, KISS as themselves)
posted by mikelieman at 2:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
My ultimate C&T joint is “Goin’ Bananas” (sorry for the non-YT link).
Apropos of this, I was listening to a Super Hits of the 70s marathon over the weekend, and currently have Three Dog Night on the hifi.
posted by saintjoe at 2:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Apropos of this, I was listening to a Super Hits of the 70s marathon over the weekend, and currently have Three Dog Night on the hifi.
posted by saintjoe at 2:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
If we are playing strange televised 1970s musical artifact poker, I call.
CHER: Okay, I have a television special. I want to do an extended medley where Dolly Parton leads a gospel choir as Heaven's representative... and then that's where your band comes in. I want you to portray Hell's temptations with smoke and fire and spikes and leather and bondage gear.
THE TUBES: Okay, standard set, we'll tone it down a bit for the networks
posted by delfin at 2:47 PM on March 16, 2021 [21 favorites]
CHER: Okay, I have a television special. I want to do an extended medley where Dolly Parton leads a gospel choir as Heaven's representative... and then that's where your band comes in. I want you to portray Hell's temptations with smoke and fire and spikes and leather and bondage gear.
THE TUBES: Okay, standard set, we'll tone it down a bit for the networks
posted by delfin at 2:47 PM on March 16, 2021 [21 favorites]
Kids, in the 21st century, you have your memes. But in the 1970s, we had mimes. On TV!
posted by chavenet at 2:57 PM on March 16, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 2:57 PM on March 16, 2021 [10 favorites]
Somewhere, I picture my grandmother tuning into the Mike Douglas show one afternoon, as what could be more innocuous than that? Only to run into Frank Zappa playing Black Napkins and catching herself nodding her head in time.
Afternoons and prime time were for the more tranquil sides of things, though. Late at night was when Focus destroyed civilization in four minutes.
posted by delfin at 3:00 PM on March 16, 2021 [14 favorites]
Afternoons and prime time were for the more tranquil sides of things, though. Late at night was when Focus destroyed civilization in four minutes.
posted by delfin at 3:00 PM on March 16, 2021 [14 favorites]
we had mimes. On TV!
A vast leap over mimes on the radio, to be sure.
posted by bartleby at 3:07 PM on March 16, 2021 [16 favorites]
A vast leap over mimes on the radio, to be sure.
posted by bartleby at 3:07 PM on March 16, 2021 [16 favorites]
Delfin, holy frickin' hell. What'd they put in Focus' coffee?
Midnight Special director: Okay, guys, I know "Hocus Pocus" runs six-and-a-half minutes on the album, but we've only got a four-minute slot.
Focus: Not a problem.
posted by the sobsister at 3:10 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
Midnight Special director: Okay, guys, I know "Hocus Pocus" runs six-and-a-half minutes on the album, but we've only got a four-minute slot.
Focus: Not a problem.
posted by the sobsister at 3:10 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
Ken Nordine, RIP
posted by Windopaene at 3:21 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 3:21 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Meatbomb, your choices were terrific. Not a smoother and cooler man than Don Cornelius. Needs some Four Tops, Sugar Pie Honey Bunch
posted by AugustWest at 3:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 3:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
we had mimes. On TV!
A vast leap over mimes on the radio, to be sure.
Because radio was for ventriloquists!
posted by briank at 3:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [12 favorites]
A vast leap over mimes on the radio, to be sure.
Because radio was for ventriloquists!
posted by briank at 3:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [12 favorites]
Did we wind our clocks too far forward and come out the other end?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:38 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:38 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
And before all you younguns start asking, we watched it because it was on and there was nothing else! It was either that or talk to each other! DID YOU SERIOUSLY WANT US TO TALK TO EACH OTHER?!?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [17 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 3:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [17 favorites]
Maaaan, Meatbomb, now I'm just thinking about when I was very little in the 70s. Back then, I was so mad that I couldn't have an afro like the big kids on Soul Train (or my aunt and cousin). My hair was too stringy and fine. ::sigh::
And every so often, my aunt/guardian would backslide from her Pentecostalism for a minute, and we'd get to watch Soul Train and dance in the living room in front of the TV. Good times.
I won't read the comments on these videos, though, because if I read one more over-40 bs about how "these gol-durned kids today can't sing without Auto Tune" I'm gonna reach through the internet and smack somebody.
posted by droplet at 3:49 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
And every so often, my aunt/guardian would backslide from her Pentecostalism for a minute, and we'd get to watch Soul Train and dance in the living room in front of the TV. Good times.
I won't read the comments on these videos, though, because if I read one more over-40 bs about how "these gol-durned kids today can't sing without Auto Tune" I'm gonna reach through the internet and smack somebody.
posted by droplet at 3:49 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
This selection of videos would lead one to believe the 70s were populated exclusively by cheese. Please allow me to counter with
well, if that's how we're going to play this ...
Faces - stay with me
Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein
Yes - Yours is no Disgrace
Guess Who - American Woman
posted by philip-random at 3:55 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
well, if that's how we're going to play this ...
Faces - stay with me
Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein
Yes - Yours is no Disgrace
Guess Who - American Woman
posted by philip-random at 3:55 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
Yo, that tambourine player is several tokes over the line in search of the beat
posted by SystematicAbuse at 4:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by SystematicAbuse at 4:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Every now and again I rewatch the Brady Bunch Variety Hour: Disco Medley just to make sure I'm still alive.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 4:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
This is my wavelength.
I'm unclear why the Captain and Tennille need two keyboardists and four keyboards.
Stacked keyboards was their thing. Good musicians. Toni Tennille's memoir is interesting.
posted by ovvl at 4:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
I'm unclear why the Captain and Tennille need two keyboardists and four keyboards.
Stacked keyboards was their thing. Good musicians. Toni Tennille's memoir is interesting.
posted by ovvl at 4:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
You can go ahead and skip this one...
LIKE HELL I WILL.
posted by jquinby at 4:38 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
LIKE HELL I WILL.
posted by jquinby at 4:38 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Vincent Price introduces the Captain and Tennille
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:39 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 4:39 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Sing Or Swim: “I'm unclear why the Captain and Tennille need two keyboardists and four keyboards. ”Tennille was playing the left hand part on the synth on top of her piano. Thicken the sound out a little bit. No big deal, but her playing is so great you wouldn't know she was playing two keyboards.
They didn't show him enough, but it sounded like the Captain was playing like a madman over on the other side. He was playing the B3, including the pedals it sounded like. Using his spare hand he played the Clavinet D6 duct taped on top and what looks like a Whirly on the bottom, switching off every verse or so. He also changed which hand was playing the organ in the choruses. Then he took a solo on the ARP 2800 Odyssey on his right. I looked for but could not find a video that focused on his performance, much to my disappointment.
Anyway, thanks sincerely for posting that Midnight Special link. I never appreciated what an outstanding performer Toni Tennille is until this afternoon.
posted by ob1quixote at 4:48 PM on March 16, 2021 [17 favorites]
I know what the Lawrence Welk Show was and what the culture surrounding it was like. So I’m curious: did ‘toke’ not refer exclusively to a spliff at that time and so the producers didn’t have any reason to think their audience would have a negative reaction to the song?
posted by theory at 4:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by theory at 4:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
Man, variety shows. You know what I think killed 'em? The Star Wars Christmas Special.
posted by nubs at 5:02 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 5:02 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
@theory: I've seen this clip before, and I've always presumed that the reason neither the producers nor audience had a negative reaction was that none of them had the slightest clue what the song was about.
posted by crazy_yeti at 5:05 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by crazy_yeti at 5:05 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
I know what the Lawrence Welk Show was and what the culture surrounding it was like. So I’m curious: did ‘toke’ not refer exclusively to a spliff at that time and so the producers didn’t have any reason to think their audience would have a negative reaction to the song?
Looking up the song, the answer is...toke refers to exactly what you think it does. Welk described it as a "modern" spiritual - which, I guess, it maybe was?
As a kid, I always heard it as "One toe over the line", which always had me wondering why Jesus would care about where my toes were, although I did figure it wasn't a good idea to have your toes over the line in a railway station generally.
posted by nubs at 5:08 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Looking up the song, the answer is...toke refers to exactly what you think it does. Welk described it as a "modern" spiritual - which, I guess, it maybe was?
As a kid, I always heard it as "One toe over the line", which always had me wondering why Jesus would care about where my toes were, although I did figure it wasn't a good idea to have your toes over the line in a railway station generally.
posted by nubs at 5:08 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
The FCC weighed in on the toke question when the song became a hit. They were not fans.
posted by nubs at 5:11 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by nubs at 5:11 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
"Neil Bogart" president of Buddah Records...
Huehuehuehue...
Among all the weird things from The Lawrence Welk Show, surely this...
posted by Windopaene at 5:17 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Huehuehuehue...
Among all the weird things from The Lawrence Welk Show, surely this...
posted by Windopaene at 5:17 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
A riddle: what do 2010 NY club djs, roller disco, steel drums, duck sauce, Rasputin, and Barbra Streisand have in common?
They all Gotta Go Home.
posted by bartleby at 5:19 PM on March 16, 2021
They all Gotta Go Home.
posted by bartleby at 5:19 PM on March 16, 2021
Never underestimate the amount of stuff that sailed neatly over the heads of white middle America.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:32 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:32 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
Five toes over the line, sweet Mary
Hopin' that my train is on time
Standin' too close in the railway station
Four toes over the line
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [12 favorites]
Hopin' that my train is on time
Standin' too close in the railway station
Four toes over the line
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [12 favorites]
As someone who spent approximately 10 hours with a friend watching 1970s (and earlier) game shows on YouTube this weekend, I'm sure as heck not going to skip this. Thank you.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:34 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:34 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
Never underestimate the amount of stuff that sailed neatly over the heads of white middle America.
In particular, I recall my mother-in-law not knowing the guys in The Village People were gay.
posted by mikelieman at 5:43 PM on March 16, 2021 [13 favorites]
In particular, I recall my mother-in-law not knowing the guys in The Village People were gay.
posted by mikelieman at 5:43 PM on March 16, 2021 [13 favorites]
Never underestimate the amount of stuff that sailed neatly over the heads of white middle America.
In particular, I recall my mother-in-law not knowing the guys in The Village People were gay.
My rural white mother was super-unironically into the Village People.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:55 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
In particular, I recall my mother-in-law not knowing the guys in The Village People were gay.
My rural white mother was super-unironically into the Village People.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:55 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
As the man says, “”It was so entertaining when the boogie started to flow.”
This makes me delirious with joy. The horns! The costumes! The synchronized dancing! The white shoes! Jimmy Ellis looking pleased as punch!
posted by scratch at 6:20 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
This makes me delirious with joy. The horns! The costumes! The synchronized dancing! The white shoes! Jimmy Ellis looking pleased as punch!
posted by scratch at 6:20 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
Man, variety shows. You know what I think killed 'em? The Star Wars Christmas Special...
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent. (crappy YT link, there was a nicer one somewhere...)
posted by ovvl at 6:23 PM on March 16, 2021
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent. (crappy YT link, there was a nicer one somewhere...)
posted by ovvl at 6:23 PM on March 16, 2021
As someone who spent approximately 10 hours with a friend watching 1970s (and earlier) game shows on YouTube
And thank you for tweeting about it; I loved the Password episode with Carol Burnett and Anthony Perkins. Was not expecting "Gigolo" to be one of the words.
posted by nubs at 6:32 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
And thank you for tweeting about it; I loved the Password episode with Carol Burnett and Anthony Perkins. Was not expecting "Gigolo" to be one of the words.
posted by nubs at 6:32 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
I’ve been avoiding the devil weed lately, but that One Toke Over the Line cover is pushing my buttons. I want those two to have contributed to my continued delinquency.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 6:50 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 6:50 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Man, variety shows. You know what I think killed 'em? The Star Wars Christmas Special...
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent. (crappy YT link , there was a nicer one somewhere...)
Just a couple of hours ago I watched the Star Wars episode of The Muppet Show. “We seem to have landed on some sort of... comedy-variety planet.”
The Two Ronnies also had a go.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:51 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent. (crappy YT link , there was a nicer one somewhere...)
Just a couple of hours ago I watched the Star Wars episode of The Muppet Show. “We seem to have landed on some sort of... comedy-variety planet.”
The Two Ronnies also had a go.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:51 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
and ummm, speaking of variety shows, this Sonny + Cher nugget is strangely ... something
posted by philip-random at 7:03 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 7:03 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
Man, variety shows. You know what I think killed 'em? The Star Wars Christmas Special...
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent.
Know what:
Charo's TV movie
Two Bette Midler specials
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
The Barry Manilow Special
Donnie and Marie
The Star Wars Holiday Special.
1980's John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
and the reboot of the Holiday Squares all have in common?
Bruce Vilanch
posted by mikelieman at 7:18 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
The Donny and Marie Star Wars Special was excellent.
Know what:
Charo's TV movie
Two Bette Midler specials
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special
The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.
The Barry Manilow Special
Donnie and Marie
The Star Wars Holiday Special.
1980's John Ritter: Being of Sound Mind and Body
and the reboot of the Holiday Squares all have in common?
Bruce Vilanch
posted by mikelieman at 7:18 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
56 delightful comments
posted by Going To Maine at 7:21 PM on March 16, 2021
posted by Going To Maine at 7:21 PM on March 16, 2021
You think you know about the Captain and Tennille, you think that you know about Star Trek stars trying their hand at the variety show game... oh my sweet summer children.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
This video of Lynda Carter performing "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" while surrounded by a bunch of Marine cadets has been living rent-free in my head for 43 years; particularly the part towards the end where she randomly decides to introduce a bunch of them to the audience.
....But for a REAL nostalgia deep cut, we've gotta go with Pfft You Were Gone.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:40 PM on March 16, 2021 [10 favorites]
....But for a REAL nostalgia deep cut, we've gotta go with Pfft You Were Gone.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:40 PM on March 16, 2021 [10 favorites]
I recall hearing the isolated, untreated vocal track of Karen Carpenter singing We’ve Only Just Begun. It’s so haunting. She had such a beautiful voice.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:06 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 8:06 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
Meanwhile up in Canada, Kenny Rogers was about as far from the big time as a man could get and still be in showbiz ... and Badfinger just happened to be passing through.
posted by philip-random at 8:08 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by philip-random at 8:08 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Oh! Oh! Oh! Did somebody just open the barn door to Hee Haw?
We were absolutely a date-night, appointment-TV Hee Haw family, even long into the rerun days.
Any time one of us kids was sad about anything, we could count on being serenaded with a chorus of Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me.
Pfft You Were Gone feat. Johnny Cash
This couple’s COVID-inspired parody of Pfft You Were Gone that I just stumbled on
And since it doesn’t fit anywhere else, the Monkees on The Johnny Cash Show I want some of whatever Davy’s having.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:09 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
We were absolutely a date-night, appointment-TV Hee Haw family, even long into the rerun days.
Any time one of us kids was sad about anything, we could count on being serenaded with a chorus of Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me.
Pfft You Were Gone feat. Johnny Cash
This couple’s COVID-inspired parody of Pfft You Were Gone that I just stumbled on
And since it doesn’t fit anywhere else, the Monkees on The Johnny Cash Show I want some of whatever Davy’s having.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:09 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
I'll see your Midnight Special where we'd rather see what Captain Daryl Dragon is playing with this Midnight Special video of A Taste of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie, because videos of this song often don't feature Hazel's awesome guitar work.
And I found a different video of Love Will Keep Us Together that shows different views of their keyboard playing, and as a pair they were incredible monsters of keyboard.
posted by indexy at 8:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
And I found a different video of Love Will Keep Us Together that shows different views of their keyboard playing, and as a pair they were incredible monsters of keyboard.
posted by indexy at 8:30 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
Can't abuse the edit window, so here's a Don Kirshner's video of Boogie Oogie Oogie, just because I'm enjoying that space.
posted by indexy at 8:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by indexy at 8:41 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
You think you know about the Captain and Tennille, you think that you know about Star Trek stars trying their hand at the variety show game
Playing Elton John, no less!
(I can name that tune in 3 chord changes...)
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:46 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Playing Elton John, no less!
(I can name that tune in 3 chord changes...)
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:46 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
Pfft You Were Gone
(a) WAS Gone, and (b) dear god that brought back some un(?)welcome memories of growing up with my rural southern grandparents...that show influenced my sense of humor far more than I'm comfortable admitting.
What do you get when you cross a hummingbird with a doorbell?
I don't know, but it's a humdinger!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
(a) WAS Gone, and (b) dear god that brought back some un(?)welcome memories of growing up with my rural southern grandparents...that show influenced my sense of humor far more than I'm comfortable admitting.
What do you get when you cross a hummingbird with a doorbell?
I don't know, but it's a humdinger!
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:58 PM on March 16, 2021 [4 favorites]
A Taste of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie
I steadfastly maintain that funk Clavinet is far too under-represented in popular music.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:09 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
I steadfastly maintain that funk Clavinet is far too under-represented in popular music.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:09 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]
For the curious, the PBS fundraising version of A Taste of Honey.
posted by indexy at 9:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by indexy at 9:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
The music for the crying Indian commercial has haunted me since the day I first saw it.
posted by lhauser at 9:16 PM on March 16, 2021
posted by lhauser at 9:16 PM on March 16, 2021
Just gotta add this...day-glo pipes, awesome bass, and a bassoon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMX0Cs5Bc4 (also awesome Smokey Robinson pipes). I've had a bad couple of months, but this thread makes me happy
posted by foonly at 9:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by foonly at 9:22 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
I worked on a doc series, made by a very famous musician, and almost every musician we interviewed greatly admired Karen Carpenter.
posted by Ideefixe at 9:24 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Ideefixe at 9:24 PM on March 16, 2021 [3 favorites]
I don't think the kids understand this. In the 70s, if you had more than 1 or 2 hits on the Billboard chart, Sid and Marty Krofft were already putting together a musical variety hour or series for you.
And since nobody mentioned it so far, here's Tony Orlando and Dawn.
Oh, wait? They weren't a one-hit wonder? Well then here's the Starland Vocal Band show with some no-name comedian for a host. It's a Sunday night, whaddya got to do anyway?
And, if you're going to post a Soul Train clip, you better add a line dance!
As a suburban white kid this stuff just blew my goddamned mind. And it came on right after American Bandstand. What a set of polar opposites. They were having FUN on Soul Train.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:26 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
And since nobody mentioned it so far, here's Tony Orlando and Dawn.
Oh, wait? They weren't a one-hit wonder? Well then here's the Starland Vocal Band show with some no-name comedian for a host. It's a Sunday night, whaddya got to do anyway?
And, if you're going to post a Soul Train clip, you better add a line dance!
As a suburban white kid this stuff just blew my goddamned mind. And it came on right after American Bandstand. What a set of polar opposites. They were having FUN on Soul Train.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:26 PM on March 16, 2021 [7 favorites]
One toke? Brewer and Shipley's album Tarkio is under appreciated and worth listening to as an excellent album. Several songs from it are in my favorite head-canon play list. And Jerry Garcia sits in on steel guitar.
posted by indexy at 9:27 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by indexy at 9:27 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
So, how have we gotten this far and not mentioned Pink Lady and Jeff?
posted by the sobsister at 9:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by the sobsister at 9:31 PM on March 16, 2021 [2 favorites]
And oh man do not get me started on how awesome Shields and Yarnell were, and what a hellacious crush my young-teen self had on Lorene Yarnell (who was 16 years my senior)
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:35 PM on March 16, 2021
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:35 PM on March 16, 2021
and as a pair they were incredible monsters of keyboard.
back in the rock era we all laughed, but their gear is so cool.
Needs more Manilow!
Barry did an intense live version of 'Could it Be Magic' on TV when I was young (it's not on YT). I thought he was a rock artist before I heard his other stuff...
Badfinger just happened to be passing through.
They were talented and they suffered, a real tragedy.
A Taste of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie
At a generic street fair a few years ago, under a canopy some old fart white dudes and their niece carving the hell out of this track, it sounded like the record on headphones. Fun times.
posted by ovvl at 9:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
back in the rock era we all laughed, but their gear is so cool.
Needs more Manilow!
Barry did an intense live version of 'Could it Be Magic' on TV when I was young (it's not on YT). I thought he was a rock artist before I heard his other stuff...
Badfinger just happened to be passing through.
They were talented and they suffered, a real tragedy.
A Taste of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie
At a generic street fair a few years ago, under a canopy some old fart white dudes and their niece carving the hell out of this track, it sounded like the record on headphones. Fun times.
posted by ovvl at 9:44 PM on March 16, 2021 [1 favorite]
I want some of whatever Davy’s having.
That would be, "What is an 8-ball?" Alex.
I think Battle of the Network Stars needs to be mentioned. What would the 70s be without it?
posted by AugustWest at 10:13 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
That would be, "What is an 8-ball?" Alex.
I think Battle of the Network Stars needs to be mentioned. What would the 70s be without it?
posted by AugustWest at 10:13 PM on March 16, 2021 [5 favorites]
I will go to my grave thanking G-d that I was blessed to be in the generation where 6 minute and 47 seconds of Stevie Wonder and his band playing Superstition was just something they showed on Sesame Street in 1973.
posted by mikelieman at 10:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 10:33 PM on March 16, 2021 [15 favorites]
Oh, wait? They weren't a one-hit wonder? Well then here's the Starland Vocal Band yt show with some no-name comedian for a host. It's a Sunday night, whaddya got to do anyway?
5 minutes in, he's reading letters... we get letters... we get lots and lots of letters...
posted by mikelieman at 10:55 PM on March 16, 2021
5 minutes in, he's reading letters... we get letters... we get lots and lots of letters...
posted by mikelieman at 10:55 PM on March 16, 2021
Late at night was when Focus destroyed civilization in four minutes.
Whoever cast Will Arnett as the lead singer was a genius.
posted by snofoam at 11:13 PM on March 16, 2021
Whoever cast Will Arnett as the lead singer was a genius.
posted by snofoam at 11:13 PM on March 16, 2021
Never underestimate the amount of stuff that sailed neatly over the heads of white middle America.
like when Bill Haley cleaned up Shake, Rattle & Roll for white middle American consumption but left in the line about the one-eyed cat peeping in the seafood store
how ya like your Enchantment Under the Sea dance now 50s teens
posted by taquito sunrise at 11:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
like when Bill Haley cleaned up Shake, Rattle & Roll for white middle American consumption but left in the line about the one-eyed cat peeping in the seafood store
how ya like your Enchantment Under the Sea dance now 50s teens
posted by taquito sunrise at 11:14 PM on March 16, 2021 [6 favorites]
Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" still remains one of my favorite pop songs from the 70s.
Although many seem to prefer her earlier works she had three albums in a row that I think were masterpieces: Court and Spark, Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira. They were rich and lush and almost decadent.
posted by drstrangelove at 3:28 AM on March 17, 2021 [10 favorites]
Although many seem to prefer her earlier works she had three albums in a row that I think were masterpieces: Court and Spark, Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira. They were rich and lush and almost decadent.
posted by drstrangelove at 3:28 AM on March 17, 2021 [10 favorites]
Admiral and Tennille were played virtually non-stop by my eldest sister back in the 70s so I have fond memories of that but it seemed that they had faded into near total obscurity until their divorce and Dragon's death. When you did hear something about them it was usually as a kind of joke about the 1970s. But then one early one morning on my commute into work (during those hours when radio station DJs are less constrained by playlists) I heard "The Way I Want To Touch You" and it took me back so completely that it led to me rediscovering other things from the 70s (such as those Joni Mitchell albums I mentioned above). A decade I grew up reviling ended up being completely rehabilitated.
posted by drstrangelove at 3:40 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by drstrangelove at 3:40 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
Thanks to Nubs' link above, I learned of my very own mondegreen. I, young and most likely nose in a book as I listened to the radio, thought BST's Hi-De-Ho said, "gonna get me some of that Home Sweet Home."
Just had a listen, and very happy I did!
posted by jaruwaan at 6:32 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Just had a listen, and very happy I did!
posted by jaruwaan at 6:32 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
A lot of my favourite music is from the '70s, but at the same time the worst of the '70s is down there with the worst of any decade century millennium.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:45 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:45 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
My childhood was steeped in these amazing variety shows, so thank you all for your contributions.
I have nothing to add, except: Much like The Banana Splits, I thought Mummenschanz was a mostly-imagined construct of my early childhood until the Internet came along and I could search Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle for "mimes toilet paper eyes."
posted by kimberussell at 6:52 AM on March 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
I have nothing to add, except: Much like The Banana Splits, I thought Mummenschanz was a mostly-imagined construct of my early childhood until the Internet came along and I could search Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle for "mimes toilet paper eyes."
posted by kimberussell at 6:52 AM on March 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
and ummm, speaking of variety shows, this Sonny + Cher nugget is strangely ... something
I have distinct memories of watching The Sonny and Cher Show with my parents. The 70s were a weird time, folks. Really weird.
posted by jquinby at 7:37 AM on March 17, 2021 [5 favorites]
I have distinct memories of watching The Sonny and Cher Show with my parents. The 70s were a weird time, folks. Really weird.
posted by jquinby at 7:37 AM on March 17, 2021 [5 favorites]
I think Battle of the Network Stars needs to be mentioned. What would the 70s be without it?
Why just pictures when we can have video?
Battle of the Network Stars I Mark Spitz's analysis of the swimming relay should not be missed. Plus Telly Savalas in a speedo.
posted by nubs at 7:39 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
Why just pictures when we can have video?
Battle of the Network Stars I Mark Spitz's analysis of the swimming relay should not be missed. Plus Telly Savalas in a speedo.
posted by nubs at 7:39 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
Much like The Banana Splits, I thought Mummenschanz was a mostly-imagined construct of my early childhood until the Internet came along and I could search Yet Another Hierarchically Organized Oracle for "mimes toilet paper eyes."
This is probably the best opportunity I will ever have to share: one of the best pub quiz names I have EVER heard was "Mummenschanz On The Highway At Night". I do not know what set of influences lead to develop that name, and I actively do not want to know because it would ruin it somehow.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:56 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
This is probably the best opportunity I will ever have to share: one of the best pub quiz names I have EVER heard was "Mummenschanz On The Highway At Night". I do not know what set of influences lead to develop that name, and I actively do not want to know because it would ruin it somehow.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:56 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
Battle of the Network Stars seemed fun to watch as a kid, but hasn't aged well when you see how much T&A they were trying to get on camera at any given point.
Circus of the Stars was slightly more wholesome, but they were still putting starlets in leotards on camera.
And since we mentioned Letterman, here's Billy Crystal vs Dave on an obstacle course. (Fun trivia to look up: why was Dave mentioned as being with CBS in 1977?)
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:17 AM on March 17, 2021
Circus of the Stars was slightly more wholesome, but they were still putting starlets in leotards on camera.
And since we mentioned Letterman, here's Billy Crystal vs Dave on an obstacle course. (Fun trivia to look up: why was Dave mentioned as being with CBS in 1977?)
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:17 AM on March 17, 2021
Battle of the Network Stars I yt Mark Spitz's analysis of the swimming relay should not be missed. Plus Telly Savalas in a speedo.
During Cosell's introductions...
John Schuck - ABC
"Holmes and Yo-Yo"
posted by mikelieman at 8:35 AM on March 17, 2021
During Cosell's introductions...
John Schuck - ABC
"Holmes and Yo-Yo"
posted by mikelieman at 8:35 AM on March 17, 2021
I came for uncomfortable nostalgia but have absolutely nothing bad to say about the Captain and Tenille clip.
♫ ♬ I will! I will! I wiiiiiiiilllll! ♩ ♪
posted by mazola at 8:37 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
♫ ♬ I will! I will! I wiiiiiiiilllll! ♩ ♪
posted by mazola at 8:37 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Although many seem to prefer her earlier works she had three albums in a row that I think were masterpieces: Court and Spark, Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira. They were rich and lush and almost decadent.
I’ve always thought that there were only two or three pop songs that I could listen to happily on repeat for hours on end. Now that I think of it, though, I’d have to add “Raised on Robbery” to that short list, though.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:38 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
I’ve always thought that there were only two or three pop songs that I could listen to happily on repeat for hours on end. Now that I think of it, though, I’d have to add “Raised on Robbery” to that short list, though.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:38 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
(This entire thread is gold, thank you!)
This channel on YouTube has nearly every episode of Match Game starting from 1973. I've been working my way through it on lunch breaks during these quarantine times and it's been amazing. (The first few episodes are a bit dry and awkward as they try to find their footing...it starts to become the show we know and love around episode 11, which of course is the first time Brett Somers appears!)
posted by dnash at 8:40 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
This channel on YouTube has nearly every episode of Match Game starting from 1973. I've been working my way through it on lunch breaks during these quarantine times and it's been amazing. (The first few episodes are a bit dry and awkward as they try to find their footing...it starts to become the show we know and love around episode 11, which of course is the first time Brett Somers appears!)
posted by dnash at 8:40 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
Speaking of Match Game...
When I first started dating my gf, we are both in our 50s me later 50s than her, on our 3rd date or so, she asked me what was my biggest guilty pleasure secret. I thought for a few minutes and rather than say watching Hogan's Heroes, I said, Watching Match Game reruns on the game show network. She started howling. I thought I had made a huge faux pas. When she calmed down, she said she loved that program and could we watch some on our next date. Reader, we are now coming up on our 3.5 year anniversary. Bret Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson, oh my!
posted by AugustWest at 8:51 AM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
When I first started dating my gf, we are both in our 50s me later 50s than her, on our 3rd date or so, she asked me what was my biggest guilty pleasure secret. I thought for a few minutes and rather than say watching Hogan's Heroes, I said, Watching Match Game reruns on the game show network. She started howling. I thought I had made a huge faux pas. When she calmed down, she said she loved that program and could we watch some on our next date. Reader, we are now coming up on our 3.5 year anniversary. Bret Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Dawson, oh my!
posted by AugustWest at 8:51 AM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
I think Battle of the Network Stars needs to be mentioned. What would the 70s be without it?
It’s the only decade where it could have arisen. I can only imagine a reboot has been pitched more than once, but somehow we have never gotten to see, say, Drew Carey, Jane Lynch, Seth Meyers, and Simon Cowell compete in a bicycle race.
Then again, little kids today will look back in forty years on Dancing With The Stars with the same puzzled shaking of their heads.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:00 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
It’s the only decade where it could have arisen. I can only imagine a reboot has been pitched more than once, but somehow we have never gotten to see, say, Drew Carey, Jane Lynch, Seth Meyers, and Simon Cowell compete in a bicycle race.
Then again, little kids today will look back in forty years on Dancing With The Stars with the same puzzled shaking of their heads.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:00 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
I was in high school and then in college during the variety show era. My parents and grandparents also were very enthused on Saturday nights when Lawrence Welk ran back to back with Hee Haw. Now we can look back and appreciate the kitsch, the excess, the knack for diluting the piss and vinegar out of any song that got covered. But it was sheer goddamn teen agony to sit through a couple hours of this. Meatbomb and philip-random's posts are what the counter-weight truly was. Add heaps of Elton, Sabbath, glam, prog, punk, Keef, that greasy looking guy from New Jersey, and Zeppelin. LOTS of Zeppelin.
posted by Ber at 9:24 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Ber at 9:24 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
I always thought the Shields in 'Shields and Yarnell' was Mark Shields. You mean, they were mimes? On TV? And they got ratings? Strange. I mean, doesn't everyone hate clowns and mimes?
posted by Rash at 10:10 AM on March 17, 2021
posted by Rash at 10:10 AM on March 17, 2021
I was at a sleepover and the only one still awake when Devo came on SNL. By the time I realized it was a stones cover the song was over. You have no idea just how far out that was at the time. I felt like everyone else had slept through the revolution.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2021 [11 favorites]
posted by Mr. Yuck at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2021 [11 favorites]
somehow we have never gotten to see, say,Drew Carey, Jane Lynch, Seth Meyers, and Simon Cowell compete in a bicycle race.
Because the other 3 don't want Jane to kick their asses, that's why.
posted by nubs at 10:21 AM on March 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
Because the other 3 don't want Jane to kick their asses, that's why.
posted by nubs at 10:21 AM on March 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
I felt like everyone else had slept through the revolution. That would be the de-evolution.
posted by AugustWest at 11:00 AM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 11:00 AM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
when Devo came on SNL.
My god, Fred Willard looks so damn young...
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:03 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
My god, Fred Willard looks so damn young...
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:03 AM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
My god, Fred Willard looks so damn young...
Which brings us to Fernwood 2Nite and America 2Nite with Willard and Martin Mull. I thought that show was so friggin funny. Leisure suits cause cancer.
posted by AugustWest at 11:26 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
Which brings us to Fernwood 2Nite and America 2Nite with Willard and Martin Mull. I thought that show was so friggin funny. Leisure suits cause cancer.
posted by AugustWest at 11:26 AM on March 17, 2021 [3 favorites]
I think Battle of the Network Stars needs to be mentioned.
Someone mentioned Bruce Vilanch. He wrote on ALL of those "Susan St. James Arbor Day Extravaganza, with Jimmy and Kristy MacNicol, Mason Reese, and musical guest Claude Akins" shows.
I have distinct memories of watching The Sonny and Cher Show yt with my parents.
You can watch reruns on GetTV!
posted by rhizome at 11:33 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Someone mentioned Bruce Vilanch. He wrote on ALL of those "Susan St. James Arbor Day Extravaganza, with Jimmy and Kristy MacNicol, Mason Reese, and musical guest Claude Akins" shows.
I have distinct memories of watching The Sonny and Cher Show yt with my parents.
You can watch reruns on GetTV!
posted by rhizome at 11:33 AM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Which brings us to Fernwood 2Nite and America 2Nite with Willard and Martin Mull
that time Charlton Heston was a guest.
posted by philip-random at 1:29 PM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
that time Charlton Heston was a guest.
posted by philip-random at 1:29 PM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Do you know what 1970s artifact I would pay almost anything to obtain (even the mystical sum of $516.32), but never will due to the absolutely exorbitant difficulty of clearing the rights for all participants?
The Gong Show: The Complete Series.
posted by delfin at 4:00 PM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
The Gong Show: The Complete Series.
posted by delfin at 4:00 PM on March 17, 2021 [8 favorites]
Dammit I may be here too late to be the one to mention Mummenschanz or the Match Game or Pfft She Was Gone but I'll be damned if I can't raise you all Wayland Flowers and Madame
posted by Mchelly at 5:07 PM on March 17, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 5:07 PM on March 17, 2021 [6 favorites]
Also I've been working my way through the Muppet Shows and have become obsessed with this number Sandy Duncan sings - and just learned that it was originally by Barry Manillow.
posted by Mchelly at 5:11 PM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 5:11 PM on March 17, 2021 [1 favorite]
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman?!
posted by AugustWest at 6:18 PM on March 17, 2021
posted by AugustWest at 6:18 PM on March 17, 2021
Dad actually made us change the channel once when Wayland Flowers and Madame came on. Not because it was too racy, just because he personally found them annoying. First time I ever heard anyone curse out a puppet.
You could get away with a lot of racy stuff in those days because the jokes were, as they say, "self-cleaning." So much depended on double-entendre The jokes were only as dirty as your own mind, as the milkman said to the porcupine.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:01 PM on March 17, 2021
You could get away with a lot of racy stuff in those days because the jokes were, as they say, "self-cleaning." So much depended on double-entendre The jokes were only as dirty as your own mind, as the milkman said to the porcupine.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:01 PM on March 17, 2021
as the milkman said to the porcupine
*gasp* You filthy scoundrel!!
/clutches pearls
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:14 PM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
*gasp* You filthy scoundrel!!
/clutches pearls
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:14 PM on March 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
and just learned that it was originally by Barry Manillow.
Barry Manilow wrote pretty much everything in the 1970s.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:49 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
Barry Manilow wrote pretty much everything in the 1970s.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:49 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
I was hoping that link would be to the V.S.M.!
I mean, after all, he did write the songs that made the whole world sing.
I was staying at the Las Vegas Hilton when he was just starting a residency there, and there was a huge, like, five story poster of his face right outside the window of my room. Every so often, the PA system in the hotel would just blast out a snippet of some random Manilow song and then just as quickly go back to whatever it had been playing before. One night, there were a bunch of us in the elevator and none of us was completely sober. It was really quiet for a few minutes, and then one guy said, “Count of three, sing your favorite Barry Manilow song! One, two, three!”
One lone voice belted out into the silence, “Oh, Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking...” Yes, reader. It was me.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:15 AM on March 18, 2021 [6 favorites]
I mean, after all, he did write the songs that made the whole world sing.
I was staying at the Las Vegas Hilton when he was just starting a residency there, and there was a huge, like, five story poster of his face right outside the window of my room. Every so often, the PA system in the hotel would just blast out a snippet of some random Manilow song and then just as quickly go back to whatever it had been playing before. One night, there were a bunch of us in the elevator and none of us was completely sober. It was really quiet for a few minutes, and then one guy said, “Count of three, sing your favorite Barry Manilow song! One, two, three!”
One lone voice belted out into the silence, “Oh, Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking...” Yes, reader. It was me.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:15 AM on March 18, 2021 [6 favorites]
dear god that brought back some un(?)welcome memories of growing up with my rural southern grandparents...that show influenced my sense of humor far more than I'm comfortable admitting.
I say we salute your grandparents.
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-LUTE!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:20 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
I say we salute your grandparents.
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-LUTE!
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:20 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
One lone voice belted out into the silence, “Oh, Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking...”
I always preferred Brandy, the original.
posted by philip-random at 8:17 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
I always preferred Brandy, the original.
posted by philip-random at 8:17 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
Reader, I had that Barry Manilow album. I played it constantly in rotation with the Grease soundtrack and the 1978 Chassidic Song Festival* while I gave concerts with my Donnie and Marie dolls (who both had tiny holes drilled into their palms so they could hold their microphones, because only G.I. Joe could actually (Kung-Fu) grip things back then). I was maybe 11.
This thread seems as good a time as any to mention that of all the surprising things that I inexplicably found myself singing to my newborn son as I tried to get him to fall asleep, the most surprising one that kept popping out was Look for the Union Label.
* This is the part in the thread where I exit the overlap of the Venn Diagram with everyone else
posted by Mchelly at 8:56 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread seems as good a time as any to mention that of all the surprising things that I inexplicably found myself singing to my newborn son as I tried to get him to fall asleep, the most surprising one that kept popping out was Look for the Union Label.
* This is the part in the thread where I exit the overlap of the Venn Diagram with everyone else
posted by Mchelly at 8:56 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
My sister and I had matching Marie Osmond dolls!
Donny and Marie at the Plaidstallions 1970s toy blog
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:22 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
Donny and Marie at the Plaidstallions 1970s toy blog
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:22 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
Barry Manilow wrote pretty much everything in the 1970s
Counterpoint: Paul Williams
posted by mikelieman at 9:47 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
Counterpoint: Paul Williams
posted by mikelieman at 9:47 AM on March 18, 2021 [4 favorites]
He wrote all the other stuff, as did Harry Nilsson.
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:26 AM on March 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 10:26 AM on March 18, 2021 [2 favorites]
but Harry Nilsson didn't write his biggest single hit -- Without You. That honour goes to Badfinger.
and, for the record, Badfinger didn't write their biggest hit either. That honour goes to Paul McCartney, so other than Paul Williams, Barry Manilow and Harry Nilsson, it's probably safe to say Paul McCartney.
Except, of course, Carol King.
posted by philip-random at 12:26 PM on March 18, 2021 [5 favorites]
and, for the record, Badfinger didn't write their biggest hit either. That honour goes to Paul McCartney, so other than Paul Williams, Barry Manilow and Harry Nilsson, it's probably safe to say Paul McCartney.
Except, of course, Carol King.
posted by philip-random at 12:26 PM on March 18, 2021 [5 favorites]
I mean, y'all, Neil Sedaka wrote the song that leads off this very post.
You'll be happy to know he's still giving concerts from his piano a couple of times a week.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:15 AM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
You'll be happy to know he's still giving concerts from his piano a couple of times a week.
posted by ob1quixote at 6:15 AM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
I knew there was something missing from this thread, but I didn't know what it was until these guys showed up in my FB feed today.
posted by sundrop at 11:53 AM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by sundrop at 11:53 AM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
That's a cool blog, thanks! Thinking about that Silent Comedy book..
There's a lot to like in the Shields & Yarnell video, but the best Shields (& Yarnell) is definitely that B&W footage from SF. For a long time I've been aware of some non-Yarnell footage, which leads me to think it was taken by a buddy and that there might be a bunch more. Unfortunately the act seems to have went all Nichols & May and without a resurgence and reunion it seems like there may never be the kind of momentum that produces a comprehensive video release.
posted by rhizome at 1:46 PM on March 19, 2021
There's a lot to like in the Shields & Yarnell video, but the best Shields (& Yarnell) is definitely that B&W footage from SF. For a long time I've been aware of some non-Yarnell footage, which leads me to think it was taken by a buddy and that there might be a bunch more. Unfortunately the act seems to have went all Nichols & May and without a resurgence and reunion it seems like there may never be the kind of momentum that produces a comprehensive video release.
posted by rhizome at 1:46 PM on March 19, 2021
Yarnell died in 2010, so not much chance of a reunion on this plane of existence.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:56 PM on March 19, 2021
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:56 PM on March 19, 2021
Well there you go. I was going off of being pretty sure I remember there not being much of a chance before that, either.
posted by rhizome at 2:00 PM on March 19, 2021
posted by rhizome at 2:00 PM on March 19, 2021
The first time I saw Shields and Yarnell I thought they were really robots.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:30 PM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:30 PM on March 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
« Older Safe to be Black | I used to like this song Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I will also note that their Wikipedia page says she appears as a backing vocalist on Pink Floyd's The Wall.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 1:43 PM on March 16, 2021 [9 favorites]