Song: Kung Fu Fighting Artist: Carl Douglas (1974) Album: Single w/ B-side, Gamblin Man (Pye / 20th Century Fox) Martial Arts mania was at its height in the 1970s and, due to Bruce Lee, kung fu was the biggest of all. I mean, everybody was kung fu fighting, and so goes the song. But did … Read more
Song: Brandy Artist: Looking Glass (1972) Album: Looking Glass (Epic) For a one-hit wonder, Looking Glass scored a huge one. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) was tremendously popular and is still a soft radio classic, not to mention a staple of Karaoke. It was, in fact, so big that it caused Barry Manilow to rename his song … Read more
Song: Couldn’t Get it Right (1977) Artist: Climax Blues Band Album: Gold Plated (Sire) Couldn’t Get it Right was a no. 3 hit for the Climax Blues Band in May of 1977. They shared the charts with Stevie Wonder, with Sir Duke at number one, Leo Sayer with When I Need You at number two. … Read more
Song: La Grange (1973) Artist: ZZ Top Album: Tres Hombres What’s the most covered ZZ Top song? La Grange. What ZZ Top Song is most often played on the radio? La Grange. Released in 1973 on the album, Tres Hombres, the song also has the most interesting history, although it was not originally a big hit, … Read more
“Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind, On the road to Shambala…” Since its release in 1973, Three Dog Night’s ‘Road To Shambala’ has stood as one of the most uplifting anthems in rock history. But while the melody is unforgettable, the lyrics leave many listeners wondering: What is a Shambala? From ancient Tibetan legends to … Read more
If you’ve had the line ‘Want some whiskey in your water? Sugar in your tea?’ playing on a loop in your head but couldn’t quite place the artist, you aren’t alone. That’s exactly why we’re here at the Lyric Detective desk. While those famous opening words launched a #1 hit for Three Dog Night in 1970, the song’s true … Read more
Song: Imaginary Lover (1978) Artist: Atlanta Rhythm Section Atlanta Rhythm Section, active from 1972 to 1981, was a Southern Rock influenced band often compared to Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers, albeit more radio-friendly. Imaginary Lover was one of two top ten hits, written by Bobby Buie, Robert Nix, and Dean Daughtry: Imaginary Lovers Never turn you … Read more