T. Rex began 1972 the way they signed off from 1971 – with a chart-topping single. Telegram Sam was their third No.1 and confirmed Marc Bolan as the biggest star of the post-Beatles music universe. (more…)
No one ever captured the pain, the agony and the hopelessness of addiction as accurately, or as sensitively, as Neil Young in this song from his landmark album Harvest, released in early 1972. (more…)
Northern Soul legend Donnie Elbert sings the definitive version of the song that’s been a hit for The Supremes and Soft Cell. (more…)
This was the first chart topper of 1972. It began life as a TV commercial, shamelessly co-opting a multi-racial group of teenagers to sing the joys of a sugary fizzy drink… and ended up being stolen by Oasis. (more…)
The last big hit of 1971 was one of the most enduring. A stone-cold classic, the Theme From Shaft sounds as fresh today as it did in December 1971.
David Bowie’s most personal song comes from his fourth album Hunky Dory, released in December 1971, and a flop until the release of Ziggy Stardust the following year. (more…)
Television funny man Benny Hill unforgiveably kept T. Rex off the top of the charts with his autobiographical novelty hit Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West). (more…)
The Persuaders was the first TV show I remember loving. And John Barry’s theme music – one of the first hits of 1972 – remains my favourite of that or any other era. (more…)