During 2016, this blog has periodically focused its attention on the singles and albums of 1976. It's only natural for someone who's been given the nickname "Soft Rock Kid" to look at some of the soft rock of the year, so I've created this bracket of the top eight Adult Contemporary/Easy Listening singles from 1976 and we'll match them against each other, round by round, until a winner emerges. I hope you'll play along as I'm sure your bracket will turn out differently from mine. Singles and seedings taken directly from the December 25, 1976 issue of Billboard magazine:
- Quarterfinal #1: "Paloma Blanca" by George Baker Selection (#1 for 1 week) vs. "My Little Town" by Simon & Garfunkel (#1 for 2 weeks)
- Quarterfinal #2: "Let It Shine/He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother" by Olivia Newton-John (#1 for 2 weeks) vs. "I Write the Songs" by Barry Manilow (#1 for 2 weeks)
- Quarterfinal #3: "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon (#1 for 2 weeks) vs. "If You Know What I Mean" by Neil Diamond (#1 for 2 weeks)
- Quarterfinal #4: "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" by England Dan and John Ford Coley (#1 for 1 week) vs. "Fly Away" by John Denver (#1 for 2 weeks)
An extremely weak year-end Top 8, in my opinion, but Ol' Dirk mustered up enough enthusiasm to pick 4... You're welcome:
ReplyDelete#1) Simon & Garfunkel's "My Little Town" clobbers an otherwise inoffensive 'selection' from George Baker.
#2) The big-fella who didn't 'write the song' shines far brighter than Livvie's double-whammy of a dud.
#3) Paul Simon pulls out a second bracket win by returning to his solo 'ways' ('if you know what I mean').
#4) ED & JFC's "I'd Really Love To See..." always does it for me; hence a big 'V' over JD.
Dirk's AC '76 Champion?: Much as 'I'd really love' to go with Dan & John, Paulie & Artie's 'reunion' is my favorite 'little' song of the bunch.
This feature is in line with my interests.
ReplyDeleteVoting strictly on the basis of which I like the best (as opposed to the Easy Listening-est), I'd go with George Baker (can't shake the earworm, sorry), Barry, Neil, and ED/JFC. Semis would then be Baker over Barry and Neil over ED/JFC. In that case, Neil Diamond takes the final, then pours another drink, lights another cigarette, and stares into the darkness thinking of what used to be.
My own bracket picks echo those of Dirk though I agree with jb about the earworm that is "Paloma Blanca" and thoroughly enjoyed Neil Diamond's likely victory celebration.
ReplyDeleteEngland Dan and John Ford Coley to win it all.