Viva ABBA! "Waterloo" U.S. top 20

Eh bien, avant de passer au titre suivant, je vous propose de traverser l' océan et de survoler la carrière des suédois aux States. Les dates risquent de ne pas correspondre avec la vieille Europe car à l'époque, dans un sens comme dans l'autre, il y avait toujours un décalage substantiel dans les sorties de disques et toute cette sorte de chose.
Bien que pour les Américains le Grand Prix Eurovision a toujours fait figure d'OVNI interstellaire, nombreux sont ceux qui s'y intéressaient et par conséquent certaines chansons réussirent à s'exporter, dont le célèbre "Waterloo"

 July 13, 1974

Hello, I`m Nourville Rogers, the host of American Top 20. Why a Top 20? Because they can`t afford to pay me for a Top 40.

Last week, you might recall the Top 20 was:

1. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation (3)
2. Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot (8)
3. Billy, Don`t Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods (7)
4. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (3)
5. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Olivia Newton-John (6)
6. Hollywood Swinging - Kool & the Gang (5)
7. You Make Me Feel Brand New - Stylistics (10)
8. Annie`s Song - John Denver (2)
9. You Won`t See Me - Anne Murray (5)
10. On and On - Gladys Knight & the Pips (3)
11. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (2)
12. Be Thankful For What You Got - William DeVaughn (6)
13. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (2)
14. One Hell of a Woman - Mac Davis (3)
15. Rock and Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (2)
16. Sideshow - Blue Magic (2)
17. Band On the Run - Paul McCartney & Wings (9)
18. The Streak - Ray Stevens (11)
19. Dancing Machine - Jackson 5 (13)
20. Radar Love - Golden Earring (1)

Well, this week we have two new entries, one from a bespectacled superstar and one from a new artist from - get this - Sweden! And the Swedish song won this year`s Eurovision song contest. And now it`s time for this week`s countdown:

1. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (4)
2. Annie`s Song - John Denver (3)
3. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation (4)
4. Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot (9)
5. On and On - Gladys Knight & the Pips (4)
6. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (1)
7. Billy, Don`t Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods (8)
8. You Won`t See Me - Anne Murray (6)
9. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (3)
10. Rock and Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (3)
11. One Hell of a Woman - Mac Davis (4)
12. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Olivia Newton-John (7)
13. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (3)
14. Sideshow - Blue Magic (3)
15. Band On the Run - Paul McCartney & Wings (10)
16. Radar Love - Golden Earring (2)
17. Hollywood Swinging - Kool & the Gang (6)
18. Waterloo - ABBA (1)
19. You Make Me Feel Brand New - Stylistics (11)
20. Be Thankful For What You Got - William DeVaughn (7)

And ABBA aren`t the only foreign-language artists on this week`s Top 20. Did you know Golden Earring is Dutch? Not from hearing them sing you don`t! And despite her country style, Olivia Newton-John is actually Australian. The Nashville crowd don`t sound too happy bout that...

And now for a special all-Watergate version of our dedications:
#4 is dedicated to President Nixon, whose presidency is in sundown right now.
#6 is dedicated to President Nixon, but it`s too late for you now.
#8 is dedicated to President Nixon, who we haven`t seen much of lately.
#14 is dedicated to President Nixon; anything he says or does these days is guaranteed to be a sideshow to the Watergate hearings.
#15 is dedicated to President Nixon, whose band of advisors is most certainly on the run right now.
#18 is dedicated to President Nixon, who`s finally met his Waterloo.
#19 is dedicated to Vice President Ford; at least he should be able to make the US feel brand new.
#20 is dedicated to President Nixon, who really should be thankful for his presidency as long as he`s got it.

And remember to stay tuned for next week`s Top 20! I`m Nourville Rogers saying goodbye.

July 20, 1974

Nourville Rogers for American Top 20. This week, we`ve got four new entries: one from an artist who became popular thanks to Clint Eastwood making her day, one from a group that once included Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield, one from the cousin of half a popular duo, and one from a Canadian who once had a Number One hit by dissing the USA.

Time for the countdown:

1. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (5)
2. Annie`s Song - John Denver (4)
3. Rock and Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (4)
4. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (2)
5. On And On - Gladys Knight & the Pips (5)
6. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation (5)
7. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (4)
8. You Won`t See Me - Anne Murray (7)
9. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (4)
10. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - Olivia Newton-John (8)
11. Sideshow - Blue Magic (4)
12. Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot (10)
13. Billy, Don`t Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods (9)
14. One Hell of a Woman - Mac Davis (5)
15. Radar Love - Golden Earring (3)
16. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (1)
17. Finaly Got Myself Together (I`m a Changed Man) - Impressions (1)
18. Waterloo - ABBA (2)
19. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (1)
20. Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (1)

And, of course, time for the dedications:

#2 is dedicated to Little Orphan Annie. Heck, it could become her theme song!
#5 is dedicated to all Deadheads. May your long, strange trip never end!
#8 is dedicated to the Invisible Man. I guess we won`t.
#10 is dedicated to the Nixon girls. We don`t.
#14 is dedicated to all female members of Charles Manson`s "family". Yep, that`s you all right.
#16 is dedicated to Hugh Hefner. He always does.
#19 is dedicated to any New York Yankee with the chutpah to actually do it.

And remember to stay tuned for next week`s Top 20! I`m Nourville Rogers saying goodbye, and I need a catchier slogan.


July 27, 1974

Hi Nourville Rogers here again. It`s time for American Top 20. Another four new songs on the countdown - one from a highly popular American band, one from a British band using the American band`s name in their title, one from a man who doesn`t like spiders or snakes, and one from a Southern group that doesn`t like frowning.

So here`s the Top 20:

1. Annie`s Song - John Denver (5)
2. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (3)
3. Rock And Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (5)
4. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (6)
5. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (5)
6. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (2)
7. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (5)
8. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation (6)
9. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (2)
10. Call On Me - Chicago (1)
11. Sideshow - Blue Magic (5)
12. On And On - Gladys Knight & the Pips (6)
13. Radar Love - Golden Earring (4)
14. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (1)
15. Waterloo - ABBA (3)
16. One Hell Of a Woman - Mac Davis (6)
17. Finaly Got Myself Together (I`m a Changed Man) - Impressions (1)
18. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford (1)
19. Keep On Smilin` - Wet Willie (1)
20. Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (2)

By the way, even if you don`t know the name, Paper Lace`s music should; they had a Number One record in the UK with "Billy, Don`t Be a Hero", though Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods got the hit here.

And time for the dedications:

#3 is dedicated to Jim Croce. May you always enjoy strumming your guitar.
#4 is dedicated to all new mothers. Heed George`s advice.
#7 is dedicated to oxygen. Oxygen, we can`t get enough of it. (Paid for by the Breathers for Oxygen Air Council.)
#9 is dedicated to ABBA. I sure hope they do.
#14 is dedicated to Peter Cetera. Keep that voicebox ready and hopefully it`ll never come.
#19 is dedicated to President Nixon`s closest advisors, who need all the happiness they can get.
#20 is dedicated to America`s oil companies, when they aren`t out of stock.

Please don`t forget tune in on your dial next week. I`m Nourville Rogers saying anything that`ll get me paid on time.  




Hello, it`s good ol` Nourville Rogers again, here for this week`s American Top 20. Two new titles, one from the King of Rock and one from a new group whose lead singer wants to be the Queen of Funk. Whatever, here`s the countdown:

1. Annie`s Song - John Denver (6)
2. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (4)
3. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (3)
4. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (6)
5. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (2)
6. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (6)
7. Rock And Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (6)
8. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (3)
9. Call On Me - Chicago (2)
10. Sideshow - Blue Magic (6)
11. Waterloo - ABBA (4)
12. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (7)
13. Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation (7)
14. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford (2)
15. Keep On Smilin` - Wet Willie (2)
16. Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (3)
17. If You Talk In Your Sleep - Elvis Presley (1)
18. Radar Love - Golden Earring (5)
19. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus (1)
20. On And On - Gladys Knight & the Pips (7)

As usual, it`s now time for the dedications:

#4 is dedicated to Ricky Nelson. Send it off in a letter to yourself.
#6 is dedicated to astronauts. All they need is some air to breathe and some food, too.
#9 is dedicated to college students` parents. They`ll call on you, alright - your dime!
#13 is dedicated to tsunamis. Don`t tip the boats over.
#14 is dedicated to Jerry Garcia. Keep on smokin`.
#17 is dedicated to insomniacs. They`ll never have that problem.
#19 is dedicated to DJs everywhere. OK, I`ll humor you - the check`s in the mail.

And keep your radio tuned to this station for next week`s Top 20! I`m Nourville Rogers saying goodbye and good luck.

August 10, 1974

Once again, it`s time for America`s Top 20! I`m Nourville Rogers, and this week`s survey is a doozy. FIVE new artists: an old Fifties favorite, an American group named after an Australian expression, a band named after a Michigan railroad, a brother-and-sister pair, and a man who co-wrote hits for the Archies.

We now present, for your approval, this week`s chaotic coutdown:

1. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (4)
2. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (3)
3. Annie`s Song - John Denver (7)
4. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (5)
5. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (4)
6. Call On Me - Chicago (3)
7. Waterloo - ABBA (5)
8. Sideshow - Blue Magic (7)
9. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford (3)
10. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus (2)
11. Keep On Smilin` - Wet Willie (3)
12. Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (4)
13. (You`re) Having My Baby - Paul Anka (1)
14. Rock And Roll Heaven - Righteous Brothers (7)
15. Rikki, Don`t Lose That Number - Steely Dan (7)
16. Sure As I`m Sitting Here - Three Dog Night (1)
17. The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (7)
18. Shinin` On - Grand Funk (1)
19. I`m Leaving It All Up To You - Donny and Marie Osmond (1)
20. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim (1)

The dedications:

#2 is dedicated to Richard Daley. You`re what`s keeping Chicago alive right now.
#4 is dedicated to Elton John. Slipping down the chart in only your fifth Top Twenty week - you`re losing it.
#8 is dedicated to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus. How many sideshows you got, anyway?
#10 is dedicated to personal assistants. They`ll never tell you something bad.
#11 is dedicated to Gerald Ford - you`re in charge now, don`t let us down!
#13 is dedicated to my wife. It`s mine and don`t you forget it!
#19 is dedicated to our listeners. Whatever we play next week, it`s up to you.

Please stay tuned in for next week`s show. I`m Nourville Rogers asking you to spay and neuter all cheating spouses.


August 17, 1974

Hiya! Nourville Rogers for American Top 20 again. Three new entries this time, one from a guitar god, one from a lady who wants her roar heard, and one from a country singer who races cars. We now present the countdown for the week:

1. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (4)
2. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (5)
3. (You`re) Having My Baby - Paul Anka (2)
4. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus (3)
5. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (5)
6. Call On Me - Chicago (4)
7. Waterloo - ABBA (6)
8. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford (4)
9. I`m Leaving It All Up To You - Donny and Marie Osmond (2)
10. Sideshow - Blue Magic (8)
11. Keep On Smilin` - Wet Willie (4)
12. Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (5)
13. I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton (1)
14. Shinin` On - Grand Funk (2)
15. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim (2)
16. Sure As I`m Sitting Here - Three Dog Night (2)
17. You And Me Against the World - Helen Reddy (1)
18. Annie`s Song - John Denver (8)
19. Don`t Let the Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John (6)
20. Rub It In - Billy "Crash" Craddock (1)

Now for the dedications:

#1 is dedicated to the East Side of Chicago... wherever it is.
#4 is dedicated to my boss. Okay, you`re NOT a scumbag after all.
#8 is dedicated to the redwood forest. The forest fires will smoke all the wildwood weeds there soon.
#13 is dedicated to all the cop killers out there. At least you didn`t shoot the deputies.
#15 is dedicated to all new mothers. You rocked your baby, but be sure to do it gently.
#17 is dedicated to my wife. Alas, I think the world is winning.
#20 is dedicated to Mr. Craddock. You look like a monkey, and you smell like one, too.

And thank you, Steve, for caring. I`m Nourville Rogers wishing my listener good luck until next week

 

August 24, 1974

I`m Nourville Rogers, returning for another week of American Top 20. This time, we see four new entries, one from an overweight R&B singer/producer, one from two artists (one sang the Bacharach book, the others former Motown singers), one from a British group covering a British Invasion classic, and one from a man who was once billed in a duet with the Beatles. No further stalling, time to count `em down:

1. (You`re) Having My Baby - Paul Anka (3)
2. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (5)
3. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus (4)
4. Feel Like Makin` Love - Roberta Flack (6)
5. I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton (2)
6. Waterloo - ABBA (7)
7. Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford (5)
8. I`m Leaving It All Up To You - Donny and Marie Osmond (3)
9. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim (3)
10. Keep On Smilin` - Wet Willie (5)
11. Shinin` On - Grand Funk (3)
12. You And Me Against the World - Helen Reddy (2)
13. Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (6)
14. Sideshow - Blue Magic (9)
15. Can`t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe - Barry White (1)
16. Rub It In - Billy "Crash" Craddock (2)
17. Then Came You - Dionne Warwicke & the Spinners (1)
18. Wild Thing - Fancy (1)
19. Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston (1)
20. Call On Me - Chicago (5)

Dedication time:

#1 is dedicated to surrogate mothers. Remember whose baby you`re having, ladies!
#5 is dedicated to Wild West outlaws. NOW we know where Wyatt Earp went...
#8 is dedicated to Donny & Marie. Whether those freaks get a room or not is, indeed, up to them.
#11 is dedicated to the sun. Make sure you keep shinin` on, or else we`ll never be able to have our oil supply keep up with demand!
#17 is dedicated to the "e" at the end of Ms. Warwick`s name. We never knew "Warwicke" before, then came you.
#18 is dedicated to Fancy. You make my heart sing.
#19 is dedicated to subtraction; without nothing, where would we be? My bank account would sure be nowhere.

Keep on rockin` `til next week`s show. I`m Nourville Rogers using as many apostrophes in a row as I darn well please.





Intermission x 60

Believe it or not, "Waterloo" fell from #6 to #24 the next week. Their next chart single only reached #27, and they didn`t have another until fall 1975. Hence the 60-week gap.

Thanks, Hildebrande. It`s nice to know somebody cares for this thread; the "1" rating means someone else doesn`t. I know it looks similar to A-Ha`s, but I`m not very good at writing lyrical parodies, so I dedided to spice it up with attitude, facts, and humor.

My personal kudos to anyone out there who can figure out the reasoning behind the host`s name.

Oui, bla-bla-bla bla-bla-bla, en fête notre correspondant californien nous fait un petit entr'acte pour nous annoncer que cette semaine Waterloo dégringole de la 6ème à la 24ème place (encore un coup du pas beau Léon ) et qu'il faudra attendre 60 semaines avant de revoir les zABBAs revenir dans le top20 made in U.S.A. car le single suivant n'atteindra que la vingt-septième place
Il s'agit de "Honey honey que l'on peut retrouver sur leur premier alboume et qui ne sortira pas dans tous les pays, les zAbbas préférant le garder comme extrait de 33 tours, sentant bien qu'il valait mieux  attendre d'avoir une chanson du gabarit de Waterloo" pour continuer à s'imposer.

Bien qu'ayant connu une gloire universelle, les ventes des zABBAs furent assez inégales suivant les pays. L'histoire de "Honey honey" est assez symptomatique de cet état de fait.
A l'origine, "Honey honey" se trouvait sur la face B de la version suédoise de "Waterloo". Ce fut la toute dernière chanson enregistrée en suédois par le groupe. Ensuite, ils n'enregistrèrent plus qu'en anglais ou en espagnol, parfois en allemand.
Lorsque "Honey honey" sortit en version anglaise, il figura sur la face A, avec l'infâme "King Kong song" sur la face B.
Le disque ne sortit pas au Royaume-Uni qui, à la place, eut droit à une version remixée de "Ring ring" sorti l'an précédent et qui avait échoué lors des selections pour l'Eurovision. Ce titre n'atteindra que la trente-deuxième place.
Du coup, le duo Sweet Dreams, flairant la bonne affaire, s'empara de la chansonnette et en fit un succès en Angleterre. Même si elle eut des fortunes diverses suivant les pays, la chanson "Honey honey" permit de mettre en avant le célèbre gimmick sexy ABBAyen, véritable marque de fabrique du groupe, le fameux "A-haaaa ", repris sur quasiment tous leurs succès.
Sur le plan comptable, "Honey honey" par Sweet Dreams se classa n°10 en Angleterre. La version des zABBAs se classa n°30 en Australie, n°27 aux U.S.A., n°4 en Suisse, n°1 en Suède (what a surprise ), n°16 en Nouvelle Zélande, n°16 en Hollande, n°11 en Finlande, n°12 en Belgique, n°4 en Autriche et n°2 en Allemagne...