Songs of 1973

Entertainment and Media - Music

By: NancyHardin 30-Oct-2010

Introduction:

1973 - Secretariat became horseracing's first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. We withdrew our troops from Vietnam and signed for peace, and the World Trade Center in New York became the tallest building in the world. Our music was rockin' in sync with our feelings about living and loving.

"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree"

This was the most successful recording made by Tony Orlando and Dawn, although they'd had a number of successes before then. It had something for everyone, sadness, love, hope and longing of a man coming home after being away from his loved one for three years. Will she still want him? Does she still love him? If the answer is yes, then "tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree," but if he doesn't see the yellow ribbon he'll know she doesn't want him any more, and "I'll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me."
Fortunately, he sees "a hundred yellow ribbons round the ole oak tree." We loved it into the number one hit of 1973.

"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"

"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" is about a guy from the South side of Chicago, who is the biggest and "baddest man in the whole damn town," "badder than ol' King Kong and meaner than a junkyard dog," and hit number one on the charts in July 1973.

"Crocodile Rock"

"Crocodile Rock," written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, had a carnival-like sound to it, but talked about the early days of rock 'n roll. It was racy, fun and danceable and reached number one in February 1973, just one in a long line of successes for Elton John.

"My Love"

Paul McCartney wrote this song about his feelings for his first wife Linda and included it in an album recorded by his band Wings, known as Red Rose Speedway. He then released it as a single in March 1973, and it went to number one and remained there for three weeks.

"Let's Get It On"

"Let's Get It On," recorded by the late great Marvin Gaye was a sexy sound that greatly influenced many subsequent R&B artists. It became the most commercially successful Motown album of his career, and is regarded by many critics as a milestone in soul music.

Supporting Links

The Top Five Songs of 1973

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PupFashionista 11/5/2010
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Tie a Yellow brings back memories. It was the anthem for a lot of people during the first Gulf War and my hometown was filled with yellow ribbons tied around trees... and not just oak ones. My sister and I won first place in a Putting On the Hits talent competition to that song.
ElaineChastain 11/3/2010
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I love all the information you are packing into your list. Loved Tony Orlando and Dawn too.
JoyceTeresaMann 10/31/2010
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I love your lists, Nancy, but I personally think Tony Orlando and Dawn marked the nadir of pop music in the '70s! But you are right to list the Yellow Ribbon song...it was a major hit.
ponchomeg 10/31/2010
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I like all these songs, and a lot of other music from 1973 as well. Nice list!