And so here we are. Another bloody year older. At 53, I think this is the final year that I can get away with saying I’m in my early-50s. Next year, I’ll have to confess to being in my mid-50s and then….*shudders*…well, I’d rather not think about that any further, thank ou very much.
Still, better than the alternative, I guess.
Long time readers may recall that I used to mark my birthday every year by posting the same song, the one which was #1 in the UK charts on the day I was born. That record, for those a little newer round here, is Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising, which I think is a pretty cool – and possibly appropriate – record to be associated with in such a way.
Inspired by a series Martin over at the ever brilliant New Amusements did a few years ago, where he discussed each song which had been #1 on his birthday each year, I decided to do something similar. Alright, something almost identical – the difference being that I’d just post one a year, on my birthday, to see how long the run of cool records being #1 on my big day could last.
So far, so good: to go with Bad Moon Rising (1969), we’ve had Freda Payne’s Band of Gold (1970) and The Tams’ Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me (1971).
So what have we got this year, to represent 1972? Another cool one hopefully.
Nope.
It was this:
David Cassidy – How Can I Be Sure
Now, I must say that when I saw who this year’s record was by, my heart sank. I’m not adverse to a bit of 70s kitsch, nor oblivious to the charms of the odd teen heart-throb, but Jesus wept…David Cassidy….!
So I gave it a listen. And what do you know, it’s nowhere near as bad as I imagined.
Which is probably because I recognised it as a cover version of this, much more Scott Walker/Jacques Brel-esque version:
The Young Rascals – How Can I Be Sure
I think perhaps I’m trying to convince myself here. Sure, The Young Rascals version would have been preferable, or even better, the (not featured here for fear of overkill) Dusty Springfield version from 1970. But in all honesty, the David Cassidy version isn’t that bad.
I tell you what is rather galling though. On 26th September 1972, the David Cassidy version had only been #1 for two days. Had I been born even more prematurely than I actually was, on 24th September instead of 26th, then this would have been the next record in this series and I’d have been a whole lot happier:
Slade – Mama Weer All Crazee Now
That’s better.
Now, who fancies giving me the bumps? Good luck, it’ll take a few of you.
More soon.
A History of Dubious Taste 