#AtoZChallenge 1970's Billboard Hits - Q is for...





Today the #AtoZChallenge  brings us to the letter Q.  Q just happens to be one of those letters that were not on the Billboard Hot 100 Year-end Charts.



So I did some digging around, and came up with the following:

1970 - Question - The Moody Blues

"Question" is a 1970 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, who provides lead vocals. "Question" was first released as a single in April 1970 and remains their second highest charting song, reaching number two and staying on the chart for 12 weeks. It was later featured as the lead track on the 1970 album A Question of Balance.

Originally, the song itself was also to have been named "A Question of Balance," but was shortened to "Question." The lyrics of the chorus, "Why do we never get an answer, when we're knocking at the door/ With a thousand million questions about hate and death and war?", represented Hayward's feelings and attitude toward the Vietnam War.

At the time, "Question" was a simple recording for the Moody Blues. Their previous album, To Our Children's Children's Children, featured songs which included many different sounds provided by overdubbing and double-tracking. Unfortunately, this made most of the songs on the album very difficult to perform live. For this reason, "Question" was recorded in one take, and did not need any overdubbing or double-tracking, making it easier for the Moody Blues to perform live.

While this song did not hit the Billboard Hot 100 Year-end Charts, it did reach the number 2 spot on UK Singles Chart, and number 21 on Billboard Hot 100 when it was released.





1971 -  Queen Bitch - David Bowie

"Queen Bitch" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album Hunky Dory.

Bowie was a great Velvet Underground fan and wrote the song in tribute to the band and Lou Reed. He recorded a studio cover of Reed's "I'm Waiting for the Man" in 1967 (which remains unissued), as well as live versions, which may be heard on Bowie at the Beeb and on Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (in the 2010 special edition and deluxe edition re-issues of Station to Station).

"Queen Bitch" starts with Bowie counting down to his acoustic guitar before Mick Ronson's thrashy guitar riff enters. The song's arrangement, featuring a melodic bass line, a tight drum pattern, choppy distorted guitar chords, and an understated vocal performance by Bowie, provided the template for the glam rock style that features prominently on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, his seminal 1972 follow-up to Hunky Dory. While the main riff is similar to The Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane", it is actually lifted from Eddie Cochran's "Three Steps to Heaven".





1973 - Queen of Hearts - Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman wrote this for Janice Blair, who was the second of his six wives - she married him in 1973 and they divorced in 1975. Janice is the sister of Ron Blair, the bassist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Gregg Allman originally intended this for The Allman Bros' Brothers and Sisters LP. "That song took me about a year and a half to write," he told American Songwriter magazine. "We were rehearsing for the Brothers and Sisters album in 1973, and I had this pile of confetti around the piano where I'd tear it [the song] up in a rage and then go back to it. I finally played it for the band and one of them, I won't say who, said, 'Well, it just ain't sayin' nothin'.' I was livid. So I got on the first thing smokin' to Miami and recorded the Laid Back album." (source: Songfacts)  Laid Back is Gregg Allman's first solo album.






Be sure to follow the 2017 AtoZ Challenge playlist for all of the songs featured in this years challenge.




Did you listen to any of these tunes in the 70's?  Would you like to know more about these artists in future posts? Let me know in the comments.

What does tomorrow bring?
Tomorrow brings us the letter 'R'. 
Any guesses as to which Billboard Hits from the 70s will be showcased?






Comments

  1. I heard that the Moody Blues started out playing classical music. Is that true? Maui Jungalow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Courtney!

      Excellent question! The Moody Blues started as a fusion of rock with classical music, and were pioneers of art rock and progressive rock.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  2. Mary,

    Well...I can't believe I do not know any of these songs. Except, I did find that Annie also used The Moody Blues "Question" this morning which was an introduction to my ears. I really like "Queen of Hearts" by Gregg Allman. The laid back vibes really chills my senses this morning. Thanks for sharing some old new-to-me tunes.

    Today’s Art Sketching Through the Alphabet illustration is of the Evil QUEEN from a classic children’s fairy tale.

    ~Curious as a Cathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy

      I think there are a few new-to-me songs in the rest of the alphabet. It has been great fun learning about them, as I share with the rest of you. I suspect 'Question' will show up on a number of music blogs today.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  3. What a coincidence! We both used "Question" today. ☺ Love that song! The other two were new to me. Thanks for the introduction.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debbie!

      The other two were new to me as well. I knew the artists, but was not familiar with the songs. I really had to dig deep for today's post. Thanks for stopping by and learning about these songs with me.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing these!

    http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love all three of those, particularly "Queen Bitch" (I'm a long-time Bowie fan). Thanks!

    Sharon E. Cathcart
    Award-winning Author of Fiction Featuring Atypical Characters
    #atozchallenge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sharon

      'Queen Bitch' was a new one for me, even though I know who David Bowie is. Thanks for dropping in!

      ~Mary

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  6. All of these are new to me. The songs, not the artists. Never been a huge Bowie fan, but I do really dig that Moody Blues song.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, it's the Beer Guys!

      I'm in the same boat as you. I was familiar with the artists, but not the songs. Today's post was a real learning experience for me as well. Thanks for taking the time to stop in to say hello.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  7. I cannot believe I forgot about the Moody Blues... bwahahaha! These are soooooooooooo good! Way ta go girlfriend, but I think you're right. The "X" one is going to be the worst! LOL It's gonna make Q a breeze! :) You definitely rocked the house! hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marie!

      I sent you a link vis email late last night/early this morning, that might help with those difficult letters. If nothing else, it will help get the thought process going.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  8. Between "Question" and "Pinball Wizard," I must have broken a hundred high E strings....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet the satisfaction of playing those songs made up for all those broken strings, though!

      ~Mary

      Delete
  9. We have almost made it through this challenge. Loving your Qs. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Quite a feat! I have loved every minute of it!

      ~Mary

      Delete
  10. Good mix on that some songs I know and some songs I missed!

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  11. wonderful old music from the year I was born. It was an awesome time for music and these songs have lived on for many
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Angie, for stopping by!

      Definitely some great songs in the '70s.

      ~Mary

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  12. Oh, when I saw the letter was "Q" and that the Moody Blues would be involved, I was sure the song would be "NIGHTS IN QUIET SATIN". This theme is hard for me to understand. MARY, are you sure you're doing it right?
    [;^)}

    ~ D-FensDogG
    Check out my new blog @
    [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that I've had a moment to reflect upon it.... I'm not sure. My Idaho ejumakashun wasn't exactly top tier.

      ~Mary

      Delete

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