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Ross On Radio @rossonradio.com · 27/09/2026

Don’t forget the one about Humbert and Lolita.

010

It’s interesting to compare with Gracie Abrams whose current “Hit the Wall” is not a hit of the same magnitude. She has a following and radio wants her to have hits but she rarely does, really.

100

I don’t love “Boston” but I do think it’s a real hit. That it sounds like other songs people like is feature, not bug. Whether it’s artistry is a different discussion.

100

For years, people have insisted that any song they don’t like had to be the result of payola. But the cheesy songs that people like in spite of themselves are usually the ones that need the least hype.

100

For years, it was agreed in the industry that the one thing wealth couldn’t do was buy your daughter a hit song. Even now what it does is remove the barrier to entry, not make a hit, I think.

100

Of all the song lyrics that aren't okay now, if they ever were, what else from our #AT40 listening is as bad as "if her daddy's poor/just do what you feel"?

6100

Everybody in the club get Tippi. #AT40

170

I often wonder about the relationships that inspired the hits. I particularly wonder who prompted David Gates to write "Make It With You." Also, whether that line worked. #AT40

1100

If you like PG-13 jokes about the TV campaigns of 1977, you'll also love... #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_cQ...

YouTube video by Crown Heights Affair - Topic

(Do It The) French Way

120

A month later, when "Telephone Man" became a semi-hit, there were two stations in DC that played it: Disco WKYS and new Country WMZQ. WPGC never touched it. It fit everywhere by fitting nowhere. #AT40

Ha! I first heard "Telephone Man" on WAEB Allentown, which played more new music than nearby WABC and WFIL. Jeff Frank (IIRC) played it in mornings and absolutely said "this is probably the only time you will hear this song on this station." #AT40

120

It's a definite controversy up there. Canadian radio still required to play 35-40% and many of the biggest artists don't qualify, competing with Internet radio that has no responsibility to Canadian artists, and SXM which can isolate it on a few Canadian-oriented channels.

Canadian citizens living in the States are still Cancon as long as the songs themselves still qualify: Paul Anka, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, etc. But many recent Justin Bieber and Tate McRae hits don't count--co-written with America or recorded on a tour bus somewhere other than Canada. #AT40

140

Glad I got to see Gladys about eight years ago and still doing a great show. #AT40

190

In Washington, D.C., R&B WOL also played this Van McCoy song that I never owned at the time, because it was only on the album. Notice the Copeland influence (really). #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmPu...

Van McCoy - Turn This Mother Out

YouTube video by Reservoir Recordings

050

For such a phenomenal record, "The Hustle" by Van McCoy is taking only a three notch jump in a mostly undistinguished Dirty 30. Hard to imagine now that it could have ever languished permanently in the realm of "Judy Mae" and other #AT40 trivia.

290

You've got nine months until Boomer Castleman returns (or whenever summer '77 comes up on "Wheel of Casey"). #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqrM...

1977 HITS ARCHIVE: Telephone Man - Meri Wilson (stereo 45)

YouTube video by AnotherProf

This would not be our last exposure to Boomer Castleman. He also produced this #AT40 classic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqrM...

1977 HITS ARCHIVE: Telephone Man - Meri Wilson (stereo 45)

YouTube video by AnotherProf

590

Also, because I work in media, I originally typed DMA. #AT40

100

Ross On Radio @rossonradio.com · 21/09/2026

"Dyn-o-mite" has a lot of Dave & Ansil Collins' "Double Barrell" in its DNA, and you either like or detest them both. #AT40

241

They took over the format nearly a decade ago, but I have a new(?) name for bands like this-- "fill-ternative."

Ross On Radio @rossonradio.com · 21/09/2026

Once artists no longer had to write for the radio, songs were now free to meander around the cabin. Programmers find the viral phenomena that most resemble radio records, but there aren't many, and that's why they stick around forever.

040

Among my favorites: the pre-Wilson Sisters version of what became Heart recognizing a future Steely Dan classic early. #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGe8...

130

In 1976, that *was* the business haircut. It's back now, too. #AT40

070

I haven't heard enough other songs by her to be sure. #AT40

010

That said, once pop and R&B radio began doing research, almost always against female listeners only, the "evil woman" lyric became scarcer. So did, "I love you baby, but I'm leaving anyway." #AT40

050

As a radio program director once told me about "Poison" by Bell BivDevoe, women didn't resent the "evil woman" lyric like you'd expect, because they always thought it was about somebody else. #AT40

160

If you're flagging at 4:30 p.m., remember one push of this button makes sundown come early. #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IBd...

Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Gordon Lightfoot

060

"Face Dances" felt like a return to form. "It's Hard" sounded slapped together. "Athena" always felt like something ad-libbed in the studio with the intent of writing a real lyric later. #AT40

290

In 1976, it still happened occasionally that a Canadian artist would cover an album cut and try to have a Cancon radio hit with it. Here's the version of "Say You Love Me" that Canadian radio played (by the future author of "Something to Talk About"). www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0x...

YouTube video by Shirley Eikhard - Topic

Say You Love Me

350

"Disco Duck" is something that doesn't exist much in my world: uptempo, propulsive, fun (or meant to be) ... and reprehensible. Ultimately, as contemptuous of disco as Steve Dahl. #AT40

0120

All Billy Joel love songs before "Uptown Girl." #AT40

080

"A Little Bit More" is one of the least sexy sex songs ever. But "Muskrat Love" was in the wings. #AT40

0100

Ross On Radio @rossonradio.com · 15/09/2026

Just like Gerry Rafferty's "Right Down The Line" and "Home and Dry," two other songs about appreciating a long-running marriage, there is sadness in knowing that John Hall's marriage still broke up after "Still The One." #AT40

1110

At the airport and there’s a guy at the gate in a white shirt and slacks who, compared to other travelers, looks like a visitor from the corporate world of a slightly bygone era. I guess he circled back.

150

I’ve heard two previous versions—more straightforward without the creeping psych influence. Depends which you’ve heard first—I know somebody who liked this version least—but they both sound tame to me.

“Words” is one of the first songs I remember as a current hit. (I had missed the previous nine months of Monkeemania.) As great a garage band record as any.

130

Timing just right to inspire Dylan, “Hurricane” too, along with the headlines. #AT40

180

Also if only the other guy could tell you that he’s blasting “Come Clean,” there’d be a lasting friendship.

030

Going back a few years earlier for this morning’s first workout song.

110

"Lady Marmalade" was originally written for their own group, Eleventh Hour, which did chart with this equally suggestive song. #AT40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ub...

1975 Eleventh Hour - Hollywood Hot

YouTube video by The45Prof

230

Allman Brothers - Ramblin' Man Louisiana's LeRoux - New Orleans Ladies, missed #AT40 but you wouldn't know it if you lived there or Memphis

240

Gary US Bonds/New Orleans Johnny Horton/Battle Of New Orleans Labelle/Lady Marmalade Various/Dancing In The Streets Arlo Guthrie/City Of ... #AT40

350

Not at radio though. CCR "Proud Mary," played 273x last week in the top 200 or so markets. Ike & Tina 16x. But none of us can visualize Fogerty performing it. #AT40

160

In the early '70s, there were a lot of artist salvos against feminism. "Another Day" still comes off to me as "hey, liberated woman, aren't you lonely?" But it hits differently because it's Sir Paul and not Paul Anka. #AT40

040

Brewer & Shipley and Wadsworth Mansion are all going home to "Sweet Mary." Hilarity ensues. #AT40

170