Heart hailed from and played in the Seattle area, but recorded this debut single in Vancouver, Canada. Dreamboat Annie appeared in Canada in the summer of 1975 and debuted in America on Valentine's Day 1976. In a male-oriented rock world the unusual sound of a female-fronted rock ensemble would both draw appeal and create friction that would drive a wedge between the group and their original Mushroom Studios label and propel them on to further success. Heart would go on to be almost a celebrity group in the MTV age...
Heart hailed from and played in the Seattle area, but recorded this debut single in Vancouver, Canada. Dreamboat Annie appeared in Canada in the summer of 1975 and debuted in America on Valentine's Day 1976. In a male-oriented rock world the unusual sound of a female-fronted rock ensemble would both draw appeal and create friction that would drive a wedge between the group and their original Mushroom Studios label and propel them on to further success. Heart would go on to be almost a celebrity group in the MTV age of the 80's, but chafed against the insulting sexuality that the video producer's preferred.
Ann Wilson is the lead singer and her sister Nancy is on guitar.
Magic Man
The synth-driven track would be their second single released in both the U.S. and Canada, following different first singles in both countries. This song is about Mike Fisher, Ann's boyfriend at the time, and is somewhat autobiographical.
Crazy On You
This track would be the first single released in the U.S. Nancy's guitar work serves as a prelude to the song. This song is also about Mike Fisher, and about a culture that appeared to be falling apart with the Vietnam War, gas shortages, and other crises of the 70's. Nancy references the Moody Blues as an inspiration for this song.
Soul of the Sea
This deep track is a softer, peaceful sound, again led by Nancy Wilson's guitar. It has a prog rock feel in multiple movements.
Dreamboat Annie
The album's title track is a less rock oriented and more acoustic and harmonic feel. It was released in four cuts - an acoustic version, the album version, a reprise, and a sequel. It hit number 17 on the adult contemporary chart.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from the television series S.W.A.T. by Rhythm Heritage
A radio charting track with a funky beat announced the start of the late night cop show.
STAFF PICKS:
“December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons
Bruce's staff pick is the highest and last charting song by the Four Seasons. It hit #1 in March of 1976. The song was originally entitled "December 5th, 1933" and marked the repeal of Prohibition, but Frankie Valli persuaded keyboardist and writer Bob Gaudio to change it to a more nostalgic homage to Gaudio's affair with his soon-to-be-wife in the sixties.
“Squeeze Box” by The Who
Rob features the double entendre-filled hit from Pete Townshend that made it to #16 on the Billboard 100. Townshend wrote it after learning the accordion, and was surprised both that The Who recorded it, and that it was a hit.
“Never Been Any Reason” by Head East
Wayne's staff pick cranks up the 70's volume with this one-hit wonder. The song was recorded on their own label, as the band wanted to record this anthem their way.
“Dream Weaver” by Gary Wright
Brian's staff pick drifts into the Eastern-influenced music. In 1972 Wright accompanied George Harrison to India, and was inspired by the Indian culture and philosophy. Though Wright wrote the song on his guitar in about an hour, the track itself has no guitar. The song went to number 2 on the charts.
COMEDY TRACK:
“The White Knight” by Cledus Maggard and The Citizen's Band
We finish off this week's podcast with a CB-inspired comedy track which serves as a cautionary tale about relying too much on reports about the police from the CB radio.
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