Five fantastic songs from the 1970s that don't get played enough

Genesis - “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)”

Now there’s a title for a song! And what a great song it is. If you know early Genesis, you’ll know this one well. But when did you last hear it played on air? This was the second song I heard on the radio this week as mentioned above.  It suited their artistic and imaginative style as a band and was their first charting single in the UK, reaching number 21 in April 1973. 

The song was on the band's fifth album, Selling England by the Pound, released the previous year. Writing was credited to all five band members, the lyrics are largely from Peter Gabriel. He was said to be inspired by a painting from artist Betty Swanwick, an altered version of which features on the album cover. 

The song is quirky but melodic, right from the spoken intro and the poetic lyrics. The story behind the song is about Jacob who is content with his life as he mows the lawn, and there’s the burring sound like a mower at both ends. There are all the archetypal Genesis elements alongside Gabriel’s voice. Precision and tight drums, those swirling guitars, and keyboards, all coming together superbly. 

Mott The Hoople - “All The Way To Memphis” 

If you based your view on radio airplay you’d maybe think Mott The Hoople were one-hit wonders with “All The Young Dudes”. They had several more brilliant songs but they don't get heard anywhere near as often as that tune from David Bowie’s pen.

“All the Way To Memphis” from 1973 is a particular favorite from the others and I reckon ranks slightly ahead of “Roll Away The Stone”. Written by lead singer and frontman Ian Hunter, it's a great song about a singer on his travels realizing his guitar is heading for Oriole, Kentucky rather than Memphis, Tennessee where he is going. 

All the way from the distinctive keyboard intro,  with Ian Hunter adopting a mix of singing and talking and sounding Bowie-like in places. Add in some fine sax solos, a catchy chorus, and a big guitar finish, and you have a terrific tune to sing along to if, or when, it gets played.

Continued on next slide