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Song of the Day #6,491: ‘The Road’ – Jackson Browne

Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…

#4 – Running on Empty – Jackson Browne

I did a Jackson Browne deep dive five years ago that gave me a strong appreciation for the man’s work. But even after digging into 14 studio albums, it was hard to find anything that compares to the one I already loved: Running on Empty.

This is a concept album about life on the road that was recorded on the road — in front of live audiences, on a tour bus, in hotel rooms and backstage rehearsal spaces. It captures the lazy haze of that vagabond existence and drips with the sweat of hard-working musicians and their supporting crews.

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Song of the Day #6,490: ‘Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town’ – Talking Heads

Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…

#5 – Talking Heads: 77 – Talking Heads

This is the first of two debut albums in my top five, making 1977 not just a great year for music overall but a great year for the introduction of important new artists.

I can only imagine what it was like to hear Talking Heads for the first time in 1977. Here was a band of former art school students blending punk, new wave, and world music in songs with provocative lyrics and a lead singer whose clipped, chirping vocals were simultaneously funny and unnerving (but sometimes surprisingly sweet).

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Song of the Day #6,489: ‘Kiss’ – Prince and the Revolution

Austrian artist Falco owned the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 the week of April 12, 1986, with ‘Rock Me Amadeus,’ one of only nine non-English songs to top the chart.

At #2 was Prince with his iconic hit ‘Kiss,’ which would reach #1 the following week and stay there for two weeks. ‘Kiss’ is the third of five chart-topping hits for Prince, all released between 1984 and 1991.

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Song of the Day #6,488: ‘Let Your Love Flow’ – The Bellamy Brothers

Throwing back to the week of April 11, 1976, we find Johnnie Taylor holding on to the #1 spot of the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Disco Lady.’

At #2, on its way to a single week atop the chart, was The Bellamy Brothers’ ‘Let Your Love Flow.’ This country crossover hit was the duo’s debut single and by far their biggest success on the Hot 100 (their second most popular song reached #39).

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Song of the Day #6,487: ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ – Bee Gees

Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…

#6 – Saturday Night Fever soundtrack

It goes against my long-held principles to include a soundtrack album on a list of favorites, but I do allow some exceptions. And if ever an album is worthy of an exception, it’s the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

In fact, it’s probably a bigger outrage that this seminal recording didn’t crack my top five. But that’s just a testament to how incredible 1977 was for new music.

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