WLS Top 27 for Week of October 9, 1972-- Part 1: 'Thunder and Lightning'

These were the top songs in Chicago according to WLS, 890 AM, fifty years ago.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number behind the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

27.  *DON'T EVER BE LONELY-- Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose     #23      I had forgotten this nugget.  If you don't remember it, check it out on You Tube.

26.  *IF I COULD REACH YOU--  Fifth Dimension       #19     What a voice.  That Mariyn McCoo and gang could really sing well together.

25.  *THUNDER AND LIGHTNING--  Chi Coltrane      #17      For some reason I always thought  it was a black woman singing this song, but it wasn't.  One kickin' song.   Born in Racine, Wisconsin.  Her one and only top 40 tune.

24.  RUN TO ME--  Bee Gees   #16     A forgotten Gibbs brothers song.

22.  CITY OF NEW ORLEANS--  Arlo Guthrie      #18     Written by Chicago's Steve Goodman.  A real American tapestry.  His only Top 40.  Also famous for that great "Alice's Restaurant."

21.  *STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN--  Mel & Tim       #19     I'd forgotten about this song but what a great smoothie as Herb Kent would call it.  Their second of two Top 40s, the other one being "Backfield in Motion" (#10 in 1969).

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Penny A Point Ain't Nobody Keeping Score."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"City of New Orleans"

"Go Cubs Go," A 1984 Song, Hits Billboard Charts-- Part 2

The tune debuted a few months before Steve Goodman, a beloved Chicago singer-songwriter, died of leukemia in September 1984 at age 36.  He was probably best known for writing the song "City of New Orleans," but in Chicago was also really popular for his song "Lincoln Park Pirates," about an infamous towing company.

"Go Cubs Go" also tops the LyricFind U.S. chart for the week ending November 19, up from No. 8 the previous week.  The chart ranks the top trending lyric searches through LyricFind's syndication service.  The song was also No. 5 on Spotify's Viral 50 list Tuesday.

The Cubs anthem received even more exposure Saturday when Cub fan Bill Murray, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, center fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher David Ross sang the tune on "Saturday Night Live."

Like the Man Said, "Go Cubs Go."  --RoadDog

"Go Cubs Go," a 1984 Song, Hits the Billboard Charts-- Part 1: (For Some Reason)

From the November 10, 2016, Chicago Tribune.

Not only are the Chicago Cubs making history, but music about them is as well.

Steve Goodman's 1884 song "Go Cubs Go," which is played and sung loudly after every Cubs win at Wrigley Field, debuts on the Billboard Pop Digital Song Sales chart at #21 and on the Billboard Digital Song Sales Chart at 49 for the week ending November 19.

The song drew 15,000 downloads and 2.5 million U.S. streams (mostly from You Tube clicks in the week that ended Nov. 3), according to Billboard.  The Cubs won the World Series against the Cleveland Indians on Nov. 2.

Well, How About That!!  --Go CubDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  Fitness Center sign:  "Self esteem is feeling good about yourself - regardless of the facts."

"Reach Out" for a Red Stripe Beer (From Galena, Illinois)

I learned two things last week when we were in Galena, Illinois.

The first was that Red Stripe Beer was first produced (and for 100 years from the 1830s to 1937) at one of the nine breweries that one time or another were located in that town. The formula was sold in a downturn after Prohibition to a pair of English investors who took it to Jamaica...and, the rest is history.

The second thing was that one of my favorite songs from the 1960s, "Reach Out in the Darkness" by Friend and Lover, was written by Galena native Jim Post, best known for his portrayal of Mark Twain and Galena Rose in one man shows.

Today, I went to Wikipedia and found out that Friend and Lover were actually he and his wife. He also performed a lot in the 70s and 80s in Chicago and was a contemporary of Steve Goodman, John Prine and Bonnie Koloc.

Some Stuff I Didn't Know. --RoadDog

Why It Takes So Long to Do These Dumb Blogs

Well, one thing leads to another.

In connection with son Al's death, I went to You Tube.  It is always a mistake to go to You Tube as that usually is a three hour layover.  One thing leads to another.  I hate those video offerings on the right side.  Takes up a lot of time.

Anyway, with Alfons being such a Cub fan, I looked up Steve Goodman's "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" on You Tube and found one of him playing on one of the famous rooftop places across from Wrigley Field's left field.  It was six minutes of Steve playing a guitar and singing the song.  I have to wonder how he remembered all those words.  Great video.

Then, there was one of him playing my favorite country song, "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" made ever-so-famous by David Allan Coe and also called "The Perfect Country and Western Song" which is what I called it when I played it back in the deejaying days.  Always a great sing-a-long, especially when you hit that one part.  Well, Steve did not sing that "one part" the way we've always heard it.

Then, there was that great "Lincoln Park Pirates" and "City of New Orleans" of Goodman's.

Unfortunately, Steve Goodman said he co-wrote "Name" with John Prine, well, that took more time.  I'm a big Prine fan as well.

So, That's Why?  --RoadDog


ANSWERS TO MONDAY'S WHICH CAME FIRST:  Teddy Bear (1902), Ragedy Ann Doll (1918), Yo-Yo (1929), Frisbee (1957)

Steve Goodman Gets Post Office

From the October 24th Chicago Tribune "Special Delivery" in Sidewalks column by Rick Kogan and Chick Osgood.

Musical friends help celebrate Steve Goodman postal tribute.

In April, House Resolution 4861 passed in the House of Representatives 371-0 and then in July, the US Senate voted unanimously to rename the Lakeview Station in Chicago the Steve Goodman Post Office Building.

The change took place in what was called a "musical unveiling" earlier in the month orchestrated by the Old Town School of Folk Music, some of whom knew Steve. His mother Minnette was also there.

Some of those performing were pals such as Ed Holstein, the master of ceremonies, Bonnie Koloc, Corky Siegel and Jim Tullio.

Politicians were there as well. Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Il) is the man who introduced the bill.

The post office is at 1343 W. Irving Park Road, just a few blocks from Steve's beloved Wrigley Field. Since 2007, every Cub victory has erupted with the song "Go, Cubs, Go," a Steve Goodman number. Of course, there is always his "A Dying Cub Fans Last Request."

New Cubs chairman, Tom Ricketts said the song "represents the passion and optimism of the Cubs fans."

Goodman is probably best-known for his song "City of New Orleans" but my own favorite is "Lincoln Park Pirates" about a well-known towing company. I'd like "Go, Cubs, Go" more, but I am more of a Sox fan, but have caught myself singing it on occasion. Hey, I back the Cubbies unless they're playing the Sox.

Unfortunately, Steve's life was cut way too short, dying at 36 in 1984 of leukemia.

A Well-Deserved Honor. --RoadDog


SIXTIES HITS REVISED: Helen Reddy: "I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore."

Cubs, Cubs, Cubs, "Go Cubs Go"

That's all you hear about around here right now. It is enough to make a White Sox fan like myself sick. Don't get me wrong, I am pulling for them, but fear a world series victory would make the average Cub fan very much like the average Yankee fan--pretty hard to take.

I pull for the Cubs unless they play the White Sox. Actually, I wouldn't have been too upset had the Brewers managed to hang in there. They are my third favorite team and I've been a fan since the early 80s. I still say they would have won the '82 World series had Rollie Fingers been healthy.

Like Steve Goodman wrote before his death, "Go Cubs Go, Go Cubs Go. Hey Chicago, what do you say, Go Cubs Go."

Part-Time Cub Fan Me.   --RoadDog