7 of the 70s: 10/31/13 (1977)...

It's 70s throwback Thursday time, and this week I'm back to 1977, the year soccer great Pele' plays his last pro game.. (as always I've included links to buy anything on CD or MP3 when available)..

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - "Blinded By The Light"
from the album The Roaring Silence (1976)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Bruce Springsteen

The only #1 single for "The Boss" came courtesy of this 60s British Invasion band who evolved into 70s stoner-pop goodness.

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Steve Miller Band - "Fly Like An Eagle"
from the album Fly Like An Eagle (1976)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
Songwriter: Steve Miller

The Bay Area rocker's most famous song evolved from a bluesy jam (as evidenced by this live version) to a spacey trip-out anthem made for stereo headphones.

Alice Cooper - "You And Me"
from the album Lace and Whiskey (1977)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriters: Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner

Fans of the shock-rock singer were quite surprised by this MOR pop single that ended up being his last big hurrah until the late 80s.

Little River Band - "Help Is On The Way"
from the album Diamantina Cocktail (1977)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14
Songwriter: Glenn Shorrock

The Australian band had their only #1 single in their homeland with this earworm. Fun fact: I actually brought the 8-track of this album to a middle-school dance for them to play. WTF.

Electric Light Orchestra - "Do Ya"
from the album A New World Record (1976)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #24
Songwriter: Jeff Lynne

Lynne revives his minor hit with his pre-ELO band The Move (originally called "Look Out Baby, There's A Plane A-Comin') complete with a laser show!

Smokie - "Living Next Door To Alice"
from the album Greatest Hits (1977)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #25
Songwriters: Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn

The British band had a hit with their version of this oft-covered song that was as much about the loss of a childhood crush as a total friendzone-ing of his other neighbor.

10cc - "People In Love"
from the album Deceptive Bends (1977)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #40
Songwriters: Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart

A sweet song done on the band's album after Godley & Creme left, possibly from differences in the arrangement of this song, originally titled "Voodoo Boogie".

That's it for this trip back to the 70s...I'll return later with 8 more from 1987...