7 of the 70s: 4/24/14 (1979)...

Hey gang, it's throwback Thursday time 70s style, and this week I'm going back to 1979, the year that the "Pinwheel Network" becomes future kids powerhouse Nickelodeon...

Earth Wind & Fire - "After The Love Has Gone"
from the album I Am (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
Songwriters: Bill Champlin, David Foster, Jay Graydon

The soul collective's second-highest charting hit (after "Shining Star") was co-written by the soft-rock producing king with Champlin, who would go on to helm the "lite" version of Chicago in the 80s.

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Randy Vanwarmer - "Just When I Needed You Most"
from the album Warmer (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriter: Randy VanWarmer

The American-born singer/songwriter wrote this tearjerker while living in England, and features a rare autoharp solo from the Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian.

Nick Lowe - "Cruel To Be Kind"
from the album Labour Of Lust (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriters: Nick Lowe, Ian Gomm

The video for Lowe's power-pop classic featured his real-life wife Carlene Carter (daughter of country icon June Carter Cash)....

Ian Gomm - "Hold On"
from the album Gomm With The Wind (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18
Songwriter: Ian Gomm

The co-writer of Nick's hit had his own top-20 single with this FM-era nugget.

Billy Joel - "Honesty"
from the album 52nd Street (1978)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #24
Songwriter: Billy Joel

The song starts out as a pleading love song, only to turn caustic to his refrain "Honesty is hardly ever heard, mostly what I need from you."

McGuinn, Clark & Hillman - "Don't You Write Her Off"
from the album McGuinn Clark & Hillman (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #33
Songwriters: Roger McGuinn, Robert Hippard

Three ex-members of the Byrds came together for this country-pop slice that was a bit diffrerent from their folkie heyday.

New England - "Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya"
from the album New England (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #40
Songwriter: John Fannon

I guess the idea is that the name and sound of this band would evoke memories of arena-rock champs Boston, who came from the same town.

I'll return later with eight more from 1989...