THE REAL THING – "You To Me Are Everything"

I think that’s about right – it’s agreeably pleasant; it’s danceable (but not too energetic in the sweaty atmosphere now digging in); it goes well too with slobbing out in the garden with a long cold drink, alcoholic or otherwise (clad in cheesecloth, there was a lot of cheesecloth about that summer), and it’s pretty well disposible. I don’t go to many (any) wedding discos but I can see how this would get people on their feet but isn’t going to excite them.

I don’t know what you’ve given it yet, Tom, but Oi’ll Give It Foive.

PS: Now I’ve posted I can see it. Six is reasonable too. I’d have been hard pressed to associate it with that summer though, or to date it within two years either way.

assuming this counts as their arrival at the top, the real thing (a liverpool band slogging away since the early 60s) may be the actual definite genuine last (non-rerelease) throb of merseybeat

I’d give this a 7 or 8. It really is pretty irresistible, summery and catchy though obviously at the lite ‘Sad Sweet Dreamer’ end of things which is a nice place to be.

They were David Essex’s backing band for a little while before this, as I’m sure Marcello will be pointing out.

Black English soul groups were still a bit of novelty at this point. Hi-Tension came along next but then there was a whole flood of them: Linx, Light of The World, Junior and lots I’ve forgotten.

“Can You Feel the Force” was a belter, but benefitted greatly from having an extended 12″ version, which, at the time, gave it a much needed slice of credibility.

By then the Real Thing had all but disappeared, and a new song by a bunch of has-beens, apparently cashing in on the “Star Wars” craze, could not have sounded like an attractive proposition.

The coloured vinyl, and the picture sleeve showing a naked lady’s bottom probably helped too!

Well, this one rings the faintest of bells — it must have gotten practically zero play in the States. But it’s a sweetheart of a song… up there with Tavares (as the closest sound that comes immediately to mind — who else? I heard “Kiss and Say Goodbye” at the grocery store today, maybe some Manhattans?) The “oh baby, oh baby” phrasing reminds me a little of “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.”
I’m still somehow amazed when I hear such seamless soul from a black English band (is African-British the proper term?) — Hot Chocolate sounded somewhat “different,” even though I didn’t realize at the time they weren’t Americans — but there it is! This one just sounds like… Soul. I would never guess Liverpool, sounds more like Philadelphia to me! If I listen close I can only hear the British accent on the word “prepared,” and MAYBE on “upon.” Anyway, I think it’s a gem.

You To Me Are Everything I think has a few killer sucker punches of lyrics, none greater than the “best of me rest of me” riddle (which can be extremely dirty if sung in a ‘special ‘ voice like the one I have). Problem is it sounds that little bit too smooth. There are no caveats in its absolute declaration of love, which in itself makes it a touch subversive. A wedding classic, because the lyrics are a picture of the idea of wedded bliss (best of me – REST OF MY LIFE).

Terrific record, always love to hear it. Though wedding DJ’s be warned, it starts fading about thirty seconds before it finishes.

Erithian!! – Eastbourne Borough have cracked it! I’m so bloody happy. Promotion to within one step of the Football League, astonishing for an outfit built around a small sports club. To anticipate playing the likes of Torquay, Halifax, Wrexham and Mansfield next time is really quite wonderful. It’s a super boost for the town too.

Ah, this is much, much better than pitchforks and taking out the garbage. One reason why Opportunity Knocks could occasionally be a good thing, The Real Thing had a history going right back into Merseybeat (Eddie Amoo was singer with a band called the Chants in the sixties) but they blossomed splendidly in the mid-seventies with Hughie’s help. I have the feeling that “You To Me Are Everything” may be the first UK number one single by a black British group (the Equals were a mix of black and white musicians, hence the name) and a fine one it is too; owing more than a little to “Love’s Theme,” admittedly, but its dignified desperation is admirable – desperation? “To you I guess I’m just a clown who picks you up each time you’re down – oh baby” they shake their heads sadly, but he loves her anyway despite his doormat status and is going to win her over no matter how much or how long it takes.

This was also the harbinger of many excellent records the group released throughout the second half of the seventies, including “Can’t Get By Without You,” “Children Of The Ghetto” (not released as a single, but the centrepiece of their amazing 1977 concept album about Toxteth 4 From 8), “Can You Feel The Force?” and “Half Price Sale At Godfrey Davis.” A most refreshing glass of sparkling Lambrusco after the pineapple Cresta of the last couple of chart toppers.

And indeed they provided backing vocals for David Essex, most notably on his never-revived 1975 top five hit “Rollin’ Stone” which in some ways goes even further out than “Rock On.”

I can’t remember whether all of Sweet Sensation were black, admittedly, but if they were then I’m correcting myself.

Number Two Watch and I think a unique Liverpool talent show double since in second place behind the Real Thing were literal boy band Our Kid, straight from New Faces, with their heartrending “You Just Might See Me Cry.”

At least for one week, since the Real Thing also managed to hold off Candi Staton’s endlessly-revived, no-seventies-compilation-complete-without-it “Young Hearts Run Free.”

Ah yes, how we sang; “You to me are everything, hum hum hmmmhum hum humhum hing, oh baby”. It’s a wee classic really, 6 or 7.

I really like this, and would have given it an easy 7, maybe an 8. It’s a shame it kept ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ off the top, as that would be a guaranteed ’10 and I wish I could go higher’ from me.

Plough Lane was also where I saw the league trophy in United hands for the first time in 26 years, back in 1993, and got THAT close to Eric Cantona as the players took the trophy back to the coach. Wimbledon weren’t pretty to watch, and I still remember when Bryan Robson came on as sub to a chorus from home fans of “You’re going off on a stretcher” – but their story was one you wish could still happen now. MK Dons on the other hand are the spawn of Satan (dump them, Incey).

Hmm yes – back to the music, kind of. Our Kid were four very well scrubbed Scouse kids in immaculate stage suits. You just knew that on Saturdays they’d be prowling the streets around Stanley Park going “Mind yer car mister?”

Candi Staton – can’t quite go along with Martin on a mark going up to 11, but yes it is pretty ace.

From my Sunday anticipation perspective:

GO GET ‘EM COTTAGERS! PULL OFF THE GREAT ESCAPE!! Redknapp’s been doing too much KNAPPing of late it should be a DODDLE!!!

Thank you for listening to this message.

And from Greenwich

“That wasn’t much of a season, then.

Back to mid-table in the second tier. Perhaps that’s our natural level.

I wish that we hadn’t sold Andy Reid.

Pardew may be gone by the winter, I think.

Sighs…”

Yes, Miss Welch in full Blues kit… Luscious!

That REALLY got Ossie going, God bless his heart!

Hotel reception accident? I’m intreeged! What the heck happened? And wasn’t he at Dulwich Hamlet too or am I getting confused?

The Chants records stand up really well: tough – but not obviously black – Merseybeat. One of them was on Sounds Of The Sixties this morning (does anyone else wake up at 8 on a saturday to listen? I’m new round here). Which probably makes them closer to a genuine “UK soul” sound than this and Can’t Get By Without You, both obvious Philly knockoffs.

Definitely a six, this.

What inspired the 1986 top 10 remix/rerelease (apart from the tenuous ‘Decade Remix’ idea)? Was it a soundtrack to Chris Amoo’s sterling exploits on the show dog circuit?

wichitalineman (#33) – yes, I’m impressed you knew that, Dicko had a season at Dulwich Hamlet in between E&B and Charlton. He left due to a bit of a personality clash with our then manager, but being at Dulwich helped him catch Charlton’s eye. The hotel reception incident – as far as I can gather he was performing a song, did a spin then fell over something or other. He’s got a sweet soul voice as developed by the Brit School, and used to entertain us on away trips, but that particular routine cost him nearly half the season.

Dulwich Hamlet! The Isthmian League! My father used to take me to see them in the late 50s – probably when Palace in the Third Division South were just too routinely depressing.

A few years ago I mentioned the Hamlet to my cousin, who said that my father and my uncle used to take him there, and that one day in the late 40s somebody in the crowd exposed himself to the little lad. He told his dad and mine, and my father turned round and knocked the bloke down. Hearing by chance that your father was an action hero to other people is a wonderful thing; I wish I’d had the chance to tell him so.

Re. 36: There’s a tribute to the recently deceased Froggy from Pete Tong in yesterday’s Observer Music Monthly. James Hamilton took him to see Larry Levan at the Paradise Garage circa 1977, which pretty much marks the moment when beat-mixing crossed the Atlantic.

As regards “You To Me Are Everything”, it’s a solid 8 for me. This pretty much epitomises all that was good about the charts during the Phew Worra Scorcha Long Hot Summer Of 76 – and in my opinion, there was a lot of good stuff around, particularly towards the mellow/soulful/romantic end of the spectrum, all of which suited the sultry stickiness of the times. (Misty Blue! Kiss And Say Goodbye! Young Hearts Run Free! Silly Love Songs!) And, yes: “Now you’ve got the best of me, come on and take the rest of me” is one of the sharpest and wryest lines in all of pop (even if its composers and singers weren’t necessarily aware of the fact!)

I guess with all the footie talk and with the home city of the band in question in mind I should nail my own colours to the mast and out myself as a Liverpool supporter just in time to be mercifully mocked about how the mighty have fallen.

Thank you Erithian. I’ve never personally let things as relatively trivial as allegiances (whether it be football, music or anything else) prevent me from getting on with people and I’m happy to be on board with all the regulars who I’ve enjoyed reading as I’ve been going through the years since late 1952. I finally made it to 1977 so I’m almost at the point where I have genuine recollections rather than knowing the songs from hearing them played on the radio so hopefully I can add some of my own insights to the songs of that era as well as those yet to come which, even if the song itself isn’t good, at least may spark some memories for me. Oh, and no, I’m not THAT Brendan – lol.

a much needed break from the mediocrity that had preceded it, this glides along with a rich, syncopated interplay of rhythms and strings supporting a vocal that balances sincerity and craft

Quite a few comments upthread describe this song as “jolly” or similar. It actually has a subtly melancholy undertow, both lyrically and melodically, which is what really lifts it from the “good” category into the realm of the “very good indeed”. I’d give this an 8.