Ooh, here's a surprise--another one hit wonder from the seventies, the era which just happened to mark my musical coming of age. Who'd have ever guessed?
Billy Swan was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 1942. He learned guitar, drums, and piano and began writing songs as a child. At the ripe old age of 20 he wrote his first hit, a song called "Lover Please" which became a #7 hit for the legendary Clyde McPhatter. Swan spent a few years writing hits for other country artists, producing records, and playing bass guitar for Kris Kristofferson before signing a deal for a solo career in 1972. He'd have one big hit (which, amazingly enough, just happens to be this week's featured tune) ...and as is often the case here on Friday Night Jukebox, he was able to turn it into a lifetime of making music. For his career, Swan has released 12 albums and 46 singles, with the bulk of his successful releases appearing on the Country charts. Since 2005 he has been mostly a backing singer and studio musician.
"I Can Help" was the first single released from his second album, the astutely titled I Can Help. The single would hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the Country singles chart. The album would reach #21 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Country albums chart. Surprisingly enough for a one hit wonder, those were the only #1 hits--actually hits of any sort on the pop charts--of his career.
Fun Fact: "I Can Help" was number one on the singles charts in 13 different countries. Man, if you're going to have one hit, that's the way to do it.
As I've noted a time or two before, every now and again there's a confluence of musical events that lead to a great song, and "I Can Help" is just one more instance. From the opening rockabilly influenced guitars to the frat rock inspired organ, from the beneficent lyrics to Swan's blue-eyed soul vocals, everything comes together to form one country-tinged pop gem. And the cherries on top? Hand claps galore and a false ending! Just another fine addition to the pantheon of tunes here on Friday Night Jukebox.
Lyric Sheet: "It's a fact that people get lonely/Ain't nothing new/But a woman like you, baby/Should never have the blues..."
Enjoy:
Republican = Traitor
Peace,
emaycee
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