In the early 70’s in the UK - there seemed like a steady flow of singer songwriters producing very accessible and catchy tunes about every day life.
The great Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’ Sullivan stands out with a stream of hits, most notably - Alone Again (Naturally) and Clair - but starting off with top 10 hit Nothing Rhymed in 1970.
Image wise - he struck a very retro 1920’s Irish look - at a time in the early 70’s of the height of “the troubles” : the perennial struggle with the UK and Ireland - and much violence in the streets of Northern Ireland and the UK.
However - the image changed to a more stylish 70’s pop star look and the hits kept coming.
He started by writing tunes in his mothers garden shed - and seemed to have an uncanny knack of relating to everyday people with everyday issues.
Check out :Matrimony and Nothing Rhymed.
Let us not forget the other great writers and songs at this time in the UK too , such as :
Labi Siffre and 60’s stars such as Alan Price and Georgie Fame - whose 70’s releases should not be overlooked.
Remember the bands as well : Badfinger and Paul McCartney and Wings.
They all tapped into a predominately piano based catchiness that still sounds fresh to this day!
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