The 20th of February 1974
Official U.K. Singles Chart results from Sunday the 17th to Saturday the 23rd of February 1974
Cut-off for sales figures was up to the end of Saturday the 16th of February
Results counted from Sunday the 17th,
published on Tuesday the 19th,
and broadcast on B.B.C. Radio 1 on Sunday the 24th of February 1974.
Paper Lace
Billy-Don’t Be A Hero
At No.38, on the “The Top 50 U.K. Singles Chart”, the week of my 2nd Birthday, are Paper Lace with Billy-Don’t Be A Hero.
An anti-war song…
…graces this position this week, from a band that had a helping hand from a television audience to make them a significant success.
Emerging from Nottingham, England, Paper Lace (initially named Music Box), had been touring the club circuit for years.
Initially contemplating…
…whether a move to appear on a TV talent show would demonstrate to their existing loyal following that the group were selling out; after crunching some numbers, and realising that revealing themselves to an instant audience of 7 million viewers in one showing would be more beneficial than to keep plodding away at the current formula, the decision was made to audition.
It would take three long years, from their initial tryout for Opportunity Knocks to their first televised appearance; but when it did happen, they became so popular, they won the vote for 5 consecutive weeks.
On the back of this new “overnight” fame,..
…they were offered this song penned by established and acclaimed songwriters Mitch Murray & Peter Callander; both talented song-smiths in their own right (write?) for years, but were now already experiencing recent success as a partnership with songs such as Avenues and Alleyways, which I’d featured in last year’s chart rundown.
The single is a New Entry this week.
Next week will see it leap into the Top 20 at No.15 and the week after, shoot straight into the Top 10 at No.8.
By the 10th of March, it hits No.1 and secures that position for most of the month, until the final day when it slips to No.2, from where it will sit for the first couple of weeks of April.
After one further week in the Top 10, it will fall away a little quicker until, after accumulating a total of 14 weeks, it leaves the chart altogether after the 25th of May.
The “A” Side
The “B” Side
Paper Lace – Billy-Don’t Be A Hero (Top Of The Pops Appearance – 1974)
Paper Lace – Billy-Don’t Be A Hero (The Royal Variety Show Performance – 18th November 1974)
Paper Lace – Billy-Don’t Be A Hero (TV Performance)
Paper Lace – Billy-Don’t Be A Hero (TV Appearance)
Many thanks go to the following YouTube Channels for providing the chance to hear this music and see the pictures once again.
Please show your appreciation by visiting their channels:
Grab Your Binoculars, Come Follow Me
My Socials
What is it…?
Who am I…?
Why am I…?
When am I…?
How do I…?
