I live in Salt Lake City. You may remember some odd years ago, when the Utah Jazz made it to the playoffs. Radio stations couldn't play this song enough before the Utah Jazz played the Chicago Bulls. You referred to this song as an anthem song. At a basketball game, it works. Listen from the beginning. You hear that thump, thump, thump. You can imagine a basketball bouncing. I know the song isn't about a basketball game, but it works.
For me, this song will always be associated with the NHL playoff game between Buffalo and Chicago, the 1st time Buffalo ever made it to the playoffs. In Buffalo the song was played constantly as a "your team is going down" message to Chicago, and I can remember most of the Buffalo crowd singing the chorus as Buffalo won the game. Not one of our best moments on the sportsmanship meter, but dang it was fun!
I was young and my dad was stationed in Japan when this song came out. The base radio station received, by mail about 3 weeks later, Casey Kasem's top 40 that they would play on repeat until the next count down arrived. Those songs, including "Rock the Boat" and "Billy Don't Be a Hero", were banned in our house when we got back to the states. If you heard this song every time you turned on the radio, we heard it nearly as often. At least we had 39 other songs in between replays. You probably heard it every hour. 😂
I was a junior in HS when this song took over the radio. [Catchy tune! I would have sang along.] What happened to it? I haven't heard this song in 40 years. I'd never have come up with the band name. A blast from the past indeed.
My take on "Billy Don't Be A Hero" is different than that of most people, including that of the narrative of the song. To me, riding _away_ from the horrendous fighting is _not_ heroic, it's more along the lines of what a coward like me would do!
@@bkarnoscak That's a misconception. There is a neighborhood that's called the East Side or Old East Side. I knew a guy who lived there and I visited him in his home. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Side%2C_Chicago
"Billy Don't Be a Hero" was their other hit in the UK. edit- Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods also released the song in the spring of 1974 in the US (Cincinnati band). You'd love their "Who Do You Think You Are" !!
Daddy was a cop, and his mom heard about a 100 cops were dead. So she was crying because she did not know if one was her husband or not. My Sopomore Year in High School when I meet my girl friend who became my wife later on. ❤
When he says " I heard my momma cry ", he`s talking about her crying because she was worried about her husband who was one of the policemen fighting against Capone.
I'm sure this is true, but you couldn't escape it nationwide!!! Being from PA, Philadelphia Freedom feels likely to me the way this song does for you!!! Though, I LOVE this song as well.
I've loved this song since it came out. "Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago..." just draws you in. The harmonies are beautiful, the storytelling, and the whole structure of the song makes this a perfect song from that era. And believe me, I was obsessed with the radio as a kid. Obsessed with music. I spent my allowance on 45s and magazines devoted to lyrics for the top 100 songs for the last 3mos. 7yrs old and this was my life. Paper Lace & this song were part of the reason for the obsession. Perfection. Have you listened to Ozark Mountain Daredevils? Same era. So much great music from the 70s. Sooooo much.
They were a great band, other tracks by them to react to are: "Billy Don't Be a Hero", "Hitchin' a Ride", "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "We've Got The Whole World in Our Hands", "The Black-Eyed Boys", "I Did What I Did For Maria", "Mary In The Morning", "You Can't Touch Me", "Jean", "Martha (Whatever Happened)", "Jenny Jenny (Dreams Are Ten a Penny)". There are many others but these are good ones to continue with.
Huge hit on AM radio in 1974. I haven't heard it for decades, but it seems like yesterday. Everything came back to me from the first siren. Fond memories from the summer between 7th and 8th grades.
1974, I was 9 years old. Listening to the top 40 dj's back on am radio talk this song up was so much fun. Their overblown pomposity was outragous. I always loved this song, a great blast from the past.
Great. Heard this song when it was a Hit and I was 5y old. Never understand the story/lyrics but I liked the sound, melody and the rhythm. Was always great as a kid. Another band with similar sounds at these times where Sailor': They had a view hits: Glass of champagne Girls, Girls, Girls😮 There where still on Tour in the mid 90s when I saw them live in a Oldie Festival in Bad Segeberg Northern Germany together with Chubby Checker and others I've forget. Please, check out the band Sailor. Thx. Greetings from northern germany ♥️
It wasn't about anything in particular. There is no Chicago East Side unless you have scuba gear, and while Al's boys dressed up like a couple cops in that event, this claims that Al went to war with the police, which never happened... they were all on his payroll!
Back in the day my small town Oklahoma municipal pool had a juke box, this, 'Billy Don't Be a Hero' and Lookin Glass' 'Brandy (You're a Fine Girl')' were in heavy rotation.
In the USA they were one hit wonders, because their only previous UK hit was "Billy don't be a Hero" which was covered by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods and became a huge hit for them in the US.
Amber, I love your spirit, not just in this reaction but always. You seem like a sensitive, fun, intelligent, introspective soul. The world totally needs many, many more folks like you. Your husband awesome in his own right, but you touch my heart and soul.
Ha! Awesome - as my Pop was a cop, we used to sing this at the top of our lungs in the car when our parents would have the golden oldies on. We'd do the sirens, the claps, the na na na na na's - great memories! ☺
Favorite of mine since it came out. I love the story, always the story. "…and then the door burst open wide, and my Daddy stepped inside, AND HE KISSED MY MOMMA'S FACE, and he brushed her tears away." Classic.
I remember when I was a child it seemed every radio station was playing this endlessly back when it came out. Memories come flooding back when I hear this song.
When I first listened to this back in the 1970's as a high school teenager, it was life describing the 1920's to 1930's Chicago during Al Capone days fighting police during that time.
This was the Era of the pop rock story song; the night Chicago died, Billy don't be a hero, Seasons in the sun, Kung Fu fighting, Brother Louie... middle school memories!
Amber's interpretation is very different from mine. The narrator is avidly describing big news, and he is happy knowing (retrospectively) that his oul da survived.
"The Night Chicago Died" always takes me back to seventh-grade football practice in the late summer or early fall of '74. I remember walking out of the school toward the football field and hearing this song. Now I don't know if there was a nearby radio playing or I was just singing it to myself, but it's long been a memory of mine.
The "Second British Invasion" was almost two decades after the first. It played out from 1982-85 (*especially* 1983), as an outsize number of UK acts suddenly became huge in the US. It included a lot of the androgynes and synth-maestros of the era such as Boy George/Culture Club, The Human League, Soft Cell, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Billy Idol, Spandau Ballet, Haircut 100, Bananarama, and even "Let's Dance"-era David Bowie and the last Roxy Music album, who all those other acts were influenced by a decade earlier. After the mid-80s, there were still a number of UK crossovers who owed their success to MTV and the paths paved by the lipstick-smeared weirdos of the Second British Invasion. Interestingly, this included a number of acts who were older than many of the New Pop/Synthpop/2ndB.E. acts who beat them to the US charts. This included acts like The Cure, New Order, and Depeche Mode who didn't have major hits in the US until 1989-90. After Grunge changed everything back in 1991-92, a lot of the music considered Alternative a year earlier was suddenly seen as old school, but even with Nirvana and Temple of theDog taking over Alternative radio, somehow Boy George ("The Crying Game" 1993), The Human League ("Tell Me When" 1995), Duran Duran ("Ordinary World", "Come Undone" 1993), Annie Lennox ("Why", "Walking on Broken Glass", "Precious", "Little Bird" 1992) and of course, Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Cure still had considerable crossover hits. But the wave had long died at that point, and a new one was bubbling under as Britpop took over UK Pop Culture in the mid-90s with acts like Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Elastica, and (The London) Suede. These acts crossed over to the US Alternative market more than the mainstream, but they do round out the story in a nice triptych.
I used to go out to my small town's bowling alley (in Arkansas) just to play this song on the juke box. They kept in the juke box selection for 7 or 8 years after it was off the charts and off the radio. It was so much fun to hear it again back then and today too. Thanks for playing it.
Love it, a blast from the past! Don’t believe I’ve heard this since it was a hit on a.m. radio in 74! Knew Amber would go nuts when the horns came in!🤪🤪
One of my favorite all-time summer songs is "Go All the Way," by the Raspberries (released in July of 1972). That summer my dad surprised us with a membership to a private swimming pool, and every time that song came over the loud speaker at that pool it always put a smile on our faces.
He was singing about Al Capone and over 100 police that night dying . His daddy was a cop and that's why his Momma was crying and praying worrying about him and end of song his Dad comes home SAFE. YOU GOTTA DO "BILLY DONT BE A HERO" song next
Yes, definitely a cool song when they switch up the tempo and the music the way it does! I love it too! Glad you guys enjoyed it!! Other comments listed a lot of great songs! Billy Don’t Be A Hero is one of my favorites! Love you guys, Jay and Amber!!❤❤
I remember that innocent 9 year old me going to the record store to buy this 45 single. I really loved this song then and still do…..especially for the memories.
Back in my childhood days, I spent my allowance & paper route money on K-Tel albums, which were greatest hits albums that had assorted singles from all sorts of musical genres on them. This was on one of those K-Tel compilations and has been a favorite ever since. AM Radio Gold from the 70s.
This Brings back so much memories My sister used to play this song and Billy don’t be a hero all the time. Haven’t heard this in a while. Thanks guys. Great reaction
Check out the Great movie: The Untouchables starring Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness And Robert Di Nero as Al Capone !!’ During the time of Prohibition in Chicago!!! also with Sean Connery and Andy Garcia You’d love it!!
It's great how knowledgeable you guys have become. Knowing about the different waves of British music and stuff like that. I bet it's fun now when you guys take a family trip in the car and play the radio and are able to name the artists of so many songs now.
Wow the memories you just unearthed in me with this one was powerful. Both Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein are released. The Towering Inferno scared the hell out of people living in Skyscrapers. Happy days, Barney Miller, and Good Times premiered. I remember calling into the radio station and requesting this song, and sitting with my cassette player taping it off the radio. Thank you for releasing these memories in me, and as always Thank you for the smiles.
A band from Nottingham England, about 40 miles away from where I currently live. They were sort of pop and glam rock genre. You played there biggest hit.
This was a very popular song in the 70's. Great selection! Singing about the 20' and 30's in Chicago and the mob. His daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago, that's why his mama was crying. My Uncle was actually a cop in Chicago for decades.
I remember this song, 😂 it’s pretty good. Speaking of Chicago, there’s a great band called “ The Buckinghams “ from the 60’s. “ Kind Of A Drag “was very good & they had other great songs…” Susan “ & more!👍👏👏👏💜💜🌸🌸
I love the reaction Jay and Amber! This song got a lot of radio play in the early 70s, my older brother and I would play this song at home on our record player while learning the lyrics so that means I sang along with this song as I was watching your reaction! I still know the words! Woo hoo! I'm glad to see you enjoyed it too! I enjoyed your video reaction. ☮💕
BIG HIT, RSR! Nice listen today. This song was everywhere when it hit the airwaves. People sang along with it in cars, on the street, in block parties, everywhere. Great example of storytelling too. Another great song with some phenomenal storytelling is " The Hurricane" by Bob Dylan, in 1976. Bob's protest song of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer framed for murder. It's a must listen to.
As a kid in th 80s, my dad would get the compilation records from K-TEL and make mixtape playlists for DJing parties. Afterward, I had access to all those LPs. This song was always a standout.
Remember this song well! Only song from Paper Lace to hit in the Top 40 in the states. They tried with their other song "Billy Don't Be A Hero" but it only made it to #96 on Billboard chart. Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods gave it a shot and it hit #1 in the states. Speaking of Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods react to their other Top 20 hit "Who Do You Think You Are". Thanks 😎
yes guys this song is about a history lesson when Chicago was ran by the mafia but i want to suggest to watch the movie the untouchbles as always thanks for your reactions.
Oh how I love watching you 2 react! When the nananana, guitar riff or drum or horn solo is coming and I know it but y’all don’t, its so exciting anticipating your faces! I love it SO MUCH! This channel is the best thing thats happened in my retirement! ❤
The song starts “Daddy was a cop…” Momma is crying because she’s worried daddy isn’t going to make it home. The song is great because of the story 😊
I was about to start off my comment with the same thing, it's a good thing I found your comment first!
This was one of the huge songs in the roller skating arenas's
They definitely like the story songs. I liked this when I first heard it around 10 years old.
I live in Salt Lake City. You may remember some odd years ago, when the Utah Jazz made it to the playoffs. Radio stations couldn't play this song enough before the Utah Jazz played the Chicago Bulls. You referred to this song as an anthem song. At a basketball game, it works. Listen from the beginning. You hear that thump, thump, thump. You can imagine a basketball bouncing. I know the song isn't about a basketball game, but it works.
And then when they found out a hundred cops had been killed. Terrifying.
It's impossible to state how huge this song was at the time. You would hear it practically every time you turned around
So true. Always played at the discos here in Australia
For me, this song will always be associated with the NHL playoff game between Buffalo and Chicago, the 1st time Buffalo ever made it to the playoffs. In Buffalo the song was played constantly as a "your team is going down" message to Chicago, and I can remember most of the Buffalo crowd singing the chorus as Buffalo won the game. Not one of our best moments on the sportsmanship meter, but dang it was fun!
I was young and my dad was stationed in Japan when this song came out. The base radio station received, by mail about 3 weeks later, Casey Kasem's top 40 that they would play on repeat until the next count down arrived.
Those songs, including "Rock the Boat" and "Billy Don't Be a Hero", were banned in our house when we got back to the states.
If you heard this song every time you turned on the radio, we heard it nearly as often. At least we had 39 other songs in between replays. You probably heard it every hour. 😂
loved this song as a little kid
I was a junior in HS when this song took over the radio. [Catchy tune! I would have sang along.] What happened to it? I haven't heard this song in 40 years. I'd never have come up with the band name. A blast from the past indeed.
My sister and I both loved The Night Chicago Died and Billy Don't Be A Hero by Paper Lace.
Billy was by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods...
@@briandoyle4100 both groups released the song in 1974, hit #1 in each country.
Peter Callander of Paper Lace wrote both of these songs. But agree Bo Donaldson had the bigger hit with Billy @@briandoyle4100
Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods sang Billy don't be a hero
Yeah I only heard the Paper Lace version because that was the album my sister bought.
Yes, Billy Don’t Be a Hero is a great song 😊
Great song!
Makes me cry every time!!
My take on "Billy Don't Be A Hero" is different than that of most people, including that of the narrative of the song. To me, riding _away_ from the horrendous fighting is _not_ heroic, it's more along the lines of what a coward like me would do!
Daddy was a cop...on the East side of Chicago 🎶 Haven't heard this since I was a kid in Chicago. Still remember the words.
I think they missed that because Jay was talking. Mommy was crying because daddy was a cop
Same! massive hit in it's day.
Leave it to the Birts to totally not do their homework; there is NO "East Side" of Chicago... Ugh!
@@bkarnoscak That's a misconception. There is a neighborhood that's called the East Side or Old East Side. I knew a guy who lived there and I visited him in his home. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Side%2C_Chicago
@@bkarnoscak Oh there is definitely an east side. Hegewisch ring a bell? Calumet Fishery? Gold Coast? Hollywood?
You missed the first part. His Dad was a cop on duty. That's why his Momma was crying.
Oh gosh, I haven't heard this song in ages!!! ❤❤❤❤. I kind of forgot what a ride this song is....it's got a bit of everything, doesn't it? ❤❤❤❤❤
"Billy Don't Be a Hero" was their other hit in the UK.
edit- Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods also released the song in the spring of 1974 in the US (Cincinnati band).
You'd love their "Who Do You Think You Are" !!
That was Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods.
@@jeffreyflint6286 they both released the song as a single in April 1974. It reached #1 in their respective countries UK and US.
B side of this 45 was paper lace’s version of “Billy Don’t be a hero”.
Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods sang Billy don't be a hero, not Paper Lace
@@jrhaughey2481 wrong
Daddy was a cop, and his mom heard about a 100 cops were dead. So she was crying because she did not know if one was her husband or not. My Sopomore Year in High School when I meet my girl friend who became my wife later on. ❤
I've loved this song ever since I heard it as a child in the 70s ❤
OMG, I had forgot about this song, but as soon as it started I knew every word. Thank you for playing this!
When he says " I heard my momma cry ", he`s talking about her crying because she was worried about her husband who was one of the policemen fighting against Capone.
Being a Chicago kid in the 70s, you could not get away from hearing this song on the radio.😂
lol ikr
And in texas. It was always on my radio in my '66 malibu
I'm sure this is true, but you couldn't escape it nationwide!!! Being from PA, Philadelphia Freedom feels likely to me the way this song does for you!!! Though, I LOVE this song as well.
@@n_baileyname2698 Philadelphia Freedom is one of my favorite Elton John songs. It’s also one of the most American patriotic songs…..sang by a Brit!!
Even down state heard it on WLS all the time.
This song and 'Billy don't be a hero' are all time classics.
I've loved this song since it came out. "Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago..." just draws you in. The harmonies are beautiful, the storytelling, and the whole structure of the song makes this a perfect song from that era. And believe me, I was obsessed with the radio as a kid. Obsessed with music. I spent my allowance on 45s and magazines devoted to lyrics for the top 100 songs for the last 3mos. 7yrs old and this was my life. Paper Lace & this song were part of the reason for the obsession. Perfection.
Have you listened to Ozark Mountain Daredevils? Same era. So much great music from the 70s. Sooooo much.
I was 9 too, we had the 45 and we played this all the time
The "east side of Chicago" is called Lake Michigan
I'm here because I heard this song in Spanish. "Noche que Chicago se murio". Great song and story. Enjoyed your video!
Still love this song, just as much as I did as a young teenager back in the 70s.😊
They were a great band, other tracks by them to react to are:
"Billy Don't Be a Hero",
"Hitchin' a Ride",
"Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen",
"We've Got The Whole World in Our Hands",
"The Black-Eyed Boys",
"I Did What I Did For Maria",
"Mary In The Morning",
"You Can't Touch Me",
"Jean",
"Martha (Whatever Happened)",
"Jenny Jenny (Dreams Are Ten a Penny)".
There are many others but these are good ones to continue with.
They had some great songs that I hadn't realised they sang. Thanks for typing the list.
I always thought Hitchin' a Ride was by Vanity Fair. Did Paper Lace cover it as well?
I thought the same about Hitchin' a Ride!!!!@@Mister_Samsonite
I LOVE THIS SONG…WE SANG THIS NON STOP GROWING UP!! It’s a historic song!!
I remember hearing a radio DJ call it "History with a beat".😂
Huge hit on AM radio in 1974. I haven't heard it for decades, but it seems like yesterday. Everything came back to me from the first siren. Fond memories from the summer between 7th and 8th grades.
Have to agree Billy don't be a Hero is a classic - 👍
1974, I was 9 years old. Listening to the top 40 dj's back on am radio talk this song up was so much fun. Their overblown pomposity was outragous. I always loved this song, a great blast from the past.
'65 what a great year! 😁..the beginning of Gen Xers 👍
✌️
Great. Heard this song when it was a Hit and I was 5y old. Never understand the story/lyrics but I liked the sound, melody and the rhythm. Was always great as a kid.
Another band with similar sounds at these times where Sailor': They had a view hits:
Glass of champagne
Girls, Girls, Girls😮
There where still on Tour in the mid 90s when I saw them live in a Oldie Festival in Bad Segeberg Northern Germany together with Chubby Checker and others I've forget.
Please, check out the band Sailor. Thx.
Greetings from northern germany ♥️
I was born in '63 and did the same thing on my am radio. Those were the days.
@@paulnelson7525Great year to be born!
I was 9, too. My dad took me to Woolco to spend my allowance. Bought this single and wore it out.
One of the great One (Two) Hit Wonders from the Golden Age of AM radio. Thanks!
About the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Oh, now it makes more sense. Thanks for that info. My oldest sister had this on a 45 back in the day. So I remember the song...
The hoods that did the shooting were dressed as cops.@@Deborahtunes
@@johnsilva9139 ~ Oh, so that's why he says, "about 100 cops are dead," they were really the gangsters?
"In the heat of a summer night..."
It wasn't about anything in particular. There is no Chicago East Side unless you have scuba gear, and while Al's boys dressed up like a couple cops in that event, this claims that Al went to war with the police, which never happened... they were all on his payroll!
This is one of those rare bands where the drummer is the vocalist
Back in the day my small town Oklahoma municipal pool had a juke box, this, 'Billy Don't Be a Hero' and Lookin Glass' 'Brandy (You're a Fine Girl')' were in heavy rotation.
My older sister had this on a '45. I used to listen to it regularly. The B side was "Billy Don't be a Hero."
I had the 45. Also Billy don’t be a hero. Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. Used to listen to both of them before getting on the school bus
In the USA they were one hit wonders, because their only previous UK hit was "Billy don't be a Hero" which was covered by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods and became a huge hit for them in the US.
Amber, I love your spirit, not just in this reaction but always. You seem like a sensitive, fun, intelligent, introspective soul. The world totally needs many, many more folks like you. Your husband awesome in his own right, but you touch my heart and soul.
Ha! Awesome - as my Pop was a cop, we used to sing this at the top of our lungs in the car when our parents would have the golden oldies on. We'd do the sirens, the claps, the na na na na na's - great memories! ☺
Favorite of mine since it came out. I love the story, always the story.
"…and then the door burst open wide, and my Daddy stepped inside, AND HE KISSED MY MOMMA'S FACE, and he brushed her tears away." Classic.
I remember when I was a child it seemed every radio station was playing this endlessly back when it came out. Memories come flooding back when I hear this song.
When I first listened to this back in the 1970's as a high school teenager, it was life describing the 1920's to 1930's Chicago during Al Capone days fighting police during that time.
This song is so iconic. A true classic. Thanks!
This was a huge radio hit. I loved this song as a kid.
This was the Era of the pop rock story song; the night Chicago died, Billy don't be a hero, Seasons in the sun, Kung Fu fighting, Brother Louie... middle school memories!
Run Joey Run was another popular story song around that time.
Also, One Tin Solider
My father looked like Al Capone back in the 50s & 60s😂
Amber's interpretation is very different from mine. The narrator is avidly describing big news, and he is happy knowing (retrospectively) that his oul da survived.
This song is the epitome of 70s AM music......which was pretty cool 😎
"Billy, Dont be a Hero" is my favourite Paper Lace song.
This song always makes me cry because of the dramatic ending.
Haven’t heard this song since I was a kid. Loved it then and it brought back great memories!
I remember being at the roller rink and skate dancing to this song
"The Night Chicago Died" always takes me back to seventh-grade football practice in the late summer or early fall of '74. I remember walking out of the school toward the football field and hearing this song. Now I don't know if there was a nearby radio playing or I was just singing it to myself, but it's long been a memory of mine.
This song was so big! ❤️✌🏻🎶
I think you missed the first line of the song. “Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago “. Momma was crying because she was worried about him.
What an awesome song and amazing memories!!!!
The "Second British Invasion" was almost two decades after the first. It played out from 1982-85 (*especially* 1983), as an outsize number of UK acts suddenly became huge in the US. It included a lot of the androgynes and synth-maestros of the era such as Boy George/Culture Club, The Human League, Soft Cell, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Thompson Twins, Thomas Dolby, Billy Idol, Spandau Ballet, Haircut 100, Bananarama, and even "Let's Dance"-era David Bowie and the last Roxy Music album, who all those other acts were influenced by a decade earlier. After the mid-80s, there were still a number of UK crossovers who owed their success to MTV and the paths paved by the lipstick-smeared weirdos of the Second British Invasion. Interestingly, this included a number of acts who were older than many of the New Pop/Synthpop/2ndB.E. acts who beat them to the US charts. This included acts like The Cure, New Order, and Depeche Mode who didn't have major hits in the US until 1989-90.
After Grunge changed everything back in 1991-92, a lot of the music considered Alternative a year earlier was suddenly seen as old school, but even with Nirvana and Temple of theDog taking over Alternative radio, somehow Boy George ("The Crying Game" 1993), The Human League ("Tell Me When" 1995), Duran Duran ("Ordinary World", "Come Undone" 1993), Annie Lennox ("Why", "Walking on Broken Glass", "Precious", "Little Bird" 1992) and of course, Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Cure still had considerable crossover hits. But the wave had long died at that point, and a new one was bubbling under as Britpop took over UK Pop Culture in the mid-90s with acts like Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Elastica, and (The London) Suede. These acts crossed over to the US Alternative market more than the mainstream, but they do round out the story in a nice triptych.
I used to go out to my small town's bowling alley (in Arkansas) just to play this song on the juke box. They kept in the juke box selection for 7 or 8 years after it was off the charts and off the radio. It was so much fun to hear it again back then and today too. Thanks for playing it.
Love it, a blast from the past! Don’t believe I’ve heard this since it was a hit on a.m. radio in 74! Knew Amber would go nuts when the horns came in!🤪🤪
WOW! Thankyou so much! I haven't heard this song for ever. Geez it brings back my youth. What memories.
Lots of love to my favourite couple on utube!
This song was huge and so was Billy Don’t Be a Hero!
This song reminds me of childhood songs I loved.
Oh the memories…this is one of the many songs my friends and I would sit around enjoy.
Wow! Talk about a song I'd forgotten existed! Haven't heard since I was a kid. Love this! Thanks
Lead singer (Phil Wright) was also the Drummer, and still is! 🥁🎼🇬🇧
“Billy Don’t Be A Hero”!😬👍🏻🏴
I just had to listen tonight to this. My niece and I would listen to this and "Billie Don't Be a Hero" back in the seventies. A great memory.
One of my favorite all-time summer songs is "Go All the Way," by the Raspberries (released in July of 1972). That summer my dad surprised us with a membership to a private swimming pool, and every time that song came over the loud speaker at that pool it always put a smile on our faces.
I was 7 years old when this came out and I loved it when my older cousins would play it! Still one of my favorite songs!
I was 6 when this song played on the radio and the chorus was all I knew but I LOVED this song and always sang along! 🎼🎵🎶🎵🎤
He was singing about Al Capone and over 100 police that night dying . His daddy was a cop and that's why his Momma was crying and praying worrying about him and end of song his Dad comes home SAFE.
YOU GOTTA DO "BILLY DONT BE A HERO" song next
My friend's band in Chicago covered this song.
No Empathy
Although I remember this from 1974 when it came out, I hadn't realized Paper Lace were British. Thanks for that info.
Same !!!
This song was always on the radio back in the day. Havent heard it in years.
Yes, definitely a cool song when they switch up the tempo and the music the way it does! I love it too! Glad you guys enjoyed it!! Other comments listed a lot of great songs! Billy Don’t Be A Hero is one of my favorites!
Love you guys, Jay and Amber!!❤❤
One of those rare bands that the drummer is the singer. Loved this and Billy Don't Be A Hero.
"Daddy was a cop
On the East side of Chicago
Back in the U.S.A.
Back in the bad, old days".
WLS in Chicago played the heck out of this back in 74. It was a fun song.
Paper Lace were a one-hit wonder band in the US. On the other side of the Atlantic they had more hits.
Don't forget the song "Billy, Don't Be A Hero."
@BryanWicks I said in the US. That song was a hit by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods in the US, not Paper Lace.
A blast from the past! Loved hearing this one on the radio that summer! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
I remember that innocent 9 year old me going to the record store to buy this 45 single. I really loved this song then and still do…..especially for the memories.
This and Billy Don't Be A Hero, which came out just a couple of months earlier, are essentially my 2nd grade soundtrack.
This song IS AM 70’s to me
Back in my childhood days, I spent my allowance & paper route money on K-Tel albums, which were greatest hits albums that had assorted singles from all sorts of musical genres on them. This was on one of those K-Tel compilations and has been a favorite ever since. AM Radio Gold from the 70s.
This Brings back so much memories My sister used to play this song and Billy don’t be a hero all the time. Haven’t heard this in a while. Thanks guys. Great reaction
Love that Jordan points out the bass line in so many songs, because it usually slips past me until he does. And it deserves more credit in most songs.
Another classic from my childhood. 🍺
Yes.... the last stand off with Capone was called the night Chicago died
Every time someone suggested this song I hit that Thumbs Up like button. Happy to see you finally got to it.
WOW!! What memories….. I haven’t heard this song since it was a hit in the 70’s! Thanks for taking me back!!
Check out the Great movie:
The Untouchables
starring Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness
And Robert Di Nero as
Al Capone !!’
During the time of Prohibition in Chicago!!!
also with Sean Connery and Andy Garcia
You’d love it!!
I came here to say this-- J would absolutely love it!
Thanks!!!
How about if you go ahead and write it to them too??!!
Maybe the more that do maybe they’ll see the comments and do it??!!👍🤞🏻
Great movie,never got around to the massacre though 😮
It's great how knowledgeable you guys have become. Knowing about the different waves of British music and stuff like that. I bet it's fun now when you guys take a family trip in the car and play the radio and are able to name the artists of so many songs now.
Oh my God, talk about a 70s flashback...
I never got into this one back in the day, but I remember it well.
This song was everywhere when I was a little kid. Mom played it all the time too. A great song!!❤
Glad I had this song ringing through my head most my life! I love it!
Wow the memories you just unearthed in me with this one was powerful. Both Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein are released. The Towering Inferno scared the hell out of people living in Skyscrapers. Happy days, Barney Miller, and Good Times premiered. I remember calling into the radio station and requesting this song, and sitting with my cassette player taping it off the radio. Thank you for releasing these memories in me, and as always Thank you for the smiles.
Mccartney and wings. - uncle Albert. You will like that for sure
A band from Nottingham England, about 40 miles away from where I currently live. They were sort of pop and glam rock genre. You played there biggest hit.
This was a very popular song in the 70's. Great selection! Singing about the 20' and 30's in Chicago and the mob. His daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago, that's why his mama was crying. My Uncle was actually a cop in Chicago for decades.
I want to hear an American band sing about British mobsters 🙂
Im 57 not heard this since the 70s i completely forgot about this and how good the records feels
I remember this song, 😂 it’s pretty good. Speaking of Chicago, there’s a great band called “ The Buckinghams “ from the 60’s. “ Kind Of A Drag “was very good & they had other great songs…” Susan “ & more!👍👏👏👏💜💜🌸🌸
I love the reaction Jay and Amber! This song got a lot of radio play in the early 70s, my older brother and I would play this song at home on our record player while learning the lyrics so that means I sang along with this song as I was watching your reaction! I still know the words! Woo hoo! I'm glad to see you enjoyed it too! I enjoyed your video reaction. ☮💕
BIG HIT, RSR! Nice listen today. This song was everywhere when it hit the airwaves. People sang along with it in cars, on the street, in block parties, everywhere. Great example of storytelling too. Another great song with some phenomenal storytelling is " The Hurricane" by Bob Dylan, in 1976. Bob's protest song of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer framed for murder. It's a must listen to.
As a kid in th 80s, my dad would get the compilation records from K-TEL and make mixtape playlists for DJing parties. Afterward, I had access to all those LPs. This song was always a standout.
Remember this song well! Only song from Paper Lace to hit in the Top 40 in the states. They tried with their other song "Billy Don't Be A Hero" but it only made it to #96 on Billboard chart. Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods gave it a shot and it hit #1 in the states. Speaking of Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods react to their other Top 20 hit "Who Do You Think You Are". Thanks 😎
yes guys this song is about a history lesson when Chicago was ran by the mafia but i want to suggest to watch the movie the untouchbles as always thanks for your reactions.
There is a song called 'Beach baby' by First Class. Sounds exactly like this song you should listen to it.
Oh how I love watching you 2 react! When the nananana, guitar riff or drum or horn solo is coming and I know it but y’all don’t, its so exciting anticipating your faces! I love it SO MUCH! This channel is the best thing thats happened in my retirement! ❤