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THE SEVENTIES

Posted by Biggus on July 13, 2011 - 09:14
from the ABC set NOSTALGIA RULES

If the 60s was the decade of dreams
Then the 1970’s was the decade of nightmares
It was the decade when
The German hex over England began
As in the heat of Mexico, in 1970
They knocked us out of the World Cup,
And it all went downhill from there
The defeat to Germany
Was to be England’s last appearance
In the World Cup Finals for 12 years.
The following year saw Arsenal,
The team we all love to hate,
Do the League and cup double.
1972 saw me enter the work place
And I’ve been there ever since, but I’m not bitter.
1973 was a mixed year
Manchester United were relegated to division 2,
The Washington Redskins lost in the Superbowl
And a significant other entered my life.
1974 United won promotion as champions
But Liverpool won the FA Cup and they blossomed
Into a force that would dominate for years to come.
The following year Liverpool won the league title
In 1976 Southampton beat United in the cup final,
All the worse as my future father in law was a saint’s fan
The high point of the decade came in 77 when
United won the FA Cup, beating Liverpool 2-1
Normal service resumed for 1978
As I discovered there was more to girls
Than holding hands and stealing kisses.
And that they very definitely weren’t,
All sugar and spice and all thing nice
My significant other left me for an accountant,
Who supported Luton Town,
And to add insult onto injury he was ginger.
1979 United lost in the Cup Final to Arsenal
And so ended the decade of disappointments
When the only thing naffer than the music
Were the 70’s fashions
The decade that didn’t even have style
Or a decent musical accompaniment
The 70’s when dreams turned to nightmares

Discuss this piece in the abctales forum


Comments

fatboy74 | July 13, 2011 - 10:46

the eighties weren't much better, two fa cups and a loss to those who shall not be named in the milk cup final, but the music i found better anyway. Enjoyed this.

Biggus | July 13, 2011 - 11:09

I'm with you on that one.
Cheers Fatboy

skinner_jennifer | July 13, 2011 - 12:50

Hi Paul,

I don't know anything about football, but I can
assure you, well as far as I was concerned, we
had some brilliant music in the 70s, Carol King,
with her amazing album Tapestry, James Taylor,
Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Chicago, America,
Wishbone Ash, Free, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull,
Pink Floyd, Genesis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zepplin,
Joni Mitchel, Kate Bush, Bee Gees, Fleetwood Mac
and so many more.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I suppose it's
because I was so deeply into alternative music
in the 70s.

Jenny.

Biggus | July 13, 2011 - 13:40

I aggree with you there was some great music if you had a disearning ear and I would concur with your list apart from the BeeGees who just put my teeth on edge.
I would have added the Moody Blues, King Crimson, black Sabbath, Argent, Bad Company, Roy Wood and the very under rated 10cc to name but a few.
But what we heard on whatever Radio station we chose was wall to wall Slade, Bay city Rollers, Sweet, The Rubbettes, Showaddywaddy, Hot Chocolate and Smokie.
And it wasnt just the radio either it was the same old dross wherever you went.
Thank God for the Old Grey Whistle Test.
Thanks Jenny

SundaysChild | July 13, 2011 - 13:55

I miss the 70s and I didn't even exist then!

I liked this poem, Biggus, as all in all I'm a fan of football. The players from back then seemed a bit more rugged than those from today. It's all about the money now it seems which is such a shame as it taints the game. Not enough 'home-grown' lads and too much swapping over from one team to another. And the last World Cup was a disgrace!

Anyway, I will leave it at that!

skinner_jennifer | July 13, 2011 - 14:04

Hi Biggus,

I have to agree the mainstream music on the radio,
was exactly as you say and I too detested that stuff,
but then I didn't really listen to the radio in
those days, but like you say, Thank God for the
Old Grey Whistle Test, it was a real life saver.

Jenny.

Biggus | July 13, 2011 - 14:44

Crikey SC

"I miss the 70s and I didn't even exist then!"

You've made me feel very old now, I'm going to sit down and drink my Horlicks and sulk.

Not only were 1970's footballers tougher but they were down right dirty.
Ron "Chopper" Harris was not so called because he had the latest must have bike.

Biggus | July 13, 2011 - 15:00

Hi Jenny

It was a great show and quite diverse and you never knew what you were going to get, It was brilliant.
I suppose the closest thing we have to it now is Jools Holland's show.
But he's a bit too enthuiastic for my taste, I much prefered whispering Bob Harris.