1979 Lena Martell: One Day At A Time

If you look at it head on, then 1979 sets out a number ones stall that's a splendid array of seven inch artefacts and trinkets, much like the Ambassadors in Holbein's painting proudly showing off their worldly chattels for us to envy. Maybe they're not entirely representative of all that was going on in music at the time, but it's a decent stab, and far better than 1977 (when this song was in fact originally released) managed. Even the brash naffness of 'I Don't Like Mondays' pushes its way to the front with an unavoidable 'me too, me too' shout that everybody recognises. Something for everyone in fact.

Unfortunately, just like that painting, if you view it from a sharper angle then a grinning skull of death appears. Cliff Richard is at it's jaw, but it's head is made up almost entirely of 'One Day At A Time'. Because unfortunately, 'everyone' also includes the miserable git next door forever banging on the wall to keep the noise down and telling you to get to bed because there's school tomorrow.

Religious songs are a rare occurrence in the UK charts, let alone at number one, so there's a novelty here from the outset that could have papered over some of the cracks. Not that I have anything against that genre - regular readers will know my long-standing love of gospel, but whereas that particular field is uplifting in its joyousness (even for a non believer like me), 'One Day At A Time' is a sermon of self righteous finger wagging on the trials of a believer down here amongst all us heathens.

Kris Kristofferson's song has been insanely popular over the years, and Scottish (though Scotland via Texas judging by the accent she adopts) singer Lena Martell's version is as good as any of them. By which I mean good if you like this sort of thing; coming across like Dana's mum, Martell's voice fair drips a pious sincerity, but those people next door are sincere too and 'One Day At A Time' has a 'holier than thou' aloofness that's about as welcome and irritating in the 1979 line-up as having those neighbours turn up frowning on your doorstep when you're busy enjoying yourself.