“What a Diff’rence a Day Made“, also recorded as “What a Difference a Day Makes”, is a popular song originally written in Spanish by Maria Grever, a Mexican songwriter, in 1934 with the title “Cuando vuelva a tu lado” (“When I Return to Your Side”) and first recorded by Orquesta Pedro Via that same year. The English lyrics were written by Stanley Adama, and was played by Harry Roy & his Orchestra. In 1975, Esther Phillips recorded her version of the song. Her comeback record had a disco feel to it. The Esther Phillips version reached number two on the disco charts. Her version also did well on the US soul and Top 40 charts. Phillips performed the song on Saturday Night Live, during its first season.
“I Get a Kick Out of You” is a song by Cole Porter, which was first sung in the 1934 Broadway musical Anything Goes, and then in the 1936 film version. Originally sung by Ethel Merman, it has been covered by dozens of prominent performers. In 1974, Australian singer Gary Shearston released a very ’20s/30s style’ version. Issued on the Charisma label it entered the UK singles chart in October 1974, and had an eight week run the charts with a peak position on No.7.
“I Can’t Stand the Rain” is a song originally recorded by Ann Peebles in 1973, and written by Peebles, Don Bryant, and Bernard “Bernie” Miller. One evening in Memphis in 1973, soul singer Ann Peebles was meeting friends, including her partner, Hi Records staff writer Don Bryant, to go to a concert. Just as they were about to set off, the heavens opened and Peebles snapped: “I can’t stand the rain.” Produced by Willie Mitchell, the song became Peebles’ biggest hit when, in 1973, it reached No. 38 on the US Billboard and No. 6 on the R&B/Black Chart; it also reached No. 41 on the UK Singles chart in April 1974. It was one of John Lennon’s favourite songs; he called it “the best song ever”.
“Brand New Key” is a song written and sung by Melanie. The song is sung from the viewpoint of a girl with roller skates trying to attract the attention of a boy. Initially a track of Melanie’s album Gather Me, produced by Melanie’s husband Peter Schekeryk, it was known also as “The Rollerskate Song” due to its chorus. It was her greatest success, scoring No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart during December 1971 and January 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 9 song of 1972. It also scored No. 1 in Canada and Australia and No. 4 in the UK.
“My Resistance Is Low” is a 1951 song by American singer, songwriter and band leader Hoagy Carmichael, with later lyrics by Harold Adamson. Carmichael had the melody, and then recorded it backed by the Gordon Jenkins Chorus and Orchestra. Released in March 1951, it did not feature in the Billboard chart. The song became a perennial classic in the UK, with most releases since Carmichael’s within that country. The best known is 1976’s Robin Sarstedt’s, who became a one hit wonder when the track reached number 3 in the Uk Singles Chart.
