POR37-Everybody Their Dog Knows This Classic by Heart...But Nobody Ever Remembers Who SINGS IT - Professor of Rock

Professor of Rock fires up the time‑machine to rewrite 1973’s chart history, spotlighting ten tracks that never hit the summit but deserve the crown. The countdown opens with the Doobie Brothers’ legendary jam‑turned‑hit “Long Train Runnin’.” Tom Johnston recalls how a three‑year, 10‑minute live improvisation was finally shaped by producer Ted Templeman into a Billboard Top 10 classic. Next, the show delves into Jim Croce’s posthumous single “I Got a Name,” penned by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox. The host shares the heartbreaking backstory of Croce’s fatal crash and how his son A.J. Croce revived the song for a 2018 Goodyear commercial, turning personal loss into a generational tribute. At number 8, Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show’s tongue‑in‑cheek anthem “The Cover of Rolling Stone” gets a deep dive. Written by Shel Silverstein, the track’s quirky spoken‑word bits, the band’s DIY promotion to the magazine’s office, and the BBC’s odd censorship saga are all unpacked, illustrating how a novelty song became a cultural touchstone. The episode then celebrates Stealers Wheel’s Dylan‑parody “Stuck in the Middle with You.” Jerry Rafferty and Joe Egan crafted the spoof as a joke, yet its flawless Dylan impersonation fooled early DJs and cemented the song as an enduring classic, even as Rafferty battled severe panic attacks that reshaped his career. Finally, the countdown lands on Dobie Gray’s soulful anthem “Drift Away.” Mentor Williams’ breezy fishing‑inspired composition found its perfect voice in Gray’s emotive delivery, with guitarist Reggie Young anchoring the track. Despite peaking at #5, the host argues it deserves #1 in the hearts of listeners. Throughout, the host’s bold thesis—that chart positions are wrong and these songs are the true number‑ones of 1973—drives a passionate, music‑nerd celebration that invites fans to rethink the year’s greatest hits.

Categories: Entertainment