The First Synthpop Song, Part Three

Giorgio Moroder
Photo courtesy of Music Thing

According to the Discog.info entry on Giorgio Moroder and Chicory Tip (tantalizingly titled “Chicory Tip, The Giorgio Moroder Collaborations”) the song is credited to P. Bellotte, G. Moroder, and M. Holm: “This UK group released their own version of Son of My Father at the same time as Giorgio’s original (you can read the story in the booklet of the CD ‘The Very Best Of Chicory Tip’.)” (6)

Well, unfortunately I don’t have the CD so I can’t read the story in the booklet. I must rely on the Internet.

Clive Hocker’s Giorgio Moroder fanpage mentions Holm and Bellotte saying:

It may be 1970s glam rockers Chicory Tip (below) who are best remembered for the UK hit ‘Son Of My Father’ in 1972 but Moroder made his virtually identical recording first. (In fact, the song had been already been recorded more conventionally in 1971, in German, by Micheal [sic] Holm as ‘Nachts scheint die Sonne’.)

The revised track, with new English lyrics by Bellotte. was taken from Moroder’s solo album (also called ‘Son Of My Father’) which, even by 1972, clearly illustrated his belief in the potential of synthesisers with several tracks featuring the Moog sound. (7)

A Google search for “Michael Holm Son of my Father” reveals a site called SecondHandSongs.com, “a cover songs database.” Here, Holm and Moroder are credited with writing the song, while Pete Bellotte is credited with the lyrics. According to the entry, Moroder and Holm’s versions were released in 1971, with Chicory Tip’s release coming a year later. (8)

The Music Thing blog states unequivocally that, “Giorgio made the first pop record to feature a Moog synth: Chicory Tip’s ‘Son of My Father’ in 1972.” (9)

This is apparently news to a reader named Craig, who comments, “I’ll be. I always thought the first pop-Moog hit was “Popcorn” by Gershon Kingsley, but I guess Moroder et al beat ’em by a few months.” (10)

An Anonymous poster adds:

‘Son of my father’ by Chickory Tip was a cover of the original song which appeared [sic] on the album of the same name by Georgio (no ‘Moroder’ on the front sleeve, but there’s a picture of him with his dog and mustache [sic]). His version is way better than the Chicory Tip version and theres lots of other good songs on the album including some in kind of punky disco styles… in 1972! (11)

It seems that, from a release date standpoint, “Popcorn,” came first, since it was written by Gershon Kingsley and released in 1969, with “Son of my Father” not being released by either Moroder or Holm until 1971. From a chart standpoint, “Popcorn” is the clear winner. Its Wikipedia entry indicates that the Hot Butter version, “became the first primarily electronic-based piece of music to reach the American popular music charts, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Pop Singles and #4 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and appearing high in the charts of many other countries around the world.” (12)

Additionally, with over 300 cover versions of the tune, it’s clearly the most “popular.” But is it technically a song? According (once again) to Wikipedia, “a song is sung, and a piece is played. However, beyond these simple definitions, ‘piece’ is more inclusive than ‘song’ (i.e., a piece can have a strong element of solo vocal writing). ‘Song’ is an almost universal term for a movement in popular music, but is more specific in non-popular (classical) music.” (13)

After all of this, could “Son of my Father,” which was released later, charted lower, and less-frequently covered than “Popcorn” somehow come out on top? For the record, I say NO.

Blogger Phillip also makes the case: “AFAIK, ‘Popcorn was the first _all_ Moog/synth pop hit… no vocals, y’see? (14)

And thus, a bit of compromise. Perhaps “Son of my Father” may have been the first synthpop SONG, but “Popcorn” is undoubtedly the first synthpop HIT.

“Yes, I am number one!”
Gershon Kingsley in the 1960s
Photo © 2005 The New York Times Company

Read Part One here.
Read Part Two here.

Sources:

1. Wikipedia, “Son of my Father”
2. Freaky Trigger.com, “CHICORY TIP – Son Of My Father,” March 15, 2007.
3. YouTube, “Chicory Tip 1972 – Son of my Father,” comments section
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
6. Discog.info, “CHICORY TIP (The Giorgio Moroder Collaborations)”
7. “Moroder’s Music: Son Of My Father”
8. SecondHandSongs.com, “Son of My Father”
9. Music Thing, “Moroder Week: Pt. 1: “I didn’t know he did that,” January 12, 2004.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Wikipedia, “Popcorn Song”
13. Wikipedia, “WikiProject Music terminology – Pieces of music”
14. Music Thing, “Moroder Week: Pt. 1: “I didn’t know he did that,” January 12, 2004.

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