The Hits of 1973: Rockin’ Crocodiles; Lovin’ Trains; Coverin’ Stones

The Hits of 1973: Rockin’ Crocodiles; Lovin’ Trains; Coverin’ Stones

Author: David Yas & Michael ”Milt” Wolfe February 27, 2026 Duration: 1:56:31
Dave and the Chartmeister Michael “Milt” Wolfe review the Billboard Top 10 for the week ending March 10, 1973, after chatting about Milt’s trip to Savannah, snow in Massachusetts, and assorted pop-culture tangents. They cover period context including Dark Side of the Moon’s U.S. release, the “Great Michigan pizza funeral,” KISS’s first makeup show, and the death of Grateful Dead member Pigpen. The countdown includes Jermaine Jackson’s “Daddy’s Home,” John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High,” Dr. Hook’s “Cover of the Rolling Stone,” Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock,” Deodato’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001),” the O’Jays’ “Love Train,” the Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” Edward Bear’s “Last Song,” “Dueling Banjos,” and Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.” They pick weekly winners, swap out songs for Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years” and the Moody Blues’ “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band),” run a train-themed riddle game, grade the week a B, and preview a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees episode.   Topics 00:26 Hosts Return And Updates 02:24 Savannah Vs Snow Talk 05:09 Time Machine To 1973 06:40 Week In History Highlights 10:59 Pop Culture Backdrop 15:06 Top 10 Begins Number 10 23:46 John Denver Rocky Mountain High 29:16 Dr Hook Cover Of Rolling Stone 37:39 Elton John Crocodile Rock 40:24 Silly Song Breakdown 41:34 Funky 2001 Theme 45:59 Walk On Music Talk 51:03 Love Train Origins 53:32 Love Train In Pop Culture 57:06 Train Riddle Playdate 01:10:39 Spinners Philly Soul 01:14:32 Paul Stanley Soul Covers 01:17:52 Kiss Makeup Debate 01:19:29 Edward Bear Deep Dive 01:23:55 Dueling Banjos Origins 01:32:45 Roberta Flack Breakdown 01:38:53 Recap and Awards 01:41:33 Substitutions and Swaps 01:50:55 Week Grade and Wrap 01:54:34 Next Week Tease

For anyone who’s ever argued about a one-hit wonder or wondered what exactly made a chart-topper tick, there’s PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine-Music of the 70s, 80s and More. Hosts Michael “Milt” Wolfe and David Yas don’t just play the hits; they dig into the actual top ten lists from decades past, serving up a blend of nostalgia and fresh commentary. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific chart, breaking down not just the winners but the curious also-rans and genuine oddities that shared the space. You’ll hear them analyze everything from the undeniable classics to those “how did that get there?” moments, all with a sense of camaraderie and genuine curiosity. While the core of the podcast revolves around the music of the 1970s and 1980s, they happily venture into the 90s and other eras, applying the same formula to themed lists like the greatest cover songs, iconic TV themes, and memorable movie soundtracks. It’s less a lecture and more like eavesdropping on a great conversation between two knowledgeable friends who love to unpack the stories behind the songs. The result is a consistently engaging listen that might make you revisit your old playlists with a new appreciation. Tune in for a weekly dose of musical archaeology that’s as much about the cultural context as it is about the melody.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More
Podcast Episodes
The Hits – and the Glitz – of 1979 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:39:30
Milt’s off living his best life at Jazz Fest, so Dave taps in Deirdre McCarthy as guest co-pilot, and—folks—we fire up the time machine to May 5, 1979. It’s Laverne & Shirley on TV, Alien in theaters, The Hitchhiker’s Gu…
The Hits of ‘87, UK Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:59
Dave and Milt open with banter about expensive VIP options, coffee vs. tea, and then discuss the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class heavy with British performers (Phil Collins solo, Billy Idol, Oasis, Iron Maiden, Joy Divi…
The Michael Jackson Deep Dive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:59
Dave and Milt crack open a special Past Tens where the subject is none other than the human moonwalk, Michael Jackson—timed nicely with the looming biopic that’s about to remind everyone just how absurdly dominant this g…
Hits of '82: The Fire & The Fever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:29
Dave and Milt fire up the Top 10 Time Machine and land squarely in April 3, 1982—a week where the Falklands War is just getting started, Space Shuttle Columbia is touching down in the desert like it missed its exit, Mich…
The Best Opening Lines of ’70s Songs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:25
Dave and Milt are doing what they do best: arguing about music like it matters (because it does). This time, they’re counting down their favorite opening lines from 1970s songs — with Milt, naturally, gravitating toward…
The Hits of 1977: Casey Kasem, Eat Your Heart Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:30
Dave and Milt ride the Past 10s time machine to the week ending March 19, 1977, riffing on questionable water-park hygiene, a 44‑hour hijacking, FDA rules for “mixed nuts,” the Mary Tyler Moore finale giving birth to Thr…
Worst Remakes; Best Sleepers, WTFs & More From 300 Episodes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
Dave and Milt (the Chart Meister, not the Chart Master) celebrate what might be their 300th episode—give or take a few missed weeks and some lazy counting—by ditching the usual Billboard time-travel format and revisiting…
Hits of 1984: Here Comes the Rock Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:17
Dave and Milt jump into the Billboard Rock Tracks chart for the week ending March 10, 1984. They set the scene with Splash, Dallas, and Ed Koch’s Mayor, then count down the rock top 10: Yes “Leave It,” Van Halen “Panama,…
Fame? Fame! Ranking 80s & 90s Stars for the Rock Hall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:57
Dave and Milt open with shout-outs to a five-star review from the mysterious “BeanieGirl6” and an email from listener Jack (now in Houston) defending Edward Bear and sharing trivia about Roberta Flack’s inspiration. They…
Greatest First Lines of ’80s Songs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:06
Dave records an episode of the Past Tens: Top 10 Time Machine podcast without co-host Milt (who is away on a winter trip or something) and brings on his brother Adam Yas as guest co-host. Each present a personal top 10 l…