Back When My Hair Was Short - Gunhill Road (1973) 5/19/22

I've said it time and time again: chart position is only one way to measure how GREAT a song really is. And sometimes, it doesn't really mean much at all.

Today, I am highlighting the absolute PERFECT example: "Back When My Hair Was Short" by Gunhill Road.

According to Billboard Magazine, it peaked at #37 on the Hot 100... BUT...it also had the distinction of reaching the Top 10 in more different markets at more different times than any other record of 1973!

That's quite an odd achievement, but how did it happen? Several factors came into play.

When "Back When My hair Was Short" was first released, it contained a number of drug references...which didn't sit well with Top 40 radio stations, but was a top request at underground FM stations...and college radio (as you might imagine).

When it became apparent that the song wasn't "radio friendly" for the mass AM Radio audience, Gunhill Road re-recorded the song and ditched the drug related lyrics. It was also a bit faster.

So now, TWO versions of the song were being played on the air in different cities at the same time, and they started to cancel each other out on the charts.

And that explains Billboard's statement above.

Personally, I like the updated version--mainly because it's faster and more fun...but your mileage may vary. I invite you to listen to both versions, and decide which one YOU like best. But either way, "Back When My hair Was Short" by Gunhill Road is a "Great Song of

1973!"

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