Emma - Hot Chocolate (1975) 3/3/22

Sometimes a "downer" can reach the "upper reaches" of the charts.

For example: Today's "Great Song of 1975" is the story of boy and a girl, lost childhood, early marriage, depression, and suicide.

"Emma" by the British group Hot Chocolate was written by group members Errol Brown and Tony Wilson, with lyrics dedicated to the memory of Errol's recently deceased mother.

It started as a somewhat straightforward (albeit depressing) song, but producer Mickie Most asked for "more depth and darkness."

He got what he asked for.

Regardless of the subject matter, and possibly because the song felt so real, "Emma reached the Top 10 in 8 countries, including #2 in Belgium, The Netherlands and New Zealand, #3 in the UK, #5 in Canada and #8 in the US.

While it may not perk up your day, "Emma" by Hot Chocolate is still a "Great Song of 1975."