This group had their big hit Part Of The Union back in January 1973, and it went so well with the tough times. Remember the unions were asking for more and more money and the government fought hard to control the rising inflation. That song caught the mood the day and I remember it being played on the Jimmy Young Show on Radio One. The group even toured with the amazing Supertramp too.
But the Strawbs were around long before 1973, as they were formed as the Strawberry Hill Boys back in the 1960s. The group had so many famous band members pass through over the years including Rick Wakeman, Hudson and Ford. But through most of the sensational 70s the group was led by Dave Cousins who even in 2012 was still fronting the group.
The first single hit in 1972 was Lay Down (not one that I can instantly recall) which came from the album Bursting At The Seams and the lyrics of the single were based on the New Testament. That is probably why I do not recall it.
But of course, the big hit was Part Of The Union in 1973 from the same album. The single just missed out on being No.1, but the song was sung loud and proud at Chrysler factories for sure. The song was written by then band members Hudson and Ford, who later left the group and had their own hit called Burn Baby Burn.
Now I'm a union man
Amazed at what I am
I say what I think, that the company stinks
Yes I'm a union man
When we meet in the local hall
I'll be voting with them all
With a hell of a shout, it's "Out brothers, out!"
And the rise of the factory's fall
After such a huge hit we all waited for the next big single hit. We waited but it did not happen as the next single peaked at No. 34 and was called Shine On Silver Sun. Another hit that my aging memory cannot remember.
