F orty years ago, the music industry was officially in recession but that didn’t mean that the quality of the music itself had diminished. The late 1970s was a time of seismic change for popular music with punk’s year zero of 1977 fuelling the rise of Independent record labels and the major record labels struggling to keep pace as punk evolved into new wave.There was also the disco phenomenon, which had reached its peak in music’s most schizophrenic year – 1978. In truth, 1979’s singles charts didn’t vary too much from the previous year. Despite the best efforts of disco haters such as Chicago disc jockey Steve Dahl, who blew up a crate of dance records in a “death of disco” stunt, the glitter ball sensation refused to go away, with some unlikely artists hitching a ride.But, like the previous year, 1979 was all about the sheer diversity of the music on offer. And the singles charts offered ample evidence of that eclectic mix of styles, finding room for everyone from ska revivalists to rock dinosaurs, classic rock acts to post-punk pioneers as well as the original punk acts, while also offering a glimpse of the future with the first successful rap and synth pop records. It all made for a heady confection, one of the best years for the 45. This is my pick of the best. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras. 20 The Boomtown Rats – I Don’t Like Mondays A hugely effective piano driven ballad inspired by the 1979 school shooting in San Diego when 16-year-old Brenda Spencer killed two adults and wounded eight children with the rifle her father had given her as a Christmas present. Her explanation: “I don’t like Mondays. This livens up the day” struck a chord with Bob Geldof and he composed the lyrics based around what he felt was a senseless act committed for a senseless reason. The song chimed with UK listeners as well and spent four weeks at number one, although whether that was due to sympathy over the tragic events or an empathy with that Monday morning feeling we all face from time to time, is open to question. Spencer is eligible for parole in August 19 Nick Lowe – Cruel to Be Kind A co-write with Ian Gomm that dated back to both men’s time with seminal pub rockers Brinsley Schwatz was inspired by Harold Melvin & the Bluenote’s “The Love I Lost”. Lowe rerecorded the song for his excellent Labour of Lust album and it became an unexpected hit, reaching number 12 on both sides of the Atlantic. It shouldn’t really have been a surprise. With his trademark sweet and sour wordplay, “Cruel to Be Kind” is one of a handful of late 1970s classics from the venerable Lowe, one of the key figures of the era for British music. 18 Thin Lizzy – Waiting for an Alibi After their debut hit in 1972 with “Whiskey in the Jar”, Thin Lizzy spent four long years during which they could barely get arrested. However, 1976’s Jailbreak album and attendant single “The Boys Are Back in Town” launched them back into the limelight and kick started a run of some of the best rock singles of the second half of the seventies. That they should do it in the face of the punk onslaught is probably testament to their slightly edgy image. “Waiting for an Alibi” finds the band at their commercial and artistic peak, twin lead guitars to the fore and Phil Lynott demonstrating all of his lyrical dexterity and natural rock star charisma.