'74–'75


"'74–'75" is a single released by American band The Connells from their fifth studio album, Ring. The song was released as the third single from the album in 1993, but it did not chart in the United States. It would later become a European hit for the band in 1995, peaking atop the Norwegian and Swedish singles charts and reaching the top five in the Flanders region of Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland and Switzerland. The song's music video, directed by Mark Pellington, features Needham B. Broughton High School's Class of 1975.

Charting success

While never being successful in their native US or Canada, the song became a big hit in Europe in 1995, particularly in Sweden and Norway, where it topped the singles charts, as well as in Belgium, France and Switzerland where it reached its best performance across Europe in the yearly charts 1995. In addition, it was their only top-20 hit in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 14, and it also became a success in Germany, where it peaked at No. 7 and managed to stay in the airplay charts for 57 weeks.

Music video

The accompanying music video was directed by Mark Pellington. It was shot at Needham B. Broughton High School in the band's hometown Raleigh, North Carolina in 1993, and features members of the Class of 1975, juxtaposing yearbook pictures with footage of the same people as they appeared in 1993. On November 14, 2015, to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1974–1975 class, a remixed video of the song was released, showing the class members as they look 22 years after the original video was released.

Formats and track listings

; 7" single
  1. "'74–'75" – 4:36
  2. "New Boy" – 4:44
; CD single
  1. "'74–'75" – 4:36
  2. "New Boy" – 4:44
; CD maxi
  1. "'74–'75" – 4:36
  2. "Logan Street" – 3:39
  3. "Fun & Games" – 3:07
  4. "New Boy" – 4:44
; Cassette
  1. "'74–'75" – 4:36
  2. "New Boy" – 4:44

    Charts and certifications

While not becoming a big hit in the band's native United States, the song became a Top 20 hit throughout Europe in early 1995, eventually reaching the UK, where it became the band's sole hit, peaking at number 14 in the singles chart that August; a re-release of the single in March 1996 reached number 21.

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts

Certifications

Influence

of Travis said that he wrote Writing to Reach You while listening to "74–75" on the radio.