I see what Brian is talking about and I see it. It’s in the harmonies and quite obvious. I write songs. Occasionally I will know where the essence, mood or groove of a certain passage came from (in my mind). If I mentioned to someone and they listened to the two songs they might not even see a resemblance. But I know where the essence of the passage came from.
Speaking of that era, do you remember Popsicles, Icicles?
I’m convinced Ray Stevens got the inspiration for Guitarzan from the aforementioned. It was where they sang, “He loves bright stars and guitars and ...” Four years later, Guitarzan emerged.