3rd September 1972

 

It's a first week on top for The Detroit Spinners, as Philly sounds get another number one, this time I'll Be Around, the original and best version. Lynsey De Paul hits a new peak of 2 with Sugar Me and Hot Chocolate get the highest new entry at 3 with the forgotten, yet touching, You'll Always Be A Friend - after the flop Mary-Anne the band went back to their previous smooth hitmaking sound for the final time. From here on it'll be pure soul, ballads, disco, funk or synths. New in 15, T.Rex are back with Children Of The Revolution, already peaking higher at 5 than Telegram Sam, but not Metal Guru. B side Jitterbug Love pops in lower down.

 

New at 7 David Bowie gets a new entry at 7 with the UK-only single John I'm Only Dancing, not to be confused with the inferior 1973 sax-version, the original mix was glam-punk fantastic, and the worst version was the 1975 plastic soul version that came out in 1979 with a great 1972 version as a double A. Parchment debut at 55 with the odd Greek-ish chorus-ish rock-ish gospel-ish folk-ish Light Up The Fire, very much a religious record, and catchy. Horace Andy's delightful reggae tune Skylarking is new at 69, Daniel Boone's surprise flop singalong Annabelle is at 71, Family's Burlesque at 74, and Neil Sedaka's Beautiful You at 75, ahead of the forthcoming album Solitaire. I contemplated crediting 10 C.C. as they produced the entire album, were session musicians on it, and did backing vocals - but the songs as all Sedaka so I didn't. Or I would also have had to give David Bowie a credit on All The Young Dudes, which is his song to boot.

 

1 ( 2 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

2 ( 4 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

3 ( NEW ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 3

4 ( 3 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

5 ( NEW ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

6 ( 1 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

7 ( NEW ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 7

8 ( 5 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

9 ( 10 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 9

10 ( 8 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 8

 

11 ( 14 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 11

12 ( 6 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

13 ( 11 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

14 ( 12 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

15 ( 7 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

16 ( 13 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

17 ( 17 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 15

18 ( 15 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

19 ( 9 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

20 ( 18 ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green # 6

 

21 ( 19 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

22 ( 22 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

23 ( 25 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

24 ( 23 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

25 ( 16 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

26 ( 20 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

27 ( 21 ) MY GUY - Mary Wells # 12

28 ( 28 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 28

29 ( 29 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

30 ( 24 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

 

31 ( 33 ) SUMMER BREEZE - Seals & Crofts # 31

32 ( 31 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

33 ( 27 ) I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - Carpenters # 17

34 ( 35 ) SAILING - The Sutherland Brothers # 34

35 ( 38 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 35

36 ( 37 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 36

37 ( 32 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

38 ( 34 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

39 ( 44 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley # 39

40 ( 36 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade # 36

 

41 ( 30 ) WHY - Donny Osmond # 26

42 ( 26 ) THE MOONBEAM SONG - Nilsson # 26

43 ( 39 ) SILVER MACHINE - Hawkwind # 4

44 ( 42 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

45 ( 43 ) PLAY ME - Neil Diamond # 36

46 ( 46 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

47 ( 41 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones & featuring David Cassidy # 11

48 ( 45 ) IN THE QUIET MORNING - Joan Baez # 37

49 ( 72 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 49

50 ( 48 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

 

51 ( 51 ) BEN - Michael Jackson # 32

52 ( 50 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

53 ( 58 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon # 53

54 ( 49 ) THE TALK OF ALL THE U.S.A. - Middle Of The Road # 2

55 ( NEW ) LIGHT UP THE FIRE - Parchment # 55

56 ( 53 ) WALKING IN THE RAIN WITH THE ONE I LOVE - Love Unlimited featuring Barry White # 1

57 ( 52 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway # 5

58 ( 61 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingston # 58

59 ( 59 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith # 59

60 ( 60 ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles # 71

 

61 ( 40 ) GARDEN PARTY - Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band # 18

62 ( 56 ) DIARY - Bread # 3

63 ( 47 ) SCHOOL’S OUT - Alice Cooper # 1

64 ( 62 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters # 62

65 ( NEW ) JITTERBUG LOVE - T.Rex # 65

66 ( 63 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers # 1

67 ( NEW ) SKYLARKING - Horace Andy # 67

68 ( 66 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson # 1

69 ( NEW ) ANNABELLE - Daniel Boone # 69

70 ( 75 ) CARRY ME CARRIE - Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show # 70

 

71 ( 57 ) USE ME - Bill Withers # 57

72 ( 74 ) ROCK ME BABY - David Cassidy # 72

73 ( 55 ) ANGEL - Rod Stewart # 55

74 ( NEW ) BURLESQUE - Family # 74

75 ( NEW ) BEAUTIFUL YOU - Neil Sedaka # 75

 

 

3rd Sept 1972 Wot I Liked Then Charts Of That Week

 

It's a Bill Withers 1-2 as Lean On Me is on top, and Michael Jackson's cover of his Ain't No Sunshine is at 2, even better than Bill's classic original. Roberta Flack & the troubled Donny Hathaway are at 3 with the gorgeous Where Is The Love for a soul top 3. Slade make it 4 top 10's in a row with Mama Weer All Crazee Now at 9, Cliff is new in at 15 with Living In Harmony, his best single since Sunny Honey Girl, and The Pearls get a second oldies cover with You Came You Saw You Conquered at 21.

 

Parchment's catchy Christian oddity is new at 22 for Light Up The Fire, and The Hollies CCR-take-off, Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress, is new at 24, their best record since Gasoline Alley Bred. Billy Preston has waited 3 years to get a second solo chart single and he does it with the synthy funk instrumental Outa Space at 26, while Hurricane Smith covers a Gilbert O'Sullivan song for his last hit, with Who Was It.

 

 

1 ( 2 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers

2 ( 16 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

3 ( 23 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

4 ( 1 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

5 ( 7 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne

6 ( 3 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople

7 ( 4 ) POPCORN - Hot Butter

8 ( 9 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue

9 ( 27 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade

10 ( 6 ) 10538 OVERTURE - Electric Light Orchestra

 

11 ( 5 ) THE LOCOMOTION - Little Eva

12 ( 8 ) TOO BUSY THINKING BOUT MY BABY - Mardi Gras

13 ( 17 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

14 ( 13 ) LAYLA - Derek & The Dominoes

15 ( NEW ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard

16 ( 11 ) I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING - Jackie Wilson

17 ( 10 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family

18 ( 14 ) SEASIDE SHUFFLE - Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs

19 ( 12 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

20 ( 18 ) ROCK AND ROLL PART 2 - Gary Glitter

 

21 ( NEW ) YOU CAME YOU SAW YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls

22 ( NEW ) LIGHT UP THE FIRE - Parchment

23 ( 15 ) AUTOMATICALLY SUNSHINE - The Supremes

24 ( NEW ) LONG COOL WOMAN IN A BLACK DRESS - The Hollies

25 ( 21 ) CONQUISTADOR - Procol Harum

26 ( NEW ) OUTA-SPACE - Billy Preston

27 ( NEW ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith

28 ( 22 ) SAILING - The Sutherland Brothers

29 ( 26 ) RUN TO ME - The Bee Gees

30 ( 20 ) SYLVIA’S MOTHER - Doctor Hook & The Medicine Show

10th September 1972

 

It's a 4th retro chart-topper for David Bowie and his fabulous UK single version of John I'm Only Dancing (avoid all inferior other versions), and Bowie's 5th including Mott The Hoople's Dudes. Highest new entry at 2 is from the new album from The O'Jays, the classic Love Train, not released as a single until 1973, and still fresh and as relevant as it was 50 years ago. The next single will have to wait for the edit version, though, as it's very long on the album. Mama Cass gets another retro top 10 for the final time, 4 years after her first, not including Mamas & Papas singles.

 

New in at 18, it's the fab backing of The Glitter Band and fab Mike Leander co-write and production on I Didn't Know I Loved You, oh and it's got that bloke Paul Gadd on it too. Another album out this week is Jonathan King's Bubblerock Is Here To Stay, comprising King taking rock classics and doing them in a different style in a pop bent. For some reason no singles were released off it until early 1974, at which point The Rolling Stones Satisfaction done Country-folk tongue-in-cheek stylee became a hit. His UK record label was busy getting hits (see Terry Dactyl, 10CC) and one US hit that was a UK flop was Lobo's I'd Love You To Want Me. Wait 2 years, JK buys the rights and makes a hit in the UK too. So many 1974 hit UK tracks came out in 1972....! Bubblerock is new at 42, Lobo at 68.

 

Holland-Dozier (minus the other Holland) chart at 49 with the fab Why Can't We Be Lovers, featuring Lamont Dozier on vocals. Think of it as sort of an early version of modern DJ-producers getting hits for a decade with a rotating list of featuring vocalists, but occasionally one without anyone. HDH could have dominated the 60's singles charts as an act if "features" had been more of a thing back then with Motown. New at 59, and new to me, the Motown choice of single from The Four Seasons album is a retro 60's sounding Seasons track, having not had the guts to go with future Northern Soul classic hit The Night. It flopped. It's too retro for 1972, but fab for 2022.

 

Finally, Peter Skellern debuts with an old-fashioned gentle classy croon-style ballad oddly pepped up with choirs of singers and a brass band, but it's quite sweet. He'll have better though, but You're A Lady is still decent. New ay 67, with Anne Murray grabbing a Top Of The Pops plug for new UK single Destiny. She always went down well on UK variety show spots or BBC specials. It doesn't feature on a 3CD box set I have of hers. Not one of her best, though. New at 75.

 

 

 

 

1 ( 7 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

2 ( NEW ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 2

3 ( 3 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 3

4 ( 1 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

5 ( 5 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

6 ( 11 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 6

7 ( 10 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

8 ( 9 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 8

9 ( 8 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

10 ( 2 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

 

11 ( 4 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

12 ( 12 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

13 ( 13 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

14 ( 6 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

15 ( 14 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

16 ( 15 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

17 ( 17 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 15

18 ( NEW ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 18

19 ( 16 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

20 ( 19 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

 

21 ( 18 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

22 ( 21 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

23 ( 28 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 23

24 ( 22 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

25 ( 25 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

26 ( 26 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

27 ( 35 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 27

28 ( 36 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 28

29 ( 23 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

30 ( 31 ) SUMMER BREEZE - Seals & Crofts # 30

 

31 ( 24 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

32 ( 32 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

33 ( 20 ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green # 6

34 ( 34 ) SAILING - The Sutherland Brothers # 34

35 ( 29 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

36 ( 39 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley # 36

37 ( 33 ) I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - Carpenters # 17

38 ( 30 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

39 ( 38 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

40 ( 27 ) MY GUY - Mary Wells # 12

 

41 ( 37 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

42 ( NEW ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 42

43 ( 49 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 43

44 ( 40 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade # 36

45 ( 43 ) SILVER MACHINE - Hawkwind # 4

46 ( 46 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

47 ( 44 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

48 ( 42 ) THE MOONBEAM SONG - Nilsson # 26

49 ( NEW ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier # 49

50 ( 47 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones & featuring David Cassidy # 11

 

51 ( 41 ) WHY - Donny Osmond # 26

52 ( 51 ) BEN - Michael Jackson # 32

53 ( 50 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

54 ( 59 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith # 54

55 ( 55 ) LIGHT UP THE FIRE - Parchment # 55

56 ( 52 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

57 ( 60 ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles # 71

58 ( 58 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingston # 58

59 ( NEW ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 59

60 ( 56 ) WALKING IN THE RAIN WITH THE ONE I LOVE - Love Unlimited featuring Barry White # 1

 

61 ( 57 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway # 5

62 ( 64 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters # 62

63 ( 54 ) THE TALK OF ALL THE U.S.A. - Middle Of The Road # 2

64 ( 53 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon # 53

65 ( 67 ) SKYLARKING - Horace Andy # 65

66 ( 69 ) ANNABELLE - Daniel Boone # 66

67 ( NEW ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern # 67

68 ( NEW ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 68

69 ( 45 ) PLAY ME - Neil Diamond # 36

70 ( 70 ) CARRY ME CARRIE - Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show # 70

 

71 ( 65 ) JITTERBUG LOVE - T.Rex # 65

72 ( 48 ) IN THE QUIET MORNING - Joan Baez # 37

73 ( 74 ) BURLESQUE - Family # 73

74 ( 72 ) ROCK ME BABY - David Cassidy # 72

75 ( NEW ) DESTINY - Anne Murray # 75

 

 

10th September 1972 my charts of that week then

 

It's still a double-top Bill Withers, but Michael Jackson swaps place with Bill for his 1st solo chart-topper and 2nd including Jackson 5 singles, as Rod Stewart goes with You Were It Well where Maggie May didn't: top 10. The Drifters get a 2nd oldie top 10 as Come On Over To My Place is new at 7 6 or 7 years late, and the fabulous Walk In The Night brings Junior Walker new in at 8. In at 26, Hot Chocolate make it a 5th chart entry with You'll Always Be A Friend at 26. Flop Iron Cross obscurity, Little Bit Of Soul is new at 28, Alan Freeman played it before the chart show (and I taped it) on Radio 1. Bowie is back for a 3rd spot of chart action, as the fab John I'm Only Dancing starts off at 3, and Elmo James brings Chairmen Of The Board back for a 3rd entry.

 

 

 

1 ( 2 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

2 ( 1 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers

3 ( 4 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

4 ( 13 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

5 ( 6 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople

6 ( 9 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade

7 ( NEW ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters

8 ( NEW ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

9 ( 10 ) 10538 OVERTURE - Electric Light Orchestra

10 ( 8 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue

 

11 ( 7 ) POPCORN - Hot Butter

12 ( 11 ) THE LOCOMOTION - Little Eva

13 ( 19 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

14 ( 14 ) LAYLA - Derek & The Dominoes

15 ( 17 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family

16 ( 5 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne

17 ( 12 ) TOO BUSY THINKING BOUT MY BABY - Mardi Gras

18 ( 16 ) I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING - Jackie Wilson

19 ( 18 ) SEASIDE SHUFFLE - Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs

20 ( RE ) SCHOOL’S OUT - Alice Cooper

 

21 ( 15 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard

22 ( 29 ) RUN TO ME - The Bee Gees

23 ( 3 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

24 ( 21 ) YOU CAME YOU SAW YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls

25 ( 27 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith

26 ( NEW ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

27 ( 22 ) LIGHT UP THE FIRE - Parchment

28 ( NEW ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross

29 ( NEW ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

30 ( NEW ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

17th September 1972

 

It's a first week on top for Love Train and 2nd chart-topper for The O'Jays as the sweet soul Sound Of Philadelphia starts to make inroads by the week - this week Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes as voiced by the great Teddy Pendergrass debut at 60 with If You Don't Know My By Now, and there will be more Gamble & Huff for the next 7 years or so, not to mention those inspired by them. Hot Chocolate are up to 2, and Mama Cass at 3 for her biggest since It's Getting Better 3 years earlier. Gary Glitter makes it 2 top 10's in a row.

 

Highest new entry is Scot Junior Campbell, ex-Marmalade, now striking off on his own with the gospel Hallelujah Freedom new at 45, while new at 66 Iron Cross' cover of Little Bit O' Soul is getting plays on Alan Freeman's Radio 1 Show, which was about to end along with his reign as the voice of the UK chart rundown, as he got moved over to Rock broadcasting shows and Tom Browne took over the charts rundown. New at 71, The Chi-Lites grab a 3rd chart entry of 1972 with A Lonely Man, Barbra Streisand headlines a TV special with an amazing intro - everything including the iamspamspamamisink and an orchestra is thrown into the opening live medley intro - which obligingly charted in the USA: Sing, a future hit for Carpenters, is mashed with Mama Cass' Make Your Own Kind Of Music. Well worth a Youtube to see La Streisand in her unbeatable prime. What a voice! Finally, Odyssey debut with a new track to me - Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Know introduces them to the Retro rundown 7 years earlier than they debuted in my charts of the times.

 

 

1 ( 2 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

2 ( 3 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 2

3 ( 6 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

4 ( 1 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

5 ( 5 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

6 ( 4 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

7 ( 8 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

8 ( 18 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 8

9 ( 9 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

10 ( 10 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

 

11 ( 7 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

12 ( 11 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

13 ( 23 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

14 ( 14 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

15 ( 17 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 15

16 ( 13 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

17 ( 12 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

18 ( 16 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

19 ( 19 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

20 ( 27 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 20

 

21 ( 15 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

22 ( 22 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

23 ( 21 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

24 ( 20 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

25 ( 24 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

26 ( 30 ) SUMMER BREEZE - Seals & Crofts # 26

27 ( 25 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

28 ( 28 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 28

29 ( 29 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

30 ( 26 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

 

31 ( 31 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

32 ( 49 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 32

33 ( 35 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

34 ( 32 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

35 ( 43 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 35

36 ( 42 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 36

37 ( 33 ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green # 6

38 ( 38 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

39 ( 39 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

40 ( 40 ) MY GUY - Mary Wells # 12

 

41 ( 34 ) SAILING - The Sutherland Brothers # 34

42 ( 37 ) I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - Carpenters # 17

43 ( 36 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley # 36

44 ( 41 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

45 ( NEW ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 45

46 ( 59 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 46

47 ( 46 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

48 ( 54 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith # 48

49 ( 57 ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles # 71

50 ( 58 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingston # 50

 

51 ( 47 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

52 ( 50 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones & featuring David Cassidy # 11

53 ( 53 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

54 ( 45 ) SILVER MACHINE - Hawkwind # 4

55 ( 51 ) WHY - Donny Osmond # 26

56 ( 44 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade # 36

57 ( 62 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters # 57

58 ( 56 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

59 ( 68 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 59

60 ( NEW ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 60

 

 

61 ( 66 ) ANNABELLE - Daniel Boone # 61

62 ( 52 ) BEN - Michael Jackson # 32

63 ( 48 ) THE MOONBEAM SONG - Nilsson # 26

64 ( 55 ) LIGHT UP THE FIRE - Parchment # 55

65 ( 67 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern # 65

66 ( NEW ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross # 66

67 ( 60 ) WALKING IN THE RAIN WITH THE ONE I LOVE - Love Unlimited featuring Barry White # 1

68 ( 65 ) SKYLARKING - Horace Andy # 65

69 ( 70 ) CARRY ME CARRIE - Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show # 69

70 ( 61 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway # 5

 

 

71 ( NEW ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 71

72 ( 73 ) BURLESQUE - Family # 72

73 ( 75 ) DESTINY - Anne Murray # 73

74 ( NEW ) SING/MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC (MEDLEY) - Barbra Streisand # 74

75 ( NEW ) OUR LIVES ARE SHAPED BY WHAT WE LOVE - Odyssey # 75

 

 

17th September 1972 (my chart of that week then)

 

 

It's straight in on top for The Sweet latest Glam Rock stomper, Wig-Wam Bam being the first of more chart-toppers, and beating out T.Rex who settle for 4 with Children Of The Revolution. jolly reggae at 5 for Dandy Livingstone and Suzanne Beware Of The Devil. Hurricane Smith makes it a 3rd top 10 in a row with Who Was It, and Roxy Music add to the Glam Rock as Virginia Plain becomes their first of many top 10's at 9.

 

Teen pop debuts include David Cassidy at 19 with How Can I Be Sure, and Donny Osmond at 20 with Too Young. I've grown to love How Can I Be Sure with the years, not so much Too Young. The Seashells cover Lesley Gore at 25, Maybe I Know new in, and Elton John has a disappointingly non-ballad follow-up to Rocket Man, as Honky Cat creeps in at 29.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

2 ( 1 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

3 ( 2 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers

4 ( NEW ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

5 ( NEW ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingstone

6 ( 3 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

7 ( 25 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith

8 ( 5 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople

9 ( 13 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

10 ( 8 ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

 

11 ( 11 ) POPCORN - Hot Butter

12 ( 4 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

13 ( 7 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters

14 ( 12 ) THE LOCOMOTION - Little Eva

15 ( 15 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family

16 ( 14 ) LAYLA - Derek & The Dominoes

17 ( 10 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue

18 ( 6 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade

19 ( NEW ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

20 ( NEW ) TOO YOUNG - Donny Osmond

 

21 ( 17 ) TOO BUSY THINKING BOUT MY BABY - Mardi Gras

22 ( 18 ) I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING - Jackie Wilson

23 ( 19 ) SEASIDE SHUFFLE - Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs

24 ( 26 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

25 ( NEW ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells

26 ( 23 ) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

27 ( 29 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

28 ( 24 ) YOU CAME YOU SAW YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls

29 ( NEW ) HONKY CAT - Elton John

30 ( 30 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

24th September 1972

 

It's up to the top spot for Hot Chocolate as Errol Brown and Tony Wilson claim a 3rd number one song with the forgotten gem You'll Always Be A Friend. They were never guaranteed a hit single and had to prove themselves with every release, but always managed at least one hit a year for 15 years in a row. Highest new entry is Alice Cooper's Elected at 21, as in the USA campaigning was underway (and shooting candidates as per the 1968 election, and with the same result: Nixon got in, cough, watergate, cough).

 

60's classic House Of The Rising Sun is back again for The Animals - it was only 8 years old but that was a lifetime ago in the music scene of 1972 - new at 24 but I def knew it as a kiddie. I didn't know the original New Orleans song but I loved the glampop treatment by Harley Quinne new at 30. Talking of oldies, Oh! Carol is back on a maxi-single of oldies for Neil Sedaka who was then morphing into a singer-songwriter a la Carol King: who just happened to be his fellow-Brill-Building inspiration for the 1959 hit song, and still the earliest-released record to ever top my personal charts of the times - as an oldie in 1972. Also in Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, hot on the heels of the hit Partridge Family cover, and Little Devil.

 

New at 50, Edgar Winter Group debut with Free Ride, a track Alan Freeman played on his final Pick Of The Pops show (I recorded the whole show on my reel to reel as it was the end of an era for me!). Johnny Nash gets his 3rd hit of 1972, There Are More Questions Than Answers at 70. Johnny, for me, invented Lovers Rock - Hold Me Tight was the first example of it in 1968, and doesn't get the credit he deserves due to just being a fan of reggae, as opposed to coming from Jamaica authentically. The Trammps follow up their future disco hit with the same record they followed-up with in 1974, Sixty Minute Man, a more tasteful way of dealing with a theme that gets graphically described in modern rap-based songs. Glen Campbell returns with a big ballad I don't know at 74 and at 75 Denise LaSalle is toot-tooting 14 years early with a song that is very in a Staple Singers' Respect Yourself vibe.

 

 

1 ( 2 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

2 ( 1 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

3 ( 6 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

4 ( 3 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

5 ( 4 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

6 ( 8 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

7 ( 7 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

8 ( 5 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

9 ( 10 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

10 ( 9 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

 

11 ( 11 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

12 ( 14 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

13 ( 15 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 13

14 ( 12 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

15 ( 32 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 15

16 ( 18 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

17 ( 17 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

18 ( 13 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

19 ( 20 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 19

20 ( 16 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

 

21 ( NEW ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 21

22 ( 19 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

23 ( 22 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

24 ( NEW ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 24

25 ( 25 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

26 ( 21 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

27 ( 46 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 27

28 ( 35 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 28

29 ( 29 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

30 ( NEW ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 30

 

31 ( 31 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

32 ( 24 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

33 ( 30 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

34 ( 36 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 34

35 ( 23 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

36 ( 33 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

37 ( 28 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 28

38 ( 45 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 38

39 ( 34 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

40 ( 27 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

 

41 ( NEW ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 41

42 ( 59 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 42

43 ( 71 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 43

44 ( 39 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

45 ( 38 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

46 ( 37 ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green # 6

47 ( 44 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

48 ( 47 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

49 ( 42 ) I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - Carpenters # 17

50 ( NEW ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 50

 

51 ( 74 ) SING/MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC (MEDLEY) - Barbra Streisand # 51

52 ( 60 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 52

53 ( 53 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

54 ( 51 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

55 ( 48 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith # 48

56 ( NEW ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - Neil Sedaka # 56

57 ( 43 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley # 36

58 ( 50 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingston # 50

59 ( 49 ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles # 71

60 ( 40 ) MY GUY - Mary Wells # 12

 

61 ( 58 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

62 ( 26 ) SUMMER BREEZE - Seals & Crofts # 26

63 ( NEW ) LITTLE DEVIL - Neil Sedaka # 63

64 ( 56 ) MAMA WEER ALL CRAZEE NOW - Slade # 36

65 ( 57 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters # 57

66 ( 66 ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross # 66

67 ( 65 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern # 65

68 ( 61 ) ANNABELLE - Daniel Boone # 61

69 ( 41 ) SAILING - The Sutherland Brothers # 34

70 ( NEW ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 70

 

71 ( 54 ) SILVER MACHINE - Hawkwind # 4

72 ( 75 ) OUR LIVES ARE SHAPED BY WHAT WE LOVE - Odyssey # 72

73 ( NEW ) SIXTY MINUTE MAN - The Trammps # 73

74 ( NEW ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 74

75 ( NEW ) MAN SIZED JOB - Denise LaSalle # 75

 

 

 

 

 

Wot I liked then 24th September 1972

 

It's 2 weeks at 1 for The Sweet hamming up Wig-Wam Bam on Top Of The Pops in a manner that is not culturally appropriate these days, yet kids wanted to be First Nation people (or Indians as they were called then) from the telly and we loved Jay Silverheels aka Tonto, and many other familiar faces, Redbone had just had a massive UK hit, Buffy Saint Marie ditto, and Marlon Brando turned down his "Godfather" Oscar in protest at the historical treatment of Native Americans. So, culturally we were very aware in 1972.

 

Talking of inappropriate, Gary Glitter enters at 4 with the pretty fine I Didn't Know I Loved You, and Stavely Makepiece grab their mum and do a novelty marching band tune, Mouldy Old Dough new at 5. David Bowie makes it 3 top 10's with John I'm Only Dancing, as me, John, is dealing with 4th Year at North Kesteven Comprehensive, Lincoln, and a host of new subjects, having to drop Art (which was great and came top in) for Physics (which wasn't and I didn't come top in), stupid timetabling.

 

New at 26, Iron Cross cover a 60's oldie Little Bit O' Soul, sort of metal bubblegum, Bread drop a 3rd gorgeous ballad with Guitar Man at 27, Archie Bell & The Drells chart with the 3-year-old Here I Go Again, fabulous Northern Soul stomper, at 29, and Al Green gets a 4th with I'm Still In Love With You at 30, still slick soul ballads.

 

 

1 ( 1 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

2 ( 4 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

3 ( 3 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers

4 ( NEW ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

5 ( NEW ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

6 ( 2 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

7 ( 6 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

8 ( 27 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

9 ( 12 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

10 ( 9 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

 

11 ( 7 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith

12 ( 10 ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

13 ( 8 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople

14 ( 5 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingstone

15 ( 11 ) POPCORN - Hot Butter

16 ( 13 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters

17 ( 14 ) THE LOCOMOTION - Little Eva

18 ( 15 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - The Partridge Family

19 ( 17 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue

20 ( 22 ) I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING - Jackie Wilson

 

21 ( 19 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

22 ( 16 ) LAYLA - Derek & The Dominoes

23 ( 25 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells

24 ( 24 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

25 ( 29 ) HONKY CAT - Elton John

26 ( NEW ) LITTLE BIT O’ SOUL - Iron Cross

27 ( NEW ) GUITAR MAN - Bread

28 ( 30 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

29 ( NEW ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

30 ( NEW ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green

 

1st October 1972

 

It's straight in at 1 for the classic 1965 girl-group motorcycle crash record that sounded so good it was an even bigger hit in 1962 for The Shangri-Las, as produced by "Shadow" Morton, and again went top 10 in 1976. People liked it! It's one of those death-disc records that were so popular in the 60's, but this one remains the most-loved I'd say. Meanwhile, Albert Hammond gets his 2nd entry as an artist, the brilliant It Never Rains In Southern California, a huge US hit, but not in the UK. He has had previous records as a songwriter chart, though, and will have many more to boot. I saw him a few years back in concert, and quite the back catalogue he has.

 

New in at 33, hot on the heels of the version by Undisputed Truth, The Temptations do the definitive version of Papa Was A Rolling Stone and extend their run of consecutive charting Retro years to 6. New in at 51, Chris Montez' 1963 smash Let's Dance is also back charting in the UK, which makes a 10th 60's reactivated oldie on the list, and that's not counting the numerous covers of 60's songs on the chart. Very retro. Had I started Retro charts for the 1960-61 period these would all have been banned from this and made room for some other 1972 tracks, but hey ho!

 

At 67, The Stylistics' run of sweet soul songs continues with I'm Stone In Love With You, Gilbert O'Sullivan tips over the edge of tweeness into popstar rather than quirky singer-songwriter with the overly sentimental Clair at 73, Middle Of The Road drop a song that ended their run of hits, Bottoms Up, and I do wonder what they were doing, career-wise for 1972, following up a track about mistakenly trying to grope a transwoman with one that could be taken other ways in the gay community. Ahead of their time (though it actually means "Cheers" and "don't worry be happy"! Finally Jim Croce gets a second chart entry with Operator at 75.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

2 ( 2 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

3 ( 1 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

4 ( NEW ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

5 ( 4 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

6 ( 3 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

7 ( 6 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

8 ( 5 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

9 ( 8 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

10 ( 7 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

 

11 ( 10 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

12 ( 9 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

13 ( 15 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 13

14 ( 21 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 14

15 ( 11 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

16 ( 12 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

17 ( 24 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 17

18 ( 14 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

19 ( 30 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 19

20 ( 41 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 20

 

21 ( 16 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

22 ( 27 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

23 ( 13 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 13

24 ( 17 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

25 ( 20 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

26 ( 28 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 26

27 ( 18 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

28 ( 19 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 19

29 ( 22 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

30 ( 25 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

 

31 ( 23 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

32 ( 26 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

33 ( NEW ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 33

34 ( 34 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 34

35 ( 38 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 35

36 ( 43 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 36

37 ( 29 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

38 ( 42 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 38

39 ( 32 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

40 ( 50 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 40

 

41 ( 31 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

42 ( 33 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

43 ( 35 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

44 ( 39 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

45 ( 40 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

46 ( 52 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 46

47 ( 36 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

48 ( 37 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 28

49 ( 56 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - Neil Sedaka # 49

50 ( 51 ) SING/MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC (MEDLEY) - Barbra Streisand # 50

 

51 ( NEW ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 51

52 ( 63 ) LITTLE DEVIL - Neil Sedaka # 52

53 ( 47 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

54 ( 48 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

55 ( 44 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

56 ( 45 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

57 ( 53 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

58 ( 46 ) I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU - Al Green # 6

59 ( 49 ) I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU - Carpenters # 17

60 ( 72 ) OUR LIVES ARE SHAPED BY WHAT WE LOVE - Odyssey # 60

 

61 ( 54 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

62 ( 70 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 62

63 ( 61 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

64 ( 55 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith # 48

65 ( 74 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 65

66 ( 66 ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross # 66

67 ( NEW ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics # 67

68 ( 60 ) MY GUY - Mary Wells # 12

69 ( 58 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingston # 50

70 ( 73 ) SIXTY MINUTE MAN - The Trammps # 70

 

71 ( 59 ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles # 49

72 ( 75 ) MAN SIZED JOB - Denise LaSalle # 72

73 ( NEW ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 73

74 ( NEW ) BOTTOMS UP - Middle Of The Road # 74

75 ( NEW ) OPERATOR (THAT’S NOT THE WAY IT FEELS) - Jim Croce # 75

 

 

 

1st October 1972 Wot I Liked Then

 

50 years ago, I was introduced to 10 C.C. and their whimsical 50's pastiche penchant, and loved it - Donna in at 1 - being unaware of The Mindbenders, Graham Gouldman hit-songwriter, Hotlegs back history. When I found out about it I loved them even more. Elvis is back with his liveliest record since the early 60's, a sort of 50's throwback rock'n'roll tribute, Burning Love at 11, and The O'Jays debut with the Philly sound debut of the brilliant Back Stabbers, still a top classic for me, new at 12.

 

Peter Skellern's big hit You're A lady finally debuts at 21, as the lethargic and brass band vibes put me off for a while, and Harley Quin cover a 60's minor gem for a new entry at 29 with New Orleans, a future hit for Gillan, but this is the best version. Forgotten utterly these days, but a glam feel to it hits my buttons. Finally, at 30, 50's rocker and TV star/movie star Ricky Nelson is back, all grown up and folky with Garden Party, still a great record that should have been a UK hit, as it was big in the USA.

 

50 years ago on TV? Quiz show on the cerebral side, Mastermind, was about to debut with Magnus Magunsson hosting. It's still going! While on the air and still in re-runs, it was big in America incredibly, UK innuendo-laden clothing-department sitcom Are You Being Served? was already on the airwaves, complete with Mrs Slocombe's tales of her pussy, Mr Humphrey's "I'm free", and Young Mr Grace's "You've all done very well". A great cast having a bit of fun, and including Wendy Richard of Come Outside number one fame.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

2 ( 1 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

3 ( 5 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

4 ( 3 ) LEAN ON ME - Bill Withers

5 ( 8 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

6 ( 4 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

7 ( 2 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

8 ( 7 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

9 ( 6 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

10 ( 9 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

 

11 ( NEW ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley

12 ( NEW ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

13 ( 21 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

14 ( 11 ) WHO WAS IT - Hurricane Smith

15 ( 12 ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

16 ( 13 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople

17 ( 15 ) POPCORN - Hot Butter

18 ( 14 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingstone

19 ( 10 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

20 ( 17 ) THE LOCOMOTION - Little Eva

 

21 ( NEW ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

22 ( 16 ) COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE - The Drifters

23 ( 24 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

24 ( 27 ) GUITAR MAN - Bread

25 ( 28 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

26 ( 29 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

27 ( 23 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells

28 ( 25 ) HONKY CAT - Elton John

29 ( NEW ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quin

30 ( NEW ) GARDEN PARTY - Rick Nelson

8th October 1972

 

It's straight in at 1 for The Osmonds classic moment, no argument, they wrote it themselves, it was about the environment, and it rocks more than most American rock bands of 1972: Crazy Horses is brilliant, even though at the time I liked it a lot but never loved it (because it was The Osmonds, and the teenybop hysteria was on overload). They've still got more in them though, unlike any more solo Osmond records, give or take a Tweedledee. The Animals powerful 60's classic is up to 6, also higher than it did at the time, and ditto The Temptations epic Papa Was A Rolling Stone up to 7 for a second top 10 of the year.

 

Holland-Dozier-Holland might not be at Motown, but they were still getting top 10 hits for me, up to 8, and America get a 2nd top 20 of the year as the fab Ventura Highway enters at 20 - it was never a UK top 30 hit, but the acoustic guitar riff was nicked by Janet Jackson for her wonderful 2000's hit Someone To Call My Lover. Neil Sedaka has an actual new track at 69, Beautiful You joining his triple oldies all climbing, and Bobby Hebb's Northern Soul stomper debuts at 56, Love Love Love being t'other side of Sunny.

 

Judy Collins enters with her version of Sunny Goodge Street, I've never heard it before but it's lovely and extends her retro chart career to 5 years. Al Green enters with You Ought To Be With Me as his previous exits the chart, that makes 6 in a row, and on the bottom rung The Fortunes song lyrics featured in the magazine Words, lots of new release news and hit song lyrics for 7 and a half pence. I never actually got to hear Everything Is Out Of Season at the time, so 50 years later a quick google on Youtube lets me see what I missed: Storm In A Teacup arrangement over a lesser song, even if it's hitmaking team Cook & Greenaway.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

2 ( 1 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

3 ( 2 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

4 ( 4 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

5 ( 3 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

6 ( 17 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 6

7 ( 33 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 7

8 ( 13 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

9 ( 6 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

10 ( 7 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

 

11 ( 5 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

12 ( 8 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

13 ( 10 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

14 ( 14 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 14

15 ( 9 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

16 ( 20 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 16

17 ( 19 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 17

18 ( 11 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

19 ( 12 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

20 ( NEW ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 20

 

21 ( 35 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 21

22 ( 26 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 22

23 ( 22 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

24 ( 16 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

25 ( 21 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

26 ( 15 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

27 ( 25 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

28 ( 36 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

29 ( 34 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 29

30 ( 18 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

 

31 ( 38 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 31

32 ( 29 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

33 ( 46 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 33

34 ( 30 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

35 ( 24 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

36 ( 32 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

37 ( 40 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 37

38 ( 65 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 38

39 ( 49 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - Neil Sedaka # 39

40 ( 52 ) LITTLE DEVIL - Neil Sedaka # 40

 

41 ( 23 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 13

42 ( 51 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 42

43 ( 28 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 19

44 ( 37 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

45 ( NEW ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 45

46 ( 41 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

47 ( 31 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

48 ( 43 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

49 ( 44 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

50 ( 62 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 50

 

51 ( 27 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

52 ( 60 ) OUR LIVES ARE SHAPED BY WHAT WE LOVE - Odyssey # 52

53 ( 45 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

54 ( 54 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

55 ( 53 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

56 ( NEW ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 56

57 ( 39 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

58 ( 55 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

59 ( 57 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

60 ( 66 ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross # 60

 

61 ( 42 ) THE LOCO-MOTION - Little Eva # 8

62 ( 70 ) SIXTY MINUTE MAN - The Trammps # 62

63 ( 67 ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics # 63

64 ( 48 ) LIVING IN HARMONY - Cliff Richard # 28

65 ( 63 ) I SAW THE LIGHT - Todd Rundgren # 1

66 ( 50 ) SING/MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC (MEDLEY) - Barbra Streisand # 50

67 ( 72 ) MAN SIZED JOB - Denise LaSalle # 67

68 ( 47 ) MAYBE I KNOW - The Seashells # 29

69 ( NEW ) BEAUTIFUL YOU - Neil Sedaka # 69

70 ( 56 ) ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART - The Trammps # 7

 

71 ( 73 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 71

72 ( 74 ) BOTTOMS UP - Middle Of The Road # 72

73 ( 61 ) THE NIGHT - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 3

74 ( NEW ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 74

75 ( NEW ) EVERYTHING IS OUT OF SEASON - The Fortunes # 75

 

 

8th October 1972 my charts of that week then

 

It's 2 weeks on top for the wonderful 10 C.C. as The O'Jays climb to runners-up position with the amazing Back Stabbers, and the brilliant Carpenters ballad Goodbye To Love debuts at 3, probably their greatest record, and with a stunning guitar solo to boot, and their 6th chart entry back in the day, and the 5th top 10. Bread also get a 3rd top 10 as The Guitar Man climbs, Elvis makes it 11 top 10's with Burning Love and Johnny Nash gets a hat-trick of 1972 top 10's with There Are More Questions Than Answers, his 6th top 10 in total - and his final top 10 as it turns out.

 

Python Lee Jackson gives Rod Stewart an off-key 2nd track on the chart, with the 1970 track In A Broken Dream - still a great rock ballad though, new at 15. Family get a top 20 debut with Burlesque at 17, Anne Murray gets a 4th chart entry since Snowbird kicked off her run with a chart-topper, it's her Destiny to have a lot more over the next decade though. Andy Williams covers the lyric version of The Godfather theme tune, Oscar-winning galore in the future, and a box-office smash - but the Marlon Brando film meant nothing to me as I was too young to see X-rated movies. Candlewick Green enter with Doggie, getting some TV slots, and they'll be back in 1974. Meanwhile the soon-to-be-late hot new singer-songwriter Jim Croce debuts with You Don't Mess Around With Jim.

 

 

1 ( 1 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

2 ( 12 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

3 ( NEW ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

4 ( 3 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

5 ( 8 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul

6 ( 24 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

7 ( 9 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

8 ( 2 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

9 ( 11 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley

10 ( NEW ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash

 

11 ( 7 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

12 ( 6 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

13 ( 5 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

14 ( 10 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

15 ( NEW ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

16 ( 21 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

17 ( NEW ) BURLESQUE - Family

18 ( 15 ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

19 ( 19 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

20 ( 13 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

 

21 ( 18 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingstone

22 ( 23 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

23 ( 25 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

24 ( 26 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

25 ( 29 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne

26 ( 30 ) GARDEN PARTY - Rick Nelson

27 ( NEW ) DESTINY - Anne Murray

28 ( NEW ) SPEAK SOFTLY LOVE (LOVE THEME FROM THE GODFATHER) - Andy Williams

29 ( NEW ) DOGGIE - Candlewick Green

30 ( NEW ) YOU DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM - Jim Croce

15th October 1972

 

It's straight in on top for golden 60's oldie It Might As Well Rain Until September, as Carole King finally gets a solo number one with her re-issued 1962 debut. I loved it in the 60's, and 70's and through to the 20's. Such a tune, and ironically the song about carole King drops out the 20, Neil Sedaka's Oh! Carol. Her Oh! Neil was a flop, but this one wasn't, at least in the UK. The Temptations climb to 3 with their monster epic and Steely Dan drop the single at 7 from the new debut album in the USA, yet another great American single that took 2 or 3 years to chart in the UK - Do It Again didn't hit till the late summer of 1975, by which time it was a fave oldie for me.

 

Alice Cooper makes it 2 top 10's in a row as Elected climbs to 9, and The Detroit Emeralds classic Feel The Need In Me is out in the States this week, a 1973 UK hit, and we liked it so much a re-recorded version hit again in 1977, and a cover by Forrest in 1983. This is the best version. The Move debut with their final (US) single Do Ya, and a future hit for Jeff Lynne's ELO in the USA - yet never a UK hit. New at 50 and tut tut tut to UK radio programmers who never playlisted it that I recall in any version. Though I do know I heard on the US chart shows, at least.

 

At 53, The Strawbs get a third chart entry with the folkey rock of Lay Down, a goodie, but the next single will be a Hudson-Ford departure, in more ways than one. A future number one for me debuts at 62 - for Toploader in 27 years time, as they cover the King Harvest original which I'd hears on Florida oldies radio stations in the 90's. It's good, but Toploader's is the best version. Finally, The Isley Brothers continue the run of entries with Work To Do, ahead of their forthcoming new classics.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

2 ( 1 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

3 ( 7 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 3

4 ( 3 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

5 ( 2 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

6 ( 6 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 6

7 ( NEW ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 7

8 ( 4 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

9 ( 14 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 9

10 ( 5 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

 

11 ( 20 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 11

12 ( 8 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

13 ( 9 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

14 ( 17 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

15 ( 21 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 15

16 ( 12 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

17 ( 10 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

18 ( 13 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

19 ( 15 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

20 ( 22 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 20

 

21 ( 38 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 21

22 ( 16 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 16

23 ( 11 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

24 ( 24 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

25 ( 19 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

26 ( 31 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 26

27 ( 33 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 27

28 ( 28 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

29 ( 18 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

30 ( 25 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

 

31 ( 27 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

32 ( 26 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

33 ( NEW ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 33

34 ( 29 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 29

35 ( 30 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

36 ( 32 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

37 ( 36 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

38 ( 45 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 38

39 ( 34 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

40 ( 56 ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 40

 

41 ( 35 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

42 ( 42 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 42

43 ( 37 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 37

44 ( 39 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - Neil Sedaka # 39

45 ( 23 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

46 ( 44 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

47 ( 47 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

48 ( 46 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

49 ( 49 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

50 ( NEW ) DO YA - The Move # 50

 

51 ( 51 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

52 ( 43 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 19

53 ( NEW ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 53

54 ( 48 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

55 ( 54 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

56 ( 55 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

57 ( 40 ) LITTLE DEVIL - Neil Sedaka # 40

58 ( 50 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 50

59 ( 52 ) OUR LIVES ARE SHAPED BY WHAT WE LOVE - Odyssey # 52

60 ( 59 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

 

61 ( 41 ) WIN, PLACE OR SHOW (SHE’S A WINNER) - The Intruders # 13

62 ( NEW ) DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT - King Harvest # 62

63 ( 57 ) STANDING IN THE ROAD - Blackfoot Sue # 2

64 ( 69 ) BEAUTIFUL YOU - Neil Sedaka # 64

65 ( 62 ) SIXTY MINUTE MAN - The Trammps # 62

66 ( 67 ) MAN SIZED JOB - Denise LaSalle # 66

67 ( 71 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 67

68 ( 74 ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 68

69 ( 53 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart # 7

70 ( 63 ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics # 63

 

71 ( 72 ) BOTTOMS UP - Middle Of The Road # 71

72 ( 58 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag aka Jonathan King # 34

73 ( 60 ) LITTLE BIT OF SOUL - Iron Cross # 60

74 ( 75 ) EVERYTHING IS OUT OF SEASON - The Fortunes # 74

75 ( NEW ) WORK TO DO - The Isley Brothers # 75

 

 

15th October 1972 my chart of that week then

 

It's a first Philly-ish-sound number one as The O'Jays go up with Back Stabbers, still a great record, and Chairmen Of The Board climb to 5 with Elmo James, a quirky funksoul track, while the highest new entry at 17 is 1964 classic House Of The Rising Sun from The Animals, which I'd known as far back as I could remember - without ever being an absolute favourite, but one which was regularly played and known. Much like now (2022), except it is now an absolute fave of mine.

 

Alice Cooper debuts Elected at 21, topical for the US Presidential election which to say was chaotic would be an understatement, what with assassination attempts, Watergate going on unbeknownst, and Viet-Nam still being a thing. Also topical, treasures of Tutenkhamun were on show in London on loan from Egypt and were all the headline rage, so much so that Rolf Harris wrote his last-ever decent song about it, new at 23. Sounds like it could have come from a musical.

 

Barry Ryan is back again 4 years on from topping with Eloise and his Can't Let You Go biggie earlier in 1972, this time I'm Sorry Susan, a ballad, drops in at 26, and The Eagles return with Witchy Woman, a moodier Swamp-rock-country-ish single that I liked, and The Pearls also return with the great catchy 60's girl-group retro pop of You Came You Saw You Conquered at 30, a Ronettes cover. I say "return" but actually it's a new line-up for the rest of their career as the singing sisters (known as Sue and Sunny) on Third Finger Left hand couldn't return due to contractual issues - that's the price you pay when you sing in bands like Brotherhood Of Man who were still having hits outside the UK. Sunny would come back solo and hit in 1974 though. Sue had already had hits. The new singers Lynn Cornell and Ann Simmons were originally in The Vernon Girls in the 60's and Lynn had a hit with Never On Sunday, a great tune.

 

 

 

1 ( 2 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

2 ( 1 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

3 ( 3 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

4 ( 4 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

5 ( 23 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

6 ( 8 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

7 ( 10 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash

8 ( 7 ) AIN’T NO SUNSHINE - Michael Jackson

9 ( 9 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley

10 ( 12 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

 

 

11 ( 11 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

12 ( 13 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

13 ( 6 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

14 ( 15 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

15 ( 14 ) YOU WEAR IT WELL - Rod Stewart

16 ( 16 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

17 ( NEW ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals

18 ( 17 ) BURLESQUE - Family

19 ( 19 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

20 ( 18 ) WALK IN THE NIGHT - Junior Walker & The All-Stars

 

21 ( NEW ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

22 ( 21 ) SUZANNE BEWARE OF THE DEVIL - Dandy Livingstone

23 ( NEW ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris

24 ( 24 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

25 ( 25 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quin

26 ( NEW ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan

27 ( 22 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

28 ( 29 ) DOGGIE - Candlewick Green

29 ( NEW ) WITCHY WOMAN - The Eagles

30 ( NEW ) YOU CAME YOU SAW YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls

22nd October 1972

 

It's a first number one for The Temptations, they've come close a few times in these retro countdowns but Papa Was A Rolling Stone is their masterpiece, one that grows with time (if it didn't register quite so much at the time - like it didn't with me! I liked it a lot, but it never went top 5). Ditto The Animals' House Of The Rising Sun, top 20 in 1972 and again in 1982, though it would have been bigger had I been charting in 1964 (with a limited kiddie-fave Top 10, I expect).

 

America get a 2nd top 10 with Ventura Highway and Junior Campbell keep his Marmalade top 10 totals up with Hallelujah Freedom, a forgotten goodie these days - and it's still not even his best solo record. New in at 11 it's another 60's classic - getting in before the revival all stops suddenly in 1973, bar a few here and there - Hi Ho Silver Lining being the ultimate singalong party record by 1972, much to Jeff Beck's chagrin. It already went top 5 in my retro 1967 chart, but it's ingrained in my nostalgic mind as just-before-xmas 1972 while we were moving house at RAF Swinderby, near Lincoln. To a house, opposite my Aunty Eileen and Uncle Tony, with an extra bedroom so my younger brother and me didn't have to argue all the time from bunkbeds.

 

Judy Collins gets a 3rd top 20, Elton John debuts his Crocodile Rock 50's-inspired (see Little Darlin' from The Diamonds) which topped my charts at the time, but struggles a bit more 50 years later, new at 28. Billy Paul's smooth classic soul ballad, Me And Mrs Jones debuts at 45, I guess Mrs Jones & I didn't have the same ring! New at 54, another chart-topper of the time for me, struggles a bit for The Four Tops - Keeper Of The Castle, their debut launch after leaving Motown. A goodie though.

 

Barry Ryan isn't done yet, he's at least one more decent pop track, ballad I'm Sorry Susan new at 61, while an unknown Philly Gamble & Huff track from Jerry Butler debuts at 70 - One Night Affair. That leaves Tutenkhamun at 73, not available to listen to anywhere, probably because it's Rolf Harris, which is a shame - it's not bad, a fave of mine at the time when Rolf was still a wholesome children and family entertainer, and made to plug/cash-in on the touring show of treasures from Egypt and the old King himself. Finally at 75, 2 years early and still as prolific and brilliant as ever - if anyone hasn't seen the brilliant Sparks Brothers Edgar Wright documentary on Netflix, you are missing out. Wonder Girl is quirky, which is setting out a career-objective from the word go (aided by Todd Rundgren, also still going, including a recent single with Sparks).

 

 

 

1 ( 3 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

2 ( 1 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

3 ( 6 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 3

4 ( 4 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

5 ( 2 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

6 ( 5 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

7 ( 7 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 7

8 ( 8 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

9 ( 11 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 9

10 ( 15 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

 

11 ( NEW ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group # 11

12 ( 10 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

13 ( 13 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

14 ( 12 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

15 ( 9 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 9

16 ( 38 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 16

17 ( 14 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

18 ( 22 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 16

19 ( 26 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 19

20 ( 21 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 20

 

21 ( 19 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

22 ( 16 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

23 ( 18 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

24 ( 17 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

25 ( 20 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 20

26 ( 27 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 26

27 ( 45 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

28 ( NEW ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 28

29 ( 33 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 29

30 ( 43 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 30

 

31 ( 24 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

32 ( 23 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

33 ( 25 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

34 ( 28 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

35 ( 35 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

36 ( 50 ) DO YA - The Move # 36

37 ( 58 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 37

38 ( 42 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 38

39 ( 40 ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 39

40 ( 36 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

 

41 ( 37 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

42 ( 39 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

43 ( 31 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

44 ( 30 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

45 ( NEW ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 45

46 ( 53 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 46

47 ( 29 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

48 ( 32 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

49 ( 34 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 29

50 ( 41 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

 

51 ( 47 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

52 ( 48 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

53 ( 49 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

54 ( NEW ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 54

55 ( 67 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 55

56 ( 46 ) STORM IN A TEACUP - Lynsey De Paul # 23

57 ( 55 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

58 ( 56 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

59 ( 51 ) YOU CAME, YOU SAW, YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls # 13

60 ( 62 ) DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT - King Harvest # 60

 

61 ( NEW ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 61

62 ( 60 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

63 ( 54 ) LISTEN TO THE MUSIC - The Doobie Brothers # 15

64 ( 52 ) SUNNY - Bobby Hebb # 19

65 ( 44 ) BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - Neil Sedaka # 39

66 ( 68 ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 66

67 ( 74 ) EVERYTHING IS OUT OF SEASON - The Fortunes # 67

68 ( 64 ) BEAUTIFUL YOU - Neil Sedaka # 64

69 ( 75 ) WORK TO DO - The Isley Brothers # 69

70 ( NEW ) ONE NIGHT AFFAIR - Jerry Butler # 70

 

71 ( 57 ) LITTLE DEVIL - Neil Sedaka # 40

72 ( 65 ) SIXTY MINUTE MAN - The Trammps # 62

73 ( NEW ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris # 73

74 ( 70 ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics # 63

75 ( NEW ) WONDER GIRL - Sparks # 75

 

 

 

 

 

Wot I liked then 22nd October 1972

 

Meanwhile, 50 years actually ago, my fave was Carpenters' brilliant Goodbye To Love, and highest new entry was another Jonathan King single Loop Di Love with the beautifully-named Shag. Not quite sure how he got away with it, when The Tams were still banned in the late 80's despite getting a hit with There Ain't Nothing Like Shaggin' - an actual dance. The Shangri-Las are new at 6 with their revived brilliant Leader Of The Pack, this time not a song I knew - I don't think it got much BBC exposure in 1965! It did in 1972 and again in 1976 though.

 

Junior Campbell had left Marmalade and started a hit solo career with Hallelujah Freedom new at 9 - oddly just at the time Marmalade's charting career ended - a big gospel track. Gilbert O'Sullivan's ode to a little girl, and gifting loads of new arrivals with the name Clair, pops in at 12, Simon & Garfunkel's America pops in at 17, plugging the new Greatest Hits of the defunkt duo, and another one I didn't really know previously. New at 28, The Bay City Rollers get a 3rd chart single (hey I was ahead of my time, even if everyone else had already forgotten them!) with the terrific Manana. It's basically a Dave Dee, Beaky & co track (written & produced by their winning Howard/Blaikley team) and is enormously catchy, and is still pre-Les McKewan when the vocals were much better. I have the single.

 

Another oldie, this time a familiar one, is new at 29, Chris Montez' Let's Dance, and the Jackson 5 sneak in with a relatively weak single - Little Bitty Pretty One - while on promo in the UK, I think. The group hadn't had a proper hit since Never Can Say Goodbye, though Michael was obviously keeping up the slack.

 

1 ( 3 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

2 ( 2 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

3 ( 1 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

4 ( NEW ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

5 ( 4 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

6 ( NEW ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

7 ( 11 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

8 ( 6 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

9 ( NEW ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell

10 ( 16 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

 

11 ( 5 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

12 ( NEW ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan

13 ( 12 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

14 ( 10 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

15 ( 21 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

16 ( 17 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals

17 ( NEW ) AMERICA - Simon & Garfunkel

18 ( 9 ) BURNING LOVE - Elvis Presley

19 ( 19 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music

20 ( 14 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

 

21 ( RE ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

22 ( 13 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

23 ( 25 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quin

24 ( 24 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

25 ( 26 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan

26 ( 23 ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris

27 ( 27 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

28 ( NEW ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers

29 ( NEW ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

30 ( NEW ) LITTLE BITTY PRETTY ONE - The Jackson 5

 

29th October 1972

 

It's Steely Dan taking the top spot with the US hit Do It Again, that took a re-issue to chart in the UK in 1975, but I knew it in 1972 and loved it in 1975. Neil Sedaka sneaks a top 10 with Oh! Carol King, still at 3 herself, as his other tracks all vacate the chart. HIghest new entry is from the Bay City Rollers version 1 at 16, Manana is to all intents and purposes a Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich track - but they were split up, so their writer-producers had a go with the flopping Rollers. It's not entirely unlike Zabadak! It's better than anything the Rollers had a hit with in the mid-70's too.

 

Blue Mink return with the gentle, lilting Stay With Me, a lovely forgotten gem at 19, Bread keep the ballads coming with Sweet Surrender at 39 - yet again another UK flop. The O'Jays follow-up Back Stabbers with 992 Arguments at 50, but it would take Love Train to return them to the UK charts. Mel & Tim debut their great song Starting All Over Again, which Hall & Oates covered in the 90's, new at 51, John Denver has had hit songs already but debuts as an artist with his big US hit Rocky Mountain High at 64, Colin Blunstone gets a 3rd solo chart entry, I Don't Believe In Miracles, Neil Diamond adds to his long list, and Geordie debut an odd little track which got a lot of airplay, Don't Do That. I like to think of it as training for AC/DC...

 

 

1 ( 7 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

2 ( 1 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

3 ( 2 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

4 ( 4 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

5 ( 5 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

6 ( 3 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 3

7 ( 9 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 7

8 ( 6 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

9 ( 18 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 9

10 ( 10 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

 

11 ( 8 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

12 ( 12 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

13 ( 16 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 13

14 ( 13 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

15 ( 14 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

16 ( NEW ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 16

17 ( 15 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 9

18 ( 29 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 18

19 ( NEW ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 19

20 ( 20 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 20

 

21 ( 17 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

22 ( 36 ) DO YA - The Move # 22

23 ( 26 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 23

24 ( 22 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

25 ( 28 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 25

26 ( 24 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

27 ( 23 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

28 ( 21 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

29 ( 11 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group # 11

30 ( 39 ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 30

 

31 ( 31 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

32 ( 30 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 30

33 ( 37 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 33

34 ( 19 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 19

35 ( 35 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

36 ( 38 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 36

37 ( 45 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 37

38 ( 46 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 38

39 ( NEW ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 39

40 ( 54 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 40

 

41 ( 34 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

42 ( 33 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

43 ( 40 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

44 ( 27 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

45 ( 42 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

46 ( 41 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

47 ( 43 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

48 ( 61 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 48

49 ( 44 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

50 ( NEW ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 50

 

51 ( NEW ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 51

52 ( 66 ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 52

53 ( 32 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

54 ( 47 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

55 ( 55 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 55

56 ( 60 ) DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT - King Harvest # 56

57 ( 48 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

58 ( 53 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

59 ( 52 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

60 ( 25 ) (IT’S THE WAY) NATURE PLANNED IT - The Four Tops # 20

 

61 ( 57 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

62 ( 58 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

63 ( 50 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

64 ( NEW ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 64

65 ( 62 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

66 ( 70 ) ONE NIGHT AFFAIR - Jerry Butler # 66

67 ( NEW ) I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - Colin Blunstone # 67

68 ( 69 ) WORK TO DO - The Isley Brothers # 68

69 ( 51 ) BREAK - Aphrodite’s Child # 3

70 ( 67 ) EVERYTHING IS OUT OF SEASON - The Fortunes # 67

 

71 ( 49 ) (I CAN’T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Bubblerock aka Jonathan King # 29

72 ( 73 ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris # 72

73 ( NEW ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie # 73

74 ( 75 ) WONDER GIRL - Sparks # 74

75 ( NEW ) WALK ON WATER - Neil Diamond # 75

 

 

 

 

29th October 1972 my faves of that week then

 

It's a 2nd week on top for Goodbye To Love as my younger brother turned 13 years old. He was more into Little Jimmy Osmond's forthcoming monster. Harley Quinne were on Top Of The Pops and leap to 2, never to be heard from again after New Orleans drops out, though the song would be back with Deep Purple. Sort of. Archie Bell's brilliant 1969 Northern Soul classic finally got top 3 with Here I Go Again, and even-older Chris Montez' Let's Dance at 4, making half the top 10 and half the top 30 either actual oldies, or cover versions. People forget 1972 wasn't just Glam, soul, reggae, Northern Soul, Prog, Metal, Easy Listening. it was also big into pop nostalgia recent and older.

 

1 ( 1 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

2 ( 23 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne

3 ( 24 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

4 ( 29 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

5 ( 4 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

6 ( 6 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

7 ( 2 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

8 ( 5 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

9 ( 8 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

10 ( 3 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

 

11 ( 17 ) AMERICA - Simon & Garfunkel

12 ( 7 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

13 ( 13 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

14 ( 14 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

15 ( 12 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan

16 ( 9 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell

17 ( 22 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

18 ( 11 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

19 ( 16 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals

20 ( 20 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

 

21 ( 28 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers

22 ( 26 ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris

23 ( 27 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

24 ( 25 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan

25 ( RE ) DESTINY - Anne Murray

26 ( 15 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

27 ( 21 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

28 ( 10 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

29 ( RE ) YOU CAME YOU SAW YOU CONQUERED - The Pearls

30 ( NEW ) DOGGIE - Candlewick Green

5th November 1972

 

It's a brand new entry for the new Stevie Wonder as he notches up a league into the Major Star status with Superstition, his major early funky classic that underlines his Motown-sound is now gone and he's firmly in control of his own career at the age of 22. It's his second Retro chart-topper 5 years on from I was Made To Love Her. Bay City Rollers get a first top 10 out of 4 chart entries with Manana. It's their best record so lower expectations for the rest of their career!

 

Blue Mink's sublime Stay With Me also goes top 10, their 3rd Retro track to do it, and Judy Collins gets a 3rd too. Entering the chart 6 months early (for the UK) Limmie & The Family Cooking's You Can Do Magic is new at 54. I fondly recall them struggling to rise above the Top Of The Pops orchestra on live performances in 1973 and 1974 on their UK hits (bigger in the UK than in the USA). Focus get 2nd entry, with the House Of The King track that I forgot to chart in 1970/71, but it's out now anyway in 1972.

 

New at 58, Italian popstar Adriano Celentano charts his European biggie, the nonsense Prisen(etc) doing a great fake American accent on gobbledygook lyrics. It's been on QI and other media things, and the TV show performance with Rafaella Carra standing in for his wife's vocal bits is amazing OTT to be viewed - sadly it's been removed from Youtube but there are clips in articles about it becoming an internet sensation recently. Abba's He Is Your Brother is a modest entry at 69, their 3rd of 1972. They didn't do it in the Voyage show I saw in the summer, but I do approve of the return to their early "let's just love each other and get along" themes of their early singles that they returned to on their final album.

 

 

 

1 ( NEW ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

2 ( 1 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

3 ( 4 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

4 ( 3 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

5 ( 7 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

6 ( 5 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

7 ( 2 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

8 ( 16 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 8

9 ( 19 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 9

10 ( 13 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

 

11 ( 10 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

12 ( 8 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

13 ( 12 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

14 ( 40 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 14

15 ( 11 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

16 ( 18 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 16

17 ( 14 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

18 ( 15 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

19 ( 6 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 3

20 ( 39 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 20

 

21 ( 23 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 21

22 ( 9 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 9

23 ( 25 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 23

24 ( 22 ) DO YA - The Move # 22

25 ( 21 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

26 ( 36 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 26

27 ( 24 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

28 ( 20 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 20

29 ( 26 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

30 ( 37 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 30

 

31 ( 31 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

32 ( 17 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 9

33 ( 38 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 33

34 ( 28 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

35 ( 64 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 35

36 ( 33 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 33

37 ( 27 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

38 ( 48 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 38

39 ( 35 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

40 ( 50 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 40

 

41 ( 29 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group # 11

42 ( 51 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 42

43 ( 52 ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 43

44 ( 44 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

45 ( 67 ) I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - Colin Blunstone # 45

46 ( 43 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

47 ( 45 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

48 ( 42 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

49 ( 46 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

50 ( 47 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

 

51 ( 34 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 19

52 ( 30 ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 30

53 ( 49 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

54 ( NEW ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 54

55 ( 32 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 30

56 ( NEW ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 56

57 ( 41 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

58 ( NEW ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 58

59 ( 54 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

60 ( 59 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

 

61 ( 66 ) ONE NIGHT AFFAIR - Jerry Butler # 61

62 ( 56 ) DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT - King Harvest # 56

63 ( 68 ) WORK TO DO - The Isley Brothers # 63

64 ( 61 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

65 ( 62 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

66 ( 65 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

67 ( 58 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

68 ( 73 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie # 68

69 ( NEW ) HE IS YOUR BROTHER - ABBA # 69

70 ( 55 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan # 55

 

71 ( 57 ) DONNA - 10 C.C. # 7

72 ( 63 ) ALL THE YOUNG DUDES - Mott The Hoople # 1

73 ( NEW ) SUPERFLY - Curtis Mayfield # 73

74 ( 53 ) (IF YOU’RE GONNA) BREAK ANOTHER HEART - Mama Cass Elliot # 3

75 ( NEW ) WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS (HAS MADE A LOSER OUT OF ME) - Rod Stewart # 75

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th November 1972 Wot I Liked Then that week

 

It's Jonathan King with a second chart-topper in 12 months as he Loop Di Love's up for Bonfire Night. The fireworks must have got me in a fun mood as loads of upbeat and rock 'n' roll era stuff abound, not least Neil Sedaka's Oh! Carol new at 12, at 13 years old the oldest record to make my charts at that time. Just held off the top spot, the marvellous 1969 Northern Soul classic Here I Go Again. Simon & Garfunkel get a 6th and final top 10 hit - at least until loads of their old stuff made my charts in later decades.

 

Chuck Berry's Ding A Ling sneaks into the chart, but it got annoying quite quickly, and Chicory Tip get a 4th chart entry with The Future Is Past, and it sounded like their career was over, but there's another synth goodie to come.

 

1 ( 5 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

2 ( 3 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

3 ( 4 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

4 ( 2 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne

5 ( 6 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

6 ( 1 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

7 ( 8 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

8 ( 7 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

9 ( 10 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

10 ( 11 ) AMERICA - Simon & Garfunkel

 

11 ( 9 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

12 ( NEW ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka

13 ( 13 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

14 ( 12 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex

15 ( 16 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell

16 ( 18 ) ELMO JAMES - Chairmen Of The Board

17 ( 14 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

18 ( 26 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

19 ( 17 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

20 ( 15 ) CLAIR - Gilbert O’Sullivan

 

21 ( 27 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy

22 ( 21 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers

23 ( 23 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

24 ( 24 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan

25 ( 20 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

26 ( 22 ) TUTENKHAMUN - Rolf Harris

27 ( NEW ) MY DING A LING - Chuck Berry

28 ( RE ) BURLESQUE - Family

29 ( NEW ) THE FUTURE IS PAST - Chicory Tip

30 ( 28 ) YOU’RE A LADY - Peter Skellern

12th November 1972

 

It's straight in at 1 for Timmy Thomas' brilliant Why Can't We Live Together as it enters the USA charts. It would be another 6 months before it charted in the UK, and Sade would do a good cover in 1984, before Drake did his best to desecrate the record by sampling the organ riff and speeding it up and autotuning all over it in the 10's. The original p*sses over Drake from a great height. The Four Tops meanwhile go top 10 with Keeper Of The Castle, not their first (see Bernadette 1967) and not their last.

 

Bowie's on fire by now and debuts The Jean Genie in the US charts first, and 15 here, as Glam Rock keeps the rock excitement levels high. I remember buying the single from a bargain bin in a Lincoln department store in 1973 as my friend grabbed I Am...I Said (Neil Diamond) before I could hog it. New at 41, it's another oldie courtesy of Jonathan King's UK label - Roy C's 1966 smash Shotgun wedding. Slade see diminishing returns as Gudbye T'Jane sneaks in at 71, and the Van Der Valk TV show theme debuts a year early for Simon Park Orchestra and Eye Level. Now I don't recall the TV show being on air in 1972, but Wikipedia assures me it was. It got huge in 1973, that's for sure, Dutch TV detectives quite the vogue for a year or 3. Not with me though. I preferred McMillan & Wife, Columbo, Snoop Sisters and Cool Millions.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

2 ( 1 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

3 ( 4 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

4 ( 9 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 4

5 ( 8 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

6 ( 2 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

7 ( 3 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

8 ( 7 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

9 ( 6 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

10 ( 14 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

 

11 ( 10 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

12 ( 5 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

13 ( 12 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

14 ( 13 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

15 ( NEW ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 15

16 ( 15 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

17 ( 35 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 17

18 ( 20 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 18

19 ( 11 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

20 ( 21 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

 

21 ( 17 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

22 ( 16 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 16

23 ( 18 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

24 ( 30 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 24

25 ( 40 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 25

26 ( 56 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 26

27 ( 23 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 23

28 ( 33 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 28

29 ( 38 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 29

30 ( 19 ) HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - The Animals # 3

 

31 ( 24 ) DO YA - The Move # 22

32 ( 25 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

33 ( 43 ) YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME - Al Green # 33

34 ( 31 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

35 ( 42 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 35

36 ( 45 ) I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - Colin Blunstone # 36

37 ( 27 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

38 ( 58 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 38

39 ( 22 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka # 9

40 ( 63 ) WORK TO DO - The Isley Brothers # 40

 

41 ( NEW ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 41

42 ( 34 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

43 ( 37 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

44 ( 29 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

45 ( 69 ) HE IS YOUR BROTHER - ABBA # 45

46 ( 39 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

47 ( 54 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 47

48 ( 36 ) THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS - Johnny Nash # 33

49 ( 28 ) I WILL NEVER PASS THIS WAY AGAIN - Glen Campbell # 20

50 ( 44 ) WALK ON DON’T LOOK BACK - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons # 22

 

51 ( 47 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

52 ( 41 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group # 11

53 ( 50 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

54 ( 49 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

55 ( 61 ) ONE NIGHT AFFAIR - Jerry Butler # 55

56 ( 46 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread # 6

57 ( 53 ) JOURNEY - Duncan Browne # 7

58 ( 48 ) SUGAR ME - Lynsey De Paul # 2

59 ( 32 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper # 9

60 ( 26 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez # 26

 

61 ( 51 ) I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - Lobo # 19

62 ( 60 ) WATCH ME - Labi Siffre # 13

63 ( 59 ) VIRGINIA PLAIN - Roxy Music # 1

64 ( 64 ) SWEET TALKING GUY - The Chiffons # 1

65 ( 73 ) SUPERFLY - Curtis Mayfield # 65

66 ( 68 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie # 66

67 ( 67 ) STARMAN - David Bowie # 1

68 ( 65 ) METAL GURU - T.Rex # 1

69 ( 66 ) HELLO IT’S ME - Todd Rundgren # 1

70 ( 55 ) FREE RIDE - The Edgar Winter Group # 30

 

71 ( NEW ) GUDBY T’JANE - Slade # 71

72 ( 52 ) LOVE LOVE LOVE - Bobby Hebb # 30

73 ( 75 ) WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS (HAS MADE A LOSER OUT OF ME) - Rod Stewart # 73

74 ( NEW ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 74

75 ( 57 ) A LONELY MAN - The Chi-Lites # 28

 

 

 

 

12th November 1972 my chart of that actual week then

 

It's a number one for the 1964 girl-group classic, Leader Of The Pack, The Shangri-Las up 4 and holding off 1967's party-classic Hi Ho Silver Lining. Jeff Beck may have hated it, but trust me people of that time loved singing along to it at gatherings. Oh! Carol, from 1959 is up to 3 for Neil Sedaka. 4 of the top 5 are oldies, and half the top 10. I can't say it was nostalgia cos I was only 14 - I just liked stuff from the 60's! Still do.

 

Meanwhile the highest new record sounds like the Diamonds Little Darlin' from the 50's - it's Elton John having a 4th chart hit with the fun Crocodile Rock at 13. The Osmonds go all heavy and environmental with the wonderful Crazy Horses at 15. It was obligatory to dislike anything Osmonds-related if you were a boy, but this is fab, and Donny's Why new at 25 is sweet (and another oldie). The Stylistics return with I'm Stone In Love With You at 16, their 2nd hit, and 60's giants Holland-Dozier get their own non-Motown hit with Why Can't We Be Lovers at 28. Finally Middle Of The Road scrape the Bottoms Up of the barrel at 30, their 6th record and first flop.

 

 

1 ( 5 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

2 ( NEW ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group

3 ( 12 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka

4 ( 1 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

5 ( 3 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

6 ( 2 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

7 ( 27 ) MY DING A LING - Chuck Berry

8 ( 4 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne

9 ( 13 ) JOHN I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie

10 ( 6 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

 

11 ( 11 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet

12 ( 7 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

13 ( NEW ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John

14 ( 8 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

15 ( NEW ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds

16 ( NEW ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics

17 ( 17 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter

18 ( 15 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell

19 ( 19 ) THE GUITAR MAN - Bread

20 ( 18 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

 

21 ( 25 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

22 ( 28 ) BURLESQUE - Family

23 ( 9 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays

24 ( 22 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers

25 ( NEW ) WHY - Donny Osmond

26 ( 29 ) THE FUTURE IS PAST - Chicory Tip

27 ( 23 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

28 ( NEW ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland-Dozier

29 ( 10 ) AMERICA - Simon & Garfunkel

30 ( NEW ) BOTTOMS UP - Middle Of The Road

26th November 1972

 

It's a massive chart invasion for Christmas 1972 as T.Rex enter on top with the cracking Solid Gold Easy Action, their 2nd number one of 1972 and 6th out of 8. B side Born To Boogie, with a fab Super-funk Xmas message from Marc Bolan at the intro is on the B side, and enters at 69. I bought the single week of release, along with Happy Xmas War Is Over - that's already topped my chart for the Retro 1971 US release, but it gets a 2nd go of the chart new at 5, just because it's classic and charts every year and has made my charts on more occasions over the last 50 years than any other record - and always at Xmas.

 

That's not all - Lou Reed's classic Transformer album is out, and I'm early charting the 2 singles, and 2 album tracks. Walk On The Wild Side is new at 4, nestling up to David Bowie, producer of the album and backing singer on the groundbreaking song, while Herbie Flowers is on that bassline and also on the Blue Mink song getting pushed down by the new entries. Also on it, Thunderthighs for the do do do's, soon to feature with Mott The Hoople, another former Bowie protoge, and as their own chart act on a Lynsey De Paul song.

 

Perfect Day is at 28, 26 years early for the BBC chart-topping version, Satellite Of Love is at 37, a year early, or 32 years early, depending on wther you count the UK single release date or the big remix charting version. Finally, Vicious sneaks in at 74. New at 17, 10 CC's flop follow-up was beloved of me at the time, and still is, so 50's teen-death pastiche is new in just ahead of the US hit for Anne Murray, Danny's Song being her best record since Snowbird.

 

At 45, The Partridge Family shove David Cassidy down the chart a bit, with their cover of Looking Through The Eyes Of Love, one can't go wrong with a Gene Pitney song, I say. Not as good, obviously, but decent. At 62, Michael's older brother Jermaine Jackson gets Daddy's Home into the retro countdown 9 years before Cliff gets a massive Xmas hit with his cover of the 50's ballad. Paul joins John in the chart with the fairly forgettable double A: Hi Hi Hi got banned by the BBC so we had to make do with the bit of whimsy on the B side being made an A side. C Moon is cute, but Hi Hi Hi is better.

 

Stevie Wonder's Talking Book album track I Believe (etc) makes an appearance ahead of Art Garfunkel doing a cover of it, at 66, and at 67 Wizzard debut with Ball Park Incident as Roy Wood has a spat with Jeff Lynne over ELO and starts up his Glam Rock'n'Roll hit single career with a rocking hit. Cat Stevens scrapes in with Can't Keep It In (snigger) one of his worst singles, and The Who get a US hit with Relay. The UK would get around to it in a few months.

 

 

1 ( NEW ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex # 1

2 ( 1 ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

3 ( 2 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 2

4 ( NEW ) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed # 4

5 ( NEW ) HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) - John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir # 5

6 ( 4 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

7 ( 3 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 3

8 ( 6 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

9 ( 5 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

10 ( 13 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon # 10

 

11 ( 14 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 11

12 ( 7 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

13 ( 8 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

14 ( 9 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

15 ( 17 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 15

16 ( 16 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 16

17 ( NEW ) JOHNNY DON’T DO IT - 10cc # 17

18 ( NEW ) DANNY’S SONG - Anne Murray # 18

19 ( 12 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

20 ( 10 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

 

21 ( 21 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 21

22 ( 15 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

23 ( 25 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 23

24 ( 18 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

25 ( 22 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

26 ( 26 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 26

27 ( 11 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

28 ( NEW ) PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed # 28

29 ( 31 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - The Pipes & Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoons Guard Band # 29

30 ( 23 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

 

31 ( 32 ) HE IS YOUR BROTHER - ABBA # 31

32 ( 33 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 32

33 ( 30 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 30

34 ( 35 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul # 34

35 ( 19 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

36 ( 24 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

37 ( NEW ) SATELLITE OF LOVE - Lou Reed # 37

38 ( 56 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian # 38

39 ( 20 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 20

40 ( 40 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 40

 

41 ( 27 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

42 ( 43 ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley # 42

43 ( 28 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 23

44 ( 29 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 16

45 ( NEW ) LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy # 45

46 ( 36 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

47 ( 37 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

48 ( 34 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 29

49 ( 38 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

50 ( 70 ) MY THING - The Moments # 50

 

51 ( 51 ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 51

52 ( 50 ) ONE NIGHT AFFAIR - Jerry Butler # 50

53 ( 39 ) I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - Colin Blunstone # 36

54 ( 69 ) ONE LAST TIME - Glen Campbell # 54

55 ( 42 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

56 ( 48 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

57 ( 49 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

58 ( 53 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

59 ( 52 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

60 ( 54 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

 

61 ( 44 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

62 ( NEW ) DADDY’S HOME - Jermaine Jackson # 62

63 ( 60 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie # 60

64 ( 58 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

65 ( NEW ) HI HI HI - Wings # 65

66 ( NEW ) I BELIEVE (WHEN I FALL IN LOVE IT WILL BE FOREVER) - Stevie Wonder # 66

67 ( NEW ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard # 67

68 ( 65 ) GUDBY T’JANE - Slade # 65

69 ( NEW ) BORN TO BOOGIE - T.Rex # 69

70 ( 64 ) SUPERFLY - Curtis Mayfield # 64

 

71 ( 75 ) REELIN’ & ROCKIN’ - Chuck Berry # 71

72 ( NEW ) C. MOON - Wings # 72

73 ( NEW ) CAN’T KEEP IT IN - Cat Stevens # 73

74 ( NEW ) VICIOUS - Lou Reed # 74

75 ( NEW ) RELAY - The Who # 75

 

 

 

 

 

Wot I liked then 26th November 1972

 

It's Elton's catchy Croc on top still as my family settle into our new house, and I get keen on The Four Tops' new single at 4, probably after their rare Top Of The Pops appearance. Michael Jackson gets an ode to a rat new in at 11, his 4th of 1972, and Slade are also on their 4th with Gudbye T'Jane at 12. Roy C's 1966 oldie is new in at 24 for a spot of Northern Soul, Shotgun Wedding, while 2 untypically dreary tracks from David Cassidy and Rod Stewart get a token chart appearance at the bottom end. And that was wot I liked 50 years ago....

 

 

 

1 ( 1 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John

2 ( 2 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

3 ( 5 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group

4 ( 25 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops

5 ( 4 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka

6 ( 3 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate

7 ( 6 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

8 ( 7 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

9 ( 8 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

10 ( 14 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

 

11 ( NEW ) BEN - Michael Jackson

12 ( NEW ) GUDBYE T’JANE - Slade

13 ( 9 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5

14 ( 13 ) MY DING A LING - Chuck Berry

15 ( 10 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds

16 ( 17 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs

17 ( 16 ) BABY DON’T GET HOOKED ON ME - Mac Davis

18 ( 11 ) HERE I GO AGAIN - Archie Bell & The Drells

19 ( 15 ) DONNA - 10 C.C.

20 ( 20 ) ELECTED - Alice Cooper

 

21 ( 22 ) WHY - Donny Osmond

22 ( 19 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink

23 ( 18 ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - The Stylistics

24 ( NEW ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C

25 ( 21 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell

26 ( 23 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers

27 ( 24 ) IN A BROKEN DREAM - Python Lee Jackson

28 ( 30 ) I DON’T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES - Colin Blunstone

29 ( NEW ) ROCK ME BABY - David Cassidy

30 ( NEW ) WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS (HAS MAD A LOSER OUT OF ME) - Rod Stewart

 

2nd December 1972

Its a first week on top for the classic Walk On The Wild Side, Lou Reed shoving aside the mighty T.Rex. John Denver gets a first top 10 and 10CC a second. Chairmen Of The Board are new in with I'm On My Way To A Better Place at 43 almost 3 years into their run, and Lt Pigeon get a 2nd chart entry. Nilsson continues his 5 year span of retro chart entries and Esther Phillips gets a first 3 years ahead of her comeback UK hit.

 

1 ( 4 ) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed # 1

2 ( 1 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex # 1

3 ( 2 ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

4 ( 5 ) HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) - John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir # 4

5 ( 3 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 2

6 ( 10 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon # 6

7 ( 7 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 3

8 ( 11 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 8

9 ( 6 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

10 ( 17 ) JOHNNY DON’T DO IT - 10cc # 10

 

11 ( 8 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

12 ( 18 ) DANNY’S SONG - Anne Murray # 12

13 ( 9 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

14 ( 12 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

15 ( 15 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 15

16 ( 16 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 16

17 ( 13 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

18 ( 14 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

19 ( 21 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 19

20 ( 29 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - The Pipes & Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoons Guard Band # 20

 

21 ( 28 ) PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed # 21

22 ( 23 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 22

23 ( 19 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

24 ( 37 ) SATELLITE OF LOVE - Lou Reed # 24

25 ( 20 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

26 ( 32 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 26

27 ( 31 ) HE IS YOUR BROTHER - ABBA # 27

28 ( 34 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul # 28

29 ( 22 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

30 ( 24 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

 

31 ( 38 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian # 31

32 ( 30 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

33 ( 25 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

34 ( 45 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy # 34

47 ( 37 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

35 ( 26 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 26

36 ( 27 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

37 ( 42 ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley # 37

38 ( 40 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 38

39 ( 35 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 39

40 ( 33 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 30

 

41 ( 36 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

42 ( 50 ) MY THING - The Moments # 42

43 ( NEW ) I'M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board # 43

44 ( 39 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 20

45 ( 51 ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 45

46 ( 41 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

47 ( 44 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 16

48 ( 43 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 23

49 ( 54 ) ONE LAST TIME - Glen Campbell # 49

50 ( 62 ) DADDY’S HOME - Jermaine Jackson # 50

 

51 ( 47 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE - The Chi-Lites # 1

52 ( 49 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

53 ( NEW ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon # 53

54 ( 65 ) HI HI HI - Wings # 54

55 ( 46 ) WHY CAN’T WE BE LOVERS - Holland - Dozier featuring Lamont Dozier # 8

56 ( 67 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard # 56

57 ( 55 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

58 ( 58 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

59 ( 66 ) I BELIEVE (WHEN I FALL IN LOVE IT WILL BE FOREVER) - Stevie Wonder # 59

60 ( 59 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

 

61 ( 56 ) I DIDN’T KNOW I LOVED YOU (TILL I SAW YOU ROCK ‘N’ ROLL) - Gary Glitter & The Glitter Band # 6

62 ( 60 ) HOW CAN I BE SURE - David Cassidy # 1

63 ( 57 ) WIG-WAM BAM - The Sweet # 7

64 ( 69 ) BORN TO BOOGIE - T.Rex # 64

65 ( 74 ) VICIOUS - Lou Reed # 65

66 ( 72 ) C. MOON - Wings # 66

67 ( 61 ) CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION - T.Rex # 5

68 ( 68 ) GUDBY T’JANE - Slade # 65

69 ( 64 ) BACK STABBERS - The O’Jays # 1

70 ( 71 ) REELIN’ & ROCKIN’ - Chuck Berry # 70

 

71 ( 48 ) I’M SORRY SUSAN - Barry Ryan # 29

72 ( 73 ) CAN’T KEEP IT IN - Cat Stevens # 72

73 ( NEW ) I'VE NEVER FOUND ME A MAN - Esther Phillips # 73

74 ( 75 ) RELAY - The Who # 74

75 ( NEW ) REMEMBER (CHRISTMAS) - Nilsson # 75

 

On this day 2nd December 1972 these were my faves

 

Its a first week on top and a 3rd chart topper for The Four Tops, already 15 years or so into their recording career and another 15 ahead from Keeper Of The Castle. Slade make it 5 top 10s in a row, and its Xmas with the Gable Hall School Choir having a Reggae Christmas, an odd but engaging pop track that deserved to be a hit. Equally odd for the time, Lynsey De Paul is fed up with her drag inclined partner new at 24. Yet another 60s golden oldie is new at 26, as The Moody Blues enter with the brilliant Nights In White Satin, and itll be back for a 3rd go in 1979.

 

Little Jimmy Osmond's chirpy and annoying ode to a Scouser scrapes in at 28, and New World's forgotten original version of Living Next Door To Alice is new at 30, their 5th hit, 4 years ahead of Chinn Chapman donating the song to their new ballad band of choice, Smokie. Meanwhile Mary Whitehouse was getting her knickers in a twist over My Ding A Ling, among many things. If only she had targeted the DJ announcing the song on Top Of The Pops she might have been better thought of and taken more seriously.

 

1 ( 4 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE The Four Tops

2 ( 1 ) CROCODILE ROCK Elton John

3 ( 3 ) HI HO SILVER LINING The Jeff Beck Group

4 ( 5 ) OH! CAROL Neil Sedaka

5 ( 24 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING Roy C

6 ( 2 ) LEADER OF THE PACK The Shangri-Las

7 ( 8 ) LOOP DI LOVE Shag

8 ( 7 ) LET’S DANCE Chris Montez

9 ( 9 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH Lt. Pigeon

10 ( 12 ) GUDBYE T’JANE Slade

 

11 ( 6 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND Hot Chocolate

12 ( 11 ) BEN Michael Jackson

13 ( 13 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS The Jackson 5

14 ( 10 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE Carpenters

15 ( 16 ) LAY DOWN The Strawbs

16 ( 15 ) CRAZY HORSES The Osmonds

17 ( 14 ) MY DING A LING Chuck Berry

18 ( 22 ) STAY WITH ME Blue Mink

19 ( 18 ) HERE I GO AGAIN Archie Bell & The Drells

20 ( 19 ) DONNA 10 C.C.

 

21 ( 21 ) WHY Donny Osmond

22 ( 20 ) ELECTED Alice Cooper

23 ( NEW ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS Gable Hall School Choir

24 ( NEW ) GETTING A DRAG Lynsey De Paul

25 ( 23 ) I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU The Stylistics

26 ( NEW ) NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN The Moody Blues

27 ( 29 ) ROCK ME BABY David Cassidy

28 ( NEW ) LONG-HAIRED LOVER FROM LIVERPOOL Little Jimmy Osmond

29 ( 17 ) BABY DON’T GET HOOKED ON ME Mac Davis

30 ( NEW ) LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ALICE New World

 

17th December 1972

 

It's back up on top for Timmy Thomas' gorgeous Why Can't We Live Together, guaranteed Drake-free, as Lou Reed swaps one top 5 for another and John & Yoko return to the top 5 with the Xmas classic. Anne Murray finally gets a 2nd top 10 30 months after Snowbird, the lovely Danny's Song at 8 just ahead of The Detroit Spinners making it 2 in a row with Could It Be I'm Falling In Love debuting at 9 as ex-chart-topper I'll Be Around does what it says on the label staying at 35.

 

Carly Simon's classic No Secrets is out so The Right Thing joins You're So Vain inside the top 30, while The Pioneers are still making great pop reggae at 32, even if I Believe In Love was a flop, it's just as good as the hit, and appeared on another hits compilation Believe In Music album I bought: it also had Virginia Plain, Big Six (the first time I heard it), and many gems on it. Little Jimmy Osmond gets a 2nd entry with 60's cover Tweedle Dee, much better than the monster hit, new at 64, and The Chi-lites keep 'em coming with We Need Order at 75.

 

 

1 ( 2 ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

2 ( 1 ) WISHING WELL - Free # 1

3 ( 4 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex # 1

4 ( 6 ) SATELLITE OF LOVE - Lou Reed featuring David Bowie # 4

5 ( 10 ) HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) - John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir # 4

6 ( 5 ) I'M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board # 5

7 ( 3 ) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed featuring Thunderthighs # 1

8 ( 11 ) DANNY’S SONG - Anne Murray # 8

9 ( NEW ) COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE - The Detroit Spinners # 9

10 ( 7 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 2

 

11 ( 8 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 3

12 ( 12 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

13 ( 9 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon # 6

14 ( 14 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 8

15 ( 17 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

16 ( 19 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - The Pipes & Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoons Guard Band # 16

17 ( 20 ) PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed # 17

18 ( 21 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

19 ( 13 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 13

20 ( 25 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian # 20

 

21 ( 15 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

22 ( NEW ) THE RIGHT THING TO DO - Carly Simon # 22

23 ( 23 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 23

24 ( 27 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 22

25 ( 18 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

26 ( 28 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul # 26

27 ( 16 ) JOHNNY DON’T DO IT - 10cc # 10

28 ( 22 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

29 ( 36 ) DADDY’S HOME - Jermaine Jackson # 29

30 ( 30 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy # 30

 

31 ( 29 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

32 ( NEW ) I BELIEVE IN LOVE - The Pioneers # 32

33 ( 43 ) MY THING - The Moments # 33

34 ( 26 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 19

35 ( 35 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

36 ( 33 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

37 ( 45 ) LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ALICE - New World # 37

38 ( 39 ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 38

39 ( 49 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir # 39

40 ( 40 ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon # 40

 

41 ( 24 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 15

42 ( 34 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

43 ( 31 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

44 ( 38 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

45 ( 42 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

46 ( 46 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 26

47 ( 58 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

48 ( 41 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

49 ( 53 ) HI HI HI - Wings # 49

50 ( 55 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard # 50

 

51 ( 43 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

52 ( 72 ) MY TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN HOME - Dolly Parton # 52

53 ( 51 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 30

54 ( 47 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 38

55 ( 50 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 20

56 ( 37 ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley # 37

57 ( 57 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

58 ( 32 ) HE IS YOUR BROTHER - ABBA # 27

59 ( 52 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

60 ( 71 ) DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? - Bette Midler # 60

 

61 ( 64 ) C. MOON - Wings # 61

62 ( 62 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

63 ( 68 ) REMEMBER (CHRISTMAS) - Nilsson # 63

64 ( NEW ) TWEEDLE DEE - Little Jimmy Osmond # 64

65 ( 66 ) THE LOVE IN YOUR EYES - Vicki Leandros # 65

66 ( 63 ) JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING - David Bowie # 1

67 ( 67 ) OH NO NOT MY BABY - Merry Clayton # 67

68 ( 70 ) I'VE NEVER FOUND ME A MAN - Esther Phillips # 68

69 ( 75 ) GAUDETE - Steeleye Span # 69

70 ( 56 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John # 23

 

71 ( 54 ) FEEL THE NEED IN ME - The Detroit Emeralds # 16

72 ( 61 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters # 1

73 ( 73 ) YOU DON'T NEED A GYPSY - Robert John # 73

74 ( 48 ) ONE LAST TIME - Glen Campbell # 48

75 ( NEW ) WE NEED ORDER - The Chi-Lites # 75

 

 

 

17th December 1972 my chart faves of that week then

 

It's 2 weeks on top for T.Rex as John & Yoko leap up to 3 challenging for the christmas spot and their 2nd number one. Little Drummer Boy makes it 2 christmas top 5's while The Jackson 5's xmas cover pops in at 30 as their current single has a big drop to 10. Roy Wood debuts his 3rd chart-making act of the year with Wizzard's Ball Park Incident at 23, as The Move are no more and ELO are now Jeff Lynne's baby.

 

Albert Hammond has had loads of chart hits as a songwriter since Leapy Lee's Little Arrows was a hug fave in 1968, but now makes it as an act, with the terrific It Never rains In Southern California at 26, Carly Simon debuts her classic You're So Vain at 28, and America get a second chart hit with Ventura Highway at 29, and meanwhile at home school starts to break up for the holidays and we await grandma and her partner travelling to our new RAF house from Liverpool for the Christmas holidays.

 

 

1 ( 1 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex

2 ( 4 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C

3 ( 30 ) HAPPY XMAS. WAR IS OVER - John & Yoko, The Plastic Ono Band & The Harlem Community Choir

4 ( 11 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band

5 ( 10 ) NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - The Moody Blues

6 ( 3 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul

7 ( 6 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group

8 ( 5 ) OH! CAROL - Neil Sedaka

9 ( 13 ) MOULDY OLD DOUGH - Lt. Pigeon

10 ( 2 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5

 

11 ( 9 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John

12 ( 12 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

13 ( 14 ) LOOP DI LOVE - Shag

14 ( 15 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops

15 ( 29 ) HI HI HI - Wings

16 ( 8 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink

17 ( 16 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

18 ( 7 ) BEN - Michael Jackson

19 ( 19 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs

20 ( 18 ) GUDBYE T’JANE - Slade

 

21 ( 22 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir

22 ( 25 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie

23 ( NEW ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard

24 ( 24 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds

25 ( 28 ) I AM AN ASTRONAUT - Ricky Wilde

26 ( NEW ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond

27 ( 17 ) GOODBYE TO LOVE - Carpenters

28 ( NEW ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon

29 ( NEW ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America

30 ( NEW ) SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN - The Jackson 5

24th December 1972

 

It's a 2nd chart-topper of 1972 Retro charts for The Detroit Spinners with Could It Be I'm Falling In Love going where I'll Be Around has already gone, and both songs would be hits again in the 80's as covers. Lou Reed gets a 2nd top 3, with a Bowie-vocal climax helping it along, and it's a Christmas chart so the bagpipers finally get a top 10 with their version of Little Drummer Boy. Bowie will be involved in that song too in 1977, though the record wouldn't be out till 1982. The Royal Scots Dragoons (with new members) were still getting onto UK TV on New Years Eve 2022/23...

 

Carly Simon gets 2 top 20's, The Pioneers make it 3, and a 3rd Xmas record goes top 20 for the Gable Hall School Choir, with Nilsson making 4, and Jose Feliciano entering with Feliz Navidad at 75. That record was unknown in the UK throughout the 20th century, I literally had never heard of it until it started charting when downloads came in in the mid-00's. It's been a fixture of Xmas charts in the UK and US ever since, and each year chart higher than the previous. Two pre-teen girls did a Karaoke version of it over Xmas in a bar in Gran Canaria I was in, with everybody singing along to help them. So new memories for a 50-year-old record!

 

Demis Roussos is highest new entry with a B-side to his first single off his forthcoming 1973 album, this track had been flipped and made the Spanish top 10, When I Am A Kid is new to me, and is a thumpingly good Greek-tinged English singalong! New at 39. Rounding off a great year for him as part of Aphrodite's Child (Break/Four Horsemen) and a new solo career. Ricky Wilde is Kim Wilde's younger brother, and he was pre-teen when UK Records signed him up (with help from dad Marty) to attempt a pop career, first off the charming I Am An Astronaut. I liked Ricky's pop records and was sad he never got a hit, but fret not, he was the creative force (with dad and Kim) behind Kim's pop career, so it was all good training.

 

The film Delieverance was out, Burt Reynolds, murder, rivers, escaped convicts, and it's yee-ha country instrumental Dueling Banjos chart at 70. Holland-Dozier get a second chart entry rotating lead singer this time, and The 5th Dimension get an early grab at a song from forthcoming musical movie, Lost Horizon. A brilliant cast, Bacharach & David songs, and an exotic Himalayan locale, what could go wrong? Well, I enjoyed it at any rate, but it's regarded as one of the best-to-watch terrible films of all-time these days, so bad it's enjoyable. It's on You Tube.

 

 

1 ( 9 ) COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE - The Detroit Spinners # 1

2 ( 1 ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

3 ( 4 ) SATELLITE OF LOVE - Lou Reed featuring David Bowie # 3

4 ( 2 ) WISHING WELL - Free # 1

5 ( 3 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex # 1

6 ( 6 ) I'M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board # 5

7 ( 5 ) HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) - John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir # 4

8 ( 8 ) DANNY’S SONG - Anne Murray # 8

9 ( 16 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - The Pipes & Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoons Guard Band # 9

10 ( 7 ) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed featuring Thunderthighs # 1

 

11 ( 32 ) I BELIEVE IN LOVE - The Pioneers # 11

12 ( 22 ) THE RIGHT THING TO DO - Carly Simon # 12

13 ( 12 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

14 ( 10 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 2

15 ( 15 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

16 ( 20 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian # 16

17 ( 11 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 3

18 ( 13 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon # 6

19 ( 39 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir # 19

20 ( 23 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 20

 

21 ( 18 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

22 ( 14 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 8

23 ( 17 ) PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed # 17

24 ( 19 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 13

25 ( 30 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy # 25

26 ( 26 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul # 26

27 ( 21 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

28 ( 29 ) DADDY’S HOME - Jermaine Jackson # 28

29 ( 25 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

30 ( 75 ) WE NEED ORDER - The Chi-Lites # 30

 

31 ( 28 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

32 ( 31 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

33 ( 33 ) MY THING - The Moments # 33

34 ( 27 ) JOHNNY DON’T DO IT - 10cc # 10

35 ( 35 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

36 ( 42 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

37 ( 37 ) LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ALICE - New World # 37

38 ( 38 ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 38

39 ( NEW ) WHEN I AM A KID - Demis Roussos # 39

40 ( 40 ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon # 40

 

41 ( 24 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 22

42 ( 52 ) MY TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN HOME - Dolly Parton # 42

43 ( 47 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

44 ( 44 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

45 ( 41 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 15

46 ( 34 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 19

47 ( 36 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

48 ( 60 ) DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? - Bette Midler # 48

49 ( 64 ) TWEEDLE DEE - Little Jimmy Osmond # 49

50 ( 61 ) C. MOON - Wings # 50

 

51 ( 63 ) REMEMBER (CHRISTMAS) - Nilsson # 51

52 ( 49 ) HI HI HI - Wings # 49

53 ( 50 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard # 50

54 ( 68 ) I'VE NEVER FOUND ME A MAN - Esther Phillips # 54

55 ( 55 ) ME AND MRS JONES - Billy Paul # 20

56 ( 65 ) THE LOVE IN YOUR EYES - Vicki Leandros # 56

57 ( 48 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

58 ( 46 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs # 26

59 ( 57 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

60 ( 43 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

 

61 ( 54 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 38

62 ( 62 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

63 ( 45 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

64 ( 51 ) SUNNY GOODGE STREET - Judy Collins # 10

65 ( 67 ) OH NO NOT MY BABY - Merry Clayton # 65

66 ( 69 ) GAUDETE - Steeleye Span # 66

67 ( 53 ) STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN - Mel & Tim # 30

68 ( NEW ) I AM AN ASTRONAUT - Ricky Wilde # 68

69 ( 59 ) NEW ORLEANS - Harley Quinne # 14

70 ( NEW ) DUELING BANJOS - Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell # 70

 

 

71 ( 73 ) YOU DON'T NEED A GYPSY - Robert John # 71

72 ( 56 ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley # 37

73 ( NEW ) DON’T LEAVE ME STARVIN’ FOR YOUR LOVE - Holland-Dozier featuring Brian Holland # 73

74 ( NEW ) LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER - The 5th Dimension # 74

75 ( NEW ) FELIZ NAVIDAD - Jose Feliciano # 75

 

 

 

 

 

 

24th December 1972 my charts 50 years ago then

 

It's a first week on top and John Lennon's 2nd number one outside The Beatles, 3 years after Give Peace A Chance, equalling Paul's 2, and the first ever Christmas record to top my charts. Wizzard get a first top 10, not Roy Wood's first, and certainly won't be his last (Shh don't mention christmas classics), and Carly Simon gets her first top 10, a habit she will continue into the late 80's. Elvis is in with Brenda lee's Always On My Mind at 11, his last good ballad, a song so good it would become a christmas chart-topper. In 1987, for Pet Shop Boys.

 

David Bowie is new at 20 with The Jean Genie, not getting me excited to quite the same degree that John Im Only Dancing and Starman and Dudes had, but he did turn up on Top Of The Pops at least - that wouldn't happen again for, ooh, 5 years nearly. Lt. Pigeon get a follow-up I preferred to Mouldy Old Dough, but which no-one remembers - Desperate Dan - and Chairmen Of The Board make it a 5th chart entry with the fab I'm On My Way To A Better Place. Gladys Knight covers Kris Kristofferson and kick starts her chart career proper in the UK, and The New Seekers go 50's doowop retro, and rather nice too.

 

Back in 1972 it was Christmas Eve, and UK TV pulled-out all the stops - the best thing the BBC could offer was Disney Time, clips of classic movies that were not on the TV to watch. And West Side Story, which at least had great songs and Natalie Wood, Rita Morena and a Shakespeare plot. ITV were even worse. I don't recall santa knocking on the door or popping down the chimney, but he usually left me record tokens, clothes and chocolates by then. Which meant John & Yoko and T.Rex were top of my Xmas list.

 

 

1 ( 3 ) HAPPY XMAS. WAR IS OVER - John & Yoko, The Plastic Ono Band & The Harlem Community Choir

2 ( 1 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex

3 ( 4 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band

4 ( 5 ) NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - The Moody Blues

5 ( 6 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul

6 ( 2 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C

7 ( 23 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard

8 ( 7 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group

9 ( 10 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5

10 ( 28 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon

 

11 ( NEW ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley

12 ( 11 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John

13 ( 12 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

14 ( 15 ) HI HI HI - Wings

15 ( 14 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops

16 ( 16 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink

17 ( 18 ) BEN - Michael Jackson

18 ( 19 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs

19 ( 17 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

20 ( NEW ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie

 

21 ( 25 ) I AM AN ASTRONAUT - Ricky Wilde

22 ( 22 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie

23 ( 26 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond

24 ( 20 ) GUDBYE T’JANE - Slade

25 ( NEW ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon

26 ( NEW ) I’M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board

27 ( 24 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds

28 ( 21 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir

29 ( NEW ) HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT - Gladys Knight & The Pips

30 ( NEW ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian

31st December 1972

 

It's a first week on top for Lou Reed with a large vocal hand from David Bowie for the climactic singalong ending on Satellite Of Love giving Lou 2 1972 chart-toppers and David on 5 including his gift to Mott and Lou. Carly Simon gets a 2nd top 10 with Right Thing To Do, and The Pioneers get a 2nd top 10 over a year on from Let Your Yeah Be Yeah. As I'm still a week behind on my charting no Blockbuster entry yet, but keep watching next week! Quo are back though for a 5th Retro chart entry as Paper Plane debuts at 47, and Olivia Newton-John covers John Denver (so he has 2 songs in this week's chart) for her 6th chart entry with Take Me Home Country Roads at 61.

 

Deodata's funk-jazz workout of the 2001: A Space Odyssey classical borrow of Also Sprach Zarathustra debuts at 63, and Dandy Livingstone is on 4 or 5 chart entries with Big City sneaking in at 69 with a hint of a synthesiser amongst the reggae. Terry Dactyl grabs a cheerful Jona Lewie soundalike Seaside Shuffle, Barbara Mason debuts an actual disco record 2 years early, and Diana Ross covers a Billie Holiday golden oldie from her Lady Sings The Blues movie, and does a good job of it.

 

 

 

1 ( 3 ) SATELLITE OF LOVE - Lou Reed featuring David Bowie # 1

2 ( 1 ) COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE - The Detroit Spinners # 1

3 ( 2 ) WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER - Timmy Thomas # 1

4 ( 6 ) I'M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board # 4

5 ( 4 ) WISHING WELL - Free # 1

6 ( 12 ) THE RIGHT THING TO DO - Carly Simon # 6

7 ( 5 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex # 1

8 ( 8 ) DANNY’S SONG - Anne Murray # 8

9 ( 11 ) I BELIEVE IN LOVE - The Pioneers # 9

10 ( 10 ) WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Lou Reed featuring Thunderthighs # 1

 

11 ( 13 ) SUPERSTITION - Stevie Wonder # 1

12 ( 9 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - The Pipes & Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoons Guard Band # 9

13 ( 30 ) WE NEED ORDER - The Chi-Lites # 13

14 ( 7 ) HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) - John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir # 4

15 ( 16 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian # 15

16 ( 15 ) LOVE TRAIN - The O’Jays # 1

17 ( 19 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir # 17

18 ( 14 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie # 2

19 ( 21 ) PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE - The Temptations # 1

20 ( 18 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon # 6

 

21 ( 22 ) ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH - John Denver # 8

22 ( 33 ) MY THING - The Moments # 22

23 ( 36 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops # 10

24 ( 28 ) DADDY’S HOME - Jermaine Jackson # 24

25 ( 23 ) PERFECT DAY - Lou Reed # 17

26 ( 37 ) LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ALICE - New World # 26

27 ( 24 ) SWEET SURRENDER - Bread # 13

28 ( 32 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las # 1

29 ( 17 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink # 3

30 ( 29 ) IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carole King # 1

 

31 ( 31 ) DO IT AGAIN - Steely Dan # 1

32 ( 40 ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon # 32

33 ( 39 ) WHEN I AM A KID - Demis Roussos # 33

34 ( 25 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE - The Partridge Family Starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy # 25

35 ( 35 ) I’LL BE AROUND - The Detroit Spinners # 1

36 ( 42 ) MY TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN HOME - Dolly Parton # 36

37 ( 27 ) MANANA - Bay City Rollers # 5

38 ( 51 ) REMEMBER (CHRISTMAS) - Nilsson # 38

39 ( 49 ) TWEEDLE DEE - Little Jimmy Osmond # 39

40 ( 50 ) C. MOON - Wings # 40

 

41 ( 38 ) EYE LEVEL - Simon Park Orchestra # 38

42 ( 48 ) DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? - Bette Midler # 42

43 ( 65 ) OH NO NOT MY BABY - Merry Clayton # 43

44 ( 44 ) YOU’LL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND - Hot Chocolate # 1

45 ( 20 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C # 20

46 ( 68 ) I AM AN ASTRONAUT - Ricky Wilde # 46

47 ( NEW ) PAPER PLANE - Status Quo # 47

48 ( 53 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard # 48

49 ( 56 ) THE LOVE IN YOUR EYES - Vicki Leandros # 49

50 ( 26 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul # 26

 

51 ( 46 ) HOUSE OF THE KING - Focus # 19

52 ( 34 ) JOHNNY DON’T DO IT - 10cc # 10

53 ( 54 ) I'VE NEVER FOUND ME A MAN - Esther Phillips # 53

54 ( 45 ) 992 ARGUMENTS - The O’Jays # 15

55 ( 47 ) VENTURA HIGHWAY - America # 5

56 ( 66 ) GAUDETE - Steeleye Span # 56

57 ( 52 ) HI HI HI - Wings # 49

58 ( 43 ) IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes # 20

59 ( 59 ) THE COLDEST DAYS OF MY LIFE (PART 1) - The Chi-Lites # 1

60 ( 71 ) YOU DON'T NEED A GYPSY - Robert John # 60

 

61 ( NEW ) TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS - Olivia Newton-John # 61

62 ( 62 ) LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5 # 1

63 ( 41 ) PRISENCOLINENSINAINCIUSOL - Adriano Celentano # 22

64 ( NEW ) ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA (2001) - Deodato # 64

65 ( 60 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds # 1

66 ( 74 ) LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER - The 5th Dimension # 66

67 ( 57 ) HALLELUJAH FREEDOM - Junior Campbell # 10

68 ( 70 ) DUELING BANJOS - Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell # 68

69 ( NEW ) BIG CITY - Dandy Livingstone # 69

70 ( 61 ) YOU CAN DO MAGIC - Limmie & The Family Cooking # 38

 

 

71 ( 73 ) DON’T LEAVE ME STARVIN’ FOR YOUR LOVE - Holland-Dozier featuring Brian Holland # 71

72 ( 63 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond # 4

73 ( NEW ) ON A SATURDAY NIGHT - Terry Dactyl & The Dinosaurs # 73

74 ( NEW ) GIVE ME YOUR LOVE - Barbara Mason # 74

75 ( NEW ) GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE - Diana Ross # 75

 

 

 

 

31st December 1972 my charts between Xmas & New Year

 

It's no change as the BBC charts just rolled-over and my charts just shuffled places a bit with 2 weeks on top for John & Yoko, and Carly Simon going top 5, Elvis top 10, and the non-BBC-played Hi Hi Hi getting preference over the BBC-airplay side C. Moon for Wings.

 

 

1 ( 1 ) HAPPY XMAS. WAR IS OVER - John & Yoko, The Plastic Ono Band & The Harlem Community Choir

2 ( 2 ) SOLID GOLD EASY ACTION - T.Rex

3 ( 7 ) BALL PARK INCIDENT - Wizzard

4 ( 3 ) LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Band

5 ( 10 ) YOU’RE SO VAIN - Carly Simon

6 ( 5 ) GETTING A DRAG - Lynsey De Paul

7 ( 4 ) NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - The Moody Blues

8 ( 11 ) ALWAYS ON MY MIND - Elvis Presley

9 ( 14 ) HI HI HI - Wings

10 ( 9 ) LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS - The Jackson 5

 

11 ( 6 ) SHOTGUN WEDDING - Roy C

12 ( 8 ) HI HO SILVER LINING - The Jeff Beck Group

13 ( 12 ) CROCODILE ROCK - Elton John

14 ( 13 ) LEADER OF THE PACK - The Shangri-Las

15 ( 15 ) KEEPER OF THE CASTLE - The Four Tops

16 ( 16 ) STAY WITH ME - Blue Mink

17 ( 20 ) THE JEAN GENIE - David Bowie

18 ( 17 ) BEN - Michael Jackson

19 ( 19 ) LET’S DANCE - Chris Montez

20 ( 18 ) LAY DOWN - The Strawbs

 

21 ( 26 ) I’M ON MY WAY TO A BETTER PLACE - Chairmen Of The Board

22 ( 25 ) DESPERATE DAN - Lieutenant Pigeon

23 ( 23 ) IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albert Hammond

24 ( 22 ) DON’T DO THAT - Geordie

25 ( 30 ) COME SOFTLY TO ME - The New Seekers featuring Marty Kristian

26 ( 28 ) REGGAE CHRISTMAS - Gable Hall School Choir

27 ( 27 ) CRAZY HORSES - The Osmonds

28 ( 21 ) I AM AN ASTRONAUT - Ricky Wilde

29 ( 29 ) HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT - Gladys Knight & The Pips

30 ( 24 ) GUDBYE T’JANE - Slade

 

 

and that's 1972 done! 1973, for those with long memories, has already been done for my charts of the time (but only as a monthly chart which nobody liked), so I'll be doing a new thread for my 50th anniversary more comprehensive charts as I do them weekly, plus weekly versions of the original charts of the time. My charts of the time were restricted to the UK top 30 (top 20, plus a breakers of 10 for those faves outside the UK top 30, which I call numbers 21 to 30) so they weren't really representative of everything I actually liked until I changed the rules in 1974, and I'm enjoying discovering new music from 50 years ago too.