Here are the Hot Soul Singles of 1975. Or about half of them. Like the other charts, there are a LOT of them in 1975, 42 to be precise. And the terminology of said charts changed frequently.
Fight The Power Part 1 – The Isley Brothers, three weeks at #1. And here’s Parts 1 and 2. At the end of every year, I pick a song or songs that best represent the year. This is a contender for 2025
Fire – Ohio Players, two weeks at #1 RB, #1 pop, gold record. And here’s the album cut; I think my sister Leslie had the LP. I love the parallel symmetry.
Shining Star – Earth, Wind, and Fire – two weeks at #1 RB, #1 pop, gold record. The first EWF song I loved
Let’s Do It Again – The Staple Singers, two weeks at #1 RB, #1 pop, gold record, from the great STAX label.
L-O-V-E (Love) – Al Green, two weeks at #1
Get Down, Get Down (Get On The Floor) – Joe Simon, two weeks at #1
How Long (Betcha’ Got a Chick On The Side) – The Pointer Sisters, two weeks at #1. Album cut. The Sisters had hits long before the 1980s.
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole, two weeks at #1
#1 for a single week
Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas, gold record. He wasn’t exactly a one-hit wonder; his follow-up was Dance the Kung Fu, #8 on the soul charts. No, I don’t remember it.
Lady Marmalade – LaBelle, gold record, #1 pop. I could listen to this song on near-endless repeat. And it’s partly in French!
The Hustle – Van McCoy, gold record, #1 pop. This song, to me, helped define the decade.
Get Down Tonight – KC and The Sunshine Band, gold record. And the longer version
Fly, Robin, Fly – Silver Convention, gold record. Three weeks at #1 pop.
That’s The Way I Like It – KC and The Sunshine Band, gold record. The longer version
Love Roller Coaster – Ohio Players, gold record. “Say what?” Album cut
You’re My First, The Last, My Everything – Barry White
Happy People – the Temptations
I Belong To You – Love Unlimited
Shame, Shame, Shame – Shirley and Company
More soon.