These are the top pop singles of 1976. Okay, many of them. The songs that were #1 on the Billboard charts for multiple weeks, plus those that were there for only one week but were in the Top 10 for at least 10 weeks, are represented.
The follow-up will include other #1 songs on the Billboard charts, as well as #1 songs on non-Billboard charts.
Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) – Rod Stewart (Warner), 8 weeks at #1, gold record
Silly Love Songs – Wings (Capitol), 5 weeks at #1, gold record
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John and Kiki Dee (Rocket), 4 weeks at #1, gold record
Disco Lady – Johnnie Taylor (Columbia), 4 weeks at #1, platinum record
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (Epic), 3 weeks at #1, platinum record
December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night) – the Four Seasons (Warner/Curb), 3 weeks at #1, gold record. A story: When I was working at the NY Small Business Development Center in 1998, we were underbid for a national contract to provide reference services to the SBDCs across the country, something we had done since 1992. Figuring we wouldn’t be there by December, we in the Research Network decided to have our Christmas party in September. We played this card game where we had to respond to the specific cues. One was to name a pop song that included a year and provide at least 8 consecutive lyrics. One answer I gave was this song: “Oh, what a night, late December back in ’63.” As it turned out, one librarian took another job, two were laid off, but four of us were hired to provide services exclusively for the NY SBDC.
From one of my favorite albums
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover – Paul Simon (Columbia), 3 weeks at #1, gold record. When this came out, my comic book buddies thought that both Stan and Lee referred to the Marvel writer, and that Jack was King Kirby. No one could figure out who Gus was.
Kiss And Say Goodbye – Manhattans (Columbia), 2 weeks at #1, platinum record
If You Leave Me Now – Chicago (Columbia), 2 weeks at #1, gold record
Love Hangover – Diana Ross (Motown), 2 weeks at #1; 12″
Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band (Windsong), 2 weeks at #1, gold record
The rest were number one for one week
(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty – KC & the Sunshine Band (T.K )
A Fifth of Beethoven – Walter Murphy/Big Apple Band (Private Stock), gold record, instrumental. Eventually on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
Disco Duck (Part 1) – Rick Dees & His Cast Of Idiots (RSO), platinum record. novelty. This single may or may not be in my attic right now.
I Write the Songs – Barry Manilow (Arista), gold record
Love Rollercoaster – Ohio Players (Mercury), gold record
