Tag: 1975

#1 pop but not on Billboard in 1975

“I learned the truth…”

Here are the songs that were #1 pop but not on Billboard in 1975. This means they were #1 on Record World, Cash Box, or both. Some of the songs are great, and at least one is awful.

The number after the RW and CB designation is the number of weeks at #1. The * indicates the songs I positively own in some physical form, though I likely also possess the Barry White and Janis Ian tracks.

You’re The First, The Last, My Everything – Barry White (20th Century Records), CB 1, co-written and produced by White

*Boogie On Reggae Woman – Stevie Wonder (Tamla), CB 1, RW 1, produced, arranged, and written by Wonder 

*No No Song – Ringo Starr (Apple), CB 1, the last Starr single release to top any U.S. pop charts. Written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson, produced by Richard Perry

*Jackie Blue – Ozark Mountain Daredevils (A&M), CB 2, RW 1

*How Long – Ace (Anchor), CB 1. Written by lead singer Paul Carrack.

*When Will I Be Loved – Linda Ronstadt (Capitol), CB #1. Written by Phil Everly; produced by Peter Asher. 

If at first…

*Please Mr. Please – Olivia Newton-John (MCA), CB #1. Co-written and previously sung by Bruce Welch, a long-time member of The Shadows, who “also wrote several hit singles for the group and Cliff Richard.” He was  once engaged to ON-J

*Someone Saved My Life Tonight – Elton John (MCA), CB 1, RW 1 from the Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy album that went to #1 in its first week of release

At Seventeen – Janis Ian (Columbia), CB 1. Written by Ian when she was 23.

Run Joey Run – David Geddes (Big Tree Records), CB 1. How did I miss this throwback from the 1950s?

Mr. Jaws – Dickie Goodman (Cash), CB 1, RW 1. One of those break-in novelties like his “The Flying Saucer” (1956) 

*They Just Can’t Stop It, The (Games People Play) – The Spinners (Atlantic), RW1. Produced, arranged, and conducted by Thom Bell. I never understood why Games People Play was the info in the parentheses.  

Part 2 of the 1975 Easy Listening #1s

as seen on TV

Here’s part 2 of the 1975 Easy Listening #1s. Songs in the mid-1970s didn’t seem to command the week-after-week success that songs in earlier and later periods did. These songs all led the charts for merely one week each.

My Boy – Elvis Presley.

The Last Farewell – Roger Whittaker. I recall this individual quite well, as he promoted his albums on television through mail order. ” This song was released internationally in 1971, and it charted in 11 countries. But it wasn’t released in the United States until four years later. He grew up in British-controlled Kenya and died only in 2023.

He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You) Tony Orlando and Dawn. #1 pop

It’s A Miracle – Barry Manilow

Only Yesterday – Carpenters

From “there”

The Immigrant – Neil Sedaka. Lyrics – After an overly optimistic first verse:

Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miraclesCome to marry his fortune with a handful of promisesTo find they’ve closed the door, they don’t want him anymoreIsn’t any more to go aroundTurning away, he remembers he once heardA legend that spoke of a mystical, magical land called America

Rainy Day People – Gordon Lightfoot

99 Miles From L.A. – Albert Hammond

Wonderful Baby – Don McLean

Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tennille. Written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. #1 pop

Wildfire – Michael Murphy, now billed as Michael Martin Murphy

Every Time You Touch Me (I Get High) – Charlie Rich

Rhinestone Cowboy – Glen Campbell, #1 pop

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor. The Marvin Gaye version went to #3 RB and #6 pop in 1965

Fallin’ In Love – Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds, #1 pop

Solitaire – Carpenters

The Proud Ones – The Osmonds

Ain’t No Way To Treat A Lady – Helen Reddy

I Only Have Eyes For You – Art Garfunkel. The version of this song by the Flamingos in 1959 is one of my top 20 songs of all time.

Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To – Diana Ross

Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.) – Glen Campbell

I didn’t know several of these songs, including Elvis, and one each by Carpenters and Glen Campbell, and I own music by all of them.

Easy Listening #1s in 1975, part 1

NASA

Like the other charts, the Billboard Easy Listening #1s in 1975, the nomenclature at the time for what became Adult Contemporary, were also overcrowded. `

Something Better To Do – Olivia Newton-John, three weeks at #1

Please Mr. Please – Olivia Newton-John, three weeks at #1, also #1 pop

Midnight Blue – Melissa Manchester, two weeks at #1 – I loved that song at a point when I had no real romantic relationships 

At Seventeen – Janis Ian, two weeks at #1. She sang it when she was 23.

I’m Sorry – John Denver, two weeks at #1, also #1 pop

The Way I Want To Touch You – Captain and Tennille, two weeks at #1

My Little Town – Simon and Garfunkel, two weeks at #1; this song was included on the solo albums of each artist

I Write The Songs – Barry Manilow, two weeks at #1. Not incidentally, Barry Manilow did not write it, though many people assume so. The Beach Boys’ Bruce Johnston penned it.

The rest of the songs, #1 for a single week

Only You (And You Alone) – Ringo Starr. This was originally recorded by The Platters in 1955. On Ringo’s version, John Lennon plays acoustic guitar, and  Harry Nilsson sings harmony vocals 

Please Mr. Postman – Carpenters, also #1 pop . Yes, it’s Carpenters, not the Carpenters. The 1961 debut single by the Marvelettes for the Tamla (Motown) label was the first Motown song to reach the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 

Morningside Of The Mountain – Donny and Marie Osmond. I had never heard this song before! Pure treacle

Best Of My Love – The Eagles, also #1 pop

Sweet Surrender – John Denver

Lonely People – America. I wrote a post about this song, as well as NASA, DC, and Charlotte, NC. 

Nightingale – Carole King

Poetry Man – Phoebe Snow

Have You Never Been Mellow – Olivia Newton-John, also #1 pop

I’ve Been This Way Before – Neil Diamond

(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song – B.J.  Thomas, also #1 pop

Emotion – Helen Reddy

Country hits of 1975, part 2

Tanya Tucker, Merle Haggard

Of the Country hits of 1975, most topped the chart for one week, including all of the songs listed here. Some also topped the pop charts as well, and will be designated as such.

Roll On Big Mama – Joe Stampley (Epic). Background Vocal: The Jordanaires!

She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles) -Gary Stewart (RCA Victor). Background Vocal: The Jordanaires! There are a lot of songs on this list with apostrophes standing in for letters.

(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song –  B.J. Thomas (ABC), one week #1 pop, also AC #1

I’m Not Lisa – Jessi Colter (Capitol). Co-produced by her husband, Waylon Jennings. Pop Chart Peaks: Billboard 4, Cash Box 5, Record World 6 –  A/C Peak: 16

Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver (RCA Victor).  Pop Chart Peaks: #1 on Billboard, Cash Box & Record World;  AC Peak: 5. One of six Top 10 Billboard country songs.

Window Up Above – Mickey Gilley (Playboy)

Been mistreated

When Will I Be Loved – Linda Ronstadt (Capitol). Harmony vocals by Andrew Gold and Kenny Edwards. Pop Chart Peaks: Cash Box 1, Billboard 2, Record World 4;  A/C Peak: 3. One of nine Top 10 Billboard country songs.

You’re My Best Friend – Don Williams (ABC/Dot)

Tryin’ To Beat The Morning Home – T. G. Sheppard (Melodyland)

Lizzie And The Rainman – Tanya Tucker (MCA)

Movin’ On – Merle Haggard (Capitol Records Nashville). I heard this trucking song on the radio, I suspect, because of the popularity of C.W. McCall’s Convoy, though it didn’t reach the pop charts.

Just Get Up And Close The Door– Johnny Rodriguez (Mercury)

Feelins’ – Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty (MCA)

Hope You’re Feelin’ Me (Like I’m Feelin’ You) -Charlie Pride (RCA)

San Antonio Stroll – Tanya Tucker (MCA)

(Turn Out The Lights And) Love Me Tonight – Don Williams (ABC/Dot)

I’m Sorry – John Denver (RCA Victor), also #1 pop and AC

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way – Waylon Jennings (RCA)

Rocky – Dickie Lee (RCA Victor)

It’s All In The Movies – Merle Haggard (Capitol)

Secret Love—Freddy Fender (ABC/Dot). This standard, written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, has been covered by the Moonglows, Billy Stewart (#29 pop), Frankie Avalon, Johnny Mathis, Duane Eddy, Andy Williams, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, and many more.

Love Put A Song In My Heart – Johnny Rodriguez (Mercury)

Ramblin' with Roger
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