RA Retro Tracks Rewind Charts 1970 - 1979

[raliverpool]

RA Retro Tracks Rewind Charts 1970 - 1979

This is the second decade part following on from the 1960s equivalent thread: fatherandy2.proboards.com/thread/84300/retro-tracks-rewind-charts-completed?page=1


As per the previous thread I'm retrospectively taking account the current circumstances. Hence the rewind/revisionism element of a chart compiled by a 43 year old who was minus 1.5 years when this time period of this decade's charts start.

Firstly, regarding chart rules allowing tracks/songs rather than physical singles. This means album tracks from popular and critically acclaimed albums can be mined which certainly made my 1960s Retro charts more interesting from the mid 1960s and will see the likes of Pink Floyd & Led Zeppelin included in these charts

Secondly, I'm imagining that the musical listener had the world wide web available, and was able to locate tracks which originally became hits first in the USA, before becoming hits in the UK, or even worse fell victims to some inferior cover version filling the domestic void. Hence, as a rule I will attempt to chart tracks when they first became hits in either the USA or UK, or highly successful international hits in Europe and Australia; as well as charting tracks which were only hits in the USA and flopped or were never released in the UK ....

[raliverpool]

03/01/1970

01 Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (3wks 9-1-1)
02 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (2wks 15-2)
03 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (5wks 22-12-6-3-3)
04 BJ Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (5wks 18-5-2-2-4)
05 Jacksons - I Want You Back (5wks 21-10-7-5-5)
06 King Crimson - Epitaph (3wks 24-12-6)
07 Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry - All I Have To Do Is Dream (3wks 17-10-7)
08 Blue Mink - Melting Pot (5wks 24-16-10-8-8)
09 Beatles - The Abbey Road Medley (6wks 18-3-1-1-4-9)
10 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (2wks 18-10)

11 Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (4wks 30-19-13-11)
12 Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (5wks 26-22-16-14-12)
13 Neil Diamond - Holly Holy (6wks 32-20-15-12-11-13)
14 Peter Paul & Mary - Leaving On A Jet Plane (7wks 24-17-12-6-5-7-14)
15 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (8wks 21-11-5-2-2-3-6-15)
16 Stevie Wonder - Yester Me Yester You Yesterday (7wks 18-11-9-4-4-9-16)
17 Shocking Blue - Venus (2wks 23-17)
18 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1wk 18 NEW)
19 Tommy Roe - Jam Up Jelly Tight (3wks 32-25-19)
20 Crow - Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me (3wks 36-27-20)

21 Rolf Harris - Two Little Boys (4wks 38-30-20-21)
22 Tom Jones - Without Love (There Is Nothing) (2wks 28-22)
23 Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers (5wks 28-19-15-16-23)
24 Dave Clark Five - Good Old Rock'n'Roll (4wks 27-25-22-24)
25 Santana - Soul Sacrifice (5wks 32-23-21-21-25)
26 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (1wk 26 NEW)
27 Tim Buckley - Blue Melody (3wks 37-31-27)
28 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Janis Joplin - Kozmic Blues (6wks 23-14-7-8-17-29)
30 Mel & Tim - Backfield In Motion (6wks 21-15-13-13-19-30)

31 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (1wk 31 NEW)
32 Lulu - Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby) (7wks 38-29-23-21-22-24-32)
33 Moody Blues - Watching and Waiting (5wks 31-26-26-29-33)
34 Bobby Sherman - La La La (2wks 40-34)
35 Nina Simone - To Be Young, Gifted And Black (4wks 37-31-32-35)
36 Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - The Onion Song (2wks 39-36)
37 Lou Christie - She Sold Me Magic (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band - She Belongs To Me (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Georgie Fame - Seventh Son (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Beatles - Something (10wks 7-3-1-1-1-1-3-11-26-40)

The first chart of the 1970s sees the Rolling Stones ahead of the Beatles with Led Zeppelin in the bronze position .... compare the quality of those musical acts to today ..... Elsewhere seven new entries from:

• The Jimmy Miller produced blues pop lazy sounding title track of the London group's latest long player written by Mick Jagger & Keith Richards.
  
• The second track on the second album by the blues rock quartet. This Jimmy Page produced track was written by the guitarist, with singer Robert Plant.
  
• Taken from the Mod singer's album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down, is this cover of the Mike D'Abo penned track which was released as a single but failed to chart at the time. Of course after his career took off less than two years later it has become a staple of his sets.
  
• This wonderfully odd jazz instrumental fusion track was written and produced by Frank Zappa and taken from his "Hot Rats" album.
  
• The Pennsylvania born Italian-American musician/songwriter reached UK #25 with this British only release.
  
• The early 1960s USA teen idol singer/actor turns to country music with this USA #33 cover of a Bob Dylan song, featuring Randy Meisner; Don Henley & Glen Frey who went on to form the Eagles.
  
• This UK #25 jazz cover of the 1955 Willie Dixon composition gave the rhythm & blues pianist and singer born Clive Powell his penultimate chart hit.
  

[raliverpool]

10/01/1970

01 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (3wks 15-2-1)

02 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (6wks 22-12-6-3-3-2)
03 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (6wks 21-10-7-5-5-3)
04 Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (4wks 9-1-1-4)
05 King Crimson - Epitaph (4wks 24-12-6-5)
06 Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry - All I Have To Do Is Dream (4wks 17-10-7-6)
07 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (3wks 18-10-7)
08 BJ Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (6wks 18-5-2-2-4-8)
09 Shocking Blue - Venus (3wks 23-17-9)
10 Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (6wks 26-22-16-14-12-10)

11 Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (5wks 30-19-13-11-11)
12 Blue Mink - Melting Pot (6wks 24-16-10-8-8-12)
13 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (2wks 18-13)
14 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (2wks 26-14)
15 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Tommy Roe - Jam Up Jelly Tight (4wks 32-25-19-16)
17 Beatles - The Abbey Road Medley (7wks 18-3-1-1-4-9-17)
18 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (2wks 31-18)
19 Neil Diamond - Holly Holy (7wks 32-20-15-12-11-13-19)
20 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (2wks 28-20)

21 Tom Jones - Without Love (There Is Nothing) (3wks 28-22-21)
22 Crow - Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me (4wks 36-27-20-22)
23 Delaney & Bonnie - Comin' Home (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (1wk 24 NEW)
25 Peter Paul & Mary - Leaving On A Jet Plane (8wks 24-17-12-6-5-7-14-25)
26 Tim Buckley - Blue Melody (4wks 37-31-27-26)
27 Stevie Wonder - Yester Me Yester You Yesterday (8wks 18-11-9-4-4-9-16-27)
28 Rolf Harris - Two Little Boys (5wks 38-30-20-21-28)
29 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (1wk 29 NEW)
30 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son (9wks 21-11-5-2-2-3-6-15-30)

31 Dave Clark Five - Good Old Rock'n'Roll (5wks 27-25-22-24-31)
32 Bobby Sherman - La La La (3wks 40-34-32)
33 Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers (6wks 28-19-15-16-23-33)
34 Cilla Black - If I Thought You'd Change Your Mind (1wk 34 NEW)
35 Santana - Soul Sacrifice (6wks 32-23-21-21-25-35)
36 Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band - She Belongs To Me (2wks 38-36)
37 Kinks - Victoria (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Syd Barrett - Dark Globe (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Melodians - Sweet Sensation (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Pickney Gal (1wk 40 NEW)

Liverpool's Fab Four score their 21st Retro Rewind Chart topper with the George Harrison penned Abbey Road album track. Nine new entries this week from:

• Written by the Scottish pop group's lead guitarist Junior Campbell with singer Dean Ford, this Holliesesque harmonic pop song reached UK #3 & USA #10.
• The American musical blue eyed soul/rock duo were singers and songwriters Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. This track co-written with former Blind Faith guitarist Eric Clapton reached UK #16 with this Jimmy Miller produced effort released on Atlantic records.
• This USA #6 & UK #8 ballad hit was written by country rock songwriter Mac David for the King of Rock & Roll.
  
• Originally written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, it reached UK #1 in 1969 for Bobbie Gentry, before this pop soul cover by the Burt Bacharach's favourite in house singer became the most successful version in the USA peaking at #6. It was produced by Bacharach & David.
• Written by John Cameron for the Liverpudlian singer turned entertainer. This George Martin produced effort reached UK #20. It was later covered by Agnetha Fältskog in her first recording in 17 years in 2004.
• Ray Davies satirically penned melodic rock track taken from his group's Arthur ... concept album became a minor hit reaching UK #33 & USA #62. It was later covered by The Fall.
  
• The former lead singer/songwriter of Pink Floyd released this track from his debut album The Madcap Laughs produced by the group's David Gilmour & Roger Waters. This much covered surreal folk song is also known as "Wouldn't You Miss Me".
  
• The rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica reached UK #41 with this Trojan release.
  
• The final single released before the reggae rockstead star from Jamaica went solo peaked at UK #42.
  

 

[raliverpool]

17/01/1970

01 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (4wks 15-2-1-1)
02 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (7wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2)
03 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (7wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3)
04 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (4wks 18-10-7-4)
05 Shocking Blue - Venus (4wks 23-17-9-5)
06 King Crimson - Epitaph (5wks 24-12-6-5-6)
07 Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry - All I Have To Do Is Dream (5wks 17-10-7-6-7)
08 Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (5wks 9-1-1-4-8)
09 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (2wks 15-9)
10 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (3wks 26-14-10)

11 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (3wks 18-13-11)
12 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (3wks 31-18-12)
13 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (3wks 28-20-13)
14 Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (7wks 26-22-16-14-12-10-14)
15 Delaney & Bonnie - Comin' Home (2wks 23-15)
16 BJ Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (7wks 18-5-2-2-4-8-16)
17 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (2wks 24-17)
18 Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (6wks 30-19-13-11-11-18)
19 Tommy Roe - Jam Up Jelly Tight (5wks 32-25-19-16-19)
20 Badfinger - Come & Get It (1wk 20 NEW)

21 Arrival - Friends (1wk 21 NEW)
22 Blue Mink - Melting Pot (7wks 24-16-10-8-8-12-22)
23 Kinks - Victoria (2wks 37-23)
24 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (2wks 29-24)
25 Tom Jones - Without Love (There Is Nothing) (4wks 28-22-21-25)
26 Chicago - I'm A Man (1wk 26 NEW)
27 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (1wk 27 NEW)
28 Beatles - The Abbey Road Medley (8wks 18-3-1-1-4-9-17-28)
29 Neil Diamond - Holly Holy (8wks 32-20-15-12-11-13-19-29)
30 Tim Buckley - Blue Melody (5wks 37-31-27-26-30)

31 Crow - Evil Woman Don't Play Your Games With Me (5wks 36-27-20-22-31)
32 Mark Lindsay - Arizona (1wk 32 NEW)
33 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Cilla Black - If I Thought You'd Change Your Mind (2wks 34-34)
35 Bobby Sherman - La La La (4wks 40-34-32-35)
36 Peter Paul & Mary - Leaving On A Jet Plane (9wks 24-17-12-6-5-7-14-25-36)
37 Joe Cocker - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band - She Belongs To Me (3wks 38-36-38)
39 Vanity Fair - Hitchin' A Ride (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Fairport Convention - Matty Groves (1wk 40 NEW)

Another week with nine new entries coming from:

• This Paul McCartney composition was rejected by John Lennon & George Harrison for Abbey Road, so Paul got the half Swansea, half Liverpool beat quartet record it on Apple records produced by the Beatles bassist. It subsequently reached UK #4 & USA #7.
  
• The London-based close-harmony pop-rock band featuring singers originally from Liverpool reached UK #8 with this Terry Reid penned track. It featured Dyan Birch on lead vocals.
• This jazz rock fused cover of the Spencer Davis Group's hit reached USA #49 & UK #8 for the group named after their home city.
  
• This taut funk sounding USA #1 was as ever written and produced by Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone). It was famously "ripped off" by the title track of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation album, resulting in a plagiarism lawsuit ... However, brother Michael bought up Sly Stone's publishing much to the chagrin of the original songwriter!
  
• The Oregan born lead singer for Paul Revere & the Raiders scored a solo USA #10 hit written by Kenny Young for his muse Clodagh Rodgers who first recorded it in 1969. This hippie track was recorded by Jerry Fuller.
  
• Written, produced and arranged by the Atlanta born country folk singer it reached USA #12.
• The Sheffield born blue eyed soul singer's take on the Paul McCartney penned Abbey Roads album cut reached USA #30.
  
• Written by songwriters Mitch Murray and Peter Callander it reached UK #16 & USA #5 for the Kent formed group. It was later covered by Sinitta.
• Taken from the seminal folk album Liege And Lief. This was a reworking of a traditional folk song dating back to the early 17th century featuring Sandy Denny's vocals.
  

[Earl Purple]

I was 4 years and 9 months at the time and do remember hearing Sugar Sugar on the radio a lot and remember Two Little Boys though not sure if it was exactly at the time it was in the charts.

This is clearly an era in which many of the best tracks are left on albums and one of my plans when I complete retro charts is get to listen to some more classic albums, either in full or expose myself to some of the tracks from them.

I guess in the next month we'll see if the Tony Burrows chart takeover bid has any impact on your chart whatsoever.

[raliverpool]

24/01/1970

01 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (8wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2-1)

02 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (8wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2)
03 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (5wks 15-2-1-1-3)
04 Shocking Blue - Venus (5wks 23-17-9-5-4)
05 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (3wks 15-9-5)
06 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (5wks 18-10-7-4-6)
07 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (4wks 26-14-10-7)
08 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (4wks 28-20-13-8)
09 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (4wks 31-18-12-9)
10 Delaney & Bonnie - Comin' Home (3wks 23-15-10)

11 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (4wks 18-13-11-11)
12 Kinks - Victoria (3wks 37-23-12)
13 King Crimson - Epitaph (6wks 24-12-6-5-6-13)
14 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (3wks 24-17-14)
15 Arrival - Friends (2wks 21-15)
16 Badfinger - Come & Get It (2wks 20-16)
17 Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry - All I Have To Do Is Dream (6wks 17-10-7-6-7-17)
18 Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (6wks 9-1-1-4-8-18)
19 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (2wks 27-19)
20 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (3wks 29-24-20)

21 Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (8wks 26-22-16-14-12-10-14-21)
22 Chicago - I'm A Man (2wks 26-22)
23 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (2wks 33-24)
25 Tommy Roe - Jam Up Jelly Tight (6wks 32-25-19-16-19-25)
26 Mark Lindsay - Arizona (2wks 32-26)
27 BJ Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (8wks 18-5-2-2-4-8-16-27)
28 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Fairport Convention - Matty Groves (2wks 40-29)
30 Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (7wks 30-19-13-11-11-18-30)

31 Tom Jones - Without Love (There Is Nothing) (5wks 28-22-21-25-31)
32 Joe Cocker - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (2wks 37-32)
33 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Cilla Black - If I Thought You'd Change Your Mind (3wks 34-34-34)
35 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (1wk 35 NEW)
36 Blue Mink - Melting Pot (8wks 24-16-10-8-8-12-22-36)
37 Murray Head - Superstar (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Vanity Fair - Hitchin' A Ride (2wks 39-38)
39 Wilbert Harrison - Let's Work Together (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Beatles - The Abbey Road Medley (9wks 18-3-1-1-4-9-17-28-40)

The hard blues rock track partially adapted from Willie Dixon's "You Need Love" gives the legendary English rock band their maiden retro rewind chart topper. I suspect it wont be their last....

Elsewhere, six new entries arrive from:

• The London pop band featuring the lead vocals of Tony Burrows. This UK #1 & USA #5 (and top ten throughout the world) hit written by Tony Macaulay, Barry Mason, and Sylvan Whittingham had first first been offered to and turned down by The Grass Roots. Famously on one 1970 episode of Top Of The Pops Tony Burrows sung lead vocals on three of the booked performing acts.
  
• The Chicago born jazz, blues, soul and gospel singer's debut  near 7 minutes release on Atlantic records telling this tale of alcoholism reached USA #87. But has become known as a soul classic.
  
• The Virginia born American R&B soul singer reached USA #2 & UK #4 (in 1974). This cover of the 1963 Ruby & The Romantic USA hit featured the singer's distinctive falsetto.
  
• This initially stand alone single reached UK #4 for Ian Anderson's English progressive folk rock outfit.
  
• The London born actor and singer recording of the Andrew Lloyd-Webber & Tim Rice recording from the Rock Opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" sung as the character of Judas Iscariot initially reached USA #74. However, it faired much better after the musical opened on Broadway reaching a chart peak of USA #14 in June 1971.
  
• The 41 year old rhythm & blues singer and pianist (most famous for 1959's "Kansas City") reached USA #32 with his self penned effort, soon to be covered by Canned Heat, and later Bryan Ferry.
  

[raliverpool]

31/01/1970

01 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (9wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2-1-1)
02 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (9wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2-2)
03 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (4wks 15-9-5-3)
04 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (2wks 23-4)
05 Kinks - Victoria (4wks 37-23-12-5)
06 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (6wks 15-2-1-1-3-6)
07 Shocking Blue - Venus (6wks 23-17-9-5-4-7)
08 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (5wks 28-20-13-8-8)
09 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (5wks 31-18-12-9-9)
10 Arrival - Friends (3wks 21-15-10)

11 Badfinger - Come & Get It (3wks 20-16-11)
12 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (3wks 27-19-12)
13 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (4wks 24-17-14-13)
14 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (5wks 26-14-10-7-14)
15 Delaney & Bonnie - Comin' Home (4wks 23-15-10-15)
16 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (6wks 18-10-7-4-6-16)
17 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (3wks 33-24-17)
18 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (4wks 29-24-20-18)
19 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (5wks 18-13-11-11-19)
20 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (2wks 28-20)

21 Fairport Convention - Matty Groves (3wks 40-29-21)
22 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (2wks 35-22)
23 Mark Lindsay - Arizona (3wks 32-26-23)
24 Chicago - I'm A Man (3wks 26-22-24)
25 King Crimson - Epitaph (7wks 24-12-6-5-6-13-25)
26 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (2wks 33-26)
27 Joe Cocker - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (3wks 37-32-27)
28 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Murray Head - Superstar (2wks 37-29)
30 Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (7wks 9-1-1-4-8-18-30)

31 Scott Walker - The Old Man's Back Again (9wks 26-22-16-14-12-10-14-21-31)
32 Glen Campbell & Bobbie Gentry - All I Have To Do Is Dream (7wks 17-10-7-6-7-17-32)
33 Mary Hopkin - Temma Harbour (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Tommy Roe - Jam Up Jelly Tight (7wks 32-25-19-16-19-25-34)
35 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (1wk 35 NEW)
36 Guess Who - No Time (1wk 36 NEW)
37 Creedence Clearwater Revival - The Midnight Special (1wk 37 NEW)
38 5th Dimension - Blowing Away (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Tom Jones - Without Love (There Is Nothing) (6wks 28-22-21-25-31-39)
40 BJ Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (9wks 18-5-2-2-4-8-16-27-40)

Six more new entries in this week from:

• The title track of the twelfth studio album by the Motown vocal group. This was written by Barrett Strong with producer Norman Whitfield going for a harder Sly & The Family Stone sound. It reached USA #7 (R&B #2) & UK #33.
• The Welsh born Opportunity Knocks winner's latest single was a non album semi calypso adult contemporary recording which reached UK #6 & USA 39.
  
• The Kingston, Jamaica born singer and bassist reached UK #14 on Trojan records with this reggae classic which made him a one hit wonder for 16 years.
  
• This "Dear John" type pop rock song was composed by guitarist Randy Bachman and lead singer Burton Cummings. It gave the Canadian group a native #1 hit and crossed the border to peak at USA #5.
• This reworking of the traditional country blues song made famous by Lead Belly, was culled from John Fogerty's group's Willy And The Poorboys album.
  
• The American sunshine pop group's latest cover of a Laura Nyro composition peaked at USA #21. It featured on their 1969 album, The Age of Aquarius.
  

[raliverpool]

07/02/1970

01 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (3wks 23-4-1)

02 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (5wks 15-9-5-3-2)
03 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (10wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2-2-3)
04 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (10wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2-1-1-4)
05 Kinks - Victoria (5wks 37-23-12-5-5)
06 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (4wks 27-19-12-6)
07 Badfinger - Come & Get It (4wks 20-16-11-7)
08 Arrival - Friends (4wks 21-15-10-8)
09 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (6wks 28-20-13-8-8-9)
10 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (6wks 31-18-12-9-9-10)

11 Shocking Blue - Venus (7wks 23-17-9-5-4-7-11)
12 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (7wks 15-2-1-1-3-6-12)
13 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (4wks 33-24-17-13)
14 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (3wks 35-22-14)
15 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (3wks 28-20-15)
16 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (5wks 24-17-14-13-16)
17 Fairport Convention - Matty Groves (4wks 40-29-21-17)
18 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (5wks 29-24-20-18-18)
19 Mary Hopkin - Temma Harbour (2wks 33-19)
20 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (2wks 28-20)

21 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (3wks 33-26-21)
22 Guess Who - No Time (2wks 36-22)
23 Mark Lindsay - Arizona (4wks 32-26-23-23)
24 Murray Head - Superstar (3wks 37-29-24)
25 Delaney & Bonnie - Comin' Home (5wks 23-15-10-15-25)
26 Led Zeppelin - What Is and What Should Never Be (6wks 26-14-10-7-14-26)
27 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (2wks 35-27)
28 Chicago - I'm A Man (4wks 26-22-24-28)
29 Joe Cocker - She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (4wks 37-32-27-29)
30 Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross (7wks 18-10-7-4-6-16-30)

31 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (1wk 31 NEW)
32 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (1wk 32 NEW)
33 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travellin' Band (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (6wks 18-13-11-11-19-34)
35 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (1wk 35 NEW)
36 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (1wk 36 NEW)
37 Herman's Hermit's - Years May Come Years May Go (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Byrds - Jesus Is Just Alright (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Bobbie Gentry - Fancy (1wk 40 NEW)

The memorable singalong pop classic featuring Tony Burrows vocals tops my Retro Rewind chart.

Elsewhere nine more new entries from:

• The song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by the American country music artist from his album Try a Little Kindness. Whilst it only reached USA #19, it faired much better elsewhere including a UK #4 peak.
• This blues song written by West coast blues musician Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell in 1951, was covered by the Blues guitarist resulting in a Grammy Winning USA #15 (R&B #3) hit.
• This rock'n'roll revival track written by John Fogerty resulted in a plagiarism case with Little Richard’s "Good Golly, Miss Molly" resulting in an out of court settlement. It reached USA #2 & UK #8.
  
• The controversial and lengthy near 7 minute bluesy Let It Bleed album cut written by Jagger & Richards which became a staple of their live concerts in the 1970s.
  
• The Los Angeles blues rock group cover of the Wilbert Harrison song became a big hit in the UK & Europe. Hence it reached UK #2 and only USA #26.
  
• The Mickie Most produced easy listening pop song written by André Popp and Jack Fishman peaked at UK #7 for the Manchester group.
  
• The other side of the Swamp Rock group's current single was a more laid back and melodic folk rock effort.
  
• The Californian country rock group's cover of this 1966 The Art Reynolds Singers original was a minor hit, making USA #97, and taken from the album Ballad of Easy Rider.
  
• The country songwriter born Roberta Lee Streeter scored a USA #31 hit with this self penned Woman's Lib tale of its heroine overcoming poverty to become a successful courtesan.

[raliverpool]

14/02/1970

01 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (4wks 23-4-1-1)
02 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (5wks 27-19-12-6-2)
03 Kinks - Victoria (6wks 37-23-12-5-5-3)
04 Badfinger - Come & Get It (5wks 20-16-11-7-4)
05 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (4wks 35-22-14-5)
06 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (6wks 15-9-5-3-2-6)
07 Arrival - Friends (5wks 21-15-10-8-7)
08 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (11wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2-2-3-8)
09 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (2wks 32-9)
10 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (4wks 28-20-15-10)

11 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band (2wks 33-11)
12 Guess Who - No Time (3wks 36-22-12)
13 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (2wks 35-13)
14 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (11wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2-1-1-4-14)
15 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (3wks 28-20-16)
17 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (5wks 33-24-17-13-17)
18 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (7wks 31-18-12-9-9-10-18)
19 Mary Hopkin - Temma Harbour (3wks 33-19-19)
20 Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags (7wks 28-20-13-8-8-9-20)

21 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (3wks 35-27-21)
22 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (2wks 38-22)
23 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (4wks 33-26-21-23)
24 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (2wks 31-24)
25 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (2wks 36-25)
26 Shocking Blue - Venus (8wks 23-17-9-5-4-7-11-26)
27 Murray Head - Superstar (4wks 37-29-24-27)
28 Fairport Convention - Matty Groves (5wks 40-29-21-17-28)
29 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (1wk 29 NEW)
30 Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again (6wks 29-24-20-18-18-30)

31 Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (8wks 15-2-1-1-3-6-12-31)
32 Herman's Hermits - Years May Come Years May Go (2wks 37-32)
33 Mark Lindsay - Arizona (5wks 32-26-23-23-33)
34 Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy (6wks 24-17-14-13-16-34)
35 Bobbie Gentry - Fancy (2wks 40-35)
36 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (1wk 36 NEW)
37 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Jethro Tull - Teacher (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Peddlers - Girlie (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Robin Gibb - August October (1wk 40 NEW)

A new chart with seven Retro Rewind hits from:

• The #1 nearly everywhere title track of the 45 year old equivalent to Adele's 21 album. Paul Simon wrote this soft rock gospel hymn track after meeting up with John Lennon, who played him a tape of the then edited but unreleased Beatles "Get Back" album (which became "Let It Be" after Phil Spector got his hands on it and ruined it). As Paul Simon was especially taken by a hymn like Paul McCartney composition ... which you'll be hearing about very very soon.
  
• The soul ballad flip-side to the current USA #1 hit single, written and produced by Sly Stone, and taken from the San Francisco group's forthcoming "Greatest Hits" album.
  
• Written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, this studio group who evolved out of The Flower Pot Men featured Tony Burrows on lead vocals reached UK #9 & USA #13.
• Written by Tony Joe White in 1962 and popularized by the early 1960s R&B vocalist with the deep voice; it became a USA #4 (R&B #1) hit.
• The lesser played Double AA side of the Progressive folk rock group's UK #5 hit was again an Ian Anderson composition.
  
• The Manchester based jazz trio reached UK #34 with their third and final UK chart single.
  
• The (then) estranged Bee Gee latest solo effort was the second and the last song released from the album Robin's Reign. It peaked at a lowly UK #45, although it went top 20 in many European charts.
  

[raliverpool]

21/02/1970

01 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (6wks 27-19-12-6-2-1)

02 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (2wks 15-2)
03 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (5wks 23-4-1-1-3)
04 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (3wks 32-9-4)
05 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (5wks 35-22-14-5-5)
06 Badfinger - Come & Get It (6wks 20-16-11-7-4-6)
07 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (1wk 7 NEW)
08 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (5wks 28-20-15-10-8)
09 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band (9wks 33-11-9)
10 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (3wks 35-13-10)

11 Guess Who - No Time (4wks 36-22-12-11)
12 Kinks - Victoria (7wks 37-23-12-5-5-3-12)
13 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (4wks 28-20-16-13)
14 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (3wks 38-22-14)
15 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (2wks 29-15)
16 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (7wks 15-9-5-3-2-6-16)
17 Arrival - Friends (6wks 21-15-10-8-7-17)
18 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (3wks 31-24-18)
19 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (3wks 36-25-19)
20 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (4wks 35-27-21-20)

21 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (2wks 37-21)
22 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (12wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2-2-3-8-22)
23 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Santana - Evil Ways (1wk 24 NEW)
25 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (1wk 25 NEW)
26 Mary Hopkin - Temma Harbour (4wks 33-19-19-26)
27 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (5wks 33-26-21-23-27)
28 Joe South - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (6wks 33-24-17-13-17-28)
29 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (2wks 36-29)
30 Band - Rag Mama Rag (1wk 30 NEW)

31 Herman's Hermits - Years May Come Years May Go (3wks 37-32-31)
32 Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (12wks 22-12-6-3-3-2-2-1-1-4-14-32)
33 Rare Bird - Sympathy (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Jaggerz - The Rapper (1wk 34 NEW)
35 Murray Head - Superstar (5wks 37-29-24-27-35)
36 Frank Zappa - Peaches en Regalia (8wks 31-18-12-9-9-10-18-36)
37 Bobbie Gentry - Fancy (3wks 40-35-37)
38 Pentangle - Light Flight (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Spirit - 1984 (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Shocking Blue - Venus (9wks 23-17-9-5-4-7-11-26-40)

The 4th Retro Rewind #1 for the San Francisco mixed race mixed sex psychedelic soul rock group is one of the funkiest records ever recorded ... Thanks in part to Larry Graham's bass. The influence on Stevie Wonder 1970s output; Earth Wind & Fire; Parliament with George Clinton & Bootsy Collins; and of course Prince can be heard in these grooves.... Elsewhere nine new entries from:

• The UK #5 & USA #3 hit was written, recorded and released within a period of ten days, making it one of the fastest-released songs in pop music history. The recording was produced by Phil Spector, marking a comeback for the American producer after his self-imposed retirement in 1966, and leading to him being offered the producer's role on the Beatles' Let It Be album. Recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios, this recording employs Spector's signature Wall of Sound technique and features contributions from George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Alan White and Billy Preston.
• The debut Invictus records release produced and written (under the pseudonym Edythe Wayne Ron Funbar due to their ongoing "divorce" from Motown) by Holland-Dozier-Holland. This debut single by the Detroit soul group reached #3 in both the USA & UK. It would later chart one place higher in the UK via a Kylie Minogue cover version.
  
• Written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry and originally recorded by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo on his 1967 album, Bobo Motion. This cover version by the San Francisco jazz rock fusion group reached USA #9 taken from their 1969 debut "Santana".
• The II album folk rock cut was written by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant. It has been covered by Tori Amos, and infamously used as the title of Duran Duran's 1995 covers album.
  
• Taken from the Canadian Roots Rock group's second album "The Band". This uptempo Robbie Robertson composition featuring Levon Helm's lead vocals reached USA #57 & UK #16.
  
• The English progressive rock group signed to Charism records, only reached UK #27 with this organ led composition. However it fared far better in Europe selling over 1 million copies including topping the charts in France & Italy. It was later covered by Marillion.
  
• The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania R&B/rock group peaked at USA #2 on Neil Bogart's Kama Sutra Records. It was written by band member Dominic Ierace, better known as Donnie Iris.
• The English folk-rock group fronted by Jacqui McShee reached UK #43 with the group's (Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Danny Thompson, Terry Cox, and Jacqui McShee) written effort produced by Shel Talmy.
  
• The Los Angeles jazz fusion/hard rock group's USA #69 single was written and produced by the band's singer & lead guitarist Randy California.
  

[vastar iner]

There was a video for "Peaches En Regalia" that MTV used to show, can't find it anywhere now. Basically a montage of Zappa images.

The quality did not instantly fall off as the sixties ended. There is still some great stuff there. And the sheer oddity of Jethro Tull being the biggest act on the planet for a brief while...

[raliverpool]

28/02/1970

01 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (3wks 15-2-1)

02 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (7wks 27-19-12-6-2-1-2)
03 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (2wks 7-3)
04 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (4wks 32-9-4-4)
05 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (6wks 23-4-1-1-3-5)
06 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (3wks 29-15-6)
07 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (6wks 28-20-15-10-8-7)
08 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band (4wks 33-11-9-8)
09 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (6wks 35-22-14-5-5-9)
10 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (4wks 38-22-14-10)

11 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (4wks 35-13-10-11)
12 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (4wks 31-24-18-12)
13 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (5wks 28-20-16-13-13)
14 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (2wks 25-14)
15 Badfinger - Come & Get It (7wks 20-16-11-7-4-6-15)
16 Guess Who - No Time (5wks 36-22-12-11-16)
17 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (3wks 37-21-17)
18 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (2wks 23-18)
19 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (4wks 36-25-19-19)
20 Santana - Evil Ways (2wks 24-20)

21 Band - Rag Mama Rag (2wks 30-21)
22 Rare Bird - Sympathy (2wks 33-22)
23 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (5wks 35-27-21-20-23)
24 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (3wks 36-29-24)
25 Brotherhood Of Man - United We Stand (1wk 25 NEW)
26 Kinks - Victoria (8wks 37-23-12-5-5-3-12-26)
27 Jaggerz - The Rapper (2wks 34-27)
28 Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Tee Set - Ma Belle Amie (1wk 29 NEW)
30 Marmalade - Reflections Of My Life (8wks 15-9-5-3-2-6-16-30)

31 Herman's Hermits - Years May Come Years May Go (4wks 37-32-31-31)
32 Eddie Holman - Hey There Lonely Girl (6wks 33-26-21-23-27-32)
33 Simon & Garfunkel - Keep The Customer Satisfied (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (1wk 34 NEW)
35 Arrival - Friends (7wks 21-15-10-8-7-17-35)
36 Pentangle - Light Flight (2wks 38-36)
37 Mary Hopkin - Temma Harbour (5wks 33-19-19-26-37)
38 Mama Cass - New World Coming (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Cliff Richard & Hank Marvin - The Joy Of Living (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (13wks 21-10-7-5-5-3-3-2-2-3-8-22-40)

Paul Simon's epic musical hymn sung by Art Garfunkel claims an inevitable top spot on my chart.... Elsewhere seven Retro Rewind entries from:

• Songwriter and producer Tony Hiller formed The Brotherhood of Man in 1969 from a selection of session-singers and songwriters. This optimistic track (featuring a "Trigger's Broom" pre 1976 ESC lineup of his co-writer John Goodison with (the ubiquitous) Tony Burrows, Roger Greenaway, Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie) reached UK #10 & USA #13. 
• Featuring pianist Ronnie Milsap and written by Eddie Rabbitt and Dick Heard, this country pop track reached USA #16 & UK #21.
• This Dutch pop group enjoyed European success with this recording which topped their national charts. However, it also became a substantial hit in the USA peaking at #5.
  
• The flip side to the title track of the New York folk pop duo's final studio album, this Paul Simon composition about trying to please his music audience was an uptempo affair resulting in a handful of cover versions.
  
• The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania soul group's USA #10 & UK #22 hit was co-written and produced by Thom Bell. Two decades later it was musically mangled by New Kids On The Block.
• The sunshine pop song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil peaked at USA #42 for Cass Elliot. Alas it would be her last sizeable hit of her career before she died in 1974 aged 32 after playing the London Palladium in the flat loaned from US singer songwriter Harry Nilsson. (Four years later The Who's Keith Moon died at the same age in the same flat!)
  
• This collaboration between Britain's answer to Elvis Presley & the Shadows main guitarist was an interesting sounding psychedelic Beatlesque gospel rock affair. Alas it only reached UK #25.
  

[raliverpool]

07/03/1970

01 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (4wks 15-2-1-1)
02 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (3wks 7-3-2)
03 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (4wks 29-15-6-3)
04 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (3wks 25-14-4)
05 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (8wks 27-19-12-6-2-1-2-5)
06 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (5wks 32-9-4-4-6)
07 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (5wks 38-22-14-10-7)
08 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (5wks 31-24-18-12-8)
09 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (3wks 23-18-9)
10 Band - Rag Mama Rag (3wks 30-21-10)

11 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (7wks 28-20-15-10-8-7-11)
12 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (4wks 37-21-17-12)
13 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band (5wks 33-11-9-8-13)
14 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (7wks 23-4-1-1-3-5-14)
15 Rare Bird - Sympathy (3wks 33-22-15)
16 Santana - Evil Ways (3wks 24-20-16)
17 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (5wks 35-13-10-11-17)
18 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (7wks 35-22-14-5-5-9-18)
19 Brotherhood Of Man - United We Stand (2wks 25-19)
20 Cliff Richard & Hank Marvin - The Joy Of Living (2wks 39-20)

21 Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (2wks 28-21)
22 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (4wks 36-29-24-22)
23 Jaggerz - The Rapper (3wks 34-27-23)
24 Temptations - Psychedelic Shack (6wks 28-20-16-13-13-24)
25 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (5wks 36-25-19-19-25)
26 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (2wks 34-26)
27 Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling (1wk 27 NEW)
28 Black Sabbath - Evil Woman (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Tee Set - Ma Belle Amie (2wks 29-29)
30 Aretha Franklin - Call Me (1wk 30 NEW)

31 Boris Gardiner - Elizabethan Reggae (6wks 35-27-21-20-23-31)
32 Guess Who - No Time (6wks 36-22-12-11-16-32)
33 Badfinger - Come & Get It (8wks 20-16-11-7-4-6-15-33)
34 Simon & Garfunkel - Keep The Customer Satisfied (2wks 33-34)
35 Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is A Lonely Sound (1wk 35 NEW)
36 Mama Cass - New World Coming (2wks 38-36)
37 Rod Stewart - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Herman's Hermits - Years May Come Years May Go (5wks 37-32-31-31-38)
39 Carpenters - Ticket To Ride (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (1wk 40 NEW)

Seven Retro Rewind new entries come from:

• The put together studio London pop group signed to Pye records Fronted by singer Polly Brown. This UK #5 & USA #67 was written by Tony Macaulay and John Macleod.
  
• The debut single on Vertigo records by the West Midlands seminal hard rock group was a cover of the USA group Crow's 1969 #19 hit.
  
• This self-penned soulful hit on Atlantic records was produced by Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd and Arif Mardin. It peaked at USA #13 (R&B #1).
  
• The elder brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations, reached UK #8 with this Motown release which failed to trouble the Billboard singles charts. This soulful track was written by Motown staff songwriters James Dean & William Weatherspoon.
• The title track of the debut solo album by the former Jeff Beck group singer known within the music industry as "Rod The Mod" with this rather fine self penned folk rock recording.
  
• Brother & pianist/arranger Richard and Sister & singer/drummer Karen debut release on A&M records was a classy USA #54 easy listening take on the Lennon & McCartney 1965 chart topping single.
  
• This reworking of the Youngbloods 1969 USA #5 hit gave London's DC5 their final UK Top 30 entry peaking at UK #8.
  

[raliverpool]

14/03/1970

01 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (5wks 15-2-1-1-1)
02 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (4wks 7-3-2-2)
03 Beatles - Let It Be (1wk 3 NEW)
04 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (4wks 25-14-4-4)
05 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (6wks 38-22-14-10-7-5)
06 Band - Rag Mama Rag (4wks 30-21-10-6)
07 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (4wks 23-18-9-7)
08 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (5wks 29-15-6-3-8)
09 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (6wks 31-24-18-12-8-9)
10 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (5wks 37-21-17-12-10)

11 Santana - Evil Ways (4wks 24-20-16-11)
12 Rare Bird - Sympathy (4wks 33-22-15-12)
13 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (6wks 32-9-4-4-6-13)
14 Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling (2wks 27-14)
15 Aretha Franklin - Call Me (2wks 30-15)
16 Brotherhood Of Man - United We Stand (3wks 25-19-16)
17 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (9wks 27-19-12-6-2-1-2-5-17)
18 Cliff Richard & Hank Marvin - The Joy Of Living (3wks 39-20-18)
19 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (3wks 34-26-19)
20 Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (3wks 28-21-20)

21 Rod Stewart - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (2wks 37-21)
22 Jaggerz - The Rapper (4wks 34-27-23-22)
23 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (8wks 28-20-15-10-8-7-11-23)
24 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Travelin' Band (6wks 33-11-9-8-13-24)
25 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (5wks 36-29-24-22-25)
26 Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (2wks 40-26)
27 Black Sabbath - Evil Woman (2wks 28-27)
28 Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is A Lonely Sound (2wks 35-28)
29 Rolling Stones - Midnight Rambler (6wks 35-13-10-11-17-29)
30 Bob & Marcia - Young Gifted And Black (1wk 30 NEW)

31 Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling In Love (1wk 31 NEW)
32 Tee Set - Ma Belle Amie (3wks 29-29-32)
33 Stevie Wonder - Never Had A Dream Come True (1wk 33 NEW)
34 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (8wks 23-4-1-1-3-5-14-34)
35 Carpenters - Ticket To Ride (2wks 39-35)
36 Canned Heat - Let's Work Together (6wks 36-25-19-19-25-36)
37 Jethro Tull - Witches Promise (8wks 35-22-14-5-5-9-18-37)
38 Dave Dee - My Woman's Man (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Jr Walker & the All Stars - Gotta Hold On To This Feeling (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Three Dog Night - Celebrate (1wk 40 NEW)

Seven new entries appear on this week's chart.

• The last single release whilst the Fab Four was a going concern was written by and sung by Paul McCartney. Originally recorded on 31st January 1969 from the aborted "Get Back" sessions. This version is different from the remixed over produced relative abomination which subsequently appeared on the Let It Be album release produced by Phil Spector. It was written in October 1968 after he had a dream about seeing his mother, Mary – who died of cancer when he was 14. It went on to be the best selling single in the world for 1970 topping the charts in most countries including the USA. But in the UK it infamously got stuck at #2.
  
• The Trojan records release by the Jamaican vocal duo, that consisted of Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths reached UK #5 with their cover of the Nina Simone penned black power anthem.
• This pop ballad cover of the 1961 Elvis Presley single, reached a lowly USA #88 for the easy listening singing legend, but in the UK it faired much better peaking at UK #3.
  
• Written by Stevie Wonder and Motown staff songwriters Henry Cosby and Sylvia Moy, this melodic R&B track was a modest hit in the USA reaching #26, but in the UK it faired much better peaking at UK #6.
• The Salisbury, Wiltshire born David John Harman, first solo single after his 1960s successful group had split. This orchestral pop release peaked at UK #42, and after five further non charting singers he become far more successful as the UK Head of A&R for WEA being responsible for signing AC/DC, Boney M and Gary Numan ... Perhaps more importantly he helped set up and run the through the UK music industry charity Nordoff-Robbins. He died of prostrate cancer in 2009 aged 67.
• The Motown saxophonist's USA #21 (R&B #2) single was his penultimate USA top 40 hit. He soon left Motown records as he disagreed with Berry Gordy's decision to move their operation from Detroit to LA. Jr. Walker died of cancer at the age of 64, in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1995.
  
• Vocalists Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, and Chuck Negron shared the leads on the verses of this USA #15 blue eyed soul/rock fusion release written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon.

[raliverpool]

21/03/1970

01 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (6wks 15-2-1-1-1-1)
02 Beatles - Let It Be (2wks 3-2)
03 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (5wks 7-3-2-2-3)
04 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (5wks 25-14-4-4-4)
05 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (5wks 23-18-9-7-5)
06 Band - Rag Mama Rag (5wks 30-21-10-6-6)
07 Aretha Franklin - Call Me (3wks 30-15-7)
08 Santana - Evil Ways (5wks 24-20-16-11-8)
09 Jackson 5 - ABC (1wk 9 NEW)
10 Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling (3wks 27-14-10)

11 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (7wks 38-22-14-10-7-5-11)
12 Rare Bird - Sympathy (5wks 33-22-15-12-12)
13 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (6wks 37-21-17-12-10-13)
14 Rod Stewart - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (3wks 37-21-14)
15 Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky (1wk 15 NEW)
16 Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (3wks 40-26-16)
17 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (4wks 34-26-19-17)
18 Bob & Marcia - Young Gifted And Black (2wks 30-18)
19 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (7wks 31-24-18-12-8-9-19)
20 Brotherhood Of Man - United We Stand (4wks 25-19-16-20)

21 Sly & The Family Stone - Everybody Is A Star (6wks 29-15-6-3-8-21)
22 Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (4wks 28-21-20-22)
23 Stevie Wonder - Never Had A Dream Come True (2wks 33-23)
24 Cliff Richard & Hank Marvin - The Joy Of Living (4wks 39-20-18-24)
25 Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is A Lonely Sound (3wks 35-28-25)
26 Jaggerz - The Rapper (5wks 34-27-23-22-26)
27 Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling In Love (2wks 31-27)
28 Tyrannosaurus Rex - By The Light Of The Magical Moon (1wk 28 NEW)
29 Doors - Waiting for the Sun (1wk 29 NEW)
30 BB King - The Thrill Is Gone (7wks 32-9-4-4-6-13-30)

31 Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Something's Burning (1wk 31 NEW)
32 Tremeloes - By The Way (1wk 32 NEW)
33 Black Sabbath - Evil Woman (3wks 28-27-33)
34 White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin' (6wks 36-29-24-22-25-34)
35 Juicy Lucy - Who Do You Love (1wk 35 NEW)
36 Beach Boys - Add Some Music to Your Day (1wk 36 NEW)
37 Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin) (10wks 27-19-12-6-2-1-2-5-17-37)
38 Frijid Pink - House Of The Rising Sun (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Crosby Stills & Nash - Wooden Ships (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Donny Hathaway - The Ghetto (9wks 28-20-15-10-8-7-11-23-40)

This week sees a quarter of the chart as new entries.....

• Like their debut Motown release, this children family group from Indiana was written and produced by The Corporation (Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell and Deke Richards)... with similar results USA #1 (R&B #1) & UK #8.
  
• The Boston, Massachusetts based singer/songwriter's self penned USA #3 & UK #1 (later taken again to UK #1 by both the anaemic version by Dr. & The Medics, and the blandly unfunny version by Gareth Gates & The Kumars) is largely regarded as a one hit wonder. However, as lead singer of Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band he scored a USA #52 with his composition "The Eggplant that Ate Chicago" www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Lc0Lra9cI
  
• This hypnotic Marc Bolan folk rock composition was mined from the album "A Beard Of Stars". It failed to trouble the UK singles chart, although according to one reference book with a biography on T.Rex it is claimed this Tony Visconti produced single missed out by three positions (i.e. UK #53).
  
• Taken from the Los Angeles acid rock group's bluesy sounding album "Morrison Hotel", this Jim Morrison track harks back to their 1968 sessions from the album "Waiting For The Sun" when the band and Jim Morrison vocally were unable to nail the track until the best part of two years later.
  
• This Mac Davis penned USA #11 & UK #8 psychedelic country track was the title track of the group's 5th studio album.
  
• Like a lot of the East London pop rock group's single releases this of its era recording was written by the group members Alan Blakley & Len Hawkes. This James Taylor meets pre disco Bee Gees esque track only reached UK #35.
  
• The British blues-rock band formed in 1969 after the demise of The Misunderstood. Initially consisting of vocalist Ray Owen, steel guitarist Glenn Ross Campbell, and prolific Blackburn saxophonist Chris Mercer they hit UK #14 with their cover version of the Bo Diddley composition "Who Do You Love?
  
• Written by Brian Wilson, Joe Knott and Mike Love this "Sunflower" album cut this music critics baiting lyrical track peaked at a lowly USA #64, as unsurprisingly a lot of music critics did not like the track.
• The American rock quartet, formed in Detroit reached USA #7 & UK #4 with this reworking of the traditional blues track made famous by the Animals.
• This David Crosby music composition from the folk rock harmony supergroup's debut album had already been recorded by Jefferson Airplane, not least as the lyrics were supplied by the latter group's guitarist Paul Kantner.
  

[raliverpool]

28/03/1970

01 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (7wks 15-2-1-1-1-1-1)
02 Beatles - Let It Be (3wks 3-2-2)
03 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (6wks 7-3-2-2-3-3)
04 Jackson 5 - ABC (2wks 9-4)
05 Aretha Franklin - Call Me (4wks 30-15-7-5)
06 Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky (2wks 15-6)
07 Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (4wks 40-26-16-7)
08 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (6wks 25-14-4-4-4-8)
09 Bob & Marcia - Young Gifted And Black (3wks 30-18-9)
10 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (6wks 23-18-9-7-5-10)

11 Tyrannosaurus Rex - By The Light Of The Magical Moon (2wks 28-11)
12 Santana - Evil Ways (6wks 24-20-16-11-8-12)
13 Rod Stewart - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (4wks 37-21-14-13)
14 Band - Rag Mama Rag (6wks 30-21-10-6-6-14)
15 Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling (4wks 27-14-10-15)
16 Mary Hopkin - Knock Knock Who's There (1wk 16 NEW)
17 Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof (1wk 17 NEW)
18 Doors - Waiting for the Sun (2wks 29-18)
19 Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (1wk 19 NEW)
20 Rare Bird - Sympathy (6wks 33-22-15-12-12-20)

21 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (7wks 37-21-17-12-10-13-21)
22 Stevie Wonder - Never Had A Dream Come True (3wks 33-23-22)
23 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (5wks 34-26-19-17-23)
24 Tremeloes - By The Way (2wks 32-24)
25 Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Something's Burning (2wks 31-25)
26 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop The Rain (8wks 38-22-14-10-7-5-11-26)
27 Juicy Lucy - Who Do You Love (2wks 35-27)
28 Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is A Lonely Sound (4wks 35-28-25-28)
29 Glen Campbell - Honey Come Back (8wks 31-24-18-12-8-9-19-29)
30 Joni Mitchell - Woodstock (1wk 30 NEW)

31 Frijid Pink - House Of The Rising Sun (2wks 38-31)
32 Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling In Love (3wks 31-27-32)
33 Jaggerz - The Rapper (6wks 34-27-23-22-26-33)
34 David Bowie - The Prettiest Star (1wk 34 NEW)
35 Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain (5wks 28-21-20-22-35)
36 Cliff Richard & Hank Marvin - The Joy Of Living (5wks 39-20-18-24-36)
37 Cuff Links - When Julie Comes Around (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Little Sister - You're The One (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Neil Diamond - Shilo (1wk 39 NEW)
40 Brotherhood Of Man - United We Stand (5wks 25-19-16-20-40)

A static top three to match the exact identical USA top three in this week... and eight Retro Rewind new entries ....

• Written and composed by John Carter and Geoff Stephens, and produced by Mickie Most it was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1970 where it came 2nd, equalling its chart peak in the UK ... and South Africa. It also topped the charts in New Zealand and was a top five hit across Europe. The Welsh singer who married record producer Tony Visconti hated this song and much preferred the ESC winning song by Ireland (Dana's "All Kind Of Everything"). Personally, I disagree with her on that.
• The first Supremes single to feature new lead singer Jean Terrell in place of Diana Ross, who officially left the group for a solo career two weeks before the recording of this song in January 1970. This Frank Wilson written and produced track saw the trio score a USA #10 & UK #6 hit, becoming their first transtlantic top ten single since "Reflections" in 1967.
• Written by the Birmingham doom metal quartet of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler & Bill Ward, this was the title track of their eponymous debut album.
  
• Taken from the Canadian singer/songwriter's third studio album "Ladies of the Canyon". Joni Mitchell wrote the song from what she had heard from then-boyfriend, Graham Nash, about the Woodstock Music and Art Festival. She had not been there herself, since she was told by a manager that it would be more advantageous for her to appear on The Dick Cavett Show. It will not be the last be the version of this folk rock song to appear on my Retro Rewind charts in 1970...
  
• This Tony Visconti produced track of the late singer's flop follow up to "Space Oddity" featured Marc Bolan on lead guitar. The session was apparently memorable for the two "London boys" who shared management and a flat between 1965 & early 1967 for an ugly spat which occurred at the end of the session between the two buddy pop star's partners Angela Barnett & June Bolan resulting in the two friends falling out and not reconciling until both had split from their partners just two months before the T.Rex's frontman's untimely death. This song was rerecorded for Bowie's 1973 UK #1 album "Aladdin Sane" with a more taut production and Mick Ronson near replicating Bolan's guitar parts.
  
• The New York studio group featuring the vocals of Ron "Sugar Sugar" Dante reached USA #41 & UK #10 with the bubblegum pop follow up to "Tracy".
  
• The San Francisco all-female R&B vocal harmony trio featuring Sly Stone's little sister Vet Stewart reached USA #22 (R&B #4) with Sly Stone's written and produced R&B funky jam single which featured The Family Stone as session musicians.
• This early soft rock USA #24 single was a 1967 Neil Diamond Bang records composition which had new instrumentation added to it in 1970 to capitalise on his success on Uni records.
  

[raliverpool]

04/04/1970

01 Beatles - Let It Be (4wks 3-2-2-1)

02 Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (8wks 15-2-1-1-1-1-1-2)
03 Dave Clark Five - Everybody Get Together (5wks 40-26-16-7-3)
04 Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky (3wks 15-6-4)
05 Jackson 5 - ABC (3wks 9-4-5)
06 John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band - Instant Karma (7wks 7-3-2-2-3-3-6)
07 Bob & Marcia - Young Gifted And Black (4wks 30-18-9-7)
08 Tyrannosaurus Rex - By The Light Of The Magical Moon (3wks 28-11-8)
09 Aretha Franklin - Call Me (5wks 30-15-7-5-9)
10 Mary Hopkin - Knock Knock Who's There (2wks 16-10)

11 Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (2wks 19-11)
12 Doors - Waiting for the Sun (3wks 29-18-12)
13 Supremes - Up The Ladder To The Roof (2wks 17-13)
14 Led Zeppelin - Thank You (7wks 25-14-4-4-4-8-14)
15 Joni Mitchell - Woodstock (2wks 30-15)
16 Guess Who - American Woman (1wk 16 NEW)
17 Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time (7wks 23-18-9-7-5-10-17)
18 Rod Stewart - An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (5wks 37-21-14-13-18)
19 Santana - Evil Ways (7wks 24-20-16-11-8-12-19)
20 Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Something's Burning (3wks 31-25-20)

21 Tremeloes - By The Way (3wks 32-24-21)
22 David Bowie - The Prettiest Star (2wks 34-22)
23 Bobby Shermann - Easy Come, Easy Go (1wk 23 NEW)
24 Pickettywitch - That Same Old Feeling (5wks 27-14-10-15-24)
25 Frijid Pink - House Of The Rising Sun (3wks 38-31-25)
26 Juicy Lucy - Who Do You Love (3wks 35-27-26)
27 Blue Mink - Good Morning Freedom (1wk 27 NEW)
28 Stevie Wonder - Never Had A Dream Come True (4wks 33-23-22-28)
29 Band - Rag Mama Rag (7wks 30-21-10-6-6-14-29)
30 Cuff Links - When Julie Comes Around (2wks 37-30)

31 Rare Bird - Sympathy (7wks 33-22-15-12-12-20-31)
32 Little Sister - You're The One (2wks 38-32)
33 Delfonics - Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) (6wks 34-26-19-17-23-33)
34 Radha Krishna Temple - Govinda (1wk 34 NEW)
35 Brook Benton - Rainy Night In Georgia (8wks 37-21-17-12-10-13-21-35)
36 Clodagh Rodgers - Everybody Go Home The Party's Over (1wk 36 NEW)
37 Gladys Knight & The Pips - You Need Love Like I Do (1wk 37 NEW)
38 Cats - Marian (1wk 38 NEW)
39 Jimmy Ruffin - Farewell Is A Lonely Sound (5wks 35-28-25-28-39)
40 Bee Gees - IOIO (1wk 40 NEW)

The Fab Four climb to the top of my Retro Rewind Chart for their 22nd chart topping effort. Otherwise, eight new entries from:

• The Canadian rock band's superb attempt at composing a Led Zeppelin "Whole Lotta Love" type hit not only topped their own domestic national chart, but topped the USA Billboard Top 100 singles chart as well as peaking at UK #19.
  
• The late 1960s Californian teen idol singer & actor took this fine musical bubblegum pop to USA #9.
• The London based five piece pop group's 2nd single reached UK #10 written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. The group's female vocalist Madeline Bell also featured on the current UK top ten hit by the Dave Clark Five.
  
• This Apple records release produced by George Harrison was a London based Hare Krishna devotional musical motivation piece which reached UK #12.
  
• The Northern Irish singer only reached UK #47 with this Lulu/Dusty Springfield-esque uptempo blue eyed R&B/soul release.
  
• The Motown group reached USA #25 (R&B #3) with this Norman Whitfield written & produced uptempo release.
  
• The Dutch rock group scored a major European hit with the cousins Cees & Piers Veerman composition. They had a string of hits in their native Natherlands between 1967-1974.
  
• Written by Barry and Maurice Gibb and taken from their Robin Gibb free album Cucumber Castle, this African world beat influenced track only reached UK #49 & USA #94, yet it was a far bigger hit in mainland Europe and around the world going top ten in many countries. To me it sounds like a failed attempt to write a song like DDDBM&T's "Zabadak!"

[vastar iner]

Can't stand "Let It Be". "Instant Karma" is a trillion percent better.

The Pickettywitch single was a big hit, but even by bubblegum standards it sounded about eight years too late.

It's now beginning to fall off with the new entries - gradually they are getting less and less inspiring...

[raliverpool]

May 7, 2016 21:34:27 GMT 1 vastar iner said:

Can't stand "Let It Be". "Instant Karma" is a trillion percent better.

The Pickettywitch single was a big hit, but even by bubblegum standards it sounded about eight years too late.

It's now beginning to fall off with the new entries - gradually they are getting less and less inspiring...

To me "Instant Karma!" is a brilliant song nearly ruined by the production. Phil Spector's OTT Wall of Sound production completely lacks the clarity of a George Martin production. Lennon's voice is distorted and unclear; the drums are simultaneously too loud and yet muffled like a dead fish slapping the floor; and the rest is the usually dreadful cacophony of a standard Phil Spector production since 1965 reflecting his legendary narcotic intake of cocaine to match his psychotic personality.

Had it been produced by a George Martin; Jimmy Miller; Jimmy Page; Paul A. Rothchild; Bruce Botnick; or Eddie Kramer it would have sounded so much better and would probably be a #1 on my Retro Rewind Chart. Let's be honest after 1964 firstly Brian Wilson, and later Roy Wood achieved what Phil Spector consistently failed to do with his production efforts.

As for this retro chart .... I'm certain if I was not including album cuts that this chart would drop back to a Top 30 fairly soon .... it will be interesting to see how long I can continue to post a Top 40 as by 1974 things were musically getting rather grim, so Punk had to happen....

[vastar iner]

Yes, I noticed the album thing too. David Hepworth has just had a book come out about how 1971 was the best year for music - but that was entirely because of albums.

And it's an interesting comparison, as many of the no. 1 singles in 1971 were utter dross (Clive Dunn? Dawn? The Tams*?), whereas nearly every studio no. 1 album of that year has gone down as a critical classic.

* got vaguely interested to see what "Hey Girl Don't Bother Me" kept off no. 1, and the middle week track was "Did You Ever" by Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood. I had had no idea that that got so high, I would have said about no. 28.