- It was a year that saw a remarkable 36 different singles climb to the number one spot on the U.S. charts, according to Record World. That's a lot of tunes, and each one, as we're finding out, has its own little story.
It's fascinating to look back and see how some songs, even if they only held the top position for a week, left a lasting impression. Take the Carpenters' "Yesterday Once More." Sure, Karen Carpenter's voice was pure magic, but the song itself was a love letter to radio, a sentiment that clearly resonated. Interestingly, while it hit number one for Record World, it only managed a number two on Billboard that same year. Funny how those charts can differ, isn't it?
Then there's Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown." A rollicking, unforgettable track that rocketed him to the top of his profession. It's a bittersweet memory, knowing he was so young, just 30, when he was tragically lost only two months after this hit.
And who could forget Dawn featuring Tony Orlando's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree"? Even with just a single week at number one, it was the fourth biggest hit of the year for Record World. It’s a song that became an anthem, a symbol of homecoming and hope.
We also saw the DeFranco Family, four of whom were still teenagers, capture the U.S. charts with "Heartbeat – It’s a Lovebeat." A real family affair topping the charts.
Grand Funk Railroad, with a little help from producer Todd Rundgren, finally hit their stride with the absolute rocker "We're an American Band." You can just feel the energy when you hear it – "Feelin' good, feelin' right, it’s Saturday night."
George Harrison had a moment of Beatle-on-Beatle chart dominance, supplanting one of his former bandmates at number one with "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" – a rare occurrence indeed.
Elton John, during what was an incredible five-year run of hits, saw "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" reach number two on Billboard, though it topped the Record World chart. It’s hard to argue with the sheer volume of success he, Stevie Wonder, and the Rolling Stones were experiencing in those years.
Eddie Kendricks, a voice familiar from The Temptations, had a couple of solo pop hits, including "Keep on Truckin'." A great track from a legendary voice.
Gladys Knight & the Pips delivered not one, but two chart-toppers: "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" and the iconic "Midnight Train to Georgia," a song that rightfully earned a Grammy.
Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After," originally from the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, became a massive hit in August '73, riding the wave of the film's success.
The O'Jays brought us the R&B classic "Love Train," a collaboration from the powerhouse songwriting and production duo Gamble and Huff. It’s noted that this single debuted on the charts the very same day the Paris Peace Accords were signed – a poignant coincidence.
Another Gamble-Huff gem, Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones," a tale of an extramarital affair, actually returned to the top spot in early '73 after first hitting number one in late '72, a rather unusual chart maneuver. Paul's performance earned him a Grammy.
Helen Reddy closed out the year at the top with "Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)," her third number one single.
And then there's Diana Ross, with her 14th number one, "Touch Me in the Morning." Co-written by Ron Miller, who had a hand in many of Stevie Wonder's early hits, and Michael Masser, who would go on to write other massive hits.
Finally, Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" was a sensation, released just weeks after her marriage to James Taylor. The No Secrets album, with its unforgettable cover, was packed with guest appearances from rock royalty.
It's a rich tapestry of music, each song a snapshot of the time, a testament to the artists, and a reminder of how music can capture the spirit of a year.
