Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s

James Taylor's Handy Man is a remake of a 1960 #2 hit by Jimmy Jones. He and Otis Blackwell are credited as the writers. (Blackwell also wrote Jerry Lee Lewis's Breathless and co-wrote Lewis's Great Balls Of Fire and Elvis Presley's Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Return To Sender and One Broken Heart For Sale.) But Handy Man was actually written by Jimmy Jones when he was in the Sparks of Rhythm quintet. They released two singles on Apollo Records in 1955. After Jones left the group, they recorded Handy Man. Apollo released it as a single in January 1960 – but Jones was not given credit. The label showed the writers as Andrew Barksdale (a member of the Sparks of Rhythm) and Charles Merenstein (president of Apollo Records), neither of whom had anything to do with writing the song. Here is that original version:

 
November 8, 1975:
40. Joan Baez - Diamonds & Rust (NEW!)
39. Orleans - Dance with Me
38. Tavares - It Only Takes a Minute (↓20)*
37. Frankie Valli - Our Day Will Come (NEW!)
36. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (NEW!)
35. Freddy Fender - Secret Love (NEW!)
34. John Fogerty - Rockin' All Over the World
33. Leon Haywood - I Want'a Do Something Freaky to You
32. Melissa Manchester - Just Too Many People
31. B.T. Express - Peace Pipe
30. Ritchie Family - Brazil
29. Manhattan Transfer - Operator
28. Staple Singers - Let's Do It Again (↑9)*
27. Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
26. Pete Wingfield - Eighteen with a Bullet
25. Art Garfunkel - I Only Have Eyes for You
24. Simon & Garfunkel - My Little Town
23. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
22. Silver Convention - Fly Robin Fly
21. Esther Phillips - What a Difference a Day Makes
20. George Harrison - You
19. KC & the Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It) (↑9)*
18. Bee Gees - Nights on Broadway
17. Jigsaw - Sky High
16. Neil Sedaka - Bad Blood
15. ABBA - S.O.S.
Oldie: Abraham, Martin & Joe - Dion
14. Leon Russell - Lady Blue
13. Olivia Newton-John - Something Better to Do
12. War - Low Rider
11. People's Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna
10. Captain & Tennille - The Way I Want to Touch You
9. Morris Albert - Feelings
8. Natalie Cole - This Will Be
7. Spinners - Games People Play
6. Linda Ronstadt - Heat Wave
5. Jefferson Starship - Miracles
4. Four Seasons - Who Loves You
3. John Denver - I'm Sorry
2. Eagles - Lyin' Eyes
1. Elton John - Island Girl
 
11 good/ok from 1975 (excluding extras):

39. Orleans - Dance with Me
36. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (NEW!)
23. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
22. Silver Convention - Fly Robin Fly
19. KC & the Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It) (↑9)*
18. Bee Gees - Nights on Broadway
15. ABBA - S.O.S.
12. War - Low Rider
5. Jefferson Starship - Miracles
2. Eagles - Lyin' Eyes
1. Elton John - Island Girl
 
Barely five.

6. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (NEW!)
34. John Fogerty - Rockin' All Over the World
23. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
19. KC & the Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It) (↑9)* - Nostalgia
12. War - Low Rider
 
12 for 75
36. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (NEW!)
34. John Fogerty - Rockin' All Over the World
24. Simon & Garfunkel - My Little Town
23. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
19. KC & the Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It) (↑9)*
18. Bee Gees - Nights on Broadway
16. Neil Sedaka - Bad Blood
15. ABBA - S.O.S.
12. War - Low Rider
6. Linda Ronstadt - Heat Wave
4. Four Seasons - Who Loves You
1. Elton John - Island Girl
 
Great/good/ok 4

*****
19. KC & the Sunshine Band - That's The Way (I Like It) (?9)*

****
23. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

***
12. War - Low Rider
4. Four Seasons - Who Loves You

**
39. Orleans - Dance with Me
36. Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (NEW!)
5. Jefferson Starship - Miracles
2. Eagles - Lyin' Eyes

*
9. Morris Albert - Feelings

? 31
 
May 19, 1979:
LW#3: Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
LW#2: Blondie - Heart of Glass
LW#1: Peaches & Herb - Reunited
40. Nigel Olsson - A Little Bit of Soap (NEW!)
39. Thelma Houston - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (NEW!)
38. Alton McClain & Destiny - It Must Be Love (NEW!)
LDD: Henry Mancini - Love Theme from "Romeo & Juliet"
37. George Harrison - Blow Away (↓21)*
36. Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (NEW!)
35. Barbara Mandrell - (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right
34. Frank Mills - Music Box Dancer
33. McGuinn, Clark & Hillman - Don't You Write Her Off
Archive: Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were
32. David Naughton - Makin' It
31. Instant Funk - I Got My Mind Made Up (You Can Get It Girl)
30. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
29. Roger Voudouris - Get Used to It
28. Rod Stewart - Ain't Love a Bitch
27. Tycoon - Such a Woman
26. Billy Joel - Honesty
25. Rex Smith - You Take My Breath Away
24. Foxy - Hot Number
23. Kenny Rogers - She Believes in Me
22. Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s in Love
Archive: Love Unlimited Orchestra - Love's Theme
21. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
20. Bad Company - Rock N Roll Fantasy
19. Styx - Renegade
18. Olivia Newton-John - Deeper Than the Night
17. GQ - Disco Nights (Rock Freak)
16. Chic - I Want Your Love
15. Randy Vanwarmer - Just When I Needed You Most
14. Supertramp - The Logical Song
13. Sister Sledge - We Are Family (↑14)*
12. Orleans - Love Takes Time
Archive: Terry Jacks - Seasons in the Sun
11. England Dan & John Ford Coley - Love is the Answer
10. Blondie - Heart of Glass
9. Sister Sledge - He's the Greatest Dancer
8. Cher - Take Me Home
7. Jacksons - Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
6. Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out
5. Wings - Goodnight Tonight
LDD: Livingston Taylor - I Will Be in Love with You
4. Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - Stumblin' In
3. Village People - In the Navy
2. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
1. Peaches & Herb - Reunited
 
Eight.

22. Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s in Love - Nostalgia
21. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
20. Bad Company - Rock N Roll Fantasy
19. Styx - Renegade
14. Supertramp - The Logical Song
13. Sister Sledge - We Are Family (↑14)*
10. Blondie - Heart of Glass
2. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff - Nostalgia
 
27 good/ok from 1979 excluding extras:

36. Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (NEW!)
34. Frank Mills - Music Box Dancer
30. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
28. Rod Stewart - Ain't Love a Bitch
26. Billy Joel - Honesty
25. Rex Smith - You Take My Breath Away
23. Kenny Rogers - She Believes in Me
22. Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s in Love
21. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
20. Bad Company - Rock N Roll Fantasy
19. Styx - Renegade
18. Olivia Newton-John - Deeper Than the Night
16. Chic - I Want Your Love
15. Randy Vanwarmer - Just When I Needed You Most
14. Supertramp - The Logical Song
13. Sister Sledge - We Are Family (↑14)*
12. Orleans - Love Takes Time
11. England Dan & John Ford Coley - Love is the Answer
10. Blondie - Heart of Glass
9. Sister Sledge - He's the Greatest Dancer
7. Jacksons - Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
6. Bee Gees - Love You Inside Out
5. Wings - Goodnight Tonight
4. Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - Stumblin' In
3. Village People - In the Navy
2. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
1. Peaches & Herb - Reunited
 
13 for 1979:

36. Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (NEW!)
30. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
26. Billy Joel - Honesty
22. Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E.'s in Love
21. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
20. Bad Company - Rock N Roll Fantasy
19. Styx - Renegade
14. Supertramp - The Logical Song
13. Sister Sledge - We Are Family (↑14)*
10. Blondie - Heart of Glass
7. Jacksons - Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)
4. Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - Stumblin' In
2. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff
 
Great/good/ok 10 (but only 2 that I actually dig)

*****
30. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll

****
10. Blondie - Heart of Glass

***
21. Amii Stewart - Knock on Wood
20. Bad Company - Rock N Roll Fantasy
19. Styx - Renegade
14. Supertramp - The Logical Song
13. Sister Sledge - We Are Family
9. Sister Sledge - He's the Greatest Dancer
4. Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman - Stumblin' In
2. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff

**
32. David Naughton - Makin' It
26. Billy Joel - Honesty
23. Kenny Rogers - She Believes in Me
3. Village People - In the Navy
1. Peaches & Herb - Reunited

*
[none I recognize]

? 25

26. Billy Joel - Honesty
Forget if I've already posted this, but it's worth saying again if so:
At his Howard Stern town hall appearance in 2014, Joel explained: "I didn’t have a lyric for it, so my drummer started to sing ‘sodomy’ – ‘sodomy… such a lonely word.’ So I had to come up with some lyrics fast."

10. Blondie - Heart of Glass
Thanks to this song I've heard the word 'ass' over a grocery store sound system
 
November 17, 1979:
LW#3: Commodores - Still
LW#2: Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights
LW#1: Eagles - Heartache Tonight
40. Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore (NEW!)
39. Foreigner - Dirty White Boy (↓24)*
38. Alan Parsons Project - Damned If I Do (NEW!)
37. Electric Light Orchestra - Confusion (NEW!)
36. Smokey Robinson - Cruisin' (NEW!)
35. John Cougar - I Need a Lover
34. Brenda Russell - So Good So Right
33. Pablo Cruise - I Want You Tonight
Archive: Four Seasons - December 1963 (Oh What a Night)
32. Dr. Hook - Better Love Next Time
31. Elton John - Victim of Love
30. Blondie - Dreaming
LDD: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light
29. Captain & Tennille - Do That to Me One More Time
28. Crystal Gayle - Half the Way
27. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
26. Kermit - The Rainbow Connection
25. Lauren Wood - Please Don't Leave
24. Little River Band - Cool Change
23. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (↑17)*
22. Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Love This Way Again
Archive: Johnnie Taylor - Disco Lady
21. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
20. Chris Thompson & Night - If You Remember Me
19. Michael Johnson - This Night Won't Last Forever
18. J.D. Souther - You're Only Lonely
17. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home
16. Anne Murray - Broken Hearted Me
15. France Joli - Come to Me
14. Stevie Wonder - Send One Your Love
13. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
12. Barry Manilow - Ships
11. Knack - Good Girls Don't
Archive: Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow
10. M - Pop Muzik
9. KC & the Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
LDD: Rod Stewart - You're in My Heart
8. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
7. Kenny Rogers - You Decorated My Life
6. Herb Alpert - Rise
5. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
4. Styx - Babe
3. Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer - No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
2. Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights
1. Commodores - Still
 
28 good/ok from 1979 (Saturday) (excluding extras):

40. Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore (NEW!)
39. Foreigner - Dirty White Boy (↓24)*
38. Alan Parsons Project - Damned If I Do (NEW!)
37. Electric Light Orchestra - Confusion (NEW!)
35. John Cougar - I Need a Lover
32. Dr. Hook - Better Love Next Time
30. Blondie - Dreaming
29. Captain & Tennille - Do That to Me One More Time
28. Crystal Gayle - Half the Way
27. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
24. Little River Band - Cool Change
23. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (↑17)*
21. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
18. J.D. Souther - You're Only Lonely
17. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home
16. Anne Murray - Broken Hearted Me
13. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
11. Knack - Good Girls Don't
10. M - Pop Muzik
9. KC & the Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
8. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
7. Kenny Rogers - You Decorated My Life
6. Herb Alpert - Rise
5. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
4. Styx - Babe
3. Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer - No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
2. Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights
1. Commodores - Still
 
Great/good/ok 12

*****
35. John Cougar - I Need a Lover
10. M - Pop Muzik

****
40. Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore
39. Foreigner - Dirty White Boy
26. Kermit - The Rainbow Connection
13. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
8. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk

***
36. Smokey Robinson - Cruisin'
27. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
23. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
21. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
17. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home

**
24. Little River Band - Cool Change
22. Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Love This Way Again
14. Stevie Wonder - Send One Your Love
11. Knack - Good Girls Don't
9. KC & the Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
6. Herb Alpert - Rise
5. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
4. Styx - Babe

*
29. Captain & Tennille - Do That to Me One More Time

? 19
 
About thirteen

39. Foreigner - Dirty White Boy (↓24)*
37. Electric Light Orchestra - Confusion (NEW!)
35. John Cougar - I Need a Lover
30. Blondie - Dreaming
27. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
23. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (↑17)*
21. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
17. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home
11. Knack - Good Girls Don't
10. M - Pop Muzik
8. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
6. Herb Alpert - Rise
5. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
 
17 for 1979:

39. Foreigner - Dirty White Boy (↓24)*
38. Alan Parsons Project - Damned If I Do (NEW!)
35. John Cougar - I Need a Lover
30. Blondie - Dreaming
27. Cheap Trick - Dream Police
23. Rupert Holmes - Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (↑17)*
21. Kool & the Gang - Ladies Night
18. J.D. Souther - You're Only Lonely
17. Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home
13. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
11. Knack - Good Girls Don't
10. M - Pop Muzik
9. KC & the Sunshine Band - Please Don't Go
8. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
6. Herb Alpert - Rise
5. Eagles - Heartache Tonight
2. Donna Summer - Dim All the Lights
 
February 28, 1976:
40. Melissa Manchester - Just You and I (NEW!)
39. Michael Murphey - Renegade
38. Natalie Cole - Inseparable (NEW!)
37. Trammps - Hold Back the Night
36. Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Take It Like a Man (NEW!)
35. Roxy Music - Love is the Drug
34. Commodores - Sweet Love
33. Earth Wind & Fire - Sing a Song
32. Salsoul Orchestra - Tangerine
31. Tony Orlando & Dawn - Cupid
Extra: The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
30. Dr. Hook - Only Sixteen
29. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
28. Bay City Rollers - Money Honey
27. Aerosmith - Dream On
26. Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman (↓16)*
25. Linda Ronstadt - The Tracks of My Tears
24. Foghat - Slow Ride
23. Donny Osmond & Marie Osmond - Deep Purple
22. Cledus Maggard & the Citizen's Band - The White Knight
21. The Who - Squeeze Box
20. Barry Manilow - I Write the Songs
19. David Bowie - Golden Years
18. Bee Gees - Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)
17. Larry Groce - Junk Food Junkie
16. Rufus & Chaka Khan - Sweet Thing
15. Wing and a Prayer Fife and Drum Corps - Baby Face
14. Elton John - Grow Some Funk of Your Own
13. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up is Hard to Do
12. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody
11. Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby
10. Nazareth - Love Hurts
9. Captain & Tennille - Lonely Night (Angel Face)
8. Gary Wright - Dream Weaver (↑10)*
7. Eagles - Take It to the Limit
6. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
5. Four Seasons - December 1963 (Oh What a Night)
4. Eric Carmen - All By Myself
3. The Miracles - Love Machine
2. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
1. Rhythm Heritage - Theme from S.W.A.T.
 
16 good/ok from 1976 (excluding extras):

30. Dr. Hook - Only Sixteen
29. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
27. Aerosmith - Dream On
26. Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman (↓16)*
24. Foghat - Slow Ride
21. The Who - Squeeze Box
20. Barry Manilow - I Write the Songs
19. David Bowie - Golden Years
17. Larry Groce - Junk Food Junkie
13. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up is Hard to Do
10. Nazareth - Love Hurts
8. Gary Wright - Dream Weaver (↑10)*
7. Eagles - Take It to the Limit
6. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
5. Four Seasons - December 1963 (Oh What a Night)
2. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
 
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