Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The 70s

[HecticArt]

Eleven

35. Roxy Music - Love is the Drug
29. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
27. Aerosmith - Dream On
26. Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman (↓16)*
21. The Who - Squeeze Box
19. David Bowie - Golden Years
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

 

[Channel98]

The label of 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover did not credit the background vocalists. They are Patti Austin, now best known for her 1982 duet with James Ingram, Baby Come To Me; Phoebe Snow, best known for her 1975 #5 hit Poetry Man; and Valerie Simpson, wife and songwriting partner of Nick Ashford. They are best known for their early 1985 hit Solid.

In 2017, Don Caron, a singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist from Spokane, Washington, recorded a parody titled 50 Ways We Can Recover. I can't say who the song is about but it should be obvious. And in 2025 it will again be relevant.

 

[sadchild]

Great/good/ok 13

*****
29. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
27. Aerosmith - Dream On
17. Larry Groce - Junk Food Junkie discovered in the 2010s and love it
8. Gary Wright - Dream Weaver (?10)*
5. Four Seasons - December 1963 (Oh What a Night)
2. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

****
35. Roxy Music - Love is the Drug
6. Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing

***
26. Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman (?16)*
25. Linda Ronstadt - The Tracks of My Tears
24. Foghat - Slow Ride
21. The Who - Squeeze Box
19. David Bowie - Golden Years

**
20. Barry Manilow - I Write the Songs
10. Nazareth - Love Hurts
7. Eagles - Take It to the Limit
4. Eric Carmen - All By Myself

*
[none i recognize]

? 23

 

[scotchandcigar]

18 for 1976:

35. Roxy Music - Love is the Drug
33. Earth Wind & Fire - Sing a Song
29. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
27. Aerosmith - Dream On
26. Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman (↓16)*
24. Foghat - Slow Ride
20. Barry Manilow - I Write the Songs - mild thumbs up for this cheesy song.
19. David Bowie - Golden Years
13. Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up is Hard to Do - I assume this is the torch song version, which is very well done.
12. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Wake Up Everybody
11. Donna Summer - Love to Love You Baby
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 - I like the guy who goes Hoooohhh Lawwwwwd!
2. Paul Simon - 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

 

[Channel98]

The Miracles - Love Machine - I like the guy who goes Hoooohhh Lawwwwwd!

Billy Griffin replaced Smokey Robinson as lead singer of the Miracles in 1972. Bobby Rogers, who co-founded the Miracles in 1956 and was a member until his death in 2013, voiced the "Hoooohhh Lawwwwd!" Thelma Houston, best known for her 1977 number-one hit Don't Leave Me This Way, recorded Love Machine for her Ride To The Rainbow album, released May 22, 1979. The uncredited background singers are Patti Brooks, Ivory Davis, Oma Drake, Venetta Fields, Julia Waters and Maxine Waters. (No, not that Maxine Waters!) Bobby Belle does the "Oh-hoh-hoh yeah!"

 

[HecticArt]

We just saw Thelma Houston this spring. She did some songs with Paul Shaffer at one of our local theater's fundraisers. At 78 she can still belt it out!

 

[sadchild]

11/25/72

40: SUPERFLY – CURTIS MAYFIELD
39: AMERICAN CITY SUITE – CASHMAN & WEST
38: SUNNY DAYS - LIGHTHOUSE
37: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - CHI COLTRANE
36: LIVING IN THE PAST – JETHRO TULL
35: I BELIEVE IN MUSIC - GALLERY
34: WALK ON WATER – NEIL DIAMOND
33: ELECTED – ALICE COOPER
32: MY DING-A-LING – CHUCK BERRY
31: GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S GOT THE BLUES – DANNY O’ KEEFE
30: SWEET SURRENDER - BREAD
29: ROCK ‘N ROLL SOUL – GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
28: DIALOGUE - CHICAGO
27: CORNER OF THE SKY – JACKSON 5
26: THE ROCKIN’ PNEUMONIA & THE BOOGLE WOOGIE FLU – JOHNNY RIVERS
25: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC – DOOBIE BROTHERS
24: GARDEN PARTY – RICK NELSON
23: ME AND MRS. JONES – BILLY PAUL
22: BURNING LOVE – ELVIS PRESLEY
21: FUNNY FACE – DONNA FARGO
20: OPERATOR (THAT’S NOT THE WAY IT FEELS) – JIM CROCE
19: CRAZY HORSES - OSMONDS
18: SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH ME – AUSTIN ROBERTS
17: CLAIR – GILBERT O’ SULLIVAN
16: WITCHY WOMAN - EAGLES
15: I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU - STYLISTICS
14: IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – ALBERT HAMMOND
13: VENTURA HIGHWAY - AMERICA
12: FREDDIE’S DEAD (THEME FROM “SUPERFLY”) – CURTIS MAYFIELD
11: CONVENTION ’72 – THE DELEGATES
10: IF I COULD REACH YOU – THE 5TH DIMENSION
9: NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN – THE MOODY BLUES
8: YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME – AL GREEN
7: IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW – HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES
6: SUMMER BREEZE – SEALS & CROFTS
5: PAPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE – THE TEMPTATIONS
4: I AM WOMAN – HELEN REDDY
3: I’LL BE AROUND – THE SPINNERS
2: I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME - LOBO
1: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – JOHNNY NASH

 

[sadchild]

Great/good/ok 7

There's a few I might know but just can't get the tune in my head while listening to the VJ. Pretty sure I'm familiar with "Ventura Blvd" and "Elected" for example, but couldn't hum a bar right now.

*****
1: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – JOHNNY NASH

****
20: OPERATOR (THAT’S NOT THE WAY IT FEELS) – JIM CROCE
9: NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN – THE MOODY BLUES
6: SUMMER BREEZE – SEALS & CROFTS

***
32: MY DING-A-LING – CHUCK BERRY
25: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC – DOOBIE BROTHERS
3: I’LL BE AROUND – THE SPINNERS

**
16: WITCHY WOMAN - EAGLES

*
[none i recognize]

? 32

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

7 good/ok from 1972:

38: SUNNY DAYS - LIGHTHOUSE
32: MY DING-A-LING – CHUCK BERRY
25: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC – DOOBIE BROTHERS
16: WITCHY WOMAN - EAGLES
13: VENTURA HIGHWAY - AMERICA
9: NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN – THE MOODY BLUES
1: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – JOHNNY NASH

 

[HecticArt]

Ate

40: SUPERFLY – CURTIS MAYFIELD
32: MY DING-A-LING – CHUCK BERRY
25: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC – DOOBIE BROTHERS
16: WITCHY WOMAN - EAGLES
12: FREDDIE’S DEAD (THEME FROM “SUPERFLY”) – CURTIS MAYFIELD
9: NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN – THE MOODY BLUES
5: PAPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE – THE TEMPTATIONS
1: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – JOHNNY NASH

 

[scotchandcigar]

11/25/72

10 good:
40: SUPERFLY – CURTIS MAYFIELD
36: LIVING IN THE PAST – JETHRO TULL
29: ROCK ‘N ROLL SOUL – GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
28: DIALOGUE - CHICAGO - Once again, should be listed as Dialogue (Part I & II)
26: THE ROCKIN’ PNEUMONIA & THE BOOGLE WOOGIE FLU – JOHNNY RIVERS
25: LISTEN TO THE MUSIC – DOOBIE BROTHERS
22: BURNING LOVE – ELVIS PRESLEY - Perhaps the only good 70's Elvis song
9: NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN – THE MOODY BLUES
6: SUMMER BREEZE – SEALS & CROFTS
5: PAPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE – THE TEMPTATIONS

8 nostalgia:
24: GARDEN PARTY – RICK NELSON
23: ME AND MRS. JONES – BILLY PAUL
20: OPERATOR (THAT’S NOT THE WAY IT FEELS) – JIM CROCE - They play this on The Bridge every 3rd song
16: WITCHY WOMAN - EAGLES
14: IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – ALBERT HAMMOND
13: VENTURA HIGHWAY - AMERICA
12: FREDDIE’S DEAD (THEME FROM “SUPERFLY”) – CURTIS MAYFIELD
1: I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – JOHNNY NASH

 

[nysfboy328]

November 18, 1978:
40. Gene Cotton - Like a Sunday in Salem
39. Donny Osmond & Marie Osmond - On the Shelf (NEW!)
38. Paul Anka - This is Love (NEW!)
37. Chic - Le Freak (NEW!)
Extra: Crosby, Stills & Nash - Woodstock
36. Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman (NEW!)
35. Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven (NEW!)
34. Elton John - Part Time Love (NEW!)
33. Toto - Hold The Line (↑4)
LDD: Bread - If
32. Stephen Bishop - Everybody Needs Love
31. Linda Ronstadt - Ooh Baby Baby (NEW!)
Archive: Partridge Family - I Think I Love You
30. Alice Cooper - How You Gonna See Me Now
29. Dan Fogelberg & Tim Weisberg - The Power of Gold
28. Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove
27. Eric Carmen - Change of Heart
26. Pablo Cruise - Don't Want to Live Without It
25. Foxy - Get Off (↓16)*
24. Paul Davis - Sweet Life
23. Heart - Straight On
22. Village People - Y.M.C.A.
21. Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Archive: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - The Tears of a Clown
20. Sylvester - Dance (Disco Heat)
19. Billy Joel - My Life (↑20)*
18. Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden
17. Chicago - Alive Again
16. Firefall - Strange Way
15. Al Stewart - Time Passages
Archive: Barry Manilow - Can't Smile Without You
14. Andy Gibb - (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away
13. Dr. Hook - Sharing the Night Together
12. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Night Life
11. Barry Manilow - Ready to Take a Chance Again
Archive: George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
10. Captain & Tennille - You Never Done It Like That
9. Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks - Whenever I Call You Friend
8. Gino Vannelli - I Just Wanna Stop
7. Exile - Kiss You All Over
6. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City
5. Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers
4. Anne Murray - You Needed Me
3. Ambrosia - How Much I Feel
Archive: Otis Redding - Dock of the Bay
2. Foreigner - Double Vision
1. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park

 

[HecticArt]

Only noine.

37. Chic - Le Freak (NEW!)
33. Toto - Hold The Line (↑4)
28. Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove
23. Heart - Straight On
21. Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
19. Billy Joel - My Life (↑20)*
15. Al Stewart - Time Passages
6. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City
2. Foreigner - Double Vision

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

27 good/ok from 1978 (top 40 only):

37. Chic - Le Freak (NEW!)
35. Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven (NEW!)
34. Elton John - Part Time Love (NEW!)
33. Toto - Hold The Line (↑4)
30. Alice Cooper - How You Gonna See Me Now
27. Eric Carmen - Change of Heart
23. Heart - Straight On
22. Village People - Y.M.C.A.
21. Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
19. Billy Joel - My Life (↑20)*
18. Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden
17. Chicago - Alive Again
16. Firefall - Strange Way
15. Al Stewart - Time Passages
14. Andy Gibb - (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away
13. Dr. Hook - Sharing the Night Together
12. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Night Life
11. Barry Manilow - Ready to Take a Chance Again
10. Captain & Tennille - You Never Done It Like That
9. Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks - Whenever I Call You Friend
8. Gino Vannelli - I Just Wanna Stop
7. Exile - Kiss You All Over
6. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City
4. Anne Murray - You Needed Me
3. Ambrosia - How Much I Feel
2. Foreigner - Double Vision
1. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park

1 channel changers for 1978:
5. Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers

 

[scotchandcigar]

13 for 1978: The suckiness has started

37. Chic - Le Freak (NEW!)
36. Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman (NEW!)
33. Toto - Hold The Line (↑4)
29. Dan Fogelberg & Tim Weisberg - The Power of Gold
23. Heart - Straight On
21. Styx - Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
19. Billy Joel - My Life (↑20)*
17. Chicago - Alive Again
15. Al Stewart - Time Passages
9. Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks - Whenever I Call You Friend
6. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City
2. Foreigner - Double Vision
1. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park

 

[sadchild]

Great/good/ok 10

*****
2. Foreigner - Double Vision

****
37. Chic - Le Freak (aka 'free couch')
33. Toto - Hold The Line (?4)
19. Billy Joel - My Life (?20)*
6. Nick Gilder - Hot Child in the City

***
22. Village People - Y.M.C.A.
18. Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden
15. Al Stewart - Time Passages nostalgia
12. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Night Life
9. Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks - Whenever I Call You Friend

**
35. Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven (NEW!)
23. Heart - Straight On
13. Dr. Hook - Sharing the Night Together
8. Gino Vannelli - I Just Wanna Stop
5. Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers
4. Anne Murray - You Needed Me
3. Ambrosia - How Much I Feel

*
30. Alice Cooper - How You Gonna See Me Now 'only women' and 'i never cry' were good. 'you and me' was pushing it. this one sucks.
1. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park did she ever find that fuckin' recipe??

? 21

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

1. Donna Summer - MacArthur Park did she ever find that fuckin' recipe??

You need to ask Jimmy Webb the writer of the song. It was done originally by Richard Harris who also never found the recipe.

MacArthur Park (song) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

end 98 mode.

 

[scotchandcigar]

37. Chic - Le Freak (aka 'free couch')

You need to ask Jimmy Webb the writer of the song. It was done originally by Richard Harris who also never found the recipe.

MacArthur Park (song) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

end 98 mode.

Trumpeter/bandleader Maynard Ferguson made a popular jazz instrumental version in 1970, which became a staple for school jazz bands. This album version is complete with improvisational solos, and clocks-in at 10 minutes:

 

[nysfboy328]

December 3, 1977:
40. Stevie Wonder - As (NEW!)
39. Diana Ross - Gettin' Ready for Love (NEW!)
38. Elvis Presley - My Way (NEW!)
37. Firefall - Just Remember I Love You
36. Leif Garrett - Runaround Sue (NEW!)
35. Earth Wind & Fire - Serpentine Fire
34. Brick - Dusic (↓16)*
33. Bay City Rollers - The Way I Feel Tonight
Extra: Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Woman
32. Shaun Cassidy - Hey Deanie
31. Queen - We Are the Champions
30. Rod Stewart - You're in My Heart
29. Santana - She's Not There
28. Donna Summer - I Feel Love
27. Little River Band - Help Is on Its Way
26. Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
25. Paul Davis - I Go Crazy
24. England Dan & John Ford Coley - Gone Too Far
23. James Taylor - Your Smiling Face
22. Steve Miller Band - Swingtown
21. Styx - Come Sail Away
20. High Inergy - You Can't Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On) (↑10)*
19. Judy Collins - Send in the Clowns
18. Babys - Isn't It Time
17. Paul Simon - Slip Slidin' Away
16. Bob Welch - Sentimental Lady
15. Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again
14. Barry White - It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me
13. Player - Baby Come Back
12. Dave Mason - We Just Disagree
11. Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun
10. L.T.D. - (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again
9. Linda Ronstadt - It's So Easy
8. Heatwave - Boogie Nights
7. Rita Coolidge - We're All Alone
6. Paul Nicholas - Heaven on the 7th Floor
5. Linda Ronstadt - Blue Bayou
4. Chicago - Baby What a Big Surprise
3. Bee Gees - How Deep is Your Love
2. Crystal Gayle - Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
1. Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

17 good/ok for 1977 (excluding extras):

37. Firefall - Just Remember I Love You
31. Queen - We Are the Champions
30. Rod Stewart - You're in My Heart
28. Donna Summer - I Feel Love
27. Little River Band - Help Is on Its Way
26. Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
23. James Taylor - Your Smiling Face
22. Steve Miller Band - Swingtown
21. Styx - Come Sail Away
17. Paul Simon - Slip Slidin' Away
15. Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again
13. Player - Baby Come Back
11. Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun
9. Linda Ronstadt - It's So Easy
5. Linda Ronstadt - Blue Bayou
3. Bee Gees - How Deep is Your Love
2. Crystal Gayle - Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

1 shoot the radio channel changer from 1977:
1. Debby Boone - You Light Up My Life