What in your opinion are the greatest top 10 or 40 rock/pop charts of singles hits - weekly and yearly? I was going to make this a weekly comparison, but I soon realized I was overwhelmed by the choices. There were too many memorable weeks. The poll I’m running is for top 10 yearly and I’ve throw in some memorable (at least to me) weekly surveys.
The source is Cashbox. The link for your research and entertainment is:
http://members.aol.com/...
I think most ‘Top 40s’ I remember as a kid were based on Billboard, but I can’t seem to find the all important free links for Billboard, so Cashbox will have to do. This also functions as an effective excuse for me when the facts of the Cashbox rankings don’t square with my memory of top chart hits.
My favorite top weekly and the best yearly charts below:
First pardon my baby boom bias, but was there any good music produced after 1975? Well I guess Bruce Springsteen was cranking it out post 75.
The thing that I remember about the glory days of boomer Top 40 music was its diversity. That is after the Beatles stopped cranking out one hit after another. A Top 40 for any particular week might have folk, country, pop, songs with traces of big band or jazz, mainstream rock, soul, funk, heavy metal, or any combination there of.
MY first memorable Top 100 list comes from December 1969. I remember it because I listened to it on a long ride home from my first college semester. (Why I remember something like this I don’t have a clue) I thinking at the time that this might be the best Top 40 ever. Frame of reference I was 18 and this was just the 6th year of the British Invasion. An edited version of the list:
Week ending December 20, 1969
1 LEAVING ON A JET PLANE
Peter, Paul & Mary-
Warner Bros.-7 Arts 7340
2 SOMEDAY WE’LL BE TOGETHER
Diana Ross & Supremes-Motown 1156
3 NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE
Steam-Fontana 1667
4 AND WHEN I DIE
Blood, Sweat & Tears-Columbia 45008
5 COME TOGETHER
Beatles-Apple 2654
7 HOLLY HOLY
Neil Diamond-Uni 55175
8 FORTUNATE SON
Creedence Clearwater Revival-Fantasy 634
9 RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD
B.J. Thomas-Scepter 12265
10 YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY
Stevie Wonder-Tamla 54188
11 ELI’S COMING
Three Dog Night-Dunhill 4215
14 DOWN ON THE CORNER
Creedence Clearwater Revival-Fantasy 634
16 WHOLE LOTTA LOVE
Led Zeppelin-Atlantic 2690
18 I WANT YOU BACK
Jackson 5-Motown 1157
22 SOMETHING
Beatles-Apple 2654
Folkies Peter, Paul & Mary top the chart with maybe the first John Denver song to hit number 1 (though I didn’t know who John Denver was at that time). Steam’s Kiss Him Goodbye is a pop/soul classic. There were a couple of great Beatles hits and a couple of great CCR tunes. This was my first real exposure to Led Zeppelin with their ground shattering heavy metal sound with Whole Lotta Love and lyrics like, ‘Shake for me girl! I want to be your back door man!’ Moving fast up the charts was I Want You Back with little Michael Jackson as the lead singer. I think it was their first hit. Yea a righteous week on the charts.
Link to Dec. 20, 1969 week:
http://members.aol.com/...
The week ending September 21, 1968, was a great week. It’s one of the best in chart history IMO. It was one of the most important years in American history, and the music didn’t disappoint.
The week ending September 21, 1968
1 HEY JUDE
Beatles-Apple 2276
2 HARPER VALLEY P.T.A.
Jeannie C. Riley-Plantation 3
3 PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE
Rascals-Atlantic 2537
5 HUSH
Deep Purple-Tetragrammaton 1503
10 BORN TO BE WILD
Steppenwolf-Dunhill 4138
12 MAGIC BUS
The Who-Decca 32362
14 YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON
Vanilla Fudge-Atco 6590
15 REVOLUTION
Beatles-Apple 2276
18 HELLO, I LOVE YOU
Doors-Elektra 45635
19 SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
Cream-Atco 6544
22 MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS
Grass Roots-Dunhill 4144
23 ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Canned Heat-Liberty 56038
It was the first week Hey Jude was #1 and it was only the second week that song was on the charts as it debuted at 38 the week before. It would be #1 for seven straight weeks. There’s a country cross over at #2 HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. Hush is a great rocker; Born to be Wild is one of the anthems of the 60’s and was falling down the chart after rocking the nation over the summer; one of the greatest Who songs Magic Bus is at 12; Vanilla Fudge has a rockin version of a Supremes classic; and that’s followed by rock heavyweights Beatles (again), the Doors, and Cream. What a year to be a senior in high school.
Link to Sept. 24, 1968:
http://members.aol.com/...
The week ending April 4, 1964, is interesting because it highlights the tsunami size of the epic shift underway in popular music at that time.
The week ending April 4, 1964
1 TWIST AND SHOUT
Beatles-Tollie 9001
2 CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
Beatles-Capitol 5150
3 SHE LOVES YOU
Beatles-Swan 4152
4 I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
Beatles-Capitol 5112
5 PLEASE PLEASE ME
Beatles-Vee-Jay 581
That’s also known as Beatle Mania for the youngsters. I’m sure there’s never been another group that held the top five slots at the same time. During this stretch in 1964 the Beatles had the #1 song 16 weeks in a row. They were finally knocked out of #1 position by a jazzman – Louie Armstrong singing Hello Dolly. That’s probably the last time in pop chart history a serious jazz artist had the #1 song (though Dolly wasn’t a jazz song).
The chart of April 4, 64:
http://members.aol.com/...
I’m also linking the year 1955 which is the year where big rock hits began.
On July 9th Rock around the Clock hit #1 and stayed there for seven weeks. There was even a bigger hit in the first part of the year - The Ballad of Davy Crockett – which was #1 eight weeks in a row. As a little kid at that time I remember Dave Crockett and I don’t remember Bill Haley. The brainwashing of the baby boomers was well underway by that time.
http://members.aol.com/...
Enough of the weekly charts! Chip in with weeks that were great in your mind. That could be the week you graduated from high school or college, met your significant other, or broke up with a boy or girl friend, or joined the weather underground.........inquiring FBI Agents would like to know!
But to the poll – What year had the best top ten?
First 1966 is disqualified because the #1 song is THE BALLAD OF THE GREEN BERETS - SSgt. Barry Sadler (RCA Victor). Amazing huh? Well, maybe not so much considering The Ballad of Davy Crockett had been imprinted into the boomers’ brains 11 years earlier.
1965
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1965
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 25, 1965, issue)
1. BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN - The Supremes (Motown)*
2. WOOLY BULLY - Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs (MGM)
3. MR. LONELY - Bobby Vinton (Epic)
4. I CAN’T HELP MYSELF (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - The Four Tops (Motown)
5. (I Can’t Get No) SATISFACTION - The Rolling Stones (London)
6. DOWNTOWN - Petula Clark (Warner Bros.)
7. YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’ - The Righteous Brothers (Philles)
8. COME SEE ABOUT ME - The Supremes (Motown)
9. THE "IN" CROWD - The Ramsey Lewis Trio (Argo)
- YOU WERE ON MY MIND - We Five (A&M)
After Beatle mania of 64 it’s interesting to realize there were no Beatle hits in the top 10 of 65 (Help was 11). This one is up there because it has what many critics have said is the greatest rock song of all time – Satisfaction. (For those that missed it, Keith Richard’s mom passed away this week. RIP Mrs. Richards, and don’t snort her Keith!)
1967
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1967
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 23, 1967, issue)
1. THE LETTER - The Box Tops (Mala)
2. LIGHT MY FIRE - The Doors (Elektra)
3. CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU - Frankie Valli (Philips)
4. ODE TO BILLIE JOE - Bobbie Gentry (Capitol)
5. TO SIR WITH LOVE - Lulu (Epic)
6. HAPPY TOGETHER - The Turtles (White Whale)
7. WINDY - The Association (Warner Bros.)
8. I’M A BELIEVER - The Monkees (Colgems)
9. GROOVIN’ - The Young Rascals (Atlantic)
- RESPECT - Aretha Franklin (Atlantic)
This year’s in there on the strength of LIGHT MY FIRE and RESPECT amongst a lot of teeny bop slop. Teeny bop slop is what you’ll find fouling the top of the charts in most years. M
1968
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1968
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 28, 1968, issue)
1. HEY JUDE - The Beatles (Apple)
2. LOVE IS BLUE (L’Amour Est Bleu) - Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra (Philips)
3. YOUNG GIRL - Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (Columbia)
4. (Sittin’ On) THE DOCK OF THE BAY - Otis Redding (Volt)
5. MRS. ROBINSON - Simon & Garfunkel (Columbia)
6. HONEY - Bobby Goldsboro (United Artists)
7. PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE - The Rascals (Atlantic)
8. GREEN TAMBOURINE - The Lemon Pipers (Buddah)
9. THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU - Herb Alpert (A&M)
- TIGHTEN UP - Archie Bell & The Drells (Atlantic)
1969 (If you can ignore the #1 song. Proof 12 year old teeny bop girls controlled the charts.)
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1969
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 27, 1969, issue)
1. SUGAR, SUGAR - The Archies (Calendar)
2. HONKY TONK WOMEN - The Rolling Stones (London)
3. AQUARIUS/LET THE SUNSHINE IN (The Flesh Failures) - The 5th Dimension
(Soul City)
4. I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE - Marvin Gaye (Tamla)
5. EVERYDAY PEOPLE - Sly & The Family Stone (Epic)
6. DIZZY - Tommy Roe (ABC)
7. I CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU - The Temptations (Gordy)
8. CRIMSON AND CLOVER - Tommy James & The Shondells (Roulette)
9. BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP - The Foundations (Uni)
- HAIR - The Cowsills (MGM)
Hair was the #1 song the week I graduated from high school (as I remember it from the radio at the time, but the Cash Box chart says it was a few notches lower that May). Hair was one ot the best tunes to capture the zeitgeist of the times.
1972 (Just because of #1 - Hey Nixon won reelection.)
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1972
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 30, 1972, issue)
1. AMERICAN PIE - Don McLean (United Artists)
2. ALONE AGAIN (Naturally) - Gilbert O’Sullivan (MAM)
3. BRAND NEW KEY - Melanie (Neighborhood)
4. DADDY DON’T YOU WALK SO FAST - Wayne Newton (Chelsea)
5. WITHOUT YOU - Nilsson (RCA Victor)
6. I GOTCHA - Joe Tex (Dial)
7. LET’S STAY TOGETHER - Al Green (Hi)
8. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I DON’T WANT TO BE RIGHT - Luther Ingram (KoKo)
9. BRANDY (You’re A Fine Girl) - The Looking Glass (Epic)
- THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT - Robert John (Atlantic)
By 72 it seemed to me that a lot of the great rock and roll music was slip sliding away.
1975
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1975
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 27, 1975, issue)
1. LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - The Captain & Tennille (A&M)
2. RHINESTONE COWBOY - Glen Campbell (Capitol)
3. BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN - Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
4. PICK UP THE PIECES - The Average White Band (Atlantic)
5. FAME - David Bowie (RCA Victor)
6. AT SEVENTEEN - Janis Ian (Columbia)
7. SHINING STAR - Earth, Wind & Fire (Columbia)
8. THANK GOD I’M A COUNTRY BOY - John Denver (RCA Victor)
9. LADY MARMALADE - LaBelle (Epic)
- ISLAND GIRL - Elton John (MCA)
For Bowie (career nomination) and one hit wonder Ian.
1977 – Anyone who votes for this year is mentally ill! A totally fuckin sicko!
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1977
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 31, 1977, issue)
1. YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE - Debby Boone (Warner/Curb)
2. I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR EVERYTHING - Andy Gibb (RSO)
3. DANCING QUEEN - Abba (Atlantic)
4. UNDERCOVER ANGEL - Alan O’Day (Pacific)
5. TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS - Mary MacGregor (Ariola America)
6. LOVE THEME FROM "A STAR IS BORN" (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand (Columbia)
7. I LIKE DREAMIN’ - Kenny Nolan (20th Century)
8. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) HIGHER AND HIGHER - Rita Coolidge (A&M)
9. SWAYIN’ TO THE MUSIC (Slow Dancin’) - Johnny Rivers (Big Tree)
- STAR WARS THEME/CANTINA BAND - Meco (Millennium)
1978 (If you were into disco.)
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1978
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 30, 1978, issue)
1. NIGHT FEVER - The Bee Gees (RSO)
2. STAYIN’ ALIVE - The Bee Gees (RSO)
3. SHADOW DANCING - Andy Gibb (RSO)
4. KISS YOU ALL OVER - Exile (Warner/Curb)
5. THREE TIMES A LADY - The Commodores (Motown)
6. HOT CHILD IN THE CITY - Nick Gilder (Chrysalis)
7. BOOGIE OOGIE OOGIE - A Taste Of Honey (Capitol)
8. EMOTION - Samantha Sang (Private Stock)
9. YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John (RSO)
- MISS YOU - The Rolling Stones (Rolling Stones)
1980 (Disco is dead!)
The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1980
TOP 100 POP SINGLES (As published in the December 27, 1980, issue)
POS TITLE – Artist (Label)
1 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST – Queen (Elektra)
2 CALL ME – Blondie (Chrysalis)
3 ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (pt. 2) – Pink Floyd (Columbia)
4 UPSIDE DOWN – Diana Ross (Motown)
5 CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE – Queen (Elektra)
6 LADY – Kenny Rogers (Liberty)
7 IT’S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME – Billy Joel (Columbia)
8 ROCK WITH YOU – Michael Jackson (Epic)
9 WOMAN IN LOVE – Barbra Streisand (Columbia)
10 FUNKYTOWN – Lipps, Inc. (Casablanca)
1983 – The rise of the King of Pop.
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1983
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 31, 1983, issue)
1. FLASHDANCE...WHAT A FEELING - Irene Cara (Casablanca)
2. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE - The Police (A&M)
3. BILLIE JEAN - Michael Jackson (Epic)
4. LET’S DANCE - David Bowie (EMI America)
5. TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART - Bonnie Tyler (Columbia)
6. ALL NIGHT LONG (All Night) - Lionel Richie (Motown)
7. BEAT IT - Michael Jackson (Epic)
8. DOWN UNDER - Men At Work (Columbia)
9. ELECTRIC AVENUE - Eddy Grant (Portrait)
- DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME - Culture Club (Epic/Virgin)
1985
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1985
Top 100 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 28, 1985, issue)
1. WE ARE THE WORLD - USA for Africa (Columbia)
2. MONEY FOR NOTHING - Dire Straits (Warner Bros.)
3. EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD - Tears For Fears (Mercury)
4. THE POWER OF LOVE - Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)
5. CARELESS WHISPER - Wham! featuring George Michael (Columbia)
6. ST. ELMO’S FIRE (Man In Motion) - John Parr (Atlantic)
7. EASY LOVER - Philip Bailey with Phil Collins (Columbia)
8. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - Foreigner (Atlantic)
9. CRAZY FOR YOU - Madonna (Geffen)
- CAN’T FIGHT THIS FEELING - REO Speedwagon (Epic)
1993 for the Whitney fans:
CASH BOX YEAR-END CHARTS: 1993
Top 50 Singles (Pop)
(As listed in the Dec. 31, 1993, issue)
1. CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE - UB40 (Virgin)
2. WHOOMP! (There It Is) - Tag Team (Life)
3. WEAK - SWV (RCA)
4. THAT’S THE WAY LOVE GOES - Janet Jackson (Virgin)
5. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU - Whitney Houston (Arista)
6. DON’T WALK AWAY - Jade (Giant)
7. FREAK ME - Silk (Keia/Elektra)
8. LATELY - Jodeci (Uptown/MCA)
9. INFORMER - Snow (EastWest)
- RUMP SHAKER - Wreckx-N-Effect (MCA)