The reason for the "revisited" tag on this has to do with each year in this decade already having been examined (and then some) individually as below . . . Every UK #1 Single of 1970 Discussion Thread Every UK #1 Single Of 1971 Discussion Thread Every UK #1 Single Of 1972 Discussion Thread (all 68 pages of it!!! in all its glory) Every UK #1 Single Of 1973 Discussion Thread (a close second, with 58 pages to leaf through) Every UK #1 Single Of 1974 Discussion Thread (42 pages) Every UK #1 Single Of 1975 Discussion Thread Every UK #1 Single of 1976 Discussion Thread Every UK #1 Single of 1977 Discussion Thread Every UK #1 Single of 1978 Discussion Thread. Every UK #1 Single of 1979 Discussion Thread . . . as helmed by the likes of @Bobby Morrow, @Randoms, @Yam Graham and @cut to the chase. But since these threads were started, more information, courtesy threads in UKMix and other sites (and other chart mavens including @Finchingfield), has come to light. In particular, the "other" #1's as on the Melody Maker charts (which have not been put forth on Wikipedia, other than the chart comparisons of the 1969-88 period as now there) as well as NME; plus the late, lamented Top Pops/Music Now, will be accounted for at the end of each year in a more organized and complete fashion than had been the case on the earlier threads. As well, as far as audio, some have been added and others deleted in the period since the original threads were put up. Some threads don't have the week-by-week count as others do. This should take care o' that. It is also the intention to get correct the chart dates, which vary wildly by some sources, and if practicable to mention the numerical sequence for those that topped the Official Charts that also did so on NME, Melody Maker and, up to 1971, Top Pops/Music Now. In other words, this is meant to be a supplement to the 10 individual threads above. With that in mind, we start off the year 1970 with the very last #1 of 1969 (and the 1960's), "Two Little Boys" by Rolf Harris. That, and the charts for the period that was at the top, and all the 45's from the period that saw some form of U.S. release, was already examined on this contributor's Every UK #1 Single of the 1960's Discussion Thread, so it won't be drug up twice. After a breather, the first "new" #1 of 1970 - again. Meanwhile, take a gander at a new "old" thread: Every UK #1 Single of the 1950's Discussion Thread as we are beginning to wind down on the more recent period being dealt with: Every UK #1 Single of The 1990's Discussion Thread. (two years to go)
Now to get the ball rolling on this . . . #1 of 1970 (#281 in total) - "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse (#1 for 5 weeks - 31 January-28 February 1970) The UK single: The US single (showing both paper labels and the US version of 'Plasticr*p'): Wikipedia entry - in the UK, also NME #282 / Melody Maker #228 / Top Pops/Music World #38 (all had it #1 for 3 weeks - 07 February-21 February 1970); in the US, made #5 in Billboard's Hot 100 and #4 in Cash Box
Week Ending 31 January 1970 02 - 12 - 01 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GOES (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 11 - 01 - 02 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 07 - 03 - 03 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 04 - 08 - 04 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 09 - 04 - 05 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 10 - 06 - 06 - Elvis Presley - SUSPICIOUS MINDS 16 - 02 - 07 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 04 - 11 - 08 - Arrival - FRIENDS 03 - 13 - 09 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 02 - 30 - 10 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 10 - 05 - 11 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 04 - 20 - 12 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 09 - 07 - 13 - The Dave Clark Five - GOOD OLD ROCK 'N' ROLL 17 - 09 - 14 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 08 - 14 - 15 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 12 - 10 - 16 - Blue Mink - MELTING POT 15 - 15 - 17 - Harry J. All Stars - LIQUIDATOR 13 - 19 - 18 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 09 - 18 - 19 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 03 - 26 - 20 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 07 - 16 - 21 - Delaney And Bonnie And Friends Featuring Eric Clapton - COMIN' HOME 1 - NEW - 22 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 06 - 23 - 23 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 08 - 17 - 24 - Tom Jones - WITHOUT LOVE 03 - 33 - 25 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 04 - 31 - 26 - Jonathan King - LET IT ALL HANG OUT 06 - 25 - 27 - Lou Christie - SHE SOLD ME MAGIC 03 - 43 - 28 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 03 - 44 - 29 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 03 - 37 - 30 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 12 - 24 - 31 - Stevie Wonder - YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY 12 - 22 - 32 - Engelbert Humperdinck - WINTER WORLD OF LOVE 05 - 29 - 33 - Leapy Lee - GOOD MORNING 06 - 39 - 34 - The Equals - RUB A DUB DUB 02 - 42 - 35 - The Contours - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING 1 - NEW - 36 - The Peddlers - GIRLIE 04 - 35 - 37 - The Kinks - VICTORIA 08 - 21 - 38 - Cilla Black - IF I THOUGHT YOU'D CHANGE YOUR MIND 02 - RE - 39 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 10 - 32 - 40 - Nancy Sinatra - THE HIGHWAY SONG 11 - 36 - 41 - Malcolm Roberts - LOVE IS ALL 1 - NEW - 42 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 12 - 28 - 43 - Marvin Gaye And Tammi Terrell - THE ONION SONG 14 - 34 - 44 - The Tremeloes - (CALL ME) NUMBER ONE 09 - 41 - 45 - Cliff Richard - WITH THE EYES OF A CHILD 10 - 40 - 46 - Des O'Connor - LONELINESS (NON SONO MADDALENA) 03 - 47 - 47 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 18 - 48 - 48 - Frank Sinatra - LOVE'S BEEN GOOD TO ME 43 - RE - 49 - Frank Sinatra - MY WAY 1 - NEW - 50 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE Week Ending 07 February 1970 03 - 01 - 01 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 12 - 02 - 02 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 08 - 03 - 03 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 04 - 09 - 04 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 05 - 04 - 05 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 03 - 10 - 06 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 17 - 07 - 07 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 05 - 12 - 08 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 05 - 08 - 09 - Arrival - FRIENDS 02 - 22 - 10 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 10 - 05 - 11 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 11 - 06 - 12 - Elvis Presley - SUSPICIOUS MINDS 04 - 20 - 13 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 11 - 11 - 14 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 04 - 29 - 15 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 07 - 23 - 16 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 09 - 15 - 17 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 10 - 13 - 18 - The Dave Clark Five - GOOD OLD ROCK 'N' ROLL 18 - 14 - 19 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 16 - 17 - 20 - Harry J. All Stars - LIQUIDATOR 04 - 30 - 21 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 13 - 16 - 22 - Blue Mink - MELTING POT 08 - 21 - 23 - Delaney And Bonnie And Friends Featuring Eric Clapton - COMIN' HOME 10 - 19 - 24 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 04 - 28 - 25 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 14 - 18 - 26 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 05 - 26 - 27 - Jonathan King - LET IT ALL HANG OUT 04 - 25 - 28 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 09 - 24 - 29 - Tom Jones - WITHOUT LOVE 02 - 42 - 30 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 03 - 35 - 31 - The Contours - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING 1 - NEW - 32 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 03 - 39 - 33 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 02 - 36 - 34 - The Peddlers - GIRLIE 07 - 27 - 35 - Lou Christie - SHE SOLD ME MAGIC 1 - NEW - 36 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 07 - 34 - 37 - The Equals - RUB A DUB DUB 13 - 32 - 38 - Engelbert Humperdinck - WINTER WORLD OF LOVE 13 - 31 - 39 - Stevie Wonder - YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY 06 - 33 - 40 - Leapy Lee - GOOD MORNING 04 - 47 - 41 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 09 - 38 - 42 - Cilla Black - IF I THOUGHT YOU'D EVER CHANGE YOUR MIND 10 - 45 - 43 - Cliff Richard - WITH THE EYES OF A CHILD 11 - 46 - 44 - Des O'Connor - LONELINESS (NON SONO MADDALENA) 1 - NEW - 45 - Glen Campbell - TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS 02 - 50 - 46 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 1 - NEW - 47 - Robin Gibb - AUGUST OCTOBER 1 - NEW - 48 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 1 - NEW - 49 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 12 - 41 - 50 - Malcolm Roberts - LOVE IS ALL Week Ending 14 February 1970 04 - 01 - 01 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 05 - 04 - 02 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 05 - 15 - 03 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 04 - 06 - 04 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 06 - 05 - 05 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 09 - 03 - 06 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 13 - 02 - 07 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 03 - 10 - 08 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 06 - 08 - 09 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 05 - 21 - 10 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 06 - 09 - 11 - Arrival - FRIENDS 03 - 30 - 12 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 18 - 07 - 13 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 05 - 13 - 14 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 11 - 11 - 15 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 05 - 28 - 16 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 12 - 12 - 17 - Elvis Presley - SUSPICIOUS MINDS 02 - 36 - 18 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 10 - 17 - 19 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 08 - 16 - 20 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 12 - 14 - 21 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 02 - 49 - 22 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 05 - 25 - 23 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 02 - 32 - 24 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 17 - 20 - 25 - Harry J. All Stars - LIQUIDATOR 19 - 19 - 26 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 11 - 18 - 27 - Dave Clark Five - GOOD OLD ROCK 'N' ROLL 14 - 22 - 28 - Blue Mink - MELTING POT 06 - 27 - 29 - Jonathan King - LET IT ALL HANG OUT 11 - 24 - 30 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 15 - 26 - 31 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 05 - 41 - 32 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 10 - 29 - 33 - Tom Jones - WITHOUT LOVE 04 - 33 - 34 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 03 - 46 - 35 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 04 - 31 - 36 - The Contours - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING 1 - NEW - 37 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 03 - 34 - 38 - The Peddlers - GIRLIE 02 - 48 - 39 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 1 - NEW - 40 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 07 - 40 - 41 - Leapy Lee - GOOD MORNING 09 - 23 - 42 - Delaney And Bonnie And Friends Featuring Eric Clapton - COMIN' HOME 1 - NEW - 43 - The Pentangle - LIGHT FLIGHT (THEME FROM "TAKE THREE GIRLS") 1 - NEW - 44 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 02 - 47 - 45 - Robin Gibb - AUGUST OCTOBER 1 - NEW - 46 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 1 - NEW - 47 - Jimmy Cliff - VIETNAM 02 - 45 - 48 - Glen Campbell - TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS 08 - 35 - 49 - Lou Christie - SHE SOLD ME MAGIC 11 - 43 - 50 - Cliff Richard - WITH THE EYES OF A CHILD Week Ending 21 February 1970 05 - 01 - 01 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 06 - 03 - 02 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 06 - 02 - 03 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 04 - 12 - 04 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 03 - 18 - 05 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 04 - 08 - 06 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 1 - NEW - 07 - Lennon / Ono With The Plastic Ono Band - INSTANT KARMA! 05 - 04 - 08 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 06 - 10 - 09 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 14 - 07 - 10 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 03 - 22 - 11 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 03 - 24 - 12 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 07 - 05 - 13 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 07 - 09 - 14 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 10 - 06 - 15 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 09 - 20 - 16 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 06 - 14 - 17 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 19 - 13 - 18 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 02 - 40 - 19 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 06 - 23 - 20 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 06 - 16 - 21 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 12 - 15 - 22 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 13 - 21 - 23 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 05 - 34 - 24 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 20 - 26 - 25 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 06 - 32 - 26 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 04 - 35 - 27 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 07 - 11 - 28 - Arrival - FRIENDS 11 - 19 - 29 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 13 - 17 - 30 - Elvis Presley - SUSPICIOUS MINDS 12 - 30 - 31 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 03 - 39 - 32 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 05 - 36 - 33 - The Contours - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING 07 - 29 - 34 - Jonathan King - LET IT ALL HANG OUT 18 - 25 - 35 - Harry J. All Stars - THE LIQUIDATOR 16 - 31 - 36 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 02 - 37 - 37 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 1 - NEW - 38 - B. J. Thomas - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 04 - 38 - 39 - The Peddlers - GIRLIE 12 - 27 - 40 - The Dave Clark Five - GOOD OLD ROCK 'N' ROLL 15 - 28 - 41 - Blue Mink - MELTING POT 1 - NEW - 42 - Simon And Garfunkel - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER 11 - 33 - 43 - Tom Jones - WITHOUT LOVE (THERE IS NOTHING) 1 - NEW - 44 - Dorothy Squires - TILL 02 - 44 - 45 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 03 - 45 - 46 - Robin Gibb - AUGUST OCTOBER 02 - 46 - 47 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 1 - NEW - 48 - Bobbie Gentry - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD 1 - NEW - 49 - Barry Ryan With The Candy Choir - MAGICAL SPIEL 1 - NEW - 50 - Cliff And Hank - THE JOY OF LIVING Week Ending 28 February 1970 06 - 01 - 01 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) d04 - 05 - 02 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 07 - 02 - 03 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 05 - 04 - 04 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 02 - 07 - 05 - Lennon / Ono With The Plastic Ono Band - INSTANT KARMA! 07 - 03 - 06 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 05 - 06 - 07 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 07 - 09 - 08 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 04 - 11 - 09 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 03 - 19 - 10 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 04 - 12 - 11 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 06 - 08 - 12 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 02 - 42 - 13 - Simon And Garfunkel - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER 07 - 20 - 14 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 15 - 10 - 15 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 07 - 26 - 16 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 07 - 17 - 17 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 08 - 14 - 18 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 08 - 13 - 19 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 20 - 18 - 20 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 05 - 27 - 21 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 10 - 16 - 22 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 06 - 24 - 23 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 14 - 23 - 24 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 07 - 21 - 25 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 11 - 15 - 26 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 1 - NEW - 27 - Pickettywitch - THAT SAME OLD FEELING 04 - 32 - 28 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 21 - 25 - 29 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 1 - NEW - 30 - Elvis Presley - DON'T CRY DADDY 02 - 44 - 31 - Dorothy Squires - TILL 13 - 22 - 32 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 02 - 50 - 33 - Cliff And Hank - THE JOY OF LIVING 03 - 37 - 34 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 03 - 45 - 35 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 12 - 29 - 36 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 03 - 47 - 37 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 1 - NEW - 38 - Joe Dolan - YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN 08 - 28 - 39 - Arrival - FRIENDS 06 - 33 - 40 - The Contours - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING 19 - 35 - 41 - Harry J. All Stars - LIQUIDATOR 02 - 48 - 42 - Bobbie Gentry - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD 14 - 30 - 43 - Elvis Presley - SUSPICIOUS MINDS 13 - 31 - 44 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 02 - RE - 45 - The Pentangle - LIGHT FLIGHT (THEME FROM "TAKE THREE GIRLS") 02 - RE - 46 - Jimmy Cliff - VIETNAM 17 - 36 - 47 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 02 - 38 - 48 - B. J. Thomas - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 44 - RE - 49 - Frank Sinatra - MY WAY 1 - NEW - 50 - Jimmy Ruffin - FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND
Now for all what would be in my collection from all this: (This and its flip, "Fortunate Son," was another US Top 10 success for the band.) (In the U.S., this was the first Number One song of 1970 and the 1970's, reigning for four weeks from 03 January to 24 January 1970.)
Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows. It is a cool song, I doubt I would buy it, I have is playing in my head just reading the title lol Some great songs in that chart though. Nice to see Tull up there. Elvis is obviously Elvis, and yes I'm a fan. Bridge Over Troubled Water is a brilliant piece of work. I like Paul Simon's stuff, and Simon and Garfunkel, but I don't think he ever topped that song. CCR Plenty of stuff I don't know, or don't love, but it's a good set of charts
And now, for the first 'newies' to bloom in these five weeks: As always, the mono's the way ta go: The last US #1 for Fontana Records in this configuration. A prime example of "screwing up in reverse": The participants all wanted to make a record so bad it would be relegated to a mere B side - but the execs at Mercury thought otherwise.
Apart from those in my collection, none of the other 'newies' had US equivalent release. Not even Ms. Gentry's.
Oh, and again, mono is king - B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head": Some mono pressings had a different vocal take through the bridge, as heard here. The one shown is what I have.
The decade kicks off well with a pretty decent no. 1 in Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes, although five weeks at the top seems excessive. Vocals by Tony Burrows, whose name we're not finished with yet The era of the two-minute pop song appears to be over, and along with it the era of my listening to an entire track to review it ... (although I mostly did) Mary: the new decade really gets off on the right foot with this breezy, atmospheric gem (although it's pretty much all downhill from here). Quite the exotic sound, what with steel drums and all, although it doesn't sound particularly "island", whether Caribbean, Pacific or anything else Peddlers: like Booker T & the MGs with a faux-dramatic low-pitched voice sing-speaking over it J5: a far cry from Motown classics like Heat Wave or Baby Love. I'm not going to argue against their precocious talents but I just don't care for their sound Steam: fairly fast, anthemic in sports arenas for decades by now (I hope none of the Kansas City Chiefs' opponents' fans started singing it once their teams were up by 10 or more points, because they would have been in for a rude shock). One favourite feature: the high-note organ that comes in with the second verse Hermits: on the cutesy / sunshine pop side, with lyrics too jejune to be mistaken for thoughtful Lee: tries to sing in the style of a different Lee (Hazlewood), but can't really do it. However the song has a very nice orchestra-and-choir arrangement Clint: he seems to be able to sing a bit, but the song is less interesting than Lee's on the flip Glen: fairly lively track, better than I remembered Robin: appealing, moderately paced, in 3/4 (waltz) time. Lushly orchestrated, like much of the Robin's Reign album, although whether it was the best choice for leadoff track can be debated. The lyrics are a bit offbeat, but a fine song 1st Ed.: the slow, smoldering verse builds and builds and builds, then ... the chorus is a damp squib. Not well done, and their weakest single White Plains: moderately quick track produced by The Two Rogers (Cook and Greenaway) which may or may not feature The One Session Singer (the aforementioned Tony Burrows) on lead vocals CCR: popular, appealing track in their fairly sparse rock style BoMan: earnest track with fairly nice production, but as with many similar efforts it's the vocals (combined), while far from awful, that diminish its appeal if anything does. Guess who's one of the male vocalists? Hint: see White Plains, above, and / or the opening blurb about Edison Lighthouse Pentangle: plenty of intersecting vocals, male and female, with intricate acoustic guitars and active percussion. I'm not too fussy on first listen but it might appeal more on repeated exposure Rare Bird: a cappella first verse, a simple strum backing comes in subsequent to that. Then a second, different vocalist comes in to wail. Not much production involved, and not very interesting Tams: sophisticated production on this one, perhaps looking back 2-4 years, a good effort Jimmy: mid-paced with good rhythm and a reggae influence, some nice percussion fills and an organ in the bridge for a bit. It sounds alright but the chorus is just the title country name repeated several times Lennon: well-known track with sing-speak-scream vocals, that pilfers the piano backing of Badfinger's debut Come and Get It, possibly. Never much of a favourite here B. J.: always disliked this, for its annoying insouciance and general uninterestingness. Give me his heyday of superb songs like Billy and Sue and Mama, please S & G: notable for its depth in both words and music, with about as big a production as you can get with piano base, needs no introduction really Dorothy: slow, with nice smooth pleasant production that's MOR / old-timey but definitely at the upper end. The vocals tend to grate in places, unfortunately Bobbie: see Thomas, B. J., not far above. I think it's better arranged though Barry: slow piano-based intro for about forty seconds, then it starts to roll (or rock). Possibly through-composed, which means listening to its entirety is almost mandatory. It goes here, there and everywhere, i. e., it borders on prog, currently being invented contemporaneously Cliff & Hank: starts off with a couple of low, fuzzy guitar sounds that mimic a buzzsaw (and which repeat once later on), the verses are fairly slow, the choruses double up the pace and feature near-gospelly backing vocals. One of the better efforts of these few weeks' songs P'witch: moderately fast bubblegum / sunshine pop track, not bad but hardly wonderful. The female vocalist is Polly Brown, of later Up in a Puff of Smoke note, although here she sounds like she has a cold in her nose Elvis: a tear-jerker about a split family, "you've still got me and little Tommy, together we'll find a brand new mommy". Entirely too maudlin for my liking, although I could possibly say something nice about the strings if I could stand listening to the whole thing Joe: going for the Tom Jones vibe of a few years earlier, and the longer it goes on the more I think he succeeds; not bad at all Jimmy: another pleasing soul track from the man, this one faster than his best-known tunes and in 6/8 time Single of the Week: Temma Harbour. Other worthies: Steam, Robin Gibb, the Tams, Simon and Garfunkel, Barry Ryan, Joe Dolan, Jimmy Ruffin
The J5 weren't even being backed by the "Funk Brothers" here, but rather by L.A. studio musicians. That's part of why the "sound" is different from those early tracks you mentioned. The bass is most likely a Fender Telecaster Bass or Precision Bass, played by Wilton Felder who was also a member of The Crusaders jazz group. There's a definite "tone" emanating from that bass that if one hears it, they can spot it right away.
I didn't necessarily like everything the Funk Brothers worked on, but there was a much higher probability ... And there are plenty of songs on which others among L. A. studio musicians (e. g., the Wrecking Crew) performed that I enjoy immensely. So maybe it's just the J5 themselves that I don't care for ...
Which would in time lead to a heap o' controversy on TOTP. Burrows made Ron Dante (of The Archies and The Cuff Links) look like a piker in comparison. The TOTP situation would have been like if, say, Dick Clark booked The Archies and The Cuff Links to lip-sync to their respective big hits on one edition of American Bandstand - live on tape, with Dante as part of both acts. (And at the time, AB was on ABC while the Archie cartoon shows were on CBS, so you - or Clark - couldn't show the animated episode which contained "Sugar, Sugar.") As for BoM: This was Mark I. We're a ways off from how we know them. While Roger Cook was in Blue Mink, his writing partner Roger Greenaway was in this version of BoM - as were sisters Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie. (The burly one was veteran songwriter and producer John Goodison, who co-wrote "United We Stand" under the pseudonym Peter Simons in tandem with the group's creator and longtime mastermind Tony Hiller.)
Jackson Five's I Want You Back, is a classic. It takes the weepy break up tune and turns it into a positive, joyous bouncing track, instead of the normal slow, misery laden, faux-deep style that these types of lyrics usually use.
Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) Following the slightly morose Two Little Boys, this Edison Lighthouse massive hit is positively uplifting. Having inherited this single from my father, I love the UK record label, the last I have before the silver with black.
I bought a Mary Hopkin comp sometime around the original thread. A wonderful singer and very nice song. Herman's Hermits - Years May Come, Years May Go Seems so twee listening to this now, but I loved it as a seven year old!
Their U.S. label, MGM, must've thought this "twee" at the time, as they never released it in the States.
Now we move on . . . #2 of 1970 (#282 in total) - "Wand'rin' Star" by Lee Marvin / "I Talk To The Trees" by Clint Eastwood (#1 for 3 weeks - 07 March 1970-21 March 1970) plus the B side The UK single: In the US, only the A side was issued on 45; the B side saw no such release: Wikipedia entry - in the UK, also NME #284 / Melody Maker #230 (same time period and duration of weeks as BMRB), did not make top of Top Pops/Music Now charts; in the US, did not even bubble under Billboard's Hot 100.
Week Ending 07 March 1970 05 - 02 - 01 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 06 - 04 - 02 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 08 - 03 - 03 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 07 - 01 - 04 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 03 - 05 - 05 - Lennon / Ono With The Plastic Ono Band - INSTANT KARMA! 08 - 06 - 06 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 03 - 13 - 07 - Simon And Garfunkel - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER 05 - 11 - 08 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 05 - 09 - 09 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 06 - 07 - 10 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 04 - 10 - 11 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 08 - 08 - 12 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 06 - 21 - 13 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 07 - 23 - 14 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 08 - 16 - 15 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 05 - 28 - 16 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 08 - 14 - 17 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 02 - 30 - 18 - Elvis Presley - DON'T CRY DADDY 02 - 27 - 19 - Pickettywitch - THAT SAME OLD FEELING 16 - 15 - 20 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 07 - 12 - 21 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 09 - 19 - 22 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 09 - 18 - 23 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 21 - 20 - 24 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 03 - 33 - 25 - Cliff And Hank - THE JOY OF LIVING 11 - 22 - 26 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 14 - 32 - 27 - Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell - ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM 1 - NEW - 28 - The Dave Clark Five - EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER 04 - 35 - 29 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 45 - 49 - 30 - Frank Sinatra - MY WAY 04 - 34 - 31 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 02 - 50 - 32 - Jimmy Ruffin - FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND 14 - 44 - 33 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 08 - 25 - 34 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 12 - 26 - 35 - The Marmalade - REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE 15 - 24 - 36 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 22 - 29 - 37 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 04 - 37 - 38 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 08 - 17 - 39 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 03 - 42 - 40 - Bobbie Gentry - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD 09 - 39 - 41 - Arrival - FRIENDS 03 - 48 - 42 - B. J. Thomas - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 18 - 47 - 43 - Roger Whittaker - DURHAM TOWN (THE LEAVIN') 03 - 31 - 44 - Dorothy Squires - TILL 20 - 41 - 45 - Harry J. All Stars - LIQUIDATOR 1 - NEW - 46 - Juicy Lucy - WHO DO YOU LOVE 03 - 45 - 47 - Pentangle - LIGHT FLIGHT 02 - 38 - 48 - Joe Dolan - YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN 13 - 36 - 49 - Diana Ross And The Supremes - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER 03 - 46 - 50 - Jimmy Cliff - VIETNAM Week Ending 14 March 1970 06 - 01 - 01 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 1 - NEW - 02 - The Beatles - LET IT BE 04 - 07 - 03 - Simon And Garfunkel - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER 07 - 02 - 04 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 08 - 04 - 05 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 04 - 05 - 06 - Lennon / Ono With The Plastic Ono Band - INSTANT KARMA! 09 - 03 - 07 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 03 - 19 - 08 - Pickettywitch - THAT SAME OLD FEELING 06 - 08 - 09 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 09 - 15 - 10 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 03 - 18 - 11 - Elvis Presley - DON'T CRY DADDY 05 - 11 - 12 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 07 - 13 - 13 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 06 - 09 - 14 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 09 - 06 - 15 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 09 - 12 - 16 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 1 - NEW - 17 - Andy Williams - CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE 06 - 16 - 18 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 07 - 10 - 19 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 02 - 28 - 20 - The Dave Clark Five - EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER 17 - 20 - 21 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 1 - NEW - 22 - Bob And Marcia - YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK 09 - 17 - 23 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 08 - 14 - 24 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 04 - 25 - 25 - Cliff And Hank - THE JOY OF LIVING 04 - 44 - 26 - Dorothy Squires - TILL 05 - 29 - 27 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 03 - 48 - 28 - Joe Dolan - YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN 03 - 32 - 29 - Jimmy Ruffin - FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND 22 - 24 - 30 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 08 - 21 - 31 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 46 - 30 - 32 - Frank Sinatra - MY WAY 10 - 23 - 33 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 15 - 33 - 34 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 05 - 31 - 35 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 1 - NEW - 36 - Des O'Connor - I'LL GO ON HOPING 09 - 39 - 37 - The Temptations - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU 23 - 37 - 38 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 05 - 38 - 39 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 10 - 22 - 40 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT 12 - 26 - 41 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 16 - 36 - 42 - The Cuff Links - TRACY 04 - 40 - 43 - Bobbie Gentry - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD 02 - 46 - 44 - Juicy Lucy - WHO DO YOU LOVE 1 - NEW - 45 - Dave Dee - MY WOMAN'S MAN 09 - 34 - 46 - The 5th Dimension - WEDDING BELL BLUES 1 - NEW - 47 - The Cuff Links - WHEN JULIE COMES AROUND 11 - RE - 48 - Nilsson - EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' 12 - RE - 49 - Tom Jones - WITHOUT LOVE (THERE IS NOTHING) 1 - NEW - 50 - Gene Pitney - A STREET CALLED HOPE Week Ending 21 March 1970 07 - 01 - 01 - Lee Marvin / Clint Eastwood - WAND'RIN' STAR / I TALK TO THE TREES 05 - 03 - 02 - Simon And Garfunkel - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER 02 - 02 - 03 - The Beatles - LET IT BE 08 - 04 - 04 - The Jackson 5 - I WANT YOU BACK 04 - 08 - 05 - Pickettywitch - THAT SAME OLD FEELING 02 - 17 - 06 - Andy Williams - CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE 07 - 09 - 07 - Herman's Hermits - YEARS MAY COME, YEARS MAY GO 04 - 11 - 08 - Elvis Presley - DON'T CRY DADDY 08 - 13 - 09 - Steam - NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE 05 - 06 - 10 - Lennon / Ono With The Plastic Ono Band - INSTANT KARMA! 03 - 20 - 11 - The Dave Clark Five - EVERYBODY GET TOGETHER 10 - 07 - 12 - Canned Heat - LET'S WORK TOGETHER 07 - 18 - 13 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - SOMETHING'S BURNING 10 - 10 - 14 - Sacha Distel - RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD 02 - 22 - 15 - Bob And Marcia - YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK 06 - 12 - 16 - The Brotherhood Of Man - UNITED WE STAND 09 - 05 - 17 - Edison Lighthouse - LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) 07 - 14 - 18 - White Plains - MY BABY LOVES LOVIN' 10 - 15 - 19 - Peter, Paul And Mary - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE 18 - 21 - 20 - Rolf Harris - TWO LITTLE BOYS 09 - 24 - 21 - Boris Gardiner - ELIZABETHAN REGGAE 10 - 16 - 22 - The Shocking Blue - VENUS 04 - 29 - 23 - Jimmy Ruffin - FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND 08 - 19 - 24 - Mary Hopkin - TEMMA HARBOUR 05 - 26 - 25 - Dorothy Squires - TILL 04 - 28 - 26 - Joe Dolan - YOU'RE SUCH A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN 06 - 27 - 27 - Rare Bird - SYMPATHY 05 - 25 - 28 - Cliff And Hank - THE JOY OF LIVING 03 - 44 - 29 - Juicy Lucy - WHO DO YOU LOVE 47 - 32 - 30 - Frank Sinatra - MY WAY 10 - 23 - 31 - Judy Collins - BOTH SIDES NOW 06 - 39 - 32 - The Tams - BE YOUNG, BE FOOLISH, BE HAPPY 1 - NEW - 33 - Jim Reeves - NOBODY'S FOOL 02 - 47 - 34 - The Cuff Links - WHEN JULIE COMES AROUND 24 - 38 - 35 - The Archies - SUGAR, SUGAR 1 - NEW - 36 - Diana Ross And The Supremes And The Temptations - WHY (MUST WE FALL IN LOVE) 02 - 50 - 37 - Gene Pitney - A STREET CALLED HOPE 09 - 31 - 38 - Jethro Tull - THE WITCH'S PROMISE / TEACHER 12 - 48 - 39 - Nilsson - EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' 1 - NEW - 40 - Tremeloes - BY THE WAY 16 - 34 - 41 - Jim Reeves With Steve Moore - BUT YOU LOVE ME, DADDY 02 - 45 - 42 - Dave Dee - MY WOMAN'S MAN 02 - 36 - 43 - Des O'Connor - I'LL GO ON HOPING 06 - 35 - 44 - Creedence Clearwater Revival - DOWN ON THE CORNER 13 - 41 - 45 - Vanity Fare - HITCHIN' A RIDE 23 - 30 - 46 - Kenny Rogers And The First Edition - RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN 1 - NEW - 47 - Four Tops - I CAN'T HELP MYSELF 1 - NEW - 48 - Norman Greenbaum - SPIRIT IN THE SKY 11 - 33 - 49 - Chicago - I'M A MAN 11 - 40 - 50 - Badfinger - COME AND GET IT
Now for those in my collection from this stretch . . . In the U.K., kept out of the top by Warblin' Lee; in the U.S., was their next-to-last #1.