EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1970-1974

Now on to the new year . . .
"Would You Take Another Chance On Me" / "Me And Bobby McGee" by Jerry Lee Lewis
(#1 for 1 week - January 8, 1972)

plus the other side

Wikipedia entries for "Would You Take Another Chance On Me" and "Me And Bobby McGee" - the latter was "The Killer's" last ever Top 40 pop hit, barely making it to #40 on the hot 100.

 

And then the next one up . . .
"Carolyn" by Merle Haggard And The Strangers
(#1 for 3 weeks - January 15-29, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

Truer words have never been posted, by the way. I own original 45 RPM singles of virtually every one too. Save for one (and it's on Mega Records). Have that one on LP. Never had any luck with finding a playable copy in recent years on 45.

 

The Mega Records song being Help Me Make It Through The Night.

 

Yes. And it's not from lack of trying. I've had 13 copies, all have had issues of some kind. The Best Of Sammi Smith LP on Mega I do have (bought 18 months ago sealed).

 

Now for another popular hit from one of the '70's most successful female artists . . .
"One's On The Way" by Loretta Lynn
(#1 for 2 weeks - February 5-12, 1972)

First-pressings listed the title as "Here In Topeka"; both variants will hence be shown here:

Wikipedia entry - needless to say, my copy's the "Here In Topeka" variant.

 

Long time no see for this gent . . .
"It's Four In The Morning" by Faron Young
(#1 for 2 weeks - February 19-26, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - Mr. Young's first topper since 1961's "Hello Walls," and also his last altogether; as well, his last appearance on the Hot 100, peaking at #92; and made a significant appearance on the UK Singles Chart, reaching #3 there in September.

 

And another from the "First Lady Of Country Music" . . .
"Bedtime Story" by Tammy Wynette
(#1 for 1 week - March 4, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

This of all the toppers this year had the longest Number One run . . .
"My Hang-Up Is You" by Freddie Hart
(#1 for 6 weeks - March 11-April 15, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

This version on paper should be a "killer" . . .
"Chantilly Lace" by Jerry Lee Lewis
(#1 for 3 weeks - April 22-May 6, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - and on the same label that put out the Big Bopper's original some 14 years earlier, yet!

 

And nearly four months after his last topper . . .
"Grandma Harp" by Merle Haggard And The Strangers
(#1 for 2 weeks - May 13-20, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

What a way to have a first Number One . . .
"The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A." by Donna Fargo
(#1 for 3 weeks - June 3-17, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - also managed to make #11 on pop Hot 100.

 

Now for this pivotal record . . .
"That's Why I Love You Like I Do" by Sonny James, The Southern Gentleman
(#1 for 1 week - June 24, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - would be his last #1, and last major hit, for Capitol Records.

 

Now for this one coming up . . .
"Eleven Roses" by Hank Williams, Jr.
(#1 for 2 weeks - July 1-8, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - his first solo C&W Number One.

 

Now for what could charitably be called another "end of an era" single . . .
"Made In Japan" by Buck Owens And The Buckaroos
(#1 for 1 week - July 15, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - Mr. Owens' last "solo" #1, and the last time he'd be at the top in any form for another 16 years.

 

It may not be politically correct, but I've always loved this song, and I had it in my repertoire for many years.

Lots of fun to play those licks with double-stops straight across the B and E strings.

 

I see no PC problem with Made In Japan. Its a beautiful love song about an interracial couple. Not the sort of thing that usually made the country charts. I always think of an American service man.
Now Me Japanese Boy by Bobby Goldsboro........

 

Now we turn the page to . . .
"It's Gonna Take A Little Bit Longer" by Charley Pride
(#1 for 3 weeks - July 22-August 5, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

I don't have any problem with it either, but some probably would find a way to. And yes, that was surely the origin of the tale, just as with Bobby Helms's "Fraulein."

On the other hand, the Goldsboro song may be the most execrable number to ever make the charts, and surely the nadir of Bacharach-David's songwriting career.

 

It did seem quite a few songs in Mr. Goldsboro's oeuvre were cringeworthy for all sorts of different reasons.

 

And then coming up after that . . .
"Bless Your Heart" by Freddie Hart And The Heartbeats
(#1 for 2 weeks - August 12-19, 1972)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for the only C&W topper for this veteran . . .
"If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" by Jerry Wallace
(#1 for 2 non-consecutive weeks - August 26 and September 9, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - also, managed to get to #38 on the Hot 100.

 

I'll have to pull out my Night Gallery set and watch this story.

 

And the reason Mr. Wallace's run was non-consecutive . . .
"Woman (Sensuous Woman)" by Don Gibson
(#1 for 1 week - September 2, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - Mr. Gibson's last Number One.

 

Now for the hundredth post in this here thread, and what a way to do so . . .
"When The Snow Is On The Roses" by Sonny James
(#1 for 1 week - September 16, 1972)


Wikipedia entry - The Southern Gentleman's first single - and Number One - for the Columbia label.