September 1972 -- Alone Again, Naturally

On the road I got to hear the top 27 of Casey's countdown from September 1972.  

Much of the usual for the early 70's -- heavy influence of adult contemporary, R&B/soul, and some 60's vestiges (from the easy listening of Bobby Vinton to the 60's rock of the Who), including literal 1967 by the Moody Blues which for some reason debuted years later.

Elton John and Chicago are already a established stars, only 2 years into their top 40 careers.  The Raspberries debut, launching the 15 year career of Eric Carmen.  Gary Glitter hits the top 10 with what would become a stadium classic.  Rick Springfield debuts, 9 years before he really became a star.

And rebounding to #1 is Gilbert O'Sullivan, the first record to do this in Casey's history to date.  It would happen roughly annually through 1983.

Best song:  far and away, Nights in White Satin.  Jim Croce's song was the only other one higher than 3 stars.

1 2 ALONE AGAIN (Naturally) –•– Gilbert O’Sullivan (MAM)-12 (5 weeks at #1) (1)
2 3 LONG COOL WOMAN (In a Black Dress) –•– The Hollies (Epic)-11 (2)
3 4 I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU –•– Al Green (Hi)-9 (3)
4 1 BRANDY (You’re a Fine Girl) –•– Looking Glass (Epic)-12 (1)
5 5 HOLD YOUR HEAD UP –•– Argent (Epic)-12 (5)
6 10 BABY DON’T GET HOOKED ON ME –•– Mac Davis (Columbia)-10 (6)
7 7 GOODBYE TO LOVE –•– The Carpenters (A&M)-8 (7)
8 9 YOU DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM –•– Jim Croce (ABC)-10 (8)
9 17 ROCK AND ROLL (Part 2) –•– Gary Glitter (Bell)-7 (9)
10 14 BACK STABBERS –•– The O’Jays (Philadelphia International)-7 (10)

11 13 THE GUITAR MAN –•– Bread (Elektra)-6 (11)
12 12 MOTORCYCLE MAMA –•– Sailcat (Elektra)-13 (12)
13 6 (If Loving You Is Wrong) I DON’T WANT TO BE RIGHT –•– Luther Ingram (KoKo)-14 (3)
14 23 BLACK & WHITE –•– Three Dog Night (Dunhill)-4 (14)
15 20 SATURDAY IN THE PARK –•– Chicago (Columbia)-5 (15)
16 16 LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS –•– Jackson 5 (Motown)-8 (16)
17 8 COCONUT –•– Nilsson (RCA)-13 (8)
18 24 BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY –•– Daniel Boone (Mercury)-14 (18)
19 22 JOIN TOGETHER –•– The Who (Decca)-7 (19)
20 28 GO ALL THE WAY –•– The Raspberries (Capitol)-10 (20)

21 11 THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE U.S.A. –•– Donna Fargo (Dot)-15 (11)
22 27 POWER OF LOVE –•– Joe Simon (Spring)-9 (22)
23 40 HONKY CAT –•– Elton John (Uni)-4 (23)
24 25 BABY LET ME TAKE YOU (In My Arms) –•– The Detroit Emeralds (Westbound)-14 (24)
25 15 DADDY DON’T YOU WALK SO FAST –•– Wayne Newton (Chelsea)-20 (4)
26 19 SEALED WITH A KISS –•– Bobby Vinton (Epic)-13 (19)
27 37 RUN TO ME –•– The Bee Gees (Atco)-6 (27)
28 33 POPCORN –•– Hot Butter (Musicor)-9 (28)
29 29 SMALL BEGINNINGS –•– Flash (Capitol)-11 (29)
30 34 POP THAT THANG –•– The Isley Brothers (T-Neck)-10 (30)

31 18 WHERE IS THE LOVE –•– Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (Atlantic)-15 (5)
32 42 EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL –•– The Main Ingredient (RCA)-7 (32)
33 44 PLAY ME –•– Neil Diamond (Uni)-4 (33)
34 36 YOU’RE STILL A YOUNG MAN –•– The Tower Of Power (Warner Brothers)-8 (34)
35 49 SPEAK TO THE SKY –•– Rick Springfield (Capitol)-5 (35)
36 26 HOW DO YOU DO –•– Mouth and MacNeal (Philips)-19 (8)
37 38 SWEET INSPIRATION / WHERE YOU LEAD (Medley) –•– Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-11 (37)
38 39 THIS WORLD –•– The Staple Singers (Stax)-5 (38)
39 47 NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN –•– The Moody Blues (Deram)-5 (39)
40 32 WHEN YOU SAY LOVE –•– Sonny and Cher (Kapp)-9 (32)