July 1975 -- full swing disco

I got to hear most of the countdown today, which is one week later than the chart played last year which I blogged about.  Special things that caught my attention this year:  it starts off with two very slow songs.  Having now read a book about the countdown, I see what a problem it can be with the first 10 hits -- if they're too slow, or loaded with out-of-the-mainstream songs (spoken word, heavy country or R&B, instrumentals, ...) it can turn off your audience.  Yet, the countdown simply played the chart as it was, which as a chart lover, I appreciate.

A number of songs were follow-ons to #1's -- Earth Wind and Fire, Charlie Rich, Freddie Fender, Eagles, Tony Orlando -- and only the Eagles was a big hit, itself going to #1.

Glen Campbell would eventually hit #1, but not until 4 others would, including one not even in the 40.  What would not hit #1?  Elton John, despite Casey's prediction.  Casey also predicted that Elton's hot streak of #1 albums would threaten records by Bing Crosby (10) and Elvis (9) for most #1's by a male soloist.  Nope.  Only 1 more to come, leaving him at 7, which would be passed by some diverse artists: Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, and Jay-Z.

And at #1, a disco classic, "The Hustle," with other disco records at #6, #7, and #10.

First chart single (of many): Melissa Manchester, Ambrosia, Aerosmith, and Mike Post (strange bedfellows)

Last hit (of many) -- Ray Stevens

Favorites:  4-star Glen Campbell, Captain and Tennille, Hamilton Joe Frank, and Reynolds -- the winner -- "Rhinestone Cowboy"

1 2 THE HUSTLE –•– Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony (Avco)-15 (1 week at #1)
2 3 I’M NOT IN LOVE –•– 10 c.c. (Mercury)-11
3 4 ONE OF THESE NIGHTS –•– The Eagles (Asylum)-9
4 5 PLEASE MR. PLEASE –•– Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-8
5 1 LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID –•– Paul McCartney and Wings (Capitol)-9
6 7 SWEARIN’ TO GOD –•– Frankie Valli (Private Stock)-11
7 9 JIVE TALKIN’ –•– The Bee Gees (RSO)-9
8 15 SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT –•– Elton John (MCA)-4
9 11 MIDNIGHT BLUE –•– Melissa Manchester (Arista)-12
10 10 ROCKIN’ CHAIR –•– Gwen McCrae (Cat)-11

11 13 DYNOMITE (Part 1) –•– Bazuka (Tony Camillo’s) (A&M)-15
12 12 THE WAY WE WERE / TRY TO REMEMBER (Medley) –•– Gladys Knight and the Pips (Buddah)-14
13 8 LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER –•– The Captain and Tennille (A&M)-15
14 16 WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS –•– War (United Aritsts)-13
15 17 THE ROCKFORD FILES –•– Mike Post (MGM)-11
16 19 RHINESTONE COWBOY –•– Glen Campbell (Capitol)-9
17 20 HOW SWEET IT IS (To Be Loved By You) –•– James Taylor (Warner Brothers)-6
18 18 I’M ON FIRE –•– The Dwight Twilley Band (Shelter)-14
19 22 EVERYTIME YOU TOUCH ME (I Get High) –•– Charlie Rich (Epic)-9
20 24 MORNIN’ BEAUTIFUL –•– Tony Orlando and Dawn (Elektra)-6

21 21 WILDFIRE –•– Michael Murphy (Epic)-18
22 25 SLIPPERY WHEN WET –•– The Commodores (Motown)-12
23 6 MAGIC –•– Pilot (EMI)-17
24 30 FIGHT THE POWER (Part 1) –•– The Isley Brothers (T-Neck)-6
25 32 AT SEVENTEEN –•– Janis Ian (Columbia)-7
26 14 MISTY –•– Ray Stevens (Barnaby)-14
27 33 FALLIN’ IN LOVE –•– Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds (Playboy)-6
28 28 DISCO QUEEN –•– Hot Chocolate (Big Tree)-9
29 35 SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL –•– Lynyrd Skynyrd (MCA)-7
30 34 JUST A LITTLE BIT OF YOU –•– Michael Jackson (Motown)-8

31 37 HOLDIN’ ON TO YESTERDAY –•– Ambrosia (20th Century)-7
32 38 WASTED DAYS AND WASTED NIGHTS –•– Freddy Fender (ABC / Dot)-6
33 44 FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE –•– Bad Company (Swan Song)-4
34 40 COULD IT BE MAGIC –•– Barry Manilow (Arista)-5
35 41 THAT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD –•– Earth, Wind and Fire (Columbia)-4
36 36 SWEET EMOTION –•– Aerosmith (Columbia)-7
37 50 BLUEBIRD –•– Helen Reddy (Capitol)-4
38 46 THIRD RATE ROMANCE –•– The Amazing Rhythm Aces (ABC)-6
39 27 I’M NOT LISA –•– Jessi Colter (Capitol)-17
40 51 SEND IN THE CLOWNS –•– Judy Collins (Elektra)-6