(by 3 people)
The Sounds of 1972
The superstars, the one hit wonders and the fads that made up the music of 1972. Here are the year's Top 10 best selling singles in the UK.
1. Amazing Grace
The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
This hymn has been recorded by many artists over the last century; All Music Guide lists over 1800 recordings.
Two versions have made the UK Singles Chart: Between 1970 and 1972, a version by Judy Collins spent 67 weeks in the charts, a record for a female artist, and peaked at number five.
In 1972, an instrumental version by the Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards spent five weeks at number one, it also reaching the top spot in Australia.
Two versions have made the UK Singles Chart: Between 1970 and 1972, a version by Judy Collins spent 67 weeks in the charts, a record for a female artist, and peaked at number five.
In 1972, an instrumental version by the Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards spent five weeks at number one, it also reaching the top spot in Australia.
2. Mouldy Old Dough
Lieutenant Pigeon
Lieutenant Pigeon achieved two UK hits: "Mouldy Old Dough", written by Rob Woodward and bandmate Nigel Fletcher, which reached number one, and "Desperate Dan" (number 17 in 1973).
Both tracks were largely instrumental, with the titles providing virtually the only lyrics. "Mouldy Old Dough" (the title being an adaptation of the 1920s jazz phrase, "vo-de-o-do") became the second biggest selling UK single of the year, behind The Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace".
Thus the two best-selling singles in the UK that year were both novelty instrumentals.
Both tracks were largely instrumental, with the titles providing virtually the only lyrics. "Mouldy Old Dough" (the title being an adaptation of the 1920s jazz phrase, "vo-de-o-do") became the second biggest selling UK single of the year, behind The Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace".
Thus the two best-selling singles in the UK that year were both novelty instrumentals.
Mouldy Old Dough - Lieutenant Pigeon
3. Puppy Love
Donny Osmond
Puppy Love was written by Paul Anka in 1960 for Annette Funicello, and twelve years later it was revived by Donny Osmond, who took it to No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.1 on the UK singles chart for five weeks in July 1972.
Donny Osmond - Puppy Love 1972
Notable Musical Births of 1972
February 2 - Dana International, Eurovision-winning singer
February 11 - Craig Jones, sampler/keyboardist for Slipknot
February 14 - Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty
February 17 - Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day
February 24 - Chris Fehn, percussionist/backing vocalist for Slipknot
March 10 - Douglas Ardito, Puddle of Mudd
March 15 - Mark Hoppus, Blink-182
March 17 - Melissa Auf der Maur, Hole
April 8 - Paul Gray, bassist for Slipknot
May 4 - Mike Dirnt, Green Day
May 19 - Jenny Berggren, Ace of Base
May 21 - The Notorious B.I.G.
August 6 - Geri Halliwell
September 21 - Liam Gallagher, Oasis
September 26 - Shawn Stockman, Boyz II Men
October 17
o Wyclef Jean, The Fugees
o Eminem
October 19 - Pras Michel, The Fugees
December 1 - Greg Upchurch, Puddle of Mudd
December 9 - Tré Cool, Green Day
December 10 - Scot Alexander, Dishwalla
December 16 - Michael McCary, Boyz II Men
December 22 - Vanessa Paradis, singer and actress
December 27 - Matt Slocum, Sixpence None the Richer
December 31 - Joe McIntyre, New Kids on the Block
February 11 - Craig Jones, sampler/keyboardist for Slipknot
February 14 - Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty
February 17 - Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day
February 24 - Chris Fehn, percussionist/backing vocalist for Slipknot
March 10 - Douglas Ardito, Puddle of Mudd
March 15 - Mark Hoppus, Blink-182
March 17 - Melissa Auf der Maur, Hole
April 8 - Paul Gray, bassist for Slipknot
May 4 - Mike Dirnt, Green Day
May 19 - Jenny Berggren, Ace of Base
May 21 - The Notorious B.I.G.
August 6 - Geri Halliwell
September 21 - Liam Gallagher, Oasis
September 26 - Shawn Stockman, Boyz II Men
October 17
o Wyclef Jean, The Fugees
o Eminem
October 19 - Pras Michel, The Fugees
December 1 - Greg Upchurch, Puddle of Mudd
December 9 - Tré Cool, Green Day
December 10 - Scot Alexander, Dishwalla
December 16 - Michael McCary, Boyz II Men
December 22 - Vanessa Paradis, singer and actress
December 27 - Matt Slocum, Sixpence None the Richer
December 31 - Joe McIntyre, New Kids on the Block
1972's Best Selling Albums (UK)
The Number Two best selling album, 20 All Time Hits of the 50s by Various Artists, is currently unavailable.
20 Dynamic Hits
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Used Price:
Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits
Amazon Price: $8.97 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $13.98
Used Price: $1.20
Never a Dull Moment
Amazon Price: $11.98 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $11.98
Used Price: $1.67
20 Fantastic Hits By The Original Artists Volume 3
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price:
Used Price: $15.75
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Amazon Price: $7.97 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $11.98
Used Price: $2.59
4. Without You
Nilsson
Originally recorded by Badfinger for their album No Dice (1970), the song was written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans.
Its verse was composed by Ham, originally titled "If It's Love", but had lacked a strong chorus. Evans had written a chorus without a strong verse, so the duo fused the two sections together.
Badfinger's recording of the song, which is more brusque than its successors' versions, languished as an obscure album track until it was noticed a year later by Harry Nilsson. In an ironic twist to the lyrics, both Ham and Evans later committed suicide by hanging.
"Without You" became a hit single after being covered by Harry Nilsson for his album Nilsson Schmilsson in 1971. It stayed at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, from February 13 to March 11, 1972 and number one on the British charts for five weeks.
Its verse was composed by Ham, originally titled "If It's Love", but had lacked a strong chorus. Evans had written a chorus without a strong verse, so the duo fused the two sections together.
Badfinger's recording of the song, which is more brusque than its successors' versions, languished as an obscure album track until it was noticed a year later by Harry Nilsson. In an ironic twist to the lyrics, both Ham and Evans later committed suicide by hanging.
"Without You" became a hit single after being covered by Harry Nilsson for his album Nilsson Schmilsson in 1971. It stayed at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, from February 13 to March 11, 1972 and number one on the British charts for five weeks.
Nilsson - Without you
5. I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
The New Seekers
This song began life as a collaboration by UK hit songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. The melody was based on a Cook/Greenway jingle originally called "Mom, True Love and Apple Pie", a version of this called "True Love and Apple Pie" was recorded by Susan Shirley and released in 1971. It was then rewritten by Cook, Greenaway, Coca-Cola account executive Bill Backer, and Billy Davis and recorded as a Coca-Cola radio commercial, with the lyric "I'd like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company."
It was first aired as an American radio commercial on February 12, 1971, sparking public demand for its release as a single. Reworked by Bill Backer and Billy Davis to remove the brand name references, the single climbed to UK No.1 and US No.7 in 1971 and 1972.
The song has since been recorded over 75 times.
It was first aired as an American radio commercial on February 12, 1971, sparking public demand for its release as a single. Reworked by Bill Backer and Billy Davis to remove the brand name references, the single climbed to UK No.1 and US No.7 in 1971 and 1972.
The song has since been recorded over 75 times.
The New Seekers - I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing 1972
Great Deals on Music From 1972
Find 1972 Music Bargains
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by6. Son of My Father
Chicory Tip
Originally written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte in Italian as "Tu sei mio padre" and recorded under the moniker Giorgio. A copy found its way to studio manager Roger Easterby who persuaded British band Chicory Tip to record it in English.
The song is notable as the first UK number one single to prominently feature a synthesizer, in this case a Moog synthesizer played by Chris Thomas.
The song reached No.1 on the UK singles chart for three weeks in February 1972. Moroder re-recorded his song in English shortly after, but it failed to chart in the UK, though it made the Top 50 in the United States.
The song is notable as the first UK number one single to prominently feature a synthesizer, in this case a Moog synthesizer played by Chris Thomas.
The song reached No.1 on the UK singles chart for three weeks in February 1972. Moroder re-recorded his song in English shortly after, but it failed to chart in the UK, though it made the Top 50 in the United States.
Chicory Tip - Son of my Father 1972
Spotlight on 1972
Rock On: Top 40, 1972 Chartbusters
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 10/12/2008)
Rock On's 1972 cd is a fabulous collection of songs that spans across numerous genres.
You get the shock rock of Alice Cooper's teen anthem "School's Out", the reggae influenced sounds of Johnny Nash's number one hit, "I Can See Clearly Now", the Philly Soul of The O'Jays' brilliant "Back Stabbers", the folk rock of Jim Croce's funny "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", the pure AM radio pop of the one hit wonder Looking Glasses' "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)", the folk-soul of Bill Withers inspirational "Lean On Me", the mellow "Summer Breeze" by Seals & Croft and the arena rock of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up".
The final two songs on the album are Dr. Hook's "Sylvia's Mother" as well as Mac Davis' "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me".
7. Rock & Roll Part 2
Gary Glitter
"Rock and Roll Part 2", also known as "The Hey Song," was released in 1972 as a single and on the album Glitter. Co-written by Glitter and Mike Leander, the song is in two parts: Part 1 is a vocal track reflecting on the history of the genre, and Part 2 is a mostly instrumental piece. Both parts were popular in Britain, and the single went to No.2 on the British charts.
In the US, the instrumental portion (Part 2) attracted most of the attention; it hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the years since, Part 2 of the song has often been played at various sporting events in Canada and the United States.
The nickname "the Hey Song" refers to fact that the only intelligible word in Part 2 is the exclamation of "hey," punctuating the end of several instrumental phrases and repeated three times at the song's chorus.
In the US, the instrumental portion (Part 2) attracted most of the attention; it hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the years since, Part 2 of the song has often been played at various sporting events in Canada and the United States.
The nickname "the Hey Song" refers to fact that the only intelligible word in Part 2 is the exclamation of "hey," punctuating the end of several instrumental phrases and repeated three times at the song's chorus.
Gary Glitter - Rock 'n' Roll part II (rare)
8. Metal Guru
T.Rex
"Metal Guru" was the fourth (and final) number one on the UK Singles Chart for the British rock band T.Rex. It topped the chart for four weeks in May-June 1972.
Despite coming only ten months after the success of "Get It On", it failed to chart in the United States.
Bolan himself described the song's apparent religious references as this: "Is a festival of life song. I relate 'Metal Guru' to all gods around. I believe in a god, but I have no religion. With 'Metal Guru,' it's like someone special, it must be a godhead. I thought how god would be, he'd be all alone without a telephone. I don't answer the phone anymore. I have codes where people ring me at certain times."
The song is about a car.
Despite coming only ten months after the success of "Get It On", it failed to chart in the United States.
Bolan himself described the song's apparent religious references as this: "Is a festival of life song. I relate 'Metal Guru' to all gods around. I believe in a god, but I have no religion. With 'Metal Guru,' it's like someone special, it must be a godhead. I thought how god would be, he'd be all alone without a telephone. I don't answer the phone anymore. I have codes where people ring me at certain times."
The song is about a car.
Marc Bolan & T.Rex - "Metal Guru" (Promo 1992)
Notable Musical Deaths of 1972
January 1 - Maurice Chevalier, French singer and actor
January 16 - David Seville, voice of the Chipmunks
January 19 - Michael Rabin
January 24 - Gene Austin, singer-songwriter
January 27 - Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer
March 27 - Sharkey Bonano
April 4 - Stefan Wolpe, composer
May 2 - Les Harvey, Stone the Crows, electrocuted, 25 years old
July 3 - "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, blues musician
July 16 - Thomas Eboli, American Gangster
July 24 - Bobby Ramirez, drummer Edgar Winter's White Trash
August 2 - Brian Cole, bass player The Association
August 14 - Oscar Levant
November 3 - Harry Richman, US singer, actor and composer
November 6 - Billy Murcia, drummer New York Dolls
November 11 - Berry Oakley, bass player Allman Brothers Band
November 12 - Rudolf Friml Rose Marie
November 18 - Danny Whitten, guitarist Crazy Horse
November 28 - Havergal Brian, composer
January 16 - David Seville, voice of the Chipmunks
January 19 - Michael Rabin
January 24 - Gene Austin, singer-songwriter
January 27 - Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer
March 27 - Sharkey Bonano
April 4 - Stefan Wolpe, composer
May 2 - Les Harvey, Stone the Crows, electrocuted, 25 years old
July 3 - "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, blues musician
July 16 - Thomas Eboli, American Gangster
July 24 - Bobby Ramirez, drummer Edgar Winter's White Trash
August 2 - Brian Cole, bass player The Association
August 14 - Oscar Levant
November 3 - Harry Richman, US singer, actor and composer
November 6 - Billy Murcia, drummer New York Dolls
November 11 - Berry Oakley, bass player Allman Brothers Band
November 12 - Rudolf Friml Rose Marie
November 18 - Danny Whitten, guitarist Crazy Horse
November 28 - Havergal Brian, composer
1972's Best Selling Albums (UK)
Number Seven Through Ten - Biggest Albums From 1972
The Number Nine best selling album, 25 Rockin' and Rollin' Greats by Various Artists, is currently unavailable.
Fog on the Tyne
Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 10/12/2008)
List Price: $12.98
Usually ships in 24 hours
9. Mother of Mine
Neil Reid
Neil Reid is a Scottish former child singing star and winner of ITV's Opportunity Knocks in the UK.
Known as "Wee Neil Reid," he was eight when he was discovered singing at a pensioners' party in 1968. Reid won Opportunity Knocks on 13 December 1971 singing his version of Mother of Mine, which when released commercially afterwards went to number two on the UK Singles Chart.
Reid's self-titled album also went to number one in 1972, making Reid the holder of the title youngest person to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart at the age of 12 years 9 months old.
Known as "Wee Neil Reid," he was eight when he was discovered singing at a pensioners' party in 1968. Reid won Opportunity Knocks on 13 December 1971 singing his version of Mother of Mine, which when released commercially afterwards went to number two on the UK Singles Chart.
Reid's self-titled album also went to number one in 1972, making Reid the holder of the title youngest person to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart at the age of 12 years 9 months old.
Neil Reid "Mother Of Mine"
10. American Pie
Don McLean
American Pie, by singer-songwriter Don McLean is about his life from the mid 1950s until he wrote the song in the late 1960s.
Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number one U.S. hit for four weeks in 1972, but reached only No.2 in the UK.
The song is an abstract story of his life that starts with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson Jr. (The Big Bopper) in a plane crash in 1959, and ends in 1970.
The importance of "American Pie" to America's musical and cultural heritage was recognized by the Songs of the Century education project which listed the song performed by Don McLean as the number five song of the twentieth century.
The song's lyrics are the subject of much curiosity. Although McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Buddy Holly, none of the singers in the plane crash are identified by name in the song itself. When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean replied, "It means I never have to work again."
Later, he more seriously stated "You will find many 'interpretations' of my lyrics but none of them by me... sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence."
Recorded and released on the American Pie album in 1971, the single was a number one U.S. hit for four weeks in 1972, but reached only No.2 in the UK.
The song is an abstract story of his life that starts with the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson Jr. (The Big Bopper) in a plane crash in 1959, and ends in 1970.
The importance of "American Pie" to America's musical and cultural heritage was recognized by the Songs of the Century education project which listed the song performed by Don McLean as the number five song of the twentieth century.
The song's lyrics are the subject of much curiosity. Although McLean dedicated the American Pie album to Buddy Holly, none of the singers in the plane crash are identified by name in the song itself. When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean replied, "It means I never have to work again."
Later, he more seriously stated "You will find many 'interpretations' of my lyrics but none of them by me... sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence."
American Pie
PS: The Top Sellers in the USA ~ 1972
1972 American Hits
The Top Ten Most Popular Hits1. Rock and Roll Part II - Gary Glitter
2. American Pie - Don McLean
3. Lean On Me - Bill Withers
4. Rock and Roll - Led Zeppelin
5. I'll Take You There - Staple Singers
6. Precious and Few - Climax
7. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
8. Coconut - Nilsson
9. Schools Out - Alice Cooper
10. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
AND:
1972's Grammy For Best New Artist: America
1972's Grammy Record of the Year: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
Your Thoughts on Music From 1972
Share Your Favorite Stories About 1972
|
Freaknoodles
Another great lens! You now have your own featured lenses module in the SquidVids Music group. :) Posted February 27, 2008 |
