WLS Top Ten for Week of Dec. 18, 1972: 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone'

1.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

2.  ME & MRS JONES--  Billy Paul

3.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations

4.  YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green

5.  IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond

6.  CLAIR--  Gilbert O'Sullivan

7.  VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America

8.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--  Harold Melvin/Blue Notes

9.  ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA BOOGIE WOOGIE FLY--  Johnny Rivers

10.  I'M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Stylistics

********************************

DEBUTS

20.  LIVING IN THE PAST--  Jethro Tull

29.  LONG DARK ROAD--  Hollies

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "All The Things That We've Been Through."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"If You Don't Know Me By Now"

WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of Dec. 11, 1972-- Part 5: 'Summer Breeze'

These were the Top Ten Songs in Chicago a half century ago according to Powerhouse WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.    The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

10.  *CLAIR--  Gilbert O'Sullivan       #2      Clair is the young daughter of his former agent.  She was three at the time.  That's her giggling at the end of the song.

9.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--   Harold Melvin / Blue Notes    #3

8.  SUMMER BREEZE--  Seals & Crofts      #6      Jim Seals died recently in June.  He is the brother of England Dan Seals.

7.  *ME & MRS. JONES--  Billy Paul     #1    (for three weeks)    Cheatin's never been finer.

6.  *VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America     #8

5.  *IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond      #5

4.  I  CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash      #1  (for four weeks)

3.  *YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green     #3

2.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations      #1

1.  *I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy    #1

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "In Numbers Too Big To Ignore."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Am Woman"

WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of Dec. 11, 1972-- Part 4: 'I'm Stone In Love With You'

Yep, still fifty years ago.

15.  SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH ME--  Austin Roberts     #12      I don't remember it.   From Newport News, Virginia.

14.  OPERATOR--  Jim Croce      #17      And kids today would say "Operator?   What's an operator?"

13.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo    #2    Born July 31, 1943.

12.  ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU--  Johnny Rivers     #6      Just a rockin' good song.  Tickle those ivories.

11.  I'M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Stylistics      #10     From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   The unique voice of Russell Thompkins, Jr.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "See The Number On The Matchbook Is Old And Faded."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Operator"

WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of Dec. 11, 1972-- Part 3: 'Dialogue'

Fifty years ago.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts in Chicago.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

20.  *SWEET SURRENDER--  Bread       #15       Imagine Bread doing a slow song.  Wonder how many babies ended up getting made because of a Bread song?

19.  IF I COULD REACH YOU--  5th Dimension    #10    Their last Top Ten.

18.  *FUNNY FACE--  Donna Fargo      #5      Country goes pop.  The pride of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, which was also Andy Griffiths home town and the one Mayberry was based on.

17.  *DIALOGUE--  Chicago       (Parts 1 & 2)     #24        Great blend of horns.  Great music.  Are they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet?

16.  *CORNER OF THE SKY--  Jackson Five      #18     I don't remember this song.  From the Broadway musical "Pippin" starring Ben Vereen.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You Kiss The Tears Away.  You Smile At Me And Say."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Funny Face"

WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of December 11, 1972-- Part 2: 'Keeper of the Castle'

25.  *I WANNA BE WITH YOU--  Raspberries      #16       So much energy in this song.  That's Eric Carmen singing.  Band formed in Mentor, Ohio.

24.  *SUPERFLY--  Curtis Mayfield      #8         That great opening.  Just oozes Soul.

23.  *SITTING--  Cat Stevens      #16     One of my favorite Cat songs and with that unique voice of  his.  Go to You Tube and give it a listen.

22.  WALK ON WATER--  Neil Diamond       #17      Sure didn't remember this one.    A slow-fast song.  Follow up to "Play Me."

21.  KEEPER OF THE CASTLE--  Four Tops     #10      Not one of their better-known songs.  This is a father's job.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Oh I'm On My Way, I Know I Am."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sitting"

WLS Top 29 Songs for Week of December 11, 1972-- Part 1: "You're So Vain"

These were the songs on the Top 29 of Chicago's WLS, 890 AM fifty years ago.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song for on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

29.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon     #1      Anybody not know this one?

28.  SUPERSTITION--  Stevie Wonder        #1    He once said:  "Just because a  man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision."  So much talent.

27.  PIECES OF APRIL--  Three Dog Night       #19       That's Chuck Negron singing.   Written by David Loggins.

26.  YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE--  Loggins & Messina       #4      Always a favorite of mine.  What about your daddy?  Talk about your square parents.   Jim Messina was a member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "We Knew No Time For Sadness.  That's A Road We Both Had Crossed."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Pieces of April"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of Dec. 4, 1972: 'I Can See Clearly Now'

From OldiesLoon.

These were the Top Ten songs and debuts in Chicago fifty years ago today according to WLS, 890 AM.

1.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations

2.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

3.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

4.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

5.  SUMMER BREEZE--  Seals & Crofts

6.  YOU OUGHT TO BE MINE--  Al Green

7.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--  Harold Melvin/ Blue Notes

8.  IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond

9.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

10.  VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America

********************************

DEBUTS

20.  CORNER OF THE SKY--  Jackson Five

24.  WALK ON WATER--  Neil Diamond

25.  KEEPER OF THE CASTLE--    Four Tops

27.  I WANNA BE WITH YOU--  Raspberries

28.  YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE--  Loggins & Messina

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Got On Board A WestBound 747."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"It Never Rains in Southern California"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of Nov. 27. 1972: Part 1: 'I Am Woman'

That's right, fifty years ago.

1.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

2.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

3.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

4.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

5.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations

6.  SUMMER BREEZE--  Seals & Crofts

7.  IF I COULD REACH YOU--  5th Dimension

8.  YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green

9.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--  Harold Melvin & Blue Notes

10.  WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

*******************************

DEBUTS

21.  ME & MRS. JONES--  Billy Paul

22.  DIALOGUE--  Chicago

24.  FUNNY FACE--  Donna Fargo

27.  SWEET SURRENDER--  Bread

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Gone Are The Dark Clouds That Had Me Blind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Can See Clearly Now"

WLS Top Ten for Week of Nov. 20, 2022: 'Nights in White Satin'

 These were the Top Ten songs and debuts in Chicago 50 years ago.

1.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

2.  I'LL BE AROUND-- Spinners

3.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

4.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

5.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

6.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

7.  PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations

8.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

9.  WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

10.  IF I COULD REACH YOU--  Fifth Dimension

********************************************

DEBUTS

25.  SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH ME--  Austin Roberts

26.  ROCK 'N ROLL SOUL--  Grand Funl

27.  SUNNY DAYS--  Lighthouse

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "In Numebrs Too Big To Be Ignores."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Am Woman"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 4: 'I Am Woman'

Fifty years ago.  That's half a century for those who are counting.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

10.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers      #11       Their first big hit.      On the video, they had two drummers and 4 guitarists.

9.  *WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles      #9       Too late for Halloween?  That's Don Henley singing.

8.  *IF I COULD REACH YOU--  5th Dimension       #10     Their last Top Ten.

7.  *I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy      #1      Hear me now!!  Hear her roar!!

6.  *I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo      #2

5.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners      #3     This song really brings back the memories.

4.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield    #4

3.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson    #6      His last Top 40 song.

2.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues    #2   Their biggest hit.

1.  *I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash    #1 for 4 weeks

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "A Chance To Share Old Memories And Play Our Songs Again."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Garden Party"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 3: 'Summer Breeze'

These were the Top songs in Chicago back fifty years ago this week according to WLS, 890 AM.  

*  Means it was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

15.  *SUMMER BREEZE--   Seals & Crofts      #6      Their first big hit.  Jim Seals & Dash Crofts.   From Texas.

14.  *I BELIEVE IN YOU--   Gallery      #22     Well, ya gotta believe in something.  That be a good thing.  Why not music?   Mac Davis wrote it.    Follow up to their biggest hit "Nice to Be With You."

13.  *THUNDER AND LIGHTNING--   Chi Coltrane      #17     That gal could sing.  Quite the pipes.   Her only top 40 hit.  

12.  *PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE--  Temptations       #1     Motown at its best.

11.  GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe      #9     Bluesy & laid back.   His only Top 40 hit.  From Washington state.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It Was The Third Of September That Day I Will Always Remember, Yes I Will."  Answer below.  --  RoadDog

"Papa Was a Rolling Stone"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of Nov. 13, 1972-- Part 2: 'It Never Rains in Southern California'

20.  *ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA - BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU--  Johnny Rivers     #6     That boogie piano.

19.  *IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond       #5     If no rain, where do those mudslides come from?   Born in London, England.

18.  *VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America      #8       That's Dewey Bunnell singing lead.  

17.  *YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green     #3      That music, those instruments and that voice!!   Not one of his better  known songs.  Part of 6 straight Top Tens from 1972-1973.  

16.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley       #2       Thought I was at a tent revival.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Chewing On A Piece Of Grass, Walking Down The Road."  Answer below.  --  RoadDog

"Ventura Highway"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of November 13, 1972-- Part 1: 'I'm Stone in Love with You'

That's right, a half century ago these were the big songs on Chicago's Powerhouse WLS, 890 AM.

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

27.  *I'M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU--  Stylistics    #10  With that unique voice of Russell Thompkins, Jr.  From Philadelphia.

26.  *CLAIR--  Gilbert O'Sullivan     #2       Dig the whistling.  Follow up to "Alone Again (Naturally)"  Real name Raymond O'Sullivan.   A song about the 3-year-old daughter of his manager.

25.  *CRAZY HORSES--  Osmonds     #14      This is a great Halloween song.  Weird.  Who says the Osmonds can't rock.  This could be Heavy Metal.  Seriously.  Give it a listen if you don't remember it.  Especially watch the video.

24.  *OPERATOR--  Jim Croce      #17      My favorite Jim Croce songs.  Too bad we didn't have him longer.  Just imagine all those great songs he might have had.

23.  *IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW--  Harold Melvin       #3      Hard to imagine a song that is more of a belly rubber.    His group?  The Blue Notes.

22.  *BEN--  Michael Jackson     #1      A song about a rat?  Title song from the movie.

21.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient     #3     Again, this songs always reminds me of driving the Ramblin' Wreck ('63 Rambler station wagon)  on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb, Illinois, my senior year at NIU.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "See, The Number In The Matchbook Is Old And Faded."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Operator"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of November 6, 1972: 'Listen to the Music'

That's right, half a century ago.

1.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

2.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

3.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

4.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

5.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

6.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

7.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

8.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

9.  GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe

10.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

******************************

DEBUTS

20.  SUMMER BREEZE--  Seals & Crofts

21.  AMERICAN CITY SUITE--  Cashman & Dill

22.  YOU OUGHT TO BE WITH ME--  Al Green

26.  ELECTED--  Alice Cooper

27.  OPERATOR--  Jim Croce

28.  CRAZY HORSES--  Osmonds

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Everybody's Misused Him, Ripped Him Off And Abused Him."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Freddie's Dead"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for October 30, 1972: 'Freddie's Dead'

These were the Top Ten songs (and Debuts) in Chicago fifty years ago according to WLS, AM 890.

1.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

2.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

3.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

4.  USE ME--  Bill Withers

5.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

6.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient

7.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

8.  I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

9.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

10.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

*****************************

DEBUTS

27.  VENTURA HIGHWAY--  America

28.  ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA/BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU--  Johnny Rivers

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It's Gonna Be A Bright, Bright Sunshiny Day."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I Can See Clearly Now"

WLS Top Ten (and Debuts) for Week of Oct. 23, 1972: 'Garden Party'

Oops, forgot to print this last Sunday.

These were the Top Ten and Debut songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

1.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient

2.  USE ME--  Bill Withers

3.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

4.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

5.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

6.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

7.  GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries

8.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

9.  TIGHTROPE--  Leon Russell

10.  GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe

*****************************

DEBUTS

12.  LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers

18.  THUNDER AND LIGHTNING--  Chi Coltrane

20.  WITCHY WOMAN--  Eagles

25.  I AM WOMAN--  Helen Reddy

28.  I'D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME--  Lobo

I don't know about you, but this is quite a list of debuts.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Just What I'm Going Through They Can't Understand."  Answer below.  --ToadDog

"Nights in White Satin"

WLS Top Ten for Week of October 17, 1972: 'Garden Party'

These were the top songs in Chicago fifty years ago.

1.  BEN--  Michael Jackson

2.  EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient

3.  BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presley

4.  USE ME--  Bill Withers

5.  GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries

6.  NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues

7.  BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME--  Mac Davis

8.  TIGHT ROPE--  Leon Russell

9.  GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson

10.  PLAY ME--  Neil Diamond

***************************

DEBUTS

15.  FREDDIE'S DEAD--  Curtis Mayfield

20.  I'LL BE AROUND--  Spinners

26.  I CAN SEE CLARLY NOW--  Johnny Nash

27.  I BELIEVE IN MUSIC--  Gallery

28.  LOVING YOU JUST CROSSED MY MIND--  Sam Neely

29.  IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA--  Albert Hammond

Name That Tune (from the above songs): "Letters I've Written, Never Meaning To Send."   Answer below.  --RoadDog

WLS Top 27 for Week of October 9, 1972-- Part 4: 'Saturday In the Park'

What were you doing fifty years ago this week?  Here are some songs that might help bring back the memories as they were the top ones in Chicago a half century ago.  A HALF CENTURY AGO?

*  Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high it got ion the Billboard Hot 100 National Chart.

10.  PLAY ME--  Neil Diamond   #11

9.  SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago   #3

8.  *USE ME--  Bill Withers       #2      Just so funky.  Always enjoy the intro.

7.  BACK STABBERS--  O'Jays     #3

6.  *BURNING LOVE--  Elvis Presly     #2      Probably my favorite Elvis song.

5.  BLACK AND WHITE--  Three Dog Night     #1

4.  *EVERYBODYPLAYS THE FOOL--  Main Ingredient    #3

3.  *GO ALL THE WAY--  Raspberries    #5   Their highest ranking song and only Top Ten.

2.  *BEN--  Michael Jackson    #1   His first solo #1.

1.  BABY DON'T GET HOOKED ON ME--  Mac Davis        #1      This was its third week at #1 onthe WLS chart.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "My Friends Feel It's Their Appointed Duty."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Use Me"

WLS Top 27 Songs for Week of October 9, 1972-- Part 3: 'Bights in White Satin'

These were the top songs in Chicago fifty yerars ago.  That's half a century for those of you whio are counting.

* Means the song was climbing the charts.  The number after the artist is how high the song got on the Billboard Hot 100 National Charts.

15.  *YOU WEAR IT WELL--  Rod Stewart    #13      His songs from 1971-1973 sure take me back to my college days.

14.  BEAUTIFUL SUMMER-- Daniel Boone       #15        Probably one of the most fun songs  ever.   Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  Just try not to sing along.  This was his only Top 40, making him a ___ ___ ______.

13.  *GARDEN PARTY--  Rick Nelson     #6     Not the Ricky Nelson of Ozzie and Harriet.  Definitely a country vibe to this song.

12.  *TIGHTROPE--  Leon Russell       #11    Like no other.   Born Claude Russell Bridges.   

11.  *NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN--  Moody Blues      #2      Liz's all-time favorite song.   Believe it or not, this was their highest charting song ever.     They had two other Top Tens.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):   "I Had Nothing To Do On This Hot Afternoon."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"You Wear It Well"

WLS Top 27 for Week of October 9, 1972-- Part 2: 'Listen to the Music'

Fifty years ago in Chicago.

20.  *LISTEN TO THE MUSIC--  Doobie Brothers   #11    Their first hit song for the group formed in San Jose, California.

19.  *GOOD TIME CHARLIE'S GOT THE BLUES--  Danny O'Keefe    #9     Born in 1942 in Washington state.  His one and only Top 40 song.

18.  *GOOD FOOT (PART 1)--  James Brown      #18     Why he is called "The Godfather of Soul."  How funky can you get?  Whole Title "Get On the Good Foot--  Part 1."

17.  SPEAK TO THE SKY--  Rick Springfield     #14     Love the banjo and tuba in this song  Imagine those in a pop/rock song!  Hard not to move to this song.  His first hit of 17 Top 40s.

16.  *WHY-  Donny Osmond       #13     That old song.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're Not A Kid at  Thirty-Three."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues"