WLS Top Ten for Week of December 22, 1973: "I Got a Name"

1.  GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD--  Elton John

2.  TOP OF THE WORLD--  Carpenters

3.  SHOW AND TELL--  Al Wilson

4.  BABY IT'S ME--  Todd Rundgren

5.  LEAVE ME ALONE (RUBY RED DRESS)--  Helen Reddy

6.  THE JOKER--  Steve Miller Band

7.  ONE TIN SOLDIER--  Coven

8.  I GOT A NAME--  Jim Croce

9.  TIME IN A BOTTLE--  Jim Croce

10.  D'YER MAK;ER--  Led Zeppelin

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NEW TO CHART

36.  TEENAGE LAMENT--  Alice Cooper

38.  I'VE GOT TO USE MY IMAGINATION--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

40.  WALK LIKE A MAN--  Grand Funk

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Some People Call Me the Space Cowboy

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of May 7, 1973: 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life'

The top songs in Chicago fifty years ago.  Right!!

1.  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn

2.  THE CISCO KID--  War

3. THE NIGHTS THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vickie Lawrence

4.  SING--  Carpenters

5.  STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU--  Steeler's Wheel

6.  YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE  OF MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

7.  THE TWELFTH OF NEVER--  Donny Osmond

8.  FRANKENSTEIN--  Edgar Winter Group

9.  DRIFT AWAY--  Dobie Gray

10.  LITTLE WILLIE--  Sweet

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

DEBUTS

17.  HOCUS POCUS--  Focus

22.  IT SURE TOOK A LONG, LONG TIME--  Lobo

26.  I'M GONNA LOVE YOU--  Barry White

27.  I'M DOIN' FINE NOW--  New York City

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "He Drink Whiskey, Poncho Drink The Wine."  Answer elow.  --RoadDog

"The Cisco Kid"

Top Ten Songs for Week of April 30, 1973: 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree'

That's right, fifty years ago today.

1.  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND TNHE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn

2.  THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vickie Lawrence

3.  THE CISCO KID--  War

4.  SING--  Carpenters

5.  LITTLE WILLY--  Sweet

6.  STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU--  Steelers Wheel

7.  THE TWELFTH OF NEVER--  Donny Osmond

 8.  YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

9.  MASTERPIECE--  Temptations

10.  AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I GOT--  Four Tops

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DEBUTS

20.  THE RIGHT THING TO DO--   Carly Simon

23.  DANIEL--  Elton John

24.  THINKING OF YOU--  Loggins & Messina

25.  ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS--   First Choice

26.  BLUE SUEDE SHOES--  Johnny Rivers

Name That Tune  (from the above songs):  "I Feel Like This Is The Beginning Though I've Loved You For A Million Years."  Answer below.  RoadDog

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life"

WLS Top Ten and Debuts for Week of April 23, 1973: 'Danny's Song'

That's right, 50 years ago.

1.  THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vickie Lawrence

2.  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn

3.  THE CISCO KID--  War

4.  SING--  Carpenters

5.  LITTLE WILLIE--  Sweet

6.  AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I GOT--  Four Tops

7.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

8.  NEITHER ONE OF US WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

9.  THE TWELFTH OF NEVER--  Donny Osmond

10.  STIR IT UP--  Johnny Nash

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DEBUTS

19.  DAISY A DAY--  Jud Strunk

22.  OUT OF THE QUESTION--  Gilbert O'Sullivan

23.  CHERRY CHERRY--  Neil Diamond  (Live from "Hot August Night".)

24.  PILLOW TALK--  Sylvia

25.  PINBALL WIZARD/SEE ME FEEL ME--  New Seekers

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Make It Simple To Last Your Whole Life Long."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sing"

WLS Top Ten for Week of April 16, 1973: 'Little Willie'

Fifty years ago this week.

1.  THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vickie Lawrence

2.  AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I GOT--  Four Tops

3.  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn

4.  NEITHER ONE OF US WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

5.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

6.  SING--  Carpenters

7.  THE CISCO KID--  War

8.  LITTLE WILLIE--  Sweet

9.  BREAK UP TO MAKE UP--  Stylistics

10.  CALL ME (COME BACK HOME)--  Al Green

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

DEBUTS

22.  WILDFLOWER--  Skylark

23.  REELING IN THE YEARS--  Steely Dan

23.  FRANKENSTEIN--  Edgar Winter Group

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "He Drink Whiskey, Poncho Drink The Wine."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"The Cisco Kid"

WLS Top 23 for Week of April 12, 1973-- Part 4: ''Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree'

Fifty years ago is a real long time.  Right?

* 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,  BREAK UP TO MAKE UP--  Stylistics   #5    I'd forgotten about this one, but glad I was reminded.  A great belly-rubber.

9.  SING--  Carpenters    #3       Feeling down?  Listen to this song and let a smile be your guide.

8.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays    #1

7.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray    #7

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

I doubt that there has ever been six longer-titled songs in the Top Six at one time.  I started typing these three days ago.

6.  *TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn    #1

5.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHISTRA--  Deodato     #2   Only Top 40.

4.  NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)--  Gladys Knight & the Pips    #2

3.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack    #1   for five weeks

2.  *AIN'T NO WOMAN LIKE THE ONE I GOT--  Four Tops    #4

1.  *THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vickie Lawrence   #1   Her only-ever Top 40.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Strumming My Pain With His Fingers, Singing My Life With His Words."

"Killing Me Softly With His Song"

WLS Top 23 for Week of April 9, 1973-- Part 3: 'The Cisco Kid'

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

15.  *LITTLE WILLIE--  Sweet      #3     Just hear it and try not to move.  Watch the video.  Hair that girls would kill for.  What was the guitarist at the end of the line wearing?  From England.

14.  MASTERPIECE--  Temptations      #7    The instrumentals.  Not one I was very familiar with.

13.  STIR IT UP--  Johnny Nash      #12     Essentially my introduction to reggae music though I didn't know what they called it at the time.   Johnny Nash had two Top 40s in 1958 and 1959, then not on charts again until 1968 with "Hold Me Tight"  #5.  Had #1 with "I Can See Clearly Now" in 1972.

12.  *THE CISCO KID--  War      #2     What a cool beat.    Latin funk-rock band from Long Beach, California.

11.  CALL ME (COME BACK HOME)--  Al Green       #10     Something about that voice with that music.  Wow!   In 1972 and 1973 had six straight Top Tens, including #1 "Let's Stay Together."

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It's Been A Long, Long Time  Since I had You On My Mind."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Stir It Up"

WLS Top 23 for Week of April 9, 1973-- Part 2: 'Last Song'

That's right, 50 years ago.

19.  *THE TWELFTH OF NEVER--  Donnie Osmond      #8     Watch the video.  That's Donnie with the Afro, not Michael.

18.  *YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder      #1     Could the guy be in love?   Born Steveland Morris in 1950.

17.  PEACEFUL--  Helen Reddy      #12     I hardly remember this song, but well worth a listen if you too don't remember it.  Came between two #1 songs:  "I Am Woman" and "Delta Dawn."

16.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear       #3      That's Larry Evoy singing the song.   The group took its name from a character in Winnie the Pooh.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "That's Why I'll Always Be Around."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"You Are the Sunshine of My Life"

WLS Top 23 for Week of April 9, 1973-- Part 1: 'Drift Away'

Fifty years ago today.  That's half a century.  I know where I was.  I was living with Liz's parents in Palatine, Illinois, and doing my student teaching at Maine West High School in Des Plaines, Illinois.  I was driving the ol' Ramblin' Wreck (1963 Rambler station wagon) back and forth.

As a matter of fact, one of the songs in this post especially takes me right back to those days.

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

23.  SPACE ODDITY-- David Bowie       #15    Good ol' Ziggy Stardust personna singing about Major Tom's trip.  His first Top 40.

22.  *DRIFT AWAY--  Dobie Gray       #5      One of my all-time favorite songs.  I love the comment:  "Almost  sounds like  he is opening  his heart up and baring his soul."  True.

21.  *ONE MAN BAND--  Ronnie Dyson      #28      Full title includes "(Plays All Alone)"  I don't remember it, however.   Good song.  Follow up to his only other Top 40 which was "(If You Let Me Make Love to You Then) Why Can't I Touch You"  (#8-1970).

20.  *STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU--  Stealers Wheel      #6    That's Gerry Rafferty singing.  You might know him better for "Baker Street."   Scottish band.  This is the song that takes me back to student teaching.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well I Don't Know Why I Came Here  Tonight.  I Got The Feeling That Something Ain't Right."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Stuck In the Middle With You"

WLS Top 10 (and Debuts) for Week of April 2, 1973: 'Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)'

Just fifty years ago.  Seems like yesterday, doesn't it?

1.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA--  Deodato

2.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

3.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

4.  NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)--  Gladys Knoght & the Pips

5.  AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I GOT)--  Four Tops

6.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

7.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

8.  BREAK UP TO MAKE UP--  Stylistics

9.  SING--  Carpenters

10.  CALL ME (COME BACK HOME)--  Al Green

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

DEBUTS

16.  LITTLE WILLIE--  Sweet

17.  PEACEFUL--  Helen Reddy

20.  YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE--  Stevie Wonder

21.  THE CISCO KID--  War

22.  SPACE ODDITY--  David Bowie

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Make It Simple To Last Your Whole Life Long."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Sing"

WLS Top Ten for Week of March 26, 1973: 'Dueling Banjos

Fifty years ago this week.

1.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

2.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

3.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA--  Deodato

4.  DUELING BANJOS--  Deliverance

5.  NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)--  Gladys Knight & the Pips

6.  AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I GOT)--   Four Tops

7.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

8.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

9.  I'M JUST A SINGER (IN A ROCK AND ROLL BAND)--  Moody Blues

10.  BREAK UP TO MAKE UP--  Stylistics

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

DEBUTS

18.  TIE A YELLOW RIBBON 'ROUND THE OLD OAK TREE--  Dawn

20.  THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA--  Vicki Lawrence

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "People Smile And Tell Me I'm The Lucky One."  Answer below.

"Danny's Song"

WLS Top Ten for March 19, 1973: 'Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)'

A mere 50 years ago.

1.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

2.  DUELING BANJOS--  Deliverance

3.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

4.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA  2001--  Deodato

5.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

6.  COULD BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners

7.  I'M JUST A SINGER (IN A ROCK AND ROLL BAND)--  Moody Blues

8.  DADDY'S HOME--  Jermaine Jackson

9.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

10.  AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I GOT)--  Four Tops

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

DEBUTS

18.  SING--  Carpenters

19.  HUMMINGBORD--  Seals & Crofts

22.  STIR IT UP--  Johnny Nash

23.  MASTERPIECE--  Temptations

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I'm Just A Wandering On The Face Of This Earth Meeting So Many People Who Are Trying To Be Free."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)"

WLS Top 23 for Week of March 12, 1973-- Part 3: 'Love Train'

That's right, fifty years ago, half a century.  These were thye songs playing on Chicago's 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 Charts.

10. I'M JUST A SINGER (IN A ROCK AND ROLL BAND)--  Moody Blues   #12    Formed in Birmingham, England.

9.  DADDY'S HOME--  Jermaine Jackson      #9    Michael's brother.

8.  CROCODILE ROCK--  Elton John    #1 for 3 weeks.

7.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA--  Deodato    #2  His only top 40.

6.  ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--  John Denver     #9   Follow up to "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

5.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays    #1     Named after Cleveland DJ  Eddie O'Jay.

4.  COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners    #4  Formed in Detroit, Michigan.

3.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear    #3   

2.  DUELING BANJOS--  Deliverance     #2   Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell

1.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack    #1  for five weeks.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Remember When Rock WasYound, Me And Susie Had So Much Fun."  Answer below.   --RoadDog

"Crocodile Rock"

WLS Top 23 for Week of March 12, 1973-- Part 2: 'Danny's Song'

15.  *AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I'VE GOT)--  Four Tops   #4   Their last Top Ten.

14.  *DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray   #7   From Nova Scotia, Canada.  Her follow up to #8 "Snowbird."

13.  DO IT AGAIN--  Steely Dan    #6    Their first Top 40.  Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

12.  *DO YOU WANT TO DANCE--  Bette Midler   #11     Her first Top 40.  Doing an old Beach Boys song.

11.  DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND--  Lobo     #8  His last of three straight Top Tens.

Name That Tune (from the abve songs):  "In The Morning You Go Gunning For The Man Who Stole Your Water."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Do It Again"

Top 23 Songs on WLS for Week of March 12, 1973-- Part 1: 'Dancing in the Moonlight'

The Top songs in Chicago Fifty years ago.

*  Means the Song was climbing the charts.  The number behind the artist is how high the song got on the BillboardHot 100 National Charts.

23.  *  CALL ME (COME BACK HOME)--   Al Green  #10

22.  *BREAK UP TO MAKE UP--  Stylistics   #5    R&B group fron Philadelphia.    

21.  DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT--  King Harvest   #13   Their only Top 40.

20.  *KISSING MY LOVE--  Bill Withers   n #31    Pride and joy of Slab Fork, West Virginia.

19.   *AUBREY--  Bread   #15    Their next to last Top 40.

18.  *BIG CITY MISS RUTH ANN--  Gallery  #23

17.  *NEITHER ONE OF US  (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)--  Gladys Knight & the Pips   #2

16.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon    #1  for three weeks.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "It's Sad To Think We're Not Going To Make It."  --Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye)"

WLS Top Ten for Week of March 5, 1973: 'Crocodile Rock'

That's right, half a century ago.  Time sure flies by when you're having fun.

1.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

2.  DUELING BANJOS--  Delieverance

3.  COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners

4.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

5.  CROCODILE ROCK--  Elton John

6.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

7.  ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--  John Denver

8.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon

9.  DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND--  Lobo

10.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA--  Deodata

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

DEBUTS

23.  KISSING MY LOVE--  Bill Withers

24.  AIN'T NO WOMAN (LIKE THE ONE I GOT)--   Four Tops

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "He Was Born In The Summer Of His  Twenty-Seventh Year."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Rocky Mountain High"

WLS Top 10 (and Debuts) for Week of Feb. 26, 1973: 'Love Train'

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

1.  CROCODILE ROCK--  Elton John

2.  DUELING BANJOS--  Deliverance

3.  IT COULD BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners

4.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

5.  DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND--  Lobo

6.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

7.  DO IT AGAIN--  Steely Dan

8.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon

9.  ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--  John Denver

10.  LOVE TRAIN--  O'Jays

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

DEBUTS

21.  DANNY'S SONG--  Anne Murray

23.  AUBREY--  Bread

25.  NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE  THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)--   Gladys Knight & the Pips 

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "I Heard He Sang A Good Song.  I Heard He Had A Style."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Killing Me Softly With His Song"

WLS Top 10 (and Debuts) for Week of Feb. 19, 1973: 'Dueling Banjos'

Would you believe... Fifty Years Ago.  Time sure flies when you're having fun.

1.  CROCODILE ROCK--  Elton John

2.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Carly Simon

3.  COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners

4.  DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND--  Lobo

5.  DO IT AGAIN--  Steely Dan

6.  DUELING BANJOS--  Deliverance

7.  OH BABE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY--  Hurricane Smith

8.  KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG--  Roberta Flack

9.  ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--  John Denver

10.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear

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

DEBUTS

23.  ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA--  Deodata

25.  BIG CITY MISS RUTH ANN--  Gallery

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Strumming My Pain With His Fingers."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Killing Me Softly with His Song"

WLS Top 25 for Week of February 12, 1973-- Part 4: 'Crocodile Rock'

Fifty years ago in Chicago, these were the top songs according to WLS, 890 AM.

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

10.  *THE WORLD IS A GHETTO--  War

9.  TROUBLE MAN--  Marvin Gaye

8.  *COULD IT BE I'M FALLING IN LOVE--  Spinners

7.  WHY CAN'T WE LIVE TOGETHER--  Timmy Thomas

6.  *DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE YOUR FRIEND--  Lobo

5.  *DO IT AGAIN--  Steely Dan

4.  SUPERSTITION--  Stevie Wonder

3.  *OH BABE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY--  Hurricane Smith

2.  YOU'RE SO VAIN--  Cary Simon

1.  CROCODILE ROCK--  Elton John

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "On The Morning You Go Gunning For The Man Who Stole Your Water."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Do It Again"

WLS Top 25 for Week of February 12, 1973-- Part 3: 'Dancing in the Moonlight'

*  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.

15.  JAMBALAYA (ON THE BAYOU)--  Blue Ridge Rangers      #16     But you might know them better as John Fogerty.  Where's Creedence?  Ol' Hank would be so proud.  This was a #1 country hit in1952 for Hank Williams.

14.  LAST SONG--  Edward Bear    #3       Little did I know this was the name of a band, not a solo performer.   Pop trio from Toronto, Canada.

13.  DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT--  King Harvest      #13     Takes me right back to 1973.  At this time I was getting ready to start student teaching in my senior year at NIU.  Their one and only Top 40 hit.

12.  YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE--  Loggins & Messina      #4      Gotta love this song.  Their only Top Ten as a duo.

11.  ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH--  John Denver       #9      We could sure use another John Denver about now.  Was that David Crosby in the audience at the beginning of the video for the Wildlife Concert?

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Goodbye Joe, Me Gotta Go, Me Oh, My Oh."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Jambalaya (On the Bayou)"