“No Time” #5 2/28/1970

The Guess Who re-recorded this track from the “Canned Wheat” LP and scored their first US Top 5 hit, as well as their third Canadian #1 single. The original was somewhat slower and had the verses in a different order. Randy Bachman said he and Burton Cummings were trying to write songs like Stephen Stills and Neil Young. I think they succeeded here.

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” #1 2/28/1970

Billboard’s top single of 1970, one that spent six weeks at #1 - and at first the guy who sang lead didn’t want to! When Paul Simon wrote this, he had Art Garfunkel in mind to do the primary vocals. Art originally declined but came around; Simon later had a few regrets about giving that one away. The Wrecking Crew handled the music in L.A. (the vocals were done in NYC), with Larry Knechtel’s marvelous piano. Knechtel went on to join the band Bread and appeared on most of their 70’s hits. Joe Osborn played the bass parts and Hal Blaine was on drums, including the thundering ending. Just an absolute, iconic masterpiece.

“Monkey Man”

From “Let It Bleed,” another Rolling Stones tune all about their favorite subjects at the time - sex, drugs, and rock and roll. It was written after Mick and Keith met Italian actor Mario Schifano. This was recorded after Brian Jones died and before Mick Taylor was brought on board, and was on the “Goodfellas” soundtrack.

“Thank You” (Led Zeppelin)

From time to time even hard rockin’ outfits like Led Zeppelin would pull out some mellower tunes. This one from Zep’s second LP is notable for the organ played by John Paul Jones, and the acoustic guitar by Jimmy Page. This was also the first Zep song where Robert Plant wrote all the lyrics. It was a love song for Plant’s then-wife Maureen.

“Wake Up Sunshine”

Another album track that was strong enough to be single-worthy, from Chicago’s second LP. They had enough material for another double album this time. The band was getting noticed for their sometimes strident politics, but this song is free of all that. It’s a breezy little tune that showcased Robert Lamm’s songwriting. Great trombone from James Pankow, and great vocals by Lamm and Peter Cetera.

“It Came Out Of The Sky”

We give you some album tracks over the next few days, starting with one from CCR’s “Willy And The Poor Boys” that easily could’ve been a single. This one would have made Chuck Berry proud. It’s about a UFO that fell onto an Illinois farm and made the landowner famous, along with social commentary from John Fogerty.

“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” (Lenny Welch) #34 2/21/1970

Bruce Springsteen wasn’t the first music star to hail from Asbury Park, NJ. Lenny Welch preceded the Boss by a decade or so. Lenny had a huge hit at the end of 1963 with “Since I Fell For You” but other than the followup, a version of “Ebb Tide,” he’d hit a dry spell until returning to the Top 40 here. This slower take came along several years before Neil Sedaka’s slow remake of his own 1962 classic.

“The Thrill Is Gone” #15 2/21/1970

Beale Street in Memphis is legendary as a birthplace of the blues. Many folks got their start there, among them B.B. King and his famed guitar “Lucille.” He gravitated to Memphis from his home of Indianola, Miss. and had numerous R&B hits since the early 50’s, but rarely cracked the pop charts. This was by far his biggest pop hit. B.B. was diabetic (as am I) and he did numerous ads and PSA’s regarding the disease. No question he was one of the most influential bluesmen ever.

“Hey There Lonely Girl” #2 2/21/1970

There are times when a song requires a change of gender when it’s remade. Such was the case with this one from Eddie Holman, originally done by Ruby and the Romantics in 1963 as “Hey There Lonely Boy.” I suppose the change did some good, as the original only got to #27 in 1963 and the remake did much better. It was Holman’s only hit. He became a Baptist minister and started a gospel music label.

“It’s Just A Matter Of Time” (Sonny James) #87 (#1 Country) 2/14/1970

A remake of Brook Benton’s first hit from 1959 became the tenth of 16 consecutive country #1’s this week for Sonny James. It was also a Top 10 country smash for both Glen Campbell (1985) and Randy Travis (1989). Sonny was having some good luck with bringing back 50’s and 60’s pop tunes. Hey, whatever works.

“Save The Country” (Thelma Houston) #74 2/14/1970

Another Laura Nyro song, released some months before the 5th Dimension version. This came from Thelma Houston (no relation to Whitney) long before her 1977 disco hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Thelma was born in Leland, Miss., also the home town of Muppet meister Jim Henson. Video is from an early “Soul Train.” She also appeared on a short-lived TV comedy show starring a pre-“Young Frankenstein” Marty Feldman. Perhaps I can help you with that hump...

“One Tin Soldier” (The Original Caste - 1970) #34 2/14/1970

The only US hit for the Calgary, Alberta group Original Caste. This one is a little preachy, but sends the message that peace wins out in the end. It was used the following year in the first “Billy Jack” movie (talk about preachy!) and did a tad better for the band Coven. The soundtrack version was credited to Coven, but was just their lead singer Jinx Dawson with session musicians.

“Baby Take Me In Your Arms” #23 2/14/1970

Geoff Turton was the front man of the Rockin’ Berries, a 60’s British group. Christine McVie, using her maiden name of Christine Perfect long before joining Fleetwood Mac, was briefly their keyboard player. They made the charts over there before Turton went solo as the one-named Jefferson. He had one hit in the UK, “Colour Of My Love,” and this track was his only real hit in the States. He was then in a car accident and couldn’t tour to support this single, missing out on a followup.

“Walk A Mile In My Shoes” #12 2/14/1970

The last hit for Joe South. It’s an interesting look at how empathy toward your fellow man could enlighten a person. He had a couple more singles after this but none of them made the Top 50. Then his brother Tommy’s suicide caused Joe to take an extended break from the business. His career never really recovered.

“Arizona” #10 2/14/1970

Back in the early 60’s a skinny kid with coke-bottle glasses showed up at a band’s gig in Caldwell, Idaho, asked to sing and got a great response, then quickly left. The next day the group’s pianist found the guy (Mark Lindsay) working at a bakery, and thus Paul Revere and the Raiders took shape. They were quite successful in the 60’s but Mark wanted to try some stuff on his own. This was his biggest solo hit.

“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” #1 2/14/1970

1970 proved to be a very erratic year for Sly and the Family Stone. Other than a greatest hits LP this #1 single was their only release in a 20 month period. Sly became very moody and the band frequently cut short their shows or outright missed a number of gigs, with drug use the main culprit. They prided themselves on being a racially harmonious outfit, but outsiders were pressuring Sly to get rid of the Caucasian band members. Stardom has its drawbacks.

“Brown Eyed Handsome Man” #3 Country 2/7/1970

A Top 5 country hit this week for Waylon Jennings was a remake of Chuck Berry’s 1956 B-side of “Too Much Monkey Business.” Buddy Holly also recorded the song, though his version was released posthumously several years after his untimely 1959 passing. Waylon joined fellow West Texan Buddy’s band (the Crickets) only 10 days before The Day The Music Died and gave up his seat on the small plane that night to a flu-stricken J.P. Richardson, the Big Bopper. Very interesting read.

“A Week In A Country Jail” #1 Country 2/7/1970

This week’s #1 country hit was the first of seven for Kentucky’s own Tom T. Hall. Country songs have always been known for weaving a tale, but Hall is known as “The Storyteller.” He wrote “Harper Valley PTA” and plenty for himself too, such as “Old Dogs, Children And Watermelon Wine.” Tom T. could write some great stories.

“Church Street Soul Revival” #104 2/7/1970

Tommy James co-wrote and co-produced this track for a relatively unknown band from Richmond, KY whose version bubbled under. Tommy later did it himself as the B-side of his biggest solo hit. The Exiles shortened their name and had a #1 pop hit in 1978 with “Kiss You All Over” before having 10 #1’s on the 1980’s country charts. I once saw Exile open for Aerosmith in Roanoke, VA as a rock act, and again a few years later at our county fair in Woodstock, VA headlining as a country group.

“Jesus Is Just Alright” (Byrds) #97 2/7/1970

The Doobie Brothers had the more well-known version of this one, a rare religious themed rock tune. But the Byrds did it several years earlier on their “Ballad Of Easy Rider” LP. They in turn lifted the song from gospel singer Art Reynolds. The Doobies’ take borrowed quite heavily from the Byrds.

“Tonight I’ll Say A Prayer” #45 2/7/1970

A Top 10 easy listening hit and the last chart record for Eydie Gormé. She met her future husband Steve Lawrence when they were staff singers in the early days of the Steve Allen-hosted Tonight Show. They were married for 55 years and became Broadway and nightclub stars. Lawrence had some early 60’s pop hits as well, and Eydie scored with 1963’s “Blame It On The Bossa Nova.”

“Monster” #39 2/7/1970

There were songs that tackled the social and political unrest of the day. Some got the message across but still rocked, like “Fortunate Son.” Unfortunately, this one from Steppenwolf became caught up in its own heavy-handed-ness. Our selection today is an edit of the nine-minute album version.

“Let’s Work Together” (Wilbert Harrison) #32 2/7/1970

Occasionally contract issues derail one’s career, which happened to Wilbert Harrison. For that reason he couldn’t follow up the success of 1959’s “Kansas City.” He kept at it and in 1962 did the original of this song, called “Let’s Stick Together.” Wilbert eventually reworked the tune with a slightly altered title. Canned Heat also recorded it at about this time but held off their release until later in 1970.

“Fancy” #31 2/7/1970

This might best be described as “Ode To Billie Joe” goes uptown...if the female lead was a ho. Bobbie Gentry wrote and sang this one about a high-priced call girl who (with her dying mom’s help) pulled herself out of childhood poverty. Pretty daring stuff for 1970. In the early 90’s country star Reba McEntire made this a signature song of hers. Reba did it as her encore for years, wearing a ratty fur coat during the first part to reveal a striking evening gown. Recorded in Muscle Shoals.

“She Came In Through The Bathroom Window” (Joe Cocker) #30 2/7/1970

In the late 60’s Joe Cocker struck up a friendship with the Beatles, even recording a few of their songs like this “Abbey Road” selection. It was also around this time Joe launched his infamous Mad Dogs and Englishmen concert tour, called one of the most debauched in rock history. And that’s saying something! I dig this tune.

“Blowing Away“ #21 2/7/1970

The 5th Dimension had considerable good fortune previously with songs written by Laura Nyro. So they gave it another shot with this tune of hers, with a modicum of success here. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis of the group got married in 1969 and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Quite an accomplishment.

“Walkin’ In The Rain” (Jay and the Americans) #11 2/7/1970

The final Top 40 record from Jay and the Americans. They had some success reviving hits from years earlier, so they gave a spin to this Ronettes tune from 1964. But the hits went away and the group would soon break up. Their backing band at this time included a pre-Steely Dan Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

“Jingle Jangle” #10 2/7/1970

The second Top 10 from the fictional Archies. Ron Dante sang almost all the parts here, even doing the female voices in falsetto, with co-writer and producer Jeff Barry only supplying the bass voice. Barry wrote this with Andy Kim, just like “Sugar, Sugar.” It was available as another of those low fidelity cardboard records one would cut from the back of a cereal box, but also sold as a regular 45.

“I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” (Dionne Warwick) #6 2/7/1970

Sometimes songs written on a deadline become monster hits. Burt Bacharach and Hal David were asked to quickly write the score for a new musical, “Promises, Promises” which was headed to Broadway. However, Burt was soon laid up in the hospital with pneumonia, which inspired Hal to include a line about that illness. Johnny Mathis recorded this first; Bobbie Gentry had a #1 hit in the UK with her version. Dionne Warwick had the hit in America, though.

“Venus” #1 2/7/1970

A huge international smash from the one-US-hit Dutch band Shocking Blue. None of the members spoke English, so lead singer Mariska Veres painstakingly recorded her vocals phonetically. The first line was supposed to read “A goddess on the mountain top” but was mis-translated as “god-NESS” and Veres sang it that way. Later versions fixed the error. The Bananarama remake in 1986 was also #1.

“Winter World Of Love” #16 1/31/1970

A Top 5 easy listening hit from Englebert Humperdinck. By now ol’ Englebert was a mainstay of the Las Vegas Strip showrooms, frequently performing at the now-demolished Riviera. He has always been the type that never took himself too seriously, a trait that certainly helped with career longevity.

“Early In The Morning” #12 1/31/1970

OK, so these guys weren’t a one-hit wonder. They were a two-hit wonder, with this being the first. Vanity Fare began as the Avengers in Kent, England. Their new name was a variation on the title of a beloved 19th century British novel which satirized the upper crust. Hey, the rich were an easy target back then, and still are today.

“Rubberneckin’ “ #6 1/31/1970

The other side of “Don’t Cry Daddy” got considerable airplay as well. It’s from the soundtrack to “Change Of Habit,” Elvis’s 31st and last acting role. (Some would say his “acting” is loosely defined.) All subsequent movies featuring the King were his concert films. A 2003 dance remix was a hit just about everywhere but America. This sounds like a remaster with most of the original reverb removed.

“Don’t Cry Daddy” #6 1/31/1970

Speaking of Elvis (which we did yesterday in this space), we give you both sides of his current single today and tomorrow. This one is yet another Mac Davis tune from several days of marathon sessions in January 1969 when the King recorded back home in Memphis. It’s unclear whether the mommy died, left due to divorce or what.

“Without Love (There Is Nothing)” #5 1/31/1970

Originally a 1957 solo R&B hit for Clyde McPhatter after leaving the Drifters, here’s a Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic from Tom Jones. He was in the middle of a successful run with his worldwide hit TV show. Tom would also perform in Vegas every year and hang out with his good friend Elvis. Thank ya very much.

“Whole Lotta Love” #4 1/31/1970

Much like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin wasn’t primarily known as a singles act. This was by far the band’s biggest 45 in America. Zep sort of lifted the song from the Small Faces’ 1966 track “You Need Loving.” That one in turn was taken from a Muddy Waters ditty called “You Need Love” with lyrics by Willie Dixon. A lawsuit ensued and in the 80’s Zep had to finally credit Dixon as a co-writer. The album version (preferred today) has a wild passage in the middle featuring Jimmy Page playing a theremin, a la the Beach Boys on “Good Vibrations.” One of the best headphone records ever made.