“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.