(VANITY) TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS ('70S) ROUND 3

ME | 1/29/18 | ME

[the OlLine Rebel]

ROUND 3 OF THE '70S TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS COMMENCES!

Votes due: Sunday, Feb 4 @ 6:00 pm Eastern.

32 songs, 16 pairs, 16 winners! Vote for your favorite in each pair shown.

No reply, no vote. (You may abstain from any pairs.)

Any ties will be broken with a run-off which will end the following Monday.

Format: Billboard rank/seed - year - song title - act

[Albion Wilde]

Still cannot believe Bohemian Rhapsody is not in the top list. Oh, well. There’s no accounting for taste.

American Woman
Maggie May
It’s Too Late
Without You
American Pie
Crocodile Rock
Seasons in the Sun
Love’s Theme
My Eyes Adored You
December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)
Best of My Love
I Just Want to Be Your Everything
Stayin’ Alive
Baby Come Back
How Deep Is Your Love
My Sharona

[Portcall24]

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel

2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart

3 1971 “It’s Too Late” Carole King
7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers

3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean
7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John

2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce

3 1974 “Love’s Theme” Love Unlimited Orchestra

5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli
2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell

3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions
5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry

4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees

5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile

2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer
1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack

[the OlLine Rebel]

It’s #18 in ‘76. So yeah, it doesn’t make the cut here.

[garandgal]

3 1970 “American Woman” The Guess Who

2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart

1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night

4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson

3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean

7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John

2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks

6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad

1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille

2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell

1 1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings

5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry

1 1977 “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” Rod Stewart

5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile

6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees

1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack

[DoodleBob]

In case anyone cares, here is where these songs stack up in terms of sales according to RIAA's Gold & Platinum Databse:

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel - n/a

3 1970 “American Woman” The Guess Who - Gold

2 1970 “(They Long to Be) Close to You” The Carpenters - Gold

2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart - Gold

1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night - n/a

3 1971 “It’s Too Late” Carole King - Gold

7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers - Gold

4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson - n/a

2 1972 “Alone Again (Naturally)” Gilbert O’Sullivan - Gold

3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean - n/a (really!)

7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John - Platinum

3 1973 “Killing Me Softly with His Song” Roberta Flack - Gold

2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce - Gold

2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks - Gold

6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad - Gold

3 1974 “Love’s Theme” Love Unlimited Orchestra - n/a

1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille - Gold

5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli - Gold

2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell - Gold

4 1976 “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” The Four Seasons - Gold

1 1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings - Gold

3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions - Platinum

5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry - Platinum

2 1977 “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” Andy Gibb - n/a

1 1977 “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” Rod Stewart - Gold

4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees - Platinum

7 1978 “Baby Come Back” Player - Gold

5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile - Gold

6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees - Gold

2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer - Platinum

1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack - Gold

3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic - Platinum

[Gil4]

Not a fan. Annoying voice, boring songs.

[Bodleian_Girl]

Love that song, listened to it 18 times in a row yesterday. “My aim is true.”

Today’s song however is https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9-KJvR_JWs8

[the OlLine Rebel]

Another act I never knew actually did anything famous. Another fringe act famous on the ‘net.

Anyway, here are my picks:

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel

2 1970 “(They Long to Be) Close to You” The Carpenters

1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night

4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson - ONE OF MY AWESOME SONGS of the ‘70s. How can this lose so badly? And to a song which really is a poor example for friendship - boring, depressing sounding and slow; even mealy-mouthed. ‘80s cover MUCH better - fantastic!

3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean - legendary - and TODAY is the Day the Music Died!

3 1973 “Killing Me Softly with His Song” Roberta Flack

2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks - another AWESOME song losing out badly? I guess I should be happy they made it this far.

6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad - hard choice; love both, but Loco gets edge being very cool and memories of our jukebox

5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli

4 1976 “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” The Four Seasons - yeah, I like Franki Valli

3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions - we have to have SOME non-BG disco left!

5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry - LOVE it!

4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees - LOVE it - may be our only disco? :-(

7 1978 “Baby Come Back” Player

2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer - How can Donna NOT be in the top 8? Come on!

3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic - disco bias; I like Sharona but it’s actually a bit to unmusical; very herky-jerky, so I can’t pick it now

[the OlLine Rebel]

Fantastic info.

One has to be careful about the definition of sales - sometimes, the song we knew was huge was “never released as single”, etc, so didn’t really get any sales! But I am very aware of all these songs - back as a youth, and still today. They were huge and they are often played right up to today on the more general stations.

[DoodleBob]

I often use RIAA's Gold & Platinum database for facts. Many times people will say this artist or that artist sold millions, and you fact-check the claim and find out it's all smoke and mirrors.

For all of these songs, the quoted sales level (i.e., n/a, Gold, Platinum) is for the single. In some cases, the album on which the single was located also was certified Gold or Platinum as well.

The big shocker for me was that American Pie didn't break 500,000 in sales as a single, or an album. Candidly, that's not one of my favorites but you cannot deny the impact or popularity. I read that although singles are often shortened versions of the original, they chose for the single of American Pie to be all eight+ minutes, splitting it across the A and B sides of the 45.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Yeah, but it was also put up high by RIAA for their songs of the century list!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_of_the_Century

[the OlLine Rebel]

My husband:

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel
2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart
1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night
4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson
3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean
7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John
2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks
6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad
1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille
2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell
1 1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings
5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry
4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees
5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile
2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer
3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic

[Gil4]

I’m not a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac, although I did have the Rumors album and one of Stevie Nicks’ solo albums back in the day. About the time I was old enough to really appreciate their talent their politics got in the way and I didn’t listen for 20 years or so. They have made it back into my rotation the last few years, primarily thanks to a co-worker who was a fan.

I don’t think I had heard that song before, but it was really good. The top link was to another one a like - a live performance of Landslide.

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1970S PING LIST

(This is a temporary ping list, so don’t worry!)

We have another tie to break! Anyone who has not voted this week, please chime in and let’s see if we can avoid another run-off!

[Personal Responsibility]

3 1970 “American Woman” The Guess Who
2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart
1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night
7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers
3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean
3 1973 “Killing Me Softly with His Song” Roberta Flack
2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce
6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad
1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille
4 1976 “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” The Four Seasons
3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions
5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry
4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees
5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile
6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees
1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack

[Tax-chick]

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel

2 1970 “(They Long to Be) Close to You” The Carpenters

3 1971 “It’s Too Late” Carole King

4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson

3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean

7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John

2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce

6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad

5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli

2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell

3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions

5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry

4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees

7 1978 “Baby Come Back” Player

6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees

3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic

[ifinnegan]

Round 3

***** indicates pick

******1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel******
3 1970 “American Woman” The Guess Who

******2 1970 “(They Long to Be) Close to You” The Carpenters******
2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart

******1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night******
3 1971 “It’s Too Late” Carole King

7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers
******4 1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson******

2 1972 “Alone Again (Naturally)” Gilbert O’Sullivan
******3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean******

******7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John******
3 1973 “Killing Me Softly with His Song” Roberta Flack

******2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce******
2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks

******6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad******
3 1974 “Love’s Theme” Love Unlimited Orchestra

******1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille******
5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli

******2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell******
4 1976 “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” The Four Seasons

1 1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings
******3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions******

******5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry******
2 1977 “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” Andy Gibb

******1 1977 “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” Rod Stewart******
4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees

7 1978 “Baby Come Back” Player
******5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile******

6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees
******2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer******

1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack
******3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic******

[bushpilot2]

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel
3 *1970 “American Woman” The Guess Who

2 1970 “(They Long to Be) Close to You” The Carpenters
2*1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart

1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Nights
3*1971 “It’s Too Late” Carole King

7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers
4 *1972 “Without You” Harry Nilsson

2*1972 “Alone Again (Naturally)” Gilbert O’Sullivan
3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean

7*1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John
3 1973 “Killing Me Softly with His Song” Roberta Flack

2*1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce
2 1974 “Seasons in the Sun” Terry Jacks

6 *1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad
3 1974 “Love’s Theme” Love Unlimited Orchestra

1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille
5 *1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli

2*1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell
4 1976 “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” The Four Seasons

1*1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings
3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions

5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry
2 *1977 “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” Andy Gibb

1 *1977 “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” Rod Stewart
4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees

7*1978 “Baby Come Back” Player
5 1978 “Kiss You All Over” Exile

6*1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees
2 1979 “Bad Girls” Donna Summer

1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack pass
3 1979 “Le Freak” Chic pass

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1970S PING LIST
(This is a temporary ping list, so don’t worry!)

Thank you to those who chimed in late in an attempt to eliminate ties.

Unfortunately, instead, we now end up with TWO ties!

!!!!RUN-OFF NEEDED!!!!

So the next day will be for the run-off of these ties! (Next time, I may ask our son to choose any ties!)

****ROUND 3 - MOSTLY OVER*****

RESULTS FOR Round 3 so far, minus the run-offs:

1 1970 “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon & Garfunkel
2 1971 “Maggie May” Rod Stewart
1 1971 “Joy to the World” Three Dog Night
7 1972 “Lean on Me” Bill Withers
3 1972 “American Pie” Don McLean
7 1973 “Crocodile Rock” Elton John
2 1973 “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” Jim Croce
6 1974 “The Loco-Motion” Grand Funk Railroad
2 1975 “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell
5 1976 “Play That Funky Music” Wild Cherry
4 1978 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees
7 1978 “Baby Come Back” Player
6 1978 “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees
1 1979 “My Sharona” The Knack

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1970S PING LIST
(This is a temporary ping list, so don’t worry!)

Forgot to ping all; but see previous post #79 for results of Round 3 that were NOT tied.

******RUN-OFF on ROUND 3*****

We had some more close calls, and still ended up with TWO ties even after my imploring to break just one. All are welcome to vote, even if you already did Round 3. Heck, you might change your mind!

Please vote for 1 song in each of these 2 pairs; due MONDAY, Feb 5 @ 7:00pm Eastern:

1 1975 “Love Will Keep Us Together” Captain & Tennille
5 1975 “My Eyes Adored You” Frankie Valli (AGAIN!!!! TIED AGAIN!)

***AND***

1 1976 “Silly Love Songs” Wings
3 1977 “Best of My Love” The Emotions