1976 Billboard Disco Compilation Consensus Charts!!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by markydefad

December 04, 1976
43) LET YOURSELF GO - The Supremes
(Motown LP: 4:29) P: Brian Holland // W: B. Holland/E. Holland/H. Beatty
26 points/ 3 charts = NYC/Phoenix/SF
BDA Top 40: n/c
DCC chart: 2 weeks on chart // Last week: #41 (-2)

Just an incredible, uplifting Hi-NRG record! One of my all-time faves. Yet, it stalled and dropped back down after just 2 weeks.

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by STEPHEN L FREEMAN

Just an incredible, uplifting Hi-NRG record! One of my all-time faves. Yet, it stalled and dropped back down after just 2 weeks.

Stephen,

It's just a temporary setback. "Let Yourself Go" lost 3 points from last week (29 down to 26) and one chart: Miami...But next week, Miami is back along with 6 charts total and 47 points altogether...yet it will be #41, because Billboard doesn't bundle it with "You're My Driving Wheel" until January, 1977... in comparison, "YMDW" has 51 points next week and is in the Top 10!!!

It gets worse after that. The following week, "LYG" gathers 68 points from 7 charts; "YMDW" only has 57 and is again in the Top 10, while "LYG" is, you guessed it, #41!!!

On 12/25/76 ..the same thing.."YMDW" has 47 points and ranks in the Top 10; "LYG" has 58 points and is..#41.

Someone in charge of the Billboard disco chart was sleeping in the month of December or... too full of holiday spirits?... and somehow never bundled "LYG" with "YMDW"...that does finally happen in January, 1977.

[tmob]

Hey, Marky...
As always, love the charts! Here's a few of the "holes" filled in...taken from the 12"s or LP.
27) I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND (You Don't Know What's On Mine)/ I'VE LEARNED FROM MY BURNS - Spider's Webb
(Fantasy LP 5:32/5:04 + 12" on "IDKWOYM" title: 5:32) P: Jeff Lane // 1) Nichols; 2) Lane-Taylor
56) I BELIEVE IN LOVE - Rock Gazers [featuring Gordon Grody]
(Sixth Avenue 12-inch single: 4:43) P: Warren Schatz for Sunbar Productions, Inc. // W: Gladys Shelley
60) FIGHTIN' ON THE SIDE OF LOVE - T.H.P. Orchestra featuring Wayne St. John
(RCA (Canada) 12-inch: 6:34) P: Ian Guenther/ Willi Morrison // W: Bugatti & Musker
70) LIVE AND LEARN - Ace Spectrum
(Atlantic 12": 5:50) P: Ed "Easy" Zant & Tony Sylvester for Ace-Spec Corp. & Cosmic Man Productions//W: Jesse Cox (As a side note, this one was arranged and conducted by Patrick Adams!)
72) I'M HYPNOTIZED/ ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE - Frannie Golde
(Atlantic LP: 3:42/3:51)
P: Michael DeLugg & Charlie Calello // W: 1) Frannie Golde, Stephen Burns & Dennis Mayoff / 2) Lennon-McCartney
77) * UNDER CONSTRUCTION - El Coco
(AVI LP: 3:19 P: Michael Lewis & Laurin Rinder/W: Michael Lewis, Laurin Rinder and Mark Bryson Dulski

Hope those help...

[markydefad]

tmob, you are a GODSEND!!! Thanks so much!! I don't have those titles and couldn't find the info when I searched....I really appreciate it. I was gonna ask if anyone had the missing info when I finished, but I didn't even have to!!!

I'll edit it in asap.

[markydefad]

Part #3: December 04, 1976

By The Numbers......

THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 40--PURELY BY POINTS:

Legend: (B) = bundled with other titles by Billboard; (B/U) = "Bubbling Under the Top 40"

Using the chart data from all 16 charts, including Montreal. Based solely on point totals of individual titles; in cases of point ties, the title on more charts gets precedence--if # of charts is the same, it's in alphabetical order and a {tie} /* = debut/ (R) = Return

Perfect score = 240 maximum points (15 points for a #1 x 16 charts)

1) "FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE" LP - Donna Summer (164 points/13 charts) Billboard ranked #1
2) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN - The Originals (121 points/12 charts) BB ranked #2
3) ANOTHER STAR - Stevie Wonder (98 points/11 charts) BB ranked#3 (B)
4) CAR WASH - Rose Royce (97 points/10 charts) BB ranked #4
5) MAKES YOU BLIND - The Glitter Band (94 points/12 charts) BB ranked #6
6) I WISH - Stevie Wonder (94 points/10 charts) BB ranked #3 (B)
7) SIR DUKE - Stevie Wonder (84 points/9 charts) BB ranked #3 (B)
8. WELCOME TO OUR WORLD (Of Merry Music) - Mass Production (76 points/9 charts) BB ranked #5 (B)
9) ISN'T SHE LOVELY - Stevie Wonder (73 points/7 charts) BB ranked #3 (B)
10) DAYLIGHT - Vicki Sue Robinson (70 points/8 charts) BB ranked #17 (B)

11) MY SWEET SUMMER SUITE - Love Unlimited Orchestra (68 points/7 Billboard charts) Billboard ranked #13 (B)
12) MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR - Carol Douglas (62 points/ 6 charts) Billboard ranked #9
13) I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOUR LOVE - The Emotions (59 points/7 charts) BB ranked #19
14) YOU + ME = LOVE - Undisputed Truth (54 points/7 charts) BB ranked #10
15) {tie} DANCIN’ - Crown Heights Affair (52 points/6 charts) BB ranked #7 (B)
15) {tie] DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY - Thelma Houston (52 points/6 charts) BB ranked: #8
17) SHOULD I STAY/I WON’T LET YOU GO [medley] - Vicki Sue Robinson (50 points/7 charts) BB ranked#17 (B)
18. SORRY/THAT'S THE TROUBLE - Grace Jones (49 points/7 charts) BB ranked: #11 (B)
19) SOUL CHA CHA - Van McCoy (42 points/6 charts) BB ranked #16 (B)
20) CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/SOUR & SWEET (Lemon In The Honey) - Doctor Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (41 points EACH/6 charts EACH) BB ranked #15 (B)

21) WINE-FLOW DISCO - Mass Production (41 points/4 charts) BB ranked: #5 (B)
22) I'M YOUR BOOGIE MAN/KEEP IT COMIN' LOVE - KC & The Sunshine Band (39 points/4 charts) BB ranked #29 (B)
23) I'LL PLAY THE FOOL Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (35 points/5 charts) BB ranked #15 (B)
24){tie} NICE 'N' NAASTY - The Salsoul Orchestra (35 points/3 charts) BB: Not Charted/ "B/U" @ #41
24){tie} SEARCHING FOR LOVE - Crown Heights Affair (35 points/3 charts) BB ranked #7 (B)
26) YOU'RE MY DRIVING WHEEL - The Supremes (32 points/ 5 charts) BB ranked: #12
27) GOIN' UP IN SMOKE - Eddie Kendricks (31 points/5 charts) BB ranked #14 (B)
28. PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC - Wild Cherry (29 points/ 2 charts) BB ranked: N/C; "Bubbling Under" @ #42
29) LOVE BUG - Bumblebee Unlimited (26 points/5 charts) BB ranked #25
30) LET YOURSELF GO - The Supremes (26 points/3 charts) BB: Not Charted/ "Bubbling Under": #43

31) LET'S GET IT TOGETHER - El Coco (25 points/4 charts) BB ranked #26 (B)
32) DAZZ - Brick (24 points/5 charts) BB ranked #21
33) THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES - Eddie Kendricks (24 points/3 charts) BB ranked: #14 (B)
34) BRAZILIAN LOVE SONG - Love Unlimited Orchestra (24 points/2 charts) BB ranked: #13 (B)
35) GETAWAY - Earth, Wind & Fire (24 points/2 charts) BB ranked: N/C; "Bubbling Under" @ #44
36) (R) CALYPSO BREAKDOWN - Ralph MacDonald (23 points/5 charts) BB ranked #30 (B)
37) MUSIC MAN - Eddie Kendricks (20 points/4 charts) BB ranked #14 (B)
38. STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA - Buffalo Smoke (19 points/ 2 charts) BB ranked: #36
39) DADDY COOL - Boney M (18 points/ 5 charts) BB ranked: #18 (B)
40) * HA CHA CHA - Brass Construction (18 points/ 2 charts) BB ranked: #22
__________________________________________________ ________________________

Billboard National Disco Action Top 40 Titles Lacking Points to Make The Disco Compilation Consensus "Purely By Points" Chart This Week:

07) FAR OUT (0 points/ 0 charts) (B)
16) SWAHILI BOOGIE (0 points/ 0 charts) (B)
18. TAKE THE HEAT OFF ME (17 points/ 4 charts) (B)
20) OVERTURE (15 points/2 charts) (B)
20) DON'T KEEP IT IN THE SHADOWS (15 points/ 2 charts) (B)
20) INDISCREET (8 points/ 1 chart) (B)
20) O BA BA (8 points/ 1 chart) (B)
23) WHEN LOVE IS NEW (17 points/ 2 charts)
24) DREAM EXPRESS (11 points/ 1 chart)
26) FAIT LE CHAT (0 points/ 0 charts) (B)
27) I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND (12 points/ 1 chart) (B)
27) I'VE LEARNED FROM MY BURNS (12 points/ 1 chart) (B)
28. FREEDOM TO EXPRESS YOURSELF (9 points/1 chart)
30) WHERE IS THE LOVE (0 points/ 0 charts) (B)
31) YOU GOTTA LET ME SHOW YOU (12 points/ 1 chart)
32) NO, NO, NO, MY FRIEND (11 points/2 charts)
33) ENJOY YOURSELF (9 points/2 charts)
34) BOY, I REALLY TIED ONE ON (10 points/ 1 chart)
35) YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON (7 points/ 3 charts)
37) UNFINISHED BUSINESS (4 points/ 2 charts)
38. HELLO STRANGER (12 points/ 1 charts)
39) WACHERSIGN (14 points/1 chart)
40) GOTTA GET IT (8 points/ 1 chart)
__________________________________________________ ________________________

BILLBOARD TOP 40 MAJOR POINT GAINERS: THE HEAT IS ON
+25 points from last week Sir Duke (from 59 points last week up to 84 points this week)
+18 points from last week Don't Leave Me This Way (from 34 points last week up to 52 points this week)
+16 points from last week I Wish (from 24 points last week up to 56 points this week)
+16 points from last week Take The Heat Off Me (from 1 point last week up to 17 points this week)
+14 points from last week Welcome To Our World (Of Merry Music) (from 62 points last week up to 76 points this week)

Biggest Point Gain in the "Bubbling Under" section:
+09 points from last week Anyway You Like It (from 6 points last week up to 15 points this week)

BILLBOARD TOP 40 MAJOR POINT LOSERS: COOL IT DOWN
-22 points from last week Makes You Blind (from 116 points last week down to 94 points this week)
-15 points from last week Goin' Up In Smoke (from 46 points last week down to 31 points this week)
-14 points from last week Down To Love Town (from 135 points last week down to 121 points this week)
-13 points from last week My Sweet Summer Suite (from 81 points last week down to 68 points this week)
-13 points from last week Freedom to Express Yourself (from 22 points last week down to 9 points this week)

Biggest Point Loss in the "Bubbling Under" section:
-13 points from last week Nice 'N' Naasty (from 48 points last week down to 35 points this week)
__________________________________________________ _________________________


ONE YEAR AGO IN DISCO HISTORY
December 6, 1975

Billboard charts:
A= Top Audience Response Records in NYC Discos:
(#1= BABY FACE )
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC):
(#1= "SALSOUL ORCHESTRA" LP)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC):
(#1= "SALSOUL ORCHESTRA" LP)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island):
(#1= I LOVE MUSIC/ UNITY )
E= Top Audience Response Records in LA/ San Diego Discos:
(#1= I LOVE MUSIC)
+ Special 6th Chart:
F= Top Audience Response Records in San Francisco Discos:
(#1= I LOVE MUSIC)
+ Special 7th Chart:
G=Top Audience Response Records in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Discos:
(#1= DRIVE MY CAR)

6 charts with 15 items apiece; 15 points for a #1; 1 point for a #15; 1 chart with 10 items = 100 points max.

THE BILLBOARD DISCO COMPILATION CONSENUS TOP 5
December 6, 1975

1) I LOVE MUSIC - The O'Jays
(PIR 7") (88 points/ 7 charts = ABCDFG)
7 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #2 (+1)/ 4th nonconsecutive weeks @ #1
2) BABY FACE - Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps
(Wing & A Prayer) (73 points/ 6 charts = A_CDFG)
7 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #3 (+1)
3) "THE SALSOUL ORCHESTRA" (LP) featuring TANGERINE - The Salsoul Orchestra
(Salsoul LP) (71 points/7 charts = ABCDFG)
5 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #1 (-2)
4) LADY BUMP/THE LADY BUMPS ON - Penny McLean
(Atco 7"/ DJ only 12") (56 points/ 5 charts = ABCDE__)
4 weeks on chart/ Last week: #12 (+8.)
5) LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY - Donna Summer
(Oasis LP) (9 points/ 4 charts = A___EFG)
10 weeks on chart/ Last week: #13 (+8.)
__________________________________________________ ________________________

TWO YEARS AGO IN DISCO HISTORY
December 7, 1974

Billboard charts: (4 charts with 15 items apiece: 60 points = perfect score)

A= Top Audience Response Records in NYC Discos:
(#1= EXPRESS )
B= Retail Best Sellers: Downstairs Records (NYC):
(#1= DOCTOR'S ORDERS)
C= Retail Best Sellers: Colony Records (NYC):
(#1= DOCTOR'S ORDERS)
D= Retail Best Sellers: Melody Song Shops (Brooklyn, Long Isand & Queens)
(#1= EXPRESS )


THE DISCO COMPILATION CONSENSUS TOP 5:
DECEMBER 7, 1974

1) EXPRESS - B.T. Express
(Scepter LP only) (58 points/ 4 charts = ABCD)
5 weeks on chart/ Last week: #3 (+2) / 1st week @ #1
2) DOCTOR’S ORDERS – Carol Douglas
(Midland International 7") (56 points/ 4 charts = ABCD)
6 weeks on chart/ Last week: #1 (-1)/ 3 weeks @ #1
3) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing
(Chess 7"- Disco Mix) (48 points/ 4 charts = ABCD)
4 weeks on chart/ Last week: #5 (+2)
4) TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - Jimmy Ruffin
(Chess 7") (34 points/ 4 charts = ABCD)
7 weeks on the chart/ Last week: #2 (-2)
5) GET DANCIN' (Part 1 & 2) - Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes
(Chelsea 7") (28 points/ 3 charts = A_CD)
7 weeks on chart/ Last week: #6 (+1)
__________________________________________________ ________________________

OK, now let's check to see where this week's charted items rank in the
DISC-O-LA FORTUNE 500 ......

[first posted in the 3/26/76 column]

The rarefied air of the important CLASSIC records on the chart this week led me to take a look at their positions on the Disco-o-la Fortune 500 Discotheque Songs of the 70s list compiled by Ed Rothschild (with assistance from Johnny Tripp and Chipper McKearnin), that appears in its entirety in the back of Mel Cheren's book, Keep On Dancin': My Life and the Paradise Garage (2000); (Supposedly, this list came to fruition sometime in the Eighties; I don't know the specifics. The list goes back as early as the late Sixties for a few titles and then culls some from the early Seventies and stops at the end of
1979--no records from the Eighties are included--a few charted in 1980--but were actually released in late 1979)

DISC-O-LA FORTUNE 500 Rankings:

(Based on items in this weeks chart): 25 charting positions featuring 30 titles

#11) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY
#30) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN
#97) MAKES YOU BLIND

#101) I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOUR LOVE
#102) CHERCHEZ LA FEMME / SOUR & SWEET
#115) HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL
#124) "FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE" LP
#145) MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR
#157) YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE
#175) RUN TO ME
#179) YOU + ME = LOVE
#189) ANOTHER STAR/SIR DUKE/ISN'T SHE LOVELY

#204) FREEDOM TO EXPRESS YOURSELF
#232) I'M YOUR BOOGIE MAN/ KEEP IT COMIN' LOVE
#237) CAR WASH
#271) BEST DISCO IN TOWN
#275) WELCOME TO OUR WORLD (Of Merry Music)
#289) SORRY/ THAT'S THE TROUBLE

#310) DANCIN'
#314) CALYPSO BREAKDOWN
#372) PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC
#387) DADDY COOL

#408) LET'S GET IT TOGETHER
#423) MY SWEET SUMMER SUITE
#446) STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA
__________________________________________________ ___________________



Coming Soon To A Disco Near You...

DREAMIN'
ELEVATOR
DISCO LUCY
SPRING RAIN
OPEN SESAME
LOVE IN MOTION
TURN ON TO LOVE
AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
MAKE IT UP TO ME IN LOVE
DANCE AND SHAKE YOUR TAMBOURINE
STAY AWAY/LOOKING AWAY/I CAN'T STAY AWAY

&DISCO INFERNO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!--burn, baby, burn!

[markydefad]

(Thanks to Toby T. for supplying & typing this entire column.)

DISCO MIX By Tom Moulton


December 4, 1976

NEW YORK—Fantasy Records has released the new Blackbyrds album titled "Unfinished Business." There are three strong cuts including the title tune, which is strongest and undoubtedly one of the group’s best efforts to date. The sound here is clean and clear and generates the same kind of energy as Brass Construction.

The songs on this album are uptempo and utilize a driving force without sacrificing any of the group’s traditional classiness. There are several breaks that work very well.

"Time Is Movin’" is similar to "Unfinished Business," and also features voices doing some strong harmony. This tune is inclined toward a pop format and is very melodic. "You’ve Got That Something" is mellower and features a flute as the predominant instrument. The only vocals are the group singing the title several times. The group is expanding its sound in several directions, and judging from the sound of this LP, the move is a good one.

Looks like Joe Simon has a smash with his "Easy To Love" on Spring Records. This is one of the best things Simon has done. It also reunites him with John Richbourg, who produced all of his earlier hits like "The Chokin’ Kind." Andrew Smith has done a strong arrangement on "Easy To Love," which has a happy feeling and an easiness to the rhythm that fits the song.
This will probably be one of Simon’s biggest records.

Pyramid Records has released a new D.C. LaRue LP titled "Tea Dance," which features several good cuts. "Overture" is basically instrumental with a nice rhythm and horn break. There is also a good synthesizer solo that goes into another break of rhythm, triangle, and sound effects of thunder. This is a very funky track.

"Indiscreet" is probably the strongest cut on the "Tea Dance" LP. It is also based on a funky riff. There are also vocals, which are sometimes difficult to understand, but the theme deals with love. "O Ba Ba (No Reino Da Mae Do Our)" sounds like an Afro/calypso mass at the introduction, then goes into a calypso/pop sound. The album is built around a show concept and will undoubtedly be played and talked about for a long time.

Brunswick Records has released two 12-inch 33 1/3 r.p.m. disco disks. They are Mary Ann Farra & Satin Soul’s "Just A Little Timing" b/w "Do Those Little Things" and Tony Valor Sounds Orchestra’s "Gotta Get It" b/w "Girl." Both records are different versions of the LP cuts and are also longer.
************************************************** **************************

[markydefad]

What's It All About, Mar-keeey???

(Is it just for old disco we live???..... well IS it????)

"There'll be some CHANGES made....."

In December of 1976, disco chart changes occur in the cities Billboard polls to compile their National Disco Action Top 40.

First off, this week 12/4/76...Dallas is added to Houston, changing the chart from Houston to Dallas-Houston and thus totally screwing up my alphabetical city record- keeping system where I've compiled my stats...Houston is now chart #5 instead of chart #7 and now I have to be careful not to record things in the wrong place. It ain't easy being this anal!!!

Secondly on 12/11/76, after repeating the same chart for 4 weeks, Seattle is dropped from the city roster. I have assumed that the fault was with Seattle DJs not supplying Billboard with a new list in a timely manner. However, tmob has informed me that, having run a record pool in Seattle [albeit in a later time period than this], Billboard had failed to update their charts when they were submitted. So who knows what really happened???

With Seattle dumped, New Orleans is chosen as the replacement city. I must note that New Orleans will return the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing" to the chart and later K.C's "Shake Your Booty" as well ...so wise move or not? ....only time will tell!

Seattle started the 4 week repeated chart game 4 weeks ago [11/13/76 through 12/4/76]. Two other charts will play the same game in December. Denver repeats the same trick from 11/27/76 through 12/18/76 [we're in week #2]...and then Montreal also repeats their 12/11/76 for 3 weeks through 12/25/76...or was someone at Billboard not paying attention????

On 12/25/76, Seattle is allowed to return...but the other chart offender, Denver, is then dumped for good.

As of January, 1977...this is the city chart roster..
1) Atlanta
2) Baltimore-Washington, DC
3) Boston
4) Chicago
5) Dallas-Houston
6) Detroit
7) Los Angeles-San Diego
8. Miami
9) New Orleans
10) New York City
11) Philadelphia
12) Phoenix
13) Pittsburgh
14) San Francisco
15) Seattle
16) Montreal

Denver, R.I.P.

Peeking ahead to the end of 1977, those city charts remain intact--the only change is the addition of Portland being bundled with Seattle beginning 8/27/77.

So let's examine this weeks chart a little closer in a little segment I've ingeniously titled ..."The Good, The Bad & The....Canadian" [that's foreign, kidz...they speak that there French!!! We can't trust them now, can we?]

THE GOOD:

No chart is perfect this week...none have all 10 or even 9 items in agreement with the National Top 10. The best is 8 charted items matching the National Top 10. 5 cities have 8 items: Boston, Dallas-Houston, LA-SD, Miami, and oddly, Pittsburgh...which usually marches to the beat of a different drummer, so to speak!

From that batch, I'm gonna list Miami & Los Angeles-San Diego...for your comparative pleasure.

(National Top 10 records in BOLD/ITALICS/UNDERLINED)

MIAMI Top 15: 12/04/76 (+8 in National Top 10)
1) FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE (national #1)
2) MAKES YOU BLIND (#6)
3) MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR (#9)
4) WHEN LOVE IS NEW (#23)
5) MY SWEET SUMMER SUITE (#13)
6) WELCOME TO OUR WORLD (Of Merry Music) (#13)
7) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY (#8.)
8. YOU + ME = LOVE (#10)
9) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN (#2)
10) ANOTHER STAR/ISN'T SHE LOVELY (#3)
11) DAYLIGHT/SHOULD I STAY/ I WON'T LET YOU GO (#17)
12) THAT'S THE TROUBLE/SORRY (#11)
13) SOUL CHA CHA (#16)
14) DAZZ (#21)
15) RUBBERBAND MAN (not charted Top 40 this week)

LOS ANGELES/SAN DIEGO Top 15: 12/04/76 (+8 in National Top 10)
1) FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE (national #1)
2) MAKES YOU BLIND (#6)
3) CAR WASH (#4)
4) I WISH/ANOTHER STAR/SIR DUKE (#3)
5) DREAM EXPRESS (#24)
6) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY (#8.)
7) FREEDOM TO EXPRESS YOURSELF (#28.)
8. THAT'S THE TROUBLE/SORRY (#11)
9) MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR (#9)
10) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN (#2)
11) YOU + ME = LOVE (#10)
12) DADDY COOL/TAKE THE HEAT OFF ME (#18.)
13) CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/SOUR & SWEET/I'LL PLAY THE FOOL (#15)
14) SHOULD I STAY/I WON'T LET YOU GO (#17)
15) DAZZ (#21)


THE BAD......

Both Seattle & Denver have only 2 titles in the national Top 10 this week...12 of Seattle's titles ended up in the "bubbling under" section this week while 10 of Denver's titles did the same.

SEATTLE Top 15: 12/04/76 (+2 in National Top 10)
1) NICE 'N' NAASTY (12")
2) PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC
3) THE BEST DISCO IN TOWN
4) THIS MASQUERADE/ BREEZIN'
5) THE RUBBERBAND MAN
6) GETAWAY
7) LET'S MAKE A DEAL/ I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN/ BE MINE
8. RUN TO ME
9) MAKES YOU BLIND (#6)
10) FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE (LP - all cuts) (#1)
11) I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOUR LOVE (#19)
12) LIVE AND LEARN
13) YOU TO ME ARE EVERYTHING
14) DOIN' IT
15) CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/SOUR & SWEET/ I'LL PLAY THE FOOL (#15)

So 2 Top 10 titles
2 more Top 20 titles
10 titles that have fallen out of the Top 40
1 title (#13) that has never charted Top 40

then there's

DENVER Top 15: 12/04/76 (+2 in National Top 10)
1) PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC
2) GETAWAY
3) I'M YOUR BOOGIE MAN/KEEP IT COMIN' LOVE (#29)
4) NICE 'N' NAASTY
5) I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOUR LOVE (#19)
6) DAYLIGHT (#17)
7) SHAKE YOUR RUMP TO THE FUNK
8. MESSAGE IN OUR MUSIC
9) ISN'T SHE LOVELY/SIR DUKE (#3)
10) NIGHT PEOPLE/LIES DIVIDED BY JIVE/IF I LOSE MY JOB
11) MAKES YOU BLIND (#6)
12) YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER LOVE LIKE MINE
13) DON'T WALK AWAY
14) FULL TIME THING
15) HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL

2 Top 10 titles
3 more Top 30 titles
8 titles that have fallen out of the Top 40
2 titles that have never charted in the Top 40 (#7 & #13)

& THE CANADIAN.....

MONTREAL Top 15: 12/04/76 (+1 in National Top 10)
1) DANCE LITTLE LADY, DANCE
2) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN (#2)
3) JE DANSE
4) DAYLIGHT (#17)
5) GONNA DO MY BEST TO LOVE YOU
6) SORRY/THAT'S THE TROUBLE (#11)
7) FIGHTIN' ON THE SIDE OF LOVE
8. SURPRISE
9) DADDY COOL (#18.)
10) LET'S GET IT TOGETHER (#26)
11) LOVE BUG (#25)
12) DISCO MAGIC
14) WHY MUST A GIRL LIKE ME
15) LIVE & LEARN/SOONER OR LATER

1 title in the national Top 10
6 more Top 30 titles
2 titles that have dropped out of the Top 40 (#13 & half #15)
6 titles never charted in the Top 40 (#1,3,5,7,8,14)
_____________________________________________

CHART CHAT

Elsewhere, Donna Summer retains #1 for the 4th week, losing one chart (SF), but still having her best point total (164) thus far for "Four Seasons Of Love." Oddly, her very best total will come on her last chart week @#1 when SF returns her to their chart and Donna garners 176 points....but, at that point in time, Thelma Houston will be nipping at her heels for that top spot.

Thelma Houston claims her first #1 city ranking and it's from New York City!!! ...she's already #1 in NYC in her second chart week!!! Thelma adds Dallas-Houston and LA-SD to her 4 charts from her first week: Boston, Detroit, Miami, and, of course, NYC. She moves into the Top 10 for the first time @ #8 this week.

Stevie Wonder has 4 titles bundled at #3 this week; in terms of actual points, all 4 would make the Top 10 individually without the Billboard bundle...
"Another Star" (#3)
"I Wish" (#6)
"Sir Duke" (#7)
"Isn't She Lovely" (#9)

D.C. LaRue returns with new material this week after his big success in the spring of 1976 with "Cathedrals." His new LP "The Tea Party" provides 4 titles that debut @ #20 this week...they seem mostly forgotten now, but they will get to the Top 10 in a few weeks.

Oh yeah, this week I also decided to add the producer/writer credits to the chart...to help with the credit associations and to get me prepared for the year-end chart prep stuff....

I never noticed that folkie Janis Ian was the composer of "Boy I Really Tied One On", currently charting for Esther Phillips....so Janis has a second tie to disco other than her own fabulous collaboration with Giorgio Moroder, "Fly Too High." from the Jodie Foster / Scott Baio (!) teen angst movie "Foxes."

Bob Crewe Generation & Deodato titles got dumped from the Top 40 this week--but strangely they rechart Top 40 next week!!! That rarely happens in the Top 40--once it's dropped, they may "bubble-under" for weeks, but rarely re-enter the Top 40...especially tracks as unmemorable as the BCG titles!!! Sorry, me no likey.

"Bubbling Under's" most notable debut this week: the first appearance of future disco diva mainstay, Claudja Barry's "Why Must A Girl Like Me," courtesy of her hometown chart, Montreal. Can "Sweet Dynamite" be too far off???

I mentioned the failure of Billboard to recognize the heat of The Supremes "Let Yourself Go" track until at least 5 weeks after it should have been bundled into the Top 40 with "You're My Driving Wheel." I detailed that info in a post to STEPHEN L FREEMAN!!!

So I guess that's it, kidz...3 more charts 'til 1976 is complete!!!!!!

[markydefad]

OK, I've added the text to the "What's It All about, asshole?" section. Haven't totally proofread everything, but it is typed and I'm done.

[drlove]

Regarding:

"There'll be some CHANGES made....."

In December of 1976, disco chart changes occur in the cities Billboard polls to compile their National Disco Action Top 40.

With Seattle dumped, New Orleans is chosen as the replacement city. I must note that New Orleans will return the Bee Gees' "You Should Be Dancing" to the chart and later K.C's "Shake Your Booty" as well ...so wise move or not? ....only time will tell!

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Thanks, Marky, for the news 'bout New Orleans disco playlists being considered for the first time. News couldn't have come at a better time, as this Native New Orleanian just found your handy-dandy chart recaps online about 2 weeks ago, so I had to write the group for the first time to say thanks for the ongoing recaps, Marky, and thanks to this group of passionate posters out there for these discussions --- highly entertaining indeed And as New Orleans tends to embrace change at a snail's pace, I apologize for any "older" tunes we'll soon see on the disco playlists of the Big Easy clubs. Let's hope our deejays of the day got hold of some of the latest 12inchers

[markydefad]

Hey drlove,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate hearing from folks who read the charts--but don't regularly post here. I see the number of reads go up and up on a daily basis and yet very few comment.

Don't take my flippant tone towards New Orleans too seriously! I write with a little tongue-in-cheek sarcasm---just trying to entertain the troops....

I realize that some parts of the USA were well-serviced by the record promoters and others had to find the tunes on their own...at a much slower pace.

Glad you enjoy the charts.

[drlove]

Regarding Marky's post of:

Don't take my flippant tone towards New Orleans too seriously! I write with a little tongue-in-cheek sarcasm---just trying to entertain the troops....

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Marky . . . your tongue-in-cheek sarcasm is EXACTLY what makes some of your comments posted within these 1974-76 chart recaps so damn priceless !!! As KC was saying in late '76/early '77, "Keep it Comin' ......"