Charts: Billboard Top 100 vs Cashbox Top 100

[efunk_adelic]

Originally Posted by Salsoul1975

"Run Joey Run" peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart on October 4, 1975.

I've always felt that Billboard's Hot 100 chart was erratic in the mid-'70s; a song was #1 one week and the following week fell out of the Top 10, and would be off the chart in two-to-three weeks. Same for records in the top ten, especially from late 1974-late 1975. It wasn't until the summer of 1976 that records started having a longer shelf life, and the length of #1's increased (Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" eight-week run at #1 in late 1976 was the longest stay at #1 on the Hot 100 since Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" in 1972).

I thought that was interesting also... but if you look closer... some of those songs were in top 10 for 6 weeks or more.. lots of congestion in early '75.

[Cdnbob]

Originally Posted by Salsoul1975

I've always felt that Billboard's Hot 100 chart was erratic in the mid-'70s; a song was #1 one week and the following week fell out of the Top 10, and would be off the chart in two-to-three weeks. Same for records in the top ten, especially from late 1974-late 1975. It wasn't until the summer of 1976 that records started having a longer shelf life, and the length of #1's increased (Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" eight-week run at #1 in late 1976 was the longest stay at #1 on the Hot 100 since Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" in 1972).

Ah but I noticed this kind of thing in the Cashbox charts from the 70's too. One case that sticks out is where a record by an artist I liked had peaked and was going back down the charts. One week it was like number 55 or so and then the next week it was gone. It seemed incredibly odd to me that a song could fall 45 or more points in one week and be off the chart so quickly. Mind you, I did read somewhere that Cashbox had been charged with chart fixing several times during its lifetime.

[Cdnbob]

Originally Posted by efunk_adelic

at the Cashbox site... I thought I read somewhere that they include jukebox plays as well.

Yes that's correct. It states that on the Cashbox chart site (see link above).

Originally Posted by drlove

When Record World and Cashbox and Billboard all had competitive record industry trade magazines...

Hmmmm... I wonder if there are any Record World charts on the net?

Actually the whole concept of a top 40 or top 100 chart in today's world is almost redundant I would think what with people going the download route, whether legally or illegally, and the concept of the cd and AM/FM radio format dying.

[drlove]

thanks, Salsoul1975, for the correct Billboard charting stat for Run, Joey, Run !!! For Halloween 5 years ago, my friend Shannon & I "acted" out the song's story line, and we even added a Julie "ascending" to heaven flourish towards the end !!! Oh, the things you do when you adore 70s music, even the truly, truly bad songs of that decade

[Salsoul1975]

Originally Posted by efunk_adelic

I thought that was interesting also... but if you look closer... some of those songs were in top 10 for 6 weeks or more.. lots of congestion in early '75.

If you think their Hot 100 chart was congested in early 1975, the Soul chart was even more congested. In 1975, there were 42 number one songs, which probably had set a record. On the Hot 100, there were 35 number ones, tying 1974's tally. On the Hot 100 from January 11 to April 5, 1975, each week had a new number one song and the top five didn't contain a hodgepodge of new songs. Interestingly enough, during the latter part of the year the length of number ones had increased; "Bad Blood" by Neil Sedaka, "Island Girl" by Elton John and "Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention all spent three weeks at the top; "Fame" by David Bowie and "That's The Way (I Like It)" by K.C. & The Sunshine Band spent two weeks at #1 (nonconsecutively). "I'm Sorry" by John Denver and "Let's Do It Again" by The Staple Singers were the only songs during that time frame to spend a week at Number One. Plus, there were a plethora of Top 5 songs during the latter half as well: the aforementioned "Run, Joey Run", The Isley Brothers' "Fight The Power", "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship, "Calypso" by John Denver (b-side of "I'm Sorry"), "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet, "Games People Play" by The Spinners, "Lyin' Eyes" by The Eagles, "Heat Wave" by Linda Ronstadt, "Who Loves You" by The Four Seasons, "The Way I Want To Touch You" by The Captain & Tennille and "Sky High" by Jigsaw.

[remicks]

*****

Originally Posted by Salsoul1975

If you think their Hot 100 chart was congested in early 1975, the Soul chart was even more congested. In 1975, there were 42 number one songs, which probably had set a record. On the Hot 100, there were 35 number ones, tying 1974's tally. On the Hot 100 from January 11 to April 5, 1975, each week had a new number one song and the top five didn't contain a hodgepodge of new songs. Interestingly enough, during the latter part of the year the length of number ones had increased; "Bad Blood" by Neil Sedaka, "Island Girl" by Elton John and "Fly, Robin, Fly" by Silver Convention all spent three weeks at the top; "Fame" by David Bowie and "That's The Way (I Like It)" by K.C. & The Sunshine Band spent two weeks at #1 (nonconsecutively). "I'm Sorry" by John Denver and "Let's Do It Again" by The Staple Singers were the only songs during that time frame to spend a week at Number One. Plus, there were a plethora of Top 5 songs during the latter half as well: the aforementioned "Run, Joey Run", The Isley Brothers' "Fight The Power", "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship, "Calypso" by John Denver (b-side of "I'm Sorry"), "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet, "Games People Play" by The Spinners, "Lyin' Eyes" by The Eagles, "Heat Wave" by Linda Ronstadt, "Who Loves You" by The Four Seasons, "The Way I Want To Touch You" by The Captain & Tennille and "Sky High" by Jigsaw.

It's mind boggling really to see that vast wealth of diverse talent all intermingled and all wrestling for chart positions ... never mind being "The One" to eclipse all others at number one that week .

Side by side on the radio and therefore on the charts : ... Eagles... Diana Ross .. ....Elton John ... Stones ... John Denver ... Aretha .... Carpenters ... Neil Diamond ... Doobies ....various ex-Beatles ... ...


How disco ever snuck in there to edge out so many others is testament to its pre- ordained manifest destiny !!

*****

[Cdnbob]

I did manage to find some Record World charts at index

[markydefad]

Yeah, I think the POP chart is where "favors" were done for record companies by Bill Wardlow of Billboard, as was discussed in another thread. It was sooooo convenient that soooooo many records got at least one week at #1. Everyone got their turn; everyone got the prize--like kid's soccer games today. Everyone gets a "participation ribbon." Keep the record companies happy and they will buy more advertising. right? Ain't that the Amurican way????

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by disco-disc

Thanks for the link and info. guys....will check it out...
What are people's views about Record World Charts then ?...they had a Disco File column and Top 20 written by Vince Aletti, who was quite in the know regarding DJ plays BITD.
I think Marky is going to review in his Billboard Consensus charts 1976 round up (Hope it is alright to 'Tease' Marky)

Sure disco-disc...you can tease it!!! You sent it to me!!!

[Huffstutler]

I may be wrong but I remember the days when Cash Box was around and always thought it catered more to the R&B crowds where Billboard leaned towards Pop.

Eric