Billboard's Year-End Top Hits (1974-1986)!!!!!

[markydefad]

OK, I went back in the archives here and found this list I typed in Jan 2003 . This year-end chart replaced Tom Moulton's column in the first "Disco Action" chart for January 4, 1975............. (his column returns the following week)

The first year-end chart I'm aware of is from 1974. Unfortunately, it's ranked in ALPHABETICAL ORDER (hereafter, it will be in popularity order).

TOP 50 DISCO HITS OF '74

(New York City)

(In Alphabetical Order)

1) ASK ME - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain (Roulette)
2) BOOGIE DOWN - Eddie Kendricks (Tamla LP version)
3) CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE, BABE - Barry White (20th Century Fox--vocal & inst.)
4) DANCE MASTER - Willie Henderson (Playboy -Part 1 & 2)
5) DOCTOR'S ORDERS - Carol Douglas (Midland Intl)
6) DO IT (TIL YOU'RE SATISFIED) - B.T. Express (Scepter LP only)
7) DREAM WORLD - Don Downing (Scepter Disco mix)
8. EVERLASTING LOVE - Carl Carlton (Backbeat)
9) EXPRESS - B.T. Express (Scepter LP only)
10) GOOD THINGS DON'T LAST FOREVER - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain (Roulette)

11) GOT TO GET YOU BACK - Sons Of Robin Stone (Atco)
12) HANG ON IN THERE BABY - Johnny Bristol (MGM)
13) HAPPINESS IS JUST AROUND THE BEND - The Main Ingredient (RCA)
14) HEY BABY - The Joneses (Mercury Par 1 & 2)
15) HEY GIRL COME & GET IT - The Stylistics (Avco LP only)
16) HONEY BEE - Gloria Gaynor (MGM & Columbia)
17) HONEY PLEASE - Barry White (20th Century Fox vocal & inst.)
18. I CAN'T FIGHT FOR YOUR LOVE - The Modulations (Buddah)
19) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing (Chess disco mix)
20) I WOULDN'T GIVE YOU UP - Ecstasy, Passion & Pain (Roulette)

21) GET DANCIN' - Disco Tex & His Sex-O-Lettes (Chelsea)
22) GUT LEVEL - The Blackbyrds (Fantasy LP only)
23) LA LA PEACE SONG - O.C. Smith (Columbia)
24) LOVE EPIDEMIC - The Trammps (Golden Fleece)
25) LOVE IS THE ANSWER - The Stylistics (Avco LP only- vocal & inst)
26) LOVE IS THE MESSAGE - MFSB (Phila. Intl LP only)
27) MACHINE GUN - The Commodores (Motown)
28. MAINLINE - Ashford & Simpson (WB)
29) MELTING POT - Boris Gardiner (Dynamic Import-Jamaica)
30) MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY - Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC LP only)

31) NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE - Gloria Gaynor (MGM)
32) ROCK ME AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN - Lyn Collins (People)
33) ROCK THE BOAT - The Hues Corporation (RCA)
34) ROCK YOUR BABY - George McCrae (T.K.)
35) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Company (Vibration)
36) SISTERS & BROTHERS - Rita Fortune (Columbia vocal & inst)
37) STOP, I DON'T NEED NO SYMPATHY - Lyn Roman (Brunswick)
38. SUGAR PIE GUY - The Joneses (Mercury - Part 1 & 2)
39) TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT - Jimmy Ruffin (Chess-(English Polydor)
40) THE BOTTLE - Gil Scott-Heron (it says "Heroic"!!! should say "Heroin" :lol: ) (Strata East LP only)

41) THEN CAME YOU - The Spinners & Dionne Warwick(e) (Atlantic)
42) THE PLAYER - First Choice (Philly Groove LP only)
43) TSOP - MFSB (Phila. Intl)
44) WATERBED - LTG Exchange (Wand Part 1 & 2)
45) WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND - Black Ivory (Kwanza)
46) WHEN THE FUEL RUNS OUT - Executive Suite (Babylon)
47) WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE - The Trammps (Golden Fleece)
48. WHERE IS THE LOVE - The Whispers (Janus LP only)
49) YOU LITTLE TRUSTMAKER - The Tymes (RCA - unreleased original & released version)
50) YOU'RE THE FIRST, THE LAST, MY EVERYTHING - Barry White (20th Century Fox --vocal & inst.)

_______________________________________________

OK, now let's add all the #1 Billboard Pop Chart Hits of 1974 in order of their appearance:

* = DISCO HIT

1) TIME IN A BOTTLE - Jim Croce (1/5/75 2nd week at #1)
2) THE JOKER - Steve Miller Band (1/12/74 - 1 week)
3) SHOW AND TELL - Al Wilson (1/19/74 - 1 week)
4) YOU'RE SIXTEEN - Ringo Starr (1/26/74 - 1 week)
5) THE WAY WE WERE - Barbra Streisand (2/2/74 - 3 weeks)
6) * LOVE'S THEME - Love Unlimited Orchestra (2/9/74 - 1 week)
7) SEASONS IN THE SUN - Terry Jacks (3/3/74 - 3 weeks) :oops: :oops: :oops:
8. DARK LADY - Cher (3/23/74 - 1 week)
9) SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS - John Denver (3/30/74 - 1 week)
10) HOOKED ON A FEELING - Blue Swede (4/6/74 - 1 week)

11) BENNIE AND THE JETS - Elton John (4/13/74 - 1 week)
12) * TSOP - MFSB & the Three Degrees (4/20/74 - 2 weeks)
13) THE LOCO-MOTION - Grand Funk Railroad (5/4/74 - 2 weeks)
14) THE STREAK - Ray Stevens (5/19/74 - 3weeks) :oops: :oops: :oops:
15) BAND ON THE RUN - Paul McCartney & Wings (6/8/74 - 1 week)
16) BILLY, DON'T BE A HERO - Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods (6/15/74 - 2 weeks) :oops: :oops: :oops:
17) SUNDOWN - Gordon Lightfoot (6/29/74 - 1 week)
18. * ROCK THE BOAT - Hues Corporation (7/6/74 - 1 week)
19) * ROCK YOUR BABY - George McCrae ( 7/13/74 - 2 weeks)
20) ANNIE'S SONG - John Denver (7/27/74 - 2 weeks)

21) FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE - Roberta Flack (8/10/74 - 1 week)
22) THE NIGHT CHICAGO DIED - Paper Lace (8/17/74 - 1 week) :oops: :oops: :oops:
23) (YOU'RE) HAVING MY BABY - Paul Anka & Odia Coates (8/24/74 - 3 weeks)
24) I SHOT THE SHERIFF - Eric Clapton (9/14/74 - 1 week)
25) * CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE, BABE - Barry White (9/21/74 - 1 week)
26) ROCK ME GENTLY - Andy Kim (9/28/74 - 1 week)
27) I HONESTLY LOVE YOU - Olivia Newton-John (10/4/74- 2 weeks)
28. NOTHING FROM NOTHING - Billy Preston (10/19/74 - 1 week)
29) * THEN CAME YOU - Dionne Warwick(e) & The Spinners (10/26/74 - 1 week)
30) YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN' - Stevie Wonder (11/2/74 - 1 week)

31) YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET - Bachman-Turner Overdrive (11/9/74 - 1 week)
32) WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT - John Lennon (11/16/74 - 1 week)
33) I CAN HELP - Billy Swan (11/23/74 - 2 weeks)
34) * KUNG FU FIGHTING - Carl Douglas (12/7/74 - 2 weeks)
35) CAT'S IN THE CRADLE - Harry Chapin (12/21/74 -1 week)
36) ANGIE BABY - Helen Reddy (12/28/74 - 1 week)


_______________________________________________

The 1974 Billboard R&B Chart #1 Records:

* = Disco Hit

1) UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME (THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA DO) - Aretha Franklin (1/12/74 - 1 week)
2) I'VE GOT TO USE MY IMAGINATION - Gladys Knight & The Pips (1/19/74 - 1 week)
3) LIVIN' FOR YOU - Al Green (1/26/74 - 1 week)
4) LET YOUR HAIR DOWN - The Temptations (2/2/74 - 1 week)
5) * BOOGIE DOWN - Eddie Kendricks (2/9/74 - 3 weeks)
6) MIGHTY LOVE - PT. 1 - The Spinners (3/2/74 - 2 weeks)
7) LOOKING FOR A LOVE - Bobby Womack (3/16/74 - 3 weeks)
8. BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME - Gladys Knight & The Pips (4/6/74 - 2 weeks)
9) * TSOP (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees (4/20/74 - 1 week)
10) THE PAYBACK - PT.1 - James Brown (4/27/74 - 2 weeks)

11) DANCING MACHINE - The Jackson Five (5/11/74 - 1 week)
12) I'M IN LOVE - Aretha Franklin (5/18/74 - 2 weeks)
13) BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT - William DeVaughan (6/1/74 - 1 week)
14) HOLLYWOOD SWINGING - Kool & The Gang (6/8/74 - 1 week)
15) SIDESHOW - Blue Magic (6/15/74 - 1 week)
16) FINALLY GOT MYSELF TOGETHER (I'M A CHANGED MAN) - The Impressions (6/22/74 - 2 weeks)
17) * ROCK YOUR BABY - George McCrae (7/6/74 - 2 weeks)
18. MY THANG - James Brown (7/20/74 - 2 weeks)
19) FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE - Roberta Flack (8/3/74 - 5 weeks)
20) * CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE, BABE - Barry White (9/7/74 - 3 weeks)

21) YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN' - Stevie Wonder (9/28/74 - 2 weeks)
22) PAPA DON'T TAKE NO MESS - PART 1 - James Brown (10/12/74 - 1 week)
23) * DO IT (TIL YOU'RE SATISFIED) - B.T. Express (10/19/74 - 1 week)
24) HIGHER PLANE - Kool & The Gang (10/26/74 - 1 week)
25) LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT OUT - Latimore (11/2/74 - 2 weeks)
26) WOMAN TO WOMAN - Shirley Brown (11/16/74 - 2 weeks)
27 I FEEL A SONG (IN MY HEART) - Gladys Knight & The Pips (11/30/74 - 2 weeks)
28. YOU GOT THE LOVE - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (12/14/74 - 1 week)
29) SHE'S GONE - Tavares (12/21/74 - 1 week)
30) BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN - Stevie Wonder (12/28/74 -2 weeks)

[QUINNY]

Marky: Now this is great reading. I'd say it is fairly representative of what was played and which records were big for me.
There's one gem in there, that nobody ever mentions on any list or discussion board anywhere. Willie Henderson - Dance Master. This was a great bump 'n' grinder that used to go great with Chairmen of the Board's 'Finder's Keepers'. However, for me Willie's 'Gangster Boogie Bump was even more fun with an almost equally good B side -'Let's Meringue'.
I wonder why Jimmy Ruffin's 'Tell Me What You Want' was listed as Chess/English Polydor? It was certainly one of my faves from the year.

[NickNack]

What a list! Man, where was I or maybe I should say where WASN'T I ? I'm glad they were alphabetized because "Ask Me" is a scorcher. Always preferred it over "Good Things... " and "I Wouldn't Give You Up" from that album.

The gem for me is Black Ivory's "What Goes Around (Comes Around)". Everyone talks about "Mainline" but this, too, was a killer track.

Quinny: You brought up "Dance Master". Another hot song. Did you ever try to run the vocal (Part 1) and instrumental (Part 2)? What were these guys on when they laid down these tracks? Not to be rude but a deaf person could hear these were nowhere in sync. :x

[QUINNY]

Nicky: Yeah, it was a strange record in that the clavinet? parts did appear to be dragging throughout. It was a hell of a groove though. I always chuckled to myself 'cos in parts due to microphone used and I guess some de-essing, it sounded like he sang with a lisp (the danth mathter). Rather like Fonda Rae sounds like she's singing "over like a bat rat". I can't hear an 'f' anywhere in that track.

To be honest, I doubt if I ever tried mixing part one and two as I always felt the largely instrumental part two was kinda boring. It really needed the vocals to bring it alive for me.

[markydefad]

TOP NEW YORK HITS OF 1975

1) BAD LUCK - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (Phila. Intl. LP)
2) HIJACK - Herbie Mann (Atlantic)
3) FLY, ROBIN FLY/ I LIKE IT - Silver Convention (Midland Intl LP)
4) FREE MAN - South Shore Commission (Wand)
5) WHERE IS THE LOVE - Betty Wright (Alston LP)
6) CASANOVA BROWN/ DO IT YOURSELF/HOW HIGH THE MOON - Gloria Gaynor (MGM LP)
7) EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD - Consumer Rapport (Wing & a Prayer)
8. HONEY BEE/ NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE/ REACH OUT - Gloria Gaynor (MGM LP)
9) I LOVE MUSIC - The O'Jays (Phila. Intl LP)
10) FOREVER CAME TODAY - Jackson Five (Motown LP)

11) BRAZIL - Ritchie Family (20th Century)
12) WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG AND IN LOVE - Ralph Carter (Mercury)
13) PEACEPIPE- B.T. Express (Roadshow LP)
14) SHAME, SHAME, SHAME - Shirley & Co. (Vibration)
15) E-MAN BOOGIE - Jimmy Castor Bunch (Atlantic LP)
16) EL BIMBO - Bimbo Jet (Scepter)
17) HELPLESSLEY - Moment Of Truth (Roulette)
18. DREAMING A DREAM - Crown Heights Affair (De-Lite)
19) BABY FACE - Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps (Wing & A Prayer)
20) WHAT A DIFF'RENCE A DAY MAKES - Esther Phillips (Kudu LP)

21) I'LL BE HOLDING ON - Al Downing (Chess)
22) CRYSTAL WORLD - Crystal Grass (Phillips French Import)
23) IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE - Tavares (Capitol disco version)
24) LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY - Donna Summer (Oasis LP)
25) EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART - Crown Heights Affair (De-Lite)
26) THE HUSTLE - Van McCoy (Avco)
27) CARAVAN/WATUSI STRUT - Deodato (MCA LP)
28. DO IT ANY WAY YOU WANNA - People's Choice (TSOP)
29) SWEARIN' TO GOD - Frankie Valli (Private Stock disco version)
30) LADY BUMP/THE LADY BUMPS ON - Penny McLean (Atco)

31) I JUST CAN'T SAY GOODBYE - The Philly Devotions (Columbia)
32) THREE STEPS FROM TRUE LOVE - The Reflections (Capitol)
33) TRAMMPS DISCO THEME/ STOP AND THINK - The Trammps (Gold Fleece LP)
34) SALSOUL - Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul LP)
35) FIRE/ YOU SET MY HEART ON FIRE - Tina Charles (Columbia)
36) JUMP FOR JOY/ I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT - Biddu Orchestra (Epic)
37) EXPRESS - B.T. Express ( Scepter LP)
38. HOOKED FOR LIFE - The Trammps (Atlantic -long version)
39) GLASS HOUSE - The Temptations (Gordy LP)
40) I AM SOMEBODY - Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Pye LP)

41) BLUE EYED SOUL - Carl Douglas (20th Century LP)
42) LADY MARMALADE/ WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU - Labelle (Epic LP)
43) MIGHTY HIGH/ EVERYTHING IS LOVE - Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC LP)
44) UNDECIDED LOVE - The Chequers (Scepter disco mix)
45) SUMMER OF '42/ EXODUS - Biddu Orchestra (Epic)
46) MESSIN' WITH MY MIND - Labelle (Epic LP)
47) FOOT STOMPIN' MUSIC/ DISCO STOMP - Bohannon (Dakar LP)
48. SEXY/ T.L.C. - MFSB ( Phila. Intl. LP)
49) SUNNY - Yambu (Montuno)
50) OVERTURE/ LOVE MACHINE - The Miracles (Tamla LP)

Next Week: 1976 Top 50, Top 25 Artists & Top 10 Labels

[NickNack]

Mark,

These lists are great! Christ, I can remember who, what, where, when and why I didn't tell anyone :lol: . I had to smile when I saw Tina Charles, "Fire". This was a late-comer to The Gallery crowd. We were more into The Temps, "You Got My Soul On Fire".

Remind me: You mentioned a while back that you had a CD with The Jacksons "Forever Came Today" in an extended mix. What CD is that, please?

Keep 'em coming.

CAUSE I'M A FREE MAN... (FREE MAN) / ARE YOU FREE, ARE YOU FREE, IF YOU AIN'T DON'T BE FUCKIN' WITH ME.

Love that Gallery crowd. :D (And it still sounds like two men :roll: .)

[QUINNY]

Nicky: Yes it is two men, but the very first line is "Girl, I'm a free man". To my ears, the scond guy is just trying to immitate a woman. I guess with hindsight I can understand why this became a Gay anthem, but for me there were never any of those connotations and the song's meaning was quite clear (in a 180 degree opposite direction). We just liked it 'cos it kicked some ass (no pun intended). :)
In Europe there just wasn't the same Gay impetus, not for many more years.

[markydefad]

You guys gotta be shittin' me right???? :roll:

I mentioned before that when I first moved to SF from the hinterlands (St. Olaf!!!)...I thought all this music played at Buzzby's was GAY !!!!! "Freeman" was the prime example. It sounded like two men singing to each other--I always assumed that the second voice was actually a woman with a mannish voice.

So now you're telling me that it is two men trading vocals on that record?????? Quelle surprise!!!! Are you sure? So, I wasn't quite the rube I always suspected I was? "Don't be jiving with me"!!!!

Nicky, the extended "Forever Came Today" is on the 2000 "Jackson Five Anthology". The version is 6:23 in length. Also the extended "Hum Along And Dance (8:37) is included. Check it out on allmusic.com.

[SandraDee]

I love the original versions like u guyz, but is anyone aware of the 80's cover versions of these 2 songs which I actually heard first, namely Darryl Pandy's version of 'Freeman' & Carol Jiani's version of 'Ask Me'?

[NickNack]

Uh, no, Quinny, that is a man and a woman. The reason I posted that line was because of our discussion which Marky's talking about. I remembered a lot of us said it 'sounded' like two men but we knew it was a woman with a rather deep man.

Listen to the lyrics. No male vocalist would take that part, unless, well... oh, nevermind :roll: . :lol:

OK -- I just went to AMG --- If their info is correct, South Shore Commission was originally a six-member group consisting of two vocalists: Frank McCurry and Sheryl Henry.

[NickNack]

Hi Steely,

I know Carol Jiani's "Ask Me" but I never heard anyone redo "Freeman". What's it like?

[NickNack]

Mark,

Thanks for the J-5 info. Now I can look at my lp's and see what's up.

[markydefad]

OK -- I just went to AMG --- If their info is correct, South Shore Commission was originally a six-member group consisting of two vocalists: Frank McCurry and Sheryl Henry.

Yeah, Nicky...I too looked up the members of this group in my Billboard book and I got the same info as you did. 2 lead singers: Frank McCurry & Sheryl Henry. So I gotta presume our original instincts were correct.



Life would not be easy for a BOY named "Sheryl"!!!!???
Would it????? Oh wait, there is an Opera singer named Sherrill Milnes.....so who knows???? :roll:

[DISCODISK]

nicky/marky have dug out the s/s commission album from where this track came, there is no info/sleevenotes AT ALL !
but sheryl is seen on the back with mic in hand, so straight date chaps :lol:

[QUINNY]

Oh well, apologies all round. :oops:
After repeated listening, my ears still tell me it's two guys. She has to have the strangest female voice I have ever heard. Maybe it was down to poor microphone choice.

How come the record was such a huge Gay anthem if it was so obviously a hetero song?

[NickNack]

How come the record was such a huge Gay anthem if it was so obviously a hetero song?

Possibly because it came out at a time when gays themselves were becoming very out, very proud and very loud. Our bars and clubs were no longer little secret dungeon hideways but open places and palaces for everybody to have a good time. We were out in the streets, out at work, out at home. We were (no dis to our gay sisters :) ) FREE MEN. When that song came on that's how I remember feeling: exuberant, wild, young, strong and surrounded by literally thousands of gay men feeling just about the same.

So, "Girl I'm a free man", becomes something like "Girlfriend, society can tell me NOTHING cause I'm gonna do it anyway. I'M A FREE MAN!

Oh, one more thing: The song was sexually strong. You know us gay boys were down for that, too. :D

[SandraDee]

Nicky, Darryl Pandy's version of 'Freeman' isn't alot different to the original really; it just has a more 1986 'early house' production but stays much more faithful to the original than Farley Jackmaster Funk's version of Isaac Hayes' 'I Cant Turn Around' which was quite a 'loose' version.
I found this mid to late-80's 'early house' period interesting as it was very much 'disco's revenge'(Frankie Knuckles glorious quote!) where you had people like Patrick Adams coming out of hiding to do 'Jack In The Bush' (I kid u not, & this particular cover version was dreadful IMO despite the fact that it was done by the (sort of) original artist!)
At the same time as this U.S. house disco 'revival' you had the hi-nrg/ stock aitken waterman thing going on here with cover versions of 'Rock Your Baby', 'Blame It On The Boogie' & 'I Feel Love' by O'Chi Brown, Big Fun (formerly 7th Avenue) & Bronski Beat respectively. (amongst many others!)

[NickNack]

Nicky, Darryl Pandy's version of 'Freeman' isn't alot different to the original really; it just has a more 1986 'early house' production but stays much more faithful to the original than Farley Jackmaster Funk's version of Isaac Hayes' 'I Cant Turn Around' which was quite a 'loose' version.

Thanks for the info, Steely. I heard that cover of Ike's "I Can't Turn Around" and dismissed it immediately. Mr. Hayes' version is just awesome. I always loved the way he keeps the first half of his songs 'loose' and then kicks the second half into overdrive by running 'the hook'.

At the same time as this U.S. house disco 'revival' you had the hi-nrg/ stock aitken waterman thing going on here with cover versions of 'Rock Your Baby', 'Blame It On The Boogie' & 'I Feel Love' by O'Chi Brown, Big Fun (formerly 7th Avenue) & Bronski Beat respectively. (amongst many others!)

Missed all of these accept "I Feel Love" and I didn't care for it that much. I also had no idea that Big Fun used to be 7th Avenue :o . I wasn't a fan of '7th' either --- too pretty, no soul. O'Chi Brown is a different story. So now you've got me on the hunt for her "Rock Your Baby". :)

[zeca azevedo]

Hi,

these lists are proving that 1974 and 1975 are 2 of the best years in the history of Disco. Just check the grooves on the list! The '74 list is my favorite here - simply superb! The '75 list is amazing too. What about 1973, Marky?

Peace,

zeca azevedo

[HustleBaby]

I thought that 1977 was the highest point of the disco decade but from the list of 74 & 75 its hard to say which year was the best. Anyway Marky I was wondering if you have the Billboard's Best of 77 list.

*DISCO DELIGHT*

[markydefad]

Don't worry kidz....I've got ALL the lists (thanks to hotdiscomix for providing me with several lists from the early 1980s). They are forthcoming--one week at a time. The earliest list was from 1974....Billboard only started the Disco chart in October of 1974--so nothing before that was ever printed (to the best of my knowledge)

.

1976 AUDIENCE RESPONSE TOP 25

1) THAT'S WHERE THE HAPPY PEOPLE GO - The Trammps (Atlantic)
2) I LOVE MUSIC - The O'Jays (Philadelphia Intl.)
3) LOVE HANGOVER - Diana Ross (Motown)
4) MORE, MORE, MORE/ PARTY LINE/ FILL ME UP (WITH YOUR LOVE) - Andrea True Connection (Buddah)
5) MIGHTY HIGH/ EVERYTHING IS LOVE - Mighty Clouds Of Joy (ABC)
6) YOU SHOULD BE DANCING - The Bee Gees (RSO)
7) TEN PERCENT/ EVERY MAN/ MY LOVE IS FREE - Double Exposure (Salsoul) [note: there was a typing error here that I have now corrected. sorry.]
8. TURN THE BEAT AROUND - Vicki Sue Robinson (RCA)
9) HEAVEN MUST BE MISSING AN ANGEL/ DON'T TAKE AWAY THE MUSIC - Tavares (Capitol)
10) LOVE TRILOGY LP - Donna Summer (Oasis)

11) CHERCHEZ LA FEMME/ SOUR & SWEET/ I'LL PLAY THE FOOL - Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band (RCA)
12) BEST DISCO IN TOWN/ ARABIAN NIGHTS - Ritchie Family (Marlin)
13) BABY FACE - Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drums Corps. (Wing & A Prayer)
14) LADY BUMP/ THE LADY BUMPS ON - Penny McLean (Jupiter)
15) EXTRA, EXTRA (READ ALL ABOUT IT) - Ralph Carter (Mercury)
16) SALSOUL LP - Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul)
17) NICE AND SLOW - Jesse Green (Scepter)
18. LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY - Donna Summer (Oasis)
19) GET UP AND BOOGIE/ NO, NO JOE/ SAN FRANCISCO HUSTLE - Silver Convention (Midland Intl.)
20) STREET TALK - Bob Crewe Generation (20th Century)

21) JUMP FOR JOY/ I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT - Biddu Orchestra (Epic)
22) CATHEDRALS/DEEP DARK DELICIOUS NIGHT - D.C. LaRue (Pyramid)
23) YOU + ME = LOVE - Undisputed Truth (Whitfield)
24) I'M GONNA LET MY HEART DO THE WALKING - The Supremes (Motown)
25) DO WHAT YOU FEEL/ BUCKHEAD/ MY SOUL IS SATISFIED - Atlanta Disco Band (Ariola America)
& (TIE) SING A SONG/ GRATITUDE - Earth, Wind & Fire (Columbia) [these last 2 items "TIED" @ #25 crack me up--never charted high enough to be listed here!!!! wut up wit dat?]

That's all they listed.

1976 TOP 10 DISCO LABELS

1) MOTOWN
2) OASIS (CASABLANCA)
3) RCA
4) ATLANTIC
5) SALSOUL (CAYTRONICS)
6) BUDDAH
7) PHILADELPHIA INTL.
8. COLUMBIA
9) MIDLAND INTL.
10) CAPITOL

1976 TOP 25 DISCO ARTISTS

1) DONNA SUMMER (OASIS)
2) TRAMMPS (ATLANTIC)
3) O'JAYS (P.I.)
4) DIANA ROSS ( MOTOWN)
5) ANDREA TRUE CONNECTION (BUDDAH)
6) MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY (ABC)
7) TAVARES (CAPITOL)
8. VICKI SUE ROBINSON (RCA)
9) DOUBLE EXPOSURE (SALSOUL)
10) BEE GEES (RSO)

11) SALSOUL ORCHESTRA (SALSOUL)
12) SILVER CONVENTION (MIDLAND INTL)
13) RITCHIE FAMILY (MARLIN)
14) WING & A PRAYER FIFE & DRUM CORPS. (WING & A PRAYER)
15) DR. BUZZARD'S ORIGINAL SAVANNAH BAND (RCA)
16) PENNY McLEAN (JUPITER)
17) SUPREMES (MOTOWN)
18. RALPH CARTER (MERCURY)
19) JESSE GREEN (SCEPTER)
20) JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS (PYE)

21) BIDDU ORCHESTRA (EPIC)
22) GLORIA GAYNOR (MGM)
23) EARTH, WIND & FIRE (COLUMBIA)
24) D.C. LARUE (PYRAMID)
25) UNDISPUTED TRUTH (WHITFIELD)

[SandraDee]

Nicky, the members of Big Fun were in fact the last in quite a few different line-ups of 7th Avenue. The original 7th Avenue were American guys chosen by Ian Levine to be a sort of disco-era boy band with rippling pecs, tight jeans etc. but by the end of 7th Avenue the line-up were British & nowhere near as hunky, & with curiously squeaky voices (not really falsetto a la Sylvester or Patrick juvet, just squeaky!!); this was the line-up that became Big Fun. By this time they were produced by SAW rather than Ian Levine too.

Marky, to return to your original topic (sorry to digress!), it's so noticeable how disco was alot more soulful in '74 than by the end of the 70's when EVERYONE was making disco records.

[markydefad]

1977 Billboard Top 25 Disco Audience Response Listings

1) DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY/ ANYWAY YOU WANT IT - Thelma Houston (Tamla)
2) DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO - T-Connection (T.K.)
3) SAN FRANCISCO/ IN HOLLYWOOD/ FIRE ISLAND - Village People (Casablanca)
4) DEVIL'S GUN/ WE GOT OUR OWN THING/ SURE CAN'T GO TO THE MOON - C.J. & Co. (Westbound)
5) FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE - Donna Summer (Oasis LP)
6) DISCO INFERNO/STARVIN'/ BODY CONTACT CONTRACT- The Trammps (Atlantic)
7) I FEEL LOVE/ I REMEMBER YESTERDAY/ LOVE'S UNKIND/ THEME FROM "THE DEEP" - Donna Summer (Oasis LP)
8. QUIET VILLAGE/ AFRICAN QUEENS/ SUMMER DANCE - Ritchie Family (Marlin)
9) I FOUND LOVE/ ACCIDENTAL LOVER - Love & Kisses (Casablanca)
10) UPTOWN FESTIVAL/ INKY DINKY WANG DANG DOO/ THE BEAUTIFUL NIGHT - Shalamar (Soul Train)

11) I NEED A MAN - Grace Jones (Beam Junction)
12) MAGIC BIRD OF FIRE/ GETAWAY/ RUNAWAY - Salsoul Orchestra ( Salsoul)
13) LOVE IN C MINOR/ MIDNIGHT LADY - Cerrone (Cotillion)
14) GOT TO GIVE IT UP - Marvin Gaye (Tamla)
15) DR. LOVE - First Choice (Salsoul)
16) HOLD TIGHT - Vicki Sue Robinson (RCA)
17) ANOTHER STAR/ I WISH/ SIR DUKE/ ISN'T SHE LOVELY - Stevie Wonder (Tamla)
18. WHY MUST A GIRL LIKE ME/ SWEET DYNAMITE - Claudja Barry (London)
19) DOWN TO LOVE TOWN - The Originals (Motown)
20) DREAMIN'/ HIT & RUN/ RIPPED OFF - Loleatta Holloway (Gold Mind)

21) DANCIN'/ SEARCHING FOR LOVE/ FAR OUT- Crown Heights Affair (Delite)
22) FROM HERE TO ETERNITY/ TOO HOT TO HANDLE/ FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE (IN SECOND HAND LOVE) - Giorgio Moroder (Casablanca)
23) YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM YOURSELF/ I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE - Teddy Pendergrass (Phil. Intl.)
24) I GOTTA KEEP DANCING - Carrie Lucas (Soul Train)
25) TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY - Barbara Pennington (United Artists)



1977 Billboard Top Disco Artists

1) Donna Summer: (Oasis-2); (Casablanca-1)
2) Thelma Houston (Tamla -2)
3) T-Connection: (TK-1)
4) Village People: (Casablanca-1)
5) C.J. & Co.: (Westbound-1)
6) Trammps: (Atlantic-1)
7) Ritchie Family: (Marlin-3)
8. Grace Jones: (Beam Junction-2);(Island-1)
9) Cerrone: (Cotillion-2)
10) Love & Kisses: (Casablanca-1)

11) Vickie Sue Robinson: (RCA-2)
12) Shalamar: (Soul Train-2)
13) Originals: (Motown-2)
14) Salsoul Orchestra (Salsoul-2)
15) John Davis & The Monster Orchestra (Sam-2)
16) Loleatta Holloway: (Gold Mind-2)
17) Emotions: (Columbia-2)
18. Barbara Pennington: (United Artists-2)
19) Marvin Gaye: (Tamla-1)
20) Love Unlimited Orchestra: (20th Century-2)

21) First Choice: (Salsoul-1)
22) Stevie Wonder: (Tamla-1)
23) Rose Royce: (MCA-1); Whitfield-1)
24) Crown Heights Affair: (Delite-2)
25) Claudja Barry: (London-1)

1977 Top 10 Disco Labels

1) Casablanca (10 charted products)
2) TK (15)
3) Tamla (5)
4) Westbound (7)
5) Salsoul (13)
6) RCA (15)
7) Atlantic (4)
8. Marlin (4)
9) Oasis (2)
10) Motown (13)

[paul]

As usual Marky, great job compiling these listings. It's interesting to me that El Coco didn't appear on the '76 or '77 artist listings. I seem to remember Jazz saying Cocomotion just fell short of being in the top 40 list thus meaning it didn't get the play he and I felt it deserved. It's probably just as well anyway. The way I've been playing it lately it's like I can't get enough. I get a lot of positive feedback from people of all ages when I play Cocomotion.

[QUINNY]

Yes, The LOVE BOAT had a lot to answer for! :lol:
Rinder & Lewis did it by numbers didn't they? Just as much as you love that tune, I detested it. I can't help thinking their whole output was done so cynically and the interview on these boards kinda validated that opinion, for me. Sorry.

Otherwise Marky, just one comment. Where did most of these tunes end up in the top 500 here? Virtually nowhere. Obviously most of those who submitted had forgotten how great a year it was. '77 was the real start of disco in all its tackiness and its hedonistic glory. I think it was Meco's Star Wars theme that really made me sit up and take notice and say to myself "what the f*** are they doing over there?" An (as then unknown to me) film theme made into disco music, whatever next? I braced myself for the upcoming onslaught.