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?