Billboard Number One Songs of 1972 Quiz

Answer: Don McLean

Don McLean toured the Hudson River in New York at the behest of the New York Council on the Arts dubbed "The Hudson River Troubadour." He usually performed three shows a day, five days a week. His first album, "Tapestry", was produced by Jerry Corbitt of The Youngbloods and released by Mediarts label in 1970.

When Mercury Records purchased Mediarts McLean became their most successful artist with the "American Pie" album. McLean always felt the song was commercial but admitted that he was overwhelmed by the response it received.

He is also known for writing such hit songs as "Castles in the Air" and "And I Love You So". Al Green was number three the same week with "Let's Stay Together". Melanie had the number two song with "Brand New Key". It had been the last number one of 1971. Jonathan Edwards held down the number four spot with "Sunshine" the same week.

Answer: Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry began his recording career in 1955 when Muddy Waters recommended him to Leonard Chess of Chess records in Chicago. His first audition was an original song called "Ida Red" which was changed to "Maybellene". After the song became a hit a succession Berry songs followed such as "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B. Goode". "My Ding-A-Ling" was originally recorded by Dave Bartholemew in 1955.

It was recorded at a 1972 Chuck Berry concert at the Arts Festival in Lancaster, England, and released as a single. Wayne Newton had a number five in July, 1972, with "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast". Tommy James had a solo hit in July, 1971, with "Draggin' the Line" and Timmy Thomas scored a top five in 1973 with "Why Can't We Live Together?".

Answer: The Temptations

"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was the fourth number one for the Motown group. The song was originally done by Undisputed Truth, but their version peaked at number 63 and was long forgotten when the Temptations released a cover of it. Ironically the song won a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental because the "B" side was simply the instrumental part of the song.

In another ironic note lead singer Dennis Edwards' father had passed away on the third of September, the lyrics that begin the song. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was the first recording that saw the beginning of a series of personnel changes for the group. Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were number five the same week with "If You Don't Know Me By Now". Main Ingredient hit the top five with "Everybody Plays the Fool" the week of October 14, 1972, and Climax hit the top five in February, 1972, with "Precious and Few".

Answer: Helen Reddy

Helen Reddy wrote the lyrics to the song and fellow Australian musician Ray Burton put them to music. Helen didn't like the first arrangement and re-recorded it, adding the "I Can Do Anything" lyrics. She thought her career might be over with the release of the record, but she believed in the song and the feminist movement.

After the release of the song as a single by Capitol records it initially peaked at 99 and fell off the chart. In response to women constantly calling radio stations requesting the song it reentered the charts at 87 and steadily climbed, reaching number one. Donna Fargo had a crossover country hit with "Funny Face" in January, 1973. Vicki Lawrence topped the charts in 1973 with "The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia". Songwriter Carole King released her acclaimed "Tapestry" album in 1971.

Answer: Mac Davis

After writing songs for such artists as Elvis, Bobby Goldsboro, O.C. Smith and Kenny Rogers Mac wrote one for himself. In a 1973 interview with Billboard Magazine Mac related that he had been requested to write a song with a catchy hook in it, so he came up with "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me".

His producer was so certain that it would be a hit that he had Mac record it immediately. Mac cut his teeth in the business as a promotional rep for VeeJay Records and changed to Liberty Records when he was offered a spot in their publishing division. Soon many of his songs were being recorded by various artists and Mac got a gig opening for Nancy Sinatra in Las Vegas.

He went on to an acting career as well as headlining rooms in Vegas. Billy Preston hit the third spot July 1, 1972, with "Outa-Space". Joe Tex brought "I Gotcha" to number three the week of April 15, 1972, and Robert John had a top three with a cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" March 25, 1972.

Answer: Gilbert O'Sullivan

There was considerable speculation that the song was an autobiographical account of the Irish-born singer's life. Gilbert denied it in a 1973 Rolling Stone interview. Raymond Edward O'Sullivan went to England to attend art school in his teens and started performing in different groups.

He eventually came to the attention of Gordon Mills, who was managing Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck. Mills took a personal interest in Raymond and his songs. He changed his name to Gilbert and groomed him with a Charlie Chaplin type image for his first album. American television appearances helped propel the song to the top and Gilbert followed with a number of other songs such as "Clair". Luther Ingram hit number four the same week with "(If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want to be Right". Al Green was number four with "Look What You've Done For Me" in May, 1972. Donny Osmond had a number four cover of "Puppy Love" during the week of March 25, 1972.

Answer: Brandy

The song was originally titled "Randy" by band member and writer Elliot Lurie after a high school sweetheart. Looking Glass had been playing bars and showcases for over two years when they were noticed by CBS Records President Clive Davis. He liked the band and especially liked "Brandy".

The final arrangement was recorded at Regent Sound Studios in New York. In Washington, DC, the song broke when Harv Moore of of WPGC put it in rotation. Although "Brandy" was a big hit, it did not reflect the style of the hard rocking band and it sounded different on tour. Lurie left performing and worked with soundtracks, producing the score for John Travolta's film, "Perfect". "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" was number three the same week by the Hollies and "Hold Your Head Up" was number five for Argent.

The Chi-Lites took "Oh Girl" to number two on June 3rd, 1972.

Answer: Candy Man

"Candy Man" was the first song on the soundtrack of "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Newley and Bricusse wrote the score for the movie. In the movie it was sung by Aubrey Woods, a character who owns a candy store. Mike Curb of MGM Records came up with the plan to have Sammy Davis, Jr. record the song. Davis admittedly didn't like the song, but agreed to record it.

It became the biggest pop record of his multi-faceted career. Davis was the first act signed by Frank Sinatra when he started the Reprise label.

In addition to singing, Davis also appeared in guest roles on many TV shows and acted in films such as "Ocean's Eleven" and "Robin and the Seven Hoods". "Sylvia's Mother" was number 5 the same week for Dr Hook and the Medicine Show. "Never Been to Spain" was a number five for Three Dog Night in February, 1972. "Got to be There" was a number five for Michael Jackson in December, 1971.

Answer: Nilsson

Known in the music industry as a songwriter for artists such as Phil Spector's girl groups as well as the Turtles, Rick Nelson, Blood Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night and Mary Hopkin, Brooklyn born Harry Edward Nelson III recorded his first album in 1967. John Lennon heard the "Pandemonium Shadow Show" LP and and declared that Nilsson was his "favorite American singer". Ironically "Without You" was written by Badfinger members Pete Ham and Tom Evans. Nilsson included the song on his "Nilsson Schmilsson" LP. Al Green's "Let's Stay together" was the number one preceding "Without You". Neil Young nudged Nilsson from the charts in March with "Heart of Gold". America's March, 1972, number one was "A Horse With No Name".

Answer: The Staple Singers

Roebuck "Pop" Staples was born in rural Mississippi and had a blues-influenced upbringing. He formed a group with his daughters Cleo, Mavis and Yvonne. Mavis had a soulful voice which launched the group to become headliners on the gospel circuit in the fifties.

They eventually were signed with Epic records and recorded cover songs of various artists of the day. In July, 1968, they signed with Stax Records. Steve Cropper produced the band and mined the Alvertis Isbell song for the band's album, "Be Altitude; Respect Yourself".

The single took eight weeks to climb to number one. Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose took "Too Late to Turn Back Now" to number four in July, 1971. "Back Stabbers" was number four for the O'Jays in September, 1972. Lobo recorded "I'd Love you to Want Me" and took it to number four in December, 1972.