Billboard Number one Songs of 1970 Quiz

Answer: Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head

Oklahoma native Billy Joe Thomas was not the first choice to sing the song. Burt Bacharach admitted in an interview that he was considering Ray Stevens or Bob Dylan. Dionne Warwick was instrumental in bringing B.J. Thomas to Burt's attention and they ended up signing a management contract. Before he recorded the soundtrack version he was suffering from laryngitis after a 15-day tour and was under a doctor's care. Fortunately, Burt was satisfied with the fifth take. "Jean" was a movie song sung by Oliver that charted in October of 1969. "Without Love There is Nothing" was a Tom Jones Top Ten recording later the same month. "Love (Can Make You Happy)" was a May, 1969, hit for a group called Mercy.

Answer: I Want You Back

"I Want You Back" was originally written with Gladys Knight and The Pips in mind. After Berry Gordy heard the backing track he suggested the song would be right for a family group of young boys he had recently signed. They followed up with three more number one songs in 1970; "ABC" in April, "The Love You Save" in June and "I'll Be There" in October. "One Bad Apple" featured the voice of thirteen-year-old Donny Osmond with The Osmonds.

The song made a chart entry during the first week of January 1971.

It was written by George Jackson. "Sugar, Sugar" was a hit the previous year for the studio band "The Archies". "Love on a Two Way Street" was charted by The Moments in May of 1970.

Answer: Shocking Blue

While attending a party for Golden Earring's first number one song, Shocking Blue's manager heard singer Mariska Veres fronting a local band. He thought that she would be a great front person for the band. She joined the group and "Venus" was recorded on a two-track recorder along with other songs for an album.

They were unable to follow up on the song's success and disbanded by 1974. Galaxy Lin is a band formed by former Shocking Blue member Robbie Van Leeuwen, the composer of "Venus". Jerry Ross was the American producer who picked up the rights to Venus.

He also represented Tee Set, who recorded "Ma Belle Amie" and The George Baker Selection, who had a hit with "Little Green Bag".

Answer: Cracklin' Rosie

As a writer Neil had already had a number one hit with "I'm A Believer" by the Monkees. After charting several songs, such as the number ten "Cherry Cherry" with the Bang label, Neil switched to MCA's Uni label. He then reached number four with "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Felt So Good)". "Cracklin' Rosie" is a song about wine from his "Taproot Manuscript" LP. "Red, Red Wine" is a Neil Diamond composition later recorded by UB40. Neil's "The Boat That I Row" was recorded by Lulu and Deep Purple did a version of his "Kentucky Woman".

Answer: I Think I Love You

David Cassidy and his step-mother, Shirley Jones, were the only two actors from the show to actually sing on the recordings. "I Think I Love You" was featured on the first episode as a song recorded in their garage that goes to the top. It was obviously an omen. "Candida" was a top ten for Dawn the previous month. "Julie, Do Ya Love Me?" by TV star Bobby Sherman hit the top ten in September of 1970. "One Less Bell to Answer" was a Fifth Dimension number three in December, 1970.

Answer: The Long and Winding Road/For You Blue

There were only two Beatles on the session for "The Long and Winding Road". Paul McCartney played piano and sang the lead track. John Lennon played bass guitar. Producer Phil Spector added a female chorus and an orchestra. Paul tried unsuccessfully to get the lush arrangement changed back to the simple ballad he had originally envisioned. All the Beatles were on "For You Blue" with George singing. "Get Back" was the original working title for the "Let it Be" LP.

The single "Get Back" hit number one in May, 1969. "Let it Be" was their 19th number one, peaking in April of 1970. "Hey Jude" was a September, 1968, number one for the Fab Four.

Answer: Everything Is Beautiful

Known for novelty songs such as the number five "Ahab The Arab", Ray was gaining respect in the entertainment world and was invited to host his own TV show, "Andy Williams Presents Ray Stevens". Ray wanted a fitting song for the show and wrote "Everything Is Beautiful".

His daughter's second grade class sang the chorus. Her younger sister was even excused from kindergarten to join her. "Spirit in the Sky" was a number three for Norman Greenbaum in April of the same year. "Hey There Lonely Girl" was in the top ten in February, 1970.

It was sung by Eddie Holman. "And When I Die" was a Blood, Sweat and Tears number two in 1969.

Answer: Mama Told Me (Not to Come)

"Ball of Confusion" was number three the same week for The Temptations. "Ride Captain Ride" was number four that week for Blues Image. "Spill the Wine" charted in the top five for Eric Burdon and War in August. Eric Burdon had done a version of Randy Newman's "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" and Cory Wells of Three Dog Night wanted it considered by the band.

They initially didn't think it would be a commercial hit. By the time they recorded their third album, "It Ain't Easy", the other band members finally relented and it was recorded. Newman had a number two as an artist with "Short People" and recorded the "Toy Story" soundtrack.

Answer: My Sweet Lord/Isn't It a Pity?

George wrote the song while he was touring with Delaney and Bonnie in late 1969. Phil Spector produced it on the Beatles' Apple label. George recounts in his autobiography "I Me Mine" that he was reluctant to release the song because he believed listeners might be uncomfortable with the song's religious nature.

He originally gave it to Billy Preston to record. It was recorded on Billy's "Encouraging Words" LP but Apple Records withdrew it before it was formally released. George related in his book that his inspiration for the song came from The Edwin Hawkins Singers' single "Oh Happy Day". "Wunderwall" is a movie that George wrote the score for. "All Things Must Pass" was the title of George's triple LP.

Answer: Make It With You

Bread knocked the Carpenters' "(They Long to Be) Close to You" from the top spot. David Gates had been good friends with Leon Russell since their days performing in the Tulsa area. Leon convinced David to come to LA and do some session work. By networking with studio players, David formed a group with musicians James Griffith, Robb Royer and Mike Botts.

They recorded an album which was by all accounts a flop. They persisted and released Gates' composition which went to number one. The band made attempts to do rockers, but became known for their soft-rock songs such as "If" and "Baby I'm-A Want You". "American Woman/No Sugar Tonight" went number one for The Guess Who in May and "Gypsy Woman" reached number three for Brian Hyland in December, 1970.