Yearly Number Ones of the 1970s Quiz

Answer: 1975

This song, by Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille, known as the Captain and Tennille, reached number one on June 21, 1975, and stayed atop the charts for four weeks. Neil Sedaka wrote the song and recorded it two years prior, but it never released in the US. Mac and Katie Kissoon recorded a track later in 1973, but it didn't chart anywhere, except in the Netherlands.

Answer: 1970

A song by Simon and Garfunkel, "Bridge over Troubled Water" peaked at number one on February 28, 1970, and held that spot for six weeks. While Simon wrote the song, he insisted that Garfunkel be the primary voice in it, which later came back to haunt him as he heard it sung and was not happy that someone else was singing his song.

Answer: 1972

Sung by Roberta Flack that year, this song reached number one on April 15, 1972, and held for six weeks. It was originally sung by Peggy Seeger, the wife of the composer of the song, Ewan MacColl, in 1957. Several folks recorded a version that MacColl despised, including Elvis and Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Answer: 1977

This single, by Rod Stewart, topped the charts for eight weeks beginning on November 13, 1976. It fell off that spot the week of January 8, 1977. From its debut week on the Billboard charts, it went to number one in a mere six weeks. The 70s group America released a song called "Today's the Day", which peaked at number 23, giving Stewart the idea of "Tonight's the Night".

Answer: 1979

This single by The Knack, reached number one on August 25, 1979, claiming that spot for six weeks. One of the writers of this song, Doug Fieger, met "his" Sharona, Sharona Alperin, who inspired Fieger for songs for awhile. The two dated for awhile, even getting engaged, but never married.

The other writer, Berton Averre, didn't want her name in the song, but ultimately allowed Fierre to add it.

Answer: 1973

This song, by Dawn (Telma Hopkins - later of "Bosom Buddies" and "Family Matters" fame, and Joyce Vincent) featuring Tony Orlando, reached number one on April 21, 1973, and held there for four weeks. The premise of the song was a man was writing to his significant other, letting her know he would be coming through. If there was a yellow ribbon, he knew he was welcomed back.

**Author's note: the "Tony Orlando and Dawn" moniker did not happen until later into 1973.

Answer: 1971

A song by Three Dog Night, "Joy to the World" reached number one on April 17, 1971, and held that spot for six weeks. Hoyt Axton wrote the song, as well as the melody. Someone in 1994 filed a lawsuit claiming co-authorship of the song, but a court ruled in favor of Axton.

Answer: 1976

This song, by Paul McCartney and Wings, reached number one on May 22, 1976, fell back for two weeks, then reclaimed the top spot for four weeks. Written by McCartney, this song gave him the first yearly number one for two different acts, as he had two with the Beatles in the 1960s. The song was written to rebut McCartney's critics, due to McCartney's style of songwriting.

Answer: 1974

Performed by Barbra Streisand and written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman, with Marvin Hamlisch writing the score, "The Way We Were" reached number one on the chart on February 2, 1974, fell from that peak for a week by "Love's Theme" by the Love Unlimited Orchestra, then regained the number one spot for two more weeks.

It was written for the film of the same name, in which Streisand played the lead female. The song was written from the character's point of view, and earned Hamlisch a couple of awards.

Answer: 1978

Written by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, and performed by their youngest brother Andy, "Shadow Dancing" hit number one on June 17, 1978, holding onto that spot for seven weeks. It was Andy's second number one single of the year, having released "(Love Is) Thicker than Water" earlier in the year.

The album placed in the top ten for the year, as well as peaking at number 11 on the soul charts.