And here ends '69
20 - "Going in Circles," The Friends of Distinction
This two-man, two woman vocal group contained former members of Ray Charles' backing band, and were managed by legendary NFL running back Jim Brown. Their first hit, a vocal cover of trumpeter Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass," has gotten new attention recently from its use in the Anchorman movies. Their second hit was this ballad about being in love to the point of disorientation. It's decent orchestral soul, and probably the best of their three top 40s. Sorry, Mr. Burgundy.
19 - "Sugar, Sugar," The Archies
The second and biggest hit by the animated pride of Riverdale High on which Archibald Andrews (voiced by Cuff Link Ron Dante) woos a lady by making candy metaphors and coining the immortal line "I just can't believe the loveliness of loving you." Like most bubblegum, it wasn't built to last, but it's just catchy enough that it's remained in our consciousness ever since.
18 - "Holly Holy," Neil Diamond
Diamond's third Top Ten was this gospellish song about hope and faith. I appreciate the passion he puts into it, but it doesn't really do much for me.
17 - "I Can't Get Next to You," The Temptations
Five years after scoring their first pop #1 with "My Girl," the Temps got their second with this percussive track about how they can perform many impressive feats, but getting close to the object of their desire isn't one of them. One of Motown's ten best hits, easily.
16 - "Suspicious Minds," Elvis Presley
For a good portion of this decade, Elvis was regarded by many as a jokey sellout, making cheesy movie musicals for an ever-dwindling fan base. But after getting back to his roots to success and acclaim on what would become known as the "'68 Comeback Special," Presley rededicated himself to only performing songs he truly believed in, and one of those songs, this drama-rocker about a relationship at risk of falling apart due to mistrust, would become his first #1 in seven years. It's the sound of Elvis bringing the energy and soul he gave to the classics of his youth and combining it with a more reflective, adult wisdom. Nothing less than classic.
15 - "Cherry Hill Park," Billy Joe Royal
Royal's last Top 40 hit was this tale of "Mary Hill," a young lady who used to, shall we say, entertain various gentlemen on a daily basis at the titular public space until the fateful day she married a rich suitor and began playing "a one-man game." Let us take a moment to weep for the young men of Cherry Hill Park...That's long enough. Anyway, it's an okay if dubious song, and Royal would have a brief comeback in the late-80s as a country singer.
14 - "Baby I'm For Real," The Originals
Formed in 1966, this Motown group had sang backup on several of the label hits before picking up a hit of their own with this lush ballad of devotion written by Marvin Gaye and his wife Anna. Sweet, classy, romantic, good.
13 - "Backfield in Motion," Mel and Tim
Originally from Mississippi, Melvin Hardin and Hubert Timothy McPherson scored their first and biggest hit with this cheeky comparison of a lover's betrayals to penalties occurred during an American football game. The stadium sounds were a nice touch. Good fun novelty funk.
12 - "Baby It's You," Smith
This L.A. band had their only major hit with their sultry rock cover of a 1961 Burt Bacharach co-composition that had been a hit for The Shirelles. Singer Gayle McCormick's vocals are the standout aspect of the track, as she reveals herself to be a cross between Dusty Springfield and Janis Joplin. The band didn't do much after this, and McCormick didn't have any hits herself, but I might have to dig around to try and hear more of that voice.
11 - "Someday We'll Be Together," Diana Ross and The Supremes
Ironic title, that. This, of course, was the final hit for Diana with the group that made her famous, And it's another great performance from all involved. And not only would it be the group's 12th and last #1, it was the last American charttopper of the whole decade. That just seems so perfect as to have been preordained.
FFS, Glovehead, finish this already!
10 - "Eli's Comin'," Three Dog Night
3DN's reign of hitmaking began the previous year, and they picked up their third Top Ten with this stark pop-rock warning to a girl that she had better "hide (her) heart" from the nefarious Eli. What this Eli might do isn't specified, but it's clearly not good. Good song by Laura Nyro, terrific performance by my former nemeses, just wonderful all around.
9 - "Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son," Creedence Clearwater Revival
Well, I seem to have stumbled upon a bit of history here. Apparently, this was the first week that Billboard began counting songs that appeared on the same 45 as one entry instead of two. The week before this, A-side "Down on the Corner" was at #21, and B-side "Fortunate Son" was at #14. A week later, the two sides were combined, and here they are. Now to the music. The former is toe-tappin' swamp funk about a fictional busking jug band called "Willy and the Poor Boys." The latter is a snarling takedown of privileged people who would send those economically beneath them to fight wars on their behalf without incurring any of the cost, financial or otherwise, themselves. Both are classics and among the best moments this band had to offer
8 - "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday," Stevie Wonder
Stevie closed out the decade with this sad recollection of dreams that didn't come true. The usual effortless brilliance.
7 - "Leaving on a Jet Plane," Peter, Paul and Mary
The folk trio's last hit, and only #1, was this song about the heartbreak of temporary separation that would be the first major success for its songwriter, one John Denver. It's fine, but nothing too great to these ears. Everyone involved had better stuff.
6 - "Smile a Little Smile for Me," The Flying Machine
This British band had their only major success with this gentle, folky plea to a girl named Rosemarie to cheer up after a breakup. A minor charmer.
5 - "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, " Steam
This funk-pop "dump that zero and get with a hero" number was recorded as a throwaway B-side studio musicians who didn't want to be associated with it, so they credited it to water vapor. So of course it became a #1 hit, and it's chorus is now sung to taunt losers or others who are forced to step down in disgrace. And honestly, I don't see what was so embarrassing about it. It's well-written, the drum part is cool, there's xylophone on it. What's not to love?
4 - "Take a Letter, Maria," R.B. Greaves
Robert Bertram Aloysius Greaves III was born on a military base in Guyana in 1943, grew up on an Indian reservation, and was the nephew of Sam Cooke. His first and biggest hit was this Latin-flavored tale of a man who discovers that his wife has been cheating on him, so he dictates a letter of separation to his secretary. And when he's finished, he decides, for the heck of it, to ask that secretary out for dinner. An interesting take on the adultery song.
3 - "Wedding Bell Blues," The 5th Dimension
The Dimension's second and last #1 was this jaunty number on which the singer makes the case for matrimony to her beloved, the apparently commitmentphobic Bill. Another Laura Nyro gem, with an impassioned lead vocal from Marilyn McCoo. Solid radio pop.
2 - "And When I Die," Blood, Sweat and Tears
And we have a Laura Nyro hat trick in this week's Top Ten, in the form of the third #2 hit of '69 by these New York-based jazz-rockers fronted by Canadian David Clayton Thomas. The lyrics seem to be a philosophical look at life and death, and the music is an odd fusion of blues, jazz, gospel, and Broadway. Whatever it is, it's distinctive, and I like it.
And at the top at the tail end of the 1960s, we find...
1 - "Come Together/Something," The Beatles
Another single affected by the change. The week before, these songs were at #7 and #3, respectively, but together, they found themselves at the top seven days later. The former is a slow-grooving, Lennon-sung rocker that describes a strange character who has "joo-joo eyeball," "toe-jam football," "walrus gumboot" and "feet down below his knee." And that's just a partial description. Weird, wild stuff. And on the other side is s sweet, simple love song written and sung by George Harrison. Sumptuous, uncomplicated beauty. Two more brilliant pieces of music.
Okay, so there's the end of my 60s adventure. What next, you ask? Well, soon I am going to put together another set of entries about uncovered 70s and 80s hits. And after that? All I will say is that my journey through popular music isn't ending anytime soon. You'll just have to wait for the exact details.
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