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Top of The Pops (Charts)

Look back on what was ruling the radio airwaves and selling albums each week in the past

Radio Hits in November 1967: Take a Look

It was a melting pot in the Top 10 on WABC this week, with plenty of all-time favorites topped by a band with a psychedelic name and an unusual path to #1.

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Radio Hits in November 1976: More Cowbell!

A novelty hit topped this week’s chart but there were huge rock hits from Frampton, Boston, Kiss, Rod Stewart and Steve Miller. More cowbell, anyone?

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The Number One Singles of 1976

Top 40 programmers were featuring less songs from rock acts. There were lots (and lots) of disco hits as audiences were taking to the dance floor.

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Rocking the Charts: The Top Albums of October 1981

Though Top 40 programmers stubbornly played songs by A/C acts, the top slots on the U.S. sales chart were dominated by rock acts.

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Radio Hits in October 1978: Kenny and Stevie Were Doin’ It

The Stones, The Who, Bob Seger, Billy Joel and Foreigner were all in the Top 10 this week but rock’s days were numbered in that format.

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The Number One Singles of 1967: With Love

26 songs reached the top of the U.S. pop chart that year. And in many cases, there are some wild stories behind these rock, pop and R&B hits.

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Best Weekly Singles Charts of All-Time: October 1969 Edition

The Stones, Beatles and Elvis shared the spotlight this week along with some huge bubblegum hits. The full chart is about as good as it gets.

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Radio Hits in October 1965: Seems Like Yesterday

A Beatles song – one of the most recorded songs ever – was #1 this week in 1965. A few months later an instrumental beat it for Record of the Year.

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Radio Hits in October 1974: The ‘New Math’

The Best Classic Bands chart nerds noticed that this week featured 3 hits at the top with the word “Nothing” in the title: great songs by BTO, Stevie Wonder and Billy Preston.

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The Number One Singles of 1971: Maggie May, Shaft & Jeremiah

Only 3 songs stayed at the top of the U.S. charts for 4+ weeks. Thus, no less than 31 reached #1, including a unique feat by the members of the Beatles.

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