Radio Hits of March 1972: La, La, La-La-La-La
by Best Classic Bands Staff
In the first few months of 1972, the final U.S. military draft was held, though none of those with “unlucky” birthdates were called to duty. The Winter Olympics took place in Sapporo, Japan. The Godfather had its premiere in New York and instantly became the favorite film of pretty much every guy you’ve ever met, all of whom can recite dozens of lines from the movie.
And on Los Angeles’ Top 40 powerhouse KHJ’s survey this week, many of your all-time favorite classic rock hits were topping the pop charts.
Bubbling under at #30 was Yes with “Roundabout,” which would ultimately reach #13 in the U.S., their biggest showing until 1983. The single edit knocked more than five minutes off the album version and remains their second-biggest U.S. chart hit.
Now onto the Top 10…
At #10 was T. Rex‘s brilliant “Bang A Gong (Get It On),” which inexplicably would peak at only #10 on the U.S. singles chart. Behind the soundboard? None other than longtime David Bowie producer Tony Visconti. The glam rock band were one-hit wonders in the U.S.; not so in their native England where they earned no less than ten Top 10 hits.
Plenty of radio listeners were enjoying Neil Young’s latest single, “A Horse With No Name.” Wait… what? Many were fooled by the similarity of the song’s vocal and Young’s sound. It was, of course, sung (and written) by Dewey Bunnell of the new band America. The song became a #1 smash on March 25, one of seven Top 10 hits the group enjoyed.
The Carpenters are a guilty pleasure for many classic rock fans as there are few voices to compare with that of Karen Carpenter. “Hurting Each Other” was at #8 and one of the duo’s biggest hits during their huge run in the early 1970s.
Did you know the lead singer of “Precious and Few” by Climax was the same person who sang the Outsiders’ 1966 hit “Time Won’t Let Me”? Both were sung by Sonny Geraci and you can read about it here. Climax’s song was at #7 this week, on its way to #3.
At #5 was Paul Simon‘s “Mother and Child Reunion,” the first single he released as a solo artist following Simon and Garfunkel’s 1970 breakup. The reggae-influenced song was recorded in Jamaica and featured members of Toots & the Maytals and Jimmy Cliff’s band.
No wonder people were confused by the Neil Young soundalike (above). The acclaimed performer was enjoying a huge hit with “Heart of Gold.” Here are a couple of facts to help you win a bar bet: it’s Young’s only #1 hit; James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt sing backup vocals. The song was included on Young’s hugely successful Harvest album.
At #1? Harry Nilsson‘s smash hit “Without You.” Though known as a prominent singer-songwriter–he penned Three Dog Night’s “One,” for instance–this was actually a cover of a Badfinger song. Nilsson kicks things into gear right around the 1:05 mark…
Related: Which of these songs were among 1972’s biggest?
30. “Roundabout” – Yes
10. “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” – T. Rex
9. “A Horse With No Name” – America
8. “Hurting Each Other” – Carpenters
7. “Precious and Few” – Climax
6. “Suavecito” – Malo
5. “Mother and Child Reunion” – Paul Simon
4. “Everything I Own” – Bread
3. “Down By the Lazy River” – The Osmonds
2. “Heart of Gold” – Neil Young
1. “Without You” – Nilsson
4 Comments so far
Jump into a conversation1972 was an interesting year that forged our collective musical identity as the decade wore on. By 1974, we had a diversity in music that grew greater and greater.:-)
I love this stuff , and I’m a vinyl collecter.
I saw Sonny Geraci back in the early 90’s. What a voice that man had. He blew the roof off.
You gotta admire artists that listen to EVERYTHING, and then pull an obscure song into stardom. I first heard “Hurting Each Other” on one of the early Guess Who Canadian Lps in the mid 60s.