The 2003 Musicradio 77 Web Site All Time Favorite Hits
Commentary and analysis by Mike Riccio
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
And we thank all who participated in our biggest survey so far!
In the spirit of the WABC countdowns, this year we decided to "reveal" the results a bit at a time, with the final, full survey posted here on New Year's. In the meantime, we'll reveal eleven new numbers a day until we get to #1! And for the first time, I've also added commentary and insight into each song that made the top 77 to add more "flavor" to the survey.
So with no further fanfare, let's "count 'em down"!
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#77 -This year, you voted for an incredible 61 Beatles songs overall, making them the top
vote-getters by far. How many of those made the final 77? Well, details to come, but at
#77 comes a song that NEVER made the top 77 before. It's from their first movie in 1964.
77 - A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - The Beatles
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#76 - In 1967, this song really wasn't a big hit at all. It peaked
at #10 nationally and never even made the WABC top 20. But since then, its popularity has
become almost "cult-like", making it one of the most played oldies of all time.
Born George Ivan in Ireland, he's got the #76 song this year.
76 - BROWN EYED GIRL - Van Morrison
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#75 - These guys were HUGE in England, recording over 35 hits and 20
top 10 songs. Here in the States, they had one...count 'em...ONE hit. And this was it. A
touch of psychedelia creeps onto the top 77 for the first time with this hit, which peaked
at #9 for WABC in 1968.
75. PICTURES OF MATCHSTICK MEN - Status Quo
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#74 - Being a Motown hit is one thing. Being a CLASSIC Motown hit is
a whole other story. And this song is one of the best. A #1 song for four weeks on WABC in
1965, it was one of 20 national top 20 hits for these Detroit natives formed in 1953 as
the Four Aims. And we betcha can't help but start humming the song when you see the title!
Oh sugar pie, honey bunch...you know that I lah-ove YOU...
74 - I CAN'T HELP MYSELF - Four Tops
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#73 - Are you ready for one of the BIGGEST all-time hits...as in a
legitimate top five hit of all-time based on sales that brought it to the top in two
separate years, a feat NEVER duplicated in chart history? And, oh yeah, it also started a
dance craze that people are STILL doing today. And it all began in 1960 and in 1962 with
Ernest Evans.
73 - THE TWIST - Chubby Checker
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#72 - Lots of Jersey voters made an impact this year, as one Jersey
SINGER made an impact on the music industry since his first releases from the mid-70's
right through today. You voted for eight of his songs overall this year, two of which made
the top 77. This one was an album cut from 1975. Let's hear it for the Boss.
72 - THUNDER ROAD - Bruce Springsteen
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#71 - Here's another song that's become bigger now than it was back
in 1966 when it was released as the flip side of the 45 rpm "Wouldn't It Be
Nice". It only got to #39 nationally, and WABC didn't even play then. But you love
this one now from the "Boys of Summer".
71 - GOD ONLY KNOWS - Beach Boys
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#70 - These guys got together in San Francisco in 1964, but it took
them four years to have their biggest hit with this song in 1968, a song that has one of
the most recognizable bass lead ins in music history. Can we shock you by saying that it
NEVER got to #1, nationally or on WABC? It peaked at #5 and #3 respectively. It's lead
singer Rob Grill and his group.
70 - MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS - Grass Roots
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#69 - We think of the album this song came from as being one of the
biggest rock albums of all time, staying at #1 for eight weeks. But did you know that this
L.A.-based group actually followed up with an album called "The Long Run" that
was #1 for nine weeks? How about that! From 1977, here's the group's biggest single
according to the WABC surveys.
69 - HOTEL CALIFORNIA - Eagles
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#68 - You voted for 25 songs from this group this year. And that's
impressive! Two of these made the top 77. This one was #1 for five weeks on MusicRadio in
the good ol' summertime of 1969. Look for the OTHER hit that made the top 77 much, MUCH
higher on the survey!
68 - HONKY TONK WOMEN - Rolling Stones
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#67 - The only group that could make the Rolling Stones look like
runners-up are these guys. Ironically, this song came from the same year as the Stones'
"Honky Tonk Women", 1969. It was one of 37 top 20 hits for this group on WABC,
and it stayed at #1 for five weeks in New York.
67 - GET BACK - The Beatles
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We continue with the Top 77 results and day number two of the countdown:
#66 - Here comes the WABC one-hit wonder who makes the list for the
first time this year. He actually had a second top 20 song nationally in 1982 called
"What's Forever For", but ever since he decided to use his middle name of
"Martin" in 1984. Michael MARTIN Murphey has never again made the top 100
national chart. From 1975, this song is about a horse bustin' loose that busts onto our
survey thanks to your votes.
66 - WILDFIRE - Michael Murphey
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#65 - The "Chairman of the Board" lives on! Five songs
from the pride of Hoboken, New Jersey got votes this year. "One for My Baby" and
"That's Life" were low on the list, and "My Way", which made the
survey last year, just missed the top 77. But this song and one other did real well, with
this #1 hit from 1966 returning to our hit list after landing at #68 two years ago. Doo be
doo be doo...
65 - STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT - Frank Sinatra
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#64 - Time to get out those white suits! Last year, the
"Saturday Night Fever" mainstay "Stayin' Alive" clocked in at #44.
This year, it's this song from the soundtrack that makes the final cut. A #1 hit for six
weeks on WABC in 1978 and one of nine national #1 hits and 24 national top 20 hits for
these guys, let's all put on our dancin' shoes for the brothers Gibb.
64 - NIGHT FEVER - Bee Gees
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#63 - This next song out of 1969 always gets lots of votes on our
top 77 survey, yet it's only made the final cut once before, in 2001. Out of Sacramento
and led by Pat Upton, here are the guys with the song WABC DJ Dan Ingram referred to as
the "Bounce Bounce" song due to its', well, BOUNCY sound. And, by the way, did
ya ever notice after 34 years that the group's name is spelled "S-T-A-R-E" and
not "S-T-A-I-R"?
63 - MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY - Spiral Starecase
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#62 - Ahh...the burning question for ME this year was if this
superstar-superwriter songstress would make the survey for the fifth out of six years with
this song after being voted as high as #9 with it a few years back. The answer was
"yes" as Brooklyn's Carole Klein lands her only song on our list out of her six
national top 20's. Two other songs got votes, "It's Too Late" and the LP cut
"Been to Canaan", but she's back with this former WABC #1 from 1974.
62 - JAZZMAN - Carole King
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#61 - We all thought it was silly of the Beatles to break up in
1970, but once they did, ex-Fab Four member James Paul fared quite well with 26 national
top 20 hits, including this "silly" song, an answer to Beatle mate John Lennon's
taunts about Paul's lightweight music. It got to #1 in 1976, and enters our top 77 for the
first time. And it was Sir Paul's biggest post-Beatles hit after "Ebony and
Ivory" and "Say Say Say".
61 - SILLY LOVE SONGS - Wings
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#60 - Jeez, you guys ARE hard to figure out with your votes! Here
you go digging waaaay back to 1959 to remember a classic rock and roll oldies group, but
then you pass up their CLASSIC superhit "Since I Don't Have You" for their
follow-up to that song, one that struggled to get to #26. Ah, but this one's a goody too.
From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it's the group led by Jimmy Beaumont.
60 - THIS I SWEAR - Skyliners
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#59 - Out of L.A. and consisting of six members, or was it seven, or
maybe nine...anyway, here are lotsa guys with one of five national top 20 hits. From 1966,
it's a former #1 that was originally written as a waltz, believe it or not. Their
best-remembered hit, it was NOT their biggest. That honor goes to "Windy". But
the honor of making our top 77 goes to...
59 - CHERISH - The Association
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#58 - Walden Robert Cassotto sure does baffle every year with the
votes. He made the top 20 survey with 14 songs between 1958 and 1966, but it's two
superhits, this one and "Mack the Knife", that you've been voting all over the
map for the six years of the top 77. Finishing as high as #4 a few years back, this 1960
hit drops from #21 last year to #58 this year, from the superstar we lost to heart failure
during the Christmas season of 1973.
58 - BEYOND THE SEA - Bobby Darin
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#57 - Well, IT'S ABOUT TIME! If not the biggest, then this next song
is certainly one of the best and most well-known rock and roll hits ever. In fact, many
point to this song as being the very FIRST legitimate rock and roll hit. Recorded on April
12, 1954, it took until May 14, 1955 before the song entered the Top 100 Billboard survey.
But then it went on to top the chart for eight weeks. Featured in the movie
"Blackboard Jungle", here's the rock and roll classic you voted onto our top 77
for the very first time!
57 - ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - Bill Haley & the Comets
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#56 - Sir Paul is back again. Over the years, he's been with that
one band known as the Quarrymen, Johnny and the Moondogs, the Rainbows and the Silver
Beatles and then the Beatles, but since their breakup, he can't seem to settle on one
name. He's charted as Paul McCartney, Paul and Linda McCartney, Wings, Paul McCartney and
Wings, Suzy and the Red Stripes, Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson/Paul
McCartney, and Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Here, he's "Wings". The song
was #1 nationally in 1974, but on WABC it only made it to #4.
56 - BAND ON THE RUN - Wings
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OK! On we go with the Top 77 results and day number three of the countdown:
#55 - Mama mia! This year, voters honored Lugee Sacco by voting this
song onto the list for the very first time ever. This classic was a #1 hit for 4 weeks on
MusicRadio in 1966, one of his four top 20 songs. And, oh yes, although it didn't peak
until the next year, this song first came onto the national survey on December 25, 1965.
Merry Christmas, Lugee...er...make that..."Lightnin' Lou"!
55 - LIGHTNIN' STRIKES - LOU CHRISTIE
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#54 - This next song wasn't the biggest hit nationally for these
guys...that would be "Over and Over". But on WABC, this one WAS the group's
biggest, peaking at #4 in 1964. This year, you voted it onto the list for the FIFTH
straight time! Dropping down from #37 after getting as high as #13 in 2001, this song was
one of 12 top 20 WABC hits for Tottenham, England's very own.
54 - BECAUSE - Dave Clark Five
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#53 - This year you honored Frankie and the boys with 10 of their
songs getting votes. On WABC, New Yorkers put 25 of their songs into the top 20, with four
of those going all the way to #1. This one never got to #1, but had the unique record of
being the only song to ever finish in a tie for #2 on the weekly WABC survey. That
happened on March 10, 1964, when the Seasons tied with - who else - the Beatles and
"I Want to Hold Your Hand".
53 - DAWN (GO AWAY) - Four Seasons
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#52 - This next song made our top 77 only once, back in 2000 at #46,
even though it was both a national and WABC #1 song AND almost always winds up in the top
three of many national "all-time" surveys. Ah, but did you know that after
charting with 19 top 100 hits and ten top 20 national hits, this guy would NOT have
another top 20 song for 25 years after this hit in 1964. And he couldn't even enjoy his
final hit since it came a few months after his untimely death in December, 1988. Let's
salute a classic with this one! Good choice...
52 - OH PRETTY WOMAN! - Roy Orbison
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#51 - Tumbling down from #18 last year, these Beatle proteges
originally called "The Iveys" always seem to get a good amount of votes for this
song from 1972. But doesn't anyone remember "Come and Get It", "No Matter
What" or "Baby Blue"?
51 - DAY AFTER DAY - Badfinger
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#50 - They're baaaack! With one of their 16 WABC #1 hits, the Fab
Four return. This one only missed our survey twice, the first list in 1998 and then again
last year. What's interesting is that this song's flip side, which only got to #34 on
MusicRadio, comes in MUCH higher on our top 77 this year. We'll talk about THAT one a
little bit later in the countdown.
50 - PENNY LANE - Beatles
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#49 - This one made our list in 2001, but this year it cracks the
top 50 for the first time. It was the biggest hit and the only #1 song for these
Newcastle, England natives, and although they had ten national top 20 hits, on WABC they
only had half that number. In fact, after this hit in 1964, they could get no higher that
#15 on MusicRadio.
49 - HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - Animals
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#48 - "Yummy Yummy Yummy I got love in my tummy..." Oops,
sorry! Technically a one hit wonder with this song, lead singer Joey Levine was actually
part of lots of other top 20 hits with groups like the Ohio Express and songs like
"Yummy Yummy Yummy" and "Chewy Chewy". In 1974, he returned with this
song, getting all the way to #8 nationally. But in New York, WABC only played this song
for two weeks and it didn't even crack the top 25. Nevertheless, it's back for the third
time on our survey.
48 - LIFE IS A ROCK (BUT THE RADIO ROLLED ME) - Reunion
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#47 - Can you believe that this next legend is gone almost six years
already? He had an incredible 40 top ten hits BEFORE 1954, and then came back to chart
with 66 Top 100 national hits from 1955 on. And this was his very last...creeping up to
#32 on the Billboard charts but, appropriately enough, cracking the top 20 in 1980 in New
York, New York on WABC. OK, let's form a chorus line and get ready to kick up your heels!
47 - THEME FROM "NEW YORK NEW YORK" - Frank Sinatra
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#46 - This guy had NINE top 20 hits on WABC, six of which peaked at
either #1 or #2. Now THAT'S impressive! This one stayed on top for an amazing six weeks in
early 1969, but the artist will return on our Top 77 later on with a song that was voted
to an even higher number than this! Now then, how many songs can you think of that begin
with..."Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh....."?
46 - CRIMSON AND CLOVER - Tommy James & the Shondells
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#45 - Sure, we all remember "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band". But the album this next song came from also did pretty well, staying on top
for six weeks and becoming one of 13 number one LPs for the Beatles between 1964 and 1969.
This song gets votes every year, but for 2003 it makes the top 77 for the first time. It's
from the "Revolver" album, out of 1966.
45 - HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE - Beatles
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On we go with day number four of the Top 77 countdown results of your favorites of all time...2003 edition!
#44 - Introducing..."The Italian Asphalt and Pavement
Company"! Or at least that's what this group changed their name to in 1970 to release
a song called "Check Yourself", which only made it to #97 on the national
charts. Guys, you fared MUCH better by redoing oldies from 1950's stars Joni James and Jo
Stafford and going by the name "The Duprees". This was their first and biggest
hit, peaking at #4 on WABC in 1962. And it's a real classic. One of my faves.
44 - YOU BELONG TO ME - Duprees
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#43 - Alright! Two in a row from waaay back, this time 1961. And
yes, Dion DiMucci did marry a lady named Sue, but nooo, nooo, nooo...he swears this song
was written in a schoolyard about a girl named Roberta. Ho-kay, Dion. "Runaround
Roberta", eh? Anyone who's had 13 national and 11 New York top 20 hits MUST be
telling the truth. This one was #1 for six weeks on WABC!
43 - RUNAROUND SUE - DION
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#42 - I, Karnac the Magnificant, hold in my hand...the LAST Beatles
#1 song! (applause here). Well, actually, it was just the last NATIONAL #1 Beatles song,
their twentieth. On WABC, that honor belonged to another song...to be announced later in
the countdown. But we'll bet you don't know what year the Fab Four had only ONE #1 song.
We'll tell you in a bit, but for now, here's a first-timer on our list from 1970.
42 - THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD - Beatles
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#41 - When I meet the new boss, same as the old boss, I'll be asking
him where this song and this group have been for the past six years in the voting! Making
their first appearance EVER on the top 77, let's welcome London's Who, a legendary rock
band that shockingly NEVER had a top ten song on WABC, and only had ONE national top ten
hit ("I Can See for Miles"). So all I can say is...it's about time. Nice to see
you, fellas. From 1971...
41 - WON'T GET FOOL AGAIN - WHO
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#40 - Voters remembered the greats we lost in 2003 by voting for
lots of their hits this year, with one of the latest inductees into Rock and Roll Heaven,
Bobby Hatfield, inspiring votes for six Righteous Brothers songs, including two in the top
77. This one was a #1 hit for three weeks in 1965. And it's the fourth time in six years
you've voted it onto the survey.
40 - YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING - Righteous Brothers
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#39 - Now will you guys please decide if you like this song or not!
In 1998, it was voted #49 and then took a HUGE leap to #2 in 1999. In 2000 it cooled off
to #15, and then totally disappeared from the top 77 until it resurfaced again this year!
It's recognized as one of the all-time greats, originally written as "Moritat"
or "Theme from the Three Penny Opera" in 1928. Now THAT'S an oldie for you! It
was #1 for 9 weeks in 1959.
39 - MACK THE KNIFE - Bobby Darin
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#38 - Here's the song that holds the record for being the number one
single with the most ancient lyrics. With words adapted by Pete Seeger from the Bible's
Book of Ecclesiastes, it's the song from the group inspired by the Beatles. On the charts
they landed three top 20 hits. Led by Jim/Roger McGuinn, the group included a member, Gene
Clark, who might be the only "bird" in history to have a real fear of flying.
From late 1965...
38 - TURN! TURN! TURN! (To Everything There Is a Season) - Byrds
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#37 - It really IS the truth that the lead singer on this song, a
friend filling in on the day of the recording session, was never heard from again after
this "B" side became the "A" side and a #1 hit in 1967. In fact, the
entire group was really never heard from again with only one song making it to #23 after
this one dropped off the charts. On our list five of six years, it falls from #12 last
year, its highest position ever.
37 - INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS - Strawberry Alarm Clock
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#36 - The opening guitar riff is one of rock music's classic intros.
And this is a classic hit. Although you'd never guess that would happen when the song only
got to #51 nationally in 1971. By 1972 the full 7:10 version was released and history was
made. Written for George Harrison's wife Patti Boyd by a pining Eric Clapton (guys, watch
your ladies around Eric!), here's Derek and the Dominos. It's here for the fifth time in
six years.
36 - LAYLA - Derek & the Dominos
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#35 - Dayton, Ohio's Thomas Jackson is back again with one of his
four songs that got votes, two of which made the top 77. This one got to #2 nationally,
but New Yorkers made it #1 on WABC in 1969.
35 - CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION - Tommy James & the Shondells
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#34 - "Who's the Boss?" Only Tony Danza would disagree
that it's...Bruuuuuuuce! This single only got to #36 on WABC in 1975 and the album it came
from peaked at #3. "The Boss" would have to wait five years before he'd have his
first of four #1 LP's ("The River") and the first of 14 top 20 singles
("Hungry Heart").
34 - BORN TO RUN - Bruce Springsteen
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Things are getting interesting now as we close in on the superhits you voted into the top part of the Top 77. Let's continue with the countdown and reveal the numbers for day number five!
#33 - A "Pick Hit of the Week" on June 2, 1964, it was the
#1 song on WABC the following week, something that never happened before or after that
date on MusicRadio. Surprisingly, despite six weeks as #1, it was NOT their biggest hit.
That honor, both nationally and on WABC, went to "Big Girls Don't Cry", which
you voted #952 on our survey! This song was voted onto our top 77 for the fifth time.
33 - RAG DOLL - Four Seasons
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#32 - This song is one of the reasons the music is called
"doo-wop". From, 1958, the song is back on our list for the fourth time, after
making it as high as #16 on our 2000 list. It's the street corner harmonies of Mr. DiMucci
and friends. "Din-din-din-din-din-din-din-din..."
32 - I WONDER WHY - Dion & the Belmonts
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#31 - Here's that song that started out as a flip side, but once it
was turned over, it became a #1 hit for six weeks in 1971 on WABC and was this guy's
biggest hit on WABC and second biggest hit nationally. Surprisingly, this is only the
third time it's made our top 77.
31 - MAGGIE MAY - Rod Stewart
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#30 - This song was either voted a #1 favorite or wasn't voted for
at all by those who chose it. It leaped onto our list from nowhere to #6 in 2000, but
since has dropped to #7, #28, and #30 this year. On WABC, it was one of 12 top 20 hits,
peaking at #3 in 1974.
30 - BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME - Gladys Knight & the Pips
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#29 - You just don't know rock and roll if you can't hear the
distinguished intro drum beats of this classic. Their first, their biggest, their best,
true "Noo Yawka" Ronnie Bennett showed us what Phil Spector's "Wall of
Sound" was all about in 1963. Now Phil faces the spectre of different walls
surrounding him. But this song was a goody, peaking at #2 nationally and #1 for six weeks
on WABC.
29 - BE MY BABY - Ronettes
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#28 - "Breathe deep...", it's time for the boys from
Birmingham, England. We heard from LOTS of Moody Blues fans this year, with seven of their
songs getting votes. This former WABC #1 is one of the few songs to make our top 77 every
single year. After peaking nationally at #103 in 1968, it came back strong in 1972.
28 - NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - Moody Blues
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#27 - Back for the fifth time, here's a guy we've missed sorely
since his untimely death in July, 1981. His only national top 20 hit was "Cat's in
the Cradle", which went to #1. But on WABC, this song made it to #9.
27 - TAXI - Harry Chapin
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#26 - To answer our Beatles question, it was in 1968 that the Fab
Four had only ONE number one hit nationally. Every other year they either had no number
ones, or multiple number ones. This song was an LP cut only, and it's the third time
you've voted it onto our top 77. From 1966 and "Rubber Soul"...
26 - IN MY LIFE - BEATLES
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#25 - This song was going going gone as it started off at #3 in
1998. then sunk to #12, 62, and 72 before dropping off the top 77 last year. Well, it's
BACK with a VENGENCE this year, leaping to #25 on the survey and becoming the second
biggest Motown hit on the list. Hmmm, wonder what the #1 Motown hit is? Although this song
was #1 nationally, it only got to #4 on MusicRadio in 1965.
25 - MY GIRL - Temptations
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#24 - The Fab Four is back again! Er, make that the "Fab
One". The other guys all left the room when this was being recorded, so it's Paul,
all Paul, with a 1965 #1 hit. All together now, let's sing along..."Scrambled eggs,
all my egg whites seem so far away..."
24 - YESTERDAY - Beatles
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#23 - Ah! A DJ's best friend, songs like "Maggie May",
"Nights in White Satin", "Taxi", and this one, all over five minutes
long, just perfect for that well-needed bathroom break...although MusicRadio DID play a
short version of it for awhile in 1965. It's been on our top 77 every year but the first.
It peaked at #3 on WABC.
23 - LIKE A ROLLING STONE - Bob Dylan
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Now things are getting verrrrry interesting. Our next to last group of eleven hits will showcase seven songs from the Beatles (!) - in one form or another - including two brand new entries from them, TWO other 1960's superstar groups, and a "bubblegum" group leaping into our top 20 for the very first time! Stay tuned!
I'd say it's "nail-biting time" as we head into the top 20 with the countdown for day six of the Top 77. For this next group of songs, let's all sing together..."We Love You, Be-ee-tles, Oh Yes We Do-ooo..."
#22 - This song has been on five of our six surveys, missing only in
2000. It has finished as high as #12, and is considered by many to be the greatest cut
from the greatest album of all time, an LP that was #1 for 15 weeks. From 1967 and
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", the Beatles are back!
22- A DAY IN THE LIFE - Beatles
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#21 - "Du-lang, du-lang, du-lang...du-lang, du-lang..."
He's so fine, that George Harrison. And he's back for the third time on our Top 77. This
song spent four weeks at #1 nationally, starting Christmas week in 1970. On WABC it peaked
at #2. On our survey, it reaches an all-time high. From 1970...or is it 1971...or 1970 AND
1971...
21 - MY SWEET LORD - GEORGE HARRISON
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#20 - How about a little "something" from the Beatles.
Actually, here's a Mensa pop quiz Paul is to "Yesterday" as George is
to...to...to...THIS song. Last year, it made the survey for the first time at #60. This
year it bounces up 40 slots to kick off the top 20. #1 on WABC?...nope. How about top
3?...nope! Top 5?...sorry, but surprisingly it only got to #7 in 1969 on MusicRadio.
Nationally, it peaked at #3 as the flip side of "Come Together".
20 - SOMETHING - BEATLES
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#19 - "I buried cranberry sauce..." or something like
that. Just listen to the ending fadeout of the song for clues. Our Beatles Love Fest
continues with their fourth in a row and a song that's new to the survey this year, only
making the list one other time, in 1999 at #30. It's flip side, "Penny Lane"
came in at #50. This side didn't even make WABC's top 20 in 1967, but you liked it more
this year. And along with "Penny Lane", it was also one of rock's very first
music videos.
19 - STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER - BEATLES
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#18 - Now let's hear from the group that Newport, Rhode Island likes
MORE than the Beatles. It's Billy, Bob, Paul, Barry, John, sister Susan, and mom Barbara.
(Did I forget anyone?). Serving as inspiration for another bubblegum favorite, the
Partridge Family, this group had three top ten hits in the late 60's, with this song
making it to #2 nationally and #1 on WABC for two weeks in 1967. Cowsills fans unite!
18 - THE RAIN, THE PARK AND OTHER THINGS - Cowsills
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#17 - "Sail on silver bird"? Yeah, even Paul Simon hated
the verse that Art Garfunkel wrote that started with that line. Maybe THAT was the
beginning of the end for this duo. It seems like their reunion helped boost this one from
#47 to its highest position ever in its sixth staight year on the list. With seven songs
getting votes for these New York boys, the former Tom and Jerry did well with this song, a
#1 WABC hit for four weeks in 1970.
17 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - Simon & Garfunkel
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#16 - Pottery, anyone? Except for the first year of voting, this
classic has made the Top 77 every year, and it's another song that reaches its peak this
year. Originally reaching #4 in 1965, it was revised by the movie "Ghost" and
returned in two versions by these guys in 1990, peaking at #13.
16 - UNCHAINED MELODY - Righteous Brothers
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#15 - Awright, awright...! Three whole songs without a Beatle tune.
So...here's a "Beatle" tune. Actually, it WAS supposed to be done by the boys at
some point, but James Paul decided to keep it for himself and released it on his
"McCartney" album, which hit the charts just 29 days after the
"official" breakup of the Fab Four in 1970. Do you think maybe Paul had this all
planned? Boosted by his loyal "Macca" fans, this LP cut makes our list for the
first time, feels like the very first time.
15 - MAYBE I'M AMAZED - Paul McCartney
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#14 - These guys had 25 national top 20 hits and four national #1's.
But on WABC in New York, they had 20 top 20 songs but NOT ONE #1 hit! How about that! One
top for a week nationally in late 1966, this song is considered a Brian Wilson
"masterpiece" and makes our survey for the sixth straight year.
14 - GOOD VIBRATIONS - BEACH BOYS
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#13 - Ah! Another Beatles song, all is right in the world! Danke
Schoen, Die Beatles "Sie Liebt Dich" is #13. Well, actually the English version
is #13. The German version only got to #97 in 1964. This did considerably better, peaking
at #1 that year for two weeks nationally and six weeks on MusicRadio. On our list, it's
been here every year, coming in as high as #4 and no lower than #20.
13 - SHE LOVES YOU - Beatles
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#12 - OK, I promise that there are not as many Beatles songs in the
final eleven as in the last eleven. But in the meantime, here's another "Beatle"
song. Co-produced by Phil Spector and released as "John Lennon Plastic Ono
Band", this song got to #3 nationally and #4 on WABC in 1971. And it's another song
that's been here every year. It's one of 13 non-Beatles hits for a leader of the Beatles.
12 - IMAGINE - John Lennon Plastic Ono Band
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OK...take a deep breath...here we go with the last eleven songs, the top eleven songs you voted for on this year's MusicRadio77.com All Time Top 77 list. Now let's see...I know the results are here somewhere...OH YEAH...got 'em!
#11 - We can call this one the greatest single that never was! Group
leader Robert Plant refused to edit the song down to an acceptable time for commercial
release but it got lots of Top 40 and album rock play in late 1971 and 1972 anyway.
Surprisingly, although the group had eleven top 20 albums and six #1 LPs, the album this
song was on, the group's untitled fourth LP, only got to #2. It's on our Top 77 for the
sixth straight year.
11 - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - LED ZEPPELIN
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#10 - It started out as #15 on our 1998 list and has been in the top ten every year since. We all know about the references to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. But listen closely, my friends, for references to the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, Janis
Joplin and Elvis Presley. The singer DID have two other top 20
songs, but does anyone REALLY care about "Vincent"and "Crying". This
one peaked #1 for six weeks in 1972. Rev up the old Chevy!
10 - AMERICAN PIE - Don McLean
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#9 - Jim Morrison insisted that this classic was based on the chord
progression in Julie Andrews' "My Favorite Things". Well, isn't that just
super-cali-fragil-istic-expi-ali-docious! One thing we DO know is that this was the very
last song performed live by Morrison before his death in 1971. It was #1 for four weeks on
WABC, and one of six Doors top 20 hits...and it's in its sixth straight year on the Top
77.
9 - LIGHT MY FIRE - Doors
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#8 - Now let's all genuflect and pay proper homage to THE sacred cow
of the 1950's. Well, that only seems proper since this song was actually recorded in a New
Haven church basement. And for all of its incredible popularity, this song made the
national top 100 three times but NEVER got any higher than #24. Even in New York in 1956,
it only peaked at #13 on WMGM radio. Nevertheless, it's a classic that has been on our Top
77 every year. Mr. Parris, if you will...
8 - IN THE STILL OF THE NITE - Five Satins
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#7 - This song, a #1 hit for three weeks on
WABC in 1972, has made our top 20 six years in a row. From the group of
Americans who met in England and took their name from the
"Americana"-brand jukebox, it was their first of eight national
top 20 hits. But the really cool thing about these guys was that
after this "H" song from their debut "America"
album, they titled their next LP's "Homecoming", "Hat
Trick", "Holiday", "Hearts", "History",
"Hideaway", and "Harbor". In 1980, they switched
to Capitol Records, called their album "Silent Letter", and were never heard
from again. Now guys, what the "H" were you thinking?
7 - A HORSE WITH NO NAME - America
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#6 - Last year, this one ALMOST made it to #1 before settling in at
#2. And no, it was NOT inspired by any of Julie Andrews' songs, but Keith Richard DOES
claim that the famous guitar riff was based on Martha and the Vandellas 1963 hit,
"Dancing in the Street", and that he originally wanted that riff done with
horns! The fact that Keith thought the song wasn't strong enough to be an "A"
side and wanted it played only as the "B" side of the single only confirms that
he had a VERY clouded frame of mind in 1965. The song was #1 for four weeks on WABC.
6 - (I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION - Rolling Stones
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#5 - If this song didn't come along, maybe The Singing Nun would
STILL be #1! Ah, but destiny had different plans. It was the first of three consecutive #1
songs nationally for these guys, and stayed on top for six weeks on WABC in 1964. And this
year, it shows up stronger than ever! But the burning question is this Did the Beatles
have more national number one hits as a group, or as their individual members? Hmmm...read
on for the answer.
5 - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND - Beatles
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#4 - So here comes the very last Beatles #1 song on WABC. Although
it stayed on top for only two weeks nationally, on WABC it set the record as the Fab
Four's longest running #1 song...staying there for seven weeks in 1970. And, of course
silly, the Beatles as a group - with 20 number one songs - had more chart toppers than the
individual lads, who only had 16. You see, guys, you should have NEVER broken up. At its
highest position ever on our Top 77. this song was undoubtedly helped by the release of
the "Let It Be...Naked" LP. It has missed our Top 77 just once.
4 - LET IT BE - Beatles
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#3, #2, and #1
Ah ha! The moment of truth has arrived. #3 has been near and dear to voters' hearts for six years straight years, never finishing any lower than #17. Funny thing is that this song often winds up on many of the all-time WORST song lists. But not here. The mumbo jumbo Jimmy Webb lyrics actually make sense when you think of them as an ode to a lost love, never to return. And Richard Harris was more an actor than a singer when his song peaked at #2 in 1968; nevertheless "MacArthur Park" settles in as this year's #3 song. Now, as for #2, what ARE we gonna do with this diva! Tsk tsk tsk! Bring in the caviar! Fire the kitchen help! It wasn't even her biggest solo hit ("Upside Down" was.) But it did get to #1 in 1970 and this year lands in its highest position to date in all of the six years it has been on the Top 77. Yes, Diane Earle...er...make that Diana Ross...er...make that MISS Ross, is #2 with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". And as for #1. In a SHOCKER, #1 is "LANDSLIDE". Oops, sorry. I read that wrong...#1...IN a landslide...is...Oh my, oh my, oh my! Or as Ringo might say..."Oh My My". I thought we'd have a contest here after this song nearly slipped from the top slot last year. But no, no, no. It simply CREAMED the competition, with nearly three times the voters than any other song. In fact, it was #1 from day one of the survey right through the end. Together the group landed 14 songs in the Top 77. Individual members had another five on the list. Lots of you might have been rooting for a new champ this year, but let's give "Hey Jude" its due. It was #1 for six weeks on WABC in 1968 and nine weeks nationally. And here, it repeats at the top for the sixth straight year! There's not much else to say, other than words of praise and recognition for the Liverpool guys who disbanded in 1970 and yet are as much an influence now as they were in 1964.
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