Throwing back to the week of March 8, 1955, we find The McGuire Sisters atop the Billboard singles chart with ‘Sincerely,’ its sixth straight (and last) week at #1.
In the #2 spot was an instrumental ragtime recording called ‘The Crazy Otto Medley,’ performed by pianist Johnny Maddox. What a different world it was 70 years ago, when a song like this could be a major hit, spending seven weeks at #2.
The week of March 2, 1985, saw George Michael’s (or Wham!’s) ‘Careless Whisper‘ holding on to the #1 spot. Right behind it was REO Speedwagon’s ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling,’ a week away from its own three-week stint in the top spot.
This was the band’s second #1 (following another power ballad, 1980’s ‘Keep On Lovin’ You’) and their last to reach even the top ten.
Throwing back to the week of March 1, 1975, we have a trio of great songs atop the Billboard Hot 100.
The first two have already appeared on the blog: ‘Best of My Love‘ by the Eagles at #1 and Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Have You Never Been Mellow‘ at #2.
At #3 that week was The Doobie Brothers’ ‘Black Water,’ the third single from their fourth album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. The song would reach #1 two weeks later, becoming the band’s first chart-topper, and one of only two in their career.
Gary Lewis & the Playboys topped the Billboard Hot 100 the week of February 23, 1965, with ‘This Diamond Ring.’ It was the song’s second straight week at #1.
This was the band’s first single release, and their only one to reach #1. They were one of only two acts to reach the top ten with their first seven singles (the other was The Lovin’ Spoonful).
Throwing back to the week of February 22, 1955, we find the usual repeats in the top three spots before a newcomer at #4: Perry Como with ‘Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So).’
This was RCA Victor’s first rock record, and matching it with a white crooner like Como was, as one historian put it, an “industry effort to whitewash the racy, raunchy music of rhythm and blues before anyone’s daughter heard it.”
