Throwing back to the week of May 10, 1975, we find Tony Orlando & Dawn atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You),’ a cover of the Jerry Butler song ‘He Will Break Your Heart.’
Butler’s version was also a hit, making it to #7 on this chart in 1960. The song was covered by more than a dozen artist in the 60s and early 70s, but Orlando’s 1975 version was the most successful.
Throwing back to the week of April 26, 1975, we find country crooner B.J. Thomas atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.’
This was Thomas’ second #1 hit on this chart, following his recording of ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On MY Head,’ which appeared in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Throwing back to the week of April 12, 1975, we find Elton John atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Philadelphia Freedom.’ This was John’s fourth #1 hit on the chart on his way to seven in his career.
This was the first song John and lyricist Bernie Taupin ever wrote as a standalone single. John wanted to honor his friend Billie Jean King, who had become an international voice for feminism after her defeat of Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match. The song was named for the Philadelphia Freedoms, King’s team in the World Team Tennis league.
Throwing back to the week of March 29, 1975, we find Labelle atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Lady Marmalade,’ one of only nine songs to reach #1 recorded by two different artists (the other version was by Lil’ Kim, Mýa, Christina Aguilera, and Pink for the 2001 Moulin Rouge soundtrack).
At #2 that week was ‘Lovin’ You’ by Minnie Riperton, a song that would reach #1 the following week. This was the third single from Riperton’s 1974 album Perfect Angel, and the only hit in the singer’s brief career.
Throwing back to the week of March 15, 1975, we find The Doobie Brothers’ ‘Black Water’ moving into the #1 spot. Hot on its heels, a week before its own stint at #1, was Frankie Valli’s ‘My Eyes Adored You.’
This song was initially recorded by The Four Seasons but their Motown label declined to release it. Instead, Four Seasons lead singer Valli bought the rights for $4,000 and ended up with his first solo #1.
Meet Me In Montauk 