What were the best singles aired on Top 40 radio during 1972?
Obviously, there are no definitive answers to my question. If I asked the above inquiry to 100 folks, I would surely receive one hundred different responses.
With my latest music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be my favorite Top 40 singles of 1972.
I have fond memories of listening to Top 40 radio in ’72 as I turned 17 years old that year in Roanoke, Virginia.
During daylight hours, I exclusively listened to Roanoke’s legendary WROV 1240 AM. This station featured a Top 40 format and was the number one top-ranked radio outlet in my city.
Bart Prater and Larry Bly were my two favorite WROV DJs 51 years ago. I also remember hearing DJs Ron Tompkins, Charlie Bell and Phil Beckman on the station nicknamed the “Rock of Roanoke” back during 1972.
Link above: Larry Bly and Bart Prater aircheck on WROV Roanoke in October 1972. Courtesy of WROV History Website/Pat Garrett
When WROV reduced power at sundown, I would listen to 3 top 40 AM radio stations located hundreds of miles away from my Virginia home.
After sundown, I would tune into three 50,000-watt clear channel AM stations: WLS 890 AM Chicago, WCFL 1000 AM (Super CFL) Chicago and WABC 770 AM New York.
For my countdown of ’72 superfine singles, I consulted two sources in my calculation of the biggest records in this category: Billboard and Cash Box magazines’ year-end top 100 singles charts for 1972.
As I surveyed the prominent hits from 1972, the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. My selections are songs that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.
In comparing the biggest hits of 1972, I learned an interesting fact: Billboard listed “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack as the number one song while Cash Box placed “American Pie” by Don McLean as their biggest 45-rpm single.
Before I start my countdown of superfine singles, I want to share 10 of my favorite songs that were not ranked by either Cash Box or Billboard on their top 100 year-end charts for 1972.
- Operator (That’s Not the Way It Feels)—Jim Croce
- Ventura Highway—America
- Witchy Woman—Eagles
- Conquistador—Procol Harum
- That’s the Way God Planned It—Billy Preston
- Changes—David Bowie
- Someday Never Comes—Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Listen to the Music—The Doobie Brothers
- Old Man—Neil Young
- Baby Baby–Badfinger
This next group are songs I considered for the 1972 countdown but fell outside my top 25 selections. Singles are not ranked and are placed in a random order:
- School’s Out—Alice Cooper
- Taxi—Harry Chapin
- Mother & Child Reunion—Paul Simon
- An Old Fashion Love Song—Three Dog Night
- Bang a Gong (Get It On)—T. Rex
- Back Stabbers—The O’Jays
- A Horse with No Name—America
- Precious & Few—Climax
- Without You—Nilsson
- Rock & Roll Lullaby—BJ Thomas
- Garden Party—Rick Nelson
- I Need You—America
- Too Late to Turn Back Now—Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
- (Last Night) I Didn’t get to Sleep at All—The 5th Dimension
- Speak to the Sky—Rick Springfield
- Roundabout—Yes
- Use Me—Bill Withers
- I Saw the Light—Todd Rundgren
- Goodbye to Love—The Carpenters
- Sweet Seasons—Carole King
Without further ado, my 1972 quality singles countdown begins:
25. I’ll Take You There—The Staple Singers
Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, #1 Hot R&B, 19th biggest song 1972
Lyrics feature message on civil rights, social conditions and has religious overtones. Song is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. The Staple Singers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
24. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face—Roberta Flack
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100 and #1 Biggest Song of 1972
First number 1 song for the artist born in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Breakout hit was featured in the 1971 film, “Play Misty for Me.” Won two Grammy Awards for “Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year.”
23. You Are Everything—The Stylistics
Peak Positions on Charts: #9 Hot 100 (B), 53rd Biggest Song of 1972 (CB)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania soul group. Lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr. is outstanding with his high tenor and falsetto vocals on single. In 2004, the Stylistics were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
22. Everything I Own—Bread
Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, 52nd Biggest Song of 1972
Bread musician and lead singer David Gates wrote song as a tribute to his father after his dad passed away. From the “Baby I’m-a Want You” album, one of six top ten 70s hits for the soft pop rock band.
21. Anticipation—Carly Simon
Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #13 Hot 100, 72nd Biggest Song of 1972
According to Carly Simon’s 2015 memoir book, “Boys in the Trees”, the singer-songwriter wrote “Anticipation” after she waited for Cat Stevens to arrive at her apartment for a date. Song received a Grammy nomination for “Best Pop Female Vocalist.”
20. Doctor My Eyes—Jackson Browne
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #8 Hot 100, 92nd Biggest Song of 1972
Jackson Browne was the first artist to have a top 40 hit on Asylum Records with “Doctor My Eyes.” Single was written by the musician and singer-songwriter, which featured up tempo piano and guitar riffs.
19. Never Been to Spain—Three Dog Night
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, 73rd Biggest Song of 1972
Lyrics written by Hoyt Axton express longing to visit countries outside of his USA home. Three Dog Night’s Cory Wells sings lead vocals while Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron produce tight backing harmonies.
18. Where Is the Love—Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
Peak position on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, #1 AC, 58th Biggest Song of 1972
The exceptional talents of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway created a top-notch pairing with this collaboration. The song won a Grammy for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.”
17. Outa-Space—Billy Preston
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 R&B, #2 Hot 100, 22nd Biggest Song of 1972
Billy Preston played keyboards for the Beatles last concert appearance in 1969 and was nicknamed “Fifth Beatle.” A recording from that London rooftop concert was “Get Back.” Apple Records released that song as a 45-RPM single and is credited to “The Beatles with Billy Preston.”
16. Morning Has Broken—Cat Stevens
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #6 Hot 100, 44th Biggest Song of 1972
This Cat Stevens hit is a cover of a Christian hymn that was first published in 1931. Rick Wakeman of the progressive rock band, Yes, played piano on this traditional Scottish Gaelic tune.
15. City of New Orleans—Arlo Guthrie
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 #18, 45th Biggest Song of Year
Late singer-songwriter Steve Goodman portrays a train ride from Chicago to New Orleans on the Illinois Central Railroad and their legendary “City of New Orleans” rail line. The song was written in 1971, after Amtrak took over servicing the famous railroad route from Illinois Central. Arlo Guthrie’s biggest Top 40 hit.
14. Hold Your Head Up—Argent
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 #5, 50th Biggest Song of 1972.
Ron Argent left the Zombies in 1969 and formed a new rock band, named after himself: Argent. Rick Wakeman of the rock band Yes provides an outstanding organ solo on song. “Hold Your Head Up” is the only top 40 hit in America for Argent.
13. Go All the Way—The Raspberries
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #5 Hot 100, 33rd Biggest Song of 1972
This tune starts off kicking: Blazing guitars, infectious guitar riff and catchy hooks. Eric Carmen and his bandmates provide soaring harmonies, on this hot rocking, flame throwing masterpiece. I place “Go All the Way” as the best power pop rock song of the 70s.
12. Heart of Gold—Neil Young
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 17th Biggest Song of 1972
Neil Young composed song after injuring his back in 1971. From the album “Harvest” which was the biggest selling LP of 1972. “Heart of Gold” features acoustic guitar and harmonica playing by Young. Backup vocals provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
11. Rocket Man—Elton John
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #6 Hot 100, 44th Biggest Song of 1972
This “space rock” gem was written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Song has a wonderful mixture of piano, synthesizer and guitar. This hit is a signature song for John and the English rock star now has the nickname of “Rocket Man.”
10. Layla—Derek & the Dominoes
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #10 Hot 100, 60th Biggest Song of 1972
Eric Clapton is a co-writer, singer and lead guitarist for the song “Layla” which was recorded under his band’s name of Derek & the Dominoes. Lyrics are about Clapton’s unrequited love for George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd. Duane Allman plays slide guitar during the instrumental section of the tune.
9. American Pie—Don McLean
Peak Position on Billboard Charts 1972: #1 Hot 100: 3rd Biggest Song of Year
I consider “American Pie” as the second-best epic story song from the golden age of top 40 radio. Lyrics proclaim “The day the music died” as a 1959 plane crash that killed rock artists Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. Don McLean explores cultural changes within rock ‘n roll, proclaiming philosophical angst, disillusionment and disappointment with rock music created after the tragic event of 2/3/59.
8. Take It Easy—Eagles
Peak Positions on Charts: #12 Hot 100 (BB), 98th Biggest Song of 1972 (C)
Eagles debut single is an outstanding classic country rock gem. Written by Jackson Browne. Features the famous line “I was standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.” A signature song for the ultra-successful 70s rock band.
7. Let’s Stay Together—Al Green
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, 11th Biggest Song of 1972
Smooth soul single by R&B and gospel singer Al Green. Rated as the 60th greatest song of all-time by Rolling Stone. “Let’s Stay Together” is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress, National Recording Registry. This signature song for Green is still played at many wedding receptions in 2023.
6. Vincent—Don McLean
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 94th Biggest song of 1972
My second Don McLean song on the countdown was penned by the singer-songwriter as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. The opening line on this song is a reference to a 19th Century Van Gogh painting, ‘The Starry Night’. Tune is among the most melodic top 40 hits during 1972.
5. Day After Day—Badfinger
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #4 Hot 100, 39th Biggest Song of 1972
Written by Peter Ham of Badfinger and single was the biggest hit for the band. Former Beatles member George Harrison produced the song and played slide guitar on track. “Day After Day” is one of the best power pop rock singles of the 70s.
4. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress—The Hollies
Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 24th Biggest Song of 1972
Comeback single for the English group and became their biggest charting hit in the U. S. Opening instrumental music and Allen Clarke’s vocals on “Long Cool Woman” sound similar to “Green River” written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Hollies were sued by the former CCR front man and he secured an out-of-court settlement with the British band.
3. Saturday in the Park—Chicago
Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, 76th Biggest Song of 1972
Written by Chicago band member Robert Lamm. Lyrics for this song incorporate all pleasant things associated with spending a wonderful summer afternoon with friends and loved ones in a park setting. Tune has an excellent brass section and I rate “Saturday in the Park” one of my favorite “summer” songs from the 60s and 70s.
2. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)—Looking Glass
Peak Position on Billboard Charts 1972: #1 Hot 100: 12th Biggest Song of Year
Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass has an engaging story: Brandy works in a seaport harbor town as a barmaid and the man she loves is a sailor. Unfortunately for Brandy, the seaman is never in port and honestly declared to her before leaving for the last time: “But my life, my lover and my lady is the sea.”
“Brandy” is favorite song for my immediate family and we will always sing this classic song whenever hearing it played on the radio. This Looking Glass sing-a-along single is one of my all-time favorite hits from the early to mid 70s.
1. Nights in White Satin—The Moody Blues
Peak positions on Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, 32nd Biggest Song of 1972
My top selection on this countdown is “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues. Written by frontman and guitarist Justin Haywood, it is the biggest selling single by the British progressive rock band.
Originally released as a single from the album “Days of Future Passed” in 1967, the song didn’t chart in the U.S. and was only a minor hit in the U.K. Five years later in 1972, “Nights in White Satin” was reissued as a single and became a world-wide smash.
Musical backup on the track was provided by the London Festival Orchestra and gave the tune a unique sound, quite different from most hits during early to mid 70s on top 40 radio. Over the years, the song has achieved critical acclaim and is considered by many as a progressive rock masterpiece.
Without a doubt, I proclaim “Nights in White Satin” is my third favorite song of all-time and the Moody Blues hit is my number one best top 40 single of 1972.
That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best top 40 hits for 1972. I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.
If you were creating a similar register of excellent 1972 hits, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be best preeminent singles from ’72? I hope you will comment below.
Listening to music from the golden age of Top 40 radio will always have a special place in my heart. I still cherish and fondly remember my favorite superfine singles of 1972. Rock on!
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DJ Dave's Musical Musings 
You chose all the good ones Dave!
Very fun. I was only eight in 1972, so I grew up with these songs. I had a few of them on a K-Tel collection my mom bought for me. “Rocket Man” is still a favorite and is one of the first songs I learned to strum on guitar in the late 70s.
1972 was a great year for the Top 40. It wasn’t many years later when AOR radio started to take many of the more musically challenging songs away. There is such variety to this list, but nowadays I feel that all the Top 40 songs sound pretty much the same by design. Of course. “Brandy” is the 50 year old song I hear most often, but there are many other fine songs here
The Great Singles of 1972…Dave you’re right about one thing, there are NO definitive answers. I’ve always felt the early to mid 70s were “the greatest” when it comes to music.
Here are my picks in no particular order.
-Anticipation – Carly Simons
-Go All The Way – Raspberries
-Listen To The Music – Doobie Brothers (a song that would be particularly important to K92 hitting the air on Dec 31, 1979) since it was the first song played.
-An Old Fashion Love Song – Three Dog Night
-A Horse with No Name – America
-Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress – Hollies
Honorable mention: I’ll Take You There – Staple Singers, Bang A Gong – T. Rex, Conquistador – Procol Harum, Use Me – Bill Withers, I Saw The Light – Todd Rundgren, Let’s Stay Together – Al Green, Where Is The Love – Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (One of the BEST duets ever), Me & Mrs. Jones – Billy Paul
Ask me tomorrow and this list will change. WHAT A YEAR FOR MUSIC!
I am too overwhelmed by all of this great music to be able to gather my thoughts coherently. There are so many songs you cited on this post that I love and many were milestone hits (music that is deeply meaningful). Obviously as a mega Cat Stevens fan “Morning Has Broken” was one of them, and the first album I ever bought was “Tea for the Tillerman” which contained this hit song. The lyrics were written long ago by Eleanor Farjeon, and the melody is an old Gaelic tune. It’s a song sung in our church with other lyrics, “Christ be before me”, ok sorry for the long aside.
“Doctor my eyes” was also very memorable, and the sadness and disillusionment even though I was only 13 at the time, I got it the message that the world is not what you want it to be. Sadly, still true today.
OMG, so many others, it’s so hard to say something in a few sentences, because my comments sound like I’m writing a blog myself!
I like your picks too!! I loved that first America album! And American Pie was one of the first songs I learned to strums the chords for on my guitar. Was the single version of Nights in White Satin edited down?
I must say Dave’s list is awesome. My favorite of 72 is “Brandy” Looking Glass.
My other’s favorites of that year (not necessarily on that list)
No particular order
I’ll be Around and Could it be I’m falling in Love – Spinners
Me and Mrs Jones – Major Harris
Back Stabbers – Ojays
Where is the Love – Flack and Hathaway
I’ll be kind and stop there but the my would be almost infinite
This is an awesome post Dave! The Moody Blues are my favorite all-time group and Nights in White Satin is probably my third favorite song next to Tuesday Afternoon and Day After Day
Here’s my top 25 from the Australian end of year top 100. Four songs by Aussies in there (5 if you include the Bee Gees). American Pie is so low because unfortunately it’s one of those songs I’m sick of hearing (sacrilege I know). The “other” Brandy in the listing (by Scott English) is actually the original of Barry Manilow’s Mandy. I far prefer the Scott English version. Interestingly, I believe the Looking Glass song is why Brandy was retitled Mandy. Interesting comment by Dave about Go All The Way being the best power pop song of the 70s, I consider it to be the best power pop song of all time!!!
Australian top 100 for 1972:
https://www.top100singles.net/2011/08/amr-top-singles-of-1972.html#show
1. Go All the Way Raspberries
2. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress The Hollies
3. Without You Nilsson
4. A Horse With No Name America
5. Kings of the World Mississippi
6. Rocket Man Elton John
7. Hi Honey Ho! Daddy Cool
8. Gypsy Queen Country Radio
9. Day After Day Badfinger
10. Sugar Me Lynsey De Paul
11. Garden Party Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band
12. Run to Me Bee Gees
13. You Wear it Well Rod Stewart
14. Theme from “Shaft” Isaac Hayes
15. American Pie Don McLean
16. Day By Day Colleen Hewett
17. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) Looking Glass
18. Hurting Each Other Carpenters
19. (Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All The 5th Dimension
20. Brandy Scott English
21. Song Sung Blue Neil Diamond
22. Baby I’m-A Want You Bread
23. Nice to Be With You Gallery
24. Coz I Luv You Slade
25. You’re a Lady Peter Skellern
What a great year for music !!! Here goes with some deep prejudice attached:
Top 25 songs in order:
25 Taxi
24 Back Stabbers
23 Garden Party
22 Everything I Own
21 Anticipation
20 Where is the Love
19 Long Cool Woman
18 Operator
17 Rock N Roll Lullaby
16 I Saw the Light
15 Old Man
14 Morning Has Broken
13 Heart of Gold
12 Too Late To Turn Back Now ( summer off 72 Annapolis, MD part 2)
11 Take It Easy
10 Go All the Way
9 Rocket Man
8 Listen to the Music
7 First Time
6 Let’s Stay Together
5 Brandy (Summer of 72 Annapolis, MD. Part 1)
4 Ventura Hwy. (Story behind this- join me for a few beers and pizza )
3 Saturday In the Park (Prejudice shines through)
2 Nights in White Satin
1 American Pie
Love it! Outa-Space is one of my favorites from this list.