#1 at KRIZ/Phoenix: “Sugar Sugar” by the Archies, the biggest “bubblegum” hit of all time and the most successful song ever by a cartoon group. The Archies were actually studio musicians fronted by singer Ron Dante, who filled a similar role for the Cuff Links (whose big hit “Tracy” would come along later in the year). He also wrote Bobby Vee’s big 1967 hit, “Come Back When You Grow Up.”
Holding at #3 is yet another double-sided smash for Creedence Clearwater Revival — “Green River” and its B-side, “Commotion,” which is listed first on this KRIZ Phoenix Fifty.
Jumping from #10 to #4 is “Jean” by Oliver, a sentimental song written by poet Rod McKuen from the movie The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie. It was the follow-up to his hit “Good Morning Starshine” from the Broadway musical Hair. Moving up to #5 is another song from Hair, “Easy To Be Hard,” covered by Three Dog Night, whose members include ex-Phoenician Cory Wells.
“Birthday,” a popular track from the Beatles’ “White Album,” jumps from #19 to #13 in a karaoke rendition by the Underground Sunshine, their only hit. Meanwhile, John Lennon’s first hit without the Beatles, “Give Peace A Chance” by the Plastic Ono Band, falls to #28. It was crudely recorded live in his Montreal hotel room during a “bed-in” for peace and features the voices of dozens of visitors.
Leaping from #37 to #21 is “Everybody’s Talkin’,” the first big hit for Nilsson — whom both Lennon and Paul McCartney cited in 1968 as their favorite American artist. (Later, Harry would famously become Lennon’s drinking buddy during the “lost weekend” in LA.) Although Nilsson was a critically acclaimed songwriter, this one was penned by Fred Neil and featured in the movie Midnight Cowboy.
Future Phoenix concert favorite John Stewart sings the timely “Armstrong” (#22), which uses that summer’s Apollo 11 moon landing as a jumping-off point for reflections about conditions on Earth.
Among the great debuts this week:
- “Runnin’ Blue” (#40) by the Doors, which references Otis Redding in its intro;
- “Carry Me Back” (#41), a gospel-tinged rocker by the Rascals;
- “I Can’t Get Next To You” (#45), another powerhouse tune from the Temptations;
- “Baby, It’s You” (#46), a torchy cover of the Shirelles 1961 hit by a group called Smith featuring a stunning vocal by Gayle McCormick;
- “Delta Lady” (#49), Joe Cocker’s version of a song by Leon Russell, who would join Cocker the following year on the infamous Mad Dogs And Englishmen tour.