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Al GreeN, Chi-Lites, Sammy Davis Jr., Looking Glass, Johnny Nash and The Temptations got my vote. I was close to voting for Don McLean, America, Billy Paul but decided not to.
"American Pie" is a culturally important song, but it barely made the cut. America had better songs than "A Horse With No Name", like "Tin Man". Their lyrics were really something else.
"Me and Mrs. Jones" is a good song, but about cheaters.
Tough one. I'd say "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is the best written and most timeless of the number one hits that year. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "I Can See Clearly Now", very strong contenders for runner up.
There were so many great songs that year that didn't hit number one... several Led Zeppelin classics come to mind. But, that's another thread!
The '70s started out strong IMO! '72 was another great year for both top 40 and album tracks, although there certainly were a lot of high ranking bubblegum tunes too. My favorites would include:
American Pie
Let's stay together
Without you
Heart of gold
Horse with no name
First time ever I saw your face
I'll take you there
Lean on me
Brandy
I can see clearly now
I went with Roberta Flack and the Temptations songs.
"First Time" got peoples attention to how much talent she actually had as her first three lp's didn't get the publicity IMO that they deserved, particularly her third lp (Quiet Fire). Classic album!
Considering I graduated from high school in 1973, I have fond memories of many of these songs. Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won all the awards and seemed to be at the top of the charts forever in 1972. What is strange is the song had been around since the 1950s, and first recorded by Roberta Flack in 1969. I was personally never a fan of the song.
I could rank the following as best songs of 1972. (I realize the poll is titled: "Best Songs to Hit #1 in the U.S in 1972."
American Pie
Heart of Gold
Horse with No Name
I Can See Clearly Now
Do It Again by Steely Dan
Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones
All The Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople
You Wear it Well by Rod Stewart
Rocket Man by Elton John
Hello its Me by Todd Rundgren
Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress by The Hollies
Doctor My Eyes by Jackson Browne
Take it Easy by The Eagles
Changes by David Bowie
You're So Vain by Carley Simon
Melissa by The Allman Brothers Band
These are all classics but my vote goes to Don McLean's American Pie because it has stood the test of time. How many songs do millions of people across generations know all the words? Heart of Gold is my number 2, and Horse with No Name is number 3.
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