Apr 21 | This week in 1972

#1 at KRUX/Phoenix: “Vincent,” Don McLean’s ode to Van Gogh, which leaps from #12 last week where it debuted.

Holding at #2 is “Sylvia’s Mother,” first hit by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show. It was written by Shel Silverstein, a children’s book author, among many other things. Lead singer Ray Sawyer died a few months ago (December 31, 2018).

Several significant “goodbyes” are on this week’s chart. At #5, down from #3, is “Step Out,” a “comeback” hit from the briefly reunited Mamas & Papas — a comeback in Phoenix, that is, but the song tanked nationally. It would be the group’s final single.

Sonny & Cher’s last big hit is at #11, “A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done.” (Cher solo is at #27 with “The Way Of Love.”) Creedence Clearwater Revival’s swan song, “Someday Never Comes,” debuts at #24, from their final album Mardi Gras (#8).

Lots of future classics are on this chart, including:

  • Doctor My Eyes” (#13), the first hit by Jackson Browne;
  • Roundabout” (#14) by Yes from the #4 album, Fragile;
  • Taxi” (#16), the mesmerizing story-song by Harry Chapin, his first hit;
  • Morning Has Broken” (#17), a British hymn adapted by Cat Stevens with Yes-man Rick Wakeman playing the distinctive piano part;
  • A Horse With No Name” (#23), a former #1 song by America from their still #1 album, America;
  • Heart Of Gold” (#26) by Neil Young, another former #1 hit, from his #2 album, Harvest;
  • Tumbling Dice” (debuting at #21) by the Rolling Stones, lead single from the soon-to-be-released classic album, Exile On Main Street.

Among other cool songs:

  • Sauvecito” (#7), a smooth jazz hit by Malo, led by Carlos Santana’s brother Jorge;
  • Back Off Boogaloo” (#8) by Ringo Starr and produced by George Harrison, who played slide guitar — with lyrics widely believed to be a dig at Paul McCartney;
  • Day Dreaming” (#15), perhaps Aretha Franklin’s prettiest hit, which she also wrote;
  • I Saw The Light” (#25) by Todd Rundgren, who played all the instruments himself, off the amazing double album Something/Anything?;
  • Baby Blue” (#28) by the Apple band Badfinger, produced by . . . Todd Rundgren.

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