The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 70's--#60-#51

Remember that this countdown is all about the R&B chart.  There are songs that did quite well on that chart but not well on the popular chart then others that were huge hits that might have you wondering why they weren't ranked higher.  Some were popular overall but not so much on the R&B chart.  So keep that in mind as we continue to work our way upward.

#60--"One of a Kind (Love Affair)" by the Spinners

This great Detroit, Michigan group makes its first appearance in our countdown of The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 70's*.  They were originally known as the Domingoes.  

The Spinners were one of the top R&B acts of the decade with six #1 songs in the genre.  This one reached #1 on June 9, 1973 and remained there for four weeks.  It spent a limited 14 weeks on the chart so not good longevity, but it did sell a million copies.  Another factor against it was competition, with Barry White's "I'm Gonna' Love You Just A Little More Baby" being the only other strong R&B song out at the time.

#59--"The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles

The Miracles were one of the great R&B acts of the 60's, and they continued into 1970 with this all-time classic.  Keep in mind that this song was far stronger overall than it was on the R&B chart.  It did reach #1 on the R&B chart for three weeks in December, keeping "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5 and "Super Bad" from James Brown from stronger chart runs.

Overall, the group's last big hit with Robinson on lead vocal spent 14 weeks on the chart but did not go gold. 

  
 #58--"Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna' Holler)" by Marvin Gaye

Although Marvin did his greatest work in the 60's, the superstar still had six #1's in the 70's so rest assured we'll be hearing more of his great music.  He drew attention to the problems of African-Americans with this song and others far better than 100 rap so-called "songs" could ever do. 

It only spent 12 weeks on the chart and did not go gold or it would likely rank higher.  But no one can deny this great song a spot in The Top 100*.  It was nominated for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards in 1972.  "Inner City Blues" was a #1 song for two weeks in November, 1971, holding off "Have You Seen Her" from the Chi-Lites and Sly & the Family Stone's "Family Affair". 

#57--"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead

This duo helped define "The Sound of Philadelphia", writing and producing for many Philadelphia acts.  As teenagers, McFadden & Whitehead were members of the Epsilons, who toured with and were managed by Otis Redding until his death in 1967.

This song was their debut release and what a song to pick for your first single.  The single only spent one week at the top, reaching #1 in June, 1979, but it has plenty more going for it.  "Reunited" by Peaches & Herb, Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" and "Ring My Bell" from Anita Ward were all out at the time.  It spent 22 weeks on the chart and sold over two million copies.  The song also was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1980 for Best R&B Song of the Year.


 

#56--"Ladies Night" by Kool and the Gang

This great group for Jersey City, New Jersey had no less than 47 hits on the R&B chart. 

"Ladies Night" was their biggest of four #1's in the 70's, with three weeks at #1 in November, 1979.  It spent 21 weeks on the R&B chart and sold over a million copies.  Kool & the Gang took over the number one position from "(not just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic, which we've already heard in this special countdown.  It also kept Michael Jackson from more weeks at #1 with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough". 


 

#55--"If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right)" by Luther Ingram

This singer/songwriter from Jackson, Tennessee sang in a gospel group with his brothers, which is an oddity for a singer singing "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want to Be Right").  Some disconnect there. 

In any case, this is far and away Ingram's biggest hit, hitting #1 on the R&B chart for four weeks in July, 1972.  It spent 15 weeks on the chart and did not go gold.  "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers was out at the same time but not great competition other than that song.



 

#54--"This Will Be" by Natalie Cole

This daughter of Nat King Cole was a star from the beginning, hitting #1 on the R&B chart for two weeks in October, 1975 with this, her first release.

"This Will Be" spent 19 weeks on the chart but did not sell a million.  Cole was nominated for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards in 1976.  There wasn't great competition out at the time and that keeps this from being ranked higher.  


 

#53--"If You Don't Know Me By Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
 

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have three great #1's that make The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 70's*.  That gives lead singer Teddy Pendergrass five entries, two solo and three with the group.  The first from the group is "If You Don't Know Me By Now".

The song reached #1 for two weeks in November, 1972, spent 16 total weeks and sold a million copies.  "If You Don't Know Me By Now" was nominated for Best R&B Group Vocal Performance at the Grammy wards in 1973.  Three solid smashes--"Get On the Good Foot" by James Brown, "I'll Be Around" by the Spinners and "Me and Mrs. Jones" from Billy Paul were all out at the same time, giving this great song the strength it needed to place at #53.



 

#52--"I'm Still In Love With You" by Al Green

Here's another of the great soul singers of the 70's.  He enjoyed 32 hits in the R&B genre in his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

This one reached #1.  It only spent 12 weeks on the chart but did sell a million copies.  "Where Is the Love" by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway and the Luther Ingram song we just heard were both out at the same time. 

#51--"The Love I Lost" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes

We just heard from this group a few spots ago.  Just outside of The Top 50* is this great song from 1973.  "The Love I Lost" took over from Billy Preston's "Space Race" and held on to #1 for two weeks in November, 1973.  It spent 17 weeks on the chart and sold over a million copies. 

 

Other songs out at the time were "Midnight Train To Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips, "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" by the Staple Singers and "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder so excellent competition for a song to still reach #1 for two weeks.