#AtoZChallenge 1970's Billboard Hits - N is for...


Can you believe the month is half over? That also means we are halfway through the #AtoZChallenge.  Today brings us to the letter N. These three songs were the top ‘N’ songs according to the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End lists.


But first, if you haven’t had the opportunity to vote in the current battle of the bands, I’d like to encourage you to do so. You can find the battle HERE. Voting ends Thursday, April 20 @ 6pm EST.

Okay… moving on to today’s songs:


1972 - Nice To Be With You - Gallery

"Nice to Be With You" is a 1972 song by Gallery, written by Jim Gold. It became an international Top 5 hit, reaching #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100. It also reached #1 in Canada. The song reached #4 in Australia and #2 in New Zealand. It became a gold record.





1973 -  The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Vicki Lawrence

"The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" is a Southern Gothic song, written in 1972 by songwriter Bobby Russell and sung by Vicki Lawrence, an American singer, actress, and comedian. Lawrence's version, from her 1973 Bell Records album of the same name, was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 after its release. In addition to several other renditions, the song was again a hit in 1991 when Reba McEntire recorded it for her album For My Broken Heart.





1978 - Night Fever - Bee Gees

"Night Fever" is a song written and performed by the Bee Gees. It first appeared on the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. Producer Robert Stigwood wanted to call the film Saturday Night, but singer Robin Gibb expressed hesitation at the title. Stigwood liked the title Night Fever but was wary of marketing a movie with that name.

The string intro of "Night Fever" was inspired by "Theme from A Summer Place" by Percy Faith, according to keyboardist Blue Weaver when he was performing it one morning at the sessions and Barry Gibb walked in and heard the new idea for this song. Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb completed the lyrics for "Night Fever" sitting on a staircase.

The song replaced Andy Gibb's "Love Is Thicker Than Water" at number one and was in turn replaced by Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You" - all of which were written and produced by the Gibb brothers. It would be the third of six consecutive US #1s for the band, tying The Beatles for the record for most consecutive #1 singles. Billboard ranked it as the No. 2 song for 1978, behind Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing."







Be sure to follow the 2017 AtoZ Challenge playlist for all of the songs featured in this years challenge.




Did you listen to any of these tunes in the 70's?  Would you like to know more about these artists in future posts? Let me know in the comments.

Also... I'm tossing my hat into the ring and joining Monday Music Moves Me! Another fun bloghop hosted by Marie at Xmas Dolly  Won't you join us there as well?  Check out Marie's blog for a list of participants!

http://www.xmasdolly.com/2017/04/17/atozchallenge-letter-n-mondays-music-moves-me/


What does tomorrow bring?
Tomorrow brings us the letter 'O'. 
Any guesses as to which Billboard Hits from the 70s will be showcased?






Comments

  1. Mary,

    Oh, you really pulled out some excellent 70s mewsic from the archives. "It's So Nice To Be With You" was definitely a favorite of mine from this era and every time I hear it, it makes me smile. :D You know I remember very well the song, "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" but I do not remember Vicki Lawrence doing it. That's so funny because all I remember her from was the Carol Burnett Show. I had no clue she recorded mewsic, too. Anywho, this song always sent chills up my spine because you the story the song told. The Bee Gees put me to boogieing in my chair this morning with "Night Fever". I'm delighted you decided to join the Monday Mewsic Moves Me gang and I say this not because I'm a co-host but because everyone who hits the dance floor with XmasDolly is nifty cool! Thanks for visiting Art Sketching Through the Alphabet "N" (Nightingale)" and happy a2zing!

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    1. Hi Cathy

      There's a story behind how Vicki Lawrence came to do this song. The song was written by her husband. They were trying to shop it around to see if anyone would want to record it. Apparently, he was having trouble finding someone to sing it for the demo, when Vicki stepped in and volunteered.

      ~Mary

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  2. Nice to be with you is beautiful song and you create incredible list of songs Interesting post, enjoyed a lot
    Thanks for sharing
    Dr Bushra
    Do visit mineN for Necessary Exercise during Pregnancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dr Bushra!

      Appreciate you stopping by!

      ~Mary

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  3. Some really nice music collected here, though i have not been known to these ones but enjoyed reading it 😊
    https://smitasangle.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/e-for-elevator-a-story-on-eve-teasing-atozchallenge/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not everyone will be familiar with all the music. It's nearly impossible to know all the songs in the world. I'm glad that I could share these with you.

      ~Mary

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  4. Amazing collection of songs.Interesting post, enjoyed a lot
    Thanks for sharing
    Dr Bushra
    Do visit mineN for Necessary Exercise during Pregnancy

    ReplyDelete
  5. who can forget the Saturday Night Fever years. I danced heaps to this song. If I Can't Have You is one of my favourites.

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere - Now and then ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Bee Gees sure did have a lot of disco and dancing songs.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~Mary

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  6. This brings back so many memories :) BeeGees were the first poster I had as a kid. Such a talented team they were...

    Renee Hendrix and all the nurses around you

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    1. Roshan, I'm happy to have brought back happy memories for you. Andy Gibb was my first poster.

      ~Mary

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  7. Nice! Another blogger shared about watching a special celebrating the fortieth anniversary of "Night Fever", interestingly.

    https://pam-lifethroughmyeyes.blogspot.com/2017/04/stayin-alive-bee-gees.html

    http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Hi Darla!

      I tried to watch that special last night, but my timing was off and only caught the last 2 minutes of it. I really wish I could have seen the whole show.

      ~Mary

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  8. I am so terrible with MUSIC but I am ready to find other genres to listen to - my PANDORA is on repeat right now and I hate it.

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    Replies
    1. I used to be the same way. The best way to conquer that is to just jump in with both feet and listen to it all.

      ~Mary

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks, Melissa!

      Appreciate you stopping by!

      ~Mary

      Delete
  10. I remember all of these. ☺ There was a special on TV last night, honouring The Bee Gees. 'Night Fever' was featured, along with their older hits. Interesting trivia bits, as always. Thanks, Mary!

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    1. Hi Debbie!

      I saw people commenting on Facebook about the special last night last night. I don't have regular tv here, so tried to catch it streaming online - except I had my time zones all mixed up and was only able to catch the last few minutes. I'm sure if I wait long enough I'll be able to see it on Youtube or Netflix.

      ~Mary

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  11. Replies
    1. Thank you, Shirley!

      Appreciate you stopping by.

      ~Mary

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  12. Replies
    1. Hi Stacy!

      Glad that I could get your day started off right. Come back tomorrow for more musical fun.

      ~Mary

      Delete
  13. MARY! MARY!...
    I've always liked 'NICE TO BE WITH YOU' but I didn't know who done did it.

    And 'THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA' is a good one, too. Wasn't it Michele who used that in a BOTB once upon a time ago?

    ~ D-FensDogG
    Check out my new blog @
    (Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

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    1. Stephen darlin'

      I'm glad that I could impart some trivia on you. Gallery is one of those band that we don't hear too much about. hmmm Maybe I should do a full post about them later on...

      Yes, I do believe it was One-El Michele who used 'The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia' as a battle. According to my notes, Vicki edged out Reba McEntire by one vote.

      Now, I don't wish to alarm you, but...
      I'm afraid the Bee Gees will not be making any more appearances in this challenge. Little bro Andy makes one more appearance, but it's all about the other artists from here on out. Please don't do anything drastic - I'd miss you terribly ;)

      ~Mary

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  14. I was in high school in the Seventies (in fact, acts with top ten songs from that era are the subject of my latest Two for Tuesday), so of course I've heard all of these. Great selection here, and I'll get to your BotB shortly...

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    1. Hi John

      During the 70's I was mostly in elementary school and junior high. (Graduated HS in '83). I had the luxury of older siblings that shared their music with me, so I don't feel as though I missed out on much.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~Mary

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  15. This is the 2nd BeeGees comment I've heard today. Is there a message?
    I grew up in the 70's, so this music resonates with me. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Hi Cheryl

      There was a special on tv last night about the Bee Gees. Unfortunately, my post is purely coincidental, as I had written all of my A-Z posts before the start of the challenge.

      I do hope you'll stop by tomorrow for more 70's music.

      ~Mary

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  16. Too funny that you had the Bee Gees on here when my post last night was about them. I loved them! Andy was a looker for sure. Such a shame how the brothers have lost a battle with their health. Andy from a heart infection and Robin with colon cancer but his twin brother from twisted intestines. Barry looks good. Loving your post. Thanks for coming by my blog for a visit. Please come again anytime.

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    1. Hi Pam

      It was purely coincidental, as I had all my AtoZ posts written before April 1, and I didn't even know about the special on tv last night until it was already over with. Still bummed about missing it.

      Stop by again tomorrow for more great 70's music!

      ~Mary

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  17. Oh wow, there's a story behind every song if you think about it. What a bunch of great choices and so appreciate you stopping by! Way ta go girlfriend! YOU'VE ROCKED THE HOUSE!

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    1. Thanks Marie!

      I'm having a lot of fun with these posts - and learning quite a bit about the artists and the music as well.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~Mary

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  18. I see you are once again back into the kind of music I listen too in the 1970 s

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  19. More great tunes for your N choices today. For me, Night Fever wins hands down. I like all of the Bee Gees music, but it didn't hurt any to have songs connected to an instantly recognizable movie.

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    1. Thanks, Gail

      I think the Bee Gees made that movie popular. I couldnt tell you the story line, but I do remember the music!

      Thanks for stopping in!

      ~Mary

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  20. I wasn't that loving of the first two songs but Night Fever is one of my favorites. Disco forever! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hey Alana!

      Out on your Boogie shoes! We've got more 70's hits for a couple more weeks!

      Thanks for stopping in

      ~Mary

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  21. It was so nice to listen to that song again! I forgot about it but it really was a big hit. Vicki Lawrence was so big on Carol Burnett Show but one forgets she was a great singer.

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    1. Hi Birgit

      I really like the way the song tells the story in 'The Night the Lights Went Out'. I also think that people tend to pigeon-hole others, forgetting about their other talents.

      ~Mary

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  22. That is quite a nice line up.
    Thanks for sharing with us!

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