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


Today the #AtoZChallenge  brings us to the letter P. These three songs were the top ‘P’ 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:


1973 - Playground In My Mind - Clint Holmes

Clint Holmes is a singer-songwriter and Las Vegas entertainer. He was born in Bournemouth, England, the son of an African-American jazz musician and an English opera singer. He was raised in Farnham, New York, a small village southwest of Buffalo, as a child.

In 1973, Holmes released "Playground In My Mind", a nursery rhyme-styled song which featured a duet with record producer Paul Vance's son, nine-year-old Philip on the chorus. Written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, the song was released in the U.S. in July 1972, and rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but did not reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart until March 24, 1973, where it stayed for 23 weeks. It was granted gold disc status by the R.I.A.A. on July 3, 1973. The single went one better in Canada, topping the RPM 100 national singles charts there for three consecutive weeks in the same year (June 23 - July 7).





1975 -  Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John

"Philadelphia Freedom" is a song released by The Elton John Band as a single in 1975. The song was the fourth of Elton John's six number 1 US hits during the early and mid-1970s, which saw his recordings dominating the charts. In Canada it was his eighth single to hit the top of the RPM national singles chart.

Recorded in the summer of 1974, during breaks between sessions for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, the song was at the time the only song Elton John and Bernie Taupin had ever consciously written as a single, as John told journalist Paul Gambaccini. John was looking to honour Billie Jean King, and so asked Taupin to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom" as a homage to her tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Small bit of trivia for you: The B-side, "I Saw Her Standing There", is a live recording of the Elton John Band with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden on 28 November 1974. It was the last of three songs John and Lennon performed together that night – the performance would mark Lennon's last ever concert appearance.





1976 - Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

"Play That Funky Music" is a song written by Rob Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The single was the first release by the Cleveland-based Sweet City record label in April 1976, and distributed by Epic Records. The performers on the recording included lead singer Parissi, guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz and drummer Ron Beitle, with session players Chuck Berginc, Ian Bridle, Jack Brndiar, and Joe Eckert and Rick Singer on the horn riff that runs throughout the song's verses. The single hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 18, 1976, and was also number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 2 million records, eventually selling 2.5 million in the United States alone.






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.

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






Comments

  1. I love Play That Funky Music! I don't know where or how I first heard it (I'm a 90's kid) but it was probably thanks to my mum, I had a lot of love for lots of 70's and 80's music thanks to her.
    Today on my A-Z of my Favourite Things, P is for Red Panda.

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    1. One of my favorites to listen to. Have always enjoyed this one.

      Thanks for stopping by, Elena

      ~Mary

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  2. Hi Mary being as old as dirt I know all three songs but I also think Play That Funky Music is the best of this group of songs
    Roger

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    1. It is a good one, no doubt about it. But I think the others have merit as well. Thanks for stopping in, Roger

      ~Mary

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  3. Mary,

    I forgot out "Playground In My Mind". What a delight re-discovery this morning to hear this song again after decades of escaping my memory. I remember singing this little ditty as a kid. It reminds me of a simpler, more fun time and the innocence of childhood soon lost. You won't hear kids singing this song today. "Philadelphia Freedom" was a great dance hit and "Play That Funky Music" totally gets ya to your feet. Thanks for stirring the memories this morning, my friend!

    Art Sketching Through the Alphabet "P" (Princess & Prince)

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    1. Thank you, Cathy

      I'm glad I could get you up and moving this morning :)

      Always appreciate you stopping in.

      ~Mary

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  4. This reminds me of a local businesswoman who is a huge Elton John fan. She plays his music nonstop in her pottery painting shop sometimes. ~grin~ Be well!

    http://darlamsands.blogspot.com/

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    1. My Ex-husband was a huge fan of Elton John. As for myself - I enjoyed his music, but I wouldn't go out of my way to seek it out. Thanks, Darla, for stopping by!

      ~Mary

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  5. I never understood the appeal of "Playground in My Mind", but obviously, many people loved it. 'Philadelphia Freedom' was such a huge hit. Interesting trivia about the B side. "Play That Funky Music, White Boy' became a catch phrase, back in the day. Fun song! ☺

    Debbie @ THE DOGLADY'S DEN
    Latest Post: PAINT IT BLACK: Jealousy and blood.

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    1. Playground in My Mind somehow makes me think of an innocent childhood, I think many people want to hold on to those types of memories and that may have been what made the song so popular.

      Thank you, Debbie, for stopping in today.

      ~Mary

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  6. okay, from the title only i remember dream on and play that funky music. the other two i probably heard as a kid (late 70s baby).

    ... and now i have dream on stuck in my head. *shakes head* sigh.

    great post.

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    1. I'm curious to know if you listened to the other two songs and had an ah-ha! moment... sometimes we cannot rely on titles alone.

      ~Mary

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  7. I love music, and am doing a music theme, too. Most of what I listen to is from the 1960s-1970s.
    Put a Little Love in Your Heart
    Annie at ~McGuffy's Reader~

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    1. Hey there! Pleased to make your acquaintance! I will definitely stop by to check out your page and theme :)

      ~Mary

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  8. "Play That Funky Music" brings back such memories of my husband's first year in the Air Force and how we would go to the enlisted club at the air force base, listen to live music, and dance. There was a band that covered this song in the most fantastic way. Ah, those memories.

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    1. I love fun memories. Glad that I could bring a few back for you.

      ~Mary

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  9. Hey Girlfriend, how's goin... I haven't heard all these songs in like forever! Totally cool, but wow........ what are we going to do for tomorrow with none other than.... "Q"???? BWAHAHAHAHA See you then!!! hugs

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    1. Believe it or not, Q was not that hard to work with. Granted, I'm almost certain that I'll have a few 'I've never heard of this one, or I don't like it.. wah.. wah... wah...' comments.

      Best of luck to you on your Q post!

      ~Mary

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  10. Of all his big hits, PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM is my favorite Elton John song. Too bad it's about a women's tennis team. Sheesh!

    And how could anybody not love PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC? That always puts a smile on my face. IMO, very, Very, VERY few songs are that much fun to listen to. And you can tell that Wild Cherry was having fun playing it, too!

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

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    1. McCarthy

      Have I ever told you about my ex-husband? He used to drink like a fish. He wasn't a mean drunk. Instead, he was a crier. He drank daily until he either passed out or fell down, whichever came first. He was a HUGE Elton John fan, so I got us tickets to his concert. And yes, my ex cried through the entire concert.

      I do have to agree about Play that Funky Music. Who can be angry while this one is playing? Get up and shake your money maker!

      ~Mary

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  11. LOVE Play That Funky Music! It brings back so many fun memories. And Philadephia Freedom is one of my favorite Elton John songs.
    I have heard Playground in My Mind before but sure didn't recognize it by name.

    Oh how I miss the 70s! Such amazing music back then. And truth be told, they were my best years...I miss them so!

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Michele

      It's good to see you out and about again! These were some really fun songs. I hope you will be joining us on Monday for Battle of the Bands.

      ~Mary

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