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


Moving right along with the #AtoZChallenge.  Today is the twelfth day of the challenge and that brings us to the letter K. These three songs were the top ‘K’ songs according to the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End lists.



1973 - Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack


"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The song was written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman, who recorded the song in late 1971. In 1973 it became a number-one hit, in US and Canada, for Roberta Flack, also reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including a version by the Fugees that won the 1997 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

In September 1972, Flack was opening for Marvin Gaye at the Greek Theater; after performing her prepared encore song, Flack was advised by Gaye to sing an additional song. Flack later said, "I said well, I got this song I've been working on called 'Killing Me Softly...' and he said 'Do it, baby.' And I did it and the audience went crazy, and he walked over to me and put his arm around me and said, 'Baby, don't ever do that song again live until you record it.'"

Released in January 1973, Flack's version spent a total of five non-consecutive weeks at #1 in February and March, more weeks than any other record in 1973, being bumped to number 2 by the O'Jays' "Love Train" after four straight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Billboard ranked it as the No. 3 song for 1973.





1976 -  Kiss And Say Goodbye - The Manhattans

"Kiss and Say Goodbye" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Manhattans. It was one of the biggest hits of 1976. The song was written by Manhattans member Winfred "Blue" Lovett. The lyrics and melody came to him late one night. As he later recalled, "Everything was there. I got up about three o'clock in the morning and jotted down the things I wanted to say. I just put the words together on my tape recorder and little piano. I've always thought that when you write slow songs, they have to have meaning. In this case, it's the love triangle situation we've all been through. I figured anyone who's been in love could relate to it. And it seemed to touch home for a lot of folks."

Released as a single, the song became a worldwide hit for the group, spending two weeks at number one on the U.S. Pop and U.S. R&B charts. and reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart in the middle of 1976. In the U.S., the song was the 400th #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. It also became just the second single to earn platinum certification status, after the RIAA established the designation in 1976. (Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" had been the first a few months earlier.) Billboard ranked it as the No. 6 song for 1976.






1978 - Kiss You All Over - Exile

"Kiss You All Over" is a 1978 song performed by the group Exile. It was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. It was included on the band's album Mixed Emotions, and it featured Jimmy Stokley and guitarist JP Pennington on lead vocals. It was a number one single in the United States, but proved to be Exile's only big hit in the pop rock market. It held the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, and Billboard ranked it as the No. 5 song for 1978. In the United Kingdom, the song was released on Mickie Most's RAK Records, and it peaked at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. In this song, a string synthesizer is used. In 2010, Billboard ranked the song ninth on its list of "The 50 Sexiest Songs Of All Time".








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 'L'. 
Any guesses as to which Billboard Hits from the 70s will be showcased?






Comments

  1. Dream on is one of my favorite songs still. It's so good! on the other hand, the Exile song is soooooo cheesy :D


    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Good luck on the rest of your A to Z challenge

    Sylvia @ The Creative Life

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    Replies
    1. There may have been a bit of cheese involved, but it was still good.

      ~Mary

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  2. Remember cheering on Kiss You All Over as it stayed #1 for 4 weeks and our NHS sponsor thinking that was awful. Of course this was the same woman who was having an affair with our high school principle. 😜
    Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead

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    1. I'm not sure what NHS is, but perhaps she was feeling a bit of guilt listening to the song?

      ~Mary

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  3. Killing me softly!!! OMG - no words are enough! No words for Roberta Flack either - just beyond every comparison!

    Nilanjana
    Madly-in-Verse

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    1. That is a great song, and Roberta Flack really nailed the song.

      ~Mary

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  4. This is such a nice song, heard it for the first time though!
    Twinkling Tina Cooks

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  5. Mary,

    I really wanted to get totally silly by leaving a comment using the titles of your songs but it was just too steamy and it definitely would qualify for an "X" rating. lol So, I decided against it.

    I remember all of these top-notch 70s hits, especially when the last track came out and although I knew it was racy I just didn't totally understand even though I was plenty old enough. Does that make sense? What I mean is if someone was sexually active when this song came out then it had more meaning than those who weren't (like me). I know, I know I actually listened to my parents and refrained from doing the deed until after I got married. :) I bet our parents wanted to croak or kill the songwriter at the very least when it came out, don't you think?

    Thanks for sharing and please come by for Art Sketching Through the Alphabet with Curious as a Cathy when you have a sec! Have a good day & happy a2zjing!

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    1. Cathy,

      I do know what you mean. We had a foster kid living with us during the school year that the song came out. It was one of her favorite songs. One day she was calling her home collect, and if you remember, back in those days, you had to wait for an operator to come on the line to assist. So while she's waiting, she's singing this song as loud as she can. The male operator came on the line and said "You want to do WHAT?!?" awww Fun memory!

      ~Mary

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  6. Sorry for not visiting as much as I wanted. I will be checking out your other posts. I like the Kiss you all over song. These are some great songs and a great one for K

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    1. Hey Birgit!

      No worries. We all get crazy busy at different times, and this challenge adds that much more to our plates - but it sure is fun! Take your time, the posts aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

      ~Mary

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  7. Some great songs with K and kiss you all is amazing
    Interesting post, enjoyed a lot
    Thanks for sharing
    Dr Bushra
    Do visit mineK for know more about Antenatal Care during Pregnancy – Part 2

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  8. 'Killing Me Softly' was such a huge hit. I remember it well, along with the second song. Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever heard 'Kiss You All Over'. Nice one.

    Debbie @ THE DOGLADY'S DEN
    Latest Post: KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR: 30 year span

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    1. Hi Debbie!

      Roberta Flack really brought the song to life. I hadn't heard the Manhattans as often, so it's not as much in my memory.

      Thanks for your continued support!

      ~Mary

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  9. MARY! MARY!...
    I've always liked 'KILLING ME SOFTLY'. But I must say I'm a bit disappointed that none of the Brothers Gibb made it into this installment. That's a bad omen for my day, which is just beginning. I think maybe I'll just go back to bed and wait for tomorrow. [;o)

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

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    1. Stephen Darlin'

      I'm sorry the lack of the Gibbs has you crying in your beer. I'm afraid you're going to have to wait until Monday for another Gibb Brothers song. It's a good thing I have that playlist up to date, I don't want you to do anything overly drastic due to the lack of Brothers Gibb. I suppose if all else fails, I could channel Barry and sing a song or two for you, but I guarantee it won't be the same and may have dire consequences on your poor ears (or anyone else that overhears)

      ~Mary

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  10. Oh my gosh, I've forgotten completely about Kiss And Say Goodbye! Great song to slow dance to...not that a lot of slow dancing was going on in '76!

    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Kiss and Say Goodbye is a great song. I'm sure there was plenty of slow dancing happening in '76.

      ~Mary

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  11. Good collection of songs here. And there was plenty of slow dancing in the Seventies, we just didn't call it that... ;)

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    1. Thanks John!

      Sorry for being late to respond. It seems I get tossed a curveball mid-week, and I've been playing catch-up ever since. Yes, there was a good deal of slow dancing in the 70's. I very much recall dancing to Peter Frampton's 'Baby I Love Your Way'.

      ~Mary

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  12. Cool idea. I happened to catch you today on the K's and it's so cool that you had Killing Me a softly with His Song because one of the meanings of my name Sharon is His Song! Like your site.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon!

      I hope to see you here again soon. There's lots more letters left ;)

      ~Mary

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  13. What a great idea - I definitely prefer Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly," to the Fugees. It's simpler and cleaner to me. "Kiss You All Over" pretty much hits it to the core, doesn't it? Glad I found you through the A to Z Challenge.
    ----------

    Eli@CoachDaddy

    K is for 7 Women I'd Sing Karaoke With

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    1. Hi Eli!

      Glad to make your acquaintance! I'm usually not this slow to respond, but it's been a crazy week. Hopefully next week will go smoother.

      I remember the first time I heard the Fugee's version of the song. It took a long time for me to warm up to the idea of them doing their own arrangement. I, too, prefer Roberta Flack.

      ~Mary

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  14. Killing me softly is my favourite Roberta Flack number. Such a soulful melody and beautiful words.

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere Kite Flying

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    1. Hi Suzy!

      Thank you for dropping by! I'm glad that I had a song that you liked :)

      ~Mary

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  15. Killing Me Softly is such a beautiful song and I love Dream on!

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