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


Today the #AtoZChallenge  brings us to the letter Y. These three songs were the top ‘Y’ songs according to the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End lists.


1973 - You're So Vain - Carly Simon

"You're So Vain" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon and released in November 1972. The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover about whom Simon asserts "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you." The title subject's identity has long been a matter of speculation, with Simon stating that the song refers to three men, only one of whom she has named publicly, actor Warren Beatty.

In November 2015, Simon, promoting her about-to-be-published memoir, said, "I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren (Beatty)" and added that while "Warren thinks the whole thing is about him," he is the subject of that verse only, with the remainder of the song referring to two other, still unnamed men.

The song is ranked at #82 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All-Time. "You're So Vain" was voted #216 in RIAA's Songs of the Century, and in August 2014, the UK's Official Charts Company crowned it the ultimate song of the 1970s. It is ranked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Charts for 1973.

The distinctive bass guitar intro is played by Klaus Voormann and the strings were arranged by Simon and orchestrated by Paul Buckmaster. Simon plays piano on the track.





1978 -  You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone

"You Light Up My Life" is a ballad written by Joseph "Joe" Brooks, and originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the soundtrack album to the 1977 film of the same name. The song was lip synched in the film by its lead actress, Didi Conn. The best-known version of the song is a cover by Debby Boone, the daughter of singer Pat Boone, which held the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten consecutive weeks in 1977, setting a new record for that time.

The single, which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #4 on the Country chart. The single peaked at #48 in the UK Singles Chart.

Boone's hit single led to her winning the 1977 Grammy for Best New Artist, with additional Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance Female and Record of the Year. Boone also won the 1977 American Music Award for Favorite Pop Single.

Decades after its release, the Debby Boone version is still considered one of the top ten Billboard Hot 100 songs of all time. In 2008, it was ranked at #7 on Billboard's "Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs" list (August 1958 - July 2008). An updated version of the all-time list in 2013 ranked the song at #9.

Although it was written by Brooks as a love song, the devout Boone interpreted it as inspirational and proclaimed that it was instead God who "lit up her life."





1979 - Y.M.C.A. - Village People

"Y.M.C.A." is a song by the American disco group Village People. It was released in 1978 as the only single from their third studio album Cruisin'. The song reached number 2 on the US charts in early 1979 and reached number 1 in the UK around the same time, becoming the group's biggest hit. It is one of fewer than forty singles to have sold 10 million physical copies worldwide. A medley with "Hot Cop" reached number 2 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.

Upon its release, the YMCA threatened to sue the band over trademark infringement. The organization ultimately settled with the composers out of court and later expressed pride regarding the song saluting the organization.

The song became a Number 1 hit throughout the world (although not in the United States where it was kept out of the top spot by Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"). It has remained popular at parties, sporting events, weddings, and functions ever since.

In 2009, "Y.M.C.A." was entered into the Guinness World Book of Records when over 44,000 people danced to the song with Village People singing live at the 2008 Sun Bowl game in El Paso, Texas. "Y.M.C.A." is number 7 on VH1's list of The 100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 20th Century.








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






Comments

  1. Yes, I listened to all of these songs. (I have to admit that "You Light Up My Life" is one of my all-time least favorite songs). Can't count how many times, in the years I went to a water aerobics class at our local YMCA, I exercised to the song "YMCA". To think that their initial reaction was something quite different makes me chuckle.

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    Replies
    1. Times sure have changed, haven't they? I'm glad they are more open to the song now.

      ~Mary

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  2. Love Carly Simon! Had a little music box that played You Light Up My Life. Many love songs could apply to God, after all, there is no purer, truer love than His. YMCA was a fun fad.
    http://lifefaithincaneyhead.blogspot.com/2017/04/atozchallenge-perspectives-yielding.html

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barbara!

      I think I had a fairly decent selection today.

      ~Mary

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  3. Great picks all! For some reason lines from "You're So Vain" go through my head every time I hear it. Just one of those annoying ear worms. ~grin~ Be well!

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    Replies
    1. Yup, Darla!

      I hear the lyrics in my head every time!

      ~Mary

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  4. HiYa, MMQE ~
    'You Light Up My Life' got so overplayed that I was about ready to light up my radio and watch it melt!

    I'm surprised there was no mention of Mick Jagger's background vocals in the studio recording of 'You're So Vain'. And I thought I read about a year or two ago that Carly Simon had finally stated that the song was really primarily about David Geffen. But then I could be misremembering that the way I misremember 1981-1984.

    So... no Bee Gees for letter Z? You're really gonna leave me here without one more Bee Gees song? [;o)}

    Well, then how about Tiny Tim? -- Billboard be damned.

    ~ D-FensDogG
    [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

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    1. Yo McCarthy!

      I agree, You Light up My Life was overplayed in it's day. I had somehow forgot to mention Mick in my post - it happens! But last I heard, Carly Simon had only confirmed that one verse being about Warren Beatty.

      And, just for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JoZS6LgqYI
      Reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End Charts in 1976 :)

      I tried to find you a Tiny Tim song, but... all his 'hits' were in the 60's.

      ~Mary

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    2. I should be dancin', yeah?

      That Vinnie Barbarino danced pretty good. (You know what THAT means, right? ...The rumors are true. ;o)

      ~ D-FensDogG
      [Link:) Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...

      Delete
    3. Put on your boogie shoes, shake that money maker! Sorry, I don't have any bills, will you take EBT?

      Delete
  5. Excellent choices for Y. Hard to pick a favourite from the 3 but I think I'll go for You're So Vain as I belted that song many times in my youth.

    Suzy at Someday Somewhere - You are ...

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  6. Oh no, you're another one that's gonna make me smack my head & say why didn't I think of that one. I'm always playin' or singin' that. Great picks. You light up my life was a biggy with me. I use to sing it to the kids to rock them to sleep & who didn't sing you're so vain to an x-boyfriend or x-hubby.. bwahahaha Great tunes my friend! Have a great weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Marie!

      Can you believe we only have one more day to go? Can't wait to see what you've come up with for Z

      ~Mary

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  7. so many awesome songs here yes I was born in the 70s and between my mother and my sister music has dominated my life from beginning to now
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

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  8. "You Light Up My Life" did get so overplayed that I don't think it ever gets played anymore on the radio--I haven't heard it in decades over the airwaves. Though not that long ago I did listen to it on YouTube and enjoyed hearing it again. I think it's a nice song. Just about anything can get played to death.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  9. Mary,

    The year "You're So Vain", it played at a neighborhood kid's bday party. He was only two years older than me but I remember feeling like a little kid. Two of my best buddies went to the party more or less as uninvited guests. We stuck around the back of the house and watched the older kids playing Post Office. lol "You Light Up My Light" did get played a lot but I loved it. Every time I hear it now I always wonder what became of Debby Boone. I always felt this song was a love song but I certainly understand Debby's interpretation of the lyrics, though. The Village People was crazy fun band and every time I hear "Y.M.C.A" it gets me to my feet. What fun!!

    Art Sketching Through the Alphabet "Y" (Yawn)

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  10. Alright now these are all classics!

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