7 of the 70s: 2/13/14 (1979)...

It's 70s throwback time, and this week I'm back to 1979, the year Jimmy Carter commuted the sentence of Patty Hearst, releasing her from prison.

The Commodores - "Still"
from the album Midnight Magic (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Lionel Richie

The Tuskegee band's second #1 pop hit became a Valentine's Day staple for years.

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Kenny Rogers - "You Decorated My Life"
from the album Kenny (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
Songwriters: Debbie Hupp, Bob Morrison

Kenny's eighth #1 country hit treats his love like a home makeover.

Orleans - "Love Takes Time"
from the album Forever (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11
Songwriters: Lawrence Hoppen, Marilyn Mason

The band's first big hit without former lead singer John Hall almost made the top 10.

George Benson - "Love Ballad"
from the album Livin' Inside Your Love (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18
Songwriter: Skip Scarborough

The jazz-guitar great remake the smooth L.T.D. classic into his own brand of romantic soul.

Stephanie Mills - "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'"
from the album What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin' (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #22
Songwriters: Reggie Lucas, James Mtume

Lucas and Mtume, who would write Mills' hit "Never Knew Love Like This Before" a year later, would both see success in the 80s, with Mtume going to #1 R&B with "Juicy Fruit", while Lucas producing Madonna's debut album.

Livingston Taylor - "I Will Be In Love With You"
from the album Three Way Mirror (1978)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #30
Songwriter: Livingston Taylor

James' younger brother toured with Linda Ronstadt to promote this album with his biggest hit.

Mary MacGregor - "Good Friend"
from the album Mary MacGregor (1979)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #39
Songwriters: Elmer Bernstein, Norman Gimbel

The lite-pop singer's last top-40 pop hit was heard most often by people watching the movie Meatballs, where this song is on the soundtrack.

I'll be back later with 8 more from 1989...