7 of the 70s: 12/12/13 (1973)...

It's 70s throwback time, and this week I'm back to 1973, the year the Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia.

Paul McCartney & Wings - "My Love"
from the album Red Rose Speedway (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Paul McCartney

One of Sir Paul's greatest strengths was his ability to turn a simple love song to his wife Linda into a majestic anthem for the masses.

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Hurricane Smith - "Oh, Babe, What Would You Say?"
from the album Hurricane Smith (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
Songwriter: Hurricane Smith

"Hurricane", who as Norman Smith engineered all the Beatles albums on EMI until Rubber Soul, scored his own moment with this retro-pop strummer..

Gilbert O'Sullivan - "Get Down"
from the album I'm A Writer, Not A Fighter (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
Songwriter: Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert was supposedly singing to his dog on this pre-disco missive.

James Taylor - "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight"
from the album One Man Dog (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14
Songwriter: James Taylor

One of the most honest and real songs about relationships of the year, from the man with the voice I'd kill to have.

Aretha Franklin - "Angel"
from the album Hey Now Hey (The Other Corner Of The Sky) (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #20
Songwriters: Carolyn Franklin, Bill Saunders

Aretha's sister Carolyn co-wrote this beautiful nugget from the Queen of Soul's overlooked album.

Merle Haggard - "If We Make It Through December"
from the album If We Make It Through December (1974)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #28
Songwriter: Merle Haggard

Amidst the commercials of bows on cars, here's a seasonal song for the everyday man.

The Persuaders - "Some Guys Have All The Luck"
from the album The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me (1974)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #39
Songwriter: Jeff Fortgang

The future psychologist who wrote this song had a hit twice with his only song to make it, first by this soul vocal group and then again by Rod Stewart.

That's it for this week's 70s trip...I'll be back later with eight more from 1983...