7 of the 70s: 2/20/14 (1970)...

Hey gang - it's 70s throwback time, and this week I'm back to 1970, the year Black Sabbath's debut album was released, dubbed by some as the first "heavy metal" album...(I've included links to buy anything if available on mp3 or CD)...

The Jackson 5 - "I Want You Back"
from the album Diana Ross presents the Jackson 5 (1969)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Berry Gordy, Fonze Mizell, Freddie Peren, Deke Richards

The song that started it all for the family from Gary Indiana, and there was no stopping them after that. The album title may be misleading, since it was Gladys Knight that got the boys to Gordy.

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Blues Image - "Ride Captain Ride"
from the album Open (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriters: Frank Konte, Mike Pinera

This nautical-themed trippy-pop song was inspired by the number of keys on co-writer Mike's Rhodes piano...

Badfinger - "No Matter What"
from the album No Dice (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #8
Songwriter: Pete Ham

This song was years ahead of its time in production quality, proving their worth to the burgeoning Apple Records franchise.


The New Seekers - "Look What They've Done To My Song Ma"
from the album Beautiful People (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #14
Songwriter: Melanie Safka

The British folk-pop group took this song from the "Brand New Key" artist to the US charts in one of its many monikers and lineups.

Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - "Love Land"
from the album Together (1968)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #16
Songwriter: Charles Wright

The "Captain" of the Captain and Tennille was once a member of Wright's band's earlier incarnations.

Flaming Ember - "Westbound #9"
from the album Westbound #9 (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #24
Songwriters: Lamont Dozier, Daphne Dumas, Ronald Dunbar, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland

 The blue-eyed soul group from Detroit had the luck to under the wing of the classic songwriting trio of Holland/Dozier/Holland that dominated the Motown sound in the 60s.

Bobbie Gentry - "Fancy"
from the album Fancy (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #31
Songwriter: Bobbie Gentry

Younger fans of Reba McEntire probably had no clue that her iconic version of the song was a cover of a record by the "Ode To Billie Joe" singer.

I'll return later with 8 more from 1980..