7 of the 70s: 6/5/14 (1975)

It's 70s throwback time, and this week I'm back to 1975, the year Busch Gardens theme park opens in Virginia.

Elton John - "Island Girl"
from the album Rock Of The Westies (1975)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Rumors abound that this song about reforming a hooker is referring to a male one, though any interpretation of a Taupin lyric can sometimes be a little true.

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Stevie Wonder - "Boogie On Reggae Woman"
from the album Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #3
Songwriter: Stevie Wonder

The Motown "genius" serenades another Caribbean girl with this funky song that really isn't reggae.

Dickie Goodman - "Mr. Jaws"
from the album Mr. Jaws and Other Fables (1975)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriter: Dickie Goodman, Bill Remal

The comedic mashup master took advantage of sampling without lawsuits with this send-up of the biggest "popcorn" movie of the year...

The Ritchie Family - "Brazil"
from the album Brazil (1975)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #11
Songwriter: Ary Barroso

The disco outfit from Philadelphia that really weren't either Ritchie or Family were a concoction of the guy who brought us the Village People, recycling a neo-samba classic for the mirrorball.

Al Martino - "To The Door Of The Sun (Alle Porte Del Sole)"
from the album To The Door Of The Sun (1975)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
Songwriters: Corrado Conti, Norman Newell, Mario Panzen, Lorenzo Pilat

After starring in The Godfather, Al had a brief comeback on the pop charts with this breezy number that he's singing here in Atlantic City.

Eddie Kendrick - "Shoeshine Boy"
from the album For You (1974)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #18
Songwriters: Linda Allen, Harry Booker

The former falsetto for the Temptations brings back some Motown charm with this retro-soul gem.

John Williams - "Main Title (Theme From Jaws)"
from the album Jaws (Original Soundtrack) (1975)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #32
Songwriter: John Williams

The master of the modern cinematic score took on the Great White Shark and made the pop chart with his theme from the soundtrack....

That's it for this week's 70s trip...I'll be back later with 8 more from 1985....