7 of the 70s: 8/28/14 (1973)

It's back to the 70s after a two week break, and this week I'm serving up seven more nuggets from 1973, the year an amusement park in the Isle Of Man off of England caught fire from kids smoking, killing 50 people....

Jim Croce - "Time In A Bottle"
from the album You Don't Mess Around With Jim (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Jim Croce

Another of those songs that immediately put a tear in my eye, no doubt helped by the tragic end to the singer's life in a plane crash.

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Elton John - "Daniel"
from the album Don't Shoot Me I'm The Piano Player (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
Songwriters: Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Written about a blinded Vietnam War vet, as a child I really thought this song was about a friend (platonic or otherwise) killed in a plane crash. These chicks dancing in the audience are really bizarre.

(Art) Garfunkel - "All I Know"
from the album Angel Clare (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriter: Jimmy Webb

The singer's greatest solo success apart from partner Paul Simon was this Jimmy Webb classic about trying to figure out how to love.

Bob Dylan - "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"
from the album Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Written for the western movie that Dylan appeared in, this song about a dying sheriff remains one of his most-revered singles that finds his voice actually in the right spot.

Bobby Goldsboro - "Summer (The First Time)"
from the album Summer (The First Time) (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #21
Songwriter: Bobby Goldsboro

This story of love between a teen and a woman in her 30s was pretty scandalous, but I guess an extension from the Mrs Robinson phenomenon.

Neil Diamond - "Cherry Cherry" (from Hot August Night) (Live)" 
from the album Hot August Night (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #31
Songwriter: Neil Diamond

Neil revived his first top-ten single from 1966 for this live throwdown when he was in the prime of his career.

America - "Don't Cross The River"
from the album Homecoming (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #35
Songwriter: Dan Peek

Each of the three singles from the soft-rock trio's second album were written by a different member - this one was by the singer with the sweet falsetto, Dan Peek, who would eventually leave for a career in Christian music.

I'll be back later with eight more from 1983...