7 of the 70s: 8/7/14 (1972)

It's throwback Thursday 70s time, and this week I'm back to 1972, the year Missouri senator Thomas Eagleton dropped off the ticket for vice-president after revelations of mental illness history surfaced.

Gilbert O'Sullivan - "Alone Again (Naturally)"
from the album Himself (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriter: Gilbert O'Sullivan

It's inconceivable in another era that this song that begin with a contemplation of suicide would top the pop charts for six week, but O'Sullivan had a way with serenading the ears with a pleasant aural backdrop for his pre-emo moping.

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Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "Where Is The Love"
from the album Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
Songwriters: Ralph MacDonald, William Salter

Two lovers caught up in a tryst realize that they won't change their current circumstances. Pain never sounded so beautiful.

Carpenters - "Goodbye To Love"
from the album A Song For You (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
Songwriters: John Bettis, Richard Carpenter

The sibling duo predated the arena rock bands of the 80s with this ballad with the then-new guitar solo, though the lyric about a person giving up on the chance of something good happening in their romantic life is not something Journey or Motley Crue would tackle.

Danny O'Keefe - "Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues"
from the album O'Keefe (1972)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #9
Songwriter: Danny O'Keefe

The eastern Washington singer/songwriter had his moment in the sun with this song about being the only guy left in a lonely town.

Bee Gees - "My World"
from the album Best Of The Bee Gees, Volume 2 (1973)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #16
Songwriters: Barry and Robin Gibb

The Bee Gees would simply be the Brothers Gibb after this; the single was the last to have departing drummer Geoff Bridgford on the cover.

The Hollies - "Long Dark Road"
from the album Distant Light (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #26
Songwriters: Tony Hicks, Kenny Lynch

Lead singer Allan Clarke would take a three-year break from the band after the release of the album this breakup song comes from.

Santana - "No One To Depend On"
from the album Santana III (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #36
Songwriters: Michael Carabello, Coke Escovedo, and Gregg Rolie

The Latin rock fusion giant's interpolation of a mid-60s jazz jam from Willie Bobo was one of the guitarist's best of the 70s.

I'll return later with 8 more from 1982...