SWEET HOME ALABAMA - Lynyrd Skynyrd

So...there you go...the bonus "extras" on the list. These just missed out making the final Top 77, but that doesn't mean they're second class songs. WOW, what great tunes we have so far!

And to this point it looks as if the early winner is...is...is...

THE FOUR SEASONS!...with THREE songs out of our first 23 songs revealed (although the only song of these three to make the actual top 77 through the years has been "Dawn (Go Away)", which made the final cut four times in the first nine years).

The Bee Gees return with the only two songs to ever make our Top 77, although both of them missed out this year, coming in at #84 and #93 from our white three-piece suit disco days..."Ahh, ah, ah, ah, stay-in a-lie-ay-ay-ayve...YEAH!" (See, I still remember...just stop pointing at the ceiling while you're dancing!)

Can I say how IMPRESSED I am to see ol' Dino on the list this time? It's one of my faves too, and it came oh so close to cracking the Top 77..."Everybody Loves Somebody" is #82. But Dean, is that REALLY just apple juice in that glass?

And, oh yes, it's so nice to see you guys paid tribute to the Glorias of the world, at #88 with the garage rock Shadows of Knight and at #94 with the disco diva version from the great Laura Branigan. And as a public service, I'll tell ya what I'm gonna do...JUST BECAUSE you guys were obviously into "Gloria" this year...so here you go.

Coming in at #482 was the Shadow of Knight's rival version of "Gloria" by Van Morrison's group Them from 1966...

And at #1044 we reach ALL the way back to 1954 for the classic doo wop version of "Gloria" by the Cadillacs...

And at #1666 it's the Passions with girlfriend "Gloria" from 1960.

Oh, and if you're really curious, to round out our "Gloria" fest, the only other "Gloria" on our list this year (what, no Gloria Estefan???) is Disco Diva Extraordinaire, Miss GLORIA Gaynor, with #879 from 1979, "I Will Survive"...

But the real question is...will Tom and I survive after pulling the all-nighters to figure out this survey?

More tomorrow, kiddies, with specific breakdowns and my wonderful comments on each and every song to make the list from #77 on up.

OK, kiddies. Put on those gloves and step into the middle of the ring. It's time to get going with THE MAIN EVENT!

"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, theeeee biggest, theeeee best, theeeee cream of the crop, king of the hill, 'A'number one..."

Hey, wait a minute, where have I heard THOSE words before? Well anyway, all it ALL means is that we're ready for the big stuff, the songs you voted onto the TENTH annual Top 77 All-Time Favorite Songs list.

This year, by popular request, we're letting you know the peak positions and stats both on the national and New York charts. And don't forget for each song, just click the title or link, or copy and paste the link, to see some really cool videos for each of the hits.

Let's kick off the Top 77 with a pair of James'. And who's our first James? It's the guy who charted 32 times nationally and placed nine songs on WABC's top 20. Back for the fourth time on the top 77 with this song, it's Dayton, Ohio's very own Tommy James with a former #1 song. It stayed on top for two weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC in early 1969. And what's the song about? Well, nothing really. Tommy says he actually had the title before he even wrote any lyrics, starting with what were at the time two of his favorite words. Let's open up wide and say "Ahhhhh..." for #77 - "CRIMSON AND CLOVER" - Tommy James and the Shondells (1969)

It's time for R&B pioneer Jamesetta Hawkins to make only her first appearance since 2001 on the Top 77. WHO, you say? Why, Etta James, of course. And although she hit the charts 28 times nationally, she never ever had a top 20 song, coming closest in late 1967 with a song that peaked at #23, "Tell Mama". Locally, she made it onto the WABC charts seven times, with this song, originally a hit for Glenn Miller in 1942, peaking at #19. And her biggest New York hit? Well, does ANYONE remember "Trust in Me"? That one got up to #12 as the follow-up to the song you made #76 -"AT LAST" - Etta James (1961)

Can you all please rise as we have a queen now entering the room! Why it's el primo diva-o (or something like that)...one Miss Diane Ross with the group that made her famous and the very first appearance EVER for this song on our Top 77. With 45 top 100 songs and 12 number one hits nationally, Detroit's Supremes ran a string of five straight number one songs in 1964 and 1965 with this tune right in the middle of it. It's one that Motown records actually released sooner than it had planned in order to overtake another version of the song by Nella Dodds. Well, ol' Nella only got to #74 while the Supremes stayed on top for three weeks on Music Radio WABC with your #75 - "COME SEE ABOUT ME" - The Supremes (1964)

41 times...yup...41! That's how many times this talented lady has made the national charts. And this song appears for the very first time on our Top 77 this year for this superstar. It was her last top ten hit for Motown (on their Soul label), and she won a Grammy for "Best Group Pop Performance" with this tune, one that stalled at #2 both nationally and on WABC, thanks to Vicki Lawrence's "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" and Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly with His Song". #74 - "NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE)" - Gladys Knight and the Pips (1973)

See, I told ya that you guys voted in some great songs this year. Here's another example, one of 40 top 100 national hits for this group, and the VERY FIRST 1950's song to crack our Top 77. Originally recorded by this Los Angeles-based group in 1954, it was re-recorded a year later and became the first of 15 top 20 hits between 1955 and 1967 for this act, who we welcome back onto our Top 77 for the first time since our very first list in 1998. #73 - "ONLY YOU" - The Platters (1955)

Well ol' blue eyes has appeared on our Top 77 with three songs through the years, but never before with this one, a relatively minor hit that only peaked at #25 nationally and #33 on WABC, sandwiched between two top ten songs "Strangers in the Night" and "That's Life". But it's still a classic. #72 - "SUMMER WIND" - Frank Sinatra (1966)

Back for her second appearance on the Top 77 with this song, it's Detroit's Freda Payne. This lady performed with legends Pearl Bailey, Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones before finally making it to #3 nationally and #1 on WABC with this tune, one of only two top 20 hits for her. #71 - "BAND OF GOLD" - Freda Payne (1970)

You remember...Lynyrd Skynyrd?...He got tomain poisoning last night after dinner! Or is that "Ptomaine"...Oh wait a minute...WRONG SONG! Actually, these guys did NOT get their name from the Leonard Skinner in Allan Sherman's "Hello Muddah! Hello Faddah!" novelty hit, but instead were named after their Robert E. Lee High school gym coach, Leonard Skinner, who punished founding members Gary Rossington and Bob Burns several times for breaking the school's strict dress code which did not allow boys to have long hair touching the collar or sideburns below the ears. Previously known as the 'Noble Five' and 'One Percent', these guys make our Top 77 for the first time ever with the answer song to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama". It was their first single and although it only peaked at #34 on WABC, nationally it climbed all the way to #8. And this year, you voted it #70 - "SWEET HOME ALABAMA" - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)

Ok, ok, so I left you in suspense last time with the connection between "Sweet Home Alabama" and the group and song that came in at #69. So, are you jes' a bit curious? The connection began in 1970, when the then unknown Lynyrd Skynyrd opened for the Strawberry Alarm Clock. Three years later, that meeting led to guitarist Ed King joining Lynyrd Skynryd. Just as he came up with that psychedelic intro on "Incense and Peppermints", King wrote the intro guitar licks we ALL remember on "Sweet Home Alabama". How's THAT for versatility going from psychedelic rock to southern rock? Anyway, back for the EIGHTH time on our Top 77 with a song that made it all the way to #1 for one week both nationally and on WABC, here's the group originally called "Thee Six-Pence" with a song originally called "The Happy Whistler". And, oh yeah, watch the accompanying video AT YOUR OWN RISK! Whew! It's #69 - "INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS" - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967)

Back to the days when meals were more than peanuts and I could take my bottle of water on the flight! Oh, wait a minute, there WAS no bottled water back then! OOPS! At any rate, let's welcome to the Top 77 for the first time EVER both the group and the song! Written by John Denver, this song turned out to be the very LAST single for Peter, Paul and Mary and their very FIRST number one song (for one week nationally and four weeks on WABC). But the burning question here is..."Who came first?" Peter and Paul? Mary and Paul? Peter and Mary? With one of seven national and four WABC top 20 songs, it's Peter and Mary, the ones who came first, with Paul, the Johnny-Come-Lately, and your #68 - "LEAVING ON A JET PLANE" - Peter, Paul and Mary (1969)

So how many times do you think you've voted for the Jackson 5 in the Top 77 through the years? Well, would you believe ZERO? That's right...until NOW, that is. Originally titled "I Wanna Be Free" and written with Gladys Knight and the Pips in mind, this song was given instead to a brand new family act from Gary, Indiana. Nationally, It became the first of four straight number one songs and 31 charted hits. On WABC, it was one of four number one songs and nine top 20's. #67 - "I WANT YOU BACK" - The Jackson 5 (1970)

"What song is it you wanna hear?" Well actually, I'd really LOVE to hear "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" by "Little" Jimmy Dickens. Huh? What? No good?...OH OK! I guess I'll just go along with this rowdy, beer-guzzlin' crowd around me. All together now..."Freeeee Birrrrd!!!...Yeah!" Now then, class, you remember...Lynyrd Skynyrd? YOU BETTER, they've been all over this survey so far! This song actually charted twice, first peaking at #19 nationally in 1974 and then getting to #38 three years later in a "live" version. The group has pretty much played this only as an instrumental since the 1977 plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. His brother, Johnny, took his place. The band played the song as an instrumental and the crowd would sing the words. And as for music giant WABC in New York, well, they never even played this song! Grab a cup of coffee, pick up "War and Peace" to read, and relax to the never-ending video for #66 - "FREE BIRD" - Lynyrd Skynryd (1974)

The debuts continue, again for BOTH the group and the song. This little old group from Pasadena (go Eddie, go Eddie, go Eddie, go!) landed 15 national top 40 songs between 1978 and 1991, and the last we checked were not on speaking terms for most of those years! Hey Eddie and David and Sammy and Michael and Alex, lighten up as we celebrate your biggest hit, your ONLY #1 song. #64 - "JUMP" - Van Halen (1984)

Time to welcome back another song that hasn't made our Top 77 since our first year, 1998. This L.A. group clicked with their second of two number one songs both nationally and on WABC on this one, a tune that was completed in a recording session that lasted over 16 hours, In fact, by the time the end of the session came around at 6:30 in the morning, the group's voices were so strained that they had to call on writer Ruthann Friedman and any visitors hanging around the studio to join in and get them through the final choruses. One of five top 20 hits, it's #63 - "WINDY" - The Association (1967)

Here's a song that you voted onto the Top 77 for the third time and it's a song that was NEVER played by WABC. Originally released in 1967, it didn't make the national top 100 chart until 1988 when it reached #32 after being featured in the Robin Williams film "Good Morning Vietnam". Born in New Orleans in 1901, he's the guy nicknamed "Satchmo"...#62 - WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - Louis Armstrong (1968/1988).

So now you guys really ARE pulling on my heartstrings by voting for this one! And it's the ONLY one of the seven songs I voted for to make the list, boo-hoo! Everyone jump in the Vann, Joey "Vann" Canzano, that is, the lead singer of this Italian-American Jersey City group. Joey passed on in 1984, but this song, which peaked at number seven nationally and number four on WABC, was one of three national and four New York top 20 hits. Originally done by Jo Stafford in 1952, this year it's #61 - "YOU BELONG TO ME" - The Duprees (1962)

Now it's time for the song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney when they skipped school one day. Fooling around with the first line, Paul is quoted as saying he "started off with 'She was just 17, she'd never been a beauty queen' but John said, 'Oh no, that's useless...we've got to change that', and then coming up with the really cool line: 'You know what I mean." And the rest, as they say, well, you know... One of an incredible 71 national top 100 songs for the "Fab Four", this one peaked at #14 as the flip side of "I Want to Hold Your Hand". Oddly enough, on WABC it only got to #29. "Well she was just seventee-eeen, ya know what I mee-een!" Come on, I know you REALLY wanna sing along. So check out the HOT video for #60 - "I SAW HER STANDING THERE" - The Beatles (1964)

Let's lead off this segment with the first top ten hit for the Motown group formed as the Four Aims in 1953. They would wind up with an incredible 45 top 100 songs nationally, 20 of which made the top 20 and 14 of which made the WABC top 20. Written by the superstar team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, lead singer Levi Stubbs didn't like this particular take of the song and never intended for it to be released this way. But writer Brian Holland had other ideas. So the song we've been singing along to for 42 years is, in reality, the version of this hit that the Four Tops NEVER wanted to release. All together now..."Oh, sugar pie, honey bunch, you know that I lo-oo-ve yooooo!" #59 - "I CAN'T HELP MYSELF" - The Four Tops (1965).

Now let's hear it for Da Bronx!!! Yaaaah!!! This song makes the list for the fifth straight year! A #1 song for two weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC, it was one of Dion DiMucci's 13 top 20 national hits and 11 top 20s on WABC. And in spite of the title, Dion swears this song was written in a schoolyard about a girl named Roberta. Ho-kay, Dion. "Runaround Roberta", eh? #58 - "RUNAROUND SUE" - Dion (1961)

How much better can it get than for a former taxi driver to have a hit with a song called "Taxi"? And Harry Chapin really did drive a taxi in Long Beach on Long Island before he ever hit the charts. Making our list for the ninth time in ten years, this song got to #9 in New York on WABC but nationally only got to #24. In an ironic twist of fate, it took eight years for Harry Chapin to release part two of this tale, a song called "Sequel" in 1980. And that made this story both his very first and very last chart hit. We lost him way too early at age 39 from an auto crash in 1981...#57 - "TAXI" - Harry Chapin (1972).

Let's go to one of the most famous Jersey Boys. He makes the list with this song for the second time. The very first cut from his very first top three LP "Born to Run", the song was originally titled "Glory Road" and "Wings for Wheels" until Bruce spotted a poster from a 1958 Robert Mitchum movie. With a vocal inspired by Roy Orbison, it's "The Boss". #56 - "THUNDER ROAD" - Bruce Springsteen (1975)

Feel like the wall of sound is closing in on you? You better with the next song, making its fifth appearance on the Top 77. It's New York City's Ronnie, Estelle and Nedra with their only national top 20 song, peaking on those charts at #2. But fellow New Yorkers loved this group, putting their song at #1 on WABC, one of three Ronettes tunes to make the Music Radio top 20. It's the group formerly known as D.J. Murray the K's "Dancing Girls". #55 - "BE MY BABY" - The Ronettes (1963).

Well it took them ten years, but these guys FINALLY make the Top 77. And they do it with their very first top five hit, one of an amazing 49 Top 100 songs and 28 top 20 hits nationally. Although the song got to #4 on the national charts, it stopped at #11 in New York on WABC. And the title really DOES refer to the time on a clock. But even Chicago must have been confused by that title since their follow-up song to this was "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is". #54 - "25 OR 6 TO 4" - Chicago (1970)

Oh, Mama Mia! Mama Mia! Look what's back again for the FOURTH time on the Top 77! No, it's not ABBA, it's QUEEN with a song that charted two separate times. It peaked at #9 nationally and #3 on WABC when it was first released in 1976, but when Wayne and Garth lip-synched the words in the movie "Wayne's World", in 1992 the song became even bigger, jumping to #2 on the national top 100. And do you REALLY want to know what the late Freddy Mercury is singing about when he goes on about "Scaramouch, Scaramouch"? Actually, that means "a boastful coward". "And..." as Mr. Cronkite would say, "...that's the way it is." #53 - "BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY" - Queen (1992/1976).

Back for the eighth time on the Top 77 is the song that you voted #2 on our second list in 1999. Another Bronx-ite, he was born Walden Robert Cassotto and had hits with musical styles that ran from pop to rock to country to folk to soul. We lost this legend way too soon in 1973 to heart failure at the age of 37. With one of 41 national top 100 hits, here's the song that stayed at #1 for nine weeks. And a song that comes in second only to "Unchained Melody" for the most versions to make the national top 100 charts. #52 - "MACK THE KNIFE" - Bobby Darin (1959)

"Paul Is Dead Now, Give Him Cranberry Sauce". Gee, after six appearances on the Top 77, I STILL can't figure out what John is saying at the end of this song. Well anyway, the Beatles are back with the "B" side of "Penny Lane". It was spliced together from two separate John Lennon tunes, and although it made it all the way to #8 nationally, it only got to #34 on WABC. #51 - "STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER" - The Beatles (1967).

 


We get into the top 50 with yet ANOTHER first timer on our Top 77, and I for one am THRILLED to see this guy make the list. It's Rick...er...Ricky, no Rick...um...it's Ozzie and Harriet's youngest son with the top side of a classic two-sided hit. The "B" side, "Hello Mary Lou" was written by Gene Pitney and peaked nationally at #9. But SHOCKINGLY on WABC, "Hello Mary Lou" only got to #65. Huh? How did THAT happen? As for the "A" side, songwriter Jerry Fuller wrote it for Sam Cooke. But on hearing it, Cooke's manager tossed it in the garbage. Thankfully, Nelson's bass player rescued it from the trash and the result was a number one song for two weeks nationally and on WABC. The video for this song is considered in many camps to be the very first music video. And in case you're curious, Rick was Ricky for the very last time on this double-sided hit. #50 - "TRAVELIN' MAN" - Ricky Nelson (1961)

The B-B-O-R-O-R (Bad Boys of Rock and Roll) are back with this song for the sixth time on our Top 77. With 41 national top 40 hits and 24 top 20 hits on WABC, these guys put this song on top for five weeks in 1969 on WABC's Music Power Survey and four weeks on the national chart. It was released just one day after the funeral for group member Brian Jones. And the ensuing tour in 1969 was the Stones' first in three years. The cost to see the Rolling Stones in 1969? A whopping $4.50 to $7.50 a ticket - the most expensive concert ticket EVER at the time. #49 - "HONKY TONK WOMEN" - The Rolling Stones (1969)  But for an alternate-lyric demo version of the song, be surprised and click this:

Now you might think "The Beatles As Nature Intended" might be a headline for that famous John and Yoko "in the buff" photo. But no, no, no, no, oh no. It was actually the way that Apple Records promoted this single in Billboard magazine. "As live as Can Be", the ad blared out. And to an extent, that was true as the Beatles, and more specifically John, decided that recording an album with no overdubbing or technical enhancement would be a great idea. Previewed on the BBC on Easter Sunday, the single release was delayed when the Fab Four decided that the "as nature intended" cut had to be...remixed (!) before being pressed. Oops! It was #1 for five weeks the label credit given to Billy Preston made Billy only the second person to ever have that honor. #48 - "GET BACK" - The Beatles with Billy Preston (1969)

Here comes Arkansas' very own Al Green, another superstar who's NEVER made our Top 77 before this year. This was his only national number one song, and was one of eleven national and nine WABC top 20 hits. Raised as a Baptist with gospel music in his veins, Al became born-again in 1973 and would serve as a minister in Memphis' Full Tabernacle Church in the late 1970s. #47 - "LET'S STAY TOGETHER" - Al Green (1971)

Now then, it's useless trivia time! Did you know that the Four Seasons charted for every single year of the sixties from August, 1962 through October, 1969. That's a total of 316 out of a possible 372 weeks in that time span. And yet they were NOT on the charts at all in December, 1963! Oh, What a Night! Oh, the humanity! Oh, the irony! OK, enough of that, where were we? Oh yeah...we were at the very first Four Seasons super hit, a number one song for five weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC in the late summer and early fall of 1962. It's back for the fifth time on our Top 77. Known under eight other names before finally settling on "The Four Seasons" after a New Jersey bowling alley, here's the group you put at #46 - "SHERRY" - The Four Seasons (1962).

Do I hear the familiar cries again of "Bruuuuuuuuuce!!!" Yup, yup, yup, I sure do! HE'S BACK for the sixth time on our Top 77, Bruce landed 13 top 20 national hits and three #1 albums, but this, a tune many consider to be his signature song, only got to #23 nationally and #36 on WABC. #45 - "BORN TO RUN" - Bruce Springsteen (1975)

Now here's a song you guys vote onto our list time after time after time. In fact, you've put it onto the Top 77 nine straight times! And this year is especially fitting for these guys to make it onto the list as they FINALLY get their due and become members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Formed in Tottenham, England, they had 14 national top 20 songs beginning in 1964. This one peaked at number three nationally and number four on WABC. And the guy you hear on lead on this song - and mostly all of the group's hits - was Mike Smith. Group founder Dave Clark is on drums. #44 - "BECAUSE" - The Dave Clark Five (1964)

ALL TOGETHER NOW..."Good times never seemed so good, SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD..." Oy Vey! As the Red Sox fans, er, Mets fans, er Red Sox fans...or (insert favorite team here) fans sing along, or is that now SHOUT along, with Neil...as everyone seems to adopt this song for their own purposes. One of 25 national top 20 songs for this guy, it peaked at #4 and was his very first top 5 hit. On WABC, it got to #2. And all I can say is..."OH Oh OH!!!" #43 - "SWEET CAROLINE" - Neil Diamond (1969)

Ah, ma cherie, c'est la plus belle musique du monde! (For English, please press "1")...b e e p...Oh, my dear, it's the most beautiful music in the world! And it belongs to Percy Faith. Back for his third go 'round on the Top 77, it's Mr. Faith and the orchestra with the song that dominated the charts NOT ANY TIME OF THE SUMMER, but in the WINTER of 1960 through early spring, staying on the top 20 for 21 weeks starting in January, 1960, and landing at #1 for 9 weeks. It's the "Theme from a Late Winter and Early Spring Place". Oh no, sorry, it's #42 - "THEME FROM A SUMMER PLACE" - Percy Faith and His Orchestra (1960).

Now then, if you don't know how to do this after 47 years, here's a hint. Grab a towel and make like you're drying your back with it. Hmmm, wasn't that the advice we got back in 1960? Mr. Ernest Evans returns in earnest for the seventh time with this classic, a song that has to be in serious contention for one of the biggest hits of the sixties. It's the only song in Top 100 history to become #1 in two separate runs on the charts. In the fall of 1960 it was #1 for one week nationally and five weeks on WABC. Then in January of '62 it was re-released and hit the top again for two weeks nationally and one week on WABC. #41 - "THE TWIST" - Chubby Checker (1960/1962).

OK now, follow carefully. What do you get when you cross a salesman (Terry Kirkland) with a sailor (Greg Alexander). Yes, you get the core of a 13-man group called "The Men". And when an argument causes seven men to leave "The Men", the remaining six men decide to man a new group called The Aristocrats. But that name was rejected when Terry's wife Judy didn't like the definition she found for "aristocrats" in the dictionary. So she picked another name on that same page and the men from "The Men" became the seven men who formed The Association. Whew! Oh man, got all that? With a song written in just over a half-hour and originally intended to be a slow, waltz-like melody, here's one of five top 20 hits for these guys and a number one song. Good job...men! #40 - "CHERISH" - The Association (1966)

Well Maggie May, but Ron Would...um...Wood, be part of Rod's mates in Faces for a long while before he became a Rolling Stone three years after Papa admitted to being one. Have ya got all that? These guys amassed an amazing 49 top 100 national hits and 25 top 20 songs, with this one being one of four number one hits for him, staying on top for five weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC. Ironically enough, it started out as a flip side, barely included on the "Every Picture Tells a Story" LP, and Rod insists it's based on a true story. Oh Rod, you naughty, naughty man! #39 - "MAGGIE MAY" - Rod Stewart (1971)

Let's reach awwwlllll the way back for a song recorded on April 12, 1954! Entering the charts in May of the following year, it was #1 for eight weeks and is considered by many to be the very first rock and roll song. From the classic movie "Blackboard Jungle", it's the legendary Bill Haley with a rock and roll classic. Now if I could only figure out how to get a spit curl in place like Bill... #38 - "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" - Bill Haley and His Comets (1955)



After being a "no-show" for the first seven years of the Top 77, this song makes its' third appearance in a row on our survey. Originally intended for the Motown group the Originals and with members of the Detroit Lions adding the background chatter, this was one of 21 top 20 hits and a former #1 song in New York for Marvin Gaye. Nationally, it only got to #2. #37 - "WHAT'S GOING ON" - Marvin Gaye (1971)

"And now, the end is near..." Well, not really, we still have 36 songs to go! And surprisingly, this next song is the song by the Chairman of the Board that you've voted onto the Top 77 more than any of his other classics. And although this song is considered a standard now, when the 62 year-old "Chairman of the Board" recorded it, it only climbed to #27 nationally. In fact, WABC didn't even PLAY this song! Originally a tune by French singer/songwriter Claude Francois', Paul Anka translated it and re-wrote it. #36 - "MY WAY" - Frank Sinatra (1969)


Next comes another favorite of yours, one that makes our Top 77 list for the seventh time. And one that leads to another piece of...USELESS TRIVIA! What were the only two one-word Beatles' titles to consecutively make the charts? Well, read on! John, George and Ringo weren't even in the studio when Paul recorded this. According to the Guinness Book of World Records - it's one of the most recorded songs in the history of music. And it was number one for two weeks in 1965, following "Help!" (another one word title) to become their tenth of 20 number one songs. We all know its' working title of "Scrambled Egg", so all together now, let's sing along..."Scrambled egg, all my egg whites seem so far away..."..#35 - "YESTERDAY" - The Beatles (1965)

This next song is back for the seventh time, having finished as high as #17 on our 2001 Top 77. And it's ANOTHER song NEVER played on WABC. That was largely because in 1966, most radio stations were playing the "A" side, "Wouldn't It Be Nice". Somehow through the years this song, which only got to #39 nationally, has become a fan favorite. Said to have inspired The Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere", it's Carl Wilson on lead on brother Brian's song. #34 - "GOD ONLY KNOWS" - Beach Boys (1966)

Wow, you guys really GOT IT this year! How's this NEXT song for a first-time-ever-on-our-list entry? It comes from the Vernon, Texas native who landed 31 top 100 national hits and ten top 20 solo songs on the chart between 1956 and 1989. He was another legend we lost too soon, to a heart attack in 1988 at age 52. This song, inspired when Roy spotted a former girlfriend, peaked at number four on WABC, but made it all the way to number two nationally, being kept from the top by Ray Charles' "Hit the Road Jack". #33 - "CRYING" - Roy Orbison (1961)

Here's a song you voted onto the list for the second year in a row. With lyrics from the viewpoint of a solitary man on the south bank of the Thames watching (or imagining) the romantic encounters of a couple at Waterloo Underground, then crossing Waterloo Bridge, the recording features Ray Davies' first wife Rasa on background vocals. The song reached number 2 on the British charts in mid 1967. A London FM radio poll in 2004 named this the "Greatest Song About London", and Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time placed this one at #42. This year you voted it #32 - "WATERLOO SUNSET" - The Kinks (1967).

Let's welcome back this Pittsburgh group whose members met while in the Air Force. One of three top 20 songs nationally, this song appeared on our 2000 and 2002 surveys, and it's good to see it voted back this year. #31 - "WHISPERING BELLS" - The Dell-Vikings (1957)

Here's another first-time entry onto the list, as you guys continue to surprise us all with some great choices this year. It's the Bad Boys of Rock and Roll back again with the lead-off cut from the "Let It Bleed" LP. A high-keyed second vocal track is sung by guest vocalist Merry Clayton. Mick Jagger said that "The use of the female voice was the producer's idea. It would be one of those moments along the lines of 'I hear a girl on this track - get one on the phone.' To date it remains one of the most prominent contributions to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist. #30 - "GIMME SHELTER" - Rolling Stones (1969)

Eric Clapton has made the Top 77 for all but one year with this next classic. The song didn't do well when it was first released. In fact, in 1971 it only got to #51 on the national top 100. In 1972, it resurfaced in its full, unedited seven minute and ten second version and peaked at #7 on WABC. With vocals from Eric Clapton, here's the song titled after a Persian tale of unrequited love and dedicated to Patti Boyd. Only problem was that Patti was married to his friend Beatle George Harrison at the time. Oops!...#29 - "LAYLA" - Derek and the Dominoes (1972)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, The Poquellos! Huh??? Well then, how about...The Honeytones! Hmmm, well these were both names that these girls were considering when told they needed to come up with SOMETHING to put on their first record release. Everybody probably breathed a sigh of relief when the girls decided to honor their favorite group at the time, the Chantels, by coming up with a similar sounding name for themselves, the Shirelles. They charted 26 times nationally between 1958 and 1967, and this was one of seven top 20 hits and two number one songs for the girls. On top for two weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC in early 1961, you voted it #28 - "WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW" - The Shirelles (1961).

Another nine-time-on-the-Top-77 hit comes from the Motown stable of superstars. This one is by the group that started as two acts, the Distants and the Primes. And the song, written by Smokey Robinson as a companion piece to Mary Wells' "My Guy", was originally going to be recorded by the Miracles. But the Temptations talked him out of it. It was a #1 national and #4 WABC hit in 1965. #27 - "MY GIRL" - Temptations (1965)

So here's a quickie quiz for you. Can you name four groups from the sixties with "Four" in their name to make the top ten charts? It's not as easy as you think. So ponder that while we tell you about the song that stayed at #1 for six weeks on WABC and was the only song to go from their "Pick Hit of the Week" straight to number one. Written by Bob Gaudio, the recording of the song itself was a rush job, done in a basement of a demo studio in Manhattan without their usual engineer or back-up band. And it's a young (27 year-old) Frankie Valli on lead on this song. The group, along with the Four Tops, the Brothers Four, and the Bobby Fuller Four, were a sixties "Four" group. #26 - "RAG DOLL" - The Four Seasons (1964)

On we go to the first of only 15 songs that have made our Top 77 every year, finishing as high as number four in 1998. Danke Schoen, Die Beatles "Sie Liebt Dich" is back. Well, actually the English version is back. The German version only got to #97 in 1964, whereas the version we all love and understand got to number one for two weeks nationally and six weeks on MusicRadio. And, surprisingly, this was the biggest selling Beatles song in England. #25 - "SHE LOVES YOU" - The Beatles (1964).

"Plasir D'Amour", anyone? Well, that was the title of the French tune that this song was based on. And when the King recorded it, he dedicated it to his one and only, one Miss Priscilla Beaulieu. One of over 150 top 100 entries on the national chart, this peaked at #2 nationally and #8 on WABC. C'est incroyable! Back for the sixth time on our list, it's #24 - "CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE" - Elvis Presley (1962).

The movie was supposed to be called "Eight Arms to Hold You" after the eight-armed god Kali in the flick, but when the Fab Four realized that THAT title needed help, they did just that and changed it to "Help!". Recorded on April 13, it was #1 for Labor Day of that year. Curiously, John Lennon said he always felt the song was too fast and he would have preferred a slower version to be released. Last year, you voted this one #61, but this year, its fourth on our survey, it jumps all the way up to #23 - "HELP" - The Beatles (1965).

Here's another one of those magical, mystical hits that's made our list every single year. "Breathe Deep! The Gathering Gloom!" WHOA! Lighten up, guys! This Birmingham, England band orignally released this cut from "Days of Future Passed" in 1968, but it wasn't until it was re-released over four years later that it reached its peak position on the chart, making it to #2 nationally and #1 on MusicRadio WABC. One of six national top 20 hits, it was written for a stage show about a day in the life of a guy named "Moody Blue". This song represented the "night" part of that stage show. #22 - "NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN" - The Moody Blues (1972)

Although our next entry is one of our "elite" songs making the Top 77 every year, this time around it falls to its lowest position ever on the survey after finishing as high as number three twice. Turned down by the Association, this tune was presented to Richard Harris by writer Jimmy Webb, and Harris absolutely loved it. As for the much misunderstood, often maligned lyrics, Webb is amazed at the confusion. He says "I see it as a relatively simple love song with some very sad imagery...about things passing away and never being the same again." In other words, gang, ruined by carelessness, a great love might never come again. Gee, and to think of all the nights I lay awake trying to figure out those lyrics! It peaked at #2 both nationally and on WABC. #21 - "MACARTHUR PARK" - Richard Harris (1968)

Now let's go the land of the Pirates and Penguins and Steelers, oh my! Onward to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for our #20 song, back on our list this year with a vengence for the seventh time. It's a classic early rock and roll hit that did much better in New York than it did nationally. In fact, it was their only national top 20 song, peaking at #12. But in New York City, it was a #1 song and one of three top 20 hits, followed by "This I Swear" later in the year and "Pennies from Heaven" in 1960. With lead vocals from 19 year-old Jimmy Beaumont, it's #20 - "SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU" - The Skyliners (1959).

The Fab Four return for the seventh straight time and the eighth time overall with their second most popular album cut. Originally released on the "Rubber Soul" LP, the album stayed on the charts for 6 months with six weeks at #1. Although never released as a single, this tune was voted the best song of all time by a panel of songwriters in a 2000 Mojo magazine poll with panelists that included Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Lamont Dozier, and Carole King. #19 - "IN MY LIFE" - The Beatles (1966)

Lightnin' Lou is on the Looooo-se once again as lightning strikes for the FOURTH time for Lugee Gino Sacco on our Top 77. It's another Pittsburgh native following the Skyliners into our top 20 with a #1 hit, the biggest of his four national and five New York Top 20 hits. And, best of all, he can STILL hit those high notes! #18 - "LIGHTNING STRIKES" - Lou Christie (1966)

He's back for the fourth time on our Top 77 with this song, but now class, where have you been for the other six years? This classic should be on the list EVERY year! This year's highest entry to the survey, it's the biggest hit for 26 year-old Michigan native Charles Westover, the guy we know as Del Shannon. It was one of four national top 20 hits and his only number one song. #17 - "RUNAWAY" - Del Shannon (1961)

So here it is 37 years later and in all my bird-watching through those years I have YET to spot a "silver bird" at my bird feeder (sigh) But anyway, here's the superhit from a supergroup back for the tenth straight time. It's the New York City folk-rock duo who first recorded as "Tom and Jerry" in 1957. One of 13 national top 20 hits, it spent six weeks on top nationally and four weeks at #1 on WABC. And although the album and single won six Grammies, it would be the last studio LP for these guys, as tension caused them to split up right after this song made the charts. #16 - "BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER" - Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

This next song has the honor of being the most charted title in the history of the top 100. It made the list ten different times by seven different artists on the national top 100 surveys. In 1955, three versions of this song were in the top 20 at the same time...by Les Baxter, Al Hibbler, and Roy Hamilton, while a fourth version by June Valli peaked at #29. And the Righteous Brothers had two of their own versions of this song in the top 20 at the same time when in 1990, the song was featured in the "Ghost" movie soundtrack. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield's re-release of the original got to #13 while a re-recorded version peaked at #19. On WABC, the original version made it to #4. It's back for the ninth time and came in at #15 - "UNCHAINED MELODY" - The Righteous Brothers

So, do you think you could hold your breath for as long as the last chord on this classic? Um, that would be 42 seconds worth of breath-holding, by the way, as The Beatles return with their most popular LP cut. It turns out to be the wrap-up track from their biggest LP, "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", a number one album for 15 weeks. A combination of two unfinished songs, one by Paul, the other by John, this song was first called "In the Life of...". On our list for the eighth time, it's #14 - "A DAY IN THE LIFE" - The Beatles (1967).

Here's another of the biggest rock albums of all time, one that was #1 for eight weeks. So how did these guys follow up this monster release? With an album called "The Long Run" that was #1 for nine weeks! How's THAT for bettering yourself. This is the sixth time the single has made our Top 77, and it's a song that peaked at #1 nationally and #2 on WABC. #13 - "HOTEL CALIFORNIA" - Eagles (1977).

 
Here's a real TEAM effort on a cut the group never intended to release as a single. It's band member Ray Manzarek coming up with the intro, Jim Morrison and Rob Krieger writing the lyrics, and John Densmore choosing the beat on this super hit, one of six Doors top 20 hits. Since the original version was six minutes and fifty seconds, the band - at the request of the record label - re-recorded the song as a shorter version for single release. But they weren't happy with the result, and hesitantly agreed to allow Elektra records to edit the instrumental bridge out of the original LP version. Ironically, once it got to #1 in 1967, lots of top 40 stations started playing, you guessed it, the original longer LP cut. It was #1 for four weeks on WABC. #12 - "LIGHT MY FIRE" - Doors (1967).

First charting on Christmas Day in 1954, this song recorded in a backyard garage has sold over 10 million copies to date. The group was named for the "Willie the Penguin" Kool cigarettes trademark mascot, and even though their song is considered a doo-wop classic, it only got to #8 nationally. Out of L.A., it's lead singer Cleveland Duncan and the Penguins. #11 - "EARTH ANGEL - The Penguins (1955)

Wheee-oooo-oooo-oooo! Now what on earth WAS that weird sound in this recording? Ah, lemme see...it says here it's a newfangled thingamajig called a "theremin". Huh? Well, thanks for clearing that up, Beach Boys. But it really wasn't "newfangled" at all. That electronic instrument actually appeared in the soundtrack of the 1945 movie "Spellbound". (You can see it for yourself in the video linked for this song.) And as for the song itself, it was a #1 hit nationally and took more than two months, 90 hours of studio time, 70 hours of taping (isn't that how long it takes to put together this survey???) and $40,000 to complete, making it the most expensive pop song ever recorded at the time. Mysteriously, it stalled at #4 on WABC. #10 "GOOD VIBRATIONS" - Beach Boys (1966)

A long, long, LONG, LONG, LOOOONNNNNGGG LONG time ago, I can still remember when this song was at the top of the charts. Why it seems like a mere 36 years ago! What's that you say? Oh, sorry, it WAS 36 years ago. Alrighty then. Here's a quickie quiz: What number one act released an album called "Tapestry"? Who? You say Carole King? Well I was thinking about Don McLean. Even though 34 labels rejected that LP before Mediarts picked it up, those 34 labels were eating crow when "American Pie" hit the chart in late 1971 and rapidly went to number one for four weeks nationally and six weeks on WABC. The record company split the single version into two parts since eight minutes, twenty-seven seconds was just too long for one side of a 45 rpm vinyl single. Most radio stations played the complete song anyway. It finishes in our top ten for the ninth straight year. And if you want a terrific word-by-word interpretation of the song, check out the linked video. One of three top 20 hits, it's #9 - "AMERICAN PIE" - Don McLean (1971/1972).

This year, you voted for BOTH sides of this single onto the survey. The "B" side came in at #60. And this side makes the top ten for the eighth time. Recorded on October 19, 1963 along with "This Boy", this song was already number one in England when Washington D.C. deejay Carroll Baker played a British copy of the record in America and forced Capitol Records to release the single over two weeks early on December 26, 1963. By the time the Liverpudlians appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, they already had six songs on the national top 100, well on their way to unprecedented chart dominance. This song stayed on top for seven weeks before the baton was passed to the very song it knocked off the top in Britain, "She Loves You". On WABC, it was #1 for six weeks, and was the first of 16 #1 songs on MusicRadio. As for me, I always thought Liverpudlians were the people in "Gulliver's Travels"! Shows ya what I know...#8 - "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND" - The Beatles (1964)

Here's another song that's made our top ten for nine out of ten years on the Top 77 and has ended up in the top five six times. And what can I say about it that you DON'T already know? Well, how about this? The song was actually recorded in Chicago for the first take, and then in Hollywood over a period of 18 hours to complete the song during the "Out of Our Heads" session. Keith Richards claims that the famous guitar riff was based on Martha and the Vandellas 1963 hit "Dancing in the Street", and that he originally wanted that riff done with horns! Voted the "Best Rock and Roll Song of All Time" on VH1, it was one of eight national number one songs and a number one song of WABC for four weeks. #7 - "(I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION" - The Rolling Stones (1965)

Last year, it looked like this song was fading right off our Top 77 after falling out of the top ten to #42. But this year, it rebounds in a BIG way, jumping all the way up to number six. After The Beatles' breakup, Phil Spector was called on by both George Harrison and John Lennon to help produce their own solo efforts. Three of the four singles he co-produced with John made the national top 20, with this one peaking at #3 nationally and #4 on WABC. It was one of 12 national top 20 hits for John. It got to #6 in England when it was first released as a single in 1975. Shortly after Lennon's death in 1980, it was re-released there and hit #1, to be replaced by Lennon's "Woman". That marked the first time an act replaced itself on top of the UK charts since the Beatles followed "She Loves You" with "I Want To Hold Your Hand." #6 - "IMAGINE" - John Lennon (1971)

What better way to follow a classic by one of The Beatles' founding members than with a classic by...The Beatles! So here comes the very last Beatles #1 song on WABC. Although it stayed on top for only two weeks nationally, on WABC it set the record as the Fab Four's longest running #1 song, staying there for seven weeks, one of 20 number one songs. In fact, this was the #1 song on April 10, 1970 when the Beatles announced their break-up. #5 - "LET IT BE" - Beatles (1970)

Time for a classic that's been in our top ten for eight straight years. The group made the national Top 100 seven times, but three of those times it was with this song! Recorded in a New Haven church basement, lead singer Fred Parris wrote it while he was on guard duty in the army and was stationed in Japan when this became a hit. In order to support the song, the group re-formed with Bill Baker as lead singer. Parris rejoined the group when he came back to The States in 1958. Originally the B side of a song called "The Jones Girl", it's sold over 45 million copies. The intentional misspelling of "Night" was ahead of its time, forseeing the current day when rappers misspell more words than a five year old learning to write! Surprisingly, the song never got any higher than #24. Even in New York, it only peaked at #13 on WMGM radio. (Their follow-up, "To the Aisle" got to #25 nationally). #4 - IN THE STILL OF THE NITE - The Five Satins (1956)

Ok then, so what's this year's top three? Why, number three is "Shrek 2", number two is "Star Wars - Episode IV - A New Hope", and number one is "Titanic"! So there you have it! Oh, wait a minute, those are the top three all-time grossing films. WRONG LIST! Ahem...Now then, ah yes, does anyone remember "laughter"? What the heck is a "hedgerow"? And considering the band members' ages, shouldn't this song be called "StairLIFT to Heaven"? Ah, but I digress. I'm convinced that these guys are back on tour only to get this song to jump up to number three, its highest position ever on the Top 77, after being number 13 last year. It's an album classic that was never releases as a single, and a song that Robert Plant refused to edit down for commercial release. Plant's own explanation of the lyrics was that it "was some cynical aside about a woman getting everything she wanted all the time without giving back any thought or consideration". Surprisingly, although the group had eleven top 20 albums and six #1 LPs, the album this song was on, the group's untitled fourth LP, only got to #2. #3 - "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN" - Led Zeppelin (1971).

Next on the list? Well, it's 63 year-old superstar Diane Ernestine Earle Ross, um...that's STILL Miss Ross to YOU, former lead singer of The Supremes, who has accomplished nothing, um, er...that is outside of a Tony Award, seven American Music Awards, a special Golden Globe Award, nominations for twelve Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Actress. Well ok, I guess she HAS accomplished SOME things in her career. Her albums and singles sales are estimated at more than 100 million, and in 1976, Billboard magazine named her the female entertainer of the century, with Guinness World Records declaring her to be the most successful female music artist of the 20th century. She had a total of 18 national number one singles, 12 as lead singer of The Supremes and six as a solo artist. Ross was the first female solo artist to score six number ones. She is also one of the few artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one as a solo artist and the other as a member of the Supremes. In 1999, as a solo artist, she was ranked #38 on VH1's "The 100 Greatest Women in Rock and Roll", while The Supremes ranked #16. Whew! This song has never finished lower than number seven on our list, and this year the former number one hit on WABC comes in as second banana for the fifth straight time. #2 - "AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH" - Diana Ross (1970).

And now, for the number one song, it's "DO IT AGAIN" with the Beach Boys! No, no wait! I meant to say, The Beatles DO IT AGAIN! Amazingly, for the tenth straight year, "Hey Jude" comes out on top! What an incredible feat! It's one of 37 top 20 hits on WABC and 69 national top 100 hits for this group. 17 of those hits went to #1 on WABC. And this one stayed on top for six weeks on MusicRadio and nine weeks nationally. Its length of 7 minutes and eleven seconds made it the longest song ever to get to #1 up to that point. It was one of 11 Top 77 songs for the group (not mentioning John's solo hit), which means that one of every seven songs you voted into the Top 77 were from these guys. Written by Paul originally as "Hey Jules" for John's son Julian, it's #1 - "HEY JUDE" - The Beatles (1968). And it's the song that you've shown over and over again to be your overwhelming choice as the biggest hit of all time.

So is now the part that I wake up and find out that this is all really a dream and "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" really IS number one? Oh no, I guess not. But for all the work Tom Natoli and I put into this, I would like to make my OWN request please, for the Beatles' "I'm So Tired". ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Oh, and as for you, dear voters, who make this all possible, we both would like to salute you with a toast for the new year, and a video that seems appropriate for the time of year.

Be looking for my complete breakdown (no, no, no...I don't mean my PHYSICAL breakdown, I mean the SURVEY breakdown) and analysis coming on the site within the next few days.

And DO click the song link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzEakmzjQk8