Pick of the Pops - September 1978

 Pick of the Pops

Number one in September 1978

This month not only are we staying here in the UK but also venturing over to the USA. I had a request from American reader, Tammy Brandonisio Tsonis, who wants to know “What was the Top 20 on 14th September 1978. Also, were there any British songs that might have been in the American chart at that time?”

The history of the charts in America, dates back to January 1936, when the Billboard magazine published the first music hit parade. It was not until July 1940, when the first Music Popularity Chart was calculated. This was a result of a song chart which in turn was consolidated into the Hot 100 by mid-1958. It was in July 1970, that the first American Top 40 was first broadcast.

The 1970s was the golden era for vinyl records, they were now more affordable and just about everyone had a record player. During the 1970s, the variety of music increased, with the main genres being Funk, Soul, R&B, Pop, Hard and Soft Rock, Disco and Country.

 Grease was certainly the word, on both sides of the Atlantic, so, without further ado, let’s count the Top 20 of 14th September 1978. The list will also illustrate (in brackets) the previous week’s entry.

1 (1) Three Times A Lady – The Commodores

2 (4) Dreadlock Holiday – 10CC

3 (2) Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl In The Ring – Boney M

4 (3) It’s Raining – Darts

5 (5) Oh What A Circus – David Essex

6 (6) Jilted John – Jilted John

7 (15) Hong Kong Garden – Siouxsie and The Banshees

8 (9) British Hustle – Hi Television

9 (8) Supernature – Cerrone

10 (19) Kiss You All Over – Exile

11 (10) An Everlasting Love – Andy Gibb

12 (7) You’re the One That I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

13 (16) Picture This – Blondie

14 (23) Again and Again – Status Quo

15 (25) I Thought It Was You – Herbie Hancock

16 (13) Forget About You – The Motors

17 (17) Top of The Pops – Rezillos

18 (11) It’s Only Make Believe – Child

19 (24) Grease – Frankie Valli

20 (14) Baby Stop Crying – Bob Dylan

 

Here is the USA Top 20 week ending 16th September 1978.

(Artist nationality in brackets)

1 (1) Boogie Oogie Oogie – A Taste of Honey (American)

2 (2) Three Times A Lady – The Commodores (American)

3 (3) Hot Blooded – Foreigner (British/American)

4 (4) Hopelessly Devoted to You – Olivia Newton-John (Australian)

5 (5) Kiss You All Over – Exile (American)

6 (7) An Everlasting Love – Andy Gibb (Australian)

7 (8) Summer Nights – John Travolta, Olivia Newtown-John & Cast (American/Australian)

8 (12) Don’t Look Back – Boston (American)

9 (10) Got to Get You into My Life – Earth, Wind and Fire (American)

10 (9) Shame – Evelyn “Champagne” King (American)

11 (11) Hot Child in The City – Nick Gilder (Canadian)

12 (13) Fool (If You Think It’s Over) – Chris Rea (British)

13 (14) Love Is in The Air – John Paul Young (Scottish/Australian)

14 (16) You and I – Rick James (American)

15 (17) Reminiscing – Little River Band (Australian)

16 (18) You Needed Me – Anne Murray (Canadian)

17 (19) Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (American)

18 (6) Grease – Frankie Valli (American)

19 (23) Whenever I Call You “Friend” – Kenny Loggins (American)

20 (15) Miss You – Rolling Stones (British)