1972 was a golden year for great popular songs. Listening to the AM radio while walking the city streets, the tune was the key to musical happiness. Many songs featured melodies that you could sing out loud. From the rocky coast of Maine, to the sunny beaches of Southern California, pop music was enjoyed by all ages in the year 1972.
Here is a look at eleven popular songs from the year with commentary and sample lyrics.
You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – Jim Croce
Jim Croce was a great singer – songwriter, whose lyrics had everyone singing along. Jim’s career and life ended tragically in a 1973 plane crash. Other hits by Jim Croce include Operator, I’ve Got A Name, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, and I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song.
lyric: ‘…you don’t tug on Superman’s cape, you don’t spit into the wind…’
Without You – Harry Nilsson
Written by members of Badfinger, this popular tune was also covered by Mariah Carey. Harry Nilsson was a good friend of the Beatles and played music with them during their solo careers. Harry’s other hits include Spaceman, Coconut, Everybody’s Talkin’, and Me And My Arrow.
Lyric: ‘…I can’t live, if living is without you, I can’t live, I can’t live anymore…’
Rocket Man – Elton John
Apollo rockets were shooting into space, and David Bowie was a Starman when this popular Elton John tune hit the charts in 1972. Elton Hercules John has had a long string of hits since the early 1970’s. Other songs include Crocodile Rock, Candle In The Wind, Philadelphia Freedom, I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues, and Bennie And The Jets.
lyric: ‘…Mars aint the kind of place to raise your kid, in fact, it’s cold as Hell…’
Lean On Me – Bill Withers
The soulful voice of Bill Withers topped the radio airwaves during the summer of ’72. Bill had a distinct R & B voice and had other hits like Use Me, Aint No Sunshine, Lovely Day, Soul Shadows, and Just The Two Of Us.
lyric: ‘…lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on…’
Black And White – Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night hit the charts with another top hit to add to their collection of top ten songs. Black And White is from their album, Seven Separate Fools. Other Three Dog Night hits include One, Easy To Be Hard, Shambala, Just An Old Fashioned Love Song, and Joy To The World.
Lyric: ‘…a child is black, a child is white, together they go to see the light…’
Jesus Is Just Alright – The Doobie Brothers
The Doobies added some pop to a Gospel song covered a few years earlier by The Byrds. Other Doobie hits include Listen To The Music, Black Water, China Grove, and Minute By Minute.
Lyric: ‘…Jesus, He’s my friend, He took me by the hand…’
I Saw The Light – Todd Rundgren
Rundgren was from Philadelphia and had a series of hits including Hello It’s Me, We Gotta Get You A Woman, Bang The Drum All Day, and Can We Still Be Friends.
lyric: ‘…but my feelings for you were just something I never knew…’
Garden Party – Rick Nelson
Ricky Nelson was the child of television actors, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, stars of a popular TV show in the early 1960’s. Little Ricky had a few hits as a teen including I’m Walkin’, Hello Mary Lou, and Travelin’ Man. Nelson died in a plane crash on December 31, 1985.
Lyric: ‘…it’s alright now, I learned my lesson well, you can’t please everyone, you got to please yourself…’
Summer Breeze – Seals and Crofts
Seals and Crofts had a few top ten hits in the early 1970’s. With soothing harmonies and infectious melodies, their other top songs include Diamond Girl, Hummingbird, We May Never Pass This Way Again, Unborn Child, and I’ll Play For You.
lyric: ‘…summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine of my mind…’
Where Is The Love – Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway
Two great soulful R & B singers got together for this top duet single that won them a Grammy award. Roberta had other top songs like Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and Feel Like Makin’ Love.
lyric: ‘…where is the love you said was mine, all mine ’til the end of time, was it just a lie…’
Hi Hi Hi – Wings
This Paul McCartney led band had a slew of hits in the 1970’s with My Love, Live And Let Die, Helen Wheels, Jet, Band On The Run, Venus And Mars, and Mull Of Kintyre.
Lyric: ‘…yes I go like a rabbit, gonna grab it, gonna do it ’til the night is done…’
1972. A great year for popular music. A great time to sing along to the radio, hang out with friends at the beach, and enjoy some of the best songs ever written. Download these songs on your iPod or MP3 player, and re-discover the songs that’ll make your life happy. Peace!
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