Brian W.
MusicFan
Joined: 13 October 2004
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| Posted: 08 July 2005 at 4:36am | IP Logged
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Variety's Best Selling Singles of 1978
This year, novelty and disco singles continue to sell better than airplay would indicate, and we see the first glimpses of top forty radio's reluctance to play more hard-edged black music... a trend that will become even more apparent as we head into the 1980s.
Mega-shocker: The #24 sales rank of Johnny Paycheck's Take This Job and Shove It -- which didn't even CHART in Billboard or Cash Box!
Other surprises:
--The #2 (!) rank of Steve Martin's -King Tut, which only hit #17 on the Hot 100.
--The #11 rank of Funkadelic's One Nation Under a Groove, which only hit #28 on the Hot 100.
--The #10 rank of Village People's Macho Man, which peaked at #25 on the Hot 100.
--John Travolta's Greased Lightnin' peaked safely inside the top forty. (In fact, the week of October 18, all five singles from the Grease soundtrack were in the top 43 simultaneously.)
--An Elvis Presley single that was a #45 seller... that didn't chart on the Hot 100 at all!
All in all, I count seven singles that were Top 40 sellers that didn't hit Billboard's Top 40. They are highlighted below in RED. Again, the date in parenthesis is the actual chart week ending date... first date is the magazine issue date.
#1
1. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees #1 (9 weeks), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
2. Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb #1 (9 weeks), 5/24/78 (5/15/78)
3. Night Fever - Bee Gees #1 (7 weeks), 3/29/78 (3/20/78)
4. Le Freak - Chic #1 (7 weeks), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
5. Three Times A Lady - Commodores #1 (7 weeks), 7/26/78 (7/17/78)
6. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Barbra Streisand & Neal Diamond #1 (4 weeks), 11/15/78 (11/6/78)
7. Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey #1 (4 weeks), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
8. Kiss You All Over - Exile #1 (4 weeks), 10/11/78 (10/2/78)
9. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams #1 (1 week), 5/17/78 (5/8/78)
10. Hot Child in the City - Nick Gilder #1 (1 week), 11/8/78 (10/30/78)
#2
11. Grease - Frankie Valli #2 (5 weeks), 7/26/78 (7/17/78) (Came within less than 1% of the top spot three consecutive weeks... and week of 8/2/78 (7/24/78) was only 00.02% behind #1! Well within the margin of error.)
12. Emotion - Samantha Sang #2 (4 weeks), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
13. You Needed Me - Anne Murray #2 (4 weeks nc), 10/18/78 (10/9/78)
14. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty #2 (3 weeks), 6/14/78 (6/5/78)
15. MacArthur Park - Donna Summer #2 (2 weeks), 11/22/78 (11/13/78)
16. You're the One That I Want - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John #2 (2 weeks nc), 7/5/78 (6/26/78) (Came within less than 1% of #1 week of 7/26/78 (7/17/78), when it was at #3)
17. King Tut - Steve Martin #2 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78) (Came within less than 1% of #1 week of 7/26/78... when it was at #4! VERY competitive at the top that week.)
18. We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen #2 (1 week), 2/15/78 (2/6/78) **(For some reason -We Will Rock You- was never listed on either the Hot 100 or in Cash Box, though Whitburn notes it received extensive airplay. However, both Record World and the Radio & Records listed it as -We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You.- Variety listed only -We Are the Champions- for first two weeks it was on chart, then -We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You- for the following two weeks, then flipped the order of the songs for the remainder of the chart run. It was as it is listed here on its peak week.)
#3
19. Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees #3 (6 weeks), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
20. Can't Smile Without You - Barry Manilow #3 (4 weeks), 5/3/78 (4/24/78)
21. Miss You - Rolling Stones #3 (3 weeks), 8/2/78 (7/24/78) (Came within less than 1% of #1 week of 7/26/78... when it was at #5. Very crowded upper chart that week.)
22. (Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb #3 (2 weeks), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
#4
23. It's a Heartache - Bonnie Tyler #4 (4 weeks), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
24. My Life - Billy Joel #4 (3 weeks nc), 12/20/78 (12/11/78)
25. With a Little Luck - Paul McCartney #4 (3 weeks nc), 5/10/78 (5/1/78)
26. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel #4 (2 weeks), 2/1/78
27. Last Dance - Donna Summer #4 (2 weeks nc), 7/19/78 (7/10/78)
#5
28. Get Off - Foxy #5 (3 weeks nc), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
29. Baby Come Back - Player #5 (1 week), 1/11/78 (1/2/78)
30. Hot Blooded - Foreigner #5 (1 week), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
31. Feels So Good - Chuck Mangione #5 (1 week), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
32. Dust in the Wind - Kansas #5 (1 week), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
33. Lay Down Sally - Eric Clapton #5 (1 week), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
34. Reminiscing - Little River Band #5 (1 week), 10/18/78 (10/9/78)
#6
35. Hold the Line - Toto #6 (4 weeks), 12/27/78 (12/18/78)
36. Whenever I Call You Friend - Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks #6 (4 weeks nc), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
37. Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill #6 (3 weeks nc), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
38. The Closer I Get to You - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway #6 (2 weeks nc), 5/3/78 (4/24/78)
39. Summer Nights - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John #6 (1 week), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
#7
40. I Love the Nightlife - Alicia Bridges #7 (5 weeks), 11/29/78 (11/20/78)
41. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman #7 (3 weeks), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
42. Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton-John #7 (2 weeks nc), 9/6/78 (8/28/78)
43. You're in My Heart - Rod Stewart #7 (2 weeks), 1/11/77 (1/2/77)
44. Shame - Evelyn (Champagne) King #7 (1 week), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
45. How Much I Feel - Ambrosia #7 (1 week), 11/15/78 (11/6/78)
#8
46. Use Ta Be My Girl - O'Jays #8 (3 weeks nc), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
47. The Groove Line - Heatwave #8 (3 weeks), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
48. Jack & Jill - Raydio #8 (3 weeks), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
#9
49. Copacabana - Barry Manilow #9 (5 weeks), 7/19/78 (7/10/78)
50. Who Are You - Who #9 (2 weeks), 10/18/78 (10/9/78)
51. Double Vision - Foreigner #9 (2 weeks), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
52. Take a Chance on Me - ABBA #9 (1 week), 6/28/78 (6/19/78)
53. Love Will Find a Way - Pablo Cruise #9 (1 week), 8/23/78 (8/14/78)
#10
54. Dance Dance Dance - Chic #10 (4 weeks nc), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
55. On Broadway - George Benson #10 (3 weeks), 5/24/78 (5/15/78)
56. Goodbye Girl - David Gates #10 (2 weeks nc), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
57. Macho Man - Village People #10 (2 weeks), 9/27/78 (9/18/78)
58. **Theme from -Close Encounters of the Third Kind- - John Williams/Meco/Gene Page #10 (1 week), 3/1/78 (2/20/78) (All versions counted at one position, presumably listed in rank order. If any of them individually did not rank at #10 (and they probably didn't), then -Dance Dance Dance- would have spent a fifth week at #10 this week.)
59. Right Down the Line - Gerry Rafferty #10 (1 week), 10/25/78 (10/16/78)
60. Ready to Take a Chance Again - Barry Manilow #10 (1 week), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
61. Sharing the Night Together - Dr. Hook #10 (1 week), 12/27/78 (12/18/78)
62. Got to Be Real - Cheryl Lynn #10 (1 week), 1/3/79 (12/25/78)
#11
63. I Just Wanna Stop - Gino Vannelli #11 (3 weeks), 11/29/78 (11/20/78)
64. One Nation Under a Groove - Funkadelic #11 (2 weeks), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
65. You Belong to Me - Carly Simon #11 (2 weeks nc), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
66. Dance With Me - Peter Brown #11 (2 weeks nc), 6/14/78 (6/5/78)
67. Slip Slidin' Away - Paul Simon #11 (1 week), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
#12
68. Ebony Eyes - Bob Welch #12 (2 weeks), 4/5/78 (3/29/78)
69. Come Sail Away - Styx #12 (2 weeks nc), 2/1/78 (1/23/78)
70. Our Love - Natalie Cole #12 (1 week), 3/22/78 (3/13/78)
71. Flash Light - Parliament #12 (1 week), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
72. Disco Inferno - Trammps #12 (1 week), 6/7/78
#13
73. Imaginary Lover - Atlanta Rhythm Section #13 (1 week), 5/24/78 (5/15/78)
74. Life's Been Good - Joe Walsh #13 (1 week), 8/23/78 (8/14/78)
75. Magnet & Steel - Walter Egan #13 (3 weeks), 9/6/78 (8/28/78)
#14
76. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad - Meat Loaf #14 (1 week), 7/5/78 (6/26/78)
77. Ooh Baby Baby - Linda Rondstadt #14 (1 week), 12/27/78 (12/18/78)
78. Please Come Home for Christmas / Funky New Year - Eagles #14 (1 week), 1/3/79 (12/27/79)
#15
79. Still the Same - Bob Seger & Silver Bullet Band #15 (2 weeks nc), 6/28/78 (6/19/78)
80. Time Passages - Al Stewart #15 (1 week), 12/20/78 (12/11/78)
#16
81. Native New Yorker - Odyssey #16 (1 week), 2/15/78 (2/6/78)
82. Wonderful World - Art Garfunkel #16 (1 week), 3/8/78 (2/28/78)
83. Got to Get You Into My Life - Earth, Wind & Fire # 16 (1 week), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
#17
84. Love is Like Oxygen - Sweet #17 (2 weeks), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
85. Turn to Stone - Electric Light Orchestra #17 (1 week), 2/8/78 (1/30/78)
86. Baby Hold On - Eddie Money #17 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
87. Don't Look Back - Boston #17 (1 week), 10/11/78 (10/2/78)
88. Love is in the Air - John Paul Young #17 (1 week), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
#18
89. An Everlasting Love - Andy Gibb #18 (2 weeks), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
90. Peg - Steely Dan #18 (1 week), 3/1/78 (2/20/78)
91. I Go Crazy - Paul Davis #18 (1 week), 3/15/78 (3/6/78)
92. Running on Empty - Jackson Browne #18 (1 week), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
93. FM (No Static at All) - Steely Dan #18 (1 week), 6/28/78 (6/19/78)
94. Back in the U.S.A. - Linda Ronstadt #18 (3 weeks), 10/11/78 (10/2/78)
95. You Never Done It Like That - Captain & Tennille #18 (2 weeks nc), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
96. I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan #18 (1 week), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
#19
97. Sweet Talkin' Woman - Electric Light Orchestra #19 (2 weeks), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
98. Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon #19 (1 week), 5/10/78 (5/1/78)
99. Count on Me - Jefferson Starship #19 (1 week), 5/24/78 (5/5/78)
100. Dance Disco Heat- Sylvester #19 (1 week), 11/15/78 (11/6/78)
101. Instant Replay - Dan Hartman #19 (1 week), 1/3/79 (12/25/79)
#20
102. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmerelda #20 (3 weeks), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
103. What's Your Name - Lynyrd Skynyrd #20 (1 week), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
104. Bluer Than Blue - Michael Johnson #20 (1 week), 7/26/78 (7/17/78)
105. You and I - Rick James #20 (1 week), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
106. She's Always a Woman - Billy Joel #20 (1 week), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
107. Beast of Burden - Rolling Stones #20 (1 week), 11/15/78 (11/6/78)
108. Strange Way - Firefall #20 (1 week), 12/20/78 (12/11/78)
109. Fat Bottomed Girls / Bicycle Race - Queen #20 (1 week), 1/3/79 (12/25/79)
#21
110. Because the Night - Patti Smith Group #21 (1 week), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
111. Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel #21 (2 weeks), 6/28/78 (6/19/78)
112. Fool (If You Think It's Over) - Chris Rea #21 (1 week), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
#22
113. Thunder Island - Jay Ferguson #22 (1 week), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
#23
114. Always & Forever - Heatwave #23 (1 week), 4/5/78 (3/27/78)
115. Thank You for Being a Friend - Andrew Gold #23 (1 week), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
#24
116. Hot Legs - Rod Stewart #24 (2 weeks), 3/22/78 (3/13/78)
117. Take This Job and Shove It / Colorado Cool Aid - Johnny Paycheck #24 (1 week), 2/8/78 (1/30/78) (Debuted 1/11/78 issue, spent six weeks in Top 40. Complete chart run is 45-38-29-25-24-36-38-46. Colorado Cool Aid was not added to listing until the week it hit #24.)
118. We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again - England Dan & John Ford Coley #24 (1 week), 4/26/78 (4/17/78)
119. Even Now - Barry Manilow #24 (1 week), 5/31/78 (5/22/78)
120. My Angel Baby - Tony Beau #24 (1 week), 8/23/78 (8/14/78)
#25
121. Ffun - Con Funk Shun #25 (1 week), 2/8/78 (1/30/78)
122. Movin' Out - Billy Joel #25 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
123. In the Bush - Musique #25 (1 week), 11/29/78 (11/20/78)
#26
124. Thank God It's Friday - Love & Kisses #26 (1 week), 7/5/78 (6/26/78)
125. Stuff Like That - Quincy Jones #26 (1 week), 8/9/78 (8/31/78)
#27
126. Runaway - Jefferson Starship #19 (1 week), 7/19/78 (7/10/78)
127. Close the Door - Teddy Pendergrass #26 (1 week), 8/2/78 (7/24/78)
128. You - Rita Coolidge #27 (1 week), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
#28
129. Theme Song from Which Way is Up - Stargard #28 (1 week), 3/29/78 (3/20/78)
#29
130. Lady Love - Lou Rawls #29 (4 weeks), 3/22/78 (3/13/78)
131. The Way You Do the Things You Do - Rita Coolidge #29 (2 weeks nc), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
#30
132. Hollywood Nights - Bob Seger & Silver Bullet Band #30 (2 weeks), 11/27/78 (11/18/78)
133. Come Together - Aerosmith #30 (1 week), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
#31
134. Greased Lightnin' - John Travolta #31 (2 weeks), 10/25/78 (10/16/78)
135. Poor Poor Pitiful Me - Linda Rondstadt #31 (1 week), 3/1/78 (2/20/78)
136. Let's All Chant - Michael Zager Band #31 (1 week), 5/31/78 (5/22/78)
#32
137. More Than a Woman - Tavares #32 (1 week), 5/3/78 (4/24/78)
138. It's the Same Old Song - K.C. & The Sunshine Band #32 (1 week), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
139. Two Tickets to Paradise - Eddie Money #32 (1 week), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
140. Mary Jane - Rick James #32 (1 week), 11/22/78 (11/13/78)
141. Sweet Life - Paul Davis #32 (1 week), 12/20/78 (12/11/78)
142. How You Gonna See Me Now - Alice Cooper #32 (1 week), 12/27/78 (12/18/78)
#33
143. The Name of the Game - ABBA #33 (1 week), 4/5/78 (3/27/78)
144. Deacon Blues - Steely Dan #33 (1 week), 6/14/78 (6/5/78)
145. Straight On - Heart #33 (1 week), 12/20/78 (12/11/78)
#34
146. Lovely Day - Bill Withers #34 (2 weeks), 2/8/78 (1/30/78)
147. Falling - LeBlanc & Carr #34 (1 week), 4/5/78 (3/27/78)
148. Take Me to the Next Phase - Isley Brothers #34 (1 week), 6/14/78 (6/5/78)
#35
149. Part-Time Love - Elton John #35 (1 week), 12/27/78 (12/18/78)
150. Fantasy - Earth, Wind & Fire #35 (1 week), 5/17/78 (5/8/78)
151. Hot Shot - Karen Young #35 (1 week), 11/1/78 (10/23/78)
152. Don't Want to Live Without It - Pablo Cruise #35 (1 week), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
#36
153. Stay - Jackson Browne #36 (1 week), 8/9/78 (7/31/78)
#37
154. Just What I Needed - Cars #37 (4 weeks), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
155. Happy Anniversary - Little River Band #37 (1 week), 3/28/78 (3/19/78)
156. Follow You Follow Me - Genesis #37 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78)
#38
157. Songbird - Barbra Streisand #38 (1 week), 7/26/78 (7/17/78) (debuted at this position and never climbed any higher)
158. Runaway Love - Linda Clifford #38 (1 week), 7/19/78 (7/10/78)
#39
159. You're All I Need to Get By - Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams #39 (1 week), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
160. Josie - Steely Dan #39 (1 week), 10/18/78 (10/9/78)
161. Alive Again - Chicago #39 (1 week), 12/22/78 (12/13/78)
#40
162. Heartless - Heart #40 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
163. Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meat Loaf #40 (1 week), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
164. It's a Laugh - Hall & Oates #40 (1 week), 10/25/78 (10/16/78)
#41
165. Girl's School / Mull of Kintyre - Paul McCartney #41 (2 weeks), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
166. This Time I'm in It for Love - Player #41 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
167. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton #41 (1 week), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
168. If Ever I See You Again - Roberta Flack #41 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78)
#42
169. Fooling Yourself - Styx #42 (2 weeks), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
170. I've Had Enough - Wings #42 (2 weeks nc), 7/19/78 (7/10/78)
171. Do You Believe in Magic - Shaun Cassidy #42 (1 week), 5/3/78 (4/24/78)
172. Ego - Elton John #42 (1 week), 5/10/78 (5/1/78)
173. Oh Darling - Robin Gibb #42 (1 week), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
174. There'll Never Be - Switch #42 (1 week), 11/22/78 (11/13/78)
#43
175. Your Sweetness is My Weakness - Barry White #43 (2 weeks nc), 11/22/78 (11/13/78)
176. I Was Only Joking - Rod Stewart #43 (1 week), 6/14/78 (6/5/78)
177. Every Kinda People - Robert Palmer #43 (1 week), 6/21/78 (6/12/78)
#44
178. Devoted to You - James Taylor & Carly Simon #44 (2 weeks), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
179. Reach for It - George Duke #44 (1 week), 1/18/78 (1/9/78)
180. Prove It All Night - Bruce Springsteen #44 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78)
181. Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra #44 (1 week), 8/23/78 (8/14/78)
182. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) - Styx #44 (1 week), 11/15/78 (11/6/78)
#45
183. Softly as I Leave You / Unchained Melody - Elvis Presley #45 (1 week), 4/12/78 (4/3/78)
184. It's You That I Need - Enchantment #45 (1 week), 3/15/78 (3/6/78)
185. You're the Love - Seals & Crofts #45 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
186. Love Theme from Eyes of Laura Mars (Prisoner) - Barbra Streisand #45 (1 week), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
187. Change of Heart - Eric Carmen #45 (1 week), 11/22/78 (11/13/78)
#46
188. Cheeseburger in Paradise - Jimmy Buffett #46 (1 week), 6/7/78 (5/29/78)
189. Love or Something Like It - Kenny Rogers #46 (1 week), 7/26/78 (7/17/78)
190. Talking in Your Sleep - Crystal Gayle #46 (1 week), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
191. You - McCrays #46 (1 week), 9/20/78 (9/11/78)
#47
192. Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys - Waylon & Willie #47 (1 week), 3/8/78 (2/27/78)
193. Boogie Shoes - K.C. & The Sunshine Band #47 (1 week), 3/22/78 (3/13/78)
194. Can We Still Be Friends - Todd Rundgren #47 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78)
195. Brandy - O'Jays #47 (1 week), 9/13/78 (9/4/78)
196. The Power of Gold - Dan Fogelberg & Tim Weisberg #47 (1 week), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
#48
197. Bootzilla - Bootsy's Rubber Band #48 (1 week), 3/15/78 (3/6/78)
198. You Really Got Me - Van Halen #48 (1 week), 3/22/78 (3/13/78)
199. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Dave Mason #48 (1 week), 7/12/78 (7/3/78)
#49
200. Easy to Love - Leo Sayer #49 (1 week), 1/25/78 (1/16/78)
201. Steppin' in a Slide Zone - Moody Blues #49 (1 week), 8/23/78 (8/14/78)
202. Think It Over - Cheryl Ladd #49 (1 week), 8/30/78 (8/21/78)
203. Took the Last Train - David Gates #49 (1 week), 10/4/78 (9/25/78)
#50
204. My Best Friend's Girl - Cars #50 (2 weeks), 12/13/78 (12/4/78)
205. Street Corner Serenade - Wet Willie #50 (1 week), 2/22/78 (2/13/78)
206. I Can't Stand the Rain - Eruption #50 (1 week), 4/19/78 (4/10/78)
Edited by Brian W. on 03 November 2007 at 12:24pm
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Top 40 Music on Compact Disc : Chat Board
Topic: 1978 Variety Best Selling Singles
