Happy 55th Anniversary/birthday to American Top 40.
Happy 4th of July 2025! Welcome to another chart countdown! I’m starting a new series showcasing the top 5 songs for you. Since this past weekend (July 3, 2025) marked the 55th anniversary of Casey Kasem counting them down, I thought we’d take a trip back and revisit the top 5 songs from the very first show in 1970. After this article, I’ll be sharing the top 5 songs of the year from 1980-1989. I listened to every top 5 song this week.
What was happening in 1970? First off, I was born, and I love that I’m the same age as this countdown show. The top 3 movies were: 3. Two Mules for Sister Sara, 2. Kelly’s Heroes, and 1. The Cheyenne Social Club. I’ve never even heard of these!
As Casey Kasem used to say, “Now on with the countdown”, even though I only know one song.
#5 Is it Vanity Fair or Fare??
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Hitchin a Ride” by Vanity Fare
The music in the 70’s was such a cool vibe. “I’m Hitchin’ a ride to be with you”. How can you not like those lyrics?
The band were childhood friends, formed in 1966. The band only released two albums but several compilation albums.
#4 The first boy band!
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “The Long and Winding Road” by The Beatles.
Ahh the Beatles. The first boy band that drove all the girls fall in love with. This song I know! It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon-McCartney
Paul McCartney said he came up with the title “The Long and Winding Road” during one of his first visits to his property High Park Farm, in Scotland which he purchased in June 1966. The phrase was inspired by the sight of a road “stretching up into the hills” in the remote surroundings of lochs and distant mountains
This song did reach #1. The song ended the year at #41.
#3 A title for today!
THE SONG AND ARTIST: ” Ball of Confusion (That’s what the World is Today)” by The Temptations.
I did listen to this song, and I like it a lot too! The Temptations were so cool. This song is really fun! It reached #2 on the charts. The magazine Cash Box said: “another shocker featuring studio-work voltage and the charge of new-Temps lyric power” and “another electrifying experience”
A lot could be said about how the title is describing today. It a sad kind of way. Hopefully there will be signs of lights at the end of the tunnel!
#2 Mama said what?
THE SONG AND ARTIST: “Mama Told Me (Not To Come)” by Three Dog Night
Not a fan of this song but obviously it was a huge hit. The song written by Randy Newman, reached #1. It ended the year at #11.
Newman says that the song was inspired by his own lighthearted reflection on the Los Angeles music scene of the late 1960s. Three Dog Night gave us the Joy to the World anthem!
Time for #1
If you follow along with Dan’s weekly 80s Countdown tweets on Twitter/X, you’ll know that he never reveals the top song. He gives away all the other 39 songs on the countdown. He doesn’t want to spoil the entire listening experience. So, without further ado…
… and the number one song this week in 1970.
#1 Here are the hints: They are a young group of brothers from Indiana. The group produced an over the moon super pop star. His two sisters and a brother all had Top 40 hits in the 80’s.
THE SONG AND ARTIST “The Love you Save/I Found a Girl” by The Jackson 5
This is so good! Wow! Never heard it before. The Love You Save” features side vocals of Jermaine Jackson singing alongside Michael in the final “Stop! The love you save may be your own”, beside Marlo, Tito, and Jackie. The song’s lyrics feature Michael and Jermaine warning a “fast” girl to slow down and “stop!”, because “the love you save may be your own!”
Fun Fact: “The Love You Save” was the second single from the second Jackson 5 album, ABC
Thanks for learning and reading about the very first airing episode of the American Top 40 show! I will be back next week to chat about the top 5 songs of all of 1980!
In the meantime, let me know what you think of this and ideas for a topic! And if you are on Twitter/X, be sure to join our live tweets every Friday night at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific using the hashtag #80sCountdown to be part of the fun!
Nick
