40 Year Itch: 5 Big Hits That Peaked in July 1972

1. Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose: Too Late To Turn Back Now



When I was living in Charleston, South Carolina the rumor was that a Sister Rose lived in the projects there. That might help explain why a group that scored two big hits ( The #2 "Too Late To Turn Back Now" and 1971's #3 "Treat Her Like A Lady") has a multi million lawsuit filed against Capitol Records. What isn't in dispute is how great both records sound.


2. Frederick Knight: I've Been Lonely For So Long
  

Although he appeared in the concert film Wattstax, Frederick Knight goes down as a one hit wonder. But what a hit. "I've Been Lonely For So Long " reached #22 on the Billboard charts and was covered by both Paul Young and Mick Jagger ( on Jagger's only "must have" solo album Wandering Spirit). Knight also produced Anita Ward's disco hit "Ring My Bell".

3. Mouth and MacNeal : How Do You Do



#1 on the Dutch charts and a gold selling single in the US (which peaked at #8), Mouth and MacNeal's "How Do You Do" is the kind of ear worm that delights the kids and eventually drives parents up the wall. Mouth was a fomer construction worker who died of a heart attack in 2004. MacNeal has taken back her real name: Sjoukje Van't Spijker.

4 Godspell Cast : Day By Day




 With Robin Lamont singing lead, this Godspell cast recording peaked at #13 on July 29, 1972. Some of the lyrics closely match a 13th Century prayer:
 May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly

 5 Wayne Newton: Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast


Wayne Newton was already a Las Vegas entertainer when  "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" peaked at #4 in July of 1972. Between 1970 and 1975 the divorce rate in the United States increased to almost 40%. Not a few of those divorces happened in Newton's adopted home state of Nevada.
Three songs hit #1 in July of 1972: Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue", Bill Withers's "Lean On Me" and Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)"