Glitz & Hits: (The Charts)

The early 1970s (roughly 1970–1974) marked a vibrant transition in UK music, shifting from the psychedelic and folk-rock echoes of the late 1960s into a more colorful, youth-driven era dominated by glam rock (or “glitter rock”), bubblegum pop, and nostalgic revivals. The UK Singles Chart, compiled weekly by the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) from sales data across hundreds of record shops, reflected this with fast-turnover hits—often novelty tracks, stomping anthems, and infectious hooks

Rod Stewart: Single & Album Double Top (1975)

Rod Stewart's "Sailing" and "Atlantic Crossing" topped on their respective NME charts as published in New Musical Express on September 2,...

Charts

Sep 1, 19751 min read

Elton John: "Greatest Hits" Album (1975)

Elton John's Greatest Hits remains a non-mover at number one in both UK and US charts as published in New Musical Express, February 1,...

Elton John

Feb 1, 19751 min read

The Osmonds: "Love Me For A Reason" Single (1974)

Osmonds' "Love Me For A Reason" up one place to number one in UK chart as published Melody Maker, September 14, 1974. The Osmonds...

Charts

Sep 13, 19741 min read

NME Reader's Poll (1974)

British, General and World Sections as published in New Musical Express, February 23, 1974.

Charts

Feb 23, 19741 min read

Mud: "Tiger Feet" Single (1974)

Mud's "Tiger Feet" remained number one in UK Singles Chart as published Disc, February 16, 1974 Mud released "Tiger Feet" in January 1974...

Mud

Feb 16, 19741 min read

Sweet: "Blockbuster" Single (1973)

Sweet's "Blockbuster" is up five places to number one on the NME British Singles Chart as published in New Musical Express, January 27,...

Sweet

Jan 27, 19731 min read

The NME Readers Awards

1972/73 Readers Poll as published in New Musical Express, January 27, 1973.

Charts

Jan 27, 19731 min read

Slade: "Slayed" Album (1972)

Slade's "Slayed" retains its number one place on the NME British albums chart as published in New Musical Express, January 27, 1973....

Charts

Jan 27, 19731 min read

Record Mirror Charts January 6: 1973

T. Rex's "Solid Gold Easy Action" was kept from reaching the top spot on the UK charts by Jimmy Osmond's "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool," as published in Record Mirror on January 6, 1973. T. Rex released "Solid Gold Easy Action" in December 1972 as a single, following their glam rock peak with The Slider album. Written by frontman Marc Bolan, the track features his signature slinky guitar riffs, boogie rhythms, and playful, cryptic lyrics, backed by Mickey Finn’s percuss

Charts

Jan 6, 19731 min read

Best Sellers Charts: 1972

Harry Nilsson's "Without You" tops the 1972 best sellers singles chart, and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" tops the best sellers album chart, as published in Melody Maker, December 30, 1972. Harry Nilsson released "Without You" in October 1971 as a single from his album Nilsson Schmilsson , on RCA Records. Originally written and recorded by Badfinger in 1970, Nilsson’s cover transformed the song into a dramatic, heart-wrenching ballad. His soaring vocals, pa

Charts

Dec 30, 19722 min read

My Ding-A-Ling Single: 1972

Record Mirror / BBC UK Top 50 Singles Chart A My Ding-A-Ling Xmas No. 1 Freeze Published in Record Mirror on December 9, 1972, this official Record Mirror / BBC Top 50 singles chart shows Chuck Berry – My Ding-A-Ling holding the No. 1 spot for the fourth consecutive week — the longest-running UK No. 1 of 1972. Slade’s “Gudbuy T’Jane sits at No. 3, and T. Rex’s “Solid Gold Easy Action” enters at No. 8. A frozen pre-Christmas chart classic. Chart Overview Publication Details M

Charts

Dec 9, 19721 min read

Gilbert O'Sullivan: Clair Single Chart (1972)

Gentle "Clair" climbs to the top spot! up one place on this weeks Singles Chart, to number one in the POP 30 as published in Melody Maker, November 18, 1972. Gilbert O’Sullivan released "Clair" in October 1972 as a single from his album Back to Front on MAM Records. The Irish singer-songwriter’s tender ballad, written for his manager’s young daughter, Clair Mills, showcases his knack for melodic pop with heartfelt lyrics. Featuring O’Sullivan’s soft vocals, gentle piano, and

Charts

Nov 18, 19721 min read

Rod Stewart: "Never A Dull Moment" Album (1972)

Rod Stewart's "Never a Dull Moment" remains at the number one position in the NME British album chart as published in New Musical Express, October 14, 1972. Rod Stewart released Never a Dull Moment in July 1972, his fourth solo album, on Mercury Records. Following the success of Every Picture Tells a Story , this album solidified Stewart’s blend of rock, folk, and soul, showcasing his raspy vocals and knack for storytelling. Recorded at Morgan and Olympic Studios in London,

Charts

Oct 13, 19721 min read

T. Rex: "Children of the Revolution" Single (1972)

T. Rex's single "Children of the Revolution" moves up five places to number one in the Pop 30 Chart as published in Melody Maker,...

T.Rex

Sep 29, 19721 min read

Alice Cooper Group: "School's Out" Single (1972)

Alice Cooper Group's "School's Out" remains a non-mover at the number one position on the Record Mirror / BBC chart as published in...

Charts

Sep 1, 19721 min read

T.Rex: Single & Album Second Only (1972)

T. Rex's "Telegram Sam" and "Electric Warrior" at number two position in their respective UK charts - Melody Maker, February 5, 1972

Charts

Feb 5, 19721 min read

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony) Single Chart: 1972

The New Seekers' Coca-Cola Harmony No. 1 As published in New Musical Express on January 22, 1972, The New Seekers’ “I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)” retained its No. 1 position on the NME Top 30 chart. Originally created as the jingle for a Coca-Cola TV commercial (“I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke”), the full-length single version became a global hit, symbolizing peace and unity in the early 1970s. Written by Bill Backer, Billy Davis, Roger Cook, and

Charts

Jan 22, 19722 min read

T. Rex: "Electric Warrior" Album (1971)

T. Rex's "Electric Warrior" resides at the number one position on the 50 albums chart as published in Record Mirror, January 15, 1972.

Charts

Jan 15, 19721 min read

NME Singles Chart: January 8, 1972

The NME Top 30 Singles Chart for the week ending January 8, 1972, featured glam rock holding strong with T. Rex at number 6 with "Jeepster", Slade at number 17 with "'Cos I Luv You", and Faces at number 27 with "Stay with Me". 1. I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing – New Seekers (Polydor) 2. Ernie – Benny Hill (Columbia) 3. Theme from "Shaft" – Isaac Hayes (Stax) 4. Something Tells Me – Cilla Black (Parlophone) 5. No Matter How I Try – Gilbert O'Sullivan (MAM) 6. Jeepster – T

Charts

Jan 8, 19722 min read

Best Sellers Chart: 1971

George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water top the best-selling charts of 1971 as published in Sounds, January 1, 1972. Simon & Garfunkel released Bridge Over Troubled Water , their fifth and final studio album, in January 1970 on Columbia Records. Recorded in 1969 primarily at Columbia’s New York studios, with additional sessions in Los Angeles, it was produced by Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Roy Halee. The album blends folk, rock

Charts

Jan 1, 19722 min read