📰 Record Mirror / BBC Chart – Chart Listing : Dec. 1972
- Charts
- Dec 9, 1972
- 2 min read
The *Record Mirror / BBC Chart* for the week ending **December 9, 1972** captured a richly varied snapshot of British pop at the close of the year, balancing glam, soul, novelty and singer‑songwriter sophistication. Chuck Berry’s “My Ding‑A‑Ling” held the top spot, while Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Clair” and Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” followed close behind — a mix of nostalgia, melody and emerging pop modernity.
Publication: Record Mirror
Date: December 9, 1972
Format: Weekly singles and albums chart
Writer: Record Mirror / BBC Chart Service
A moment of year‑end chart eclecticism, glam‑era sparkle and enduring pop craftsmanship.
đź“° Key Highlights
• “My Ding‑A‑Ling” by Chuck Berry at No. 1
• “Clair” by Gilbert O’Sullivan and “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John rounding out the Top 3
• “Crazy Horses” by the Osmonds and “Gudbuy T’Jane” by Slade in the Top 10
• “John, I’m Only Dancing” and “The Jean Genie” marking Bowie’s dual presence
• “Wig‑Wam Bam” by Sweet still charting strongly
• Albums chart dominated by K‑Tel and Arcade compilation series, reflecting the rise of mass‑market pop anthologies
đź“° Overview
This chart captures the UK music scene in December 1972 — a moment when glam rock, polished pop and nostalgic reissues shared equal footing. The singles list reveals a marketplace driven by personality and melody, while the albums chart underscores the growing influence of compilation LPs as holiday best‑sellers. The week’s listings reflect both the exuberance of glam and the sentimental warmth of year‑end pop.
đź“° Source Details
Publication / Venue: Record Mirror
Date: December 9, 1972
Format: Weekly singles and albums chart
Provenance Notes: Based on the official Record Mirror / BBC Chart compiled by the British Market Research Bureau.
đź“° The Story
The chart highlights:
• The coexistence of glam spectacle and MOR sentiment in late‑1972 pop
• Bowie’s sustained chart presence amid the rise of Elton John and Slade
• The dominance of compilation albums as retail staples
• A transitional moment bridging the exuberance of glam and the introspection of early‑’70s singer‑songwriters
• The BBC’s role in shaping national chart visibility through Record Mirror publication
The tone is celebratory, eclectic and era‑defining — a chart snapshot of Britain’s musical tastes as 1972 drew to a close.
đź“° Visual Archive
đź“° Closing Notes
A quintessential year‑end chart, the Record Mirror / BBC listing of December 9, 1972 stands as a vivid record of the artists, sounds and cultural forces shaping British pop at the height of the glam era.
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