Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Peaked at No. 8 on the Sizzling 100 in July 1977: This Was the High 10

This weekend, as thousands and thousands have been studying concerning the dying of beloved singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett, many have been shocked to learn that his well-known signature tune, “Margaritaville,” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Most simply assumed {that a} tune that well-known and liked should have been a No. 1.

First off, there’s no disgrace in a No. 8 hit. And “Margaritaville” spent 5 weeks within the prime 10, longer than the common No. 8 hit on the time. It spent per week at No. 10, adopted by two weeks at No. 9, after which two weeks at No. 8.

“Margaritaville” was voted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame in 2016 and the Library of Congress’ Nationwide Recording Registry in April 2023.  (For what it’s price, not one of the different songs that have been within the prime 10 the weeks “Margaritaville” was at its peak have but obtained both of these prestigious accolades.)

Buffett wasn’t the one legendary star within the prime 10 the week ending July 30, 1977, when “Margaritaville” was in its second week at No. 8. The highest 10 additionally included a pair of pop/grownup up to date superstars (Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow), in addition to a pair of fixtures on the rock scene, Peter Frampton and Rita Coolidge.

The highest 10 additionally included two youngsters (Shaun Cassidy, then 18, and Andy Gibb, then 19). Cassidy survived the hurricane that teen stardom usually entails. Gibb didn’t.

The highest 10 additionally included a real one-hit-wonder, whose first Sizzling 100 hit as an artist was additionally his final (Peter McCann).

Right here’s a glance again on the prime 10 the week ending July 30, 1977.

• Pablo Cruise, “Whatcha Gonna Do?”

  Songwriters: Dave Jenkins, Cory Lerios

  Notes: This tune jumped from No. 12 to No. 10 that week, turning into the pop/rock group’s first prime 10 hit. It peaked at No. 6 for 2 weeks starting Aug. 20. The group returned to the highest 10 the next 12 months with “Love Will Find a Way.”

• Rita Coolidge, “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher”

  Songwriters: Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, Carl Smith

  Notes: A languid cowl model of an thrilling R&B rave-up made well-known by Jackie Wilson? Doesn’t sound like a success on paper, nevertheless it positive was. David Anderle produced this smash, which proved once more that an incredible tune might be interpreted any variety of methods.

  This tune jumped from No. 11 to No. 9 that week, turning into Coolidge’s first prime 10 hit after years within the enterprise. She had recorded “Superstar” on Joe Cocker’s 1970 album Mad Canine and Englishmen, however the Carpenters had a million-seller with the tune.

  Coolidge’s model of “Higher and Higher” peaked at No. 2 on Sept. 10 – greater than Wilson’s authentic, which had reached No. 6 in October 1967. Her follow-up single, a canopy of Boz Scaggs’ “We’re All Alone,” additionally made the highest 10.

• Jimmy Buffett, “Margaritaville”

  Songwriter: Jimmy Buffett

  Notes: It’s simple to see why this tune has touched so many. It combines a jaunty association with a melancholy lyric, capped by the confessional line, “Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame/But I know, it’s my own damn fault.” That’s fairly self-aware for a tune that presents itself as carefree escapism.

  This was Buffett’s first and solely prime 10 hit. He got here shut with a pair of collabs with nation stars – “It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere” (a teaming with Alan Jackson that reached No. 17 in 2003) and “Knee Deep” (a teaming with Zac Brown Band that reached No. 18 in 2011). Each of these songs topped the Sizzling Nation Songs tally (the place “Margaritaville” had topped out at No. 13).

• Peter McCann, “Do You Wanna Make Love”

  Songwriter: Peter McCann

  Notes: McCann was a sizzling property in 1977. He wrote Jennifer Warnes’ “Right Time of the Night,” which reached No. 6 in Could 1977. McCann’s model of that tune appeared on the B-side of this tune, which jumped from No. 9 to No. 7 that week, on its strategy to a No. 5 peak. This was McCann’s first and solely Sizzling 100 hit as an artist. He died in January at age 74.

• The Feelings, “Best of My Love”

  Songwriters: Maurice White, Albert McKay

  Notes: White and McKay, each of Earth, Wind & Fireplace, co-wrote this tune, which leaped from No. 10 to No. 6 that week on its strategy to a five-week (nonconsecutive) run at No. 1. Solely Debby Boone’s seemingly undefeatable “You Light Up My Life” logged extra weeks at No. 1 in 1977. “Best of My Love” hit No. 1 two years after The Eagles’ tune with the identical title topped the chart. This was simply the second case of two completely different compositions with the very same title every topping the Sizzling 100. The primary was “I’m Sorry,” a No. 1 in 1960 for Brenda Lee and in 1975 for John Denver.

  “Best of My Love” received a Grammy for finest R&B vocal efficiency by a duo, group or refrain. (The tune was additionally nominated for finest rhythm & blues tune, however misplaced to the Leo Sayer dance/pop ditty “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” Go determine.) In 1979, The Feelings teamed with Earth, Wind & Fireplace to file “Boogie Wonderland,” which additionally made the highest 10 (peaking at No. 6).

  The Feelings had landed their first prime 40 hit on the Sizzling 100, “So I Can Love You,” in 1969, however “Best Of My Love” was their actual breakthrough.

• Shaun Cassidy, “Da Doo Ron Ron”

  Songwriters: Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector

  Notes: Cassidy’s replace of The Crystals’ 1963 smash dropped from No. 3 to No. 5 that week after hitting No. 1 the earlier week. This was Cassidy’s first Sizzling 100 hit. Its success made him one of many prime teen idols of the period. (My listening to might have been completely impaired by followers’ screams at a Greek Theater present of his I attended.)

  This remake climbed greater than the unique did. The Crystals’ model, subtitled “(When He Walked Me Home),” reached No. 3 in June 1963. Cassidy’s subsequent two singles, “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Hey Deanie,” additionally made the highest 10. Eric Carmen wrote each of these songs.

  Cassidy obtained a 1977 Grammy nod for finest new artist. Cassidy, the son of Shirley Jones, misplaced that award to Debby Boone, the daughter of Pat Boone. (Deep Trivia: Pat Boone and Jones had co-starred within the 1957 movie April Love.)

• Barbra Streisand, “My Heart Belongs to Me”

  Songwriter: Alan Gordon

  Notes: Streisand had been a multi-media celebrity for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, however she didn’t turn out to be a prime 40 mainstay till 1977. This was Streisand’s follow-up to “Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born),” which logged three weeks at No. 1 in March. This tune moved up from No. 5 to its No. 4 peak that week, a rank it could maintain the next week. This marked the primary time in Streisand’s profession that she had back-to-back prime 5 – and even prime 40 – hits.

• Barry Manilow, “Looks Like We Made It”

  Songwriters: Will Jennings, Richard Kerr

  Notes: This beautiful and sleek ballad turned Manilow’s third No. 1 hit the earlier week and was now beginning its descent. 1977 was the third 12 months in a row that Manilow landed a No. 1 single on the Sizzling 100. “Mandy” topped the chart in 1975. “I Write the Songs” scored in 1976. Simply two different acts every landed No. 1 hits in all three of these years – Bee Gees and KC & the Sunshine Band. (Bee Gees went on to additionally rating No. 1 hits in 1978 and 1979.)

  Jennings and Kerr additionally co-wrote a pair of 1979 prime 10 hits – “Somewhere in the Night,” a 1975 Helen Reddy hit that Manilow took to prime 10, and “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” Dionne Warwick’s comeback anthem (which Manilow produced).

• Peter Frampton, “I’m in You”

  Songwriter: Peter Frampton

  Notes: This rock ballad, which jumped from No. 4 to No. 2 that week, was Frampton’s first prime 5 hit. It spent a complete of three weeks at No. 2. Frampton had notched a pair of prime 10 hits from his 1976 blockbuster Frampton Comes Alive! – “Show Me the Way” and “Do You Feel Like We Do.”

• Andy Gibb, “I Just Want To Be Your Everything”

  Songwriter: Barry Gibb

  Notes: This tune, Gibb’s first Sizzling 100 hit, moved up from No. 2 to No. 1 that week, for the primary of 4 nonconsecutive weeks on prime. Gibb obtained two Grammy nods – finest pop vocal efficiency, male (for this monitor) and finest new artist. Gibb turned 19 the month earlier than this tune entered the Sizzling 100. He adopted it up with 5 extra prime 10 hits over the following three years. He died in 1988 at age 30.