August 19 in Music History: The 1970s Number Ones
On August 19 in music history, the number one song in America changed with every year of the 1970s.
The Billboard Hot 100 week that contains August 19 had a different song on top in all ten years.
Those ten songs spent 29 weeks at number one between them.
You can play every one from the table below.
Each row also shows how far into its run the song was that week.
Total weeks at number one for the song on top the week of August 19, one bar per year.
Chart: Music of the 70s, from this site's weekly Billboard Hot 100 data.
August 19 in Music History, 1970 to 1979: Play the Ten Number Ones
Press Play on any row and the list keeps going, song after song, until you press Stop.
Tap a column heading to sort by song, artist, year, chart week or weeks at number one.
| Play | Chart week | The story | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (They Long to Be) Close to You | The Carpenters | 1970 | Aug 15 to Aug 21 | 4 of 4 | 4 | Herb Alpert recorded it but never released his version, and Richard Carpenter added the parentheses to the title because he thought the original was too long. | |
| How Can You Mend a Broken Heart | Bee Gees | 1971 | Aug 14 to Aug 20 | 2 of 4 | 4 | Barry and Robin Gibb wrote it in August 1970 after the brothers reunited, and Robin said the song took about an hour to complete. | |
| Alone Again (Naturally) | Gilbert O'Sullivan | 1972 | Aug 19 to Aug 25 | 4 of 6 | 6 | Biz Markie's unauthorized sample of it led to the 1991 case Grand Upright Music v. Warner Bros. Records, which affected how hip-hop producers handle samples. | |
| Touch Me in the Morning | Diana Ross | 1973 | Aug 18 to Aug 24 | 1 of 1 | 1 | Ron Miller and Michael Masser wrote it, and Wikipedia calls it Diana Ross's second solo number one on the Hot 100. | |
| The Night Chicago Died | Paper Lace | 1974 | Aug 17 to Aug 23 | 1 of 1 | 1 | The writers said they had never been to Chicago and based the shoot-out on gangster films, and Mayor Richard Daley disliked the record. | |
| Jive Talkin' | Bee Gees | 1975 | Aug 16 to Aug 22 | 2 of 2 | 2 | The working title was "Drive Talking," and the beat was modeled on the sound of their car crossing the Julia Tuttle Causeway on the way to the studio. | |
| Don't Go Breaking My Heart | Elton John and Kiki Dee | 1976 | Aug 14 to Aug 20 | 2 of 4 | 4 | Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote it under the pseudonyms "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" and first offered it to Dusty Springfield. | |
| I Just Want to Be Your Everything | Andy Gibb | 1977 | Aug 13 to Aug 19 | 3 of 4 | 4 | Barry Gibb wrote it, and The Emotions' "Best of My Love" interrupted its run, so its four weeks at number one came in two stretches. | |
| Three Times a Lady | Commodores | 1978 | Aug 19 to Aug 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 | Lionel Richie wrote it after a toast his father gave at his parents' 37th anniversary party, and he imagined Frank Sinatra singing it. | |
| Good Times | Chic | 1979 | Aug 18 to Aug 24 | 1 of 1 | 1 | Its bassline was recreated in "Rapper's Delight," and the threat of legal action ended in a settlement and co-writer credits for Rodgers and Edwards. |
Chart week is the Billboard Hot 100 week that contains August 19 that year.
Week of run says which week of the song's time at number one that was, like 2 of 4.
Chart weeks and weeks at number one come from this site's weekly Hot 100 file, and the story lines are credited in Sources.
The Short Answer: Who Was on Top Each Year
For August 19 in music history, a different record was number one in every year from 1970 to 1979.
That is the Hot 100 chart week that includes August 19.
Here is what the ten weeks show at a glance:
- The ten songs spent 29 weeks at number one in total.
- "Alone Again (Naturally)" had the most weeks, with six, and four songs had four each: "Close to You," "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "I Just Want to Be Your Everything."
- 3 of the ten songs were in their first week at number one that week, and all three of them, "Touch Me in the Morning," "The Night Chicago Died" and "Good Times," had just that one week.
- 4 were somewhere in the middle of a longer run, and 3 were in the final week of their runs.
Want Your Own Week?
The Birthday #1 Song Finder does this for any 1970s birthday, not only August 19 in music history.
Enter the date and it shows the song that was on top that week.
How the August 19 Week Was Picked
Billboard chart weeks do not line up with the calendar, so there is no single week called August 19.
This August 19 in music history page uses the weekly Hot 100 week that contains August 19 each year.
That week began on a different date each year:
- 1970: the chart week of August 15, 1970, with "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters on top.
- 1971: the chart week of August 14, 1971, with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Bee Gees on top.
- 1972: the chart week of August 19, 1972, with "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan on top.
- 1973: the chart week of August 18, 1973, with "Touch Me in the Morning" by Diana Ross on top.
- 1974: the chart week of August 17, 1974, with "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace on top.
- 1975: the chart week of August 16, 1975, with "Jive Talkin'" by Bee Gees on top.
- 1976: the chart week of August 14, 1976, with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee on top.
- 1977: the chart week of August 13, 1977, with "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb on top.
- 1978: the chart week of August 19, 1978, with "Three Times a Lady" by Commodores on top.
- 1979: the chart week of August 18, 1979, with "Good Times" by Chic on top.
Where the Numbers Come From
Chart weeks and weeks at number one come from the weekly Hot 100 file on this site.
The story line for each song is a fact from that song's Wikipedia page.
Anything that could not be confirmed against those sources was left out.
Eight of the ten runs were unbroken.
For those, "week of run" counts the weeks since the song first reached number one.
Two runs were split by another song: "Alone Again (Naturally)" in 1972 and "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" in 1977.
For those two, it counts only the weeks the song itself held number one.
August 19 in Music History, 1970 to 1972: A Bacharach Classic, a Bee Gees Reunion Song and a Ballad Behind a Sampling Lawsuit
August 19 in music history opened the decade with a Carpenters hit written by Burt Bacharach.
Next came the Bee Gees' first American number one.
Then came a six-week Gilbert O'Sullivan ballad.
1970: "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters
Burt Bacharach wrote the music and Hal David the lyrics.
Richard Chamberlain made the first recording in 1963 as "They Long to Be Close to You."
Wikipedia says Herb Alpert recorded it but never released his version, and he suggested the Carpenters record it.
Richard Carpenter added the parentheses to the title because he thought the original was too long.
A&M released it on May 14, 1970, from the album Close to You, produced by Jack Daugherty.
This site's weekly data shows four weeks at number one, from July 25 to August 15, 1970.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the fourth and last.
The song is number 2 on the 1970 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
The full story is on the Close to You page.
More of the duo is on the Carpenters songs page.
1971: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by Bee Gees
Barry and Robin Gibb wrote it in August 1970, after a period of separation and estrangement.
Wikipedia says they first offered it to Andy Williams but recorded it themselves, and Robin said it took about an hour.
Robert Stigwood and the group produced it, recorded on January 28, 1971, at IBC Studios in London.
Atco released it in the United States on May 28, 1971, as the lead single from the album Trafalgar.
It became the group's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
This site's weekly data shows four weeks at number one, from August 7 to August 28, 1971.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the second of four.
The song is number 5 on the 1971 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
The full story is on the How Can You Mend a Broken Heart page.
1972: "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Gilbert O'Sullivan wrote "Alone Again (Naturally)," and Gordon Mills produced it.
It was released in the United Kingdom on February 18, 1972, and in the United States in May 1972.
Wikipedia says it sold over two million copies.
The same page says the song figured in the 1991 case Grand Upright Music v. Warner Bros. Records.
The case was about Biz Markie's unauthorized sample, and the ruling affected how hip-hop producers handle samples.
This site's weekly data shows six weeks at number one that were not in a row.
They were July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, September 2 and September 9, 1972.
Looking Glass's "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" held number one for the week of August 26 in between.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the fourth of six.
The song is number 2 on the 1972 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
August 19 in Music History, 1973 to 1975: A Motown Ballad, a Fictional Chicago Shoot-Out and a Song Born on a Causeway
August 19 in music history in the middle of the decade brought a Diana Ross ballad.
A British band singing about a gangland shoot-out followed.
Then the Bee Gees returned to the top.
1973: "Touch Me in the Morning" by Diana Ross
Ron Miller and Michael Masser wrote "Touch Me in the Morning."
Masser and Tom Baird produced it.
Motown released it on May 3, 1973, as the first single from the album of the same name.
Wikipedia calls it Ross's second solo number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
This site's weekly data shows one week at number one, the chart week of August 18, 1973.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the first and only one.
The song is number 10 on the 1973 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
More of her career is on the Diana Ross songs page.
1974: "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace
Peter Callander and Mitch Murray wrote and produced "The Night Chicago Died," which was released on June 15, 1974.
It tells of a fictional shoot-out between Chicago police and gangsters linked to Al Capone.
Wikipedia says the St. Valentine's Day Massacre inspired it.
The writers said they had never been to Chicago and based their picture of it on gangster films.
Wikipedia says Paper Lace sent the song to Mayor Richard Daley, who disliked it.
Callander defended the song's "East Side of Chicago" setting by saying, "There's an East Side of everywhere!"
This site's weekly data shows one week at number one, the chart week of August 17, 1974.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the first and only one.
The song is number 47 on the 1974 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
1975: "Jive Talkin'" by Bee Gees
Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb wrote "Jive Talkin'."
Arif Mardin produced it at Criteria Studios in Miami in early 1975.
Wikipedia says the working title was "Drive Talking."
The beat was modeled on the sound of their car crossing the Julia Tuttle Causeway.
Blue Weaver played the synthesizer bass on an ARP 2600.
RSO released it in May 1975 as the lead single from the album Main Course.
This site's weekly data shows two weeks at number one, August 9 and August 16, 1975.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the second and last.
The song is number 12 on the 1975 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
The full story is on the Jive Talkin' page, and the group has its own Bee Gees page.
August 19 in Music History, 1976 to 1979: A Duet Offered to Dusty Springfield, an Andy Gibb Return, a Wedding Waltz and a Chic Bassline
August 19 in music history closed the decade with an Elton John duet and a second Andy Gibb run.
A Commodores ballad and a Chic single that others copied followed.
1976: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote it under the pseudonyms "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche."
Wikipedia says they first offered the song to Dusty Springfield but withdrew the offer.
John's vocals and the musicians were recorded on March 27, 1976, at Eastern Sound in Toronto.
Kiki Dee added her part at Marquee Studios in London.
Gus Dudgeon produced it, and Rocket and MCA released it on June 25, 1976.
This site's weekly data shows four weeks at number one, from August 7 to August 28, 1976.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the second of four.
The song is number 2 on the 1976 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
More of the singer is on the Elton John page.
1977: "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb
Barry Gibb wrote "I Just Want to Be Your Everything."
It was recorded in October 1976 at Criteria Studios in Miami.
RSO released it in April 1977 as the first single from Andy Gibb's debut album Flowing Rivers.
Wikipedia says it spent four weeks at number one in two separate runs.
The Emotions' "Best of My Love" interrupted it.
This site's weekly data shows July 30, August 6 and August 13, 1977, and then September 17.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the third of four.
The song is number 2 on the 1977 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
1978: "Three Times a Lady" by Commodores
Lionel Richie wrote "Three Times a Lady."
Wikipedia says the idea came from a toast his father gave at his parents' 37th anniversary party.
Richie wrote it as a waltz for his wife, Brenda, and imagined Frank Sinatra singing it.
Producer James Carmichael insisted it go on the Commodores' album Natural High instead.
Motown released it on June 9, 1978.
This site's weekly data shows two weeks at number one, August 12 and August 19, 1978.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the second and last.
The song is number 10 on the 1978 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
1979: "Good Times" by Chic
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers wrote and produced "Good Times."
They recorded it in 1978 at Power Station in New York City.
Atlantic released it on June 4, 1979, as the first single from the album Risqué.
Wikipedia says its bassline was recreated in the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight."
Rodgers and Edwards threatened legal action.
That ended in a settlement and co-writer credits on that record.
This site's weekly data shows one week at number one, the chart week of August 18, 1979.
Wikipedia says The Knack's "My Sharona" replaced it the following week.
So the chart week that contains August 19 was the first and only one.
The song is number 20 on the 1979 year-end Hot 100, in this site's year-end data.
August 19 in Music History by the Numbers: Short Runs, Long Runs and Where Each Song Stood
Ranking the ten songs of August 19 in music history by weeks at number one shows one 1972 run above the rest.
| Song | Artist | Year | Weeks at #1 | First week | Last week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alone Again (Naturally) | Gilbert O'Sullivan | 1972 | 6 | July 29, 1972 | September 9, 1972 |
| (They Long to Be) Close to You | The Carpenters | 1970 | 4 | July 25, 1970 | August 15, 1970 |
| How Can You Mend a Broken Heart | Bee Gees | 1971 | 4 | August 7, 1971 | August 28, 1971 |
| Don't Go Breaking My Heart | Elton John and Kiki Dee | 1976 | 4 | August 7, 1976 | August 28, 1976 |
| I Just Want to Be Your Everything | Andy Gibb | 1977 | 4 | July 30, 1977 | September 17, 1977 |
| Jive Talkin' | Bee Gees | 1975 | 2 | August 9, 1975 | August 16, 1975 |
| Three Times a Lady | Commodores | 1978 | 2 | August 12, 1978 | August 19, 1978 |
| Touch Me in the Morning | Diana Ross | 1973 | 1 | August 18, 1973 | August 18, 1973 |
| The Night Chicago Died | Paper Lace | 1974 | 1 | August 17, 1974 | August 17, 1974 |
| Good Times | Chic | 1979 | 1 | August 18, 1979 | August 18, 1979 |
Each box is one week at number one and the gold box is the week that contains August 19.
A gap is a week another song was on top.
Chart: Music of the 70s, from this site's weekly Billboard Hot 100 data.
Where August 19 Fell in Each Run
The weeks split three ways:
- 3 songs were in their first week at number one: "Touch Me in the Morning," "The Night Chicago Died" and "Good Times."
- 4 were in the middle of a longer run: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," "Alone Again (Naturally)," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "I Just Want to Be Your Everything."
- 3 were in the last week of their runs: "(They Long to Be) Close to You," "Jive Talkin'" and "Three Times a Lady."
Test Your Own Memory
Which of these ten August 19 in music history number ones would you have bet on?
The list runs from the Carpenters in 1970 to Chic in 1979.
Earlier weeks have their own lists, including July 15 in music history, June 12 in music history, May 29 in music history, April 17 in music history, March 20 in music history, February 13 in music history, January 9 in music history, November 28 in music history and this week in music history for October 24.
The 70s Music Trivia Quiz has ten new questions each round.
For the whole decade at the top, see the 70s number one hits page.
More of the decade lives on the Music of the 70s home page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the number one song on August 19 in music history in the 1970s?
The number one song for the Hot 100 chart week that includes August 19 changed every year. It was "(They Long to Be) Close to You" in 1970, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" in 1971, "Alone Again (Naturally)" in 1972, "Touch Me in the Morning" in 1973 and "The Night Chicago Died" in 1974. Five more follow, ending with "Good Times" in 1979.
Which 70s number one song stayed on top the longest around August 19?
Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" had the most weeks at number one of the ten songs, with six, according to this site's weekly Hot 100 data. They were split by one week of Looking Glass's "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)." Four songs had four weeks each, including "Close to You" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
What was the number one song on August 19, 1978?
The Commodores' "Three Times a Lady" was number one for the Hot 100 chart week that began August 19, 1978. It was the second and last of its two weeks at number one, according to this site's weekly Hot 100 data. It is number 10 on the 1978 year-end Hot 100 in this site's data.
How can I find the number one song from my own birthday?
You can find the number one song from your birthday with the Birthday #1 Song Finder on this site. Enter a birthday from the 1970s and it shows the song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 that week, using the same weekly chart data as the ten songs on this page.
Why does the chart week change from year to year?
This site's weekly Hot 100 file dates each chart week from a Saturday, and that date moves each year. The week containing August 19 began August 19 in 1972 and 1978, August 18 in 1973 and 1979, August 17 in 1974, August 16 in 1975, August 15 in 1970, August 14 in 1971 and 1976 and August 13 in 1977.
Related Posts
Sources
- (They Long to Be) Close to You, Wikipedia, for the writers, Chamberlain's first recording, the title change, the release and the producer.
- How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Wikipedia, for the writers, the 1970 reunion, the recording date and studio, the release and the first number one.
- Alone Again (Naturally), Wikipedia, for the writer, the producer, the releases, the sales and the sampling case.
- Touch Me in the Morning (song), Wikipedia, for the writers, the producers, the release date and Ross's second solo number one.
- The Night Chicago Died, Wikipedia, for the writers, the release date, the fictional shoot-out and the Mayor Daley story.
- Jive Talkin', Wikipedia, for the writers, the producer, the Miami recording, the working title and the causeway rhythm.
- Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John and Kiki Dee song), Wikipedia, for the pseudonyms, the Dusty Springfield offer, the recording dates and the release.
- I Just Want to Be Your Everything, Wikipedia, for the writer, the recording, the release, the debut album and the two runs at number one.
- Three Times a Lady, Wikipedia, for the writer, the anniversary toast, the Sinatra idea and the release.
- Good Times (Chic song), Wikipedia, for the writers, the recording, the release and the Rapper's Delight bassline.
- Billboard Hot 100, Wikipedia, for how the weekly chart used for number one runs works.