American Top 40 1974 August 24th

American Top 40 with Casey Kasem aired on radio from July 4, 1970 until August 6, 1988. This recording is a rebroadcast from internet radio.

In this countdown:

Hear Casey say, "Introducing, at number 36, a new group and a new song. It's "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A listener asks, "Which has been the biggest hit so far in 1974?" Casey lists the top three, the top two being about fond memories of the past!

Another listener wants to know what the first gold record was. Casey answers with two stories, the first is about the first record ever painted gold and given to Glen Miller by his record company (RCA in 1942), and then the first record certified gold by the RIAA to have sold a million copies (awarded to Perry Como in 1958).

Casey reports there was a time when Billy "Crash" Craddock (at number 16 with "Rub It In") was touted as "the next Elvis." If only someone could have foreseen Billy Ray Cyrus and his "Achy Breaky Heart" was destined to become the next Billy "Crash" Craddock (seriously, listen to the song at number 16).

Mark Farner, lead-singer of Grand Funk (at number 11 this week with "Shinin' On") recently cut his hair (it was so long it was getting caught in the strings of his guitar). When Casey says Farner donated it for a charity auction, he mentions the hair of Telly Savalas who played the bald New York Police Detective "Kojak" from 1973 to 1978. If only Savalas could have detected that someday Michael Chiklis would become the next Telly Savalas.

The song at number eight, "I'm Leaving It All Up To You" is by Donny & Marie Osmond. Their television show which would debut 16 months later would have over 120 unique guest stars in just 78 episodes. About half way through each show, there was a musical segment where Marie would sing "I'm a little bit country," then Donny would reply, "And I'm a little bit rock 'n' roll" (but I always felt that if I was given the chance, I could have gotten Marie to change teams).

1974 was not rated "E" for "Everybody" because I remember Underdog's "Super Energy Pill!" He kept it hidden in his flip-top promise ring, and when the withdrawals we're just too much he would say, "The secret compartment of my ring I fill with an 'Underdog super energy pill'." That sent me down a wayward path in the trailer-park where I heard someone's radio playing Jim Stafford's "Wildwood Weed" (and it was was at number seven).

Casey reports the most number one songs in a single calendar year was 27 (in 1966 and again in 1973). Then he informs us the new number one this week is the 23rd for 1974. But no need to wait till 1975 for a record-breaker because this countdown establishes a new winner for the longest gap between number one hits (during the rock era) by the same artist. For the decade that just went by, Dean Martin could boast of his eight year gap between number one songs. Now, Paul Anka makes it 15 years by putting his hit "(You're) Having My Baby" in the number one spot.

40: I Love My Friend - Charlie Rich
39: I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
38: Free Man In Paris - Joni Mitchell
37: Who Do You Think You Are - Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
36: Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
35: Don't Change Horses (In The Middle Of The Stream) - The Tower Of Power
34: Time For Lovin' - Sly & The Family Stone
33: Another Saturday Night - Cat Stevens
32: Radar Love - Golden Earring
31: Beach Baby - First Class
30: Let's Put It All Together - The Stylistics
29: My Thang - James Brown
28: Annie's Song - John Denver
27: It's Only Rock ‘N Roll - The Rolling Stones
26: You Haven't Done Nothn' - Stevie Wonder
25: Taking Care Of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
24: Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Elton John
23: Sure As I'm Sitting Here - Three Dog Night
22: Clap For The Wolfman - The Guess Who
21: Hang On In There Baby - Johnny Bristol
20: Call On Me - Chicago
19: Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston
18: Wild Thing - Fancy
17: Then Came You - Dionne Warwick & The Spinners
16: Rub It In - Billy "Crash" Craddock
15: Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
14: Sideshow - Blue Magic
13: Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins
12: You And Me Against The World - Helen Reddy
11: Shinin' On - Grand Funk
10: Keep On Smilin' - Wet Willie
9: Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
8: I'm Leaving It All Up To You - Donny & Marie Osmond
7: Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford
6: Waterloo - ABBA
5: I Shot The Sheriff - Eric Clapton
4: Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
3: Tell Me Something Good - Rufus
2: The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
1: (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka