We continue our look back at the music of 1972 with some hit singles of the latter part of the year…
Papa Was A Rolling Stone-Temptations….the song was their last #1 and their last Grammy winner (it won three)…and they didnt even do it first. The song was first recorded by the Undisputed Truth and released as a single earlier in the year. Norman Whitfield produced both versions. The album version was 12 minutes long…the single version ran over 7. And its a funky joy. It has one of the most famous intros of all time and the Funk Brothers revel in their chance to stretch out a bit. The Temps didnt like the way Whitfield recorded this and wouldnt use him again. That’s Melvin “Wah Wah” Watson on guitar, Bob Babbit on bass, Aaron Smith on drums and Maurice Davis on trumpet.
Here’s the album version
Rockin’ Pneumonia & Boogie Woogie Flu-Johnny Rivers…this cover of an old New Orleans track from Huey “Piano” Smith went Top Ten. It featured Wrecking Crew and Bread member Larry Knechtel on the keys
I’m Stone In Love With You-Stylistics…some Philly soul featuring the falsetto of Russell Tompkins Jr. It sold over a million copies and hit #10 on the Billboard charts.
I’d Love You To Want Me-Lobo…too wimpy for my taste but somebody must like it…it made #2 on the charts and hit #1 on the easy listening charts.
The Cover Of The Rolling Stone-Dr. Hook & his Medicine Show…this novelty tune from writer Shel Silverstein made it to #6 and yeah…they did eventually get a drawing of themselves on the cover of the magazine although it only included a few members of the band. With it’s clear mention of cocaine and teenage groupies…it would prob bring some heat today….it also features one of the purposely awful guitar solos that now seems perfect. I bet it’s hard to play that bad on purpose….
Guitar Man-Bread…from the LP of the same name that also included the hits “Sweet Surrender and “Aubrey”. It’s a David Gates tune that made it to #11 on the charts and featured some unique sounding guitar fills…
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