UK Top 20: June 10, 1972 Ft. Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson / Rockin' Robin
Michael Jackson at Number 10
Motown's grip on the UK Singles Chart continued when one of its very-soon-to-be biggest stars, Michael Jackson, gatecrashed the Top 10 with his latest recording. 

Rockin' Robin was one of just two new entries into this Top 20 of June 1972, the other courtesy of Slade - chartwise, the act that would become the most successful British band of the 1970s.

T. Rex, another eminent Glam Rock group of the decade, continued their reign at Number 1 - although this would be Metal Guru's fourth and final week at the top. Don McLean, with his ode to Vincent Van Gogh, was waiting in the wings to knock Marc Bolan off his perch - no doubt justifiable reparation for missing out on the UK Number 1 spot with his classic American Pie.

T. Rex at Number 1





The Chart: 
  • 01 (01) T. Rex - Metal Guru 
  • 02 (05) Don McLean - Vincent 
  • 03 (06) Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor 
  • 04 (04) Hurricane Smith - Oh Babe, What Would You Say? 
  • 05 (02) Elton John - Rocket Man 
  • 06 (03) The Drifters - At the Club / Saturday Night at the Movies 
  • 07 (07) David Cassidy - Could It Be Forever 
  • 08 (11) The Move - California Man 
  • 09 (16) New World - Sister Jane 
  • 10 (22) Michael Jackson - Rockin' Robin 
  • 11 (08) The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - Amazing Grace 
  • 12 (20) Wings - Mary Had A Little Lamb 
  • 13 (15) Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale 
  • 14 (25) Slade - Take Me Bak 'Ome 
  • 15 (13) The Moody Blues - Isn't Life Strange? 
  • 16 (12) Leeds United FC - Leeds United 
  • 17 (10) Vicky Leandros - Come What May 
  • 18 (18) Diana Ross - Doobedood'ndoobe Doobedood'ndoobe Doobedood'ndoo 
  • 19 (09) Johnny Cash and the Evangel Temple Choir - A Thing Called Love 
  • 20 (19) Paul Simon - Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard
*Previous week in brackets; Climbers denoted in red; New entries in bold

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10: Michael Jackson: Rockin' Robin

Having enjoyed a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic with his début solo release, Got to Be There, Michael Jackson was about to repeat the feat with his cover of Bobby Day's 1958 US hit, Rockin' Robin.

This bubbly pop confection was miles away from the social and political commentary of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On and the self-examination that would feature on many of Stevie Wonder's later releases.

But this was the sound of "Young America" and Michael and his brothers were among the leading torch bearers of the movement - for now, at least.

14: Slade: Take Me Bak 'Ome

It was about now that many realised that Slade were a force to be reckoned with: a second UK Number 1 was on the cards, as well as a fourth straight Top 20 hit.

It didn't matter that song titles like Take Me Bak 'Ome mangled the English language because the spelling was the last thing that concerned their fans. Instead it was the energetic and rowdy nature of the group's music which attracted most, if not all, of the group's followers.

This single - unlike the previous two - was much more of a blueprint of the band's sound in the ensuing years: Loud, anthemic and allowing Noddy Holder to bellow at the top of his voice. Take Me Bak 'Ome would ultimately march to the Number 1 spot over the next few weeks, further consolidating Slade's early Seventies dominance of the UK Singles Chart.

The UK Number 1 album this week:
  • The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street


The American Top 10 (Click to play tracks)



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