UK Music Chart: December 5, 1970

Number 6: McGuiness Flint: When I'm Dead and Gone

Dave Edmunds celebrated his second week as the UK's Number 1 artist, as I Hear You Knocking continued its reign at the top this week in December, 1970.

Elsewhere within the Top 20, it was a relatively quiet time with just four climbers. New songs from McGuiness Flint, Gerry Monroe and The Jackson Five made impressive debuts, however, each of them making double figure gains.

The Chart:

• 01 (01) Dave Edmunds - I Hear You Knocking 
• 02 (02) Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Chile 
• 03 (05) Neil Diamond - Cracklin' Rosie 
• 04 (03) Don Fardon - Indian Reservation 
• 05 (16) Chairmen Of The Board - (You've Got Me) Dangling On A String 
• 06 (24) McGuinness Flint - When I'm Dead And Gone 
• 07 (07) T. Rex - Ride A White Swan 
• 08 (10) White Plains - Julie, Do Ya Love Me? 
• 09 (09) Elvis Presley - I've Lost You 
• 10 (12) Jimmy Ruffin - It's Wonderful (To Be Loved By You) 
• 11 (04) Matthews' Southern Comfort - Woodstock 
• 12 (23) Gerry Monroe - My Prayer 
• 13 (06) Edwin Starr - War 
• 14 (11) Christie - San Bernadino 
• 15 (26) The Jackson Five - I'll Be There 
• 16 (08) Clarence Carter - Patches 
• 17 (17) Andy Williams - Home Lovin' Man 
• 18 (18) Glen Campbell - It's Only Make Believe 
• 19 (13) CCS - Whole Lotta Love 
• 20 (14) Melanie - Ruby Tuesday

*Previous week in brackets; Climbers denoted in red; New entries in bold

6: McGuiness Flint: When I'm Dead and Gone

Tom McGuiness, former guitarist with Manfred Mann, had hooked up with Hughie Flint, Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle to form McGuiness Flint a few months earlier in 1970. When I'm Dead and Gone was their debut single and the combination of a prominent use of the mandolin and a great tune propelled the single to the upper reaches of the UK chart. It climbed eighteen places to Number 6 this week, but would eventually settle at Number 2. It did not fare so well in the US, where it peaked at Number 47.

Number 12: Gerry Monroe: My Prayer

Gerry Monroe returned to the Top 20 for the second time back in 1970 with this song that had been around since the 1920s and adapted in the 1930s. Glenn Miller, The Ink Spots and The Platters had all seen chart action with My Prayer and Monroe's caterwauling version was about to land him in the the UK Top 10. The only reason I can see for this was due to his exposure on the popular TV talent show, Opportunity Knocks.

15: The Jackson 5: I'll Be There

I'll Be There had already been Number 1 in the States for five weeks, becoming the group's fourth chart topper in a row there - something that no other recording act had achieved. In the UK, however, The Jackson 5 were trying to score four Top Ten hits on the bounce with this release. It was easily achieved, moving this week to Number 15 and eventually peaking at Number 4 in the weeks to come.

The Number 1 album this week:

Andy Williams' Greatest Hits

The Number 1 Song in the USA:
I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family