UK Music Chart: January 8, 1972 Ft. New World

There was something of a Christmas and New Year hangover evident from this week's UK Top 20 of January, 1972.

Even though Benny Hill's Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) had been replaced at Number 1 by I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony) from The New Seekers, with a few exceptions, there was almost a state of inertia in the rest of the chart. 

Anomalies to this current general rule were highlighted by some recent new entries by the likes of Elvis Presley, Neil Reid, the Johnny Pearson Orchestra and Middle of the Road, which all enjoyed substantial upward movement within the Top 20.

However, new entries were difficult to detect this week, with only the latest song by New World breaking through, along with the reappearance of a recent Top 20 hit from Cliff Richard.

The New Seekers at Number 1

The Chart: 

• 01 (04) The New Seekers - I'd Like to Teach the World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony) 
• 02 (01) Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West) 
• 03 (02) T. Rex - Jeepster 
• 04 (06) The Congregation - Softly Whispering I Love You 
• 05 (09) Middle of the Road - Soley Soley 
• 06 (05) Isaac Hayes - Theme From 'Shaft' 
• 07 (03) Cilla Black - Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight) 
• 08 (13) Johnny Pearson Orchestra - Sleepy Shores 
• 09 (08) Gilbert O'Sullivan - No Matter How I Try 
• 10 (16) Elvis Presley - I Just Can't Help Believing 
• 11 (07) John Kongos - Tokoloshe Man 
• 12 (18) Neil Reid - Mother of Mine 
• 13 (12) Val Doonican - Morning 
• 14 (15) Labi Siffre - It Must Be Love 
• 15 (17) Deep Purple - Fireball 
• 16 (14) Slade - Coz I Luv You 
• 17 (21) New World - Kara Kara 
• 18 (20) Tony Christie - Is This the Way to Amarillo? 
• 19 (10) Cher - Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves 
• 20 (22) Cliff Richard - Sing A Song of Freedom (Re-Entry)

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

17: New World: Kara Kara

The Australian pop trio, New World, returned to the British charts with its third straight UK Top 20 hit, this time with the lilting,  Hawaiian campfire-styled song, Kara Kara.

Once again, this track came courtesy of the songwriting team of Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who were also hit authors of songs by The Sweet, Mud and Suzi Quatro, amongst others, during the 1970s.

Kara Kara also saw some chart action in both Germany and Austria, where a German language version was issued for those markets.

Back in the UK, although popular, it proved to be one of New World's lesser hits, peaking at this week's Number 17.

The UK Number 1 album this week:

• T. Rex - Electric Warrior

The American Top 10 (Click to play tracks)