Back in Time 1970: Ranking the Top 100 Pop Songs of the Year and Remembering The Partridge Family's Chart-Topping Hit, 'I Think I Love You'.

The Number One Hits Of 1970

Although “I Think I Love You” was released in 1970, it remained popular through 1971 due to the #1 hit being supported by the Partridge Family TV show. Nevertheless, the song’s infectious melody and relatable lyrics captured the hearts of audiences, and it remains a quintessential example of the pop sound of the early 70s.
December 27, 1969 – January 2, 1970
Diana Ross & the Supremes
Someday We’ll Be Together
This marked the final single featuring Diana Ross as a member of the Supremes before she embarked on her successful solo career.
Someday We’ll Be Together was a romantic, soulful ballad that showcased the group’s harmonies and Ross’s emotive vocal delivery.
January 3, 1970 – January 30, 1970
B. J. Thomas
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head
B.J. Thomas was a versatile singer who performed pop, country, and gospel music.
The song was featured in the film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1970.
January 31, 1970 – February 6, 1970
The Jackson 5
I Want You Back
This was the first national single released by the Jackson 5, featuring a young Michael Jackson as lead singer.
I Want You Back showcased the group’s tight harmonies and energetic dance moves, which would later become their signature style.
February 7, 1970 – February 13, 1970
Shocking Blue
Venus
Shocking Blue, a Dutch rock band, gained international fame with this hit.
Venus was later famously covered by the all-female group Bananarama in 1986, becoming a hit once again.
February 14, 1970 – February 27, 1970
Sly & the Family Stone
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) / Everybody Is a Star
This American band was led by the talented Sly Stone, who combined various musical genres like soul, funk, and psychedelic rock.
Both songs are known for their infectious grooves, strong basslines, and socially conscious lyrics.
February 28, 1970 – April 10, 1970
Simon & Garfunkel
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were a folk-rock duo known for their intricate harmonies and poetic lyrics.
Bridge Over Troubled Water is a timeless ballad that showcases the duo’s impeccable vocal blend and powerful songwriting.
April 11, 1970 – April 24, 1970
The Beatles
Let It Be
Let It Be was released before the Beatles disbanded, and it was their final single before the announcement of their breakup.
The song, written by Paul McCartney, was inspired by a dream he had about his mother and has become one of their most iconic tracks.
April 25, 1970 – May 8, 1970
The Jackson 5
ABC
The Jackson 5 continued their string of hits with this catchy, upbeat tune.
ABC is known for its infectious chorus and the group’s signature dance moves, which became a staple of their live performances.
May 9, 1970 – May 29, 1970
The Guess Who
American Woman / No Sugar Tonight
The Guess Who was a Canadian rock band that found success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with Burton Cummings on lead vocals and Randy Bachman on guitar.
American Woman is a rock anthem that features a memorable guitar riff and powerful vocals, while No Sugar Tonight is a more introspective track showcasing the band’s songwriting skills.
May 30, 1970 – June 12, 1970
Ray Stevens
Everything Is Beautiful
Ray Stevens is an American singer-songwriter known for his comedic and novelty songs and pop and country hits.
Everything Is Beautiful is a sentimental ballad that promotes love, understanding, and acceptance, becoming one of Stevens’ most popular songs.
June 13, 1970 – June 26, 1970
The Beatles
The Long and Winding Road / For You Blue
The Long and Winding Road was the last Beatles single released before their official breakup.
The Long and Winding Road is a melancholic ballad written by Paul McCartney, while For You Blue is a more upbeat, bluesy number penned by George Harrison.
June 27, 1970 – July 10, 1970
The Jackson 5
The Love You Save
This was the group’s third consecutive number-one single, solidifying their status as a major force in popular music.
The Love You Save features catchy melodies and lively vocal performances from the Jackson brothers.
July 11, 1970 – July 24, 1970
Three Dog Night
Mama Told Me (Not to Come)
Three Dog Night was an American rock band known for their powerful vocal harmonies and a string of hit singles in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Mama Told Me (Not to Come) is an uptempo song by Randy Newman with a catchy melody and memorable lyrics.
July 25, 1970 – August 21, 1970
The Carpenters
(They Long to Be) Close to You
The Carpenters were a brother-sister duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter, known for their soft rock and easy-listening hits.
(They Long to Be) Close to You is a romantic ballad that features Karen Carpenter’s warm, soothing vocals and the duo’s signature harmonies.
August 22, 1970 – August 28, 1970
Bread
Make It with You
Bread was an American soft rock band led by singer-songwriter David Gates.
Make It with You is a tender love song featuring Gates’ smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics.
August 29, 1970 – September 18, 1970
Edwin Starr
War
Edwin Starr was an American soul singer known for his powerful, emotive voice.
War is a protest song with a strong anti-war message, featuring Starr’s passionate vocal delivery and an infectious rhythm.
September 19, 1970 – October 9, 1970
Diana Ross
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
This was Diana Ross’s first number-one single as a solo artist after leaving the Supremes.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was originally recorded by Marvin
September 19, 1970 – October 9, 1970
Diana Ross
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
This was Diana Ross’s first number-one single as a solo artist after leaving the Supremes, marking the beginning of a successful solo career.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and Diana Ross’s version features an extended spoken-word intro and a powerful vocal performance.
October 10, 1970 – October 16, 1970
Neil Diamond
Cracklin’ Rosie
Neil Diamond is an American singer-songwriter known for his extensive catalog of hits across various genres, such as pop, rock, and adult contemporary.
Cracklin’ Rosie is an upbeat, catchy tune that showcases Diamond’s songwriting skills and distinctive voice.
October 17, 1970 – November 20, 1970
The Jackson 5
I’ll Be There
I’ll Be There further solidified the Jackson 5’s position as a dominant musical force in the early 1970s.
The song is a tender ballad showcasing the group’s strong harmonies and Michael Jackson’s emotional vocal delivery.
November 21, 1970 – December 11, 1970
The Partridge Family
I Think I Love You
The Partridge Family was a fictional family band from the eponymous TV show, with David Cassidy on lead vocals and Shirley Jones providing backup vocals.
I Think I Love You is a catchy pop tune with memorable hooks and upbeat lyrics, becoming one of the most successful songs associated with the TV show.
December 12, 1970 – December 25, 1970
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
The Tears of a Clown
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles was an influential Motown group, with Smokey Robinson as the lead singer and main songwriter.
The Tears of a Clown is a soulful track featuring a distinctive calliope-inspired instrumental intro and emotionally charged lyrics.
December 26, 1970 – January 22, 1971
George Harrison
My Sweet Lord / Isn’t It a Pity
George Harrison was a former Beatles member, and this double A-side single was his first solo release after the group’s breakup.
My Sweet Lord is a spiritual song that reflects Harrison’s interest in Eastern religion, while Isn’t It a Pity is a melancholic ballad that speaks to the human condition.

The Biggest Pop Artists of 1970 include:
Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, B.J. Thomas, Bobby Sherman, Bread, The Carpenters, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Dionne Warwick, The Delfonics, Diana Ross, Edwin Starr, Elvis Presley, The 5th Dimension, George Harrison, Glen Campbell, The Guess Who, The Jackson 5, James Brown, Johnnie Taylor, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Mark Lindsay, The Moments, Neil Diamond, The Partridge Family, Rare Earth, Rufus Thomas, Simon & Garfunkle, Sly & the Family Stone, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, Threee Dog Night, Tom Jones, Tyrone Davis

(HPS music data is compiled from charts, including Billboard’s Pop, Rock, Airplay, R&B/Dance, and Singles Charts. The Hot 100 is the primary chart used for this list.)

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