You might know TV legend Vicki Lawrence from her character in the extremely successful show, ‘The Carol Burnett Show’, and its spin-off ‘Mama’s Family. But many don’t know that Vicki also made her debut in the music world with her 1973 hit song, “The Nights the Lights Went out in Georgia”.
Even though Lawrence was definitely a one-hit-wonder when it comes to music, it was a huge win. Her song was a thrilling story of murder and mystery in the South, and the unique chorus made it a country music staple.
"My Sharona" by The Knack
"My Sharona" is one of those songs that everybody knows the chorus to - even today. It is simply one of the most catchy tunes ever! The riff, the drums, the bass, it all works in perfect harmony to create a song that stays stuck in your head for days. It's no surprise that this song by The Knack topped all charts back in 1979, and they were set to top them again with another single, "Good Girls Don't". But it never happened.
The Knack was very hated by some people who claimed the popular song was about underaged girls, and there was even a famous California-based artist named Hugh Brown that started a 'Knuke the Knack' campaign against them. Other people said they were mediocre Beatles imitators.
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy
One of the biggest and most famous dance songs of the 70s, "The Hustle" took the world by storm in 1975. This massive hit by Van McCoy, who unfortunately passed away at a young 39 years of age, reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Hot Soul Singles chart.
McCoy's song will live on forever, as the official song that your drunken uncle dances to at a wedding, the after-hours nightclub that just doesn't want to close for the night, and basically every other situation when you just cannot stop dancing.
"(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson
Not only did Lynn Anderson's "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" reach number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it won a Grammy in 1970 and became a hit around the world. Written by Joe South, it was country music singer Lynn Anderson that recorded and made the song famous.
A sweet-voiced Anderson sings about someone who reminds their sweetheart that love is a combination of 'sunshine and rain'.
"Kiss an Angel Good Mornin" by Charley Pride
This 1971 single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs, and made American country music artist, Charley Pride, known around the world. "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin" was written by Ben Peters, a country music songwriter that wrote many wonderful songs, and Charley Pride recorded 68 of them.
However, none was ever as popular as "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin", and understandably so. Who wouldn't like a love song about "kissing your angel good mornin and letting her know you think about her when you're gone?". Now, that's romance!