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 who 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.’
"Reflections of My Life" by The Marmalade
Not only does this Scottish band have a great name, but they also produced a beautiful, bittersweet nostalgia song that became an instant classic. The Marmalade released "Reflections of My Life" in late 1969, and it reached number 3 in the UK and then number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.
The Marmalade was known for its psychedelic rock tunes, which went on to top charts in the UK, but as far as the US was concerned, "Reflections of My Life" would be their only hit.
"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 who 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 morning and letting her know you think about her when you're gone?". Now, that's romance!
"The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence
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 came 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.
"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.