1972 was another year for new musicians.  Carly Simon won a Grammy as the Best New Artist of the Year, and "Anticipation" was a top ten hit.  (It was later used in  a jingle for Heinz ketchup).   Bruce Springsteen made the scene for the first time, as did Genesis.  Don McLean's "American Pie" debuted at the end of 1971 but hit #1 in early 1972.  It became the #1 song of the year and was known world-wide.   

Roberta Flack continued raking in the dough when she hit #1 with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".  Al Green had another great  year with "Let's Stay Together". 

Interesting Fact:  Chuck Berry finally landed his first and only #1 hit "My Ding-A-Ling".  He first made the charts in 1955 with "Maybellene".


The Rolling Stone named 500 of the greatest songs of all time.  15 songs made the cut in 1972!

396         Thirteen - Big Star

277         Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie

319         School's Out - Alice Cooper

98           Love and Happiness - Al Green

242         Rocket Man - Elton John

253         All The Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople

264         Sail Away - Randy Newman

221         Walk On The Wild Side - Lou Reed

424         Tumbling Dice - The Rolling Stones

276         I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers

168         Papa Was A Rollin' Stone - The Temptations

205         Lean On Me - Bill Withers

74           Superstition - Stevie Wonder

281         You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder

297         Heart of Gold - Neil Young