Five Awkward Number-one Hits of the 1970s

Music has always been subjective, so it’s almost impossible to have everyone enjoy or dislike any song. Still, most people will agree that some songs that topped the Billboard Top 100 in the 1970s had no business being there. This list explores five awkward number-one songs that left listeners bewildered.

“Indian Reservation” by The Raiders (1971)

“Indian Reservation” had been released at least twice before “The Raiders” decided to release their version in 1971. Not only did the lyrics contain factually incorrect statements, but the five band members performed the song wearing colonial costumes and discussing the Cherokee’s lamentations.

“Frankenstein” by The Edgar Winter Group (1972)

“Frankenstein” was an instrumental rock music released by Edgar Winter Group off their debut album. Fortunately for them, it sold over one million copies and topped the Hot 100 for a week. However, the long drum solo didn’t appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to enjoying good vocals.

“A Fifth of Beethoven” by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band (1976)

The disco and funk genres came alive in the 1970s, and this instrumental is proof. The tunes were from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. A little touchup to make the music sound danceable seemed to do the magic. Unsurprisingly, it only spent one week topping the charts.

“Disco Duck” by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots (1977)

Rick Dees understood the trick of charting songs before he started his “Weekly Top 40” segment. According to him, it took a day to write his satirical song “Disco Duck,” with the voice of Yakky Doodle occasionally singing. Disco was the rave of the 1970s, and Dees wasn’t left out.

“Convoy” by C.W. McCall (1975)

This song is the only entry with a made-up singer (C.W. McCall). The character was, however, voiced by Bill Fries and Chip Davis. The song is mostly spoken word with a chorus. The lyrics narrate happenings as an imaginary trucker convoy drives from the West to the East Coast.