February 1972 on the Music Charts

Continuing the series of hits -of-the-month, moving to February 1972.  Fifty years ago (Yikes!)

There were 4 weeks in February of 1972, and there were 54 songs that spent time in the Top 40.  That's pretty much on pace with January's 60 (5 weeks in January).  And over those 4 weeks, 3 songs topped the charts:  Don McLean's "American Pie", Opened the month at #1, carrying over from the last 3 weeks of January.  It was replaced by Al Green's "Let's Stay Together", which only stayed 1 week at #1.  The last 2 weeks were topped by Harry Nilsson's "Without You", the first 2 weeks of a 4 week run at #1.

Here's the top 10 songs of the month, ranked by average chart position over the 5 weeks of the month:  

• Let's Stay Together - Al Green - 2.25
• Without You - Nilsson - 2.5
• American Pie - Don McLean - 4.75
• Precious And Few - Climax - 4.75
• Hurting Each Other - Carpenters - 5
• Never Been To Spain - Three Dog Night - 6.75
• Down By The Lazy River - The Osmonds - 7.5
• Joy - Apollo - 8
• Day After Day - Badfinger - 10.75
• Brand New Key - Melanie - 12.5

Nineteen (19) made their Top 40 debut. Only a couple taht really stand out this month...  Here they are (listed by entering position):

• The Way Of Love - Cher - 29
• I Gotcha - Joe Tex - 31
• Rock And Roll Lullaby - B.J. Thomas - 32
• We've Got To Get It On Again - Addrisi Brothers - 33
• Sweet Seasons - Carole King - 35
• Jungle Fever - The Chakachas - 35
• Runnin' Away - Sly and The Family Stone - 35
• Footstompin' Music - Grand Funk Railroad - 36
• The Nickel Song - Melanie - 36
• Softly Whispering I Love You - The English Congregation - 37
• Ain't Understanding Mellow - Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager - 38
• Mother And Child Reunion - Paul Simon - 38
• Talking Loud And Saying Nothing - Part I - James Brown - 38
• My World - Bee Gees - 39
• Heart Of Gold - Neil Young - 39
• Ring The Living Bell - Melanie - 39
• Everything I Own - Bread - 40
• You Want It, You Got It - Detroit Emeralds - 40
• I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - Donnie Elbert - 40