Until 1970, where was the music?

I sort of remember a few songs from before 1970, not many though.

On my 10th birthday, internationally, the most popular song in the world was Winter World Of Love by Engelbert Humperdinck. Other notable international hits then were the King, Elvis Presley's rolling from 1969 into 1970 Suspicious Minds, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel, and Diana Ross & The Supremes sang Someday We'll Be Together.


In South Africa, the top 3 songs of the year of 1970 were Pretty Belinda from Chris Andrews, In the summertime came from Mungo Jerry, and South Africa's own Dave Mills took Love is a Beatiful Song to popularity (Love is a Beatiful Song was to be an organ exam for me a few years later).

I recall walking home, in Bothasig, with Tian Foshaugen singing Brown Eyes, another of Chris Andrews 3 Springbok Radio Top 20 hits for the year.

For those of us fortunate enough to get to a 'proper bioscope', (not the Saturday afternoon fillum at the Anglican/ Methodist church/ Scout hall), the movie to have seen would have been Kelly's Heroes, and then, the song, Burning Bridges, from the movie. Great stuff.

1970 was the year Neil Diamond released Cracklin' Rosie, a hit that is still popular, and still heard on the radio.

Percy Sledge came to South Africa, and performed at the 3 Arts theatre. Before he came, he let us have Come Softly to me. His on-stage performance of this song left many of the 'verkrampte boere tannies' who went to see him, weak at the knees, or crying, or both.


1970: Number1 in South Africa!

Chris Andrews

Pretty Belinda

1970: number 2 in South Africa!

Mungo Jerry

In the Summertime

In the summer time when the weather is high
You can reach right up and touch the sky,
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind.
Have a drink, have a drive
Go out and see what you can find.


If her Daddy's rich, take her out for a meal,
If her Daddy's poor, just do what you feel.
Scoot along the lake, do a town an' then return her twenty five.
When the sun goes down
You can make it, make it good and really fine.

1970: number 2 in South Africa!

Dave Mills

Love is a beautiful Song

Love is a new way of living
A new way of starting each day
Millions of people all over the world
Know that love is a beautiful so-ong

It's so good to see you now
Looking as lovely as ever
It's so good to be alive
Knowing that we are together


Lyrics from LyricDownload