List of Hot Soul Singles number ones of 1977 explained

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1977 ranking the top-performing singles in the United States in soul music and related African American-oriented genres; the chart has undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution of black music and since 2005 has been published as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[1] In 1977, it was published under the title Hot Soul Singles, and 21 different singles reached number one.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 1, the group Rose Royce was at number one with "Car Wash", the song's second week in the top spot. It was displaced the following week by "Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" by the O'Jays. The year's longest-running number one was "Serpentine Fire" by Earth, Wind & Fire, which reached the peak position in the issue of Billboard dated November 19 and stayed there for the remainder of the year, a total of seven consecutive weeks in the top spot. This also meant that the band had the highest total number of weeks at number one during the year, just ahead of two acts with six weeks in the top spot: the Floaters and Stevie Wonder. The latter was the only act to achieve more than one number one during 1977, spending five weeks in the top spot with "I Wish" and one with "Sir Duke".

The Floaters, whose single "Float On" was recognized by Billboard as the year's best-charting soul single, were among a number of acts that topped the soul singles chart in 1977 for the first time in their respective careers. Thelma Houston, the Emotions and Slave also reached the top spot for the first time during the year, as did William Bell, who had recorded his debut single in 1961 and first appeared on the chart in 1966 but had taken more than a decade to gain his first number one.[2] None of the five acts who topped the chart for the first time during 1977 would go on to achieve any further number ones and the Floaters would not chart at all after 1978, despite "Float On" being a million-seller. Six of the year's soul number ones also topped the Hot 100 pop singles chart: both of Stevie Wonder's chart-toppers along with "Car Wash" by Rose Royce, "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston, "Got to Give It Up (Part 1)" by Marvin Gaye and "Best of My Love" by the Emotions.[3] Other songs, however, did not achieve significant crossover success: "The Pride (Part 1)" by the Isley Brothers peaked at number 63 on the Hot 100.

Chart history

style="background-color:#FFFF99"
Indicates number 1 on Billboards year-end soul chart[4]
Issue date! scope="col"
TitleArtist(s)
scope=row"Car Wash" Rose Royce[5]
scope=row"Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)" [6]
scope=row"I Wish" [7]
scope=row[8]
scope=row[9]
scope=row[10]
scope=row[11]
scope=row"Don't Leave Me This Way" [12]
scope=row"I've Got Love on My Mind" [13]
scope=row[14]
scope=row[15]
scope=row[16]
scope=row[17]
scope=row"Tryin' to Love Two" [18]
scope=row"At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)" Rufus featuring Chaka Khan[19]
scope=row[20]
scope=row"" [21]
scope=row"Got to Give It Up (Part 1)" [22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row[24]
scope=row"Whodunit" Tavares[25]
scope=row"Sir Duke" [26]
scope=row"Got to Give It Up (Part 1)" [27]
scope=row[28]
scope=row"Break It to Me Gently" [29]
scope=row"Best of My Love" [30]
scope=row[31]
scope=row[32]
scope=row"Easy" [33]
scope=row"Best of My Love" [34]
scope=row"Slide" Slave[35]
scope=row"Strawberry Letter 23" [36]
scope=row"Float On" [37]
scope=row[38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row[40]
scope=row[41]
scope=row[42]
scope=row"Keep It Comin' Love" KC and the Sunshine Band[43]
scope=row"It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" [44]
scope=row[45]
scope=row[46]
scope=row[47]
scope=row[48]
scope=row"" L.T.D.[49]
scope=row[50]
scope=row"Serpentine Fire" Earth, Wind & Fire[51]
scope=row[52]
scope=row[53]
scope=row[54]
scope=row[55]
scope=row[56]
scope=row[57]

See also

References

Works cited

. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop, 1955 - 1982. Joel Whitburn. Record Research Incorporated. 1983. 978-0-89820-051-5.

. Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942 - 1988. Joel Whitburn. Record Research Incorporated. 1988. 978-0-89820-069-0.

. Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942 - 1995. Joel Whitburn. Record Research Incorporated. 1996. 978-0-89820-115-4.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Pitchfork. December 19, 2021. Chris. Molanphy. April 14, 2014. January 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190121143650/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/9378-i-know-you-got-soul-the-trouble-with-billboards-rbhip-hop-chart/. live.
  2. Web site: The making of William Bell's 'You Don't Miss Your Water'. Uncut. Graeme. Thomson. September 17, 2023. January 5, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812110807/https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/interviews/the-making-of-william-bells-you-dont-miss-your-water-136252/. live.
  3. Hot 100 - 1977 Archive. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180630/https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1977/hot-100. July 24, 2020. June 20, 2018.
  4. Billboard.com - Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. June 21, 2020. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211063754/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=Hot+R&B/Hip-Hop+Songs&g=Year-end+Singles&year=1977. December 11, 2007.
  5. R & B Chart for January 1, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. July 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200725065405/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-01-01. live.
  6. R & B Chart for January 8, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220602100042/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-01-08/. live.
  7. R & B Chart for January 15, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621154230/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-01-15. live.
  8. R & B Chart for January 22, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. October 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014224221/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-01-22/. live.
  9. R & B Chart for January 29, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211211194940/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-01-29/. live.
  10. R & B Chart for February 5, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705202437/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-02-05/. live.
  11. R & B Chart for February 12, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190622095820/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-02-12. live.
  12. R & B Chart for February 19, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. February 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220211045834/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-02-19/. live.
  13. R & B Chart for February 26, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426153802/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-02-26. live.
  14. R & B Chart for March 5, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200426/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-03-05/. live.
  15. R & B Chart for March 12, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207043904/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-03-12/. live.
  16. R & B Chart for March 19, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207044333/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-03-19/. live.
  17. R & B Chart for March 26, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190418020419/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-03-26. live.
  18. R & B Chart for April 2, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050246/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-04-02. live.
  19. R & B Chart for April 9, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050249/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-04-09. live.
  20. R & B Chart for April 16, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180331153435/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-04-16. live.
  21. R & B Chart for April 23, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. May 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513024009/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-04-23/. live.
  22. R & B Chart for April 30, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621154243/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-04-30. live.
  23. R & B Chart for May 7, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620072948/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-05-07. live.
  24. R & B Chart for May 14, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. October 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014114456/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-05-14/. live.
  25. R & B Chart for May 21, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050319/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-05-21. live.
  26. R & B Chart for May 28, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621154254/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-05-28. live.
  27. R & B Chart for June 4, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050325/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-06-04. live.
  28. R & B Chart for June 11, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. November 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106002623/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-06-11/. live.
  29. R & B Chart for June 18, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200510/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-06-18/. live.
  30. R & B Chart for June 25, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201208190308/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-06-25. live.
  31. R & B Chart for July 2, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. January 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123044551/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-07-02/. live.
  32. R & B Chart for July 9, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050338/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-07-09. live.
  33. R & B Chart for July 16, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. August 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805173102/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-07-16. live.
  34. R & B Chart for July 23, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. August 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190829190224/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-07-23. live.
  35. R & B Chart for July 30, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050342/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-07-30. live.
  36. R & B Chart for August 6, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. July 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220703080757/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-08-06/. live.
  37. R & B Chart for August 13, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207042758/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-08-13/. live.
  38. R & B Chart for August 20, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. May 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220515101639/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-08-20/. live.
  39. R & B Chart for August 27, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050354/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-08-27. live.
  40. R & B Chart for September 3, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050356/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-09-03. live.
  41. R & B Chart for September 10, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050400/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-09-10. live.
  42. R & B Chart for September 17, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-09-17/. live.
  43. R & B Chart for September 24, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. February 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220211033850/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-09-24/. live.
  44. R & B Chart for October 1, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. June 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220602100019/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-10-01/. live.
  45. R & B Chart for October 8, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. August 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805173113/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-10-08. live.
  46. R & B Chart for October 15, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. February 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210205818/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-10-15/. live.
  47. R & B Chart for October 22, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050425/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-10-22. live.
  48. R & B Chart for October 29, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. August 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220808054009/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-10-29/. live.
  49. R & B Chart for November 5, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. December 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207044058/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-11-05/. live.
  50. R & B Chart for November 12, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050435/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-11-12. live.
  51. R & B Chart for November 19, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. May 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513024005/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-11-19/. live.
  52. R & B Chart for November 26, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050442/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-11-26. live.
  53. R & B Chart for December 3, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. February 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220211033836/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-12-03/. live.
  54. R & B Chart for December 10, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050452/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-12-10. live.
  55. R & B Chart for December 17, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200348/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-12-17/. live.
  56. R & B Chart for December 24, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128194549/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-12-24/. live.
  57. R & B Chart for December 31, 1977. Billboard. July 29, 2020. September 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230917210744/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1977-12-31/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Hot Soul Singles number ones of 1977".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.