List of Hot Soul Singles number ones of 1978 explained

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1978 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 1978, it was published under the title Hot Soul Singles, and 22 different singles reached number one.

Three acts which formed part of George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic collective, known for its eclectic mix of funk and hard rock and its use of surreal futuristic imagery, topped the chart in 1978.[2] In the issue of Billboard dated March 4, Parliament reached number one for the first time with "Flash Light". After three weeks in the top spot, the single was displaced by "Bootzilla" by Bootsy's Rubber Band, led by bass guitarist Bootsy Collins, one of the collective's principal members.[3] Finally, in September, Funkadelic gained its first chart-topper with "One Nation Under a Groove (Part 1)". Both Parliament and Funkadelic featured largely the same musicians, with the different names reflecting differing styles of music.[4] "One Nation Under a Groove (Part 1)" was the year's longest-running chart-topper, spending six weeks at number one. The track is regarded as a classic of the funk genre and was included on a list of 500 songs that shaped rock and roll compiled by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[5]

Several other acts gained the first soul number ones of their respective careers in 1978, beginning in the issue of Billboard dated January 7 when Con Funk Shun topped the chart with "Ffun". In February, both Stargard and Enchantment reached number one for the first time with "Theme Song from 'Which Way Is Up'" and "It's You That I Need", respectively. Both Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams topped the chart for the first time when they collaborated on "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" in April, and Quincy Jones, a successful producer, composer and band leader since the 1950s, gained his first chart-topping soul single in his own right with "Stuff Like That". Later in the year, Teddy Pendergrass achieved his first solo number one after having been previously successful as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and Rick James, A Taste of Honey and Foxy all reached the top of the chart for the first time. The year's final chart-topper "Le Freak" was another debut number one, as Chic reached the top spot for the first time in the issue of Billboard dated December 2 and stayed there for the remainder of the year. The song is regarded as a classic of the disco genre and was selected in 2018 for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[6]

Chart history

Issue date! scope="col"
TitleArtist(s)
scope=row"Ffun" Con Funk Shun[7]
scope=row[8]
scope=row"Our Love" [9]
scope=row[10]
scope=row"Theme Song from 'Which Way Is Up'" Stargard[11]
scope=row[12]
scope=row"Too Hot ta Trot" [13]
scope=row"It's You That I Need" Enchantment[14]
scope=row"Flash Light" Parliament[15]
scope=row[16]
scope=row[17]
scope=row"Bootzilla" Bootsy's Rubber Band[18]
scope=row"" and Donny Hathaway[19]
scope=row[20]
scope=row"Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" and Deniece Williams[21]
scope=row[22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row[24]
scope=row"Take Me to the Next Phase (Part 1)" [25]
scope=row[26]
scope=row"Use ta Be My Girl" [27]
scope=row[28]
scope=row[29]
scope=row[30]
scope=row[31]
scope=row"Stuff Like That" [32]
scope=row"Close the Door" [33]
scope=row[34]
scope=row"You and I" [35]
scope=row[36]
scope=row"Boogie Oogie Oogie" [37]
scope=row"Three Times a Lady" [38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row"Get Off" Foxy[40]
scope=row[41]
scope=row"Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" L.T.D.[42]
scope=row[43]
scope=row"Got to Get You into My Life" Earth, Wind & Fire[44]
scope=row"One Nation Under a Groove (Part 1)" Funkadelic[45]
scope=row[46]
scope=row[47]
scope=row[48]
scope=row[49]
scope=row[50]
scope=row"I'm Every Woman" [51]
scope=row[52]
scope=row[53]
scope=row"Le Freak" Chic[54]
scope=row[55]
scope=row[56]
scope=row[57]
scope=row[58]

See also

References

Works cited

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

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 P-Father of P-Funk. Sean. O'Hagan. Sean O'Hagan (journalist). The Guardian. October 9, 2023. December 23, 1999. May 11, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140511052628/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/1999/dec/23/artsfeatures.georgeclinton. live.
  3. Web site: Bootsy Collins: 'We're all funky, just not all of us know it'. Ammar. Kalia. The Guardian. October 9, 2023. June 15, 2020. October 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231008202554/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/15/bootsy-collins-were-all-funky-just-not-all-of-us-know-it. live.
  4. Web site: The Over/Under: Funkadelic. Magnet. June 22, 2010. October 9, 2023. July 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230723032219/https://magnetmagazine.com/2010/06/22/the-overunder-funkadelic/. live.
  5. Web site: 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll By Song (N - P). https://web.archive.org/web/20070926220537/http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/500-songs-by-name-np/. dead. September 26, 2007. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. August 2, 2020.
  6. Web site: National Recording Registry Reaches 500 . . March 21, 2018 . March 21, 2018 . April 16, 2018 . https://archive.today/20180416152409/https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-18-028/ . live .
  7. R & B Chart for January 7, 1978. Billboard. August 1, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200351/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-01-07/. live.
  8. R & B Chart for January 14, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050505/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-01-14. live.
  9. R & B Chart for January 21, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426023227/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-01-21. live.
  10. R & B Chart for January 28, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605073753/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-01-28/. live.
  11. R & B Chart for February 4, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050516/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-02-04. live.
  12. R & B Chart for February 11, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. August 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220820203300/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-02-11/. live.
  13. R & B Chart for February 18, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. August 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190806150002/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-02-18. live.
  14. R & B Chart for February 25, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050529/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-02-25. live.
  15. R & B Chart for March 4, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705202318/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-03-04/. live.
  16. R & B Chart for March 11, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. September 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190924231118/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-03-11. live.
  17. R & B Chart for March 18, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050540/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-03-18. live.
  18. R & B Chart for March 25, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. May 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513024002/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-03-25/. live.
  19. R & B Chart for April 1, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621155808/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-04-01. live.
  20. R & B Chart for April 8, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128072034/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-04-08/. live.
  21. R & B Chart for April 15, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128193857/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-04-15/. live.
  22. R & B Chart for April 22, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050601/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-04-22. live.
  23. R & B Chart for April 29, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. October 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221015064445/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-04-29/. live.
  24. R & B Chart for May 6, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050608/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-05-06. live.
  25. R & B Chart for May 13, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. February 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220206195530/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-05-13/. live.
  26. R & B Chart for May 20, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180331153444/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-05-20. live.
  27. R & B Chart for May 27, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160853/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-05-27/. live.
  28. R & B Chart for June 3, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160902/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-06-03/. live.
  29. R & B Chart for June 10, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128190144/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-06-10/. live.
  30. R & B Chart for June 17, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160902/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-06-17/. live.
  31. R & B Chart for June 24, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190424155700/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-06-24. live.
  32. R & B Chart for July 1, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160900/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-07-01/. live.
  33. R & B Chart for July 8, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160859/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-07-08/. live.
  34. R & B Chart for July 15, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160857/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-07-15/. live.
  35. R & B Chart for July 22, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160857/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-07-22/. live.
  36. R & B Chart for July 29, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160856/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-07-29/. live.
  37. R & B Chart for August 5, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160905/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-08-05/. live.
  38. R & B Chart for August 12, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620072959/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-08-12. live.
  39. R & B Chart for August 19, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220326131518/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-08-19/. live.
  40. R & B Chart for August 26, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407160909/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-08-26/. live.
  41. R & B Chart for September 2, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050659/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-09-02. live.
  42. R & B Chart for September 9, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190622095831/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-09-09. live.
  43. R & B Chart for September 16, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. August 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220820203302/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-09-16/. live.
  44. R & B Chart for September 23, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. May 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220513024006/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-09-23/. live.
  45. R & B Chart for September 30, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620073011/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-09-30. live.
  46. R & B Chart for October 7, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050717/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-10-07. live.
  47. R & B Chart for October 14, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050721/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-10-14. live.
  48. R & B Chart for October 21, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180331153450/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-10-21. live.
  49. R & B Chart for October 28, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128193411/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-10-28/. live.
  50. R & B Chart for November 4, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200319/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-11-04/. live.
  51. R & B Chart for November 11, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621155819/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-11-11. live.
  52. R & B Chart for November 18, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. June 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220605073745/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-11-18/. live.
  53. R & B Chart for November 25, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. July 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190714233407/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-11-25. live.
  54. R & B Chart for December 2, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050757/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-12-02. live.
  55. R & B Chart for December 9, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050803/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-12-09. live.
  56. R & B Chart for December 16, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. February 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220210202320/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-12-16/. live.
  57. R & B Chart for December 23, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180331153503/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-12-23. live.
  58. R & B Chart for December 30, 1978. Billboard. August 3, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330050819/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1978-12-30. live.

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