American Top 40 1977 September 24th

American Top 40 with Casey Kasem aired on radio from July 4, 1970 until August 6, 1988. In this countdown the first two Extras are delivered by Casey because they are from the original show. This recording is a rebroadcast from internet radio.

"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" by Crystal Gayle debuts at number 38 but Casey has been talking about it for the last 3 or 4 weeks. What's up with all that?

Casey declares the song at number 33 (which is the latest remake of "Surfin' U.S.A." by Leif Garrett) to have "more lives than a Sear's car battery." I went looking for a 1977 Sears car battery commercial but couldn't find one so I downloaded a bit of a 1977 "Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries" episode from the first season where Casey has a role that he tells you about after playing "That's Rock And Roll" by Shaun Cassidy (at number 9) and now I know part of why I could never differentiate between Shawn Cassidy, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett and Paul Newman (thanks to YouTube uploader NancyHardy).

Who is Booker T Jones? Well, when your wife's sister drops by the recording studio, needs a hit song, and wants you to give her yours, just tell the story of Booker T Jones (and deliver it like Casey does).

Elvis Presley is at number 18 with "Way Down," the last single he released before his death, and the only tribute to the King ever to reach the Top 40 (that I can remember) is at number 28, "The King Is Gone" by Ronnie McDowell.

"Nobody Does It Better" (at number 12) and "Handy Man" (at number 11) are sung by real life married couple Carly Simon and James Taylor (respectively).

Star Boys Beach Wars: There are 2 Beach Boy inspired singles this week, "Surfin' U.S.A." by Leif Garrett and "Don't Worry Baby" by B.J. Thomas. Also, the only two instrumentals are Star Wars related compositions.

Casey finally explains what the phrase "Strawberry Letter #23" (at number 5 this week by Brothers Johnson) really means.

Having fallen from the number 1 spot, "Best Of My Love" by the Emotions returns to the top spot for a victory lap. When Casey tells you about the group's early career fan base, you might say "No Wonder."

40: I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You - Alan Parsons Project
39: She Did It - Eric Carman
38: Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle
37: Help Is On The Way - Little River Band
36: Star Wars (Main Title) - London Symphony Orchestra
35: Another Star - Stevie Wonder
34: I Believe You - Dorothy Moore
33: Surfin' U.S.A. - Leif Garrett
32: Just Remember I Love You - Firefall
31: Cat Scratch Fever - Ted Nugent
30: How Much Love - Leo Sayer
29: Daytime Friends - Kenny Rogers
28: The King Is Gone - Ronnie McDowell
27: The Greatest Love Of All- George Benson
EXTRA: Rubber Band Man - Spinners
26: Heaven On The Seventh Floor - Paul Nicholas
25: Smoke From A Distant Fire - Stanford Townsend Band
24: Jungle Love - Steve Miller Band
23: Signed, Sealed Delivered - Peter Frampton
22: It Was Almost Like A Song - Ronnie Milsap
21: You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
20: Higher And Higher - Rita Coolidge
19: Brick House - Commodores
18: Way Down - Elvis Presley
17: Don't Worry Baby - B.J. Thomas
16: I Feel Love - Donna Summer
15: Boogie Nights - Heatwave
14: Swayin' To The Music - Johnny Rivers
EXTRA: Love Will Keep Us Together - The Captain and Tennille
13: On And On - Stephen Bishop
12: Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
11: Handy Man - James Taylor
10: Cold As Ice - Foreigner
EXTRA: Play That Funky Music White Boy - Wild Cherry
9: That's Rock And Roll - Shaun Cassidy
8: Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band - Meco
7: Telephone Line - Electric Light Orchestra
6: I Just Want To Be You Everything - Andy Gibb
5: Strawberry Letter #23 - Brothers Johnson
4: Keep It Comin' Love - K.C. & The Sunshine Band
3: Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac
2: Float On - Floaters
1: Best Of My Love - Emotions

For recordings of other American Top 40 programs, visit The Pirate Bay or Kickass Torrents and search "American_Top_40"