# 3 Songs That Played Constantly on AM Radio in 1970

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/3-songs-that-played-constantly-on-am-radio-in-1970/
- Published: 2026-11-08T12:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T12:20:22+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/3-songs-that-played-constantly-on-am-radio-in-1970/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Three hits were staples of AM radio in 1970.
- “Bridge Over Troubled Water” quickly reached No. 1.
- A film helped put B.J. Thomas’s song into rotation.

## Summary

AM radio listeners in 1970 were likely to hear the same major hits repeatedly, as a limited number of stations focused on songs with broad appeal. Three tracks became especially prominent, reflecting the charts, a film’s success and the reach of popular performers.

Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 less than two months after its January release, despite being longer than most AM radio tracks. The Carpenters’ “(They Long To Be) Close To You”, released in May, topped charts worldwide. B.J. Thomas’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”, first released in October 1969, gained heavier radio play after featuring in the film *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.