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3 Top 10 Hits From 1973 That Every 70s Kid Alive Still Remembers Today
The article recalls three 1973 Top 10 hits: “Sing” by the Carpenters, Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock” and Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”. It describes their lasting appeal and the different inspirations behind them.
“Sing” was written by Joe Raposo for “Sesame Street” before the Carpenters recorded it. Simon wrote “Loves Me Like a Rock” as a tribute to his mother; it followed “Kodachrome”, with both songs reaching the Top 5. Wonder wrote “Higher Ground” before a serious car accident in 1973, but later said the experience gave the song added meaning.
In short
- The Carpenters, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder had Top 10 hits in 1973.
- “Sing” began as a song for “Sesame Street”.
- Wonder wrote “Higher Ground” before his 1973 car accident.
Explained simply
In 1973, songs from television, folk rock and soul all reached the US Top 10. The Carpenters recorded “Sing”, written by Joe Raposo for the children’s programme Sesame Street; Paul Simon wrote “Loves Me Like a Rock” as a tribute to his mother; and Stevie Wonder wrote “Higher Ground”.
The songs reflect different strands of popular music at the time, and their varied origins help explain why they are remembered in different ways. Wonder wrote “Higher Ground” before a serious car accident that year, and later said the experience gave the song added meaning.