SATURDY'S SINGLES : THE CARPENTERS and ALICE COOPER

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Good morning gang and welcome back to Saturday's Singles. It was on this day, 40 years ago, February 4, 1983 that New Haven, Connecticut drummer and singer, Karen Carpenter, passed away, age 32, from consequence of anorexia nervosa. With her in mind, we find ourselves playing "Top Of The World" by The Carpenters. The single was released September 17, 1973, on the A&M label. The song was written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis and then produced by Jack Daugherty for their 4th album, A Song For You. The track reached #38 in Germany, #27 in Belgium, #21 in Japan, #12 in the Netherlands, #5 in the UK, #3 in Ireland and on the Record World charts, #2 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary survey and the Billboard Easy Listening charts, and #1 in Australia, Canada, and the Hot 100. It's B-side is the instrumental, "Heather", which would appear on their 5th album, Now & Then.

A Top Of The World
Co-producer – Jack Daugherty
Written-By – John Bettis, Richard Carpenter
2:56

B Heather
Written-By – John Pearson
2:47

Karen Carpenter – lead and backing vocals
Richard Carpenter – backing vocals, Wurlitzer electronic piano, orchestration
Joe Osborn – bass guitar
Hal Blaine – brushed drums
Tony Peluso – electric guitar
Buddy Emmons – pedal steel guitar
Uncredited – tambourine

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Today also marks the 75th Birthday of Detroit, Michigan, singer, songwriter, and actor, Vincent Damon Furnier, best known by his stage name , Alice Cooper. Happy Birthday Alice ! to get his part started, we're putting on the title track to his sixth studio album, Billion Dollar Babies. The tune was released July 11, 1973 on the Warner Bros. label. It was written by Cooper,  Michael Bruce,  and Reggie Vinson, and the n produced by Bob Ezrin. It peaked at #57 on the Hot 100 and #30 in Germany. Donovan provides backup vocals and the single is b/w "Mary Ann" from the same LP.

A Billion Dollar Babies
Written-By – A. Cooper, M. Bruce, R. Reggie
3:39

B Mary Ann
Written-By – A. Cooper, M. Bruce
2:20

Alice Cooper – vocals
Steve Hunter – lead guitar
Dick Wagner – lead guitar
Michael Bruce – rhythm guitar
Dennis Dunaway – bass
Neal Smith – drums
Donovan – vocals

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