Photo: ABC / Dunhill Records / Public domain
Our Top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds songs list looks back at a group that had two massive hit singles in the 1970s. The songs remain a reminder of 1970’s pop radio as it was defined by two very different periods from 1970 to the start of 1975 and the end of 1975 to the end of the decade. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds released a handful of singles that had moderate chart success but in no way compared to the two mega hit singles that we will look at closely in this article. The group’s name represented the three original members Dan Hamilton, Joe Frank Carollo and Tommy Reynolds. In 1972, Tommy Reynolds left the band. Reynolds was replaced by Alan Dennison. Interestingly, because the group was already well known under the name Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, they originally kept the name until they released their second album with Alan Dennison and changed the name to Hamilton, Joe Frank & Dennison.
Our Top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs article presents the group’s biggest hits along with an assortment of minor hit singles and some key album tracks.
# 10 – Hallway Symphony
We open up our top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds songs list with the title track to their album entitled Hallway Symphony. The album was released in 1972. Hallway Symphony was the band’s second album. The album was released on the very cool 1970s label Dunhill Records which was home to some great bands including such other early 1970s favorites such as Steppenwolf and Three Dog Night. The song was written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter.
# 9 – Don’t Fight the Hands (That Need You)
Continuing with our top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs list we present the song “Don’t Fight the Hands (That Need You).” The song served as the last single the group ever released. It was issued in 1976 on the album Love & Conversation which also served as the last studio album by the group.
# 8 – Light Up The World With Sunshine
“Light Up The World With Sunshine,” was also released on the last Hamilton, Joe Frank & Dennison album entitled Love and Conversation released in 1976. It was the second single released from the album. The song peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hit 100.
# 7 – Goin’ Down
“Going Down,” is the first song to appear on this Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs list that was released on the band’s debut album in 1971. The song was written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. The song was never released as as single, but it did serve as the album’s opening track. This is one that we always really liked off their debut album.
# 6 – Everyday Without Your Love
The song “Everyday Without You” was the third single released from their great 1975 album Fallin’ In Love. The album presented the group’s debut LP on Playboy Records. It also served as their third studio album. The single “Everyday Without You” was written by Dan Hamilton. The song was a top 10 hit on the Billboard R&B charts in 1976.
# 5 – Annabella
As we enter the second half of our top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs list, we turn back once again to the band’s debut album titled Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. The song was written by Christian Arnold, David Martin, and Geoff Morrow. ” Annabella was the second and final single released from the group’s debut album.
# 4 – Daisy Mae
“Daisy Mae” was a stand-alone single released in 1971. The song had minor chart success as it just barely missed the American Top 40, peaking at number 41. The song was later released on the album Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Greatest Hits, which was issued on CD in 1995.
# 3 – Winners And Losers
As we count down to the big top hits on this Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds songs list, we take a listen to the follow-up single to one of their massive hit singles. The tune “Winners And Losers” served as the follow-up single to their number-one song, “Fallin In Love.” The song did not come close to repeating the chart success of “Fallin’ In Love.” However, it did chart respectfully on the Billboard Hot 100, barely missing the top 20 as it peaked at number 21. The song was released on the album Fallin’ in Love in 1975.
# 2 – Don’t Pull Your Love
Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds’ song “Don’t Pull Your Love” was the group’s first big hit and the second biggest hit of their career. The song was released on the group’s first album entitled Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. The album was released in 1971.”Don’t Pull Your Love” was a top 10 hit for the group, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it did hit number one on the Cash Box Top 100 and went straight to the top at number one in Canada. It’s interesting to listen to the song and hear how the group combined so many musical styles into one song. In many aspects, it really was a reflection of the music scene of the early 1970s.
Bands like Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears were combining pop and rock music with horns amidst certain jazz overtones. R&B and soul music were more popular than ever at the time and soft rock artists like Jim Croce, James Taylor and Harry Chapin were the next big thing. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, and their producer combined all those elements along with a bit of a Western theme and came up with this grand song that put the group on the map instantly. Dan Hamilton performed the lead vocal on the song. The song was song written by Brian Potter and Dennis Lambert.
# 1 – Fallin’ in Love
We close out our top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs list with the group’s biggest hit of their career. If you were living life in the 1970s, you knew this one. The song “Fallin’ In Love” was released in 1975 on the album titled Fallin’ In Love. The song was composed by Dan Hamilton. Every time I hear this one, it brings me back to the summer of 1975 and listening to this tune on the radio all day long in the streets of New York City. This was a huge hit that summer. The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B Charts.
The song’s success was pretty much centered in the United States, although it did hit number two in Canada. 1975 was a transitional year in music as R&B and the rise of disco from the underground onto mainstream radio began to shake up the music scene. This song was in the right place at the right time. In the end, and most importantly, it’s a great song. The groove is addicting, the melody is gorgeous, and the vocals are perfect. That’s a number one record and one that brings back memories the second you hear it.
Updated November 7, 2023
Top 10 Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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