Ruby Anniversary Song of the Week: "Heartbreaker" by Grand Funk Railroad

Not bound for glory, "Heartbreaker" entered Billboard's Hot 100 at #93 for the week ending February 14, 1970. It reached as high as #72 and exited after 6 weeks. In the late 60s/early 70s, Grand Funk also didn't get much respect on FM radio, though I suspect the Youngstown/Warren Ohio area, not too far from where I grew up, was one of a number of notable exceptions. Cleveland may rock, but these two solidly blue-collar towns have always managed to kick it up a few notches from there. But then Grand Funk didn't have to worry about radio airplay. They built up a fan(atical) base through extensive touring and intensive advertising.

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Other singles making their debut on the Hot 100.

"It's a New Day" by James Brown. (83, 32, 8)

"Keep on Doin'" by the Isley Brothers. (84, 75, 5)
Treading water between "It's Your Thing" and "That Lady"

"Something's Burning" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. (85, 11, 16)
The song was written by Mac Davis.

"Walking Through the Country" by the Grass Roots. (86, 44, 8)
Sometimes when you stumble across the title of a long-forgotten song, the tune immediately pops into your head. Not the case here. Definitely one of their forgettable efforts.

"A Friend in the City" by Andy Kim. (90, 90, 2)

"Ticket to Ride" by the Carpenters. (92, 54, 12)
An inauspicious debut for the duo. Their next 6 singles, however, all reached the top 3 of the Hot 100, a string of hits that extended into early 1972. (Very weird video. The close-up of Karen's mouth at the 3-minute mark -- yeah, I actually lasted that long -- is more than I can handle.)

"All I Have to do is Dream" by Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell. (95, 27, 10)
The Everly Brothers original spent 5 weeks at #1 in 1958. An uninspired, by-the-numbers remake.

"Kentucky Rain" by Elvis Presley. (96, 16, 9)
The first song of Elvis's to reach the Hot 100 in the 1970s. The 112th of his career.

"If You've Got a Heart" by Bobby Bland. (97, 96, 2)

"Rag Mama Rag" by the Band. (98, 57, 8)
In their 9-year career, the Band's songs spent very little time on the Hot 100. Of the 8 that charted, "Up on Cripple Creek" was the best performer. It reached as high as #25. They were more at home on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart.

"Take It Off Him and Put It on Me" by Clarence Carter. (99, 94, 4)

"The Fightin' Side of Me" by Merle Haggard & the Strangers. (100, 92, 3)
Singer-songwriter Nick Gravenites, who worked with many San Francisco area bands back in the day, penned a little ditty to Haggard -- "I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle". The chorus goes as follows: Oh I'll change your flat tire, Merle/Don't you get your sweet country picking fingers/ All covered with oil/You're a honky I know, but Merle, you got soul/So I'll change your flat tire, Merle.