Ruby Anniversary Song of the Week: "Instant Karma" by John Ono Lennon

Lennon's first top ten hit as a "solo" artist, Instant Karma debuted at #64 on Billboard's Hot 100 for the week ending February 28, 1970. It reached #3 and spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart. Notice what Yoko is doing in the video.

Other songs making their debut on the Hot 100 this week.

"Celebrate" by Three Dog Night. (48, 15, 9)
This song quickly jumped out of the blocks but ran out of gas before the top ten finish line.

"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum. (63, 3, 15)
A one-hit wonder that just won't go away. It is, admittedly, a catchy little tune.

"Stir It Up and Serve It" by Tommy Roe. (83, 50, 6)
Roe's hitmaking days are, thankfully, over.

"To the Other Woman" by Doris Duke. (84, 50, 9)
Duke's only appearance on the Hot 100. A little too much soul?

"You're the One" by Little Sister. (86, 22, 11)
It's got that funky, Sly Stone beat. No surprise, he put together the group.

"Long Lonesome Highway" by Michael Parks. (88, 20, 12)
Parks' only appearance on the Hot 100. From the TV show Then Came Bronson, which Retiring Guy managed to miss during the 1969-1970 season, its only year in prime time.

"Rock Island Line" by Johnny Cash. (93, 93, 1)
Originally recorded in 1956.

"Silly, Silly Fool" by Dusty Springfield. (95, 76, 5)
Dusty's last solo appearance on the Hot 100. To her credit, she makes even this piece of soulful fluff sound good. Radio audience at the time, apparently, didn't agree.

"Love, Peace and Happiness" by the Chambers Brothers. (96, 96, 1)
Retiring Guy saw the Chambers Brothers in concert: Clark Gym, University of Buffalo, September 1968. I can't recall if they played this song, but I do remember a very extended version of "Time Has Come Today", complete with cowbell.

"Can't Help Falling in Love with You" by Andy Williams. (97, 88, 3)

"Tennessee Birdwalk" by Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan. (98, 23, 13)

"Message from a Black Man" by Whatnauts & the Whatnauts Band. (99, 99, 2)

"Sparkle and Shine" by the Clique. (100, 100, 1)
Their minor claim to fame is "Sugar on Sunday", from the fall of 1969.