I Wanna Be with You - Raspberries (1972) 2/7/22

Okay, '70s music fans...

If I asked you to name the biggest hit by "The Raspberries," you might remember their "Great Song of '72:" "Go All the Way," which we highlighted way back on. 12/1/19: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/114911893315600

But if I asked you to name their SECOND biggest hit, could you do it?

I'll give you a couple of clues: #1: It was their follow-up to "Go All the Way," also from 1972. #2: It was the first single from their second album, "Fresh."

The song was "I Wanna Be With You," and it was either a Top 10 hit...or not...depending on which trade magazine you followed.

For several years, there were 3 competing magazines that posted charts: Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World. Each had their own way of determining chart positions, and although Billboard was the magazine of choice for most of the music industry, the other two were quite valid and influential as well--although (Record World folded in 1982. As you may have noticed, for US charts, I almost exclusively quote Billboard for consistency's sake.

The problem was, they almost NEVER agreed on ANY chart position. Many times, they were close, but in the case of "I Wanna Be With You," Record World said it peaked at #7, Cashbox had it at #10, and Billboard had it down at #16.

To give you an idea on how differently each magazine looked at the song, Cashbox called it "Beatle-esque." (Accurate). Billboard called it a "strong rock ballad," with no mention of the Fab Four, (Also Accurate).Record World said nothing, but rated it higher than the other two.

But really, it doesn't matter which magazine did or said what..."I Wanna Be with You" was a "Great Song of 1972," whether you remember it...or not.