Never Can Say Goodbye (1975) 7/18/20

In 1975, with the popularity of disco music exploding, Billboard Magazine decided it was time to start publishing a weekly Disco/Dance chart...and today's “Great Song of the '70s was the very first #1 on the very first chart!

“Never Can Say Goodbye” was written by actor/songwriter and Baptist minister Clifton Davis, who you may remember as Reverend Gregory on the TV series “Amen,” and/or for his roles on shows like “Madame Secretary,” “That's My Mama” and several others.

The song was originally a hit for the Jackson 5, who recorded it as a ballad, and in 1971, did quite well with it: #1 on Billboard's R & B chart and #2 on the Hot 100. (We may highlight this version at a later date.)

Gloria Gaynor's uptempo disco remake not only debuted at #1 on the first Disco/Dance chart, it also reached #9 on Billboard's Hot 100, and #11 on the Adult Contemporary chart! In addition, the song was a Top 10 smash in 7 other countries, including The UK (#2), Canada (#3) and Australia (#3).

“Never Can Say Goodbye” by Gloria Gaynor: dancing into the ” the Disco era...as a “Great Song of 1975!”