One Less Bell to Answer (1970) 8/13/20

Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote several “Great Songs of the '60s and '70s,” including “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head,” I Say a Little Prayer,” and “This Girl's/Guy's in Love With You,” just to name a few.

They also wrote today's “Great Song” for jazz singer Keely Smith. Unfortunately, it went nowhere.

But then The Fifth Dimension put it on their “Portrait” album and released it as a single with Marilyn McCoo singing lead.

In 1970, “One Less Bell to Answer” shot to #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart! It was also Top 5 on the Hot 100 (#2) and the R&B Chart (#4).

Covers were made by several artists, including Dionne Warwick, Shirley Bassey, Cissy Houston, Vikki Carr, Vanessa Williams, and even Barbra Streisand. Matthew Morrison and Kristin Chenoweth sang it on “Glee,” but in the end, only Marilyn McCoo and The Fifth Dimension can lay claim to a “Great Song of the '70s” (or any other decade!)