"We're counting down the most popular songs in the country from Joplin to Juno; from Seattle to Savannah. I'm Casey Kasem, this is American Top 40, and the countdown doesn't stop until we get to number one."


American Top 40 with Casey Kasem aired on radio from July 4, 1970 until August 6, 1988. This recording is a rebroadcast from internet radio.

In this countdown:

The theme to the motion picture "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" is represented back-to-back by Meco at number 40 and John Williams at number 39.

A listener wants to know, "What Canadian artist has been the most successful on the American charts during the rock era?" This artist has hit the chart 50 times with 12 top 10 songs.

Casey answers this question: "Dear Casey, You've said that Elvis and The Beatles are in first and second place with most top 10 hits during the rock era. I'd like to know who is in third place, after all, whoever it is has been up against some tough competition." Casey gives the answer.

There is an artist in the countdown that passed all his classes in high school, except for music class!

A listener wants to know what female artist has had the most success with remaking old hits. Casey says this lady is also the Queen of Soul.

The week before this countdown, the four top positions on the album chart were occupied by Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, Earth Wind and Fire, and Electric Light Orchestra - all with increasing sales. But this is the week the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever leapt over all those albums, from the number 10 spot last week, to the number 1 spot this week, and would stay there 24 weeks until July.

40: Theme From "Close Encounters" - Meco
39: Theme From "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" - John Williams
38: You're My Soul And Inspiration - Donny & Marie Osmond
37: Happy Anniversary - The Little River Band
EXTRA: Evil Ways - Santana
36: As - Stevie Wonder
35: Lovely Day - Bill Withers
34: Ffun - Con Funk Shun
33: Too Hot To Trot - Commodores
32: Peg - Steely Dan
31: Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle
30: Long, Long Way From Home - Foreigner
29: Native New Yorker - Odyssey
28: Point Of Know Return - Kansas
27: What's Your Name - Lynyrd Skynyrd
26: Blue Bayou - Linda Ronstadt
25: You Can't Turn Me Off - High Energy
24: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Santa Esmerelda
23: Emotion - Samantha Sang
22: You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
21: Desiree - Neil Diamond
20: Sentimental Lady - Bob Welch
19: I Go Crazy - Paul Davis
18: Dance, Dance, Dance, Yowsah Yowsah - Chic
17: Serpentine Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire
16: Turn To Stone - E.L.O.
15: Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill
14: Love Is Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
13: Runaround Sue - Leif Garrett
12: Back In Love Again - L.T.D.
11: Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
10: Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees
9: Come Sail Away - Styx
8: We Are The Champions - Queen
7: Hey Deanie - Shaun Cassidy
6: Slip Slidin' Away - Paul Simon
5: Short People - Randy Newman
4: You're In My Heart - Rod Stewart
3: Here You Come Again - Dolly Parton
2: How Deep Is Your Love - The Bee Gees
1: Baby Come Back - Player