Hot 100 peak: No. 6 (Jan. 23, 1971)

Songwriter: Laura Nyro

Notes: This marked Perry’s first top 10 hit and Streisand’s first in nearly seven years, following the stunning success of “People” in 1964. At just 28 years old, Streisand and Perry created “Stoney End,” showcasing her ability to dive into contemporary pop. This record opened the floodgates to a music career that flourished throughout the 1970s. Although “Stoney End” did not receive a Grammy nomination, a subsequent single produced by Perry, “Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead,” garnered a nomination for best pop vocal performance, female, the following year.

Fun Fact: An earlier version of this song was recorded by Peggy Lipton, known for her role in The Mod Squad, which bubbled under the Hot 100 in 1968.

Hot 100 peak: No. 9 (Oct. 27, 1984)

Songwriters: Trevor Lawrence, Anita, June and Ruth Pointer

Notes: This electrifying track initially stalled at No. 30 in 1982, which is hard to believe given its infectious energy. However, a remixed version released in 1984, during a peak period for the group, finally propelled it into the top 10, where it truly belonged.

Hot 100 peak: No. 5 (April 27, 1974)

Songwriters: Vini Poncia, Ringo Starr

Notes: This track became the third consecutive top five hit from the Ringo album, a remarkable achievement during an era where achieving three hits from a single album was rare. The song features backing vocals from Martha Reeves and Merry Clayton, while Billy Preston contributed keyboards and Tom Scott played the saxophone.

Hot 100 peak: No. 5 (May 19, 1984)

Songwriters: Hal David, Albert Hammond

Notes: This unexpected collaboration resulted in a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The song won an Academy of Country Music Award for Single of the Year and was also nominated in the same category at the Country Music Association Awards.

Fun Fact: Hal David, known for his legendary songwriting partnership with Burt Bacharach, and Albert Hammond, who achieved a top five hit in 1972 with “It Never Rains in Southern California,” previously collaborated on “99 Miles From L.A.,” featured on Art Garfunkel’s 1975 album Breakaway, which Perry also produced.

Hot 100 peak: No. 5 (April 14, 1984)

Songwriters: Mark Goldenberg, Brock Walsh

Notes: This track won a Grammy for Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices, demonstrating the exceptional harmonies and arrangements the group achieved with Perry’s guidance.

Hot 100 peak: No. 3 (April 5, 1975)

Songwriters: Hoyt Axton (“No No Song”)/Elton John & Bernie Taupin (“Snookeroo”)

Notes: Ringo’s catchy anthem about abstaining from drugs likely had a greater impact on public awareness than Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign in the early ‘80s. Hoyt Axton, who penned “No No Song,” had previously written Billboard’s No. 1 song of 1971, “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night. Notably, Nilsson provided backing vocals for “No No Song,” while Elton John contributed piano and backing vocals for “Snookeroo,” a track he co-wrote.

Hot 100 peak: No. 3 (Oct. 25, 1980)

Songwriters: Tom Snow, Cynthia Weil

Notes: This song evoked the essence of early ’60s girl-group hits. Co-writer Weil was a significant figure in the Brill Building scene, known for her memorable collaborations with her husband, Barry Mann. This track earned the Pointer Sisters their first Grammy nomination in a pop category (Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal), following previous nominations in country and R&B.

Fun fact: Perry and Mann & Weil received their Trustees Awards from the Recording Academy in the same year (2015), underscoring their lasting impact on the music industry.

Hot 100 peak: No. 5 (March 23, 1974)

Songwriters: Charlie Foxx, Inez Foxx

Notes: This track captivates listeners from the first note to the last. In 1974, Simon and Taylor were pop music’s quintessential couple, with Perry recognized as one of the hottest producers in the industry, as highlighted by Rolling Stone. Originally, this song was a top 10 hit in 1963 for Inez Foxx and her brother Charlie.

Hot 100 peak: No. 6 (Feb. 16, 1985)

Songwriters: Danny Sembello, Allee Willis

Notes: Featured in the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, this track soared to the top of the Billboard 200 for two weeks in June 1985, marking the Pointer Sisters’ last top 10 hit.

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Hot 100 peak: No. 3 (July 7, 1984)

Songwriters: Steve Mitchell, Marti Sharron, Gary Skardina

Notes: When this record peaked at No. 3 in July 1984, it faced intense competition on the Hot 100, with Prince’s “When Doves Cry” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” holding the top spots. The “For My Love” subtitle was added after Van Halen’s “Jump” topped the chart for five weeks earlier that year. This lively track earned the Pointer Sisters a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and is famously featured in a charming scene in Love Actually where Hugh Grant dances to its infectious beat.

Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (1 week) (May 14, 1977)

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