The first record of the 70s to peak at 40, and the only one to do so in 1970, is one many people will know even if they don't know who it's by. The fact there were 3 different versions of this record to chart in 1970 would mean you'll likely get at least 3 different answers when asking people who it's by.
It was originally by BJ Thomas and was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance" kid. This version was a number one in America and was the first American number one of the decade.
The first version to chart in the UK was by French singer Sacha Distel. A week later the original BJ Thomas version entered the Top 40 for one week only, peaking at 38. Then 2 weeks later this version by Bobbie Gentry spent 1 week at 40. Then the following week the Sacha Distel version reached it's peak of 10.
Whilst it was the only Top 40 hit for both BJ Thomas and Sacha Distel, it was the 4th and final Top 40 hit for Bobbie Gentry.
She made her debut in 1967 with "Ode to Billy Joe". Then just over 2 years later she scored a number one with her version of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", also a Burt Bacharach and Hal David composition. Her 3rd single was a duet with Glen Campbell with a cover of "All I Have To Do Is Dream" which spent its final week in the charts at number 27 the same week this record was at 40.
Burt Bacharach become the first songwriting team to have 2 records peak at 40, and it's the 3rd for Burt Bacharach. As the original version was an American number one though I don't think they would have been concerned by this.
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