How Captain & Tennille's 'Love Will Keep Us Together' Became 1975's Biggest Hit

In 1975, iconic songs like David Bowie's "Fame," LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade," and "That's the Way (I Like It)" by KC and the Sunshine Band all topped the charts. Another extremely memorable song hit No. 1 that same year, exactly 51 years ago today. The song that would also become the biggest hit of 1975 was released by a duo that would later release a track music fans would vote as one of the "worst songs of all time."

How a Cover Song Hit No. 1 Exactly 51 Years Ago Today and Became the Biggest Hit of 1975

In April 1975, Captain & Tennille released their cover of Neil Sedaka's earlier song "Love Will Keep Us Together." The track didn't take long to become a hit and debut on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 19, 1975, where it would spend 23 weeks in total. The highly memorable song would later hit No. 1 on June 21, 1975, and it would top the charts for four weeks.

As a December 2025 Billboard article detailed, Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" earned arguably the biggest annual accolade in music. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart for 1975, which is a huge deal. After all, that is a direct indication of how many music fans embraced the track to spend their money on it.

There are several reasons why Captain & Tennille's "Love Will Keep Us Together" became such a monster hit. Some of the keys to the song's success are its incredibly catchy melody, Tennille's warm singing voice, and how optimistic its core message is. Additionally, the fact that it was released by a real-life married couple added to its appeal, which made the duo's 2014 divorce disappointing for longtime fans.

The Same Duo Later Released One of the "Worst Songs of All Time"

In September 1976, Captain & Tennille released another single, "Muskrat Love," which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even though the song was a hit at the time, its reputation faced a serious setback decades later.

In April 2006, CNN asked people to weigh in on what the "worst songs of all time" were. When the outlet released the results of that vote, "Muskrat Love" was ranked as the second "worst song of all time." The outlet also quoted one person who explained their vote for the song this way: "I would pay good money to have its lyrics, tune, and even the fact of its existence erased from my memory."

Next: 52 Years Ago Today, a 1974 Track Voted One of the ‘Worst Songs of All Time' Hit No. 1

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 6:15 AM.