Chart performance:
| Week | Position | Movement | Comments |
| 21-Jul-72 | 14 | New | |
| 28-Jul-72 | 12 | +2 | |
| 04-Aug-72 | 10 | +2 | |
| 11-Aug-72 | 8 | +2 | |
| 18-Aug-72 | 8 | 0 | |
| 25-Aug-72 | 6 | +2 | Peak |
| 01-Sep-72 | 12 | -6 | Biggest faller |
| 08-Sep-72 | 11 | +1 | |
| 15-Sep-72 | 16 | -5 | Biggest faller |
| 22-Sep-72 | 19 | -3 | |
| 29-Sep-72 | 18 | +1 |
Written by: Don McLean
Produced by: Ed Freeman
South African record label (unless otherwise stated): United Artists
| Hit number for artist | 1 |
| Peak position | 6 |
| Weeks | 11 |
| Biggest climber awards | 0 |
| Star rater climbs | 0 |
| Biggest faller awards | 2 |
| Top 20 points | 97 |
| Overall Top 20 points ranking | =1138 |
| Top 20 points ranking for the artist | 2 |
| Top 30 Points | 207 |
| Overall Top 30 points ranking | =1125 |
| Top 30 points ranking for the artist | 2 |
Annual ranking:
| 1972 | 44 |
Other chart success:
| Australia | 3 |
| Belgium | 30 |
| Canada | 3 |
| Germany | 21 |
| Ireland | 1 |
| Italy | 1 |
| Netherlands | 16 |
| New Zealand | 7 |
| UK | 1 |
| US | 12 |
The song was written as a tribute to the artist Vincent van Gogh and the opening line of the song, ‘Starry, starry night’ refers to van Gogh’s painting ‘The Starry night’. It would knock T. Rex’s ‘Metal Guru’ of the top spot in the UK and spend 2 weeks at 1 before being dethroned by Slade’s ‘Take Me Bak ‘Ome’.
Video:
Artist link: Don McLean
SA Singles Charts 