Over the next year, the group released a number of singles to little recognition, but it was in June 1971 that they released their breakthrough hit, "
Never Ending Song of Love" (the first of many hit songs to be produced by
David Mackay, and a cover of the American hit by
Delaney & Bonnie). The song became a big hit in the UK, spending five weeks at No. 2 in the
UK Singles Chart, and was one of the biggest selling singles of the year. This was their last single released on the
Philips Records label. The huge success of this single was mildly ironic in that prior to the single's release, the group were dropped by Philips and had signed with
Polydor Records. Their first single for Polydor was "Good Old Fashioned Music", which they promoted on television (including an appearance on
Top Of The Pops), but it failed to chart. Towards the end of 1971, the group recorded an adaptation of the Coca-Cola jingle, "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke", which had gained much interest. Reworked as "
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", the song became a worldwide success. It made No. 1 in the UK for four weeks and sold just under a million copies. The song was a No. 2 hit in the UK and sold well in Europe. Around this time, they also charted highly with their most successful album, ''
We'd Like to Teach the World to Sing'', which reached No. 2 in the
UK Albums Chart. Member Peter Doyle left the group this year and was replaced by Peter Oliver. The New Seekers had enjoyed a number of hits in the US by this time and toured there with
Liza Minnelli in 1973. While there, they recorded the title track of the American
Marlo Thomas's 1972 album
Free to Be... You and Me. In 1974, the album was made into a landmark television programme designed to teach children how to express themselves and be independent through a series of vignettes. Since the special was first broadcast, the song became a cult classic. Up to now, the group's biggest success had been as a five-piece harmony, but it was around this time that they began to favour lead singers for their songs with title credits given to Marty Kristian for "
Come Softly to Me" and Eve Graham for "Nevertheless", but it was in late 1973 that this formula found its biggest success when Lyn Paul took the lead on the new single, "
You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me". The song became a big hit over Christmas and eventually peaked at No. 1 in January 1974, becoming their second biggest hit. This formula continued with the next single, "I Get a Little Sentimental Over You", which also became a big hit, peaking at No. 5. However, despite this revival, the group announced their split amid much publicity. With allegations that the members were receiving little financial reward for their success, The New Seekers officially disbanded in May 1974. The group's two UK number one singles are listed as being in the top 30 best selling singles for the 1970s, with "I'd Like To Teach The World To sing" at No. 17 and "You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me" at No. 27. "We've Got To Do It Now" was used in a
public information film in both the United Kingdom and the United States about
littering. == Reformation ==