Created especially for a TV show, the Partridge Family was a musical group performing upbeat pop songs in the very groovy 1970s. The Partridge Family debuted on ABC in 1970; the clan consisted of widowed mom Shirley, played by Shirley Jones; eldest son Keith, played by a dreamy David Cassidy; daughters Laurie and Tracy; and sons Chris and Danny.

The Partridges practiced songs in their garage and toured the country in their psychedelically painted bus but in reality, only Jones and Cassidy’s voices were used on the albums released by the fictional family. Fans didn’t really mind and snapped up albums and singles like hotcakes, starting with the toe-tapping, head-bopping “I Think I Love You.” The song reached the #1 spot on the charts in 1970s and sold over a million copies.

The family’s success continued unabated with “Doesn’t Somebody Want to be Wanted,” followed by “I Woke Up in Love This Morning” and “I’ll Meet You Halfway.” All three singles charted in the Top 10 and made front man David Cassidy a teen idol overnight. His popularity merited a solo career and in 1971, young David and his awesome hair had a Top 10 hit with a cover of the song “Cherish.”

The show crossed the pond in 1972 and the Partridge Family gained a loyal fan base in England, which increased record sales considerably. All in all, 10 Partridge Family albums were released, including the very popular A Partridge Family Christmas Card. In 1974, the show was canceled and the cast stopped making sweet music together; David Cassidy continued with his solo career.

In the 1990s, a wave of nostalgia for all things 70s brought about the reissue of many Partridge Family albums, including the CD version of their Christmas album.