The Glass Bottle – “I Ain’t Got Time Anymore”

The early 1970s gave rise to a wave of pop and rock acts, but not all of them stood the test of time. One such act was The Glass Bottle, a short-lived band known primarily for their 1971 hit “I Ain’t Got Time Anymore.” With a blend of contemporary pop and soft rock, the group briefly captured attention before fading into obscurity.

Their music was tied to an unusual mission—promoting the glass bottle industry in an era when plastic containers were gaining ground. Produced in part by novelty record king Dickie Goodman, The Glass Bottle was as much a marketing idea as a musical act. Yet, for a brief moment, they had a hit that still lingers in retro playlists and one-hit wonder lists.

The Glass Bottle – Artist Profile
Origin	United States
Years Active	1970–1972
Genres	Contemporary Pop, Soft Rock
Label	Avco Embassy Records
Lead Vocalist	Gary Criss
Notable Producer	Dickie Goodman
Biggest Hit	“I Ain’t Got Time Anymore” – #36, Billboard Hot 100 (1971)
Other Charted Singles	“The Girl Who Loved Me When” (did not chart)
Post-Band Career	Gary Criss later became a disco artist, then a vintage car dealer

The Band’s Origins

The Glass Bottle was formed in the early 1970s as part of an unusual collaboration between music and marketing. Dickie Goodman, famous for his novelty “break-in” records, co-produced the band. According to reports, Goodman had connections to a marketing campaign aimed at boosting the image of glass bottles over the rising popularity of plastic containers in soda packaging.

This unique background gave the group its name—The Glass Bottle—an intentional nod to the commercial roots of the project. While this might suggest gimmickry, the band delivered polished soft rock that resonated with radio listeners.

“I Ain’t Got Time Anymore” – The Breakout Hit

The band’s biggest success came with the release of “I Ain’t Got Time Anymore” in June 1971. Issued through Avco Embassy Records, the single featured Gary Criss on vocals and showcased a melancholic yet melodic arrangement that fit the adult contemporary style of the time.

The song climbed to #36 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their only Top 40 entry. It also gained attention for being included in the soundtrack to the 1970 film The People Next Door, where the group contributed several other songs:

• “Mama, Don’t You Wait Up for Me”

• “Maxie Leaves Home (Mama Don’t You Wait Up for Me)”

• “The End Title: People Next Door”

The soundtrack, also released by Avco Embassy, gave the band some extra exposure but failed to propel them into long-term success.

Trying to Follow Up a Hit

Following the moderate success of their breakout single, The Glass Bottle attempted to chart again with “The Girl Who Loved Me When” in November 1971. Despite being credited as The Glass Bottle Featuring Gary Criss, the track failed to enter the Hot 100. The accompanying B-side, “Because She’s Mine Again,” also went unnoticed.

In 1972, the group released another single, “Don’t It Make You Feel So Good” backed with “I Love You More (Than You Love Me).” While pleasant, the single didn’t chart. These releases marked the slow fade of the group’s presence in the music scene.

By the end of 1972, The Glass Bottle quietly disbanded, their brief career sealed as a one-hit wonder story.

The Post-Band Career of Gary Criss

After the group split, Gary Criss continued pursuing music—this time in the disco scene. In the mid-to-late 1970s, he released several dance tracks that enjoyed regional success. His disco album Rio de Janeiro (1978) featured the single “My Love’s Comin’ Down,” which became a club hit and earned him a niche following among disco collectors.

Eventually, Criss stepped away from music and transitioned into a very different career. He began dealing in antique and vintage automobiles, running a successful business that specialized in restoring and selling classic cars.

The Glass Bottle’s Discography (May Be Partial)

Here’s a breakdown of known singles released by The Glass Bottle during their brief career: