in the 70s - Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

Top Ten Albums of the Seventies

What are your top ten favorite albums from the 70s?

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 80s and 90s

10. Saturday Night Fever by Various artists
Yes, I'm guilty of liking disco! Despite that not every song on this record is good. It has amazing songs like You Should be dancing, Disco infono, More than a woman, etc. Besides like it or not Disco was a part of the 70's
9. Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Great voice, great lyrics, great songs.
8. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Plesent theme through out the record. Great title song that you can hear often on classic rock stations.
7. Made In Japan by Deep Purple
I konow that most people remember this band for their Machine Head album. But the record I had was this one. Which has great versions of their studio hits. In my opinion, one of the only bands that comes close to rival Led Zeppelin as the greatest rock bands in the 70's.
6. Supertramp by Crime Of The Century
I could of put In The Quiest Moments in this top ten too, but like I said before I am trying not to include the same artist twice. This is the album that Supertramp found their sound, after this record they made other amazing albums. I love this one because there is no song that is better than the others. Every song here is great!
5. Sticky Fingers by Rolling Stones
Great record, captures the Stones at a great periode betwenn what they were in the 60's and what they will become throught out the 70's.
4. IV by Led Zeppelin
I tried not to include to albums by the same artist in this top ten. But it is inpossible not to include the all time classic rock album. Besides,the great rock songs there are also nice acoustic songs like Going To California and Battle Of Evermore.
3. Foxtrot by Genesis
Although Selling England By The Pound, is a more popular album, the song Supper's Ready on this record just blows me away with it's lyrics and ambiance.
2. Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
I love this record because you've got the heavy Zep with songs like In My Time Of Dying, The Rover, etc. And you've got the acoustic Zep with Bron Your Yaur, Black Country Woman, etc. Also, the classic Zep like Kashmir. The best part is that it is a double album!
1. The Wall by Pink Floyd
Materpiece, every song slides with the other like a glove through out the album. The lyrics are deep and an amazing concept. Let's not forget great guitar work by David Gilmour, espcially on Comfortably Numb and Run Like Hell.

10. Genesis by 'Foxtrot'
9. Gentle Giant by 'Octopus'
8. Emerson, Lake & Palmer by 'Trilogy'
7. Black Sabbath by 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'
6. Yes by 'close To The Edge'
5. Queen by 'a Night At The Opera'
4. Deep Purple by 'made In Japan'
3. Jethro Tull by 'Aqualung'
2. Led Zepellin by 'houses Of The Holy'
1. Pink Floyd by 'dark Side Of The Moon'

10. One Night In Paris(Une Nuit A Paris) by 10cc
If you have listened to the title track of this album you can't help being struck by it's similarity to "Bohemian Rhapsody". However this song/album was released in early 1975 before Queen's no1 hit. Did Queen pinch this song from 10cc? The columnist Richard Littlejohn in "The Sun" certainly alluded to this and so did Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman of 10cc but they declined to take the matter any further. Listen to the album and decide for yourself.
9. The Stranger by Billy Joel
I've been a big Billy Joel fan since 1977 and at that time he was relatively unknown in the UK and I spent a few years raving about how good this guy was but very few people had heard of him in this country at that time and thought I was daft(you probably agree). Scenes from an Italian restaurant is my favourite track from this album. An absolute masterpiece
8. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
I couldn't leave out Floyd but I tend to think some people are like sheep and follow them because they are a popular band. Certain people like to feel accepted and adopting a band like Floyd will certainly do that and people want to feel accepted. Whereas the bands/groups I like are radically different ie they are never going to win any popularity contests. Great album though this is I can't help but thinking it helps to be stoned out your head to listen to them. I love listening to "Money" over and over again.
7. Saturday Night Fever by Various
Classic soundtrack from a great film.
6. Can't Buy A Thrill by Steely Dan
What can you say about Becker and Fagan. They won four emmys last year for their superb album "Two against nature". Can't buy a thrill was their debut album in 1972 and they have been thrilling us ever since.
5. Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
I'll bet this surprised you. Michael Jackson is a music legend and as soon as the first bars of "Don't stop till you get enough" pipes up you are hooked.
4. Low by David Bowie
Although Bowie had a tendency to pinch ideas from other artists he in very many cases improved on what they had done previously. Even though the sound is very Kraftwerkian a lot of people believe he actually topped Kraftwerk's work with this album. I personally don't as I prefer the originals but Bowie left Kraftwerk shaking their heads on how to top this album and that is some tribute.
3. Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Ok,I admit I am a bit biased but honestly it's not all Kraftwerk I promise.Autobahn the title track is 22.42minutes of absolute genius. This is the album that had Bowie in raptures.
2. Trans-Europe Express by Kraftwerk
This is the album that inspired a whole generation of rappers and DJ's along with the 1981 album Computer World. The legendary producer Arthur Baker producing for the renowned DJ Afrika Bambaataa put together the title track with the track "Numbers" from Computer World and just repeated it over and over putting a rap on top of the tracks and called it "Planet Rock" the track becoming one of the biggest dance hits in the USA. Thus you can see the type of influence the Kraftwerk sound had on black people in America. Another must listen to album. Top song:Hall of Mirrors
1. The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
The most influential group in the history of pop music. They were not hugely popular with the record buying public if record sales are anything to go by but they did what Pink Floyd couldn't do. They changed the whole history of pop music. They inspired and have the admiration of many,many artists such as David Bowie(Whose Low album was inspired by the work of Kraftwerk and a group who Bowie was so desperate to play with that he drove all the way to Germany with Autobahn on his car stereo at full blast just to try and speak to them). OMD(who stayed behind at a Kraftwerk gig to speak to their idols)and Human League(who were worried when they met Kraftwerk in case their heros thought they were a "Coronation Street Kraftwerk").Kraftwerk had an early crucial role in the development of Electro,House,Rap,and Techno and they are widely respected by musicians and music insiders alike. If you get a chance to listen to this album then please do it is a classic. "Neon Lights" is top song from the album.

10. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
This is by far one of their best albums. Time is a great song, along with Breathe in the Air and Money. Brain Damage and Eclipse are awesome too. And don't forget Us and Them!!
9. Boston by Boston
Some awesome playing on this album. Tom Sholz is one the greatest keyboard and organ players i have ever heard, along with being a very talented guitarist. Foreplay/Long Time is my favorite.
8. Destroyer by KISS
This has got to be one of their best albums. I love everysong, especially Shout it out Loud and Do You Love Me. Detroit Rock City should be with those two also.
7. Get Your Wings by Aerosmith
Women of the World is a frieking awesome song. Great tune. Everyone should know it. Train kept a Rollin' and Lord of the Thighs are also great.
6. Spectres by Blue Oyster Cult
Didn't have all of their best songs, but Death Valley Nights and Goin' Through The Motions are two of my all time favorite BOC songs, so i had to include it. Godzilla, I Love The Night, and Nosferatu are also up there in my all time BOC favorites.
5. All Their Other Albums by Led Zeppelin
I have to lump all of these together or else there wouldn't be room for any of my other favorite albums. Great Albums! All the Coda material was recorded in the seventies, so I think it should count.
4. High Voltage by AC/DC
Their first album was one of their best. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll) and TNT are two of my alltime favorite AC/DC songs
3. Led Zeppelin 'untitled' by Led Zeppelin
Stairway to Heaven is the greatest song EVER!!!! The other songs on this album are also awesome. I love Rock n' Roll and The Battle of Evermore
2. 2112 by Rush
Another one of my favorites. The story line about a futuristic world is incredible? Amazing guitar work.
1. Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
My favorite album of all time!!! Jimmy's playing is just fantastic of Moby Dick and Whole Lotta' Love. The Lemon Song is great too.

10. Transformer by Lou Reed
prefered lous stuff with the velvets but that was the 60's
9. Imagine by John Lennnon
how do we sleep
8. Foxtrot by Genesis
genesis went downhill after gabriel left
7. La Woman by The Doors
weird scenes at the goldmine and 13 also need a mention
6. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
what i feel i can't say
5. Electric Warrior by T Rex
i was dancing when i was eight
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
every minutes getting shorter never seem to find the time
3. Its Only Rock N Roll by Rolling Stones
time waits for no-one and it won't wait for me
2. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
do you still feel like we do
1. Tthe Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spide by Bowie
ziggy still holds up, hunky dory also a great albun as is the much underated diamond dogs

10. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Maybe the best soul album ever. It is on of those songs that you can't get out of your mind,like his later song "Sexual Healing".
9. Saturday Night Fever by Various Artists
It had at least 5 top ten hits at the same time. It changed the country for a while. Everyone, including me, was disco dancing. It made John Travolta a household name. It has other very good songs that were not by The Bee Gees. It brings back great memories for me. It looks and sound corny now, but in 1976 it was the best thing going. I hated wearing those ugly leisure suits with the big collars. Very embarrassing.
8. Ultimate Soul Classics by Various Artists
This album has three cds that cover the 60's, 70's, and 80's. The 70's cd has The Emotions,Eath, Wind, and Fire, The O'Jays, and many others. The set is great. The best of soul on 3 cds. A must buy.
7. Boston by Boston
This has the kind of songs that makes you want take the top down, put on your sunglasses, and cruise around with the stereo blasting trying to impress the girls. My problem was that I had a factory stereo and a hard top on my Chevy. It had an 8-track player in it! When have you seen one of those?
6. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Great album. Stevie Nicks is awesome, but so is Lindsay Buckingham. MTV rated this album the third most popular album of all time.
5. Flashback: Rock Classics Of The 70's by Multiple artists
Deep Purple, Foreigner, the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many others. This shows the greatness of 70's music. A must for 70's rock fans.
4. Marvin Gaye Volume 2 by Marvin Gaye
A great album. It has "What's Going On", "Let's Get It on",and several other great songs by Marvin.
3. Foreigner by Foreigner
The songs speak for themselves. "Hot-blooded" is my favorite. I have heard that they have been on a tour.
2. Hotel California by The Eagles
I admit the I love the Eagles' music. "Hotel California" was the greatest song ever made. How can you not like Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Joe Walsh. Don Henley was the lead singer and the drummer. Now that takes a lot of talent. This album sold 16 million copies
1. Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975 by The Eagles
This is the top-selling album of all time with 27 million copies sold. It has outsold "Thriller", quite an achievement. All the songs were hits.

10. La Grange by ZZ Top
These boys gave rock-n-roll a whole new name
9. Quadraphenia by The Who
Did I spell that right? The Who's 2nd Best album Behind Tommy
8. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
The Best Live Album Ever Produced !!!
7. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney
A real Toe-Tapper
6. Eldorado by Electric Light Orchestra
One of a Kind
5. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
You wear the album out, you buy another copy
4. Imagine by John Lennon
I'm still in awe
3. Thick As A Brick by Jethro Tull
Even Better Live
2. Close To The Edge by Yes
Progressive rock to the infinite
1. Breakfast In America by Supertramp
Like many other albums of this era, Timeless

10. Nevermind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols by Sex Pistols
9. Patti Smith by Horses
8. Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
7. Clash by London Calling
6. Loaded by Velvet Underground
5. New York Dolls by New York Dolls
Excellent ametuerish music that makes your ears want to bleed. Rock n Roll at it's best.
4. Johnny Thunders And The Heartbreakers by L.A.M.F.
L.A.M.F. (Like a Mother Fucker) is an amazing album, lyrically and muscially. The cover of the Ramones' 'Chinese Rocks' is shines on this alubm.
3. The Clash by The Clash
Out-shining the other British band The Sex Pistols by far, this album is a true punk rock gem. This album is truly a brilliant creation.
2. Raw Power by Iggy And The Stooges
Raw Power is all about what it's called, Raw Power. The album makes your whole body tingle. This is an album you can listen to sitting down. Iggy's vocals are pure energy and the music is played apocolyptically, like there is no tommorow.
1. Blank Generation by Richard Hell And The Voidoids
Over looked by most critics, this is not probably one of the best punk albums ever made, but one of the best albums ever made period. Richard Hell's poetic lyrics and vocal style matched with Quines' stining guitar style is a match made in heaven.

10. Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf
what a powerful voice
9. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
the best stuff they done for a long time
8. Moondance by Van Morrison
what can you say about van the man
7. Tea For The Tillerman by Cat Stevens
what a writer! the man was a genius
6. Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
he was a different class
5. Hotel California by The Eagles
best eagles album of all time
4. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
classic album
3. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
ozzies voice
2. Led Zep 4 by Led Zeppelin
so heavy
1. Slade Alive by Slade
brilliant album! brilliant band!

10. Electric Lady Land by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Hendrix Gives us a new taste of what Dylan brought!
9. Revolver by The Beatles
The Album that change it all!
8. Abbey Road by The Bealtes
They bring a new demension to rock tracks!
7. Laya And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derk & The Dominos
If you like everything this is the albums to buy!
6. The Wall by Pink Floyd
The Albums is so different, you gotta like It!
5. Are You Experienced? by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Hendrix bring a new soud to Rock, distortion!!!!!!!!!!...and sweetness!
4. Disreal Gears by Cream
Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce Poor it all Out with the blues and brings in so heavy dosge of Hard Rock, and I love It!
3. Blond On Blond by Bob Dylan
His songs are so enchanting, it makes you wonder how did he come up with that!
2. The Beatles (aka The White Album) by The Beatles
Brings a new enlightment to rock and how we're use to it!
1. Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles
The Album has so much great pieces music on it, that's why it's the greatest albums of all-time!