in the 70s - Top Ten Songs of the Seventies

Top Ten Songs of the Seventies

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

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

10. American Pie by Don McLean
I never get sick of this song.
9. Hotel California by The Eagles
This song is very mysterious. I love the line "you can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave".
8. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and the Wings
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
6. Hey You by Pink Floyd
5. Instant Karma by John Lennon
4. Touch Of Grey by The Grateful Dead
3. Dust In The Wind by Kansas
2. What Is Life? by George Harrison
George is my favorite Beatle and this song is amazing.
1. Imagine by John Lennon
What can I say? Jon Lennon is like a God to me. I love him, and this song speaks for all of us, he really is not the only one.

10. Hair Of The Dog by Nazareth
Oh, this song makes me rock and laugh. I think it's such a great tune and the words just make me smile. About 15 years ago I was at a friend's wedding and the DJ played it. It was so much fun. I just kept looking at the bride in her beautiful white dress rocking out to this song. What a juxtaposition.
9. Jamie's Crying by Van Halen
This was the first Van Halen song I ever fell in love with. I especially like it because it doesn't get played to death on the radio.
8. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) by Elton John
The best rock song ever recorded by Elton John. A classic.
7. I Can't Tell You Why by The Eagles
I'm not sure if I ever really listened intently to the words of this song, but it just brings me right back to the late 70's. For some strange reason it reminds me of my first love's brother.
6. Wheel In The Sky by Journey
Love the intro to this song and Journey was the first concert I ever went to.
5. I Feel Love by Donna Summer
IMO, the classic disco sound of the 70's. We can't leave disco out if we're talking about the 70's can we?
4. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel
I can't decide whether I like this song or "The Stranger" better. I used to think I was pretty cool because I could sing all the words to this one though.
3. Renegade by Styx
Wonderful pure rock sound.
2. Dancing Days by Led Zeppelin
Just a great, mellow, feel good song.
1. Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire
I love all EWF songs, but this is their best. It reminds me of basketball games in H.S. because the guys used to warm up before the game to this song.

10. Miss You by The Rolling Stones
Only the Stones could make disco sound this cool.
9. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent
First song I learned to play on air guitar. It just goes on and on. Back when Ted let his guitar do the talking for him.
8. The Logical Song by Supertramp
"When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful..." and this song was on the radio to remind me that one day it would not be so.
7. Sara Smile by Hall & Oates
Before their bad videos of the 80's, these guys just sang the lights out on this one.
6. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
I'm choosing this one over "Stairway," "Free Bird," "Layla," and "Bohemian Rhapsody," as my favorite-over-six-minutes 70's song. "It's been such a long time..."
5. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
Dump-dump-dum! Dump-dum-da-dum! Dump-dump-dum! Dump-dum! Need I say more?
4. The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy
Lyrically, this is rock n roll poetry at its best. "Friday night they'll be dressed to kill, down at Dino's Bar n Grill, Drink will flow and blood will spill, and if the boys wanna fight, you better let'em."
3. American Pie by Don McLean
This song taught me the history of rock 'n roll. It lives in a certain corner of my psyche, and its lyrics are never far from my lips. "A long, long, time ago, and I can still remember how that music used to make me smile..." Still does.
2. Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
This song rang true to my soul during my teen years.
1. Let It Be by The Beatles
I was too young for Beatlemania, but old enough to sing along with this one. It's still like a hymn, or a psalm to me.

10. Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
Who ARE you!?
9. The Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits
8. Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
7. Money by Pink Floyd
Best band ever!!!
6. Down By The River by Neil Young
5. The Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream
4. Time by Pink Floyd
(the time is gone, the song is over)
3. Pictures At An Exibithion by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
just perfect..

10. Band On The Run by Wings
Sorry Lennon fans, Sir Paul was the walrus.
9. Yours Is No Disgrace by Yes
Still gets heavy play on FM Rock. Yes is a ROCK band, people.
8. Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin
Mother lode #2.
7. Karn Evil 9 by Emerson Lake & Palmer
Just nutty. Cool H. R. Giger (Alien) cover.
6. Anarchy in the U.K. by Sex Pistols
Wicked party stomper.
5. Detroit Rock City by KISS
Heavy!
4. London Calling by Clash
Punks who could play their instruments. Cool Elvis rip-off cover.
3. 2112 by Rush
Attention planets of the federation. We have assumed control.
2. Roundabout by Yes
Yes did NOT start with OWNER OF A LONELY HEART!
1. Court Of The Crimson King by King Crimson
The mother lode.

10. What A Fool Believes by Doobie Brothers
A song for all us that have had our overdose of unrequited love. I love this song but this song does make me realize that there is no chance on earth I will every hit those high notes like Michael McDonald.
9. No Tell Lover by Chicago
Kinda of the same things as song #7. This was Chicago's final song that infused rock, ballads, and the jazz sound they were really before they went into just playing pure ballads and rock minus the jazz.
8. Making Love by Roberta Flack
When I was a baby this was the type of music that was playing in background that lulled me to sleep. Not that I knew what "Making Love" was, but the melody just represented the mellowness of the seventies so well.
7. It's Sad to Belong by England Dan & John Ford Coley
Trust the seventies will never be again. An era where you can write about honest feelings about being trapped in a marriage freely without having the religous right get on your case. I believe in the vows of holy matrimony but hey what happens when you just happened to marry the wrong person.
6. Last Resort by The Eagles
The reason I vote Democrat.
5. Love's Theme by Barry White and Love Unlimited
So quesential seventies. This was such an awesome era in music when classical and R&B could be infused. I'll fight anyone who calls this elevator music.
4. She's Gone by Hall & Oates
Heartbreak in its most eminence.
3. Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan
The best guitar solo of the seventies with Larry Carlton at the end. So mellow but yet about a drug dealer.
2. Morning Dance by Sypro Gyra
You might not know this song by name, but you know it when you hear it. This song plus George Benson's 'Breezin'', Grover Washington's 'Mister Magic', and Weather Report's 'Birdland' created the smooth jazz genre.
1. Lyin' Eyes by The Eagles
Much better then any country song written since. Unlike the hicks today it really tells a story... not just tries to make the last word of every sentence rhyme. More substance than 'Hotel California'. 'Hotel' is way overrated.

10. Hey You by Pink Floyd
Awesome.
9. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
Great song.
8. Hotel California by The Eagles
Great song.
7. Eclipse by Pink Floyd
Haha great.
6. Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
Great song.
5. Time by Pink Floyd
Great.
4. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zepplin
Great song on guitar.
3. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Awesome song.
2. Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd
Another great song.
1. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
This song is so unbelievable.

10. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
This was a hand crafted classic and it is still a rock and roll landmark.
9. Fame by David Bowie
This tune was quite revolutionary and still sounds great.
8. Rocket Man by Elton John
Elton John had a great decade in the 70's. This was one of a string of hits.
7. Layla by Derek and the Dominos
This song was part of the British invasion. Clapton's career kicks into hyperdrive with this hit.
6. It Don’t Come Easy by Ringo Starr
The Beatles ruled the 60's, but the band's inevitable explosion at the end of the 60's was pivital for rock music. Ringo had already begun work on his solo album and this tune is a rock classic and what I consider to be the best of the Beatles fallout.
5. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
This revolutionary style expanded the rock 'n roll envelope.
4. Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
One of the greatest rock tunes of all time.
3. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by The Blue Oyster Cult
This is a great rock classic with excellent guitar work.
2. Goodbye To Love by The Carpenters
Everyone slams the Carpenters for their overmixed music but this song has a cool guitar riff and ya gotta include the Carpenters in a 1970's hit list.
1. Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf
This tune has very a strong guitar vibe. It is a late 60's/early 70's hippie rocker classic.

10. Dancing Queen by ABBA
9. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
8. Sister Golden Hair Surprise by America
7. Hot Summer Night by Knight
6. Hotel California by The Eagles
5. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
4. Running On Empty by Jackson Browne
3. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
2. Candle In The Wind by Elton John
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin

10. Black Betty by Ram Jam
Who? If you have never heard this song you must. It rocks!
9. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
Excellent beginning followed by some awesome guitar solos.
8. Livin' Thing by Electric Light Orchestra
There are so many good ELO songs, but this is my favorite.
7. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
His best work by far.
6. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Very underrated song from a underrated band.
5. Layla by Derek & The Dominos
Killer opening riff with skyscraper vocals.
4. Hotel California by Eagles
A true masterpiece by one of the greatest bands ever.
3. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
How could this not be on the list?
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Outstanding, nothing is like it.
1. More Than A Feeling by Boston
Perfect in every aspect. Proves Scholz is a genius.