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. Highway Star by Deep Purple
I found it so hard to pick a song from a band other than those I listed, I found it harder to pick a song that wasn't Deep Purple, so I gave in. Often credited as the original speed metal song, I like to imagine being a Highway Star, so I especially like this song.
9. Kill The King by Rainbow
Fast, memorable riff, faster, memorable guitar solo. This song is speed metal and power metal rolled into one. Ritchie Blackmore is truly a genius.
8. March Of The Black Queen by Queen
Shares a few similarities with Bohemian Rhapsody, though this predated it.
7. Stained Class by Judas Priest
I like this one as much as Dreamer Deceiver, which says a lot.
6. Dreamer Deceiver by Judas Priest
You can probably tell I like epics, which this one is. Nothing better than an epic 70s rock song.
5. Whole Lotta Rosie by AC/DC
High-paced rocker that has the blood pumping from start to finish.
4. Child In Time by Deep Purple
Absolutely sends shivers down the spine, in a good way of course.
3. Stargazer by Rainbow
Probably the first true power-metal song, and the greatest one at that.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
This song has everything going for it.
1. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
The greatest and most recognisable riff of all time, and the rest of the song is equally awesome. My first true love.

10. The Dream Never Dies by The Cooper Brothers
"Come on everybody sing along."
9. Tin Man by America
8. Suavecito by Malo
7. Same Old Feeling (Again) by Edward Bear
Not to be confused with the song by the same name by the equally-obscure Pickettywitch.
6. After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind & Fire
More than just easy listening.
5. Sun Goes By by Dr. Music
Canada's answer to Cream and Iron Butterfly?
4. Playground In My Mind by Clint Holmes
"My name is Michael, I got a nickel."
3. Early In The Morning by Vanity Fare
I first heard this one when I was four years old, and after 37 years hasn't lost its magic at all.
2. Swing City by Pierre Lalonde
I'm probably the only one who remembers this, and who has a copy of the 45. A paean to healthy self-indulgence and a sharp criticism of the economic puritanism of the Trudeau years in Canada.
1. Green-Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf
A little pop-ish, perhaps, but it brought back goddess worship, at least for me. Sadly underrated!

10. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
9. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
8. Flash by Queen
7. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. War Pigs by Black Sabbath
5. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
3. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
The first song I ever learned how to play all the way through on guitar.
2. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
Nearly tied with "Stairway".
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
The greatest song ever made in the history of the world.

10. Hey Won't You Play (Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song) by B. J. Thomas
Sometimes you just want a sad song to make you feel good and B. J. could really sing.
9. You're The One That I Want by Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta
Admit it, you loved to sing along every time it came on the radio.
8. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
Of all his popular songs, this one hit me deepest. I do like at least 50 others by him, but this one has an innocence that you don't feel from many of the others.
7. Badlands by Bruce Springsteen
Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king but a king ain't satisfied till he rules everything. Just plain cool.
6. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Bought the album and this was the only song I really liked... but I really liked it.
5. We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad
If it's rock you want, take a ride on the GF Train.
4. Life In The Fast Lane by Eagles
Just plain great rock song! Examines the pitfalls of the "me" lifestyle of California.
3. American Pie by Don McLean
Fantastic. Anyone who lived through the 70's spent hours listening to this trying to figure it out.
2. Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Ok, it is maudlin, but it is brilliant!
1. Long Time by Boston
Hard to choose just one good Boston song, but I could listen to this one more than any of the others. Good stuff.

10. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Complimentary listing, a bit overplayed, but a classic nonetheless.
9. Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
Gotta love how most of them move around and play more than one instrument.
8. Imagine by John Lenon
Touching song, has a lot of great ideas.
7. Baba O'Reily by The Who
This song is flat-out amazing.
6. Gimme Shelter by Rolling Stones
Gotta love it.
5. When The Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
Awesome song.
4. Achilles Last Stand by Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin is an amazing band, actually, amazing doesn't even describe them. But I'm sure you already know this.
3. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
This song is just incredible. Enough said.
2. Time by Pink Floyd
The solo to this song is the secret of life. I'm not joking.
1. Aja by Steely Dan
Listen to this song with your eyes closed. It is unmatched.

10. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Never listen to this song anymore, but I did years ago - like everyday.
9. Fat Man In A Bathtub by Little Feat
Silly song I love to sing along to - has to be the live version.
8. Hotel California by Eagles
Perhaps a better song than #8 - just heard it too many times.
7. Midnight Rider by Allman Brothers Band
Simple structure - great song!
6. Never Been To Spain by Three Dog Night
Fun song I never tire of.
5. Crazy On You by Heart
Ann and Nancy Wilson at their best.
4. Reelin' In The Years by Steely Dan
Could have picked a few from them, but I like this song the best. Great opening.
3. Willin' by Little Feat
Has to the live version off Waiting...
2. What Is Hip? by Tower Of Power
The horns - perfect
1. Black Water by The Doobie Brothers
This song just keeps rollin'!