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. Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd
Like I said in 'Wish You Were Here', the album was made as a tribute to Syd Barrett. 'Have A Cigar' is my second favorite off the album, and probably 4th or 5th on my all=time Pink Floyd list. The lyrics are great. one line is the guy from the record company, saying "Oh by the way, which one is pink?" the moron thought that the band was named after a member named pink and a member named floyd. this song has a hidden meaning too, but your gonna need to find out for yourself on that one...
9. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
Most people will look at the title and say "that's not a real Pink Floyd song" and, of course, they would be wrong. Because when you really get down to it, this unbelievable, breathtaking and psychedelic album is one song. It would be impossible to pick one song to take its place. It's like the band made a 42-minute song, and broke it up randomly to make 9 separate songs. Truly an epic album.
8. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
Many people only know this song from all those stereotypical Disney movies where at the end, everyone wins. But this song offers so much more than that. First of all, who can argue against its musical genius? Secondly, Neal Schon plays one of the greatest guitar solos that are under 30 seconds, ever.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
If there is one song on this list that i would recommend people listen too, it would be Bohemian Rhapsody. there are two reasons. first of all, it has a great chorus that most people can sing along to. second and most importantly, this song really blended music from two generations. the soft rock age of the 60's and hard rock of the 70's. it was inspirational and really makes you think.
6. Baba 'O Reilly by The Who
There are two types of people who listen to music: those who want to over-analyze everything and wonder about what the artist was thinking when he/she wrote the song, and those who just listen. For the ones who analyze everything, let me make this quick. This song is about war. Now, do as the others do and listen to the song at face value. Truly one of the best songs ever written.
5. Hotel California by The Eagles
Let's face it. Does anybody in this country not know this song? Epitomizes the great American road trip song. Gets the blood pumping and has an easily recognizable and very catchy chorus. People can argue all they want about this song, but here are my two cents. Shut up and listen because Hotel California is on.
4. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Nothing I write here can do justice to the job that Roger Waters and David Gilmoure did on this song. 'Wish You Were Here' (the album) was written as a tribute to Syd Barrett, and this particular song tells a lot of the story. A common misconception to clarify here: this song is NOT about war. NOT AT ALL.
3. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
A great and terrifically written song that has 3 components of any great song. Boston was best known for two things: their lack of albums (they only made 3) and their clean sound (they never used synthesizers). This song epitomizes the clean sound you'd expect from Boston, plus some great lyrics.
2. 2112 by Rush
There are so many things about this song that cannot be overlooked. First of all, this isn't a typical Rush song. The entire 2112 album (I believe, anyway) is kind of the oddball album of theirs. At any rate, the song has everything you would want in a great song: meaningful lyrics, a great storyline and length, but not to the point of being too long.
1. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
People tend to look past some fundamental parts of this song. Of course, there is the amazing guitar solo and the typical Floyd bassline. However, people who try to over-analyze the lyrics will be damned until they realize one fact: this song is about drugs and this song is about committing suicide. End of story. Look no further than this line: "I have become Comfortably Numb." Hmm... I wonder how?

10. You're The One That I Want by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Have to throw in my Grease loyalty somewhere on this list.
9. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
8. Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack
Really grew on me.
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
A younger me would have included Tiny Dancer on this list as well, but now I'm just trying to be selective and cover all bases.
6. Hello, It's Me by Todd Rundgren
5. It's Too Late by Carole King
Soothing.
4. Emotion by Samantha Sang
Beautiful.
3. Landslide by Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac
The definitive version is her live performance, but whatever.
2. Hot Stuff by Donna Summer
Fun and iconic, a really prolific artist.
1. Imagine by John Lennon
Hard to deny.

10. Tickatoo by Dizzy Man's Band
Obscure classic! Then a strange thing happened - saw a girl in a big canoe.
9. Jealous Mind by Alvin Stardust
You gotta love a man in black leather with rings worn on the outside of his gloves.
8. Sugar Me by Lyndsay DePaul
Pounding piano wrapped in sensuous lyrics.
7. Chick-A-Boom by Daddy Dewdrop
Help me find the chick in the black bikini!
6. Hey Little Woman by Bobby Sherman
A man who could play EVERY instrument. Bubblegum maestro!
5. Summer Days by Partridge Family
Classic pop from the pen of Tony Romeo. Forget 'I Think I Love You'. This was David Cassidy's finest hour.
4. Tracy by Cuff Links
Two minutes of undiluted pop magic. Try playing the chords on the guitar. Too clever by half.
3. Indiana Wants Me by R Dean Taylor
First white singer on Motown. Moving AND corny!
2. Sugar Baby Love by The Rubettes
Soaring, uplifting pop music with a male singer who must be Frankie Valli's love child.
1. Sugar, Sugar by The Archies
Technically 1969 but still the purest pop song ever written.

10. Listen To The Music by Doobie Brothers
9. You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
8. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
The joy of life...
7. We're All Alone by Rita Coolidge
Written by Boz Scaggs, beautifully performed by Rita Coolidge.
6. Whenever I Call You Friend by Kenny Loggins & Stevie Nicks
5. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
4. How Deep Is Your Love by Bee Gees
3. Lady by Little River Band
2. Right Down The Line by Gerry Rafferty
1. Saturday In The Park by Chicago

10. Highway Star by Deep Purple
Deep Purple is not in my favorite band but this is godly of a song.
9. Bad Reputation by Thin Lizzy
Phil Lynott's voice and the great guitar just makes this a great song!
8. Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin
The first song on the list by my all-time favorate band. This song is almost too good!!!
7. Ripple by Grateful Dead
One of the best acoustic songs ever! I was speachless the first time I heard this song.
6. Dogs by Pink Floyd
This 17:07 rock song brings out the rock and the greatness of the band Pink Floyd.
5. Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones
This is one hell of a song with a solo from Jimmy Page. Come on, it does not get much metter than that.
4. Friends by Led Zeppelin
Great tune, tyrcis, and meaning all together is one fine Led Zeppelin song.
3. Eyes Of The World by Grateful Dead
This song, live, changed my life. This 19:26 jam is the reason The Dead is one of the best.
2. Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin
OK it is from 1969, but it is only one year and this song is beautful....
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Come on, who does not love this song?! I cannot pick out a bad part.

10. Running With The Devil by Van Halen
Runnin' with the Deviiiiiiiil!
9. Evil Woman by Electric Light Orchestra
One of the few greats of ELO.
8. Two Tickets To Paradise by Eddie Money
Very soothing and catchy..
7. Jukebox Hero by Foreigner
WARNING: If you listen to this song it will be stuck in your head all day.
6. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
This song has a really catchy beat.
5. Baba O'Riley by The Who
What can I say, this guy is just too good.
4. Renegade by Styx
Try to sit still for this song..Not Possible!
3. More Than A Feeling by Boston
A song that will be remembered for decades.
2. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
I bet you can't play that solo...
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppellin
How can this not be #1..simply the greatest.

10. So Into You by Atlanta Rhythm Section
9. Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim
8. It Never Rains In Southern California by Albert Hammond
7. Couldn't Get It Right by Climax Blues Band
6. Please Come To Boston by Dave Loggins
5. Last Song by Edward Bear
4. Sky High by Jigsaw
3. Sweet City Woman by The Stampeders
2. If You Don't Know Me By Now by Melvin Harold And The Blue Notes
1. Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel

10. (Thank You) Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Agin by Sly & The Family Stone
9. Can't You Hear Me Knocking by Rolling Stones
8. Black Night by Deep Purple
7. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent
6. Time by Pink Floyd
5. Ballad Of Curtis Loew by Lynyrd Skynyrd
4. (Get It On) Bang A Gong by T- Rex
3. Hey Hey What Can I Do by Led Zeppelin
2. Train Kept A Rollin' by aerosmith
1. That's The Way by Led Zeppelin

10. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
No, you don't have to be from Alabama to like or know this song. I live in Germany and have heard this song many times and talked to Germans that know this song....crazy....
9. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
Good song lyrically, at least what you can understand of the song.
8. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Really good song lyrically and musically. Maybe the most notable song of the 70's. Really popular and really good.
7. Hotel California by The Eagles
Again, another song by a band that isn't their best song TO ME, but seems to be their most popular because it's played about 1000 times a day on the radio all over the world and everyone knows the lyrics to this one....
6. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
The song title alone let's you know what this song is all about. Pretty racy for the times....How many people have been laid to this one I wonder???
5. Let's Stay Together by Al Green
The great Al Green's biggest hit. Crazy good soul song....."Why people gon' break up and turn around and make up..." Good stuff....
4. Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
Hey, I said I'd cover about all popular music, and disco was alive and well during the 70's. This is the only disco song that seemed pretty deep and soulful. This or "I Will Survive" "Don't Leave Me This Way" is a great song. (gulp)
3. Time by Pink Floyd
My favorite Pink Floyd song along with "Breathe" and "Fearless".
2. Baba O'Riley by The Who
The Who at their best. It's pulsating music is unbelievable.
1. Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Not my favorite Stevie Wonder song, but probably his most popular, at least from the 70's. He is one of, if not, the greatest solo recording artist in history.

10. Rock Bottom by UFO
Michael Schenker shows his meddle and dynamic stylings on this one!
9. Money by Pink Floyd
The dual guitar tracks are brilliant and his solos cannot be duplicated!
8. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Ozzy at his best! His range is exposed and sweet as ever.
7. Bad Company by Bad Company
Paul is smooooth!
6. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
What a perfect solo. Totally original and melodic.
5. Tie Your Mother Down by Queen
Brian May shreds on this one. His rhythym guitar is awesome and tight as a you know what!!!
4. Double Vison by Foreigner
Lou's last lick on the song is pure blues.
3. Lights by Journey
Steve's voice and Neal's guitar are perfect compliments.
2. The Ocean by Led Zeppelin
Flows like a mouthwatering river in the summer.
1. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Gilmore is second to none vocally and musically. He sense of melody and dynamics are simply put...Sick!