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. Black Cow by Steely Dan
One of the few Becker/Fagen songs that hasn't been overplayed by classic rock radio. It always sounded like something from a Chicago album, and that's not a bad thing coming from me.
9. Listen to What the Man Said by Paul McCartney and Wings
It was a tough call between this and "Jet," but this one has better lyrics.
8. Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream by The Grateful Dead
How I miss this band.
7. Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
Some might call this one a little over the top, but for me it's the best single ELO track ever. Jeff Lynne was an under-appreciated genius, and if you don't think so, ask Paul, George, or Ringo.
6. September by Earth Wind & Fire
Do you remember?
5. Shake Your Booty by KC and the Sunshine Band
Forget the chorus, forget the silly word "BOOTY," and listen to what KC is actually saying in the lyrics. It's a great confidence booster when you're feeling down. My friend's six-year-old son loves it, too.
4. Do Ya Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart
I am the only person on the face of the earth who likes this song...but think about how a 13-year-old would perceive this little story as exciting. And for those who think this is self-indulgence, he's singing in the THIRD PERSON. IT'S A STORY!
3. Beginnings by Chicago
Their best song released as a single. They had many more album tracks that I love.
2. More Than A Feeling by Boston
Is there anyone out there who DOESN'T like this?
1. I'm Your Boogie Man by KC and the Sunshine Band
You sure are.

10. Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
If you can find a better fighting song, please tell me.
9. Steppenwolf by Born To Be Wild
Steppenwolf will always be remembered for every rebel's dream song.
8. Electric Light Orchestra by Livin' Thing
Amazing background instruments, and jaw-dropping lead vocals.
7. The Kingsmen by Louie, Louie
This song was actually investigated by the FBI because the bureau thought that The Kingsmen were portraying some kind of drug message to America's youth.
6. Lynard Skynard by Sweet Home Alabama
A lovable grass roots song.
5. The Who by Won't Get Fooled Again
A tune that all of us can relate to.
4. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young by Ohio
Who would think that such great music would come from such a tragic event?
3. The Who by Baba O'Riley
An truly amazing song.
2. The Rolling Stones by Paint It Black
The sitar is mezmorizing. One of Mick's best performances.
1. Aerosmith by Dream On
A song that is amazing to the ears and will withstand the test of time.

10. Dream On by Aerosmith
Their only good song is a great song.
9. Hotel California by The Eagles
Great song loved by nearly everyone.
8. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
VERY fun to listen to.
7. Long Time by Boston
Great Song, Great Band.
6. Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Excellent! (I'm not sure, but if this was 80s forgive me)
5. Piano Man by Billy Joel
Impossible to dislike.
4. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
My favorite by Floyd.
3. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin
Defines the music of the decade.
2. Song for America by Kansas
Everyone likes "Carry on Wayward Son" but this is their best.
1. Starship Trooper by Yes
Not extremely popular, but extremely good.

10. Led Zeppelin by In My Time of Dying
Another one of those great hard Christian rock songs. I love it. Very Bluesy, and over 10 minutes long. Jimmy Page does excellent slide guitar.
9. Snowblind by Black Sabbath
This song feels like a wall of sound pounding my chest. THe main riff is so simple, but it works perfectly. One of the few metal songs that used massive distortion with standard chords. Tony Iommi's solo is fantastic, and Bill Ward's drumming is unequaled.
8. Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Run DMC
Too cool for words. It's one those songs that will never ever die. Joe Perry came up with an excellent riff. Steven Tyler's vocal line is unforgettable. (WALK THIS WAYYYYY!)
7. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
I had to mention it, didn't I? Those four notes over and over again get stuck in my head easier than It's a Small World After All.
6. Dogs by Pink Floyd
18 minutes. This song is 18 minutes long. Wow. I didn't just cjoose it because it was long, though. David Gilmour pulls off one of the greatest guitar solos I've ever heard, certainly better than anything Clapton was doing at the time. Roger Waters' lyrics were insightful, not trite. The song is just another one of those unappreciated masterpieces.
5. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Absolutely fantastic, so grand in scale. So much diversity. At one moment it is a soft piano solo with gentle falsetto singing. The next moment Bryan May is pounding away and Freddy Mercury is screaming in my ear.
4. Man on the Silver Mountain by Rainbow
Enter Ronnie James Dio. I consider him hard rock's greatest singer. He has the most vocal range I've ever heard, and his voice quality sends shivers up my spine. His voice is actually kind of creepy. Not to mention Ritchie Blackmore's fantastic guitar work.
3. Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
The ultimate screaming rock song. Robert Plant's voice can go higher than any other male singer. This song is responsible for creating bands like Guns' N' Roses. Axl Rose really tries to immitate Plant's singing style.
2. Get Back by The Beatles
Pure fun. Been covered more times than I can count. It's somewhat of an emotional song, too, being on their last album. They were the greatest band of all time, after all.
1. After Forever by Black Sabbath
Ooh, this gets my vote for being one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Totally different from the image of heavy metal, it spoke of believing in God. Probably the first Christian rock song. Tony Iommi is a genious.

10. And You and I by Yes
Yes at their best!
9. Ma Patrie est a Terre by Offenbach and Vic Vogel
Gerry Boulet had the best blues/rock voice in any language!
8. Since I've Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin
ultimate blues rock
7. Phasers on Stun by FM
great Canadian band!
6. The Musical Box by Genesis
Live version with Gabriel
5. Limelight by Rush
from unforgettable Moving Pictures
4. Ogre Battle by Queen
Queen 2 vies for best album! Forget Night at the Opera.
3. War by Bob Marley and the Wailers
lyrics by Haile Selasse!
2. Can I Tell You by Kansas
Also best album cover, painting of John Brown
1. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
best song of 70s, but definitive version wasn't released til the '90s, Go Figure!

10. American Pie by Don McLean
It is a long song, but it is a good song.
9. Magic by Pilot
Great song.
8. How Deep Is Your Love? by The Bee Gees
One of the greatest hits of the late '70's.
7. Day After Day by Badfinger
Another great song.
6. If Leave Me Now by Chicago
A nice easy listening tune.
5. The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace
Great song.
4. Rock and Roll Allnight by Kiss
Great heavy metal band of the '70's
3. Hotel California by The Eagles
Good song to slow dance to.
2. American Woman by The Guess Who
They were one of the great Canadian bands of the '70's.
1. Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? by Rod Stewart
I was only 5 years old when this song was release and it still sounds great 22 years later.

10. new york street serenade by bruce springsteen
...
9. Echoes (live version) by Pink Floyd
This almost 20 minute track is like taking drugs, but without getting sick after the kick. enjoy one of the live version, the studio version on meddle isn't as good.
8. kill the king by rainbow
kicks your ass. it simply rocks. enjoy one of the live versions. studio records aren't rainbows business.
7. catch the rainbow by rainbow
enjoy one of the live versions. the melody is pure tranquillity and richie plays his guitar really fine.
6. july morning by uriah heep
hear it on "look at yourself". it begins slow and ends with a weird synth solo, played by manfred mann.
5. smokin by boston
simply rocks
4. strange kind of woman by deep purple
on "made in japan". the whole cd is awesome.
3. a whiter shade of pale by procol harum
i like this smooth piece. but i don't like the other songs of the band except "homburg"
2. poor mans moody blues by barclay james harvest
easy song for tranquil moments
1. against the wind by bob seger
simply awesome

10. Hot Stuff by Sonna Summer
(Fall 1978)
9. Dancing Queen by ABBA
(Summer 1976)
8. Walk Away by Donna Summer
(June 1979)
7. Village People by Village People
(December 1977)
6. Love To Love You, Baby by Donna Summer
(June 1975)
5. Last Dance by Donna Summer
(May 1978)
4. Disco Inferno by The Trammps
(Summer 1977)
3. Y.M.C.A. by Village People
As cheesy a song as this is, another disco classic. (Summer 1978)
2. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
'Nuff said. Classic. (December 1978)
1. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Donna Summer / Barbra Streisand
The ULTIMATE deuling diva song. Two Decades before Brandy and Monica, there was Donna and Barbra. This is the ultimate female empowerment anthem set to a damn good disco beat (Summer 1979)