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. Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad by Meat Loaf
What can I say? Meat Loaf has an incredible voice.
9. Alabama Rain by Jim Croce
Jim Croce wrote some of the best love songs ever recorded. His acoustic guitars were the greatest.
8. Color My World by Chicago
I have so many Chicago favorites, it was hard to chose. This one stands out.
7. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Another classic by Clapton that I never get tired of.
6. Lonely People by America
This is one of the first songs I learned to play on my guitar. I still never get tired of it.
5. Baby Blue by Badfinger
What can I say? I had to include these two songs by Badfinger. They were incredible.
4. Day After Day by Badfinger
One of the best songs Badfinger ever recorded.
3. Spirit Of Radio by Rush
Rush has the greatest drummer in rock. Bar none!
2. You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
The 'Not Fragile' album was one heck of a rocker!
1. Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
The entire 'Who's Next' album may be the best rock album of the '70s.

10. Roxanne by The Police
Awesome Police song!
9. Piano Man by Billy Joel
How can you forget Billy? Come on, guys!
8. Walk Away by James Gang
Joe Walsh is one of the best guitarists ever!
7. Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
"sniff" "sniff"
6. Bad Company by Bad Company
All I can say is Coooooompaaaaannnnnyyyy always on the run.
5. Lights by Journey
The lights are beautiful.
4. Poor Side Of Town by Johnny Rivers
The river runs through it.
3. Showdown by ELO
Kingpin.
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant, Jimmy Paige, John Paul, and John rule the world. Don't forget every other song they ever did in the world.
1. I Saw The Light by Todd Rundgren
I love this song...you should all listen to it.

10. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Really a toss-up with 'Vehicle' by Ides of March.
9. If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight & The Pips
The best of the many hits for Gladys Knight & The Pips.
8. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
Beautiful slow and moving ballad.
7. The Entertainer by Billy Joel
Often overlooked, this is synthesizer heaven.
6. Mandy by Barry Manilow
Manilow's best song.
5. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
Classic, overplayed, taken for granted, and I'm not even from West Virgnia.
4. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Fantastic heavy rock.
3. All I Know by Art Gunfunkel
One of two outstanding love song from his 'Angel Clare' album.
2. Without You by Harry Nilsson
One of the most beautiful songs of the last 50 years.
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Masterpiece to start the decade.

10. House Of The Rising Sun by Animals
9. The Joker by Steve Miller Band
8. Gimmie Shelter by The Rolling Stones
7. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
6. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Death is okay thanks to this song.
5. More Than A Feeling by Boston
4. American Pie by Don McLean
Classic.
3. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Stairway...
2. Blinded By The Light (unedited version) by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Who doesn't like this song?
1. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
It doesn't get better than 'Freebird'.

10. Wheel In The Sky by Journey
Yes there was a Journey before the 80's and yes many of their biggest hits came along before the 80's.... Even with Steve Perry.
9. Hair Of The Dog by Nazareth
Great blues-rock band...kinda the successor to Steppenwolf but never made it as big.
8. The Cover Of The Rolling Stone by Dr. Hook
I haven't seen any Dr. Hook on these lists. One of the great early 70's bands. This was the first 45 I ever owned when I was a mere 5 or 6 years old.
7. We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad
Yes they are!
6. Got To Get You Into My Life by Earth Wind & Fire
Was there a better funk/R&B band in the 70's?... I think not!
5. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
Bach meets Rock! 'Nuff said!
4. Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas
Perhaps THE baddest groove ever. Every section of the song has you jammin' with the keyboard player!!! Yikes!!!
3. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
Overplayed, but who cares. Can't help but play air guiter along with the record.
2. Baby I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton
Classic song recently revisited by Big Mountain in a reggae version. It's a beautifully written song!
1. The Stroke by Billy Squire
It's funky.... it rocks....it's an anthem for it's day. What more could you want?

10. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A slow great moving song made by America's greatest band.
9. Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap) by AC/DC
The greatest AC/DC song ever written.
8. Meglomania (live version on 'Past Lives') by Black Sabbath
The live version is twice as good as the original...makes you think he's going insane.
7. Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
What is over the hills and far away?
6. Echoes by Pink Floyd
WOW! that is all I can say!
5. Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS
A rock anthem.
4. Who Are You by The Who
The Who at their best!
3. Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
First heavy metal song ever written.
2. Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
If you have listend to it you know why.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Best song ever written!

10. The Song Remains The Same by Led Zeppelin
I had to put Zep on twice. Best rock and roll band of all time that owned the 70's whether the critics liked it or not.
9. American Pie by Don McClean
Not especially fond of this song, but I can't deny it's place on this list.
8. Imagine by John Lennon
Again, unforgettable, as well as timeless. Lyrics will prove to be poignent for a long, long time.
7. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love by Van Halen
Great song and the start of many great songs to come. Don't deny Eddie's genius.
6. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
Amazing song, even before it was forever seared into our collective memories of how the 70's were with it's appearance in "Almost Famous".
5. Tumbling Dice by Rolling Stones
More like a good song from a great album. 'Exile On Main Street' is one of the top five of the 70's.
4. Fire And Rain by James Taylor
Yeah, yeah. This is a sentimental favorite. Still almost makes me burst into tears everytime I hear it.
3. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Great tribute song to a great, however disturbed, mind.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
I know I'm taking the easy way out by naming the obvious, but if I didn't, I'd be lying to myself.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Can't deny 'Stairway' the top spot. Enough said.