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. Shakin' by Eddie Money
I swear he was singing that to me! I wish!
9. Shooting Star by Bad Company
"Johnny was a school boy when he heard his first Beatles song..."
8. You Should Be Dancing by Bee Gees
7. Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
6. Emotion by Samantha Sang
This song still gives me goose bumps!
5. Afternoon Delight by Starland Vocal Band
4. Dancing Queen by ABBA
3. The Biggest Part Of Me by Ambrosia
Ok...I'm partial to Ambrosia.
2. How Much I Feel by Ambrosia
1. Rock and Roll Band by Boston
Everything from Boston!

10. London Calling by The Clash
A definitive tune from a late 1970s band. This band represented a punk attitude but were more lyrically and musically sound, and helped continue the social relevance of rock as defined in the 1960s. An underrated band that should have lasted longer.
9. Ten Years Gone by Led Zeppelin
Another Led Zeppelin tune, this a little louder and heavier. It represents the best fusion of deep south blues and heavy metal rock for which the band was so famous.
8. Heroes by David Bowie
Overplayed due to the cover made a few years ago, this is still one of Bowie's most mature songs coming out of the 70s. Sophisticated mixing on behalf of Brian Eno, this song stands the test of time and represents Bowie's story telling and singing ability at its best.
7. The Partisan by Leonard Cohen
The saddest song I know. About a French partisan who gave up everything he had to fight the Germans. Cohen is a lesser-known calibre of songwriter in the league of Dylan...he was a poet first. Bono calls him "an artist's artist". (Technically this song is late 1969)
6. Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones
Remember when the Rolling Stones weren't a living mockery of themselves? I can't, but I do know that this song is incredible. I think it's their best.
5. Cortez The Killer by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young is banned from Spain because of this song. A brutal indictment of the colonisation of the Americas in general, this is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. This is a personal fav, but there's another 10-20 songs from Young that we could consider here.
4. Us And Them by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd's albums always sound best when considered comprehensively. Dark Side of the Moon is very difficult to pick apart, but the best 'stand alone' song I could think of was Us and Them.
3. Spirit Of Radio by Rush
A song dedicated to a great independent radio station in Toronto from the late 1970s (CFNY). Geddy Lee's voice doesn't get too much in the way, and it displays all the best elements of the band.
2. Thank You by Led Zeppelin
Zeppelin has a tremendous amount of diversity, but sometimes you can strip away all the heavy bass and guitar riffs and have a great, elegant song -- like 'Thank You'. 'Tangerine' is also a great ballad.
1. Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot
I prefer this song to his other signature tune, 'Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald'.

10. How Can I Tell You by Cat Stevens
9. Black Magic Woman by Santana
8. A Horse With No Name by America
7. Summer '68 by Pink Floyd
A trip.
6. Southern Man by Neil Young
5. Colour My World by Chicago
4. The Mexican by Babe Ruth
I was DJ at the time. Had to play this 10 times a night.
3. School by Supertramp
2. What's Going On? by Marvin Gaye
The message/Juste les paroles en font une grande chanson
1. Across The Universe by The Beatles
One of the best songs of all time/Une des meilleures de tous les temps

10. American Pie by Don McLean
Forever a classic.
9. Iron Man by Black Sabbath
Ozzy at his best.
8. Fools In The Rain by Led Zeppelin
The most underrated Led Zeppelin song ever.
7. Hotel California by Eagles
What needs to be said?
6. Mother by Pink Floyd
A testament to how deep this band can get.
5. Dream On by Aerosmith
The song that made a great band what it is (besides heroine).
4. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The redneck national anthem.
3. War Pigs by Black Sabbath
Meaningful and hard, what a combination.
2. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
How did they do this on acid?
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
The greatest song of any decade.

10. Because The Night by Patti Smith
9. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
8. Rockaway Beach by The Ramones
7. Love Is The Drug by Roxy Music
6. Pump It Up by Elvis Costello
5. Best Friend's Girl by The Cars
4. Good Girls Don't by The Knack
3. Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe
2. Is She Really Going Out With Him by Joe Jackson
1. Starry Eyes by The Records

10. Don't Look Back by Boston
9. Shout It Out Loud by KISS
8. You're So Vain by Carly Simon
7. Takin' Care Of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
6. Do Ya by ELO
5. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse
4. Chicago by Graham Nash
3. Old Fashioned Love Song by Three Dog Night
Paul Williams is a dynamite writer.
2. No More Mr. Nice Guy by Alice Cooper
1. Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In by 5th Dimension
Reminded me of Zager & Evans' sound.

10. Crocodile Rock by Elton John
No comment!
9. Taking Care Of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Another song that everybody loves!
8. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
Yes......this song is the bomb.
7. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
The only song of Blondie's that I really like.
6. Bad To The Bone by George Thorogood
Yep......everybody knows this song!!!
5. Layla by Derek & The Dominos
Come on.....it's Eric Clapton, people!
4. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
This is a great song! And who couldn't love a band named after a blimp made of lead???
3. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
See above :-Þ
2. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Who couldn't luv Skynyrd? Noboby!
1. Hotel California by The Eagles
This is by far the best song EVER!!!

10. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) by Looking Glass
This song just makes me happy.
9. Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image
Another great tribute to the 73 men who sailed the Pueblo.
8. Do You Know What I Mean by Lee Michaels
One of the most underrated singers.
7. Green-Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf
I love the long version.
6. Stuck In The Middle With You by Stealers Wheel
This is where Gerry Rafferty got started. What a great voice.
5. A Horse With No Name by America
1972 was a great year for big hits. This is one of the best.
4. Black Magic Woman by Santana
One of Santana's best.
3. Maggie May by Rod Stewart
Reminds me of my college days. It still gives me chill bumbs.
2. American Pie by Don Mclean
What a tribute to the day the music died.
1. Without You by Harry Nilsson
Greatest love song of all time. Not just because I'm a Nilsson fan. Not too many have a three-and-a-half octave voice. Loved by the Beatles.

10. Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd
The best by one of the best. I heard if you play the Dark Side Of The Moon album and the Wizard Of Oz movie, the music is in sync with the movie.
9. Tom Sawyer by Rush
Rush is so underrated, and so musically gifted. Lead singer has a great voice; legendary drummer.
8. Piano Man by Billy Joel
Billy Joel has great talent, this song sums it up.
7. You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker
Slow song all of us know.
6. Dazed And Confused by Led Zeppelin
What can I say? Led Zeppelin is incredible.
5. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Classic slow song...Clapton on the guitar is amazing.
4. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
Copied by P Diddy...cool song though.
3. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Could be number 1 also, great song.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
All-time great...could easily be number 1.
1. Imagine by John Lennon
Beautiful song that still makes you think.