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


    By: John Michelas
    • 10. Blinded By The Light by Manfred Man's Earth Band
    • 9. Rockaway Beach by The Ramones
    • 8. Crocodile Rock by Elton John
    • 7. Question by Moody Blues
    • 6. Desparado by The Eagles
    • 5. Sceans From An Itilian Resturant by Billy Joel
    • 4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
    • 3. Only The Good Die Young by Billy Joel
    • 2. Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf
    • 1. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
      Bruce tries to sing around this song, but he knows it is his best.


    By: Tom J. P.
    • 10. Cats In The Cradle by Harry Chapin
      Aah, but another sad song in our countdown. A song that tells a story and may elicit some emotion at the same time. Nevertheless a great song; 1974.
    • 9. Philedelphia Freedom by Elton John
      The undisputed number one artist of the 1970's decade on both sides of the Atlantic, placing more hits than any other group or artist in the top 500 pop/rock hits of the 1970's. An artist who's truly stood the test of time; 1975.
    • 8. Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille
      Somewhere between bubblegum, disco, and easy listening music, written by Neil Sedaka, 'Love Will Keep Us Together' simply "rocks"; 1975.
    • 7. If You Leave Me Now by Chicago
      Evolving out of the wild/chaotic 1960's, Chicago pretty much went with the times as the 1970's progressed. Ranking huge on both sides of the Atlantic; 1976.
    • 6. American Woman by The Guess Who
      In sixth place for record sales of the decade, at last a break from the soft ballads. The ultimate rock anthem of the decade; 1970.
    • 5. Stayin' Alive by Bee Gees
      Easily the top voted and undisputed top selling disco anthem of the 1970's decade. If it were strictly upon my rating, I would place it there with or without Saturday Night Fever; 1978.
    • 4. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life by Stevie Wonder
      Perhaps the best soul singer/songwriter/musician of all time, and if not, then, by far the most influencial and prolific of the time; 1973.
    • 3. Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'Sullivan
      Another British artist with soaring record sales on both sides of the Atlantic. Perhaps a soft ballad of crisis and tragedy; 1972.
    • 2. Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack
      Coming in second place "undisputed" Roberta Flack epitomizes the softer genre of pop/rock music for the 1970's decade; 1973.
    • 1. Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) by Rod Stewart
      In an undisputed collaboration of British/American billboard top pop hits this song ranks number one for record sales and airplay combined; 1976.

    These songs are not necesarily my personal top ten favorites, but they do, in a very varietal way epitomize the decade musically in its entirely. In reality, these are or were the top selling/top airplay hits of the decade, determined by Billboard British/American compilation/collaboration.
    By: Andrew O'Shea
    • 10. Any Colour You Like by Pink Floyd
      Gilmour's guitar is simply amazing.
    • 9. Time by Pink Floyd
      Another masterpeice by the greatest band of all time. I really should have just put in Dark Side of The Moon, it would have saved time(hahaha).
    • 8. The Ocean by Led Zeppelin
      We've got four already and now were steady and then they went...1..2..3..4 R.I.P John Bonham
    • 7. Brain Damage/Eclipse by Pink Floyd
      There is no dark side of the moon really, matter of fact its all dark.
    • 6. Thank You by Led Zeppelin
      I know Zeppelin 2 came out in 69, but this song is to good to leave out of the list.
    • 5. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
      Hello...is there anybody in there. One of the greatest guitar solos of all time. Once again Gilmour proves his worth.
    • 4. The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin
      So peaceful and loving, my personal fav by the second greatest band of all time.
    • 3. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
      This is for those who aren't here with us.
    • 2. Echoes by Pink Floyd
      The ultimate blast off into space. Is it just me or is that the pot talking?
    • 1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
      Not my fav Zep tune, but you have to honest with yourself and agree it is the greatest song of the era and of all time.

    Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin are the two greatest bands of all time. I know I've missed some really great songs from other bands but these two are, simply put, my all time fav.
    By: Melody Cartwright
    • 10. Atomic Dog by George Clinton
      Masterful. "Why must I chase the cat?" Age old question. Same answer: "Because I can."
    • 9. For The Love Of Money by O'Jays
      "People will steal from their own mother", ouch, gets me every time.
    • 8. I'll Take You There by Staple Singers
      Slammed it on 'em.
    • 7. She's A Bad Mamma Jamma by Carl Carlton
      Dare you not to shake that a**.
    • 6. Al Green by Love And Happiness
      Really, one of his best, starting at the top, let the church organ rip.
    • 5. Fight The Power by Isley Brothers
      Periennial favorite. Ode to George W. Bush, et all.
    • 4. Super Freak by Rick James
      She's the kind of girl you don't take home to mother. Yeah, just like all those Playboy Magazines in the 70s, very popular.
    • 3. You're The First, The Last, My Everything by Barry White
      Completely danceable, strings you along, builds you up, makes you dance.
    • 2. The Power Of Love by Luther Vandross
      "When I say goodbye, it's never for long, because I know our love still lives on. It'll be again exactly as it was, because I believe in the power of love..."
    • 1. Flashlight by Parliament
      George Clinton, P-Funk I wants to get funked up!!!

    J-5: I Want You Back, Barkays: Freak Show on the Dance Floor, Al Green: Let's Get Married, Rick James: You and I, Barry White: Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, Luther Vandross: Your Secret Love, Ohio Players: Fire and Love Roller Coaster.
    By: Matt
    • 10. Funk 49 by Joe Walsh
    • 9. Us Blues by Grateful Dead
      Truckin, Casey Jones, Friend of the Devil, and more.
    • 8. Ain't Wastin' No More Time by Allman Brothers Band
      Melissa, Midnight Rider, Blue Sky, Jessica, Whipping Post, Ramblin' Man, Revival, Southbound, and their new stuff with Warren Haynes.
    • 7. Hold On Loosely by .38 special
    • 6. Sweet Home Chicago by Blues Brothers
      Gimme Some Lovin', Soul Man
    • 5. Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels) by Jim Croce
      Photographs and Memories, Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
    • 4. Best Of My Love by The Eagles
      Take It Easy, Heartache Tonight, Hotel California
    • 3. Take The Highway by Marshall Tucker Band
      Can't You See, Heard It In A Love Song, Searchin' For A Rainbow
    • 2. China Grove by The Doobie Brothers
      Along with Listen To The Music, Black Water, and Jesus Is Just Alright
    • 1. Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
      idk.. there's a lot of close calls

    That's it.
    By: Charlotte
    • 10. Solitary Man by Neil Diamond
      Man, Neil was great, wasn't he?
    • 9. Goodbye Girl by Bread
      Goodbye doesn't mean forever...
    • 8. Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon
      Nobody could have done this song better!
    • 7. Jungle Love by Steve Miller Band
      Great beat, great lyrics, great band.
    • 6. Alone Again (Naturally) by Gilbert O'Sullivan
      Great song to listen to when you're feeling sorry for yourself.
    • 5. D'yer Mak'er by Led Zeppelin
      The first time I heard this I got the chorus stuck in my head for a week.
    • 4. Dust In The Wind by Kansas
      So beautiful, and so poignant.
    • 3. Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce
      Such a beautiful song... would be great for a wedding.
    • 2. At Seventeen by Janis Ian
      My second favorite Janis song...the first is Society's Child, but that was the 60's.
    • 1. Wild World by Cat Stevens
      Gives me chills!


    By: Jack
    • 10. Lay Lady Lay by Bob Dylan
    • 9. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
    • 8. More Than A Feeling by Boston
    • 7. MY Sweet Lord by George Harrison
    • 6. Rock Show by Paul McCartney
    • 5. Your Song by Elton John
    • 4. Hotel California by The Eagles
    • 3. Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones
    • 2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
    • 1. Imagine by John Lennon


    By: Dylan
    • 10. Baba O'Riley by The Who
    • 9. Shelter From The Storm by Bob Dylan
    • 8. I Fought The Law by The Clash
    • 7. Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
    • 6. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
    • 5. London Calling by The Clash
    • 4. Who'll Stop The Rain by Creedence Clearwater
    • 3. I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
    • 2. Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan
    • 1. Layla by Derek & the Dominos


    By: Steve
    • 10. Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
    • 9. Piano Man by Billy Joel
    • 8. Train In Vain by The Clash
    • 7. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
    • 6. Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd
    • 5. Mr. Blue Sky by ELO
    • 4. Rocket Man by Elton John
    • 3. Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
    • 2. Imagine by John Lennon
    • 1. Layla by Derek & The Dominos
      The best Song EVER, not just the 70s.


    By: rich Cooksey
    • 10. Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John
      Classic Elton!!!!
    • 9. Lady by Styx
      I love this band and this song really rocks my world.
    • 8. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zepplin
      One of the greatest rocks songs ever recorded.
    • 7. Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce
      Another song that will never fade with time. Jim Croce is a talent that is greatly missed.
    • 6. Bohemian Rapsody by Queen
      Freddy Mercury was a true talent and this song shows off his fantastic voice to the highest degree.
    • 5. Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
      The best song he ever recorded.
    • 4. Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel
      One of the greatest love songs of all time.
    • 3. Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul
      A great song to make love to, no other artist could ever do this song justice.
    • 2. American Pie by Don McLean
      Simply timeless.
    • 1. You're So Vain by Carly Simon
      A song that still to this day has fans guessing who it was written about. Also just a damn good song!!!

    A few more gems that are just as good..Hotel California by The Eagles, Fame by David Bowie, My Best Friend by Queen, Rich Girl by Hall/Oates, I'm In You by Peter Frampton, Without You by Harry Nilsson, Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack.

    Previous List or Next List


    This page currently edited by: CeramicsFanatic. Past editor: ChuckyG

We also have pages on this topic devoted to the 80s and 90s

Would You Like To Add Something We Missed?

Please use the submission page to submit information to be used on this page.