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. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Joy To The World by Three Dog Night
8. More Than A Feeling by Boston
7. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
6. Imagine by John Lennon
5. Baba O'Riley by The Who
4. American Pie by Don McLean
3. Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin

10. Reminising by Little River Band
Captures the sweet soft AM sound of the late-1970s pop/jazz perfectly.
9. Time Passages by Al Stewart
A great song with nice smooth '70s vocals.
8. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lightfoot
The '70s in Canada meant listening to Gord on a record player. This is one of best songs - deeply romantic and nostalgic.
7. Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione
The best trumpet song of all time? Oh yes. 70's ruled because of the jazz influence.
6. Gonna Fly Now by Maynard Ferguson
A great instrumental version of the 'Rocky' theme, but transformed into a classic jazz piece - very nostalgic.
5. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
More jazz influence and nice light song that will instantly transport you to another time and place.
4. Lotta Love by Nicolette Larson
Another bouncy pop tune with heavy jazz influence and strong vocals.
3. Sun Goes By by Dr. Music
A great 'pick me up' song with a nice bouncy beat and the best trumpet solos ever.
2. I Just Wanna Stop by Gino Vannelli
Best Canadian song ever? Sweeping and romantic, with great singing.
1. What A Fool Beleives by Doobie Brothers
A song that I can listen to forever. Great vocals and keyboard. Best song ever.

10. Love Hurts by Nazareth
Rounding out the top 10 tunes of the 70's.
9. Dream On by Aerosmith
8. Hotel California by Eagles
This one will NEVER die!!
7. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Classic forever!!
6. Highway Song by Blackfoot
Kicks a**!!
5. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
No need to say a thing!!
4. Slow Ride by Foghat
Ahh the memories!!
3. Tom Sawyer by Rush
A band that never received as much credit as they should have. One of the "Best Bands" of all time! Talented lyric-wise and instrumentally!!
2. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent
It took till page 10 to FINALLY see this one posted!!!!
1. Do You Feel Like We Do by Peter Frampton
Being a HUGE Frampton fan, I just can't believe I scrolled through 10 pages of votes and this song was NOWHERE to be found! Disappointing!!!

10. Seasons Of My Life by Gino Vannelli
Not to be confused with 'Seasons In The Sun'.
9. Supper's Ready by Genesis
If you can figure it out.
8. Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
One song EH?!
7. Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys by Traffic
Nicely laid back.
6. Emerson, Lake & Palmer by Lucky Man
White blotter.
5. Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues
Imagery supreme.
4. Voodoo Child by Jimi Hendrix
Still blowing people away.
3. Dancing Madly Backwards by Captain Beyond
Super band!
2. House On The Hill by Audience
Had to be there!
1. Dynamo Hum by Frank Zappa
A national treasure!

10. Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
9. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
8. Love Hurts by Nazareth
7. Child In Time by Deep Purple
6. July Morning by Uriah Heep
5. Echoes by Pink Floyd
4. Mrs. Vanderbilt by Wings
3. Burn by Deep Purple
2. 39 by Queen
1. Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade

10. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Coulda been "Time", "Wish You Were Here", "Welcome To The Machine" or anything on 'Animals.
9. All Mixed Up by The Cars
Coulda been "Touch And Go", "It's All I Can Do" or anything from the first record.
8. Lady Of The Lake by Starcastle
Very under-rated group. People screamed "cheap immitation of Yes", but those who listened realized this was a very different kind of band.
7. Dream Weaver by Gary Wright
Very under-rated record. Came out in '75, made the charts in '75 AND '76. EVERY song is as good or better than the ones that made the radio.
6. Pirate Looks At Forty by Jimmy Buffett
Coulda been "Son Of A Son Of A Sailor", "Changes In Lattitudes, Changes in Atitudes" or "Pencil Thin Mustache".
5. Beginnings by Chicago
Coulda been "Dialogue Part 1 & 2", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "Make Me Smile" or "Colour My World".
4. Silver Blue And Gold by Bad Company
Coulda been "Shooting Star", "Feel Like Makin' Love" or anything from 'Run With The Pack'.
3. In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed by Allman Brothers Band
Coulda been "Come And Go Blues", "Whippin' Post" or "Sweet Melissa".
2. Don't Take Me Alive by Steely Dan
Coulda been "King Charlamagne", "Midnight Cruiser" or anything from 'Aja'.
1. The Wall by Kansas
Coulda been "Song For America", "Point Of Know Return" or anything from Left 'Overture'.

10. At Night by The Cure
If you ask me, The Cure should have disbanded in 1979 after their groundbreaking second album. With the exception of a few songs (mostly relegated to single b-sides) they didn't do much interesting after that.
9. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
His music always makes you feel so warm inside... like a day (or lifetime?) at the beach.
8. Welcome To My Morning by John Denver
I like a lot of his stuff, but this is probably the best song he ever wrote.
7. Stepping Into Line by Madness
In my small opinion, this song beats out One Step Beyond for best '70s Madness track.
6. Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
It's still used in everything today (mostly thanks to Trainspotting) but that just shows this song's staying power.
5. Regal Zone by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Ah Siouxsie... the class act of the post-punk period, and one of my ten fav bands of all time (and all ten fill #1 on my list).
4. Everybody's Happy Nowadays by The Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks were, by far, the best of the punk bands.
3. All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Truer lyrics have never been written.
2. L'america by The Doors
The driving tempo, haunting riff and icy vocals make this the only real standout track on their last album...even more so than "Riders On The Storm".
1. Heaven And Hell by The Who
Though it was only released as a Who b-side (the only "finished" version being on Entwistle's first solo album), it's still an incredible track.

10. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
9. Your Song by Elton John
8. Layla by Derek & The Dominos
7. Howzat by Sherbet
6. Jealous Guy by John Lennon
5. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
4. Hotel California by Eagles
3. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
2. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
1. Little Lamb Dragonflay by Paul McCartney & The Wings

10. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Undeniably the sexiest song ever! There will never be better mood music and it's all pure heart and soul.
9. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-7) by Pink Floyd
This melodic opus stood tribute to to the fallen founder of Floyd, Syd Barret.
8. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The defining anthem of southern rock. And we'll never get tired of hearing that guitar solo.
7. Piano Man by Billy Joel
The simplistic beauty and nostalgic poetry will forever make this one of our favorites.
6. Changes In Lattitudes, Changes In Atitudes by Jimmy Buffett
We both knew Jimmy had to be represented on this list and neither of us could think of one more loved than this.
5. Walk On The Wild Side by Lou Reed
His immortal classic, what more is there to say? Take the walk.
4. Bohemian Rapsody by Queen
For sheer quality of music, this is one of the best songs ever recorded. The combination of Queen's trademark harmonization, brilliant instrumentals and muse-inspired lyrics made this Britain's longest chart topper ever.
3. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
This song is everything rock is all about.
2. American Pie by Don McLean
There's just too much to say about this song, so we're going to post it in the 70's lyrics meanings section over the next month or two.
1. Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf
The lyrics were the psychedelic poetry of a dying age and the music was pure bliss. A truly awesome song.

10. The King Will Come by Wishbone Ash
Class!
9. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
What a riff!
8. Warrior by Wishbone Ash
Excellent mix of calm music to the brilliant ending.
7. Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
How brilliant is the start of that song?
6. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Weird and brilliant.
5. Substitute by The Who
Catchy tune and great lyrics!
4. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
Great trumpet noises!
3. Everybody Needs A Friend by Wishbone Ash
Moving and relaxing.
2. Throw Down The Sword by Wishbone Ash
Beautiful! The best guitar solo ever performed.
1. Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
Catchy tune, great lyrics, amazing rock and roll screaming!