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. I'm Dreaming by Jennifer Warnes
A minor, all-but-forgotten hit from Jennifer (she of 'Right Time Of The Night' fame). I remember hearing it while on the beach in FL during summer vacation. A pretty, romantic song about dreaming of the future with the one you love.
9. Could It Be Magic by Barry Manilow
I'd like to know that Melissa chick too! Barry used a Chopin tune as his inspiration for this, but ultimately it sounds like a pop version of Ravel's Bolero in how it builds a melody into a very sexy crescendo.
8. For All We Know by Carpenters
Karen Carpenter was the best female vocalist of the 70s, and one of the best of all time IMHO. Top-notch expressiveness. This one barely surpasses 'We've Only Just Begun' as my fave Carpenters tune. Nice to know it was her favorite too. It realistically portrays the uncertainty of where love will go once it begins. Beautiful.
7. Wishing You Were Here by Chicago
It combines two of my all-time favorite bands - Chicago with The Beach Boys on backing vocals. You just can't go wrong with that combo. Beautiful melody, haunting vocals, amazing arrangement. Emotional reminder of how tough is it to be away from the one you love.
6. One Of These Nights by Eagles
There's just something very sultry, sexy, erotic, smoky about everything in this song. Sensual rhythm and vocals. Don Henley said the inspiration to write this came from the snare-tom drum patterns of Spinners songs such as 'Could It Be I'm Falling In Love', another great 70s classic.
5. December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) by Four Seasons
This was always a very intriguing tale of seduction to my 15-yr-old ears. 'Who Loves You' was another terrific Four Seasons hit - these guys have taken their unfair share of abuse from critics. Truly one of the greatest acts of the rock era. My appreciation only grows as time goes by.
4. How Deep Is Your Love by Bee Gees
Trashed as they may be by critics and those with an above average level of hipness, the Brothers Gibb wrote a tremendous amount of popular music. After more than 25 years, this still is as fresh and beautiful as ever. The best of their best.
3. Nights Are Forever Without You by England Dan & John Ford Coley
These guys crafted some very heartfelt ballads featuring great vocal harmonies and lovely melodies - this one being my favorite. 'England' Dan Seals went on to pile up solo hits on the country charts in the 80s.
2. I Go Crazy by Paul Davis
Crossing paths with someone who occupies a very special place in your heart when you never thought you'd see them again....exhilarating yet painful. This 1977 classic just gets better with age.
1. Dance With Me by Orleans
A romantic summer night, a slow dance with an 'older woman' who could shake me to the core with a mere glance....ahhh the memory. Terrific breezy, beautiful, melodic arrangement. 'Still The One' is another wonderful 70's gem by Orleans.

10. Peace of Mind by Boston
9. Layla by Derek & The Dominos
8. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
7. Children Of The Grave by Black Sabbath
6. Walk This Way by Aerosmith
5. The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
4. Refugee by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3. Aqualung by Jethro Tull
2. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Need I say more?

10. American Pie by Don McLean
Sorry, played out or not, you cannot argue with this song....I am just proud of the fact that I know every word!!!!
9. Magnet And Steel by Walter Egan
Does it get any cooler than having Linda Rondstadt and Stevie Nicks as your back up singers on your ONLY hit song???
8. Knowing Me, Knowing You by ABBA
I was raised on ABBA and love practically every one of their songs....this one just happens to be my favorite.
7. Night Moves by Bob Seger
Ironically, I am not so much a fan of anything else by Bob Seger, but GOD do I love this song....
6. Bodisattvah by Steely Dan
I think I spelled it right....I love the chord changes in the chorus of this song....I also love "Peg" and "My Old School" but I wanted to only have one song per band or artist...
5. 10 Years Gone by Led Zeppelin
My favorite Zeppelin tune; one of the few that hasn't been played out (except for the Black Crowes/Jimmy Page version, which wasn't nearly as good).
4. Levon by Elton John
"When the New York Times said God is Dead"---gives me chills....
3. Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston
My favorite disco song of all time....it was #1 the week I was born....
2. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel
Inspires impromptu a capella singalongs at parties (after several beers, of course).
1. Beast Of Burden by Rolling Stones
Quite possibly the sexiest song ever.

10. Just What I Needed by The Cars
9. Hey Jude by The Beatles
8. Wondrful Tonight by Eric Clapton
7. Free Bird by Lynryd Skynyrd
6. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
5. Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh
4. The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy
3. American Pie by Don McLean
2. Jive Talkin' by The Bee Gees
1. Layla by Derek & The Dominos

10. Against The Wind by Bob Seger
Against the wind...
9. Sugar Daddy by Fleetwood Mac
Wow, good song!
8. Honey Bee by Tom Petty
Good stuff...Tom Petty rocks.
7. Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac
Good tune.
6. Second Hand News by Fleetwood Mac
Oh yes, indeed.
5. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
Heck yes! Fleetwood Mac
4. Pagan Baby by Creedence Clearwater Revival
No one knows this song, and it ticks me off because it's really good.
3. Slow Ride by Foghat
Good times with this song...
2. Night Moves by Bob Seger
This song is so chill, it will always be one of my favorites.
1. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
I love this song... Fleetwood Mac is the best.

10. We Will Rock You by Queen
This song gets me so pumped up.
9. American Pie by Don McLean
A great classic song.
8. Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS
My favorite KISS song.
7. Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf's finest.
6. Fly By Night by Rush
A great song.
5. More Than A Feeling by Boston
Another great Boston song.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Freddie Mercury shows his amazing vocal skills in this song and also his versatility and range.
3. Baba O'Reilly by The Who
The computer synthesizer is mesmerizing.
2. Rosalita by Bruce Springsteen
The best of The Boss.
1. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
Simply put - an amazing song from an amazing band!

10. Roundabout by Yes
9. FM (No Static At All) by Steely Dan
8. Easy To Be Hard by Three Dog Night
This and "One" are songs that will play forever.
7. Hitchin' A Ride by Vanity Fare
How can it not be in everyone's Top 10?
6. We Will Rock You by Queen
Nothing better at a sporting event.
5. Daybreak by Barry Manilow
4. Hello It's Me by Todd Rundgren
Could be the best song of the past 30 years.
3. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? by Chicago
Intro makes the song immortal.
2. Lonely Boy by Andrew Gold
1. Get Down by Gilbert O'Sullivan
Most underplayed hit of the decade!

10. The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff
Classic reggae.
9. Walk On The Wild Side by Lou Reed
Cool..great bass sound.
8. Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
Is there a better rock song?
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Sounds great today...on acoustic guitar.
6. Mind Games by John Lennon
Hypnotic.
5. Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart
Never get tired of this one.
4. Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding by Elton John
Epic.
3. Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
First 8-track I owned....all songs are solid...title cut is stellar.
2. Live And Let Die by Paul McCartney & Wings
The first 45 I bought.
1. Born To Run by The Boss
Perfect rock song.

10. 1984 by David Bowie
Always kept me thinking about the future, but seemed so far away.
9. Miss Ameica by Styx
Reality check. My little pretty.
8. Keep Pushin' (Live) by REO Speedwagon
Great song about feelin' good.
7. King Of The World by Steely Dan
Incredible musicians.
6. Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Brilliant.
5. Green Grass And High Tides by The Outlaws
A song of the times.
4. Nights In White Satin by Moody Blues
Well done (chilling).
3. Funeral For A Friend by Elton John
So well-written. Sends chills down my spine everytime.
2. Highway Star (Made In Japan Live) by Deep Purple
Uplifting driving guitar of Ritchie Blackmore.
1. Stairway To Heaven (Live) by Led Zeppelin
Best put together song ever. Utter genius.

10. God Save The Queen by The Sex Pistols
Along with 'Anarchy in the UK', put punk well into mainstream music.
9. The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy
A perfect song to pick from a heavily underated band.
8. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
An all-around good song by the brilliant Fleetwood Mac.
7. Running With The Devil by Van Halen
The song from a band that made 80's rock in the 70's.
6. Alright Now by Free
A great song from a very skilled band.
5. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
A definitive classic hard-rock song.
4. Hotel California by The Eagles
The Eagles at their finest hour.
3. Paranoid by Black Sabbath
THE song that started heavy metal.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
A revolutionary mixture of rock, pop and opera put to perfection.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Unquestionably the best song ever produced.