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. My Sharona by The Knack
Sort of a dumb song, I know, but I didn't realize it was as big of a hit as it was. It was a song that marked a certain point in my youth only because I heard it so much on the radio. I read a quote on the net that said "With its slamming drums, driving guitar work, and simple, infectious beat, "My Sharona" caused a sensation in 1979. Released June 18, the single went gold in eight weeks, reaching number one in early August".
9. Heart Of Glass by Blondie
It was sort of a funny transition in music at the time. With different Styles influencing musicians. Sort of punk/pop/rock'ish. Her top songs got good radio play. Again this one reminds me of my friends at the time.
8. Surrender by Cheap Trick
Sort of an R&B'ish hard rock band. Again I came to like this song a few years later after it was released. One of my best friends was a Cheap Trick fan. The song reminds me of good times and hanging out with friends.
7. Double Vision by Foreigner
I remember hearing this over and over at summer camp from a friend of mine. It was a cool song that brings back memories of long weekend hiking and camping trips with friends.
6. Takin' Care Of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
I was at my cousin's house and he played the song and album. The song had been out for quite a while when I first heard it but I remember really liking the tune and soon after that I got my own copy of the album.
5. Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
I recall hearing this for the first time at my friend's house. He played the record loud and I remember the song rocked (for the time). It was only later that I learned the song was quoting the bible.
4. Telephone Line by ELO
Another band of the 70's that got a lot of air play. This song, and also "Turn To Stone" by ELO, I really remember.
3. Blinded By The Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Kind of a strange song that was played so much on the radio. I remember the lyrics but could never understand what they were saying..."Blinded by the light, revved up like a dooshun to rowner in the night" HA! It was only recently that I found out they were singing "Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night" I was sort of close ! :-)
2. You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac
Somewhat haunting of a melody. 'Rumors' was and always will be a great album. My brother had the 'Rumors' album on 8-track and I remember hearing it when I was really young and again many times on the radio until even now.
1. Barracuda by Heart
I remember this as being a really cool hard rock song. I heard it for the first time when I was a very young boy, sitting in my parents truck, and listening to a cheap, factory installed AM radio.

10. MacArthur Park by Donna Summer
Someone left the cake out in the rain...what a crazy lyric!
9. Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys by Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson
Gotta put a country song to honor my Texas heritage...this one is one of the best.
8. Walk This Way by Aerosmith
I'm a kid of the 80's so Run DMC really introduced this song to me, but the original is classic.
7. You're the One That I Want by Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta
Tell me about it, stud! Olivia made me sweat and I was only 8! Yet another Travolta movie I love.
6. You Don't Bring Me Flowers by Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond
It's a break-up song, but it's fun to lip-sync to.
5. Dream Weaver by Gary Wright
Rediscovered in 1991/92 during a Wayne's World skit featuring Madonna..Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
I'm not a present for your friends to open....
3. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
After living in Japan, where karaoke is a pasttime, this is king to sing to!
2. Someday We'll Be Together by Diana Ross and the Supremes
Technically a song from 1969, but I'm a chartwatcher, and this was #1 when I was born the week after Christmas, 1969...first song of 1970.
1. Night Fever by Bee Gees
Love it! Love it! Love it! And I love the movie!

10. Back In The Saddle by Aerosmith
Favorite Aerosmith song.
9. Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
Excellent guitar playing.
8. L.A. Woman by The Doors
Good lyrics and good keyboard playing.
7. Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
One of the most known riffs ever.
6. Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
Another reason Zep is the best.
5. Do You Feel Like I Do (Live) by Peter Frampton
Talking guitar was a good idea.
4. Money by Pink Floyd
It's on 'Dark Side Of The Moon'... need I say more?
3. Slow Ride by Foghat
Great guitar riffs and rockin' solo at the end.
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Amazing! No one can compare to Zep.
1. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
Excellent instrumental work. Good and long... I don't like very many short songs.

10. Fire On The Mountain by Grateful Dead
9. D'yer M'aker by Led Zeppelin
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh...
8. L.A. Woman by The Doors
7. Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh
6. Beast Of Burden by The Rolling Stones
5. Crossroads by Eric Clapton
Not really sure if this song came from the 70's but it's still one of my favorites from Clapton.
4. Bad Company by Bad Company
3. Red Dog by Aerosmith
2. Have A Cigar by Pink Floyd
1. Dancing Days by Led Zeppelin

10. Imagine by John Lennon
The lyrics alone make it worthy, never mind the nice tune.
9. Spirits Having Flown by Bee Gees
Cool or not, I'm old enough now to see that they were one of the best bands of their era.
8. School by Supertramp
Love the piano.
7. Live And Let Die by Paul McCartney & The Wings
Why didn't Paul use George Martin to produce more often in the 70's?
6. Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis
At their best during their 70's-80's transition.
5. Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Don't you miss the old Elton?
4. Dust In The Wind by Kansas
Beautiful!
3. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Great mood (long version, of course).
2. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
Over time I've come to realize this is a better song than 'Stairway'.
1. Hotel California by Eagles
You may have heard it before.

10. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
It's freakin' catchy.
9. Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The beginning of that song is really amazing and...I just love it.
8. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC
COME ON!
7. Iron Man by Black Sabbath
OKAY HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE OZZY?!?!?
6. Dazed And Confused by Led Zeppelin
The stoner theme song.
5. Hotel California by The Eagles
Great great great song.
4. More Than A Feeling by Boston
I LOVE THIS SONG!
3. Band Of Gold by Freda Payne
Just an amazing song that's still very well known today.
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
One of the best rock on roll songs ever created.
1. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
A powerful song that defines the 70's. Best song ever written, created and performed.

10. Wild Horses by Rolling Stones
9. Homeward Bound by Simon & Garfunkel
8. Fire And Rain by James Taylor
7. Harvest Moon by Neil Young
6. I'm Your Captain (Closer To Home) by Grand Funk
5. Cross Eyed Mary by Jethro Tull
4. Ten Years Gone by Led Zeppelin
3. Into The Mystic by Van Morrison
2. Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin

10. Some Kind Of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad
I love this song. The end is just awesome! The gospel touch, with the repeating words just delivers it all.
9. Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees
Also one of the greatest movies ever. The disco moves, the intenstiy, THE REALTY OF THE WHOLE THING JUST SAYS WOW! Here it is!
8. Detroit Rock City by KISS
The guitar at the beginning says it all! I've seen KISS in concert... them and Bruce just can't be topped!
7. Dance The Night Away by Van Halen
This song really captures Halen's power ballad ability. The chorus just ROCKS!
6. TNT by AC/DC
Can't touch this. OY OY OY OY
5. Theme From Rocky by Bill Conti
NO OTHER theme song in history can relate to this one. The best theme song written for the best movie. This song is what makes me deliver in the big games and on stage against the people who think I'm there just to bring it down just because I'm the youngest outta them.
4. If You Want Blood You Got It by AC/DC
3. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
This song definitely is the ultimate feel good song.
2. Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS
This song is the greatest song ever to come out in heavy metal... all the others are cheap IMITATIONS. Black Sabbath, Hendrix, Zepplin, never stood a chance.
1. Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen
This man's the greatest man in rock and roll to history. He represents the working hard class man. AND DONE A HECK OF A JOB!

10. My Sharona by Knack
Strange pick, I know, but they really were good. That song stays in your head. It's catchy and upbeat.
9. Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
How could I not include Springsteen? He was very rebellious back in those days....
8. Come Sail Away by Styx
I loved this band before they went techno.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Crazy!
6. Hey Jude by The Beatles
Took on even more meaning when they explained what it was about.
5. Hotel California by Eagles
I wore this song's album out.
4. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
I can't imagine a list without this song on it.
3. Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf
What an incredibly high energy song!
2. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
I don't remember a dance where this song wasn't played.
1. Dream On by Aerosmith
Best Aerosmith song ever! My favorite song ever!

10. Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Great song. I've seen at least three movies with this song on its soundtrack.
9. Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
One of Zeppelin's great later songs.
8. Brown Sugar by Rolling Stones
Awesome song recorded, even better live. I would have more Stones songs on this list if it were for the 60's.
7. Money by Pink Floyd
Floyd has many great songs, but 'Money' is the best.
6. Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who
The Who's second best song, after 'My Generation'. Whoever thinks 'Baba O'Reilly' is their best song probably hasn't heard any of their other songs.
5. Iron Man by Black Sabbath
Undeniably Sabbath's best song.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Who's ever gonna forget that scene from Wayne's World?
3. Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin
I hear a car commercial with this song every day it's so good!
2. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Awesome 5 minute or so guitar solo.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Best song of all time by the best band of all time.