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. S.O.S. by ABBA
Vastly underrated band. The songwriters were up there with Lennon and McCartney but were derided because they were Swedish. This is essentially power-pop. Chorus is fantastic and as usual the girls are amazing vocalists as well.
9. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
There is only one word to describe this classic - HAUNTING.
8. Without You by Harry Nilsson
Although a Badfinger song, NOBODY could sing it like Harry Nilsson - and this includes the shameful Mariah Carey version.
7. Under My Wheels by Alice Cooper
I have always loved Alice's take on 70's glam rock. His musicians were better than other bands. Just listen to the guitar playing on this.
6. Can't You Hear Me Knocking? by Rolling Stones
My fave Stones song. The best intro (not counting 'Jumping Jack Flash'). This song is drug-infested and extremely cool.
5. No Matter What by Badfinger
Band that would have been huge if the two lead singers hadn't committed suicide. Still, there's no denying the songwriting ability here.
4. Just A Smile by Pilot
Most underrated power-pop act of the 70's. This is marvellous. Chorus is breathtaking.
3. Ripples by Genesis
Not well known. Sung by Phil Collins, post-Gabriel period. No writing input by Collins and all the better for it.
2. Wonderous Stories by Yes
Their most accessible prog song. Wonderous indeed.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
The song has everything. Enough said.

10. Because The Night by Patti Smith
Was trying to get one from each of my fav bands, but some 2nd & 3rds of those already mentioned may be higher rated, so skipping Styx, and some others, I give #10 to the biggest flash in the pan ever.......Patti Smith This song sounded so good to me when I heard it on radio(I love bass), that I bought the single.
9. Somebody To Love by Queen
On songs like this, Bohemian Rapsody, and You're My Best Friend, he (Mercury) shows range rare for a rock singer. But on other songs he screems monotone. Despite that I like some of those other songs too. This choice would have been Bohemian, except for that "Scattamoush" junk that just ruined a near perfect song.
8. Ridin' The Storm Out (LIVE version) by REO Speedwagon
Amazing how much the studio recorded version sucks compared to this live cut. Never seen any other artist pull that off.
7. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love by Van Halen
Roth really sucks vocally. If you disagree, you need a drug test. Granted he isn't the only rocker that has no voice. He's just a screamer. Now Hagar does have a voice, sometimes. But this music can overcome anyone doing the lyrics, even if it was Rod Stewart.
6. Foreplay/Long Time by Boston
Two songs in one. There is no blank between them so it's really one, just like Elton with 'Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding'. Lousy concert band I am told. I like several of their songs though.
5. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
2 great albums, the rest (before and after) are crap, especially "TUSK". How lame, USC marching band.
4. Crazy On You by Heart
My 2nd place band, though today I like them better than Journey, since Perry is out. The Wilson sisters are great in concert.
3. Wheel In The Sky by Journey
My top band, barely.
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Bunch of burnouts around a campfire smokin doobies is what I picture when I hear these guys. Except this song. And Page is THE best lead guitar in the biz.
1. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding by Elton John
First time I heard it I wondered when he was gonna finally sing. Now I wish he would have dragged it out longer. Excellent composition.

10. I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash
9. Come Sail Away by STYX
8. Hold The Line by Toto
7. Old Time Rock And Roll by Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
6. Walk On Water by Eddie Money
5. I Want You To Want Me by Cheap Trick
4. Cat's In The Cradle by Harry Chapin
3. A Horse With No Name by America
2. Black Water by The Doobie Brothers
1. Summer Breeze by Seals & Crofts

10. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Love the guitar solo!
9. Aerosmith by Dream On
Just a beatiful song!
8. Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler at his best!
7. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Far out!
6. Pinball Wizard by The Who
One the band's greatest songs!
5. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Brian May in full form!
4. Hotel California by Eagles
All-time classic!
3. Time by Pink Floyd
The song rulz, the album rulz and no forgetting the band rulz!
2. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
Awesome song, just beautiful!
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Best song in the world! No doubt about that!

10. Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Iron Man by Balck Sabbath
8. Rock And Roll All Nite by KISS
7. Bohiemian Rhapsody by Queen
6. Slow Ride by Foghat
5. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
4. Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith
3. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett
2. Dream On by Aerosmith
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Greatest song ever written!!!

10. Detroit Rock City by KISS
The greatest band in the world... KISS
9. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
This is a good song.
8. Dream On by Aerosmith
Dream on till your dreams come true.
7. Highway To Hell by AC/DC
We're on a highway to hell.
6. Hotel California by The Eagles
Come in at the Hotel California.
5. Dirty Laundry by The Eagles
They had a lot of dirty laundry.
4. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd
If you don't eat your meat you can't have any pudding... how can you have pudding if you don't eat your meat?
3. Iron Man by Black Sabath
Has he lost his mind, can he see or is he blind.
2. Ballroom Blitz by Sweet
They were like lighting as fast fretning ant everyone turn on her and it was a ballroom blitz.
1. Fox On The Run by Sweet
It's fox on the run.

10. Friends by Led Zeppelin
9. Since I've Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin
8. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You by Led Zeppelin
7. Battle Of Evermore by Led Zeppelin
6. Going To California by Led Zeppelin
5. Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin
4. Over The Hills And Far Away by Led Zeppelin
3. No Quarter by Led Zeppelin
2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
1. Achilles' Last Stand by Led Zeppelin

10. I Would Do Anything For Love by Meat Loaf
This is an odd one. Everyone likes to pretend that they hate it until they are driving down the road alone...then they crank it... Come admit it...you like it...
9. Dream On by Aerosmith
Popular song. Very likable. Good sound.
8. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This song really became a Southern anthem and really addresses alot of issues of the time period making it popular not only to Southern Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, but to everyone during that time period. (And a few of us afterward ;))
7. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Another song by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Not many songs are remembered solely for the instrumental aspects, but I think most people will agree that the guitar is what made this song so fantastic. This was such a song to get high to...
6. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
This song rocks. Led Zeppelin was all about experimenting with new sound and this song really shows that. It has an awesome sound and just sorta puts your mind on a different level.
5. (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
This song is so cool. It really gives you something to think about and it gets stuck in your head for days.
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Ok so they were flaming and sang some weird shit, so what? 'Bohiemian Rhapsody' was a successful attempt to introduce a new sound to the Rock scene.
3. Hotel California by The Eagles
Hotel California is a great song with a unique sound. Easily the most recognizable Eagles song.
2. American Pie by Don McLean
This song was the anthem of an Era.
1. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Come on this is the #1 most requested song of all time, I think that earns it SOME credit.

10. Paradise By The Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf
9. N.I.B. by Black Sabbath
8. Paranoid by Ozzy Osbourne
7. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin
6. Stuck In The Middle by Stealer's Wheel
5. Ragdoll by Aerosmith
4. Rock 'N Roll Ain't Noise Pollution by AC/DC
3. Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull
2. Hot For Teacher by Van Halen
1. Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin

10. Why Can't We Be Friends by War
Love the album cover.
9. Ride Captain Ride by Blues Image
California POP.
8. Slow Dancin" (Swayin' To The Music) by Johnny Rivers
His last hit of his carreer.
7. Dancing in The Moonlight by King Harvest
A one-hit wonder band from Albany, New York.
6. I'm Not In Love by 10cc
"Big Boys Don"t Cry"
5. How Long by Ace
Ace - Five a Side Album
4. Pick Up The Pieces by Average White Band
Love those saxes.
3. Don't Pull Your Love by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
You still hear this one.
2. Midnight Confessions by The Grass Roots
Great 70's pop group.
1. Do You Know What I Mean by Lee Michaels
The screaming of the vocals makes this one a true 70's classic.