Hit Songs of the 1970s

1970 was a major high point in American popular music. The Beatles, who would break up this year, reached the full maturity of “Let It Be” and “The Long and Winding Road.” Motown was in its glory days, as were a slew of highly creative artists, including Simon & Gafunkel, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, The Jackson 5, and Sly & The Family Stone. BB King gave us the timeless “The Thrill Is Gone” and James Taylor recorded the classic “Fire and Rain.”

20. Spill The Wine, Eric Burdon & War
19. ABC, Jackson 5
18. Candida, Dawn
17. Cracklin’ Rose, Neil Diamond
16. The Love You Save / I Found That Girl, Jackson 5
15. Thank You (Fallettin Me Be Mice Elf Again), Sly & The Family Ston
14. Hitchin’ A Ride, Vanity Fair
13. Make It With You, Bread
12. Everything Is Beautiful, Ray Stevens
11. Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Three Dog Night
10. Band Of Gold, Freda Payne
9. American Woman, Guess Who
8. Get Ready, Rare Earth
7. War, Edwin Starr
6. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Diana Ross
5. I’ll Be There, Jackson 5
4. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head, B.J. Thomas
3. Let It Be, the Beatles
2. (They Long To Be) Close To You, the Carpenters
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel

And then, as if a single page torn from the calendar dictated a new feel, 1971 saw an abrupt mood shift. Certainly, some of the music still focused on larger issues, like Freda Payne’s “Bring the Boys Home” and Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me” (The Ecology).” But pop music was coming down to earth, shifting toward a more personal focus, as in Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Road.”

100. Don’t Knock My Love, Pt. 1, Wilson Pickett
99. Riders On The Storm, Doors
98. One Less Bell To Answer, Fifth Dimension
97. Right On The Tip Of My Tongue, Brenda & The Tabulations
96. Timothy, Buoys
95. Here Comes The Sun, Richie Havens
94. Love Her Madly, The Doors
93. It’s Impossible, Perry Como
92. Wedding Song (There Is Love), Paul Stookey
91. I Am..I Said, Neil Diamond
90. If I Were Your Woman, Gladys Knight & The Pips
89. I Hear You Knocking, Dave Edmunds
88. I Woke Up In Love This Morning, Partridge Family
87. Sweet Mary, Wadsworth Mansion
86. Mama’s Pearl, Jackson 5
85. Trapped By A Thing Called Love, Denise Lasalle
84. Won’t Get Fooled Again, Who
83. Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again, Fortunes
82. Lonely Days, Bee Gees
81. Theme From “Shaft”, Isaac Hayes
80. Amazing Grace, Judy Collins
79. Woodstock, Matthews’ Southern Comfort
78. Watcmng Scoity Grow, Bobby Goldsboro
77. Groove Me, King Floyd
76. If Not For You, Olivia Newton-John
75. Funky Nassau, Beginning Of The End
74. When You’re Hot, You’re Hot, Jerry Reed
73. Wild World, Cat Stevens
72. Love Story (Where Do I Begin), Andy Williams
71. Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep, Mac & Katie Kissoon
70. Stick-up, Honey Cone
69. Liar, Three Dog Night
68. Easy Loving, Freddy Hart
67. Never Ending Song Of Love, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
66. I Just Want To Celebrate, Rare Earth
65. Bring The Boys Home, Freda Payne
64. She’s Not Just Another Woman, 8th Day
63. One Toke Over The Line, Brewer & Shipley
62. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Marvin Gaye
61. If, Bread
60. Another Day / Oh Woman, Oh Why, Paul McCartney
59. Me And You And A Dog Named Boo, Lobo
58. Sweet City Woman, Stampeders
57. Stay Awhile, Bells
56. Beginnings / Color My World, Chicago
55. Proud Mary, Ike & Tina Turner
54. Draggin’ The Line, Tommy James
53. Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted, Partridge Family
52. Bridge Over Troubled Water, Aretha Franklin
51. Yo-yo, Osmonds
50. I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Helen Reddy
49. Spanish Harlem, Aretha Franklin
48. If You Really Love Me, Stevie Wonder
47. That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be, Carly Simon
46. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get, Dramatics
45. I Love You Foe All Seasons, Fuzz
44. Mr. Bojangles, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
43. It Don’t Come Easy, Ringo Starr
42. Don’t Pull Your Love, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
41. Rose Garden, Lynn Anderson
40. Never Can Say Goodbye, Jackson 5
39. Gypsy, Tramps And Thieves, Cher
38. If You Could Read My Mind, Gordon Lightfoot
37. Rainy Days And Mondays, Carpenters
36. Help Me Make It Through The Night, Sammi Smith
35. For All We Know, Carpenters
34. Chick-a-boom, Daddy Dewdrop
33. Put Your Hand In The Hand, Ocean
32. Sweet And Innocent, Donny Osmond
31. My Sweet Lord / Isn’t It A Pity, George Harrison
30. Superstar, Carpenters
29. Temptation Eyes, Grass Roots
28. Amos Moses, Jerry Reed
27. I Found Someone Of My Own, Free Movement
26. Superstar, Murray Head & The Trinidad Singers
25. She’s A Lady, Tom Jones
24. Signs, Five Man Electrical Band
23. Aint No Sunshine, Bill Withers
22. Uncle Albert-Admiral Halsey, Paul & Linda McCartney
21. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye
20. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Joan Baez
19. Do You Know What I Mean, Lee Michaels
18. One Bad Apple, Osmonds
17. Mr. Big Stuff, Jean Knight
16. You’ve Got A Friend, James Taylor
15. Treat Her Like A Lady, Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
14. Smiling Faces Sometimes, Undisputed Truth
13. Want Ads, Honey Cone
12. Tired Of Being Alone, Al Green
11. Brown Sugar, Rolling Stones
10. Knock Three Times, Pawn
9. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Temptations
8. Take Me Home, Country Roads, John Denver
7. Go Away Mule Girl, Donny Osmond
6. Indian Reservation, Raiders
5. It’s Too Late, Carole King
4. Me And Bobby Mcgee, Janis Joplin
3. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Bee Gees
2. Maggie May, Rod Stewart
1. Joy To The World, Three Dog Night

The wild party of late ’60s music officially ended this year. Pop music returned to its perennial emphasis on romantic love, with the huge chart success of Roberta Flack’s languorous “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” The exuberance of Don McClean’s mega-smash “American Pie” stemed from the freedom of late ’60s pop, but McClean sang mournfully of “the day the music died.” Proving that music was moving away from a larger awareness, Rat Pack alumni Sammy Davis, Jr. scored a big hit with the hyper-bubbly “Candy Man.”

100. Pop That Thang, Isley Bros.
99. Good Foot, Pt. 1, James Brown
98. Roundabout, Yes
97. I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, Hillside Singers
96. Speak To The Sky, Rick Springfield
95. Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms), Detroit Emeralds
94. Freddie’s Dead, Curtis Mayfield
93. I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing, New Seekers
92. Doctor My Eyes, Jackson Browne
91. Walking In The Rain With The One I Love, Love Unlimited
90. Troglodyte, Jimmy Castor Bunch
89. Motorcycle Mama, Sailcat
88. I Saw The Light, Todd Rundgren
87. Sealed With A Kiss, Bobby Vinton
86. Taxi, Harry Chapin
86. Taxi, Harry Chapin
84. Power Of Love, Joe Simon
83. Vincent / Castles In The Air, Don Mclean
82. The Witch Queen Of New Orleans, Leon Redbone
81. Day By Day, Godspell
80. Family Affair, Sly & The Family Stone
79. Use Me, Bill Withers
78. Drowning In The Sea Of Love, Joe Simon
77. Saturday In The Park, Chicago
76. School’s Out, Alice Cooper
75. Kiss An Angel Good Morning, Charlie Pride
74. Never Been To Spain, Three Dog Night
73. Anticipation, Carly Simon
72. Joy, Apollo 100
71. A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done, Sonny & Cher
70. Hot Rod Lincoln, Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
69. You Don’t Mess Around With Jim, Jim Croce
68. Puppy Love, Donny Osmond
66. Coconut, Nilsson
65. Hurting Each Other, Carpenters
64. Sylvia’s Mother, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
63. Black And White, Three Dog Night
62. The Way Of Love, Cher
61. Day Dreaming, Aretha Franklin
60. Layla, Derek & The Dominos
59. I’m Still In Love With You, Al Green
58. Where Is The Love, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
57. Mother And Child Reunion, Paul Simon
56. Bang A Gong (Get It On), T. Rex
55. The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A., Donna Fargo
54. Look What You Done For Me, Al Green
53. In The Rain, Dramatics
52. Everything I Own, Bread
51. Jungle Fever, Chakachas
50. Hold Your Head Up, Argent
49. Clean Up Woman, Betty Wright
48. Burning Love, Elvis Presley
47. I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash
46. Garden Party, Rick Nelson
45. The City Of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie
44. Morning Has Broken, Cat Stevens
43. Scorpio, Dennis Coffey & The Detroit Guitar Band
42. Beautiful Sunday, Daniel Boone
41. Rockin’ Robin, Michael Jackson
40. Rocket Man, Elton John
39. Day Atter Day, Badfinger
38. Starting All Over Again, Mel & Tim
37. Sunshine, Jonathan Edwards
36. Down By The Lazy River, the Osmonds
35. Back Stabbers, O’Jays
34. Too Late To Turn Back Now, Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
33. Go All The Way, Raspberries
32. Nights In White Satin, Moody Blues
31. Last Night I Didn’t Get To Sleep At All, 5th Dimension
30. Precious And Few, Climax
29. Everybody Plays The Fool, Main Ingredient
28. Popcorn, Hot Butter
27. A Horse With No Name, America
26. Song Sung Blue, Neil Diamond
25. How Do You Do, Mouth & MacNeal
24. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress), Hollies
23. Slippin’ Into Darkness, War
22. Outa-space, Billy Preston
21. The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Robert John
20. My Ding-A-Ling, Chuck Berry
19. I’ll Take You There, Staple Singers
18. Betcha By Golly, Wow, Stylistics
17. Heart Of Gold, Neil Young
16. If Loving You Is Wrong I Don’t Want To Be Right, Luther Ingram
15. Ben, Michael Jackson
14. Nice To Be With You, Gallery
13. Oh Girl, Chi-Lites
12. Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl), Looking Glass
11. Let’s Stay Together, Al Green
10. Daddy Dont You Walk So Fast, Wayne Newton
9. Brand New Key, Melanie
8. Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me, Mac Davis
7. Candy Man, Sammy Davis Jr.
6. I Gotcha, Joe Tex
5. Lean On Me, Bill Withers
4. Without You, Nilsson
3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack
2. Alone Again (Naturally), Gilbert O’Sullivan
1. American Pie, Don McLean

Sometimes an art form hits plateau, and pop music clearly did in 1973. The runaway success of the insipid “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree” and “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” demonstrated that the creativity of the last few years had run dry. Still, pop music had moments of genius this year, like Marvin Gaye’s inspired “Let’s Get It On,” and early hits by the Allman Brothers, Elton John, and David Bowie.

100. Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Temptations
99. Gypsy Man, War
98. It Never Rains In Southern California, Albert Hammond
97. Space Oddity, David Bowie
96. Break Up To Make Up, Stylistics
95. Yes We Can Can, Pointer Sisters
94. The World Is A Ghetto, War
93. The Twelfth Of Never, Donny Osmond
92. Money, Pink Floyd
91. Stir It Up, Johnny Nash
90. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001), Deodato
89. Daisy A Day, Jud Strunk
88. Free Ride, Edgar Winter Group
87. Peaceful, Helen Reddy
86. Jambalaya (On The Bayou), Blue Ridge Rangers
85. Angie, Rolling Stones
84. Funky Worm, Ohio Players
83. Funny Face, Donna Fargo
82. One Of A Kind (Love Affair), Spinners
81. Don’t Expect Me To Be Your Friend, Lobo
80. Masterpiece, Temptations
79. Ramblin’ Man, Allman Brothers
78. Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu, Johnny Rivers
77. Do You Want To Dance?, Bette Midler
76. So Very Hard To Go, Tower Of Power
75. Why Can’t We Live Together, Timmy Thomas
74. Kodachrome, Paul Simon
73. Do It Again, Steely Dan
72. Clair, Gilbert O’Sullivan
71. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bette Midler
70. Yesterday Once More, Carpenters
69. Hocus Pocus, Focus
68. Reelin’ In The Years, Steely Dan
67. Last Song, Edward Bear
66. Get Down, Gilbert O’Sullivan
65. Superfly, Curtis Mayfield
64. My Maria, B.W. Stevenson
63. Here I Am (Come And Take Me), Al Green
62. Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder
61. Dueling Banjos, Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandel
60. Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got), Four Tops
59. Sing, Carpenters
58. I Believe In You, Johnnie Taylor
57. Oh, Babe, What Would You Say?, Hurricane Smith
56. Live And Let Die, Wings
55. The Cisco Kid, War
54. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day, Chicago
53. Your Mama Don’t Dance, Loggins & Messina
52. Behind Closed Doors, Charlie Rich
51. The Cover Of Rolling Stone, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
50. Smoke On The Water, Deep Purple
49. Midnight Train To Georgia, Gladys Knight & The Pips
48. Daniel, Elton John
47. Could It Be I’m Falling In Love, Spinners
46. I’m Doing Fine Now, New York City
45. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye), Gladys Knight & The Pips
44. Daddy’s Home, Jermaine Jackson
43. If You Want Me To Stay, Sly & The Family Stone
42. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), George Harrison
41. Long Train Running, Doobie Brothers
40. Diamond Girl, Seals & Crofts
39. Natural High, Bloodstone
38. Monster Mash, Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
37. Danny’s Song, Anne Murray
36. Dancing In The Moonlight, King Harvest
35. Keep On Truckin’ (Pt. 1), Eddie Kendricks
34. Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose, Tony Orlando & Dawn
33. I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Barry White
32. Love Train, O’Jays
31. Shambala, Three Dog Night
30. Stuck In The Middle With You, Stealers Wheel
29. Rocky Mountain High, John Denver
28. The Morning After, Maureen McGovern
27. Loves Me Like A Rock, Paul Simon
26. Superstition, Stevie Wonder
25. Wildflower, Skylark
24. Right Place, Wrong Time, Dr. John
23. We’re An American Band, Grand Funk Railroad
22. Pillow Talk, Sylvia
21. That Lady, Isley Bros.
20. Drift Away, Dobie Gray
19. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Stevie Wonder
18. Little Willy, Sweet
17. Half Breed, Cher
16. Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group
15. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Vicki Lawrence
14. Delta Dawn, Helen Reddy
13. Brother Louie, Stories
12. Playground In My Mind, Clint Holmes
11. Me And Mrs. Jones, Billy Paul
10. Touch Me In The Morning, Diana Ross
9. Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack
8. Will It Go Round In Circles, Billy Preston
7. Crocodile Rock, Elton John
6. Why Me, Kris Kristofferson
5. My Love, Paul McCartney & Wings
4. Let’s Get It On, Marvin Gaye
3. You’re So Vain, Carly Simon
2. Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce
1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree, Tony Orlando & Dawn

Barbara Streisand had a very big year, granoloa-fueled artist John Denver sold a mountain of singles, and the thoughtful pop of Cat Stevens proved to have staying power. After a short post-Beatles hiatus, Paul McCartney scored hits with Wings, notably “Band on the Run.” Meanwhile, the Jackson 5 and Kool & The Gang laid the foundation for ’70s funk, a genre that would produce some great art, reaching a high point with 1979′s “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

100. Mighty Love, Pt. 1, Spinners
99. Helen Wheels, Paul McCartney & Wings
98. Call On Me, Chicago
97. I Honestly Love You, Olivia Newton-John
96. Rockin’ Roll Baby, Stylistics
95. My Mistake Was To Love You, Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye
94. Beach Baby, First Class
93. Wildwood Weed, Jim Stafford
91. Wild Thing, Fancy
91. Me And Baby Brother, War
90. Hello, It’s Me, Todd Rundgren
89. A Very Special Love Song, Charlie Rich
88. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, Stevie Wonder
87. Trying To Hold On To My Woman, Lamont Dozier
86. The Lord’s Prayer, Sister Janet Mead
85. I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song, Jim Croce
84. Clap For The Wolfman, Guess Who
83. I Love, Tom T. Hall
82. My Girl Bill, Jim Stafford
81. I’m Leaving It All Up To You, Donny & Marie Osmond
80. Love Song, Anne Murray
79. Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield
78. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Elton John
77. Jet, Paul McCartney & Wings
76. I Shot The Sherrif, Eric Clapton
75. For The Love Of Money, O’Jays
74. Oh My My, Ringo Starr
73. I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long, Chicago
72. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John
71. Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress), Helen Reddy
70. Oh Very Young, Cat Stevens
69. On And On, Gladys Knight & The Pips
68. Put Your Hands Together, O’Jays
67. Lookin’ For Love, Bobby Womack
66. Keep On Smilin’, Wet Willie
65. Please Come To Boston, Dave Loggins
64. Radar Love, Golden Earring
63. Taking Care Of Business, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
62. Eres Tu (Touch The Wind), Mocedades
61. Hang On In There Baby, Johnny Bristol
60. Be Thankful For What You Got, William Devaughn
59. Hollywood Swinging, Kool & The Gang
58. Rock And Roll Heaven, Righteous Brothers
57. You And Me Against The World, Helen Reddy
56. Tell Me Something Good, Rufus
55. Never, Never Gonna Give You Up, Barry White
54. You Won’t See Me, Anne Murray
53. Help Me, Joni Mitchell
52. Mockingbird, Carly Simon
51. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Steely Dan
50. The Air That I Breathe, Hollies
49. Waterloo, Abba
48. The Entertainer, Marvin Hamlisch
47. Then Came You, Dionne Warwick & The Spinners
46. The Night Chicago Died, Paper Lace
45. Living For The City, Stevie Wonder
44. Smokin’ In The Boys Room, Brownsville Station
43. Rock The Boat, Hues Corporation
42. The Show Must Go On, Three Dog Night
41. I’ve Got To Use My Imagination, Gladys Knight & The Pips
40. The Joker, Steve Miller Band
39. Top Of The World, Carpenters
38. Rock Your Baby, George McCrae
37. Nothing From Nothing, Billy Preston
36. Just Dont Want To Be Lonely, Main Ingredient
35. Feel Like Makin’ Love, Roberta Flack
34. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, Gladys Knight & The Pips
33. Dark Lady, Cher
32. If You Love Me (Let Me Know), Olivia Newton-John
31. You’re Sixteen, Ringo Starr
30. Boogie Down, Eddie Kendricks
29. Rock Me Gently, Andy Kim
28. (You’re) Having My Baby, Paul Anka
27. Sundown, Gordon Lightfoot
26. Let Me Be There, Olivia Newton-John
25. Annie’s Song, John Denver
24. Time In A Bottle, Jim Croce
23. The Most Beautiful Girl, Charlie Rich
22. Band On The Run, Paul McCartney & Wings
21. Billy Don’t Be A Hero, Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods
20. Hooked On A Feeling, Blue Swede
19. Sideshow, Blue Magic
18. Sunshine On My Shoulder, John Denver
17. Jungle Boogie, Kool & The Gang
16. Spiders And Snakes, Jim Stafford
15. Show And Tell, Al Wilson
14. You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics
13. Midnight At The Oasis, Maria Muldaur
12. Rock On, David Essex
11. Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do), Aretha Franklin
10. One Hell Of A Woman, Mac Davis
9. Come And Get Your Love, Redbone
8. The Streak, Ray Stevens
7. TSOP, MFSB
6. The Loco-Motion, Grand Funk Railroad
5. Dancing Machine, Jackson 5
4. Bennie And The Jets, Elton John
3. Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks
2. Love’s Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra
1. The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand

In the wake of some very sour national events, including Richard Nixon’s resignation and the inglorious American departure from Viet Nam (followed promptly by the collapse of a country that the US had lost 58,000 soldiers defending) the pop charts responded by getting light – really light. No one ever accused 1975 stars the Captain & Tennille of being big thinkers, but with the country this hungry for distraction, froth was in. Even the mindless “Kung Fu Fighting” was a massive hit with the national mood this dispirited. Mellow balladeers Frankie Valli and Neil Sedaka, who had been teen idols in the early ’60s, enjoyed a comeback. Pointing to the next wave, “Get Dancin’” was a minor hit for Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes.

100. Get Dancin’, Disco Tex & The Sex-O-lettes
99. You Aint Seen Nothin’ Yet / Free Wheelin’, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
98. Swearin’ To God, Frankie Valli
97. Third Rate Romance, Amazing Rhythm Aces
96. Only You, Ringo Starr
95. The Rockford Files, Mike Post
94. Only Yesterday, Carpenters
93. Bad Blood, Neil Sedaka
92. Misty, Ray Stevens
91. Sha-La-La (Makes Me Happy), Al Green
90. Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance), Leo Sayer
89. Bungle In The Jungle, Jethro Tull
88. Junior’s Farm / Sally G, Paul McCartney & Wings
87. No No Song / Snookeroo, Ringo Starr
86. It Only Takes A Minute, Tavares
85. I’m On Fire, Dwight Twilley Band
84. You Got The Love, Rufus
83. Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Elton John
82. Lonely People, America
81. Can’t Get It Out Of My Head, Electric Light Orchestra
80. Do It (Til You’re Satisfied), B.T. Express
79. Shoeshine Boy, Eddie Kendricks
78. Killer Queen, Queen
77. I’m Sorry / Calypso, John Denver
76. Get Down, Get Down (Get On The Floor), Joe Simon
75. When Will I See You Again, Three Degrees
74. Some Kind Of Wonderful, Grand Funk
73. Morning Side Of The Mountain, Donny & Marie Osmond
72. I Don’t Like To Sleep Alone, Paul Anka
71. Never Can Say Goodbye, Gloria Gaynor
70. Cut The Cake, Average White Band
69. Dance With Me, Orleans
68. How Sweet It Is, James Taylor
67. Feel Like Makin’ Love, Bad Company
66. One Man Woman-One Woman Man, Paul Anka & Odia Coates
65. You Are So Beautiful / It’s A Sin When You Love Somebody, Joe Cocker
64. Get Down Tonight, K.C. & The Sunshine Band
63. Doctor’s Orders, Carol Douglas
62. Only Women, Alice Cooper
61. Bad Time, Grand Funk
60. Lady, Styx
59. That’s The Way Of The World, Earth, Wind & Fire
58. Express, B.T. Express
57. How Long, Ace
56. Poetry Man, Phoebe Snow
55. Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You, Sugarloaf
54. Midnight Blue, Melissa Manchester
53. The Way We Were / Try To Remember, Gladys Knight & The Pips
52. Walking In Rhythm, Blackbyrds
51. Dynomite, Bazuka

As the public’s mood stayed low, pop music offered a solution: Disco. With disco, one can turn off the mind altogether — don’t think, just dance! Climbing the charts were “Disco Lady” by Johnnie Taylor and “Boogie Fever” by the Sylvers. Also keeping things soporific were Seals & Crofts, Barry Manilow, and Hall & Oates. But as always, there were nuggets of brilliance amid the chaff, like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the tuneful pop of Electric Light Orchestra and Fleetwood Mac.

100. Slow Ride, Foghat
99. Rock And Roll All Nite, Kiss
98. Take The Money And Run, Steve Miller Band
97. The Boys Are Back In Town, Thin Lizzy
97. Disco Duck, Rick Dees
96. Squeeze Box, Who
95. Who’d She Coo, Ohio Players
94. Junk Food Junkie, Larry Groce
93. Tear The Roof Off The Sucker, Parliament
92. Money Honey, Bay City Rollers
91. Breaking Up’s Hard To Do, Neil Sedaka
90. Young Hearts Sun Free, Candi Staton
89. Baby, I Love Your Way, Peter Frampton
88. Walk Away From Love, David Ruffin
86. Tryin’ To Get The Feeling Again, Barry Manilow
85. Rock And Roll Music, Beach Boys
84. With Your Love, Jefferson Starship
83. You’re My Best Friend, Queen
82. Still The One, Orleans
81. She’s Gone, Daryl Hall & John Oates
80. Getaway, Earth, Wind & Fire
79. Fanny (Be Tender With My Love), Bee Gees
78. Got To Get You Into My Life, Beatles
77. Rhiannon (Will You Ever Win), Fleetwood Mac
76. Fox On The Run, Sweet
75. Let Her In, John Travolta
74. Summer, War
73. Wake Up Everybody (Pt. 1), Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
72. I’m Easy, Keith Carradine
71. Wham Bam, Silver
70. Evil Woman, Electric Light Orchestra
69. This Masquerade, George Benson
68. Baby Face, Wing & A Prayer Fife & Drum Corps
67. Let ‘Em In, Wings
66. Let’s Do It Again, Staple Singers
65. Island Girl, Elton John
64. Saturday Night, Bay City Rollers
63. Shop Around, Captain & Tennille
61. I’ll Be Good To You, Brothers Johnson
60. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Tavares
59. Sing A Song, Earth, Wind & Fire
58. Welcome Back, John Sebastian
57. Convoy, C.W. McCall
56. Fooled Around And Fell In Love, Elvin Bishop
55. Devil Woman, Cliff Richard
54. Times Of Your Life, Paul Anka
53. Say You Love Me, Fleetwood Mac
52. I Love Music (Pt. 1), O’Jays
51. Dream On, Aerosmith
50. Show Me The Way, Peter Frampton
49. Lowdown, Boz Scaggs
48. If You Leave Me Now, Chicago
47. Shannon, Henry Gross
46. A Little Bit More, Dr. Hook
45. That’s The Way I Like It, K.C. & The Sunshine Band
44. Sweet Thing, Rufus
43. Theme From “Mahogany”, Diana Ross
42. Deep Purple, Donny & Marie Osmond
41. Love To Love You Baby, Donna Summer
40. All By Myself, Eric Carmen
39. Lonely Night (Angel Face), Captain & Tennille
38. Turn The Beat Around, Vicki Sue Robinson
37. Dreamweaver, Gary Wright
36. Let Your Love Flow, Bellamy Brothers
35. Only Sixteen, Dr. Hook
34. Moonlight Feels Right, Starbuck
33. Golden Years, David Bowie
32. You’ll Never Find Antoher Love Like Mine, Lou Rawls
31. You Should Be Dancing, Bee Gees
30. Love Rollercoaster, Ohio Players
29. Theme From “S.Wa.T”, Rhythm Heritage
28. Right Back Where We Started From, Maxine Nightingale
27. Sweet Love, Commodores
26. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, K.C. & The Sunshine Band
25. Take It To The Limit, Eagles
24. Get Up And Boogie, Silver Convention
23. Love Hurts, Nazareth
22. You Sexy Thing, Hot Chocolate
21. I’d Really Love To See You Tonight, England Dan & John Ford Coley
20. Boogie Fever, Sylvers
19. Misty Blue, Dorothy Moore
18. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
17. More, More, More, Andrea True Connection
16. Sara Smile, Daryl Hall & John Oates
15. Love Hangover, Diana Ross
14. Fly, Robin, Fly, Silver Convention
13. I Write The Songs, Barry Manilow
12. Afternoon Delight, Starland Vocal Band
11. Get Close, Seals & Crofts
10. A Fifth Of Beethoven, Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
9. Kiss And Say Goodbye, Manhattans
8. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, Paul Simon
7. Love Machine (Part 1), The Miracles
6. Love Is Alive, Gary Wright
5. December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night), Four Seasons
4. Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry
3. Disco Lady, Johnnie Taylor
2. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Elton John & Kiki Dee
1. Silly Love Songs, Wings

There’s no way around it: 1977 was a dismal year for pop music. The handful of notable exceptions include Abba’s “Dancing Queen” and Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke.” Overall, though, the year subsisted on white-bread conformity, as a genre of mild-mannered ’70s rock emerged, defined by Aerosmith, Heart, Kansas, and the Eagles – all talented groups with narrow ambitions. Elvis Presley, now truly a relic from another age, had a minor hit with “Way Down” before dying in a pill-induced stupor.

100. Star Wars (Main Title), London Symphony Orchestra
99. Devil’s Gun, C.J. & Co
98. Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac
97. Knowing Me, Knowing You, Abba
96. Don’t Worry Baby, B.J. Thomas
95. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, Elton John
94. How Much Love, Leo Sayer
93. Boogie Nights, Heatwave
92. Year Of The Cat, Al Stewart
91. High School Dance, Sylvers
90. Walk This Way, Aerosmith
89. Muskrat Love, Captain & Tennille
88. Somebody To Love, Queen
87. I Never Cry, Alice Cooper
86. Ain’t Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman), Joe Tex
85. Love’s Grown Deep, Kenny Nolan
84. Whispering-Cherchez La Femme-C’est Si Bon, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band
83. Nobody Does It Better, Carly Simon
82. I Wanna Get Next To You, Rose Royce
81. The Rubberband Man, Spinners
80. Love So Right, Bee Gees
79. That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll, Shaun Cassidy
78. Give A Little Bit, Supertramp
77. Livin’ Thing, Electric Light Orchestra
76. You Made Me Believe In Magic, Bay City Rollers
75. Keep It Comin’ Love, K.C. & The Sunshine Band
74. Lido Shuffle, Boz Scaggs
73. Jeans On, David Dundas
72. Float On, Floaters
71. Star Wars Theme-Cantina Band, Meco
70. Lost Without Your Love, Bread
69. Ariel, Dean Friedman
68. Cold As Ice, Foreigner
67. Smoke From A Distant Fire, Sanford Townsend Band
66. It Was Almost Like A Song, Ronnie Milsap
65. Weekend In New England, Barry Manilow
64. Way Down, Elvis Presley
63. Stand Tall, Burton Cummings
62. Jet Airliner, Steve Miller Band
61. After The Lovin’, Engelbert Humperdinck
60. My Heart Belongs To Me, Barbra Streisand
59. New Kid In Town, Eagles
58. Carry On Wayward Son, Kansas
57. Heard It In A Love Song, Marshall Tucker Band
56. You’re My World, Helen Reddy
55. Night Moves, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
54. Strawberry Letter 23, Brothers Johnson
53. Barracuda, Heart
52. Don’t Stop, Fleetwood Mac
51. I Wish, Stevie Wonder
50. Lonely Boy, Andrew Gold
49. Swayin’ To The Music (Slow Dancin’), Johnny Rivers
48. You And Me, Alice Cooper
47. Just A Song Before I Go, Crosby, Stills & Nash
46. Handy Man, James Taylor
45. Da Doo Ron Ron, Shaun Cassidy
44. The Things We Do For Love, 10cc
43. Lucille, Kenny Rogers
42. I’m In You, Peter Frampton
41. Dazz, Brick
40. Enjoy Yourself, Jacksons
39. Dreams, Fleetwood Mac
38. So In To You, Atlanta Rhythm Section
37. Looks Like We Made It, Barry Manilow
36. Blinded By The Light, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
35. I’ve Got Love On My Mind, Natalie Cole
34. Right Time Of The Night, Jennifer Warnes
33. Easy, Commodores
32. Couldn’t Get It Right, Climax Blues Band
31. Feels Like The First Time, Foreigner
30. On And On, Stephen Bishop
29. Don’t Give Up On Us, David Soul
28. Fly Like An Eagle, Steve Miller Band
27. You Don’t Have To Be A Star, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
26. Car Wash, Rose Royce
25. Hot Line, Sylvers
24. When I Need You, Leo Sayer
23. Rich Girl, Daryl Hall & John Oates
22. Southern Nights, Glen Campbell
21. Theme From “Rocky” (Gonna Fly Now), Bill Conti
20. Got To Give It Up, Pt. 1, Marvin Gaye
19. Angel In Your Arms, Hot
18. Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder
17. Do You Wanna Make Love, Peter McCann
16. Whatcha Gonna Do?, Pablo Cruise
15. Telephone Line, Electric Light Orchestra
14. Hotel California, Eagles
13. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Leo Sayer
12. Dancing Queen, Abba
11. I’m Your Boogie Man, K.C. & The Sunshine Band
10. Torn Between Two Lovers, Mary MacGregor
9. Undercover Angel, Alan O’Day
8. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher, Rita Coolidge
7. Don’t Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston
6. I Like Dreamin’, Kenny Nolan
5. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet
4. Love Theme From “A Star Is Born”, Barbra Streisand
3. Best Of My Love, Emotions
2. Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright), Rod Stewart
1. I Just Want To Be Your Everything, Andy Gibb

Disco flowered this year, and the Bee Gees (once a groovy ’60s rock band) became disco royalty – if anyone could turn disco into an art form, they could. Having less artistic success (but great commercial success) was Debbie Boone, whose mega-smash “You Light Up My Life” may have been the worst hit ever. This year’s high points included some good work from the Rolling Stones, with “Miss You,” and the pop genius of Steely Dan.

100. Deacon Blues, Steely Dan
99. Ebony Eyes, Bob Welch
98. We’re All Alone, Rita Coolidge
97. The Name Of The Game, Abba
96. Hollywood Nights, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
95. Turn To Stone, Electric Light Orchestra
94. I Can’t Stand The Rain, Eruption
93. Sweet Talking Woman, Electric Light Orchestra
92. Flashlight, Parliament
91. Native New Yorker, Odyssey
90. It’s So Easy, Linda Ronstadt
89. You Can’t Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On), High Inergy
88. I Love The Night Life, Alicia Bridges
87. Life’s Been Good, Joe Walsh
86. Don’t Look Back, Boston
85. Get Off, Foxy
84. Bluer Than Blue, Michael Johnson
83. Whenever I Call You “Friend”, Kenny Loggins
82. Running On Empty, Jackson Browne
81. Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Chris Rea
80. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Santa Esmeralda
79. Falling, LeBlanc & Carr
78. Sentimental Lady, Bob Welch
77. Serpentine Fire, Earth, Wind & Fire
76. You And I, Rick James
75. Always And Forever, Heatwave
74. Copacabana, Barry Manilow
73. Every Kinda People, Robert Palmer
72. Because The Night, Patti Smith
71. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Crystal Gayle
70. What’s Your Name, Lynyrd Skynyrd
69. Summer Nights, John Travolta & Olivia Newton-john
68. Hey Deanie, Shaun Cassidy
67. Baby Hold On, Eddie Money
66. Count On Me, Jefferson Starship
65. Reminiscing, Little River Band
64. Shame, Evelyn “Champagne” King
63. You Needed Me, Anne Murray
62. Peg, Steely Dan
61. Blue Bayou, Linda Ronstadt
60. Here You Come Again, Dolly Parton
59. You Belong To Me, Carly Simon
58. This Time I’m In It For Love, Player
57. Back In Love Again, L.T.D.
56. Come Sail Away, Styx
55. On Broadway, George Benson
54. Disco Inferno, Trammps
53. My Angel Baby, Toby Beau
52. Still The Same, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
51. Imaginary Lover, Atlanta Rhythm Section

By 1979 the country was in such a bad mood – partially due to OPEC-induced runaway inflation – that Jimmy Carter addressed the nation in July 1979 to talk about the “crisis of confidence” that “strikes at the very heart of our national will.” With that much malaise – creating a great hunger for distraction – disco reached its zenith. Many radio stations went to an all-disco format, and kids carried disco-themed lunch boxes to school. The Village People released “Y.M.C.A.,” the genre’s most enduring hit.

100. Dance The Night Away, Van Halen
99. I Do Love You, G.Q.
98. Sail On, Commodores
97. The Boss, Diana Ross
96. Dancing Shoes, Nigel Olsson
95. Strange Way, Firefall
94. We’ve Got Tonite, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
93. Somewhere In The Night, Barry Manilow
92. Bad Case Of Lovin’ You, Robert Palmer
91. Suspicions, Eddie Rabbitt
90. Get Used To It, Roger Voudouris
89. Every Time I Think Of You, Babys
88. Double Vision, Foreigner
87. How You Gonna See Me Now, Alice Cooper
86. You Take My Breath Away, Rex Smith
85. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Michael Jackson
84. How Much I Feel, Ambrosia
83. I Got My Mind Made Up, Instant Funk
82. Promises, Eric Clapton
81. Don’t Bring Me Down, Electric Light Orchestra
80. Rise, Herb Alpert
79. Time Passages, Al Stewart
78. September, Earth, Wind & Fire
77. Ooh Baby Baby, Linda Ronstadt
76. Disco Nights, G.Q.
75. I Just Wanna Stop, Gino Vannelli
74. I Was Made For Lovin’ You, Kiss
73. Shake It, Ian Matthews
72. I Just Fall In Love Again, Anne Murray
71. Shine A Little Love, Electric Light Orchestra
70. Born To Be Alive, Patrick Hernandez
69. Got To Be Real, Cheryl Lynn
68. Love Is The Answer, England Dan & John Ford Coley
67. Renegade, Styx
66. Lonesome Loser, Little River Band
65. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now, McFadden & Whitehead
64. I Love The Night Life, Alicia Bridges
63. Chuck E’s In Love, Rickie Lee Jones
62. I Want Your Love, Chic
61. Sultans Of Swing, Dire Straits
60. New York Groove, Ace Frehley
59. What You Won’t Do For Love, Bobby Caldwell
58. (Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away, Andy Gibb
57. Boogie Wonderland, Earth, Wind & Fire
56. Take Me Home, Cher
55. Every 1’s A Winner, Hot Chocolate
54. Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy, Bad Company
53. We Are Family, Sister Sledge
52. Goodnight Tonight, Wings
51. Gold, John Stewart
50. The Devil Went Down To Georgia, Charlie Daniels Band
49. Music Box Dancer, Frank Mills
48. In The Navy, Village People
47. She Believes In Me, Kenny Rogers
46. Sharing The Night Together, Dr. Hook
45. He’s The Greatest Dancer, Sister Sledge
44. Hold The Line, Toto
43. Heaven Must Have Sent You, Bonnie Pointer
42. Lady, Little River Band
41. Lotta Love, Nicolette Larson
40. The Gambler, Kenny Rogers
39. Heaven Knows, Donna Summer & Brooklyn Dreams
38. After The Love Has Gone, Earth, Wind & Fire
37. I Was Made For Dancin’, Leif Garrett
36. Mama Can’t Buy You Love, Elton John
35. The Main Event (Fight), Barbra Streisand
34. I Want You To Want Me, Cheap Trick
33. Love You Inside Out, Bee Gees
32. I’ll Never Love This Way Again, Dionne Warwick
31. Shake Your Groove Thing, Peaches & Herb
30. You Can’t Change That, Raydio
29. Just When I Needed You Most, Randy Vanwarmer
28. My Life, Billy Joel
27. The Logical Song, Supertramp
26. Don’t Cry Out Loud, Melissa Manchester
25. Shake Your Body, Jacksons
24. Lead Me On, Maxine Nightingale
23. Stumblin’ In, Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
22. Knock On Wood, Amii Stewart
21. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond
20. Fire, Pointer Sisters
19. What A Fool Believes, Doobie Brothers
18. Heart Of Glass, Blondie
17. A Little More Love, Olivia Newton-John
16. Tragedy, Bee Gees
15. Good Times, Chic
14. Makin’ It, David Naughton
13. When You’re In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Dr. Hook
12. MacArthur Park, Donna Summer
11. Ring My Bell, Anita Ward
10. Sad Eyes, Robert John
9. Too Much Heaven, Bee Gees
8. Y.M.C.A., Village People
7. Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
6. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
5. Reunited, Peaches & Herb
4. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, Rod Stewart
3. Bad Girls, Donna Summer
2. Le Freak, Chic
1. My Sharona, Knack