Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple brought us hard rock. Black Sabbath created heavy metal. Southern-rock gods like The Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd were born. R&B stars like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye reached creative peaks. Disco was alive. New Wave, punk and glam rock were becoming forces. Heck, even a young art form known as hip-hop emerged.
This list is a snapshot of that decade through the eyes of the Rock Hall. To be eligible for the “200 Greatest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Songs of the 1970s,” a song had to be released by an artist that has been inducted into the Rock Hall.
That left no-brainers like “Layla” (Derek and the Dominos), “American Pie” (Don McLean), “More Than a Feeling” (Boston), “Rapper’s Delight” (Sugarhill Gang) and others on the outside looking in. But for the most part, about 90 percent (or more) of the greatest songs from the decade were eligible.
So here’s the best of the best from The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Beatles (solo and together), Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell and many more.
As always, this is just one subjective opinion. Right or wrong, let the heated debate begin.
200. James Brown – “Funky Drummer”
The fact that James Brown has multiple songs on this list is testament to his longevity, or, more so, his prolific nature. The man released more than 70 studio and live albums. He’d have various songs on lists of the 1960s and 1950s as well. Many of those are better than “Funky Drummer.” But few are more influential. The song is the result of a jam session led by drummer Clyde Stubblefield (and recorded in Cincinnati). “Funky Drummer” would go on to become of the most sampled tracks in music history and a starting point for an endless number of hip-hop DJs.
199. KISS – “Rock and Roll All Nite”
198. Cheap Trick – “I Want You To Want Me”
197. Eric Clapton – “Wonderful Tonight”
196. Hall & Oates – “Rich Girl”
195. Deep Purple – “Highway Star”
194. Bruce Springsteen – “Backstreets”
193. Blondie – “One Way or Another”
192. The Cars – “Just What I Needed”
191. Bobby Womack – “Across 110th Street”
190. Queen – “Killer Queen”
189. The Who – “Bargain”
188. AC/DC – “Ride On”
“Ride On” might be the least intense AC/DC song you’ll ever hear. But for anyone who thinks the band was only about creating loud anthems, “Ride On” is the song that will change your mind. Bon Scott’s voice is intoxicating on this slow blues showcase, which ranks as a fan favorite and AC/DC’s most quietly astonishing tune.
187. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “Refugee”
186. Bob Marley and the Wailers – “Waiting In Vain”
185. The Hollies – “Long Cool Woman”
184. Nina Simone – “To Be Young, Gifted and Black”
183. The Doors – “L.A. Woman”
182. Funkadelic – “One Nation Under a Groove”
181. Elton John – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
180. Roxy Music – “Do the Strand”
Roxy Music’s “Do the Strand” might be the strangest song on this list; a tune about a mock dance craze influenced by the music of the 1960s. It’s as meta as music gets from the 1970s. But it’s also an example of the avant-garde music Roxy was using to change the pop landscape at that time.
179. The Staple Singers – “I’ll Take You There”
178. Electric Light Orchestra – “Mr. Blue Sky”
177. Lou Reed – “Street Hassle”
176. The Isley Brothers – “That Lady”
175. The Rolling Stones – “Beast of Burden”
174. Linda Ronstadt – “You’re No Good”
173. Traffic – “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys”
The ultimate Traffic epic. The band doesn’t get enough credit for raising the bar for jazz fusion during the 1970s. But “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” stands as one of the most elaborate and thrilling collaborations from Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi. Some Traffic fans might argue it’s not the band’s best song. But the title track to the band’s fifth album certainly ranks with the upper level of progressive rock songs from a time when the genre was beginning to explode.
172. Faces – “Stay With Me”
171. Steely Dan – “Kid Charlamagne”
170. Bob Seger – “Turn the Page”
169. The Beatles – “The Long and Winding Road”
168. Chicago – “25 Or 6 To 4”
167. Jimi Hendrix – “Machine Gun”
Hendrix’s greatest guitar track? Quite possibly. “Machine Gun” is pure annihilation. The version on the “Band of Gypsys” album was taken from a live performance at Fillmore East in 1970. Buddy Miles’ drumming is amazing. But Hendrix’s guitar is the show-stopper. He wasn’t just the greatest player of all time, but a master of improvisation and effects, producing a sound that was unlike anything the music world had heard before.
166. Aerosmith – “Sweet Emotion”
165. Earth, Wind & Fire – “That’s the Way of the World”
164. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”
163. Bruce Springsteen – “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”
162. David Bowie – “Rebel Rebel”
161. Yes – “Roundabout”
160. John Lennon – “#9 Dream”
159. Donna Summer – “MacArthur Park”
158. Eagles – “Desperado”
157. The O’Jays – “For the Love of Money”
The O’Jays spent the first few years of the 1970s perfecting the sound of Philadelphia International’s soul movement with songs like “Love Train” and “Back Stabbers.” But “For the Love of Money” was different. Driven by a funk guitar sound, the track was so catchy it’s seven-minute album version consumed radio, pushing “For the Love of Money” into the top-five on the R&B charts.
156. Frank Zappa – “Joe’s Garage (Acts 1, 2 & 3)”
155. Heart – “Barracuda”
154. KISS – “Detroit Rock City”
153. Joni Mitchell – “Free Man Paris”
152. Genesis – “The Knife”
One could argue it wasn’t really until “Foxtrot” that Genesis had perfected its highly experimental, progressive-rock sound. But “The Knife,” the single from 1970s’ “Trespass,” is a clear benchmark for the early Peter Gabriel-led act. Not surprisingly, the song became the highlight of Genesis’ live show and stands as a watershed moment in prog-rock history.
151. Patti Smith – “Because The Night”
150. Marvin Gaye – “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler)”
149. Randy Newman – “Short People”
148. Gladys Knight and the Pips – “Midnight Train to Georgia”
147. Santana – “Black Magic Woman”
146. The Police – “Message In a Bottle”
145. Paul Simon – “American Tune”
Paul Simon would put out some groundbreaking music in the 1980s. Whereas the 1970s felt more like an extension of his work with Simon and Garfunkel. Not a band thing by any stretch. One of the highlights is “American Tune,” a folk masterpiece based on the hymn “O Sacred Head, No Wounded” that builds into an orchestral soft-rock classic.
144. Dire Straits – “Sultans of Swing”
143. Lou Reed – “Coney Island Baby”
142. The Rolling Stones – “Miss You”
141. Van Halen – “Runnin’ With the Devil”
140. Stevie Wonder – “As”
139. Jackson Browne – “Running On Empty”
138. Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
137. Grateful Dead – “Ripple”
There are certainly Grateful Dead songs that have more of a wow-factor. But lyrically, “Ripple” might be as good as it gets. It’s pure poetry as an upbeat folk song from Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. While it never quite fit into the band’s iconic live shows, it was one of the Grateful Dead’s most popular songs on radio.
136. Neil Young – “Like a Hurricane”
135. The Temptations – “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)”
134. ZZ Top – “La Grange”
133. Elvis Costello & the Attractions – “Pump It Up”
132. Pink Floyd – “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”
131. Al Green – “Love and Happiness”
130. AC/DC – “Highway to Hell”
129. Miles Davis – “Right Off”
Miles Davis is definitely not an artist you identify with the 1970s. But he did release one of the greatest jazz albums of all time during the decade with “Jack Johnson.” The record consists of just two tracks with the first half being his iconic version of “Right Off,” which finds Davis in full rock mode. If you’ve ever wondered why Davis is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is one of the essential songs to listen to.
128. Bob Dylan – “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”
127. The Doors – “Roadhouse Blues”
126. T. Rex – “Jeepster”
125. Van Morrison – “Caravan”
124. The Allman Brothers Band – “Mountain Jam”
Undisputedly one of the greatest and most iconic jam rock songs of all time with one hell of a backstory. The improvisational “Mountain Jam” was developed with some interplay between The Allman Brothers Band and Grateful Dead while jamming together on tour. The best known version is the 22-minute epic featured on “Eat a Peach,” which was recorded during the famous “At Fillmore East” sessions. “Eat a Peach” was the final album to feature Duane Allman, who was killed in a motorcycle crash in 1971. Thus, “Mountain Jam” serves as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
123. Fleetwood Mac – “Go Your Own Way”
122. Eagles – “Take It Easy”
121. Bob Seger – “Night Moves”
120. Leonard Cohen – “Famous Blue Raincoat”
Perhaps the most popular and all-around best song from Cohen’s 1970s output. “Famous Blue Raincoat” is widely considered a storytelling masterpiece, as a song about a love triangle that goes into great description. It showcases Cohen as the kind of songwriter who belongs in the same sentence as artists like Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison and others.
119. Marvin Gaye – “I Want You”
118. Talking Heads – “Life During Wartime”
117. Led Zeppelin – “The Rain Song”
116. The Beach Boys – “’Til I Die”
115. Bob Dylan – “Shelter From the Storm”
114. AC/DC – “Let There Be Rock”
113. Isaac Hayes – “The Look of Love”
The Doobie Brothers hit album “Minute By Minute.”
112. The Doobie Brothers – “What a Fool Believes”
The Doobie Brothers had a great run of success prior to the release of 1978′s “Minute By Minute.” But it wasn’t until that album, led by the single “What a Fool Believes” and Michael McDonald firmly positioned as the face of The Doobies, that things exploded. Written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins, “What a Fool Believes” was a monster hit that won Grammys for Song and Record of the Year. Say what you will about The Doobie Brothers, but “What a Fool Believes” is pitch-perfect blue-eyed soul.
111. Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”
110. Curtis Mayfield – “Superfly”
109. Elvis Costello & the Attractions – “Alison”
108. Bill Withers – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
107. James Taylor – “Fire and Rain”
106. Neil Young – “After the Gold Rush”
105. Aerosmith – “Dream On”
“Dream On” doesn’t sound like any other Aerosmith song, mainly due to Steven Tyler’s voice. As the story goes, Tyler often chose to emulate early soul singers because he didn’t like his own voice all that much. However, on “Dream On,” he brought his natural tone to the forefront. The end result is a level of vulnerability rarely achieved by the band. Less swagger and more raw emotion, “Dream On” builds to its epic moment when Tyler unleashes those screams. It may very well be Aerosmith’s finest moment in a very long career.
104. Jimmy Cliff – “The Harder They Come”
103. Tom Waits – “Hope I Don’t Fall In Love With You”
102. T. Rex – “Metal Guru”
“Metal Guru” is an appropriate, high-energy opener to T. Rex’s best album “Slider.” It’s also, arguably, the greatest pop song Marc Bolan ever wrote. There’s simply no denying its power or swagger; the kind of catchy masterpiece that only Bolan could write.
101. Paul McCartney – “Maybe I’m Amazed”
100. Elton John – “Your Song”
99. Parliament – “Flash Light”
98. Hall & Oates – “She’s Gone”
Hall & Oates would go on to become a monster pop act of the 1980s. But there’s something special and somewhat subtle about the duo’s ’70s output. The best of their songs is the soulful smash “She’s Gone,” which arguably features Hall and Oates’ greatest vocal performance.
97. Bob Marley and the Wailers – “Stir It Up”
96. Joni Mitchell – “River”
95. Led Zeppelin – “Immigrant Song”
94. Billy Joel – “New York State of Mind””
93. Bruce Springsteen – “Thunder Road”
92. Michael Jackson – “Rock With You”
91. Roxy Music – “Love Is the Drug”
90. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – “American Girl”
“American Girl” wasn’t a big hit. It wasn’t even as big as Tom Petty’s debut single “Breakdown.” However, the former stands as one of Petty’s most iconic tracks, probably because it’s been on classic-rock radio for decades. It’s more power-pop than heartland, or maybe just good ole fashion rock and roll at its finest.
89. Stevie Wonder – “Sir Duke”
88. Steely Dan – “Deacon Blues”
87. Queen – “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions”
86. Black Sabbath – “Iron Man”
85. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”
Nowadays, “September” feels like an overplayed wedding song. But just because it’s universally popular doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an exceptional pop song. Recorded during the disco era, “September” has become more than just a disco song, ranking as one of the most beloved R&B/funk tunes ever crafted.
84. Randy Newman – “Sail Away”
83. The Kinks – “Lola”
82. The Allman Brothers Band – “Jessica”
81. Deep Purple – “Smoke On The Water”
80. Cheap Trick – “Surrender”
“I Want You To Want Me” was a big hit overseas. But “Surrender” was the song that helped Cheap Trick finally breakthrough in the United States. It’s easy to see why. Not only does it serve as an anthem for teen rebellion, but its catchy lyrics and a power-pop hook would lay the groundwork for the “pop” side of pop-punk.
79. Marvin Gaye – “Got to Give It Up”
78. The Velvet Underground – “Rock & Roll”
77. The Pretenders – “Brass In Pocket”
76. The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry”
The Cure released less than a handful of singles during the 1970s. But one of them, “Boys Don’t Cry,” has unquestionably stood the test of time. Robert Smith and company would go on to create more complex and sophisticated material. But the blueprint for what would become emo was firmly laid down on “Boys Don’t Cry,” an iconic combination of new wave and post-punk.
75. Bruce Springsteen – “Darkness On The Edge of Town”
74. James Brown – “The Payback”
73. The Jackson 5 – “I’ll Be There”
At a young age, it was quickly becoming commonplace for Michael Jackson to deliver vocal performances beyond his years. “I’ll Be There” might be the finest example of that. It also marks the culmination of one of the great runs in pop history, serving as the fourth consecutive No.1 hit for The Jackson 5. Michael turned 13 the day after “I’ll Be There’s” release, which is still shocking to think about.
72. Van Morrison – “Listen to the Lion”
71. Talking Heads – “Psycho Killer”
70. Stevie Wonder – “Higher Ground”
69. Elvis Costello & the Attractions – “Radio Radio”
“Radio Radio” certainly had a punk rock mentality right from the start, serving as a critique of lame FM radio. However, the song took on a life of its own when Costello defiantly played it on “Saturday Night Live” despite the show asking him not to. Costello was banned from the show until 1989, which is about as punk as you can get.
68. Fleetwood Mac – “The Chain”
67. The Temptations – “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”
66. Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”
65. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Free Bird”
When it comes to overplayed rock epics, “Free Bird” is right up there with “Stairway to Heaven” (which is a little lower on this list). But to not feature such an iconic song would be ridiculous. “Free Bird” is a landmark recording with one of the greatest guitar solos in music history.
64. George Harrison – “My Sweet Lord”
63. The Bee Gees – “How Deep Is Your Love”
62. The Stooges – “T.V. Eye”
61. Rod Stewart – “Maggie May”
60. David Bowie – “The Man Who Sold The World”
59. Elton John – “Tiny Dancer”
58. ABBA – “Dancing Queen”
There are people who despise ABBA. But denying the fact that “Dancing Queen” is a perfect pop record seems like a foolish hill to die on. Sure, it’s surprising the song has resonated beyond the disco era. But it’s brand of Europop feels as relevant and influential today as it did back in 1976. It’s never going to get played out.
57. Billy Joel – “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
56. Bob Marley and the Wailers – “No Woman, No Cry”
55. Black Sabbath – “Paranoid”
54. Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams”
It’s interesting that “Dreams” has become one of Fleetwood Mac’s signature songs and, perhaps, its greatest. There are numerous other songs that showcase the entire band. But “Dreams” is a Stevie Nicks’ masterpiece and a song that will help define her and the band forever.
53. Peter Gabriel – “Solsbury Hill”
52. The Clash – “Complete Control”
51. Neil Young – “Heart of Gold”
50. Nina Simone – “Baltimore”
Simone recorded Baltimore at a time when new material from her was rare. She was poor and living in Paris at the time of its release. Yet, she was clearly still capable of releasing a true classic. “Baltimore” was an extremely personal song for Simone, who had grown tired of living in America. The song took on a second life after the 2015 death of Freddie Grey, proving Simone’s influence remains vital.
49. Ramones – “I Wanna Be Sedated”
48. The Rolling Stones – “Wild Horses”
47. James Brown – “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine”
46. The Stooges – “Search and Destroy”
45. Elton John – “Rocket Man”
Why is “Rocket Man” Elton John’s definitive song? Because it incorporates everything great about John’s music. “Rocket Man” is a simple song. Yet it soars with emotion, making it sound bigger than it actually is. The team of John, lyricist Bernie Taupin and producer Gus Dudgeon is one of all time great songwriting trios of all time. And “Rocket Man” is their magnum opus in terms of production, structure and performance.
44. Sex Pistols – “God Save the Queen”
43. Tom Waits – “(Looking For) The Heart of Saturday Night”
42. The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
41. Isaac Hayes – “Theme From ‘Shaft’”
40. The Beatles – “Let It Be”
39. John Lennon – “Imagine”
“Let It Be” is the last iconic Beatles song, released as the title track from the band’s final album (Though, recorded after “Abbey Road”). In some ways, “Let It Be” functions as a Paul McCartney solo song or, at the very least, a preview of what was to come from his solo career. Still, hearing George Harrison’s guitar solo makes you wonder what the Fab Four would have been capable of if they’d held it together. But that suggests we may have never gotten “Imagine,” the John Lennon solo song that felt like it changed the world and remains one of the most beloved pop hits of all time.
38. The Police – “Roxanne”
37. The Rolling Stones – “Brown Sugar”
36. Joni Mitchell – “Big Yellow Taxi”
35. Marvin Gaye – “Let’s Get It On”
34. Eagles – “Hotel California”
What else needs to be said about “Hotel California,” one of the most recognizable and mythological songs in rock and roll history? Dealing with the emotional price of fame, “Hotel California” has come to mean a lot of things to a lot people. A masterpiece of epic story telling and guitar epic all in one, “Hotel California” is without question, the song most synonymous with the Eagles.
33. The Clash – “London Calling”
32. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
31. The Velvet Underground – “Sweet Jane”
30. Van Morrison – “Into the Mystic”
29. Prince – “I Wanna Be Your Lover”
Prince’s first major hit remains one of the finest songs he ever released. Compared to what he would go on to do, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” is a rather simple funk song tailor made for disco dance floors. But its groove, paired with Prince’s intoxicating vocal performance and suggestive lyrics, makes it a song that demands you hit the repeat button.
28. Neil Young – “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)”
27. Black Sabbath – “War Pigs”
26. Sly and the Family Stone – “Family Affair”
25. Patti Smith – “Gloria”
“Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.” A lot of attention has been paid over the years to the opening lyrics of “Gloria,” which kickstart Patti Smith’s iconic album “Horses.” And rightfully so. It’s one hell of a way to begin such a tour de force. Smith wouldn’t score her first hit until 1978′s “Because of the Night” (which was written by Bruce Springsteen). But “Gloria” is the song from the album that cemented Smith as a legend.
24. Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together”
It’s one of those songs just about every recognizes right from the first two or three chords. Al Green began his career singing other people’s songs. But something really clicked when he got involved in the songwriting process. The results yielded slow-burners like “Let’s Stay Together.” Green shows some serious restraint compared to his other hits. But when you have a voice like that, you don’t need to try as much. “Let’s Stay Together” is the kind of love song that never gets old.
23. Lou Reed – “Walk on the Wild Side”
Lou Reed’s signature solo song feels, on its surface, like lightweight stuff. But it was extremely groundbreaking. No one was better at documenting the side of New York City many people didn’t want to talk about. “Walk on the Wild Side” paints a vivid picture of drugs, prostitution and sexual acts. And yet, even back in the ’70s it became a hit.
22. Sex Pistols – “Anarchy in the U.K.”
Punk rock was created in America. But when it came to the genre’s emergence in England, it was all about the Sex Pistols. The band’s debut single, “Anarchy in the U.K.” lit the spark that ignited the punk revolution overseas, producing a legion followers who would go on to start likeminded bands in the decades that followed.
21. The Who – “Baba O’Riley”
You know “Who’s Next” is a classic right from the start of “Baba O’Riley,” which not only sounded like something The Who had never done, but also unlike anything any other rock act was putting forth in the 1970s. Contrary to popular thought, “Baba O’Riley” is not a celebration of teenage joy. It’s actually a darker look at a “teenage wasteland” created by the Woodstock drug culture. Musically, it stands as the most amazing thing Pete Townshend produced, which is saying something.
20. David Bowie – “Life on Mars?”
Considered by many to be Bowie’s greatest single, “Life on Mars?” proves Bowie was on another level. It’s the first time fans got a true sense of what he was capable of. At its core, “Life on Mars?” feels like a traditional pop tune, only Bowie had huge ambitions and builds it into something much more grandiose. His endless number of disciples have been reaching for the same stars ever sense.
19. Blondie – “Heart of Glass”
Blondie was firmly rooted in the New York punk scene. But it felt like there was something more to the band, which came to fruition with 1979′s “Heart of Glass.” The song proved to be one of the biggest singles of the 1970s and made Blondie international superstars. Its appeal was obvious. At a time when disco was coming to an end, “Heart of Glass” held the same dance floor principles while pointing toward the way new wave would merge with other genres in the 1980s.
18. Curtis Mayfield – “Move On Up”
Under the leadership of Curtis Mayfield, The Impressions became one of the most important acts of the 1960s. Mayfield’s vocal and guitar work would prove highly influential (even impacting Jimmy Hendrix). But Mayfield’s genius was only beginning to blossom. His solo work during the ’70s combined elements of soul, funk, jazz, rock and other genres to pure perfection. His signature song, “Move On Up,” has it all, with its soaring horns that only take a backseat to Mayfield’s beautiful voice.
17. Bob Dylan – “Tangled Up in Blue”
“Tangled Up in Blue” was a clear turning point for Bob Dylan. The 1960s were over and his marriage wouldn’t make it through the next decade. Dylan famously said it took him 10 years to live and write “Tangled Up in Blue” and it shows. It’s a groundbreaking lyrical juggernaut that, from a songwriting standpoint, proved a new peak for the rock and roll genre. With “Tangled Up in Blue,” Dylan had changed the musical landscape once again.
16. The Clash – “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais”
The Clash’s finest moment is a hybrid of reggae and rock that has yet to matched. From a creative standpoint, “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais” pushed The Clash above every other punk rock act at that time. Lyrically, Joe Strummer was still fired up, laying down critiques of racism, nationalism and a corrupt music industry.
15. The Beach Boys – “Surf’s Up”
Not the most popular Beach Boys song. Not by a long shot. “Surf’s Up,” the closing track from The Beach Boys’ 1971 studio album, stemmed from the “Smiles” sessions. But it was also an attempt by the group to move into new territory, specifically the more progressive and psychedelic sounds that were taking over rock. The end result is a haunting, yet blissful pop tour-de-force that stays with you.
14. Led Zeppelin – “When the Levee Breaks”
“Led Zeppelin IV” is a monster album. It’s highly regarded epic is “Stairway To Heaven.” But let’s be real — nothing hits harder than the punishing closing track. “When the Levee Breaks” feels likes a dramatic event. Built around an original country blues song by Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie, Zeppelin takes every aspect to the next level, from Jimmy Page’s guitar riffs, Robert Plant’s vocals and John Bonham’s insane drumming. It is unrelenting.
13. Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here”
Syd Barrett’s mental illness was already a focal point on some of the songs featured on “The Dark Side of the Moon.” But as proof of just how much Pink Floyd was hurting with the loss of its founding member and singer, “Wish You Were Here” takes you on a journey of loss and isolation. The title track is a moving portrait of what it means to move away from the spotlight and society altogether.
12. Stevie Wonder – “Superstition”
No musician had a more impressive run during the 1970s than Stevie Wonder. His genius was on full display with an unprecedented run of brilliant albums. And its peak began with “Superstition,” Wonder’s ultimate funk jam that redefined the use of the synths in music.
11. Ramones – “Blitzkrieg Bop”
The greatest punk rock song of all time was actually the Ramones’ first ever single. While everything about rock and roll was getting more complex, Ramones were stripping it all down. Their brand of punk (the definitive sound of the genre) was a back to basics kick in the pants that proved every bit as enticing as anything else of the time.
10. Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
That opening…that bass line…a signal that something amazing is coming your way. Michael Jackson’s “Off the Wall” album was all about him wanting to emulate the dance music he heard while frequenting clubs like Studio 54. In doing so, Jackson perfected the disco and funk of the time. Truth be told, nothing gets the party started quicker than “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” the opening track from “Off The Wall.” Jackson would conquer the world the following decade with “Thriller.” But his genius was already quite discernible right here.
9. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
In most critics’ eyes, “Bohemian Rhapsody” was an overstuffed mess upon its arrival, which makes sense. What exactly is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” a song that had to feel 10-times as odd back in 1975? The fact it’s stood the test of time as a pop masterpiece whose reputation only grows with time is quite amazing. “Bohemian Rhapsody” is all about imagination. It’s perhaps the most ambitious song of all time from a band that wanted to and eventually became larger than life.
8. Funkadelic – “Maggot Brain”
After its opening speech, “Maggot Brain” is all Eddie Hazel, all the time. It’s essentially a 10-minute solo and a true wonderland of guitar work. As the story goes, Funkadelic leader George Clinton told Hazel to play like he’d just learned his mother had died only to find out it wasn’t true. Needless to say, there’s a good chance everyone was on drugs at the time. Regardless, Hazel delivers a chill-inducing onslaught that became Funkadelic’s signature song and one of, if not the greatest guitar performance of the 1970s.
7. Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb”
Even if you only casually follow the concept of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” you can recognize “Comfortably Numb” as a key moment. It’s when the protagonist feels like another day and another performance is impossible, only to break through right at the point David Gilmour’s epic guitar solo. Gilmour’s work is a big part of why “Comfortably Numb” is a masterpiece. But there’s also a mystifying quality to it that further intensifies its intoxicating feeling.
Davie Bowie – “Heroes.
6. David Bowie – “Heroes”
No one knew how to manipulate pop music quite like David Bowie. Take “Heroes” for instance, which sonically sounds a lot like what the Beach Boys were doing during the 1960s or, more so, what Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound sought to accomplish. Only Bowie went about it in a different way. “Heroes” is built around Robert Fripp’s amazing guitar feedback sound, allowing Bowie to deliver lyrics that paint a picture of romance and bliss that can’t help but move you.
5. Donna Summer – “I Feel Love”
Forget its association with disco. “I Feel Love” goes beyond that as, perhaps, the most important dance recording of all time. Much of the credit goes to Giorgio Moroder, whose futuristic sound changed the scope of pop music. Moroder knew what he had in Donna Summer, a woman whose voice could make anything sound beautiful. “I Feel Love” would go on to influence an endless number of artists with an impact that’s still felt in mainstream pop music today.
4. Bruce Springsteen – “Born to Run”
Springsteen’s earlier albums feature some amazing songwriting, even if The Boss was still coming into his own. But there’s no question – “Born to Run” is where he figured it all out. That’s clear on just about every track, including “Backstreets,” “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland.” And yet, while you may be getting sick of hearing it, nothing gets better than the album’s thrilling title track. Influenced by Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, “Born to Run” is the culmination of everything Springsteen was striving for, creating pop-centric rock music that would prove timeless.
3. Joni Mitchell – “A Case of You”
With all due respect to the work of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul Simon and others, Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” may very well be the most influential singer-songwriter album of all time. Virtually, every song on it is the stuff of legend. The lyrics are staggering. And the album’s pinnacle is “A Case of You,” a stunning breakup song, fittingly about another singer-songwriter she was dating. The metaphors (“You’re in my heart like holy wine/You taste so bitter and so sweet”) attack your soul like sharp knives carving out heartbreak. This is painful stuff you just can’t turn away from.
2. Led Zeppelin – “Kashmir”
The best way to hear “Kashmir” is as the sound of the world coming to an end. It’s colossal; a progressive rock song that gets such a classification simply because it so monumental. “Kashmir” has the perfect guitar riff, the ultimate drum beat and those Robert Plant screams you can’t get enough of. It marches throughout its eight-minute runtime suggesting something cataclysmic is coming. Eventually you find yourself content in knowing the life-changing event you’ve been anticipating is the song itself.
1. Marvin Gaye – “What’s Going On”
If you haven’t seen the documentary “Hitsville: The Making of Motown,” do yourself a favor and check it out on Hulu or Youtube. There are numerous great stories about the legendary record label. But, perhaps, the most jaw-dropping moment comes when the documentary dissects Marvin Gaye’s single “What’s Going On.” Gaye’s work at that time was next level and his style of recording a song is something Berry Gordy called “Marvin on top of Marvin on top of Marvin.” What he was referring to was the song’s vocal layering, which was Gaye’s voice laid out in different ways throughout the track. It’s stunning to take in.
“What’s Going On” was an artistic game changer for Motown and soul music as a whole. But it wasn’t just about the sound. It was about the expression. Gordy had perfected a system of cranking out R&B hits that didn’t ruffle any political or social feathers. But eventually, even he couldn’t deny the message of anti-war and social injustice Gaye was laying out. “What’s Going On” was a watershed moment in R&B music history the same way “Good Vibrations” changed the pop music of the 1960s and “What’d I Say” defined soul music in the 1950s.