The 1970s was one of the eras in which many people, especially music lovers, like to reminisce.
It was filled with turbulence and vibrancy, bringing a shift in sound and culture that we still love to date (like Elvis 1970s songs ). During this time, diverse genres like rock, pop, soft rock, and disco were born, and each influenced the music scene uniquely.
Among the things that defined music success in this decade was the Billboard Hot 100, which featured the most popular songs of the decade and represented the different trends, tastes, and transformations in the music industry.
From disco anthems to rock classics, each song featured in the top 100 was tuneful and melodic.
Although there are countless fantastic tunes from the 70s, some tracks stand out as gems of this vibrant era.
We’ve listed the top songs of the 1970s based on their ability to transcend through various decades while remaining top hits among the new generations. Though they were released in the 70s, they remain classic and iconic to date.
Key Takeaway
- The 1970s were a vibrant era marked by a shift in music and culture, birthing genres like disco, soft rock, and pop. These styles uniquely shaped the decade’s sound and left a lasting legacy.
- Iconic artists such as Barbra Streisand, Elton John, and the Bee Gees rose to fame, blending diverse musical styles that transcended the decade and remain influential today.
- The Billboard Hot 100 chart captured the dynamic trends of the 1970s, showcasing disco anthems, soulful ballads, and rock classics that reflected the cultural and political shifts of the time.
- Memorable one-hit wonders, timeless ballads, and danceable disco hits made the 1970s a golden era of music, with songs like “Stayin’ Alive” and “I Will Survive” becoming enduring symbols of the decade.
Iconic Artists of the 1970s
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The 70s was an era of excellent experimentation from artists and cultural shifts in various art forms. It gave birth to many iconic artists who’ve significantly impacted music, arts, and culture. Some of the most influential artists of the 1970s include:
Barbara Streisand
Barbara Streisand is undoubtedly an iconic figure from the 70s who influenced both music and film of this decade. Although she was already a star even before the 1970s, during this decade, she solidified her place as one of the most iconic voices in music.
Listeners were awed by her powerful vocal range and how she skillfully delivered her music. As a result, she became a dominant force in pop, broadway, and film music.
Her hit, The Way We Were (1974), is still a timeless classic, thanks to her unique blend of emotional depth and vocal prowess. Also popular was her album Streisand’s Greatest Hits (1970), which revealed her versatility in music.
Elton John
Here is another iconic and influential artist of the 70s known for his flamboyant styles and unforgettable tunes.
He became a household name during this era, notably after collaborating with Bernie Tupin. He blended melodic pop songs and piano-driven rock artistically, which captivated many people worldwide.
Elton John’s (1970) album introduced him to a greater audience, with listeners loving titles like “Your Song,” his signature track. Other albums that skyrocketed his career during this decade are Tumbleweed Connection (1970), Madman Across the Water (1971), and Honkey Chateau (1972).
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees was an influential musical act that dominated the disco realm. The group consisted of the Gibb brothers, and while they became popular in the 1960s, it was in the 1970s that they became recognized internationally when they became disco icons.
Some tracks that contributed to their disco dominance include Jive Talkin (1975), a danceable song that pioneered their shift to this genre, and Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack (1977), one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.
Beyond disco, the group blended R&B, pop, and soul genres in their craft, making them a versatile force of this decade. They created dance tunes and tender ballads, allowing them to entertain a wider audience and remain at the forefront of the music industry.
Paul McCartney and Wings
Paul McCartney and Wings was born after The Beatles was disbanded in 1970.
Paul McCartney formed Wings in 1971, which initially focused on creating relaxed, less experimental sounds compared to The Beatles but still using Paul’s creativity and genius in songwriting.
The band blended rock, pop, folk, and glam elements throughout their song compositions. That and McCartney’s vocal and bass guitar made them remain on top of the hit charts.
Some of their most memorable songs include Silly Love Songs (1976), Band on the Run (1973), Listen to What the Man Said (1975), and Let ‘Em In (1976), all of which were featured on the Billboard Chart at one point.
John Denver
Here is another key figure of the 1970s music scene. John’s popularity grew thanks to his heartfelt country-tinged songs that combined pop, country, and folk music elements.
His songs were often about love, home, and nature, with which many people resonated easily. His witty storytelling tradition of the country and pop melodic sensibility made him one of the most beloved artists of this era. He delivered profound lyrics and evoked nostalgic, home, and nature feelings.
Take Me Home, Country Roads (1971) was Denver’s signature hit, especially for the country roads and rural American lifestyle.
The song was so big that it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since then been embraced as the unofficial anthem for West Virginia. Other Denver’s most iconic songs include Rocky Mountain High (1972), Annie’s Song (1974), and Sunshine on My Shoulders (1973).
Memorable Songs and Artists by Genre
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Pop Hits
Pop songs set the center stage for this era. They became an arena for upcoming stars and established artists.
Rod Stewart’s Da Ya Think I’m Sexy (1978) became an anthem of rock and pop fusion thanks to its playful lyrics and infectious beat.
Many people were also captured by Olivia Newton-John’s Have You Never Been Mellow (1975) as it featured a mellow, easy-to-listen vibe and captured the soft side of the decade’s pop.
These two songs were the star of the show in this era, with many people vibing to their catchy melody and emotional depth.
Disco and Dance
The impact of Disco and Dance music in the 1970s cannot be overstated. Artists like Donna Summer, KC, and the Sunshine Band solidified their art and drove cultural shifts.
One of the biggest hits by Summer was Love to Love You Baby (1975), which introduced the world to a romantic and atmospheric musical style that later became dominant on dance floors.
KC and the Sunshine Band continued the vibrant and good vibe of the era with songs like That’s the Way (I Like It), which were popular on the dancefloor and epitomized disco’s carefree spirit.
Beyond music, disco also influenced the fashion and nightlife of this energetic decade.
Rock Legends
The rock genre significantly evolved in the 1970s, with many rock bands rising. The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac were among the popular rock groups that released songs that would later become staples of rock history.
Brown Sugar (1971) was the band’s cultural touchstone, which appealed to many with its provocative lyrics and raucous riff. On the other hand, Go Your Way (1977) by Fleetwood Mac, in their album Rumors, became an enduring rock anthem that captured the band’s personal and professional struggles.
Rock artists of this decade were more experimental, opening doors for progressive rock bands like Yes and Pink Floyd to add complexity to this genre.
Top Ballads and Soulful Tracks
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Soulful Performers
Soul and R&B were other genres that significantly rose during this era. Artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye released melodious tunes that made people fall in love with this music type.
Superstition (1972) by Wonder introduced funk and soul into the mainstream by blending complexity and creativity in the melodies. Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get in On (1973) became an enduring hit that was more than just a love song.
These artists uplifted soul music and pushed it to new heights, releasing more relatable music to broad audiences.
Love Ballads
Love ballads also exploded during the 1970s, and many have become timeless classics. We must mention Robert Flack’s song “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973).
Though originally written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox and performed by many other artists previously, Flack’s version took this tune to a new level of emotional depth.
His tender voice and intimate delivery made the song stand out. It’s a story of a person who speaks directly to their feelings, revealing their innermost emotions and enabling the listener and performer to connect directly to each other. No wonder many people found it relatable and poignant.
The tune was so loved so much that it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on that spot for five weeks. Besides that, the song has won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, making it even more popular.
Another fantastic track is “You Light Up My Life” (1977) by Debby Boone a massive hit that reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed in that position for ten consecutive weeks. Although initially written by Joe Brooks, it wasn’t until Debby’s performance that it stuck on everyone’s lips.
Deep affection and gratitude were the driving themes behind the song’s success. It won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Listeners associated it with romance, and it has since then remained a go-to song for weddings and romantic events. Debby’s angelic soprano voice and message resonated with many listeners and left a lasting impression in popular culture.
Soft Rock Staples
James Taylor and Carole King were two key figures in the soft rock scene of the 1970s.
Taylor’s song You’ve Got a Friend (1971), written by Carole King for her album Tapestry, became one of the era’s most iconic tracks.
Taylor’s heartfelt delivery added warmth and sincerity, turning it into an international hit and a timeless anthem of friendship and support. While many have covered the song, Taylor’s version remains the most beloved, cementing his place as a soft rock legend known for his soothing and genuine style.
Carole King was already a successful songwriter before her solo career, crafting hits like Will You Love Me Tomorrow and Up on the Roof with other artists.
Her 1971 album Tapestry propelled her to solo superstardom, featuring classics like It’s Too Late and I Feel the Earth Move. The album spent 15 weeks at the top of the Billboard chart and became a defining piece of soft rock history.
King’s intimate, relatable lyrics and smooth sound made her music resonate deeply with listeners.
Her style inspired countless artists, including Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell, solidifying her legacy as one of the most influential voices in soft rock.
The Rise of Disco on the Charts
The 1970s were an exciting time for music, with disco bringing infectious energy to the scene.
Early in the decade, rock and soul were dominant, but by the mid-70s, disco took over, with its pulsing beats and flashing lights becoming a cultural phenomenon.
More than just music, disco was a celebration of freedom, unity, and fun. Its upbeat rhythms, synthesizers, and funky basslines made it impossible not to dance.
The Bee Gees were at the forefront of the disco craze, with their Saturday Night Fever soundtrack becoming one of the best-selling albums ever. Songs like Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive made them the unofficial kings of disco.
Their falsetto voices, funky basslines, and relatable lyrics struck a chord with fans. For example, Stayin’ Alive became an anthem of resilience with its driving beat and uplifting message.
Diana Ross also embraced disco, despite already being a soul music legend. Her album Diana (1976) performed exceptionally well, and she teamed up with Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic to create hits like Love Hangoverand I’m Coming Out, which became disco classics.
As disco grew, artists from different genres joined in, broadening its appeal. Amii Stewart’s Knock on Wood (1979) fused disco with R&B, while Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music (1976) added a funky rock edge, becoming a crossover hit. Other icons like Chic and Gloria Gaynor also made unforgettable contributions, helping cement disco’s place in music history.
Billboard Hot 100 Trends of the 1970s
The Billboard Hot 100 captured the musical experimentation and innovation that existed in this decade. It featured disco, rock, soul, and pop, all of which topped the chart and told a story of a fascinating music evolution of the 1970s.
In the early 1970s, artists shifted to singer-songwriter-driven music. Icons like Cat Stevens, James Taylor, and Carole Key added personality and reflective sounds to the melodies.
Tunes like You’ve Got a Friend, and It’s Too Late captured moods and emotions with their deeply emotional lyrics. Both soft rock and hard rock pushed the boundaries of sound and style.
While bands like Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and The Who focused on hard rock, others like James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone created energetic, danceable tunes that set the center stage for disco.
In the mid and late 1970s, disco became dominant, and the music scene was a battleground for dancefloor anthems. Pop music also brought superstars like Elton John and Barba Streisand, who impressed many with their catchy tunes and extravagant personalities.
The Billboard Hot 100 and Cultural Shifts
Various musical styles dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and directly reflected the changing social and political landscape.
The early years of the decade were a time for cultural introspection, with the rise of civil rights and women’s liberation movements encouraging music that resonated with their causes.
However, during the mid-1970s, it was all about escapism as people started feeling the effects of political stands like Watergate and economic challenges. Disco was born to unite people and bring them joy, helping them forget their woes and just hit the dancefloor.
One Hit Wonders
Although there were many iconic acts during this era, several one-hit wonders also achieved success with just one track and never reached those levels again.
The Billboard Hot 100 was a space that reminded listeners and even artists that unexpected songs could also top the charts.
Among those unforgettable short-lived songs include Terry Jacks’s- Season in the Sun (1974), which explored the themes of death and farewell, and Walter Murphy’s- A Fifth of Beethoven, a quirky and innovative song.
Trivia and Fun Facts about 70s Number One Hits
The Candy Man (1972) by Sammy Davis Jr was one of the most unexpected songs to top the number-one hits chats.
Although it had all the ingredients of a novelty tune, no one could have predicted it could land #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
The song first appeared in the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. But it was Davis’s recording that took the song to another level.
Davis was already an established singer, actor, and dancer, but this track gave him more recognition. His smooth delivery and the song’s beautiful lyrics made many smile.
Some songs of the 70s were so captivating that they dominated the chats for a long time, not just during this decade but for many years to come. This includes:
- I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor (1978)
- Stayin Alive- The Bee Gees (1977)
- Le Freak- Chic (1978)
We cannot fail to mention Escape (The Pina Colada Song) by Rupert Holmes, released in 1979. The tune tells the story of a man who arranges a meeting with a woman as he is bored in his current relationship.
But in a twist of fate, it turns out that they already know each other and even share similar interests, like a love for Pina Coladas. This then leads them to rekindle their romance. The song’s narrative quickly propelled its success and made it the musical version of a romantic comedy.
Another song with excellent narration is The Hustle by Van McCoy (1975), inspired by the popular dance known as The Hustle, which was taking over disco in this town. The song captured the energy of the dance in the song, and it quickly became a hit.
1970s Number One Songs by the Numbers
Here is a year-by-year breakdown of the songs that define each year of the decade.
1970:
- Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
- Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – B.J. Thomas
1971:
- Joy to the World – Three Dog Night
- It’s Too Late – Carole King
1972:
- The Candy Man – Sammy Davis Jr.
- American Pie – Don McLean
1973:
- Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye
- Bad, Bad Leroy Brown – Jim Croce
1974:
- The Way We Were – Barbra Streisand
- Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jack
1975:
- Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
- The Hustle – Van McCoy
1976:
- Rock and Roll All Nite – Kiss
- Silly Love Songs – Paul McCartney Wings
1977:
- Stayin Alive – Bee Gees
- I Just Want to Be Your Everything – Andy Gibb
1978:
- Night Fever – Bee Gees
- Grease – Frankie Valli
- I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
1979:
- My Sharona – The Knack
- Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
- Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
Conclusion
There are many things to remember about the 70s, and music tops it all. The tunes showcased various genres, sounds, and unforgettable artists captured in the Billboard Hot 100.
As you explore the music of this era, you will notice the diversity that continues to shape musical tastes even today.
Let the tunes of this decade inspire your soundtrack with their lyrics and beats!