Top 10 Greatest Albums of the 1970s

The 70s was a transformative era, acting as a breeding ground for a wide range of genres. We had rock 'n' roll thriving, with legends cementing their status. Then, there was the psychedelic music movement, taking us on trips to new dimensions. Disco boomed, filling dance floors around the globe with infectious grooves. The protest songs of folk and country artists echoed the sentiments of the era, while the raw energy of punk began to shake the music scene. And of course, let's not forget the rise of reggae, hip hop, and electronic music.

During this time, albums were more than just a collection of songs. They were carefully crafted, cohesive works of art, each track contributing to the overall narrative. These albums reflected the times, the joys and struggles, the culture, and the raw, unfiltered human experience.

So, how does one determine the greatest albums of the 1970s? Well, that's a loaded question. After all, this was a decade teeming with musical masterpieces, a period when legendary artists came into their own and left us with a rich legacy of sound.

Is it the album that dared to be different, challenging the norms and opening up new musical horizons? Perhaps it's the one that encapsulated the spirit of the times, acting as a soundtrack to the era. Maybe it's the one with timeless melodies that still give you goosebumps, no matter how many times you've heard them. Or, it could be the one that moved you, made you think, made you feel, or simply made you want to dance.
The Top Ten
1 Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

1,285 weeks on the charts. That's just under 25 years! The album spent 724 weeks on The Billboard 200, including 591 consecutive weeks from 1976 to 1988. Then in 1991, with the institution of the Pop Catalog chart, the album returned the chart where it has resided for the past 10 years almost entirely in the Top 10. Its closest rival is James Taylor's Greatest Hits, checking in at 573 weeks on the chart. James can expect to reach Pink Floyd's record number in about 13 1/2 years. Enough said?

ABC by Michael Jackson over The Dark Side Of The Moon?! Are you kidding me?! This is insane. I have given up on humanity. This is absurd. Who on earth votes on this site? 13-year-old girls? There are so many 70's albums better than ABC. ABC is for kids. I love MJ, but ABC is far from being a musical masterpiece.

2 Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
3 A Night at the Opera - Queen
4 Paranoid - Black Sabbath
5 ABC - The Jackson 5

Having this album makes you believe the unbelievable, 5 brothers pulling up a very light, meaningful album... I honestly don't wanna single out from anyone of them, everyone got some talent from jackie, tito, jermaine, marlon... however young Michael Jackson is undeniably a fascination, like never before... a little kid singing far beyond his age... that's the distinction between talented, gifted and innate genuine talent, what Michael Jackson has is innate and genius, like magic... It just send you smiling with amazement all the time, he's just too good.. and... so cute

6 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
7 Little Queen - Heart
8 The Wall - Pink Floyd

Definitely the Wall - nothing like it except the Final Cut. Also Bee Gees Trafalgar and Rodreguez Cold Fact

9 Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

The honesty and pain that's shared by these five people, and which managed to connect to the public at large, has never been repeated.

10 Dog & Butterfly - Heart
The Contenders
11 The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - David Bowie
12 Who's Next - The Who

Almost wanted to vote for this just so it would end up higher. Deserves #3, and I really wouldn't complain if it was #1.

On the rolling stone "500 Greatest Albums of all time" list this was ranked 28! The who at a height too high for Led Zeppelin to reach

One of the best of all time, not just the 70s! Only number 13?!

13 London Calling - The Clash

Like most of the great rockers they burned themselves out. Yet, what a ride on that comet it was. Rock is a rock does in any country. And they did it.

14 Animals - Pink Floyd
15 An Anthology - Duane Allman
16 Pink Moon - Nick Drake
17 Highway to Hell - AC/DC

This album needs to be on the list. It's got classics like Highway to Hell, Girls Gotta rhythm, Shot down in flames, Night Prowler, and If you want blood ( You've got it. ) It was there first album to become big in the U. S and it was there last album with lead vocalist Bon Scott before he died. Put it on the list!

18 2112 - Rush
19 Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin

Where's the love for this masterpiece. It is one the three best albums of all time. Led Zeppelin is not based on LZIV, They are based on this album and Kashmir.

20 Songs In the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder

Whattt? 23? Should at least be in the top 10. I wish, sir duke, as, isn't she lovely. Such a good album. MASTERPIECE

21 Machine Head - Deep Purple
22 Unknown Pleasures - Joy Division
23 Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
24 Van Halen - Van Halen
25 Ben - Michael Jackson
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