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 to 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?

It's not only the best of the '70s, but perhaps the greatest full album of all time. Get some fantastic headphones and it's over. Everything about it.

2 Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
3 A Night at the Opera - Queen
4 Paranoid - Black Sabbath
5 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
6 ABC - The Jackson 5

Having this album makes you believe the unbelievable. Five brothers pulling off a very light, meaningful album. I honestly don't want to single out any one of them. Everyone has some talent: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon. However, young Michael Jackson is undeniably fascinating 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 sends you smiling with amazement all the time. He's just too good and so cute.

7 Little Queen - Heart
8 The Wall - Pink Floyd

Definitely The Wall. Nothing like it except The Final Cut. Also, Bee Gees' Trafalgar and Rodriguez's Cold Fact.

9 Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

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

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

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.

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.

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

12 Dog & Butterfly - Heart
13 Animals - Pink Floyd
14 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 as rock does in any country. And they did it.

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

This album needs to be on the list. It's got classics like Highway to Hell, Girls Got Rhythm, Shot Down in Flames, Night Prowler, and If You Want Blood (You've Got It). It was their first album to become big in the U.S., and it was their 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 of 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

What? 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 Van Halen - Van Halen
24 Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
25 House Of The Holy - Led Zeppelin

It was going to be impossible to follow up Led Zeppelin 4, but they did it

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