Top 10 Best Songs of the '70s

The '70s was a decade packed with incredible music that has stood the test of time. From rock anthems to disco hits, this era gave us some of the most iconic and influential songs in music history. It was a time when genres were expanding, boundaries were being pushed, and artists were at the peak of their creativity.

Think about the songs that still get people on their feet today - those tracks that immediately take you back to a specific moment or feeling. The '70s gave us legendary bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and ABBA, all of whom produced unforgettable tunes that continue to dominate playlists decades later. It's no wonder these tracks still hold such a powerful place in pop culture.
The Top Ten
1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

A true masterpiece. I don't think it's just the best song of the '70s. I honestly believe it is the best song ever made in all of human existence.

When people first heard it, their reaction was, What the hell is that? And then they loved it because it was something different, combining the trending genres of music at the time. It inspired the way people made music, with no limits, no boundaries, and taking the risks that no one else was willing to take.

So, this song deserves the number one spot. This might sound like a stretch, but without this song, you wouldn't be hearing half the things that you heard in the '80s, '90s, or the decades that followed.

So, thank you Freddie, Roger, John, and Brian for making an immortalized song for future, present, and past generations to hear and appreciate music for what it is and was.

2 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

I know Bohemian Rhapsody is great and all, and I get how the music and everything is pure genius, but so is this. To be honest, I simply enjoy the sound of Stairway to Heaven better. The whole build-up to the climax just makes me feel amazing, and then it's topped with the best guitar solo in history.

My favorite song by a long shot, not discrediting Bohemian Rhapsody though.

You shouldn't be able to vote unless you were around to hear these when they came out, not in some movie you saw or some oldies station you listened to. THIS is what rock was about in the '70s.

3 Dancing Queen - ABBA

I'm in a very tough part of my life. I'm young, and my parents got divorced recently. However, this song has brought happy tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.

When I hear it, whether at the YMCA, on the radio, or at a party, my heart flutters, and I can't help but sing (and dance!) to my heart's content.

Recently, I asked a bunch of students who go to my school to see if they listen to any '70s or '80s music. You'd be surprised how few actually enjoy it. ABBA is truly inspiring, especially when you read up more on them. I love to just sit down and continuously sing the song over again (even though I stink at singing!).

I can't relate to so many people's opinions about this song. It's just the best. It deserves first place. #LongLiveABBA

4 Hotel California - Eagles

This song has to be at no. 1, no doubt. This list disappoints me. Dancing Queen ahead of Bohemian Rhapsody, Stairway, Imagine, and Hotel California?

My personal favorite song and band of all time, yet Dancing Queen is ahead of this. What!?

This song has to be above Dancing Queen. It's more iconic for sure. Don't know about Bohemian Rhapsody, though.

5 Dream On - Aerosmith

Actually, I like Sweet Emotion, but it was way down at 60. I mentioned it up here to get it some needed attention. Aerosmith has had so many great songs, you can't really go wrong with any of them.

Rock at its finest. Pure, unadulterated rock. Dreamy.

Get it? Eh? I'll see myself out.

Great song. Great vocals, good guitar riff.

6 Imagine - John Lennon

How in the hell would a song like this not be at number 2, if not 1? Bohemian Rhapsody, I can definitely deal with beating this song, but Stairway to Heaven should be at least a close third.

Dancing Queen and Dream On didn't make the '70s for most of us.

How is Imagine not number 1?! ABBA is terrible, and they shouldn't even be in the top ten. Imagine is the greatest. The end.

John Lennon will always be the best.

Come on, this is what the '70s was all about. This whole song summarizes the world back in the '60s and '70s.

7 Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees

This is the most '70s song, no discussion.

8 Barracuda - Heart
9 Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

I'd vote for Stairway to Heaven, but seeing Comfortably Numb only at 15 is really disappointing. It should at least be in the top 10.

10 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Great song, should be #3. Bohemian Rhapsody should be #2, and Shine On You Crazy Diamond should be #1. By the way, WHY is SOYCD only 73?

The Contenders
11 Iron Man - Black Sabbath

It was between this and Bohemian Rhapsody, although they are all great songs.

This song is badass, along with Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple.

12 Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

The most impressive and greatest song by Lynyrd Skynyrd that I know. Very great and has a very meaningful story to it. I believe this should be at least in the top 20 by far. There should be almost no doubt against that.

The song has a very great story and really picks up the pace at the end.

Following them since the early '70s - still rock the house!

13 Layla - Derek & The Dominos

I forget about everything when I listen to this song. Truly one of the greatest songs ever.

The last part of this song, the instrumental, is surreal.

I don't think anyone can deny that this is the best song!

14 Crazy On You - Heart

Roger and Nancy at their guitar best. A blend of electric and acoustic that stands the test of time. These two were as explosive as the cosmic Big Bang.

Somehow the sum is much greater than the sum of the parts. Like chocolate and peanut butter, Roger and Nancy create something incredibly delicious to the ear and other senses. It's a shame that they weren't able to remain the partners in music they once were. Maybe someday they both will realize what an impact they "together" had on music.

To these ears, Heart's Wilson sisters, and their amazing band, picked up where Janis Joplin and Linda Ronstadt left off. As a teenage male in the mid to late '70s, I had never heard female singers with such swagger. They weren't coy about sex, and they weren't afraid to rail against sexual exploitation. I think their impact was as liberating for males as it was for females.

15 Baba O'Riley - The Who

55?! What the hell?! This song is one of the best songs of all time! It's my fourth favorite song! Sure, Won't Get Fooled Again is my favorite song, but this DOES NOT deserve to be in 55th place! The Who is way too underrated.

Seriously? This song should be in the top ten at least! This song is epic. The Who is awesome!

16 Highway To Hell - AC/DC

This song appeared in '79. It canceled all the efforts of the '70s. Amazingly amazing!

Best song on the road.
Best song in the morning.
Best song at night.
Best in the afternoon.
While you eat.
While you walk, run, juggle, die, born.
While taking a shower.
The best song of all time.
Moves your soul.

17 Come Sail Away - Styx

This song should be higher up on the list. I love this song.

18 Paranoid - Black Sabbath

The birth of heavy metal. Sure, you have Helter Skelter and other stuff, but we all know it all started here. The lyrics really move under a heavy metal moniker, too. Black Sabbath was a pioneer.

Beautiful song! Black Sabbath is the king of rock and roll. I think their music is forever.

19 More Than a Feeling - Boston

I think most Boston songs are completely underrated. Boston had their own unique sound that is impossible to recreate. This song is a perfect example of pure genius.

It's a rock song, it's a love song, it's just amazing. Better than anything I've ever heard.

Interestingly, Boston said they "borrowed" the melody for this song from "Louie, Louie." If you listen for it, it's there. And who in their life hasn't had that seems-so-right person just slip away?

What? This song is awesome. Should be among the top ten.

20 Another Brick In the Wall, Part 2 - Pink Floyd
21 Le Freak - Chic
22 Tiny Dancer - Elton John

Elton John should be all over this list!

23 Kashmir - Led Zeppelin

What are you talking about? This is an amazing song. It's almost hypnotic, and you can't change it while listening to it. At least I can't. Best after Stairway to Heaven.

Because it's the best song of the seventies. Top 5 easily. 30 is an insult to their legacy.

Best song of the '70s. I don't have to say another word.

24 Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest
25 London Calling - The Clash
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