Top 10 Songs of the Year 1955-Present

[larrymcg421]

1968

1. The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding

2. Hey Jude, The Beatles

3. All Along the Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix

4. I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Marvin Gaye

5. Think, Aretha Franklin

6. Time of the Season, The Zombies

7. Born to Be Wild, Steppenwolf

8. The Weight, The Band

9. Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield

10. Hush, Deep Purple

*Otis Redding died in a plane crash in December 1967, just a month before his biggest hit was released.

*Hey Jude is the Beatles' biggest hit single, spending 9 weeks at #1.

*Time of the Season has one of my favorite intros and melodies. It definitely evokes the time period.

*Think is another incredibly powerful vocal performance from Aretha Franklin.

*Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band becomes the first rock album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.

*Frankie Lymon is found dead from a heroin overdose.

*Little Willie John, one of the early disoveries during this dynasty, dies in prison while serving time for a manslaughter conviction.

DigitalDreamDoor Top 120


1968 Billboard #1 Songs (# of weeks)

Hello Goodbye, The Beatles (3)
Judy In Disguise (With Glasses), John Fred & His Playboy Band (2)
Green Tambourine, The Lemon Pipers Hello Goodbye The Beatles (1)
Love Is Blue, Paul Mauriat (5)
(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding (4)
Honey, Bobby Goldsboro (5)
Tighten Up, Archie Bell & the Drells (2)
Mrs. Robinson, Simon & Garfunkel (3)
This Guy's In Love With You, Herb Alpert (4)
Grazing In The Grass, Hugh Masekela (2)
Hello I Love You, The Doors (2)
People Got To Be Free, The Rascals (5)
Harper Valley P.T.A., Jeannie C. Riley (1)
Hey Jude, The Beatles (9)
Love Child, Diana Ross & The Supremes (2)
I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Marvin Gaye (7)


Rolling Stones Top 500 Songs

#8 - Hey Jude, The Beatles
#28 - (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding
#32 - Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones
#41 - The Weight, The Band
#42 - Waterloo Sunset, The Kinks
#48 - All Along the Watchtower, Jimi Hendrix
#65 - Sunshine of Your Love, Cream
#80 - I Heard It Through the Grapevine Marvin Gaye
#101 - Voodoo Child, Jimi Hendrix
#124 - Jumpin' Jack Flash, The Rolling Stones
#129 - Born To Be Wild, Steppenwolf
#135 - While My Guitar Gently Weeps, The Beatles
#145 - Everyday People, Sly & the Family Stone
#192 - Wichita Lineman, Glen Campbell
#223 - Dance to the Music, Sly & the Family Stone
#240 - Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield
#265 - Tighten Up, Archie Bell & the Drells
#295 - Street Fighting Man, The Rolling Stones
#305 - Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud, James Brown
#344 - Piece of My Heart, Janis Joplin
#357 - Little Wing, Jimi Hendrix
#367 - White Room, Cream
#409 - Crossroads, Cream

[larrymcg421]

1969

1. Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival

2. Something, The Beatles

3. Pinball Wizard, The Who

4. Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles

5. Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival

6. My Cherie Amour, Steve Wonder

7. Get Ready, Rare Earth

8. Carolina in My Mind, James Taylor

9. It's Your Thing, The Isley Brothers

10. I Want You Back, Jackson 5

*Frank Sinatra hated rock n roll, but he said Something was the greatest love song ever.

*Both Beatles songs this year were written by George Harrison.

*Creedence Clearwater Revival reeased three albums this year, which included other great songs like Down on the Corner, Green River, and Born on the Bayou.

*The Isley Brothers return to the top 10 after a 7 year absence, the longest gap so far in the dynasty.

*Wynonie Harris passes away at 53. He recorded Good Rockin Tonight in 1948, which most people consider the first rock song.

*Diana Ross leaves the Supremes.

*Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" (which almost made the top 10) becomes the final #1 hit of his career.

*Woodstock.

Digital Dream Door Top 120

Billboard #1 Songs (# of weeks)

I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Marvin Gaye (7)
Crimson And Clover, Tommy James & the Shondells (2)
Everyday People, Sly & The Family Stone (4)
Dizzy, Tommy Roe (4)
Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In, The 5th Dimension (6)
Get Back, The Beatles (5)
Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet, Henry Mancini (2)
In The Year 2525, Zager & Evans (6)
Honky Tonk Women, Rolling Stones (4)
Sugar, Sugar, The Archies (4)
I Can't Get Next to You, The Temptations (2)
Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley (1)
Wedding Bell Blues, The 5th Dimension (3)
Come Together/Something, The Beatles (1)
Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye), Steam (2)
Leaving On A Jet Plane, Peter, Paul & Mary (1)
Someday We'll Be Together, Diana Ross & The Supremes (1)

[larrymcg421]

At the end of the 60s, here are some stats:

Top 10 Overall Artists (based on list performance, 10 for 1st, 9 for 2nd, etc.)

The Beatles 104
Chuck Berry 78
Sam Cooke 69
Ray Charles 46
Buddy Holly 39
Little Richard 27
Bob Dylan 26
Jimi Hendrix 24
Rolling Stones 19

Most #1's

Chuck Berry 3
The Beatles 2
Ray Charles 2
Sam Cooke 2

Most Years Appearing on the List

The Beatles 7
Chuck Berry 7
Sam Cooke 7
Ray Charles 6
Little Richard 4

Most Songs on the list

The Beatles 14
Chuck Berry 12
Sam Cooke 11
Ray Charles 8
Buddy Holly 7

Best Individual Years

The Beatles 1963 - 1, 3, 5, 6
The Beatles 1967 - 1, 2, 8
Chuck Berry 1958 - 1, 4, 6
Buddy Holly 1957 - 1, 5, 8, 10
Bob Dylan 1965 - 1, 4

[Abe Sargent]

I know that they don't always get a lot of awards and acknowledgement as one of the top, most influential bands of the era, but damn if 1968 isn't made a lot better by the release of the first two albums by Blood, Sweat and Tears

[larrymcg421]

1970

1. Fire and Rain, James Taylor

2. Layla, Derek and the Dominoes

3. Let it Be, The Beatles

4. Up Around the Bend, Creedence Clearwater Revival

5. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder

6. Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin

7. All Right Now, Free

8. Instant Karma, John Lennon

9. Proud Mary, Ike & Tina Turner

10. Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Creedence Clearwater Revival

*There are a few songs that I was certain would be #1 whenever I got to their years and Fire and Rain is one of them. It's such a great, deeply personal song that's been among my favorites for a long time.

*The Beatles release their final album, Let it Be. While it is not one of their best albums, it is still very good and the title track is memorable.

*Another great year from CCR, with other songs including Who'll Stop the Rain, Run Through the Jungle, and Travelin Band.

*I wasn't wild about Led Zeppelin's earlier output, but Immigrant Song blew me away from the beginning with that memorable wail.

*Simon & Garfunkel split up.

*Jim Morrison leaves The Doors.

*Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" show debuts.

*Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Tammi Terrel all die this year.


Digital Dream Door Top 120


Billboard #1 Songs

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, B. J. Thomas (4)
I Want You Back, The Jackson 5 (1)
Venus, The Shocking Blue (1)
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), Sly & The Family Stone (2)
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel (6)
Let It Be, The Beatles (2)
ABC, The Jackson 5 (2)
American Woman, The Guess Who (3)
Everything Is Beautiful, Ray Stevens (2)
The Long And Winding Road, The Beatles (2)
The Love You Save, The Jackson 5 (2)
Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Three Dog Night (2)
(They Long To Be) Close To You, The Carpenters (4)
Make It With You, Bread (1)
War, Edwin Starr (3)
Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Diana Ross (3)
Cracklin' Rosie, Neil Diamond (1)
I'll Be There, The Jackson 5 (5)
I Think I Love You, The Partridge Family (3)
The Tears of a Clown, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (2)
My Sweet Lord, George Harrison (1)



Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

20. The Beatles, Let It Be
27. Derek and the Dominos, Layla
47. Simon and Garfunkel, Bridge over Troubled Water
99. Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son
136. Elton John, Your Song
188. Creedence Clearwater Revival, Who'll Stop the Rain
226. Van Morrison, Moondance
227. James Taylor, Fire and Rain
250. Black Sabbath, Paranoid
326. James Brown, Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
333. Norman Greenbaum, Spirit in the Sky
335. Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground Sweet Jane
338. Paul McCartney, Maybe I'm Amazed
385. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Ohio
391. Freda Payne, Band of Gold
392. The Five Stairsteps, O-o-h Child
402. Sly and the Family Stone, Thank you (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)
422. The Kinks, Lola
454. George Harrison, My Sweet Lord
480. Van Morrison, Into the Mystic
498. Brook Benton, Rainy Night in Georgia

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

I know that they don't always get a lot of awards and acknowledgement as one of the top, most influential bands of the era, but damn if 1968 isn't made a lot better by the release of the first two albums by Blood, Sweat and Tears

They're probably a band that does better on an album list than a songs list.

[Umbrella]

Just stumbled across this. What a great idea. Although I disagree with most of your choices.

[JAG]

I don't know how you pared down '66-'69. I probably would've just given up.

[Vince, Pt. II]

This is fantastic, sorry I've missed it until now. Being in a 60's cover band, it's fun to hear your thoughts on some of "our" tunes

[collegesportsfanms]

I can't wait until you get to the 1980s and 1990s. Those were my 2 favorite eras of music.

Question, do your lists include songs of all genres? Or just specific ones?

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by collegesportsfanms

Question, do your lists include songs of all genres? Or just specific ones?

I'll consider songs from all genres, but I have my biases as evident from the lists. For eample, it will be rare for a country tune to make the list, but a couple have managed to sneak in there.

I keep meaning to get back to this, but I like to listen to a full year in one or two days so I'm directly comparing songs in the moment. I haven't quite had the time to do that lately, but hopefully will soon.

[larrymcg421]

1971

1. Imagine, John Lennon

2. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye

3. Let's Stay Together, Al Green

4. American Pie, Don McLean

5. Tiny Dancer, Elton John

6. Baba O' Riley, The Who

7. Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers

8. I Feel the Earth Move, Carole King

9. Changes, David Bowie

10. Me and Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin

DigitalDreamDoor 1971 List


*Carole King on 4 Grammies for her fantastic album Tapestry, hich also included It's Too Late and You've Got a Friend.

*Jim Morrison died of a heart attack at age 27.

*The Eagles are formed after the member splay together for the first time as backup musicians for a Linda Rondstat concert.

*Paul McCartney starts recording with Wings.

*Davy Jones leaves the Monkees.

*The Concert for Bngladesh takes place at Madison Suare Garden. The lineup includes: George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Ravi Shankar.

Billboard #1 Songs (# of weeks)

"My Sweet Lord", George Harrison (3)
"Knock Three Times", Dawn (3)
"One Bad Apple", The Osmonds (5)
"Me and Bobby McGee", Janis Joplin (2)
"Just My Imagination", The Temptations (2)
"Joy to the World", Three Dog Night (6)
"Brown Sugar", The Rolling Stones (2)
"Want Ads", The Honey Cone (1)
"It's Too Late", Carole King (5)
"Indian Reservation", The Raiders (1)
"You've Got a Friend", James Taylor (1)
"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", Bee Gees (4)
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey", Paul & Linda McCartney (1)


Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

3 Imagine, John Lennon
4 What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
31 Stairway to Heaven, Led Zeppelin
60 Let's Stay Together, Al Green
127 Changes, David Bowie
130 Maggie May, Rod Stewart
133 Won't Get Fooled Again, The Who
138 Family Affair, Sly & the Family Stone
148 Me and Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin
280 Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers
293 Tired of Being Alone, Al Green
294 Black Dog, Led Zeppelin
310 Iron Man, Black Sabbath
334 Wild Horses, The Rolling Stones
340 Baba O'Riley, The Who
387 Tiny Dancer, Elton John
389 Just My Imagination, The Temptations
462 Respect Yourself, The Staple Singers
482 I'm Eighteen, Alice Cooper
490 Brown Sugar, The Rolling Stones

[britrock88]

I see that Zeppelin dig! And I kind of agree.

What about American Pie not being a RS Top 500 song, though???

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by britrock88

I see that Zeppelin dig! And I kind of agree.

What about American Pie not being a RS Top 500 song, though???

That's really strange. I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out. Wonder why they'd leave that one out? It's so odd I even went back to check and make sure I didn't miss it.

I get why Stairway is acclaimed and I don't hate it, but it wasn't even on my cutdown list.

[Alf]

1971 is a damn strong year !

[larrymcg421]

1972

1. Lean on Me, Bill Withers

2. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Elton John

3. I Can See Clearly Now, Johnny Nash

4. Superstition, Stevie Wonder

5. Rocket Man, Elton John

6. Oh Girl, Chi-Lites

7. I'll Take You There, Staple Singers

8. Peaceful Easy Feeling, The Eagles

9. Heart of Gold, Neil Young

10. Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Temptations

DigitalDreamDoor 1972 List

*Clyde McPhatter, one of the original great rock vocalists, dies at 39.

*Smokey Robinson departs the Miracles for a solo career.

*Bands that were formed include: ABBA, Devo, E Street Band, Steely Dan, Twisted Sister, and Van Halen.

*Groups that disbanded include: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Velvet Underground.

*Carly Simon and James Taylor are married.

*Lennon's immigration Visa expires, but he fights to remain in the US.

*Chuck Berry gets the only #1 hit of his career with the forgettable "My Ding-a-ling"


#1 Songs (No. of weeks)

"Brand New Key", Melanie (2)
"American Pie", Don McLean (4)
"Let's Stay Together", Al Green (1)
"Without You", Nilsson (4)
"Heart of Gold", Neil Young (1)
"A Horse with No Name", America (3)
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", Roberta Flack (6)
"Oh Girl", The Chi-Lites (1)
"I'll Take You There", The Staple Singers (1)
"The Candy Man". Sammy Davis Jr. (3)
"Song Sung Blue", Neil Diamond (1)
"Lean on Me", Bill Withers (3)
"Alone Again (Naturally)", Gilbert O'Sullivan (2)
"Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)", Looking Glass (1)
"Alone Again (Naturally)", Gilbert O'Sullivan (2)
"Black and White", Three Dog Night (1)
"Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me", Mac Davis (3)
"Ben", Michael Jackson (1)
"My Ding-a-Ling", Chuck Berry (2)
"I Can See Clearly Now". Johnny Nash (4)
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", The Temptations (1)
"I Am Woman", Helen Reddy (1)
"Me and Mrs. Jones", Billy Paul (3)

Rolling Stones Top 500:

74. "Superstition", Stevie Wonder
98. "Love and Happiness", Al Green
168. "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", The Temptations
205. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers
221. "Walk on the Wild Side", Lou Reed
242. "Rocket Man", Elton John
253. "All the Young Dudes", Mott the Hoople
264. "Sail Away", Randy Newman
276. "I'll Take You There", The Staple Singers
277. "Ziggy Stardust", David Bowie
281. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", Stevie Wonder
297. "Heart of Gold", Neil Young
319. "School's Out", Alice Cooper
396. "Thirteen", Big Star
424. "Tumbling Dice", The Rolling Stones

[larrymcg421]

1973

1. Free Bird, Lynyrd Skynyrd

2. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye

3. Living for the City, Stevie Wonder

4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

5. Knockin on Heaven's Door, Bob Dylan

6. Dream On, Aerosmith

7. Midnight Train to Georgia, Gladys Knight and the Pips

8. Band on the Run, Wings

9. Piano Man, Billy Joel

10. Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack

Digital Dream Door 1973 List

*Sorry, Quik.

*Dark Side of the Moon was released this year. I'm not the biggest Pink Floyd fan, but "Time" and "Money" are solid songs that just missed the cut.

*Jim Croce becomes yet another rock star to die in a plane crash.

*1 billion people around the world watch Elvis Presley's TV Special "Aloha from Hawaii",

*The rock festival Summer Jam at Watkins Glen takes place. 600,000 people attend to watch The Allman Brothers Band, The Band, and The Grateful Dead.

*Musical groups/acts formed this year include: AC/DC, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Heart, Journey, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kiss.

*Musical groups that broke up include: The Byrds, Everly Brothers, The Velvet Underground


Date

	Artist - Title	Weeks at #1
December 31 1972 – January 20 1973	Carly Simon - You're So Vain	3
January 21 – 27 1973	Stevie Wonder - Superstition	1
January 28 – February 17 1973	Elton John - Crocodile Rock	3
February 18 – March 17 1973	Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song	5 (4)
March 18 – 24 1973	O'Jays - Love Train	1
March 25 – 31 1973	Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song	5 (1)
April 1 – 14 1973	Vicki Lawerence - The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia	2
April 15 – May 12 1973	Tony Orlando and Dawn - Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree	4
May 13 – 19 1973	Stevie Wonder - You Are the Sunshine of My Life	1
May 20 – 26 1973	Edgar Winter - Frankenstein	1
May 27 – June 23 1973	Paul McCartney and Wings - My Love	4
June 24 – 30 1973	George Harrison - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)	1
July 1 – 14 1973	Billy Preston - Will It Go Round In Circles	2
July 15 – 28 1973	Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown	2
July 29 – August 11 1973	Maureen McGovern - The Morning After	2
August 12 – 18 1973	Diana Ross - Touch Me In The Morning	1
August 19 – September 1 1973	Stories - Brother Louie	2
September 2 – 8 1973	Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On	2 (1)
September 9 – 15 1973	Helen Reddy - Delta Dawn	1
September 16 – 22 1973	Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On	2 (1)
September 23 – 29 1973	Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band	1
September 30 – October 13 1973	Cher - Half-Breed	2
October 14 – 20 1973	Rolling Stones - Angie	1
October 21 – November 3 1973	Gladys Knight and The Pips - Midnight Train To Georgia	2
November 4 – 17 1973	Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin'	2
November 18 – 24 1973	Ringo Starr - Photograph	1
November 25 – December 8 1973	Carpenters - Top Of The World	2
December 9 – 22 1973	Charlie Rich - The Most Beautiful Girl	2
December 23 1973 – January 5 1974	Jim Croce - Time In A Bottle	2

Rolling Stones Top 500:

104. "Living for the City", Stevie Wonder
167. "Let's Get It On", Marvin Gaye
172. "Dream On", Aerosmith
190. "Knockin on Heaven's Door", Bob Dylan
191. "Free Bird", Lynyrd Skynyrd
261. "Higher Ground", Stevie Wonder
267. "Personality Crisis", New York Dolls
347. "Candle in the Wind", Elton John
348. "That Lady", The Isley Brothers
360. "Killing Me Softly With His Song", Roberta Flack
380. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", Elton John
421. "Piano Man", Billy Joel
432. "Midnight Train to Georgia", Gladys Knight and the Pips
443. "I Shot the Sheriff", Bob Marley
446. "Pressure Drop", Toots and the Maytals
468. "Search and Destroy", The Stooges
494. "Desperado", The Eagles

[garion333]

This might be one of my favorite threads of all time.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by garion333

This might be one of my favorite threads of all time.

Thanks! Just for that, I might even find time during the holidays to add another year.

[Umbrella]

Since I told Larry I disagree with his list so much, I'll give mine, and let it be mocked. To save some space, I'll only do top 5, and the number in parenthesis is Larry's ranking.

1955 - Tutti Frutti (2), Folsom Prison Blues (7), Maybellene (1), See You Later, Alligator (NR), I'm A Man (NR). These early years don't have a lot of classics.

1956 - Come Go With Me (4), Hound Dog (2), Blue Suede Shoes (8), Long Tall Sally (3), Roll Over Beethoven (1). This is the only year where all of my top 5 were on Larry's list.

1957 - Jailhouse Rock (2), Great Balls of Fire (3), At The Hop (NR), I'm Walkin' (NR), Little Darlin' (NR). I love doo wop, so my list probably has some of those songs ranked a bit higher.

1958 - Johnny B. Goode (1), Summertime, Summertime (NR), Lollipop (NR), Chantilly Lace (NR), La Bamba (9). The only year we've agreed on #1. Also, my love of syrupy sweet bubble gum pop show here a little bit.

1959 - Shout (2), Personality (NR), The Battle Of New Orleans (NR), El Paso (NR), Say Man (NR). The first year where my choices were very different. It won't be the last.

1960 - Stay (NR), The Twist (4), Alley Oop (NR), Will You Love Me Tomorrow (9), Walk, Don't Run (7). This was the weakest year by far. Most years I had a tough time eliminating songs. This one I had a tough time find songs worthy of top 5.

1961 - The Lion Sleeps Tonight (NR), Runaround Sue (NR), The Wanderer (6), Runaway (NR), Blue Moon (NR). This was the first year that I completely disagreed with the choices.

1962 - Do You Love Me (NR), Miserlou (NR), Surfin' Safari (4), Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (NR), Big Girls Don't Cry (NR). My love for surf music begins to show this year. Also, a lot of the songs on my list are songs we did in a cover band I was in. Some of them killed, and bring back fun memories. Do You Love Me is one of those.

1963 - My Boyfriend's Back (NR), Twist And Shout (1), Da Doo Ron Ron (NR), Louie Louie (NR), Ring Of Fire (NR). My Boyfriend's Back is a sentimental pick. My girlfriend did this song at the high school talent show, so it will always be a favorite of mine.

1964 - Fun Fun Fun (NR), You've Lost That Loving Feeling (NR), You Really Got Me (5), I Get Around (8), Do Wah Diddy Diddy (NR). My favorite Beach Boy song at #1. This was a brutally tough year to narrow to five.

1965 - My Generation (NR), Norwegian Wood (NR), Satisfaction (2), Subterranean Homesick Blues (NR), Help Me Rhonda (NR). I'm not a Dylan fan, but I love Subterranean Homesick Blues.

1966 - Good Lovin' (NR), Wouldn't It Be Nice (NR), Monday Monday (NR), Homeward Bound (NR), Try A Little Tenderness (NR). The first year where none of my top five were on Larry's list. And I don't feel like my list is bad, nor Larry's. Just a very deep year. And yeah, I put Wouldn't It Be Nice over Good Vibrations. Good Vibrations didn't resonate with me like it did with most people.

1967 - Respect (3), Alice's Restaurant Massacree (NR), Creeque Alley (NR), Reflections (7), Tuesday Afternoon (NR). After a seven year stretch, my #1 made Larry's list.

1968 - Magic Carpet Ride (NR), Mony Mony (NR), Piece Of My Heart (NR), Sympathy For The Devil (NR), Everyday People (NR). Of all the years, this was the single toughest one. I could have had a top 20 and still felt bad for songs left out.

1969 - You Can't Always Get What You Want (NR), And When I Die (NR), I Wanna Be Your Dog (NR), I Wan't You Back (10), Suite:Judy Blue Eyes (NR). This might be the most diverse five on my list.

1970 - Cracklin' Rosie (NR), Lola (NR), War Pigs (NR), Cecilia (NR), Express Yourself (NR). Another really tough year. Express Yourself had to make it just on the bass line alone.

1971 - American Pie (4), Baba O'Riley (6), Mr. Big Stuff (NR), Stay With Me (NR), Rainy Days and Mondays (NR). Rainy Days and Mondays is my go to song when I'm feeling down and want to roll around in my misery. And I think I'm the only person on the planet that thinks Imagine isn't that great of a song. I think Stairway is a great song, but it has reached the point to where it now suffers from over exposure.

1972 - Walk On The Wild Side (NR), Rocket Man (5), Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (NR), Suffragette City (NR), Top Of The World (NR). In my head, there were certain songs I was sure would be #1. Rocket Man was one, but I just couldn't put it above Walk On The Wild Side.

1973 - Piano Man (9), Over The Hills And Far Away (NR), Rosalita (NR), Ballroom Blitz (NR), Jessica (NR). My favorite Billy Joel song, my favorite Zeppelin song, my favorite Bruce song, and my favorite instrumental by a band not named Rush, all in the same year.

[larrymcg421]

Good stuff, Umbrella. I think it's natural that we started to disagree more as the years went on and there were so many more songs to choose from. For the first few years, I was listening to maybe 40-50 songs to make this list and starting with the late 60s that jumped to more than 100.

[larrymcg421]

How about a long overdue update? I'll add song links later...

1974

1. No Woman No Cry, Bob Marley & the Wailers

2. The Air That I Breathe, The Hollies

3. Forever Young, Bob Dylan

4. You're the First, Last, Everything, Barry White

5. Rebel Rebel, David Bowie

6. Rock Your Baby, George McCrae

7. Lovin You, Minnie Riperton

8. Lonely People, America

9. Help Me, Joni Mitchell

10. Everlasting Love, Carl Carlton

*Rock dominated last year's list, but this year was almost all about soul and folk.

*Mick Taylor leaves the Rolling Stones. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham join Fleetwood MAc.

*I love the simplicity of Lovin You, which allows Minnie Riperton's voice to shine. The ending repetition of "Maya, Maya, Maya" is a reference to her daughter, Maya Rudolph.

*Dylan released two versions of Forever Young on the same album. The one I'm picking at #2 here is the sped up version, which was used as the theme song ot Parenthood. I do love both versions.

*Stevie Wonder (for his album Innvervisions) and Roberta Flack (for Killing Me Softly...) are big winners at the Grammys. Both were featured on my 1973 list.

Digital Dream Door list for 1974



Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

37. No Woman No Cry, Bob Marley & The Wailers
117. Take Me to the River, Al Green
217. Jolene, Dolly Parton
282. Help Me, Joni Mitchell
398. Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
470. Free Man in Paris, Joni Mitchell
479. Lady Marmalade, Labelle

[larrymcg421]

1975

1. Landslide, Fleetwood Mac

2. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen

3. Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

4. Young Americans, David Bowie

5. Shelter From the Storm, Bob Dylan

6. Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen

7. Take it to the Limit, Eagles

8. Dream Weaver, Gary Wright

9. This Will Be, Natalie Cole

10. Sister Golden Hair, America

Digital Dream Door's 1975 List


*We have now reached my birth year.

*Peter Gabriel leaves Genesis.

*Jackie Wilson has a stroke on stage. He is in a coma for most of the next 9 years before dying in 1984.

*Queen, Bowie, Dylan, and Eagles all had multiple songs that contended for the list this year, but only Springsteen (with his amazing Born to Run album) was able to get two entries.

*John Lennon wins his immigration case as a judge overturns a 1972 deportation order.

*Cher divorces Sonny Bono and days later gets married to Greg Allman.


Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs

10. "Born to Run", Bruce Springsteen
86. "Thunder Road", Bruce Springsteen
163. "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen
316. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd
336. "Walk This Way", Aerosmith
481. "Young Americans", David Bowie
488. "Rhiannon", Fleetwood Mac

[JAG]

Cool to see this come back.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by JAG

Cool to see this come back.

Thanks! just for that, I have a new year for you...

[larrymcg421]

1976

1. Hotel California, Eagles

2. As, Stevie Wonder

3. American Girl, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

4. Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder

5. Go Your Own Way, Fleetwood Mac

6. Don't Fear the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult

7. More Than a Feeling, Boston

8. Fool to Cry, Rolling Stones

9. Shower the People, James Taylor

10. Station to Station, David Bowie

Digital Dream Door 1976 List


*Punk music emerges. I'm not really a fan of the genre and only Blitzkrieg Bop by the Ramones was seriously considered for this list.

*This was the year Stevie Wonder released Songs in the Key of Life, one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.

*Go Your Own Way is a pretty powerful song considering it's Lindsey Buckingham's response to his breakup with bandmate Stevie Nicks.

*There were lots of good rock songs that bubbled just under this list, including Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles), Carry on My Wayward Son (Kansas), and Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller Band).

*U2 forms under their original name, Feedback.


Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

49. Hotel California, Eagles
56. Anarchy in the UK, Sex Pistols
92. Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramones
174. Dancing Queen, Abba
274. Roadrunner, The Modern Lovers
405. (Don't Fear) the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
499. The Boys are Back in Town, Thin Lizzy
500. More Than a Feeling, Boston

[larrymcg421]

1977

1. Heroes, David Bowie

2. Handyman, James Taylor

3. Jamming, Bob Marley & the Wailers

4. We Are the Champions, Queen

5. Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel

6. The Chain, Fleetwood Mac

7. One Love, Bob Marley & the Wailers

8. Dreams, Fleetwood Mac

9. I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick

10. Psycho Killer, Talking Heads

100 Greatest Songs From 1977

*Elvis Presley dies of heart failure.

*Three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd die in a plane crash.

*The infamous Studio 54 opens in New York.

*Fleetwood Mac's Rumours is an amazing album. Not only did it spawn three top 10 entries (Go Your Own Way from 76 and the 2 from 77), but there were several more potential entires including Don't Stop and Gold Dust Woman.

*To me, disco sounds like someone took soul music, sped it up really fast, and took the heart out. Having said that, I don't despise it, but it's missing that extra oomph that could propel a song to a top 10 entry.

*Doing this dynasty has just made me even sadder about Bowie's recent passing.


Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs

147. Lust for Life, Iggy Pop
171. Dancing Queen, Abba
173. God Save the Queen, Sex Pistols
189. Stayin Alive, Bee Gees
330. We Will Rock You, Queen
361. Complete Control, The Clash
366. How Deep is Your Love, Bee Gees
372. Marquee Moon, Television
411. I Feel Love, Donna Summer
457. Sheena is a Punk Rocker

[larrymcg421]

1978

1. Sultans of Swing, Dire Straits

2. Don't Stop Me Now, Queen

3. Roxanne, The Police

4. One Nation Under a Groove, Funkadelic

5. Just What I Needed, The Cars

6. Badlands, Bruce Springsteen

7. Good Times Roll, The Cars

8. Racing in the Street, Bruce Springsteen

9. Because the Night, Patti Smith

10. Hot Blooded, Foreigner

*U2 wins a talent contest in Ireland, winning them a chance to audition with CBS records.

*The Cars self-titled debut album is a great one, also including "My Best Friend's Girl".

*I'm a big fan of Dire Straits, and they will be making more entries on these lists when we get to the 80s.

*These are all great songs, but this late 70s period is pretty weak comparatively.

*Love the storytelling in Bruce's songs.

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/bg_hits/bg_hits_78.html

#1 Songs from 1978 (in chronological order)

"How Deep Is Your Love" - Bee Gees (1 week)
"Baby Come Back" - Player (1 week)
"Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees (4 weeks)
"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" - Andy Gibb (2 weeks)
"Night Fever" - Bee Gees (8 weeks)
"If I Can't Have You" - Yvonne Elliman (1 week)
"With a Little Luck" - Wings (2 weeks)
"Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (1 week)
"You're the One That I Want" - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1 week)
"Shadow Dancing" - Andy Gibb (7 weeks)
"Miss You" - The Rolling Stones (1 week)
"Three Times a Lady" - Commodores (1 week)
"Grease" - Frankie Valli (1 week)
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" - A Taste of Honey (3 weeks)
"Kiss You All Over" - Exile (4 weeks)
"Hot Child in the City" - Nick Gilder (1 week)
"You Needed Me" - Anne Murray (1 week)
"MacArthur Park" - Donna Summer (3 weeks)
"You Don't Bring Me Flowers" - Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond (2 weeks)
"Le Freak" - Chic (2 weeks)

Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs

65 Earth, Wind, and Fire, 'September' 1978
138 Blondie, 'Heart of Glass' 1978
179 Pink Floyd, 'Comfortably Numb' 1978
210 Funkadelic, 'One Nation Under a Groove' 1978
276 Buzzcocks, 'Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)' 1978
300 The B-52's, 'Rock Lobster' 1978
340 The Clash, '(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais' 1978
343 The Doobie Brothers, 'What a Fool Believes' 1978
354 Michael Jackson, 'Rock With You' 1978
356 Cheap Trick, 'Surrender' 1978
358 Patti Smith, 'Because the Night' 1978
369 The Cars, 'Just What I Needed' 1978
399 Sylvester, 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' 1978
460 Steel Pulse, 'Ku Klux Klan' 1978

[Passacaglia]

Solid bump. I'd never seen this thread before.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Solid bump. I'd never seen this thread before.

Thanks! I've been meaning to get back to it for a while.

[larrymcg421]

1979

1. Message in a Bottle, The Police

2. Highway to Hell, AC/DC

3. Brass in Pocket, The Pretenders

4. My My Hey Hey, Neil Young

5. Oliver's Army, Elvis Costello

6. What I Like About You, The Romantics

7. Refugee, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

8. Cruel to be Kind, Nick Lowe

9. Life During Wartime, Talking Heads

10. Cruisin, Smokey Robinson

*The weakest list I've had to assemble. I just really don't like this era, but the 80s (the decade I really grew up in) is coming up.

*The first commercial rap single, King Tim III, was released this year. It didn't do much, but was followed by the huge hit Rappers Delight, which almost made this list.

*I admire the Clash for their talent, but their sound just isn't my thing, although Train in Vain almost made this list.

*Several acclaimed albums with heavy disco influences (including MJ's Off the Wall) are missing entries on this list, due to my dislike of the genre.

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/bg_hits/bg_hits_79.html

#1 songs of 1979 in chronological order:

"Too Much Heaven" – Bee Gees (2 weeks)
"Le Freak" – Chic (1 week)
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" – Rod Stewart (3 weeks)
"I Will Survive" – Gloria Gaynor (2 weeks)
"Tragedy" – Bee Gees (1 week)
"I Will Survive" – Gloria Gaynor (1 week) (Re-entry)
"What a Fool Believes" – The Doobie Brothers (1 week)
"Knock on Wood" – Amii Stewart (1 week)
"Heart of Glass" – Blondie (1 week)
"Reunited" – Peaches & Herb (4 weeks)
"Hot Stuff" – Donna Summer (1 week)
"Love You Inside Out" – Bee Gees (1 week)
"Hot Stuff" – Donna Summer (1 week) (Re-entry)
"Ring My Bell" – Anita Ward (2 weeks)
"Bad Girls" – Donna Summer (5 weeks)
"Good Times" – Chic (1 week)
"My Sharona" – The Knack (6 weeks)
"Sad Eyes" – Robert John (1 week)
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" – Michael Jackson (1 week)
"Rise" – Herb Alpert (2 weeks)
"Pop Muzik" – M (1 week)
"Heartache Tonight" – Eagles (1 week)
"Still" – Commodores (1 week)
"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" – Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer (2 weeks)
"Babe" – Styx (2 weeks)
"Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" – Rupert Holmes (1 week)

Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

15: The Clash – London Calling
103: Donna Summer – Hot Stuff
146: The B-52's – Rock Lobster
224: Chic – Good Times
254: AC/DC – Highway to Hell
255: Blondie – Heart of Glass
298: Blondie – One Way or Another
301: Rod Stewart – Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?
388: The Police – Roxanne
489: Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive

[larrymcg421]

1980

1. Romeo and Juliet, Dire Straits

2. Games Without Frontiers, Peter Gabriel

3. Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads

4. Redemption Song, Bob Marley

5. The River, Bruce Springsteen

6. Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Pat Benatar

7. Celebration, Kool & the Gang

8. Hungry Heart, Bruce Springsteen

9. You Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC

10. Against the Wind, Bob Seger

*I know it's not that simple, but it almost feels like that from December 31st, 1979 o January 1st, 1980, music suddenly got better overnight. There is a massive difference in quality between the two years and I'm excited to relive the 80s, which is the decade I grew up in (born in 75).

*Another #1 for Dire Straits, with a soulful and beautifully arranged track.

*Keep telling me stories, Bruce.

*Uniquely structured songs at #2 and #3 that show experimentation and messaging can still be fun.

*Redemption Song took me a couple listens to really feel the full impact, but Marley's very personal vocals really make this work.

1980 Digital Dream Door - https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/b...g_hits_80.html
Billboard Hot 100 for 1980 - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...x&opi=89978449

Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs

66 Bob Marley & The Wailers Redemption Song
144 Ramones I Wanna Be Sedated
179 Joy Division Love Will Tear Us Apart
248 Sugarhill Gang Rapper's Delight
283 Blondie Call Me
292 The Clash Train in Vain
314 Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb
375 Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)
471 Willie Nelson On the Road Again