Best of 1975 Mix

 

 I found 1975 to be tricky.  There is definitely a change coming in the music, you can hear it, you can see it in the songs that are making the top 100.  Disco is on the rise, but so to is pop music that will lead to bands like the Talking Heads, who formed in 1975.  We are also getting into music I remember as a kid and also music that I found important in high school, and then also music I didn't discover until later.  Anyhow it's a fun year for music, here is the top 20 I came up with for myself.  

20. Love is the Drug by Roxy Music

     Roxy Music is a band I didn't discover until I was in college, but they were having an impact on the musical world in 1975.  It's hard not to listen to this song and think of a band like the Talking Heads. 

19. Fame by David Bowie

     There are critics I have heard who do not like Bowie.  Mostly what they don't like is that he built so much of his music off of ideas that more obscure artists had created.  That may be true, but one thing that is true is that he was very good about understanding what obscure music was worth bringing to the fore.  

18. One of These Nights by Eagles

     I had the Eagles greatest hits, I had the Eagles live album.  I was of fan of most of their radio songs.  You know this song within one second of hearing it.  

17. Feel Like Makin' Love by Roberta Flack

     Just a great song.  

16. Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer

     If Donna Summer is the queen of disco, then this is her siren song.  

15. Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac

     I'm not the biggest Fleetwood Mac fan, but I've always liked this song.  

14. That's the Way of the World by Earth, Wind, & Fire

     Another great song from 1975.  Let the hits keep coming.  

13. I Love Music by The O'Jays

     When I was working at the University of North Carolina, a fellow staff member told me to give The O'Jays a serious listen.  I have never regretted it.  

12. Simple Twist of Fate by Bob Dylan

     Blood on the Tracks is, I believe, Dylan's masterpiece.  

11. You're My Best Friend by Queen

     Another Queen song that was my favorite song for a while in my life in middle school.  

10. Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee

     Maybe if I could only pick one song to represent the 70's, I would pick this one.  

9. That's the Way by KC and the Sunshine Band

     Can you hear this song and not get your foot tapping. 

8. Magic Man by Heart

     Rock goddess Anne Wilson shines on this song.  She is the rock voice that all other women after her are compared.  

7. Crazy on You by Heart

     Nancy Wilson is her cool sister and this song has always been fun because of the balance between Nancy and Anne.  There is so much to like about this song on so many different levels.  

6. Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

     Poor Heart with two brilliant songs couldn't even crack the top 5 and neither could Thunder Road.  

5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John

     I have grown to love this song more and more with every passing day.  When I was younger I'm not sure it would have been in my top 20, definitely not in the top 5.  

4. Watercolors by Janis Ian

     This is a great song off of a fantastic album.  

3. Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez

     I discovered this song maybe 10 years ago and I just find it to be an all timer.  

2. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

     I still remember the first time I listened to this song on my Walkman.  Just amazing moment in time.  

1. At Seventeen by Janis Ian

     A friend made a tape for me of this album.  Me and some friends were going to be staying up all night to get Springsteen tickets the first time I put this on.  This song made me cry when it came on.  I knew the song, but had never really listened to it.  I had just finished a day of working 3 different jobs and was exhausted facing a night of being up all night this song just kicked me in my gut.  It's genius.