The music of the 1970s perfectly reflected the decade’s major changes. The decade began with the deaths of prominent rock and roll icons Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. It ended with punk rock and disco dominating the charts. In between, there were many great albums that defined his decade.
1. Parallel Lines — Blondie (1978)
It’s hard to believe that the members of Blondie were dissatisfied with the album’s results, as it includes globally popular songs such as “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass” .
2. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars — David Bowie (1972)
David Bowie broke barriers with his glam rock production featuring the extraterrestrial Ziggy Stardust. This rock opera about an androgynous alien rock star destined to save the Earth was placed on the National Recording Register in 2017.
3. The Payback – James Brown (1973)
Despite reaching number one on the music charts and being accepted by fans, The Payback It did not receive as much critical success as his previous albums. Numerous rhythm and blues and rap artists have also sampled the title song.
4. Rumors – Fleetwood Mac (1977)
A representative album of the 70’s that continues to gain new fans. rumor It has some of the band’s most memorable songs to date. Listen to songs like “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “You Make Loving Fun,” and “Don’t Stop,” and it’s easy to see why this album has longevity.
5. Band of Gypsies — Jimi Hendrix (1970)
Hendrix’s last full-length album, recorded eight months before his death, is a masterclass in electric guitar virtuosity and experimentation. His sound can never be imitated or duplicated.
6. Off the Wall – Michael Jackson (1979)
recorded by michael jackson off the wall The album, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, sold more than 20 million copies. Despite its commercial and critical success, it was snubbed at the Grammy Awards, a snub that is said to have inspired Jackson to create. thriller.
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (1973)
It’s hard to choose which Elton John albums from the 1970s make this list, but this award-winning album includes “Candle in the Wind,” “Benny and the Jets,” And it includes the title song, which is a must.
8. Pearl – Janis Joplin (1971)
Janis Joplin’s chart-topping work was sadly released just months after her unexpected death. Joplin’s only recording with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, propelled by songs such as “Cry Baby,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Mercedes Benz,” led to her songs becoming commercials. It is still popular and used today.
9. Tapestry – Carole King (1972)
In addition to the huge number of chart-topping hits, what sets this apart from most other albums is that every song was co-written or written by King himself, an impressive feat. .
10. Physical Graffiti — Led Zeppelin (1975)
Thanks to hard, acoustic and soft rock experiments, physical graffiti ” has been certified platinum over 16 times (album sales of 1 million copies), an impressive feat for a double album.
11. Imagine – John Lennon (1970)
On his second solo album, just a few months after the Beatles split, John Lennon delivered his defining song, “Imagine.”,” The song became the best-selling song of his post-Beatles career. The song was also the basis for his 1988 documentary.
12. Exodus — Bob Marley and the Wailers (1977)
Recorded in London after fleeing his home country following an attempt on his life in Jamaica, this iconic reggae album revolves around politics, religion, and sexuality. It includes classic songs like “Jamming,” “Turn Your Lights Down Low,” and “Three Little Birds,” all of which continue to receive airplay today.
13. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (1973)
It is undoubtedly Pink Floyd’s best-known album and their eighth studio release. the dark side off the moonspent an incredible 980 weeks on the charts, thanks to songs like “Money.”
14. A Night at the Opera — Queen (1975)
The highlight of this album is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which everyone knows. night at the opera was part of the 2018 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee class.
15. Ramones – Ramones (1976)
Punk rock band Ramones’ first album was not commercially successful upon release. The album has since become widely considered to be one of his best albums of all time, and one of his most influential rock albums of its era.
16. Let It Be – The Beatles (1970)
It appeared on the charts immediately after the band broke up, let it be “” was the Beatles’ 12th and final album, and also included a documentary. Despite classic songs like “Let It Be,” “Maggie May,” “The Long and Winding Road,” and “Get Back,” the album was considered a critical failure. Ta.
17. Sticky Fingers — Rolling Stones (1971)
Driven by hits such as “Wild Horses” and “Brown Sugar,” sticky fingers It was the first Rolling Stones studio album to top the charts. It was also the first album released after Brian Jones’ death by drowning.
18. Bridge over Troubled Water — Simon and Garfunkel (1970)
After achieving commercial and critical success over the past decade, this 1970 album was the duo’s last, and they disbanded shortly after its release. The album included covers of the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye Love”, “The Boxer”, and the title song “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.
19. There’s a Riot – Sly and the Family Stone (1971)
A more authentic album than previous studio releases, there’s a riot going on It reflects the turmoil America experienced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, it boasted hits such as the chart-topping “Family Affair.”
20. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)
This classic rock album marked Springsteen’s successful transition from the fringes of rock and roll stardom to full-fledged commercial success. The title song has become a rock music anthem.
21. Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack – Bee Gees (1977)
One of the most polarizing albums in music history, it sold over 40 million copies and was simultaneously loved and hated. It eventually became the face of disco music’s backlash.Do you like it or dislike it? saturday night fever Soundtrack, it’s hard to deny that this album was great.
22. London Calling – The Clash (1979)
This double album by the punk rock group addressed social ills such as racism and drug use. It also featured experimentation with other musical genres, including ska, hard rock, reggae, and pop.
23. Hotel California — Eagles (1976)
The Eagles’ fifth studio album includes one of their most famous songs, “Hotel California.” The critically acclaimed album includes songs such as “Take It Easy” and “Take It to the Limit.”
24. Van Halen – Van Halen (1978)
Van Halen’s first studio album, which was certified Diamond (over 10 million album sales), introduced the rock world to the guitar genius of Eddie Van Halen and included the instrumentals “Eruption” and “Running With・The Devil” and its covers were performed. “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks.
25. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (1973)
The album featured hits such as “All in Love Is Fair,” “Living for the City,” “Higher Ground,” and “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing.” became a way for singers to share their beliefs with the world. He was no longer Little Stevie Wonder with a harmonica, but a man with countless adult musical powers.
