r/70smusic 1d ago

Other Last Song Standing: The Ultimate Billboard #1 Song of the 70s - Round 83

21 Upvotes

<< Prev | Round 83 | Next >>

  • In the early 1970s, a then hard rock band named Wild Cherry released several non-album singles, none of which achieved any success to speak of. Centered around vocalist/guitarist Rob Parissi, the remaining lineup went through several changes over the band's life, briefly breaking up and reforming at least once. In 1975 they were recording an album just as the disco craze was emerging, and they heard a fan shout, "Are you white boys going to play some funky music?" From that, Parissi wrote Play That Funky Music, which appeared on their self-titled debut album. The song went to #1, and both it and the album went platinum. It would prove to be their only successes; they released three more albums and several singles, none of which did very well, before they broke up for good in 1979. They laid down the boogie and played that funky music till they died, and now the same can be said of their song in this game.
  • What a Fool Believes was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, and first appeared on Loggins's album Nightwatch. Around the same time, The Doobie Brothers recorded their version, with McDonald on lead vocals, for their album Minute by Minute, their eighth album overall and third with McDonald as a member. They also collaborated on This Is It, recorded by Loggins with McDonald providing backing vocals. Years later What a Fool Believes was named as a quintessential example of a yacht rock song. Michael Jackson once joked that he was an uncredited backing vocalist on the song, and later had to clarify that he was only joking when some of his fans took the claim seriously. This song may have once had a place in our lives, but anybody else would surely know we're watching it go.

Only two more rounds of two song elimination before we reach the final 50 and switch to eliminating one song per round.

If you're new to the game or wish to review the rules, follow this link.

Songs still standing (in alphabetical order):

  • American Pie - Don McLean
  • American Woman - The Guess Who
  • Band on the Run - Paul McCartney and Wings
  • Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
  • Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
  • Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
  • Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
  • Dancing Queen - ABBA
  • Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
  • Fame - David Bowie
  • Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) - George Harrison
  • Heart of Glass - Blondie
  • Heart of Gold - Neil Young
  • Hotel California - Eagles
  • How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
  • I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
  • I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
  • I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  • I Wish - Stevie Wonder
  • If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman
  • It's Too Late - Carole King
  • Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees
  • Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
  • Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack
  • Lean On Me - Bill Withers
  • Let It Be - The Beatles
  • Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
  • Let's Stay Together - Al Green
  • The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles
  • Love Train - The O'Jays
  • Maggie May - Rod Stewart
  • Mama Told Me (Not to Come) - Three Dog Night
  • Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
  • Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips
  • My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
  • Night Fever - Bee Gees
  • Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston
  • One of These Nights - Eagles
  • Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
  • Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
  • Sister Golden Hair - America
  • Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
  • Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
  • Superstition - Stevie Wonder
  • Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
  • Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
  • War - Edwin Starr
  • We're an American Band - Grand Funk
  • You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
  • You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
  • You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt
  • You're So Vain - Carly Simon

Eliminated songs:

1-54. TBD
55. What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
56. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
57. Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin - Sly & The Family Stone
58. Will It Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston
59. A Horse with No Name - America
60. My Sharona - The Knack
61. You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
62. Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
63. The Joker - Steve Miller Band
64. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
65. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
66. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - The Temptations
67. I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
68. Rock'n Me - Steve Miller Band
69. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
70. Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
71. The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
72. Family Affair - Sly & The Family Stone
73. Oh Girl - The Chi-Lites
74. Rich Girl - Daryl Hall and John Oates
75. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
76. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
77. Venus - Shocking Blue
78. Without You - Nilsson
79. Miss You - The Rolling Stones
80. Listen to What the Man Said - Wings
81. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
82. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group
83. Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
84. (They Long to Be) Close to You - Carpenters
85. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers
86. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night - John Lennon
87. December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons
88. My Love - Paul McCartney and Wings
89. Got to Give It Up - Marvin Gaye
90. Photograph - Ringo Starr
91. Good Times - Chic
92. You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
93. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
94. Le Freak - Chic
95. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Bee Gees
96. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
97. Fire - Ohio Players
98. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
99. Best of My Love - The Emotions
100. Show and Tell - Al Wilson
101. Baby Come Back - Player
102. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
103. Top of the World - Carpenters
104. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - B. J. Thomas
105. Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
106. Silly Love Songs - Wings
107. Heartache Tonight - Eagles
108. If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
109. Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band
110. Rise - Herb Alpert
111. Get Down Tonight - KC and the Sunshine Band
112. Black and White - Three Dog Night
113. Then Came You - Dionne Warwick and The Spinners
114. Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation
115. Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
116. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
117. ABC - The Jackson 5
118. Car Wash - Rose Royce
119. You Haven't Done Nothin' - Stevie Wonder
120. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
121. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey - Paul & Linda McCartney
122. Crocodile Rock - Elton John
123. Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
124. Love Hangover - Diana Ross
125. New Kid in Town - Eagles
126. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
127. Mandy - Barry Manilow
128. Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees
129. Best of My Love - Eagles
130. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
131. The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
132. You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) - Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.
133. Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
134. Three Times a Lady - Commodores
135. Brother Louie - Stories
136. Tragedy - Bee Gees
137. Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
138. Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton
139. Still - Commodores
140. Laughter in the Rain - Neil Sedaka
141. With a Little Luck - Wings
142. Love You Inside Out - Bee Gees
143. Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille
144. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John
145. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
146. Kiss You All Over - Exile
147. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) - Bill Conti
148. Love Theme from A Star Is Born (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
149. I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton
150. Grease - Frankie Valli
151. Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
152. Let's Do It Again - The Staple Singers
153. Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - Diana Ross
154. (Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
155. You're the One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
156. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
157. Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
158. I Just Want to Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb
159. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
160. Annie's Song - John Denver
161. Angie - The Rolling Stones
162. Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
163. Make It with You - Bread
164. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer
165. Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
166. Fallin' in Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
167. I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
168. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty - KC and the Sunshine Band
169. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
170. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
171. Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
172. The Hustle - Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony
173. When I Need You - Leo Sayer
174. Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans
175. That's the Way (I Like It) - KC and the Sunshine Band
176. Bad Blood - Neil Sedaka
177. Dark Lady - Cher
178. The Loco-Motion - Grand Funk
179. Babe - Styx
180. Love Machine - The Miracles
181. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
182. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence
183. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
184. Hot Child in the City - Nick Gilder
185. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
186. Pop Muzik - M
187. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree - Tony Orlando and Dawn
188. Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
189. Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
190. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
191. Boogie Fever - The Sylvers
192. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
193. Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart
194. I'm Your Boogie Man - KC and the Sunshine Band
195. I Can Help - Billy Swan
196. I Am Woman - Helen Reddy
197. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
198. Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
199. Everything Is Beautiful - Ray Stevens
200. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
201. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song - B. J. Thomas
202. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart
203. Island Girl - Elton John
204. A Fifth of Beethoven - Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
205. MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
206. I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow
207. Reunited - Peaches & Herb
208. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando and Dawn
209. Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John
210. Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks
211. Touch Me in the Morning - Diana Ross
212. Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
213. Please Mr. Postman - Carpenters
214. Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender
215. Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
216. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
217. Sad Eyes - Robert John
218. The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich
219. I'm Sorry - John Denver
220. Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me - Mac Davis
221. Want Ads - The Honey Cone
222. Looks Like We Made It - Barry Manilow
223. Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day
224. You Needed Me - Anne Murray
225. Brand New Key - Melanie
226. Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor
227. Knock Three Times - Dawn
228. Fly, Robin, Fly - Silver Convention
229. Half-Breed - Cher
230. You're Sixteen - Ringo Starr
231. Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Raiders
232. Don't Give Up on Us - David Soul
233. Theme from S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
234. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
235. Ben - Michael Jackson
236. Angie Baby - Helen Reddy
237. Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
238. Delta Dawn - Helen Reddy
239. Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band - Meco
240. The Morning After - Maureen McGovern
241. The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr.
242. Convoy - C. W. McCall
243. Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band
244. The Streak - Ray Stevens
245. One Bad Apple - The Osmonds
246. Da Doo Ron Ron - Shaun Cassidy
247. Go Away Little Girl - Donny Osmond
248. You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
249. Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
250. My Ding-a-Ling - Chuck Berry
251. Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor
252. Disco Duck - Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
253. (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka with Odia Coates

Nominate the song that you consider the worst or your least favorite from among the 1970s #1 hits in the still standing list above. Upvote any nominations you agree with, and downvote the ones you would like to see survive. After 48 hours, the three songs with the most upvotes will be eliminated.

Before posting a song, please check the replies that have already been posted this round to see if someone has already nominated the song. If so, upvote their nomination instead of submitting a duplicate.


r/70smusic 6h ago

1971 The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (1971)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
45 Upvotes

r/70smusic 3h ago

1976 Listening To Every Billboard #1 Hit: 1976

9 Upvotes

The last few years have really just flowed nicely into each other. It’s been almost a week since I did 1975, because these years just keep being long. However, I think this seems to be on a bit of a downward trend, since 76 is the shortest of the last few. This year was really great, with a lot of disco and funk sounds starting to take over. Anyways, this year’s really good, here are my favorite and least favorite songs. Also short mention for If You Leave Me Now, which landed at number 6. I know people LOVE this song, and don’t get me wrong I do too, but there were just 5 songs I liked more.

Bottom 3 - 1976

  1. Love Machine Pt 1 - The Miracles
    This song should never be in my bottom 3. This song is actually pretty good, and in most years would absolutely not be in the bottom 3. The problem is, 1976 is maybe the best year so far, which leads to songs like this landing low on the list.

  2. Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
    Once again, this is actually a pretty fun song that should never be in my bottom 3, yet here we are. I think what brings Saturday Night into the bottom 3 is definitely the chant part after the chorus.

  3. Convoy - CW McCall
    This song is another story-telling track, although I think the writing is fun and the song doesn’t sound bad. Despite this, we are far past the days when El Paso could be a serious contender for my top 3 without having much musical value. Convoy isn’t terrible, but it really just can’t compete.

Top 5 - 1976

  1. Rock’n Me - Steve Miller Band
    Welcome to episode 500 of “Now This Is Dad Rock”. I swear, every year I find a song that is “the most definitive dad rock song yet”. For 1976, it’s Rock’n Me, and this time I don’t know if it can be topped. Steve Miller Band might honestly be on the Mount Rushmore of dad rock.

  2. December, 1963 - The Four Seasons
    This song truly has an infectious melody. The fact that The Four Seasons have been consistently landing high on my list since like 1962 is crazy to me. No other artist has lasted this song. My favorite moment from this entire year is when the synths kick in like a minute and a half into this song. So so so catchy.

  3. You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
    Yet another insanely catchy song. Those short three guitar notes and the ‘what you doin on your back’ part are two of the best parts of any song from this year. This song is just a pure good time.

  4. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
    A SERIOUS contender for best song this year. This song is great and, once again, insanely catchy. The song just continues to build on its infectious vibes up to the key change at the end. Please, white boy, keep playing that funky music.

  5. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
    Is this a dumb answer for number one? Maybe. Still, I warned you multiple times, I WILL be taking my Beatles glaze over to Elton John. If Lucy In The Sky didn’t make up for having the worst song of 1975, this song does. It’s fun, catchy, and just a great listen.


r/70smusic 3h ago

1979 0322 - „Atomic“, Blondie (1979)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
5 Upvotes

r/70smusic 10h ago

1974 MAC DAVIS 1974 One Hell Of A Woman HQ

Thumbnail
youtube.com
17 Upvotes

r/70smusic 17h ago

1971 Melanie-Brand New Key

Thumbnail
youtube.com
59 Upvotes

Fun Fact: Melanie wrote "Brand New Key" in just 15 minutes right after ending a 27-day water fast with a massive McDonald's feed, which randomly made her think of roller-skating as a kid.


r/70smusic 22h ago

1977 Little River Band - Happy Anniversary (1977)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

135 Upvotes

Harvest Records


r/70smusic 13h ago

1976 Aerosmith - Back In The Saddle

Thumbnail m.youtube.com
17 Upvotes

r/70smusic 13m ago

1975 David Geddes - Run Joey Run (1975)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Upvotes

Big Tree Records


r/70smusic 11h ago

1972 Foghat: Maybelline (1972)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
5 Upvotes

Wikipedia:
Foghat are an English [rock](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music) band formed in [London](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London) in 1971.[[1]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foghat#cite_note-1)[[2]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foghat#cite_note-2)[[3]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foghat#cite_note-3) The band are known for the use of electric [slide guitar](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_guitar) in their music.[[4]](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foghat#cite_note-RS-4) Their best known song is the 1975 hit "[Slow Ride](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Ride)". The band have released 17 studio albums, including eight [gold albums](app://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_recording_sales_certification) and one platinum, along with one double platinum live album. Despite several line-up changes, the band continue to record and perform.


r/70smusic 1d ago

1976 Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (1976)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
83 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1978 Hot Chocolate — Every 1’s a Winner (ZDF Disco, 1978)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
67 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1976 WILD MOUNTAIN HONEY ~ STEVE MILLER BAND

Thumbnail
youtube.com
33 Upvotes

From Steve's 4X platinum album Fly Like An Eagle - 1976.


r/70smusic 1d ago

1973 ELO - Showdown

Thumbnail
youtube.com
59 Upvotes

r/70smusic 21h ago

1976 HQ TOMMY BOLIN - POST TOASTEE Best Version! HIGH FIDELITY AUDIO

Thumbnail
youtu.be
2 Upvotes

r/70smusic 22h ago

1972 Buck Owens - Made In Japan

Thumbnail
youtu.be
2 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1977 Bob Welch - Sentimental Lady

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

197 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1978 Queen - We Will Rock You (Official Video Remastered | 1978 Edit)

Thumbnail
youtube.com
53 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1971 Roger Whittaker - Moonshine (1974)

Thumbnail
youtube.com
5 Upvotes

While the title says 1974, the song is apparently from the album A New World in the Morning, 1971


r/70smusic 2d ago

1979 Dr. Hook - When You're In love With A Beautiful Woman (1979)

Thumbnail
youtu.be
165 Upvotes

r/70smusic 2d ago

1976 Dorothy Moore - Misty Blue (Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, 1976)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

90 Upvotes

r/70smusic 2d ago

1970 Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) (Official HD Video)

Thumbnail
youtube.com
84 Upvotes

r/70smusic 1d ago

1978 Ian Gomm - Hold On

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

19 Upvotes

r/70smusic 2d ago

1979 Supertramp - Take the Long Way Home [1979]

Thumbnail
youtu.be
198 Upvotes

r/70smusic 2d ago

1976 Boz Scaggs - Lowdown [Yacht Rock]

Thumbnail
youtube.com
140 Upvotes