The 1970s were a time of great change, from the end of the Vietnam War to the rise of personal computers. This tumultuous era was reflected in its music, which embraced a mix of rock, reggae, funk, country, and pop. Artists broke away from traditional norms, exploring new sounds and pushing boundaries. Punk and funk gained popularity, while country music experienced a revival with outlaw country emerging. Disco also emerged in the ’70s, with hits like “Saturday Night Fever” propelling the genre to new heights. The music scene in 1975 was a vibrant blend of genres, making it a fascinating year to revisit. To showcase the diverse music landscape of 1975, Stacker compiled the top 50 songs from Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, as of January 2025. While some songs were released in 1974, they achieved chart success in 1975. During this era, a song’s performance was determined by physical sales and radio airplay in the U.S. Stay tuned to explore these 50 songs celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025.
#45. ‘Fallin’ in Love’ by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
The third and final album from Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds features the title track “Fallin’ in Love,” their sole chart-topping hit. Despite Tommy Reynolds’ departure from the group in 1972, the band opted to retain its original name after recruiting Alan Dennison.
#44. ‘I Can Help’ by Billy Swan
Billy Swan achieved considerable crossover success with the title track from his 1974 debut album, “I Can Help.” This single reached the top spot on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts in the U.S., propelling Swan to fame although he struggled to replicate this success with subsequent releases.
#43. ‘I’m Not in Love’ by 10cc
The release of “I’m Not in Love” brought 10cc, a successful U.K. band, into the American market, where the song reached the #2 position on the charts, expanding the group’s reach and popularity.
#42. ‘Listen to What the Man Said’ by Wings
Despite facing challenges, Wings, Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles project, achieved a breakthrough with the chart-topping single “Listen to What the Man Said” from their album “Venus and Mars” in 1975. This success was followed by a world tour and further acclaim for the group.
#41. ‘I’m Not Lisa’ by Jessi Colter
A notable figure in the outlaw country movement, Jessi Colter found success with her pop-leaning hit “I’m Not Lisa,” produced by her husband Waylon Jennings. The song reached the top of the country charts and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
#40. ‘Wildfire’ by Michael Martin Murphey
Prior to the release of “Wildfire,” Michael Martin Murphey was relatively unknown, but the song became a Top 10 hit and remains a country classic with a mysterious origin story that Murphey claims came to him in a dream.
#39. ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ by Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin’s poignant folk-rock song “Cat’s in the Cradle” resonated with audiences upon its release in 1974, earning Chapin his first and only #1 single as it explored the regret of a father who realizes too late the importance of spending time with his son.
#38. ‘Could It Be Magic’ by Barry Manilow
Initially recorded as an uptempo track with his studio band Featherbed, Barry Manilow’s ballad version of “Could It Be Magic” from his debut album gained popularity when re-released in 1975, eventually reaching the Top 10 and peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
#37. ‘Have You Never Been Mellow’ by Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John’s “Have You
In 1971, the hit song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by Scott English gained popularity in the U.K. The song was originally released by its writer, Scott English. One of the best rock albums of all time features this iconic track.
Elton John decided to cover “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” after being inspired by The Beatles’ 1968 film “Yellow Submarine,” which included the classic song. In 1974, Elton John released his version of the song and enlisted John Lennon, the original writer, to contribute backing vocals and guitar under the pseudonym Dr. Winston O’Boogie.
Similarly, America’s hit “Sister Golden Hair” was written by Gerry Beckley well before the band recorded it. Originally intended for their 1974 album “Holiday,” the song was later included in their 1975 album “Hearts,” becoming their second #1 single.
The Carpenters breathed new life into The Marvelettes’ 1961 hit “Please Mr. Postman” in 1974, turning it into another #1 hit. Pilot’s “Magic” became a commercial success after 50 years, with its catchy chorus even being used in a diabetes drug commercial.
The Ohio Players achieved crossover success with their funk-soul hit “Fire” in 1975, topping both the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts. Meanwhile, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils’ hit “Jackie Blue” underwent a lyrical change before becoming a success for the band.
In a car accident the previous year, Major Harris began his solo career after leaving the Delfonics in 1974. His hit single “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” was released in the following year. The song about New Orleans sex workers, “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1975 and was later covered by Pink, Mya, Lil Kim, and Christina Aguilera for the “Moulin Rouge!” soundtrack in 2001. Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony’s “The Hustle,” a disco hit in 1975, won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. The Average White Band’s funky instrumental track “Pick Up the Pieces” also reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975. Janis Ian’s single “At Seventeen” from her 1975 album “Between the Lines” became the biggest hit of her career, praised for its honest portrayal of teenage life. Tony Orlando and Dawn’s cover of Jerry Butler’s “He Will Break Your Heart” topped the charts fifteen years after the original release. B.J. Thomas’ ballad “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” won a Grammy for Best Country Song and also reached the top of the pop chart in 1975. Sweet’s glam rock hit “The Ballroom Blitz” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and gained further popularity with a cover in the 1992 movie “Wayne’s World.” The Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water,” one of their two chart-topping hits, almost wasn’t written if not for a fortuitous jam session.
While jamming with the riff, Mons encouraged his friend to build a song around it. Here are some notable songs that have enjoyed long reigns on the Billboard charts:
#15. ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ by Carl Douglas
Carl Douglas may be known as a one-hit wonder, but that hit is truly unforgettable. “Kung Fu Fighting” stands as a disco classic from the 1970s, paying homage to the martial arts film craze of that era.
#14. ‘Lovin’ You’ by Minnie Riperton
Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” not only topped the charts but also holds deeper significance. The singer, who is actress Maya Rudolph’s mother, co-wrote this dreamy tune with her husband Richard Rudolph as a lullaby for their children.
#13. ‘Best of My Love’ by The Eagles
The Eagles achieved five chart-topping hits in the ’70s, starting with “Best of My Love” in 1974. Singer Don Henley revealed that most of the song’s lyrics were penned in a booth at the Los Angeles restaurant Dan Tana’s.
#12. ‘Jive Talkin” by The Bee Gees
The Bee Gees experienced success in the ’70s with nine chart-topping singles. “Jive Talkin'” marked their first #1 hit since 1971’s “How to Mend a Broken Heart,” with the track originally named “Drive Talkin'” until Barry Gibb’s studio slip led to its change.
#11. ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ by John Denver
After the triumph of his initial country crossover “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971, John Denver found further success with “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” in 1975. The song, penned by John Martin Sommers of Denver’s backing band, captured Denver’s heart and led to his recording of it.
These are just a few of the timeless hits that have left their mark on music history.
Don Brewer was a huge fan of kick-starting sing-alongs to the iconic 1967 track “Some Kind of Wonderful” by the Soul Brothers Six. It all began when the band’s manager put forth the idea of recording a cover of the song, which ultimately turned out to be one of their most successful hits to date.
Moving on to more musical highlights, let’s delve into a list of the 50 best albums of the 21st century, as rated by esteemed critics. In the fifth spot, we have the timeless classic “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli, a heartwarming ballad that not only credited Valli but also showcased the immense talent of his Four Seasons bandmates. Following a period of relative quiet, this song helped Frankie Valli make a triumphant return to the music scene in 1976.
Continuing our musical journey, we come to the soul-stirring tune “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender. Originally recorded in 1967 by Duane Dee, it was Fender’s rendition in 1974 that truly captured the hearts of listeners, topping both the country and pop charts and solidifying his place in music history.
Next up is the enigmatic Elton John with his chart-topping single “Philadelphia Freedom,” a standout track that followed the success of his Beatles cover “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” The song’s remarkable climb to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and subsequent inclusion in “Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume 2” further cemented John’s status as a musical legend.
Turning our attention to the legendary Glen Campbell, we encounter his breakthrough hit “Rhinestone Cowboy,” a song that marked his first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after years of climbing the charts. With its simultaneous success on the country charts, this track became a defining moment in Campbell’s illustrious career.
Finally, we arrive at the iconic “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille, a track originally penned by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. This delightful tune, brought to life by the duo, soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and served as the title track for their debut album, solidifying Captain & Tennille’s place in music history.
Dive deeper into the world of music with the fascinating tale of the prison soul band that once had the incredible opportunity to open for none other than the legendary Stevie Wonder.
