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The 100 Greatest Songs of 1972. #1. All The Young Dudes (1 Viewer)

Amie was actually played a lot years ago on our local classic rock/hard rock station.  I doubt it gets played much now as the station has drifted away from the softer classic rock of the late 60s and 70s, but it sure got played a lot back in my early radio listening days. 

 
timschochet said:
52. Pure Prairie League “Amie” (from Bustin’ Out) 

https://youtu.be/IEhyOIwAlZw

The bluegrass guitar solo at the opening of this song is simply perfect, and the rest of it isn’t that bad either. A classic country rock tune. 
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Love this song. This and the Allman's "Jessica" shone through (don't worry folks, that was 1973) even when I was disposed to hate those classic rock stations Ghost Rider spoke of. 

 
50. The Allman Brothers Band “Blue Sky” (from Eat a Peach) 

https://youtu.be/wwyXQn9g40I

So this long tune has a terrific melody, great lyrics, excellent singing (including some sweet harmonies). But what makes it extraordinary are the two lengthy guitar solos, the first by Duane Allman, the second by Dickey Betts. Each one is the exact same length, and the end of both are joined by the other guy, with some very complicated playing. In my mind, (being no expert), this is the only double guitar work in a song that matches (or even exceeds) the guitar ending of Eagles’ “Hotel California”. It’s that good. 

 
I personally would have put Blue Sky much higher, but that’s me. An all-timer double solo indeed, and way better than Hotel California IMO.

 
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Binky The Doormat said:
nice ...are you sticking with the songs that were radio play hits or going deeper?  
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By my count, of the 51 songs on the list so far, 15 were not hits of any kind, and never (or very rarely) played on the radio. 

Of the 49 songs remaining the number is smaller: 8 songs by my count received little or no radio attention. That’s to be expected as we move up the list. 

So- overall about 25%, which is pretty much in keeping with my other lists. The only exception was 1970, in which there were almost no deeper tracks. Too many legendary songs in that year. 

 
timschochet said:
49. Neil Young “The Needle and the Damage Done” (from Harvest) 

https://youtu.be/Hd3oqvnDKQk

Another one of the rare live songs on this list. Arguably the most powerful song about drugs ever written- certainly one of them. What’s so tragic is that, in less than a year after Young wrote this, Danny Whitten died of a heroin overdose. 
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Such a fine song.  I have said this before but is doesn’t hurt to repeat it.   I was a very minor Neil fan until just a few years ago.   Thanks to one of these music threads, I listened to a larger number of Neil’s songs and really gave them a listen.  I have really enjoy and appreciate his work.   There is such a variety of music in his catalogue that it always finds a way to hit the spot no matter my mood.  That’s a good thing for a moody guy like me.   

 
I am not a big Neil Young guy, but I am shocked to see this song so low in this countdown given how significant it is in his catalogue. 

 
timschochet said:
50. The Allman Brothers Band “Blue Sky” (from Eat a Peach) 

https://youtu.be/wwyXQn9g40I

So this long tune has a terrific melody, great lyrics, excellent singing (including some sweet harmonies). But what makes it extraordinary are the two lengthy guitar solos, the first by Duane Allman, the second by Dickey Betts. Each one is the exact same length, and the end of both are joined by the other guy, with some very complicated playing. In my mind, (being no expert), this is the only double guitar work in a song that matches (or even exceeds) the guitar ending of Eagles’ “Hotel California”. It’s that good. 
Click to expand...


About 49 spots too low.

 
48. Harry Chapin “Taxi” (from Heads & Tales) 

https://youtu.be/4qYU9b5OF8M

One of the classic “story” songs of all time. Chapin tells the tale of himself as a taxi driver, encountering a woman he knew years ago, and how their lives didn’t turn out the way they imagined. It’s a brilliant work, but it’s pretty astonishing that it reached the top of the Billboard charts. Only in the early 70s. 

 
timschochet said:
48. Harry Chapin “Taxi” (from Heads & Tales) 

https://youtu.be/4qYU9b5OF8M

One of the classic “story” songs of all time. Chapin tells the tale of himself as a taxi driver, encountering a woman he knew years ago, and how their lives didn’t turn out the way they imagined. It’s a brilliant work, but it’s pretty astonishing that it reached the top of the Billboard charts. Only in the early 70s. 
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One of my favorite songs. I'd have it much higher, but glad it's here regardless.

 
47. Humble Pie “Hot ‘N’ Nasty” (from Smokin’) 

https://youtu.be/uvwcnsydkks

A few people complained earlier that there weren’t enough pure rock songs on this list. Hopefully this will help to rectify that a little. Steve Marriott sings the absolute #### out of this song. He is remarkable. 

 
46. Paul Simon “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (from Paul Simon) 

https://youtu.be/JVdlpZ4M-Hw

A Paul Simon classic. Great guitar opening, inscrutable lyrics (what did Mama Pajama see, anyhow?) and a melody you can’t get out of your head. 

 
Ghost Rider said:
I am not a big Neil Young guy, but I am shocked to see this song so low in this countdown given how significant it is in his catalogue. 
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There are two others on the same album that are arguably more significant in his catalog. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see them later.

 
Leroy Hoard said:
I'm at the point in these threads where I'm just glad certain songs made the cut. The numbers imo will never be exactly right.
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I like to complain about song rankings in these threads but we all have different tastes in music.  The rankings don’t matter as much as what’s included on the list.   I do have to remind myself to shut up and enjoy the songs and effort made by the OP.  

 
44. Seals & Croft “Summer Breeze” (from Summer Breeze) 

https://youtu.be/GQQbjpomexo

Seals & Croft were a pretty mediocre early 70s duo. There’s only about 2 songs in their entire collection that I really love (“Get Closer” is the other.) But this Is a classic; every time I hear it it’s blowing’ through the jasmine in my mind. 

 
timschochet said:
44. Seals & Croft “Summer Breeze” (from Summer Breeze) 

https://youtu.be/GQQbjpomexo

Seals & Croft were a pretty mediocre early 70s duo. There’s only about 2 songs in their entire collection that I really love (“Get Closer” is the other.) But this Is a classic; every time I hear it it’s blowing’ through the jasmine in my mind. 
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Arguably the best song in pop history featuring a toy piano.

 
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I'm loving this thread.  1972 is around the time I started buying music. I fear Tim has passed over perhaps one of the most impactful songs of my life.

Hint:

I was 13. I was most likely crushing on my first "girlfriend" before moving to Edwards AFB. I didn't expect it to hit Tim's top 96 and his posting the thread encouraged me to google it for the first time in years.

Cheers

 
There is absolutely zero chance that there were 44 songs better than "Loving Cup" in 1972. We have already seen two songs that most certainly are not better and I love "Jack Straw" (though as an aside, that is also not the best song on Europe '72; I know there is a lot of debate about it, but for me this album still have the most perfect version of "Morning Dew"). 

 
42. Nick Drake “Pink Moon” (from Pink Moon) 

https://youtu.be/gJ56Loi5x6k

All credit to the FFA. If not for some posts in this forum from about ten years ago, I never would have heard of this artist, or this album, or this song, all of which have become permanent fixtures on my playlists and given me much pleasure. Such a good songwriter and his performance here is exquisite. 

I just realized I made an error in the link- it’s to the entire album, not just the opening song. Screw it: I’m leaving it. 

 
timschochet said:
42. Nick Drake “Pink Moon” (from Pink Moon) 

https://youtu.be/gJ56Loi5x6k

All credit to the FFA. If not for some posts in this forum from about ten years ago, I never would have heard of this artist, or this album, or this song, all of which have become permanent fixtures on my playlists and given me much pleasure. Such a good songwriter and his performance here is exquisite. 

I just realized I made an error in the link- it’s to the entire album, not just the opening song. Screw it: I’m leaving it. 
Click to expand...


Great pick, Tim. Nick Drake is awesome. Though still not better than "Loving Cup."

 
timschochet said:
42. Nick Drake “Pink Moon” (from Pink Moon) 

https://youtu.be/gJ56Loi5x6k

All credit to the FFA. If not for some posts in this forum from about ten years ago, I never would have heard of this artist, or this album, or this song, all of which have become permanent fixtures on my playlists and given me much pleasure. Such a good songwriter and his performance here is exquisite. 

I just realized I made an error in the link- it’s to the entire album, not just the opening song. Screw it: I’m leaving it. 
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Love this album and song.  Just exquisite picking and singing.  

 
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There was a VW coomercial around 10 years ago or so that had Pink Moon as the background music. Fell in love with the song, googled it and discovered Nick Drake. What a talent.

 
ProstheticRGK said:
There was a VW coomercial around 10 years ago or so that had Pink Moon as the background music. Fell in love with the song, googled it and discovered Nick Drake. What a talent.
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I remember the commercial, actually. It was like a starry night or something. I think there was another commercial many years before that one, too. It was about twenty-three or four years ago because my friend in D.C. commented on it at the time, I think, if memory serves me correctly. 

Yep. Here's an article about it. 

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-11-ca-49418-story.html

 
ProstheticRGK said:
I was 30- mature and seasoned, but still a pup. Riddled with insecurities but pregnant with ambition and drive. Now, I have no insecurities and, also, no lofty dreams.

I can’t decide which is worse.
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I don't know which is worse. This one always grabbed me upside a little a bit and knocked me around in its fear. 

Love, we all do struggle with loneliness. 
Love, I am often very afraid
That the best times that we had are somewhere in the past
And it's all fool's gold to hope for a better life  - The Arrivals 

 
rockaction said:
I remember the commercial, actually. It was like a starry night or something. I think there was another commercial many years before that one, too. It was about twenty-three or four years ago because my friend in D.C. commented on it at the time, I think, if memory serves me correctly. 

Yep. Here's an article about it. 

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-11-ca-49418-story.html
Click to expand...


Thanks for finding that.  

A few years ago, Pink Moon started showing up on my spotify daily mixes. At first I thought it was from the 90s. I'm sure this is why I thought that.

 
Willy said:
Thanks for finding that.  

A few years ago, Pink Moon started showing up on my spotify daily mixes. At first I thought it was from the 90s. I'm sure this is why I thought that.
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Nick Drake would have fit much better in the 90s than he did in the 70s. 

 
FairWarning said:
They really are great.
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Absolutely - ever since I saw their cover of 25 or 6 to 4 a few years ago, I’ve been hooked. Hailing from Russia I’m sure hasn’t helped their popularity. Just hope they haven’t faced any effects from things out of their control.

 
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About the Chicago song - I’ve seen the band play it 4-5 times now.  They usually play at halftime at a ND football game with thr ND band.  The drummer played for ND n the late 60’s.

Peetty iconic song that holds up today.thought Tim would have this in the top-10 

 
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