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The 100 Greatest Songs of 1975 #1. Bohemian Rhapsody (1 Viewer)

58. Jefferson Starship “Miracles” (from Red Octopus)

https://youtu.be/7m8izf-oXY4

Written by Marty Balin, this irresistible ballad might be the best song ever produced by Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship. Amazing how much it sounds like Fleetwood Mac (so much so for me that for years I assumed it was Fleetwood Mac; I also assumed the same for Starship’s 1978 hit, “Count On Me.”)

 
I love Miracles. Long song and pretty risqué lyrics for that era. I listened to it a lot last year and it helped get me through a rough time in my life. 

 
timschochet said:
58. Jefferson Starship “Miracles” (from Red Octopus)

https://youtu.be/7m8izf-oXY4

Written by Marty Balin, this irresistible ballad might be the best song ever produced by Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship. Amazing how much it sounds like Fleetwood Mac (so much so for me that for years I assumed it was Fleetwood Mac; I also assumed the same for Starship’s 1978 hit, “Count On Me.”)
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I can see the Mac comparison for "Count on Me", but not for "Miracles". Papa John Creach's strings throughout the choruses are unmistakable and sets the song apart.

EDIT: "Miracles" is an easy Top5 for me from '75.

 
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timschochet said:
58. Jefferson Starship “Miracles” (from Red Octopus)

https://youtu.be/7m8izf-oXY4

Written by Marty Balin, this irresistible ballad might be the best song ever produced by Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship. Amazing how much it sounds like Fleetwood Mac (so much so for me that for years I assumed it was Fleetwood Mac; I also assumed the same for Starship’s 1978 hit, “Count On Me.”)
Click to expand...
This is a great pick.

 
timschochet said:
58. Jefferson Starship “Miracles” (from Red Octopus)

https://youtu.be/7m8izf-oXY4

Written by Marty Balin, this irresistible ballad might be the best song ever produced by Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship. Amazing how much it sounds like Fleetwood Mac (so much so for me that for years I assumed it was Fleetwood Mac; I also assumed the same for Starship’s 1978 hit, “Count On Me.”)
Click to expand...
Not only is this great, so is the entire album from which it came. 

 
timschochet said:
60. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (from The Original Soundtrack) 

https://youtu.be/STugQ0X1NoI

A change of pace from the previous few picks. Until making this list I’ve only listened to this tune casually, whenever it showed up on the radio. As it turns out, like many great ballads it’s simplicity is deceptive. This is really a complex piece of work, especially the background vocals. And it influenced a whole lot of music that came after it- a song that immediately comes to mind for me is “Drive” by the Cars. 
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There's an interesting video on Y Tube somewhere that talks about the band recruiting the office receptionist to come into the studio and do the vocals on the "Big Boys don't cry" lyric for the song.    Funny story actually. 

 
timschochet said:
56. Elton John “Philadelphia Freedom” (from Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy) 

https://youtu.be/2sd6P2Tu8rw

The song was written as a favor to Billie Jean King to help promote her tennis team. That didn’t go anywhere, but the tune is still famous 45 years later. Shine the light, shine the light. 
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Why does the left, even when it spectacularly fails at promoting something, still come up with a hell of a jingle? A traveling lesbian tennis team? WHO WOULDN'T GO? ELTON JOHN? WHY WOULDN'T HE PEN A CLASSIC FOR IT?

 
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54. The BeeGees “Jive Talkin’” (from Main Course) 

https://youtu.be/oALKAh_bL5g

This song was a big hit in 1975 and put this band back on the map; then it became an even bigger hit in 1977 as part of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. This was really the beginning of the Maurice Gibb era when he simply dominated popular music like nobody, not even the Beatles, before or since for a short span of time. And it’s a great tune, probably my favorite by the band. 

 
timschochet said:
55. Bruce Springsteen “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (from Born to Run) 

https://youtu.be/BL-HL3ELvFI

One of the best efforts by the late Clarence Clemons. The keyboards aren’t that bad either. I never understood what this song was about, and when I looked it up was surprised to learn that Bruce doesn’t know either. 
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I always thought it was about getting the band together. 

"Change was made in time and the Big Man joined the band."

 
53. Patti Smith “Gloria” (from Horses) 

https://youtu.be/bPO0bTaWcFQ

This song has an interesting history: for years Smith was a performance artist whose main piece was a controversial poem called “Oath”, in which she renounced her Jehovah Witness upbringing. The first line: 

Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine. 

Later on she would sing her version of “Gloria” by Them. As she became more of a singer she simply combined the two together, which is what shows up on the album, which rock critics hail as a punk rock classic. Yet it really doesn’t sound like punk as we’ve come to know it. Actually it doesn’t sound like anything before or since, really. 
For a look at Patti Smith at this time, check out Martin Scorsese’s doc “Rolling Thunder Revue” on. Netflix about the Bob Dylan concert tour in 1976. 

 
52. Led Zeppelin “In the Light” (from Physical Graffiti) 

https://youtu.be/pNo1nS_JV5k

I think “In the Light” might be the closest thing this band ever got to a true epic progressive rock song in the vein of Yes or Emerson, Lake and Palmer. This tune has a long opening sequence which probably will not be found very accessible the first time one hears it- weird, spacey keyboards by John Paul Jones accompanied by spooky vocals. If you can get past that to the terrific verse and the absolutely sublime chorus, the payoff is immense. In fact, Plant’s singing the second chorus of this song just might be the highlight of his career.  

 
timschochet said:
52. Led Zeppelin “In the Light” (from Physical Graffiti) 

https://youtu.be/pNo1nS_JV5k

I think “In the Light” might be the closest thing this band ever got to a true epic progressive rock song in the vein of Yes or Emerson, Lake and Palmer. This tune has a long opening sequence which probably will not be found very accessible the first time one hears it- weird, spacey keyboards by John Paul Jones accompanied by spooky vocals. If you can get past that to the terrific verse and the absolutely sublime chorus, the payoff is immense. In fact, Plant’s singing the second chorus of this song just might be the highlight of his career.  
Click to expand...
It's a tough task ranking all these songs and always subjective, but I'd be hard pressed to come up with 51 better songs than this one from the year.

 
timschochet said:
52. Led Zeppelin “In the Light” (from Physical Graffiti) 

https://youtu.be/pNo1nS_JV5k

I think “In the Light” might be the closest thing this band ever got to a true epic progressive rock song in the vein of Yes or Emerson, Lake and Palmer. This tune has a long opening sequence which probably will not be found very accessible the first time one hears it- weird, spacey keyboards by John Paul Jones accompanied by spooky vocals. If you can get past that to the terrific verse and the absolutely sublime chorus, the payoff is immense. In fact, Plant’s singing the second chorus of this song just might be the highlight of his career.  
Click to expand...
One of their very best, and that's quite a high bar. 

 
timschochet said:
I am listening to “Atom Heart Mother” this morning, I think for the first time. Very weird but I like it. 
 

I think my next list will be 1970. 
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Very underrated album, although can do without "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast". IMO, "Fat Old Sun" is one the most underrated songs in their entire collection.

 
timschochet said:
50. Kiss “Rock and Roll All Nite (Live Version)” (released as single) 

https://youtu.be/EFMD7Usflbg

So what if this is one of only three Kiss songs that I can name? (The other two are “Beth” and “Detroit Rock City”). Before all the hair bands of the 80s, before Motley Crue, before Van Halen, there was Kiss who partied every day. 
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Does this song come with memories of Gene Simmons's rotating head regurgitating blood while he holds up a fistful of dollars? Because if it didn't, now it does.

You're welcome.

 
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timschochet said:
50. Kiss “Rock and Roll All Nite (Live Version)” (released as single) 

https://youtu.be/EFMD7Usflbg

So what if this is one of only three Kiss songs that I can name? (The other two are “Beth” and “Detroit Rock City”). Before all the hair bands of the 80s, before Motley Crue, before Van Halen, there was Kiss who partied every day. 
Click to expand...
Too bad you don’t know more - “Black Diamond” from the same album is one of their very best songs IMO. And “She” kicks ###, too.

 
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48. Queen “Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)” (from A Night at the Opera) 

https://youtu.be/v4zmv1IFCOA

The two meanest rock songs ever written were both released in 1975. This is one of them, the other will show up a little later on this countdown. 
But the nasty, vicious lyrics aren’t really what makes this tune great, IMO: it’s that opening piano/guitar riff, as rocking as anything this band has ever produced. 

 
timschochet said:
48. Queen “Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)” (from A Night at the Opera) 

https://youtu.be/v4zmv1IFCOA

The two meanest rock songs ever written were both released in 1975. This is one of them, the other will show up a little later on this countdown. 
But the nasty, vicious lyrics aren’t really what makes this tune great, IMO: it’s that opening piano/guitar riff, as rocking as anything this band has ever produced. 
Click to expand...
My second favorite Queen song of all time  - love it. #1 is actually also on this album, but I’m sure won’t be on the countdown.

ETA: it’s justifiably mean due to them being screwed over by their former manager 

 
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Death on Two Legs is probably my 3rd favorite song on A Night at the Opera behind the biggie (which is probably gonna be number 1 here) and '39.

 
zamboni said:
Too bad you don’t know more - “Black Diamond” from the same album is one of their very best songs IMO. And “She” kicks ###, too.
Click to expand...
I was a big kiss fan as a kid and enjoyed their concerts in my 20s..  They were an entertaining show and had some fun songs.   Tim’s selection is one of my most hated songs by any band.   I can’t turn that song off fast enough.  Still love this thread though.  

 
46. Gary Wright “Love is Alive” (from The Dream Weaver) 

https://youtu.be/82DSEkHatpw

Gary Wright might just be the greatest two hit wonder of all time. His album in 1975 had two classic songs on it that still get played all these years later- with good reason because they’re both great. Here is one of them. 
I don’t know anyone who’s listened to the rest of the album or anything else by the guy. 

 
timschochet said:
46. Gary Wright “Love is Alive” (from The Dream Weaver) 

https://youtu.be/82DSEkHatpw

Gary Wright might just be the greatest two hit wonder of all time. His album in 1975 had two classic songs on it that still get played all these years later- with good reason because they’re both great. Here is one of them. 
I don’t know anyone who’s listened to the rest of the album or anything else by the guy. 
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Love this. I have listened to the whole album. The other songs aren't in the same league as the two hits, but they're mostly not bad.

The second album by Spooky Tooth, which Wright fronted before going solo, is also very good. 

 
45. The Who “Squeeze Box” (from The Who By Numbers) 

https://youtu.be/pW3PSKJ-Bik

After 4 of the most legendary albums in rock history (Tommy, Live at Leeds, Who’s Next, and Quadrophenia) The Who Bu Numbers was probably seen as a bit of a let down. But it had a few real gems on it, and this double entendre smash hit for the band. Love Pete’s banjo work here, and Roger’s sincere vocals on the bridge. 

 
timschochet said:
47. Foghat “Slow Ride” (from Fool for the City) 

https://youtu.be/GcCNcgoyG_0

One of the great hard rock songs of all time. Meant to be played LOUD. 
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This is about 40-45 spots too low.  Killer song.

timschochet said:
45. The Who “Squeeze Box” (from The Who By Numbers) 

https://youtu.be/pW3PSKJ-Bik

After 4 of the most legendary albums in rock history (Tommy, Live at Leeds, Who’s Next, and Quadrophenia) The Who Bu Numbers was probably seen as a bit of a let down. But it had a few real gems on it, and this double entendre smash hit for the band. Love Pete’s banjo work here, and Roger’s sincere vocals on the bridge. 
Click to expand...
I don't listen to The Who much anymore, and they were never really a major favorite of mine even though I do love Tommy and Quadrophenia, but I still will turn on Squeeze Box. Fun little tune.

 
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