Celebrating 50+ years of Progressive Rock with the Top 70 prog songs of the 1970s (1 Viewer)

[Eephus]

Playlist updated

Pecorino's Top 70 Prog Songs of the 1970s

Playlist · eephus · 42 items · 13 saves

open.spotify.com

Average song length is over eight minutes

Ya, sorry that they're so short. This is towards the back end of the list. By the time we hit the top seven, the average running time will be about double that. Can't wait!

The first three Minutemen albums squeezed 78 songs into about the same length of time as the playlist so far.


ETA: ...with some occasional forays into Prog-adjacent territory

 

[Leroy Hoard]

The first three Minutemen albums squeezed 78 songs into about the same length of time as the playlist so far.

One of the most accurately named bands ever.

 

[massraider]

Spotify is arguably the most popular music streaming service for people on this board (in the music threads at least).

It's the most popular streaming service in the world.

I dunno about the board.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Spotify is arguably the most popular music streaming service for people on this board (in the music threads at least).

It's the most popular streaming service in the world.

I dunno about the board.

see? Always someone willing to argue, hence “arguably”.

 

[massraider]

Spotify is arguably the most popular music streaming service for people on this board (in the music threads at least).

It's the most popular streaming service in the world.

I dunno about the board.

see? Always someone willing to argue, hence “arguably”.

Well, actualllllllly, it's not arguable.

I was just reinforcing your point, wasn't trying to disagree.

 

[pecorino]

Spotify is arguably the most popular music streaming service for people on this board (in the music threads at least).

It's the most popular streaming service in the world.

I dunno about the board.

see? Always someone willing to argue, hence “arguably”.

Well, actualllllllly, it's not arguable.

I was just reinforcing your point, wasn't trying to disagree.

This is helpful. I used to think that Spotify was the app that allowed you to hold your phone up to a song that's playing and it would tell you the title. My wife did this often and it never worked properly. And it wasn't Spotify.

 

[massraider]

Spotify is arguably the most popular music streaming service for people on this board (in the music threads at least).

It's the most popular streaming service in the world.

I dunno about the board.

see? Always someone willing to argue, hence “arguably”.

Well, actualllllllly, it's not arguable.

I was just reinforcing your point, wasn't trying to disagree.

This is helpful. I used to think that Spotify was the app that allowed you to hold your phone up to a song that's playing and it would tell you the title. My wife did this often and it never worked properly. And it wasn't Spotify.

Shazam

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

 

[pecorino]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

Most of the "newer" prog I like tend to be Opeth songs of the last 15 years.

 

[pecorino]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

Most of the "newer" prog I like tend to be Opeth songs of the last 15 years.

I meant an old prog song on the list that is new to you.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

Most of the "newer" prog I like tend to be Opeth songs of the last 15 years.

I meant an old prog song on the list that is new to you.

That particular Renaissance song is new to me, I basically know some of their later stuff. Also the Stevie Wonder song.

 

[Todem]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

Most of the "newer" prog I like tend to be Opeth songs of the last 15 years.

Blackwater Park is a masterpiece along with Damnation. I literally just got into them a few years ago.

 

[Todem]

I am listening to the new David Gilmour album for the first time as I type this.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

reaction.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am listening to the new David Gilmour album for the first time as I type this.

Pretty great, isn't it??

In the meantime, some thoughts on a few songs featured thus far...

I loved seeing One for the Vine make this. Genesis did a lot of great stuff in the post-PG years, and One for the Vine is one of their best proggy tunes of any Genesis era.

I don't listen to ELP very much anymore, but Knife-edge is definitely a great tune.

And You and I is my favorite Yes songs more days than not. That could have been number 1 here and I wouldn't have complained.

Jacob's Ladder is a top 5 Rush song in my book. Flawless. Incredible.

I don't listen to Kansas much anymore either, but Leftoverture is still a masterpiece, and Magnum Opus is that good.

 

[pecorino]

#

Song

Artist

Album

Year

56	Proclamation	Gentle Giant	The Power and the Glory	1974
55	Yours is No Disgrace	Yes	The Yes Album	1971
54	Walk on By	Isaac Hayes	Hot Buttered Soul	1969
53	21st Century Schizoid Man	King Crimson	In the Court of the Crimson King	1969
52	Rhayader	Camel	The Snowgoose	1975
51	Odyssey	Dixie Dregs	What If	1978
50	Cygnus X-1:	Rush	A Farewell to Kings	1977

#56) Band: Gentle Giant, Song: Proclamation. From the Album: The Power and the Glory (1974)

If you know the melody of this song, it could be from Travis Scott’s sampling on his track “Hyaena” from 2023. Pretty amazing that this obscure, deep prog cut would appear on a rapper’s album 50 years later. The chords and the harmonies are unlike anything you have ever heard. I can’t imagine the difficulty later transcribers would face in trying to identify what in the heck this band is doing. And yet it is so listenable. The main hook is catchy enough for Travis Scott and modern listeners. Even the odd harmonies somehow sound right. Little-known Gentle Giant is indeed a major player in the progressive rock scene of the 70s but never came close to cracking the public consciousness like Genesis, Yes, King Crimson or Rush, all of whom have had at least a day in the sun.

Proclamation by Gentle Giant

#55) Band: Yes, Song: Yours is No Disgrace. From the Album: The Yes Album (1971)

While this is the third studio album from Yes, it is the first that is firmly in the Progressive category, containing only three songs per side. Steve Howe and Chris Squire’s punchy, staccato riffs kick off the album on this opening track, announcing the arrival of Yes as a force in the prog scene. Add some cryptic lyrics from Jon Anderson with great harmonies and a driving tempo, you’ve got yourself a very solid progressive rock song. What separates this track and much of Yes’ output from others is the bass. Nothing sounds like that bass from Chris Squire. When he wants it to sound fat, it is fatter than anything else you’ll hear. When he’s playing melodic, walking basslines, he brings touch and musicianship. I imagine that Squire pushed Howe to explore his own instrument (typically a Gibson) and we get to hear the fruits of that partnership with some unique sounds coming from the electric guitar, too. Yes would reach full maturity on their next album Fragile released later in 1971 and they would mine the vein of Progressive Rock to its apex in 1974’s Relayer–a significant impetus for compiling this list on its 50th anniversary.

Yours is no Disgrace by Yes

#54) Band: Isaac Hayes, Song: Walk on By. From the Album: Hot Buttered Soul, (1969, written by David and Bacharach in 1963)

Please listen to this with fresh ears (easy to do if you’re unfamiliar with Isaac Hayes’ early albums) before deciding if it fits in a list of progressive music from the 70s. Sure, it is more appropriately labeled as “progressive soul” which I’d encourage you to dig into. Hayes’ cool, smooth voice seems very out of place compared to the screechy likes of Geddy Lee or Peter Hamill. The acidic guitars have something to say about the placement of this track on a list like this. Hip, electric piano, too, keep this groove going for a dozen glorious minutes. Welcome to our little conclave here, Chef, we are happy to have you.

Walk on By by Isaac Hayes

#53) Band: King Crimson, Song: 21st Century Schizoid Man. From the Album: In the Court of the Crimson King, (1969)

This is the key album to unlocking the beginnings of the Progressive Rock movement of the 1970s. A genealogy of the genre would show personnel weaving in and out of King Crimson (and Yes) over the years to such an extent that they are rightly thought of as the roots of that tree. And Fripp is the root of the root. Robert Fripp was mentioned in track #69 (Pictures of a City) but much more could be said about him. I highly recommend the treatise / biography about Fripp put together by Eric Tamm in 1990: Fripp Biography

Fripp is a professor, a student of the guitar, a master of the guitar, a goofball, a philosopher. Fripp and Jon Anderson together shaped the spirit of prog rock throughout the 70s like two sides of the brain, with Anderson on the right and Fripp on the left. It is my opinion that Fripp should be heralded among the greatest musicians of the 20th century alongside McCartney, Gershwin, Cage, and the like. It’s a shame that he rarely gets his due so I am here to champion him.

This particular track is the opening song of this seminal debut album from King Crimson. It begins with 30 seconds of near silence, enticing the listener to crank up the volume. Then Fripp and company bring the power in the form of blaring saxophone and edgy drumming. The guitar isn’t even really featured until a later solo which suits Fripp’s style of hanging back on stage in the darkness and allowing the band to form a cohesive unit before emerging with his distinctive guitar cutting through. The breakdown from 4:23 - 4:59 is so proggy it hurts–power and precision in a nice little thirty-six-second package. You’ve probably heard this track before, possibly as part of an advertisement or even as another sample (Kanye West, 2010). Hope you enjoy it again.

21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson

#52) Band: Camel, Song: Rhayader / Rhayader Goes to Town. From the Album: The Snowgoose (1975)

It’s just so damn catchy. Camel fall on the lighter side of prog rock. On this track, jazz flute never fit in with a rock song so well. Get this tune in your head and it’s not going anywhere. This song sets the table for the entire suite, a soundtrack to a movie that was never made. While the whole album is worth a listen, this is its standout track.

A live version: Rhayader by Camel

#51) Band: Dixie Dregs, Song: Odyssey From the Album: What If? (1978)

This wonderful album reads as more jazz or even country-fried rock than it does progressive but I’ll slot this centerpiece track just ouside the top 50 in the genre. This is serious, instrumental music made for the discerning listener. Tasteful violin lines, lovely phrasing with just a touch of direction-turning which gives it a prog feel. There’s a different kind of breakdown (compared to 21st Century Schizoid man) at the 2:56 mark which sounds a bit cheesy and dated but still serves as a peppy interlude. I just love the musicality of this piece and the flurry of notes into the close.

Odyssey by Dixie Dregs

#50) Band: Rush, Song: Cygnus X-1: Book I: The Voyage From the Album: A Farewell to Kings (1977)

I could have sworn this song touched the twenty-minute mark but it’s truly only half that long. The band covers a ton of ground both lyrically and musically in ten glorious minutes. The Cliff Notes for the lyrics: The curiosity of what lies in or beyond a black hole draws the main character and his ship, the Rocinante, into Cygnus X-1. Spirited rhythms with fun time signature changes lead the listener to the frenetic entrance to the black hole as the song ends with a cliffhanger…

Cygnus X-1: Book I: The Voyage by Rush

 

[Eephus]

Playlist updated

Average song length increases to 8 minutes 15 seconds.

 

[pecorino]

Playlist updated

Average song length increases to 8 minutes 15 seconds.

Thanks. I suspect even longer songs to come…

 

[Eephus]

Playlist updated

Average song length increases to 8 minutes 15 seconds.

Thanks. I suspect even longer songs to come…

I'm taking the under on 9:00

 

[pecorino]

Playlist updated

Average song length increases to 8 minutes 15 seconds.

Thanks. I suspect even longer songs to come…

I'm taking the under on 9:00

I think you'd be wise not to lay money on that under.

 

[pecorino]

eephus: Thanks so much for compiling the playlist. Last I checked, 21st Century Schizoid Man was missing, though.

 

[pecorino]

#	Song	Artist	Album	Year
49	Cygnus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres	Rush	Hemispheres	1978
48	Song for America	Kansas	Song for America	1975
47	Killer	Van def Graaf Generator	H to He, Who Am the Only One	1970
46	Living for the City	Stevie Wonder	Innervisions	1973
45	Indiscipline	King Crimson	Discipline	1981
44	Watcher of the Skies	Genesis	Foxtrot	1972
43	Peaches en Regalia	Frank Zappa	Hot Rats	1969

#49) Band: Rush, Song: Cygnus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres From the Album: Hemispheres (1978)

And the cliffhanger is resolved. In real time, fans needed to wait over a year to learn the fate of the Rocinante and its intrepid explorer. What does he find within the black hole? Apollo and Dionysus bickering over which is more important, reason or emotion. The album title and the subtitle of this track allude to the two portions of our brain with the oft-repeated notion that a person is either right-brained or left-brained. The true hero of this story is Cygnus who is dubbed the Bringer of Balance, extolling the listener to marry both hemispheres of his brain “in a single perfect sphere.” I prefer the music of this piece just a bit more than part 1. The band was maturing and they also put a ton of time and energy into this entire album. They really stretched themselves and the results are fantastic. There are only four total songs on this album (this suite plus three shorter tunes). It’s a lean, mean LP; one of the greats in prog rock and the apex of Rush. Many would argue that the subsequent Permanent Waves is better or certainly Moving Pictures when they really hit big. Those are fine albums but Hemispheres to me is just perfect.

Cygnus X-1: Book II: Hemispheres by Rush

#48) Band: Kansas, Song: Song for America From the Album: Song for America (1975)

Prog Rock from the 1970’s is rightly associated with England. But it doesn’t get any more American than with this title track from Kansas’ second album. While “Rhapsody in Blue,” the ultimate piece of 20th century American music, evokes the bustle of New York City, Kansas draws the listener to the heartland. The track begins: “Virgin land of forest green, dark and stormy plains / Here all life abounds / Sunlit valley, mountain fields, unseen in the rain / Here all life abounds.” As you may guess, the message turns darker as man imposes his hand on the land. Nonetheless the piece ends on an optimistic note for the human race. The music, too, is uplifiting–full of syncopation and deft playing. This is Kansas at their best. If I had to pick just one song from their catalog, this would be it.

Song for America by Kansas

#47) Band: Van der Graaf Generator, Song: Killer From the Album: H to He, Who Am the Only One, (1970)

And back to old England with the first track from Van der Graaf Generator on this list with maybe the most British of voices leading us there in Peter Hammill. His voice can be divisive. Some find it compelling and rich. Others, like me, find it grating and don’t really like it. But the music is so strong that one cannot deny Van der Graaf Generator’s place in Prog Rock. For as uplifting as the last entry was, this one is equally as dark. Explore the lyrics if you like but the music itself does the job: foreboding, heavy, driving. Much of their work contains that darkness and seriousness. Explore Van der Graaf if that sounds like your cup of Earl Grey.

Killer by Van der Graaf Generator

#46) Band: Stevie Wonder, Song: Living for the City From the Album: Innervisions, (1973)

Let’s stick with another song which combines strong, meaningful lyrics with great music. Stevie takes us to the deep South and some tough realities of growing up poor and being mistreated by the prison system. And instead of the different stanzas (or movements) of this piece leading us through fantastical lands, they take us from Mississippi to New York City, from poverty to racial injustice. While not the proggiest of pieces, the theme introduced at 1:09 is such a great riff and almost orchestral in nature. We also hear sounds of the city in a “music concrete” moment, typical of Zappa or Pink Floyd, when our protagonist has a run-in with the police. Stevie is such an optimist that the piece ends on a more positive note, looking towards a better tomorrow.

Living for the City by Stevie Wonder

#45) Band: King Crimson, Song: Indiscipline From the Album: Discipline, (1981)

The title of this album (Discipline) and this track (Indiscipline) tell us what we need to know. At this stage of his career, Robert Fripp had just completed his contemplative “Drive to 81” when he essentially wood-shedded for five years in New York City, reinventing himself and his playing. Fripp emerged with a new age aesthetic as well as a more monk-like philosophy of minimalism and simplicity. King Crimson had not released an album since Red seven years earlier. When Fripp reformed the group in 1981, he shackled drummer Bill Bruford, asking him to play less. This sparseness led to a completely different sound and can be seen as the advent of “post-progressive rock” where this list essentially ends. The 80’s had arrived; synths abounded, shorter, poppier pieces replaced the epics and their sci-fi/fantasy ways. As one might expect, Bruford wanted to break out and Fripp gave him the opportunity on the track “Indiscipline.” Give Bruford some space and he’s gonna fill it brilliantly. He is arguably the greatest drummer of the genre and holds his own more broadly in the jazz world over the past half century. Hear him (and Fripp and Levin and Belew) go off for four and a half glorious minutes. Can you figure out the time signature?

Indiscipline by King Crimson

#44) Band: Genesis, Song: Watcher of the Skies. From the Album: Foxtrot (1972)

That Phish performed this song at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when Genesis was inducted shows that this track carries weight in their catalog though you may never have heard of it. (Or maybe they chose this song because Lizards hold a special place in Phish’s own canon and they were winking at themselves…) The boys from Vermont did an admirable job covering it for the event, but replicating Peter Gabriel’s vocals is just impossible. The lyrics conjure a deity looking down at planet Earth but upon a closer reading, it’s actually an alien race observing what remains (lizards) once man’s time has ended. Peter’s lyrics often evoke religion or God but also typically reveal a more humanistic bent. The music fits this imagery perfectly with the expansive mellotron working overtime. The syncopated rhythms are reminiscent of “Song for America”. Both pieces keep the listener interested, trying to catch up with what the band is doing. It makes me come back for more which is the highest praise I can give.

Watcher of the Skies by Genesis

#43) Band: Frank Zappa, Song: Peaches en Regalia. From the Album: Hot Rats (1969)

While Phish is on my mind, let’s travel to California for the first appearance of Mr Frank Zappa on our list. His music is fairly easy to categorize if one goes album by album. Reuben and the Jets: Doo-***. Zoot Allures: Rock and Roll. Francesco Zappa: Chamber Music. Hot Rats? Well, that is a little trickier. It has moments of jazz, music concrete, and yes progressive. “Peaches en Regalia” is a short instrumental work which sounds to me like classical music played with rock instruments along with some horns. And maybe it does not make my list if Phish hasn’t played it regularly (albeit only about once per year) as part of their live show. There is just something about the construction of this piece. Frank was odd, this piece is odd. Yet it follows a fairly traditional song structure. It’s not played fast, it’s not overwrought, it’s in 4/4 time. But it just sounds so different. It’s all about the sound. This piece is as unique as Frank but highly listenable and fun.

Peaches en Regalia by Frank Zappa

 

[zamboni]

#43) Band: Frank Zappa, Song: Peaches en Regalia. From the Album: Hot Rats (1969)

Such a great jam. There’s another one from the album that I like even more, but won’t call it out right now.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am one of those unusual Rush fans in that I do not genuflect to either Cygnus X-1 track. I like both, but Part 1 has dropped down quite a bit on my list of favorites over the years, and Hemispheres has long been a song I really liked, but never really loved.

Watcher of the Skies is awesome musically, but the clunky vocal melodies bother me a bit; they just don't flow well. Still a good song though, and that mellotron intro is one of the most iconic moments of 70s prog.

As someone who finds King Crimson far more miss than hit, I love Discipline. That said, Indiscipline isn't one of my favorites from it, but I still dig it.

Song for America is still a Kansas song I will go back to somewhat often, even if I don't go back to Kansas a lot in general these days.

Love seeing Camel make this. Rhayader is awesome, especially in the tandem with Rhayader Goes to Town. You'll be hard pressed to find any band in the 70s (from any genre) whose first four albums were better than Camel's first four.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I was a big Kansas fan back in the day, I don't find I go back to them as much as some other prog groups. I do think their album Masque is very underrated.

"Two Cents Worth" should have been released as a single.

 

[pecorino]

I am one of those unusual Rush fans in that I do not genuflect to either Cygnus X-1 track. I like both, but Part 1 has dropped down quite a bit on my list of favorites over the years, and Hemispheres has long been a song I really liked, but never really loved.

Watcher of the Skies is awesome musically, but the clunky vocal melodies bother me a bit; they just don't flow well. Still a good song though, and that mellotron intro is one of the most iconic moments of 70s prog.

As someone who finds King Crimson far more miss than hit, I love Discipline. That said, Indiscipline isn't one of my favorites from it, but I still dig it.

Song for America is still a Kansas song I will go back to somewhat often, even if I don't go back to Kansas a lot in general these days.

Love seeing Camel make this. Rhayader is awesome, especially in the tandem with Rhayader Goes to Town. You'll be hard pressed to find any band in the 70s (from any genre) whose first four albums were better than Camel's first four.

At this level of excellence, it's just a matter of taste. Camel, to me, is too light. I love their work but I need to be in the right mood to seek it out and not much of it would crack my top 70. King Crimson, on the other hand, always seems to have something in their catalog that scratches whatever itch I have that day. Same for Rush.

Totally get your comment about Watcher of the Skies and agree. That's why it falls to a second tier from their catalog. Probably could have been swapped for One for the Vine which wasn't as highly ranked. I just prefer Peter's vocals to Phil's. There's a lot more of their work to come.

 

[Eephus]

playlist updated (including 21st Century Schizoid Man)

average song length - 8:13

 

[Leroy Hoard]

average song length - 8:13

I look forward to these updates. It's like watching live betting on football totals.

 

[Eephus]

The Rolling Stones have recorded somewhere around 400 studio tracks. Only two are longer than the average song on this playlist.

"Goin' Home" the closing jam from Aftermath (11:13) and "Sing This All Together (See What Happens)" the psychedelic noodle plate from side one of Their Satanic Majesties (8:33).

 

[pecorino]

The Rolling Stones have recorded somewhere around 400 studio tracks. Only two are longer than the average song on this playlist.

"Goin' Home" the closing jam from Aftermath (11:13) and "Sing This All Together (See What Happens)" the psychedelic noodle plate from side one of Their Satanic Majesties (8:33).

Huh, guess that says something about the Stones.

 

[Yo Mama]

Great list so far! Can’t wait to set aside 8-10 hours to listen to the final playlist.

In the Middle Aged Dummies countdowns, I ranked Genesis songs in round 1 and am doing Yes in the current 4th round.

For Genesis, One for the Vine was my 30th ranked song and Watcher of the Skies was my #1 ranked song.

For Yes, And You and I and Yours is No Disgrace are both ranked very highly (spoiler alert) - rankings still to be revealed.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

"Goin' Home" the closing jam from Aftermath (11:13)

At the time it was the longest rock/pop song ever recorded.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My favorites of the last two batches are:

Yours is No Disgrace - Yes
Walk On By - Isaac Hayes
21st Century Schizoid Man - Crimson
Rhayader -
Cygnus X-1: Book II - Rush
Song For America - Kansas
Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
Watcher of the Skies - Genesis
Peaches en Regalia - Zappa

Familiar with all of the above but it's been awhile since I've heard the Isaac Hayes version of Walk On By. Overall an excellent list imo.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am one of those unusual Rush fans in that I do not genuflect to either Cygnus X-1 track. I like both, but Part 1 has dropped down quite a bit on my list of favorites over the years, and Hemispheres has long been a song I really liked, but never really loved.

Watcher of the Skies is awesome musically, but the clunky vocal melodies bother me a bit; they just don't flow well. Still a good song though, and that mellotron intro is one of the most iconic moments of 70s prog.

As someone who finds King Crimson far more miss than hit, I love Discipline. That said, Indiscipline isn't one of my favorites from it, but I still dig it.

Song for America is still a Kansas song I will go back to somewhat often, even if I don't go back to Kansas a lot in general these days.

Love seeing Camel make this. Rhayader is awesome, especially in the tandem with Rhayader Goes to Town. You'll be hard pressed to find any band in the 70s (from any genre) whose first four albums were better than Camel's first four.

At this level of excellence, it's just a matter of taste. Camel, to me, is too light. I love their work but I need to be in the right mood to seek it out and not much of it would crack my top 70. King Crimson, on the other hand, always seems to have something in their catalog that scratches whatever itch I have that day. Same for Rush.

Totally get your comment about Watcher of the Skies and agree. That's why it falls to a second tier from their catalog. Probably could have been swapped for One for the Vine which wasn't as highly ranked. I just prefer Peter's vocals to Phil's. There's a lot more of their work to come.

Camel overall is pretty mellow, yes, but I love that their music never feels like they are trying to overdo it. They are similar to me for classic Genesis in that it just feels like adventurous rock where the mood and vibe is what matters, not how many notes or time signatures they can fit into a song.

 

[Truebluey]

This is great. From seeing your list so far, I'm pretty confident i know what the Top 3 are going to be. I'm looking forward to seeing (hearing) everything that comes in between though.

 

[pecorino]

#	Song	Artist	Album	Year
42	The Last Seven Minutes	Magma	Attahk	1978
41	My God	Jethro Tull	Aqualung	1972
40	Catherine Parr	Rick Wakeman	The Six Wives of Henry VIII	1974
39	Conquistador (live)	Procol Harum	Live with the Edmonton SO	1971
38	Ashes are Burning	Renaissance	Ashes Are Burning	1973
37	Hazard Profile Part 1	Soft Machine	Bundles	1975
36	Starship Trooper	Yes	The Yes Album	1971

#42) Band: Magma, Song: The Last Seven Minutes. From the Album: Attahk (1978)

Hailing from France, Magma has been helmed by percussionist Christian Vander since 1969. At 76 years old, Vander and the re-formulated band still currently tour. No reason to discuss these lyrics as the band created their own language, Kobaian, which forms the basis for their chanting, etc. Vander’s focus on percussion leads to a very rhythmic, trancelike sound that’s been pretty consistent in Magma records over the years. This particular track is from one of their more accessible albums, Attahk. OK, I’ll just come right out and say it–this is the wierdest band and the wierdest music you’re ever going to hear. Is this song better than, say, Yours Is No Disgrace which was ranked in the sixties? No, but Magma deserve a listen. They may just rub you the right way and, hey, you’ve got fifty-five years of music to dig into.

The Last Seven Minutes by Magma

#41) Band: Jethro Tull, Song: My God. From the Album: Aqualung (1972)

Haunting opening guitar chords lend a chill to the vocals from Ian Anderson asking “People, what have you done? Locked Him in His golden cage.” A close read of the lyrics are worth your time so that your own opinions can take shape. Is this track pro-religion? Is it anti-church? My read is that the song is excoriating the church for twisting and manipulating religion for unpious reasons but that this is not really an atheist manifesto. Pro-God, Anti-Church. How do you interpret it? Turning back to the music, this track features those haunting chords, some lovely flute lines and the underrated guitar licks of Martin Barre.

My God by Jethro Tull

#40) Band: Rick Wakeman, Song: Catherine Parr, From the Album: The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973)

The closing track off this well-loved solo album from Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Sections of this song would find their way into Yes concerts when Maestro Wakeman elbowed some space for a keyboard solo. He loves those right-hand flourishes on the organ. Decked out in his cape, it’s truly an experience. Wakeman still plays and tours now and again so you could catch this tune in concert if you get lucky (unless you’re out catching Magma.)

Catherine Parr by Rick Wakeman

#39) Band: Procol Harum, Song: Conquistador, From the Album: Procol Harum Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1971)

The combination of the trumpet and the electric guitar are just a perfect pairing. The vocals are so strong and the melody works in both classical instrumentation and as a rock song. A perfect marriage of two musical genres. This entire performance is worth a listen as the music of Procol Harum really lends itself to the classical treatment.

Conquistador (Live) by Procol Harum and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

#38) Band: Renaissance, Song: Ashes Are Burning, From the Album: Ashes are Burning (1973)

Another title track from Renaissance with Ashes Are Burning from their album of the same name, their fourth (or second with the new lineup). Pretty solid if unspectacular opening but the shift after the three minute mark picks up the tempo with an interesting instrumental break before collapsing back into a more somber, baroque mood. The minstrelly-middle gives way to a forceful piano line evocative of Bach which itself gives way to a bass which makes room for its fat self. The final three minutes bring Annie’s voice back to the front until the haunting conclusion which ends the song on the notes of a wailing lead electric guitar.

Ashes Are Burning by Renaissance

#37) Band: Soft Machine, Song: Hazard Profile Part One. From the Album: Bundles (1975)

While this is from Soft Machine’s eighth album, it’s their first with Allan Holdsworth on lead guitar. By 1975, they had evolved through three phases: a psychedelic period, several jazz fusion albums and then came Bundles. Holdworth’s influence is immediate and powerful with this opening track. The main melody at 0:40 comes at the listener unrelentingly for two solid minutes but I just wanted more and more. It’s a complicated but catchy melodic line that can stick as an earworm for days on end (I can attest.) The main theme breaks down when Holdsworth launches into an epic six minute guitar solo showing off his technical prowess. The guy’s an alien–he generates tons of notes that flow so well in lyrical lines. Just a complete beast on the guitar; his later solo albums come highly recommended especially if you love jazz. The rest of the band is really just setting the table for Allan to go off. The drummer, John Marshall, does offer some nuggets to enjoy as he keeps pace with Holdsworth. The song briefly returns to the main theme before wrapping up. There’s a lot to wade through and this track may prove to be too much for some.

Hazard Profile Part 1 by Soft Machine

#36) Band: Yes, Song: Starship Trooper, Album: The Yes Album (1971)

Two doses of Rick Wakeman in the same week? No, Tony Kaye was on keys for this Yes epic. Moreover, the true features here are the guitar playing from Steve Howe and the ethereal vocals by Jon Anderson. The midsection is defined by Howe’s work on the acoustic guitar along with Anderson’s clean tones. But the moneymaker is the wonderful repeated motif (“Wurm”) which concludes the piece in a Bolero-like build for the final four minutes to the closing melody. The rhythm section of Bruford and Squire lend heft to the groove along the way. A concert favorite and a rare moment of simplicity in prog rock that really hits perfectly. (it's also a top 100 movie...)

Starship Trooper by Yes

 

[Eephus]

Playlist updated

Average song length drops by one second from 8:13 to 8:12.

 

[Eephus]

RIP Peter Sinfield, prog lyricist for King Crimson, ELP and PFM.

Peter Sinfield, Surrealist Lyricist for King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dies at 80

Peter Sinfield, a versatile lyricist who cofounded prog-rock icons King Crimson and contributed to songs by Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Cher, has died.

variety.com

 

[pecorino]

RIP Peter Sinfield, prog lyricist for King Crimson, ELP and PFM.

Peter Sinfield, Surrealist Lyricist for King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Dies at 80

Peter Sinfield, a versatile lyricist who cofounded prog-rock icons King Crimson and contributed to songs by Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Cher, has died.

variety.com

Wow, I had not seen that. Thanks for sharing. Sinfield was an under-rated piece of early King Crimson who hardly ever gets his due.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Before we get any deeper in the list I just want to mention some of my favorites so far:

Prologue - Renaissance
Knife-Edge - ELP
And You and I - Yes
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
Contusion - Stevie Wonder
Simple Sister - Procol Harum

Happy to see that, and would love to know if a new song or two caught your ear.

Most of the "newer" prog I like tend to be Opeth songs of the last 15 years.

Blackwater Park is a masterpiece along with Damnation. I literally just got into them a few years ago.

The new album is out and i think it is epic. New drummer is awesome.

@Todem @Leroy Hoard

 

[pecorino]

A Thanksgiving, mid-countdown interlude:

Several Prog Rock albums stand as a unit such that the importance or power of the album cannot be captured by choosing just one or two tracks. These albums should be experienced as a whole so I did not select any individual songs from any of them in my top 70. I encourage you to sit down for a full listen to any of these that strike your fancy (roughly in rank order):

7) The Moody Blues, Days of Future Past (1967)

A rock concept album with an orchestra, walking us through a typical day in the life here on planet Earth. Some place this album as the birth of Prog Rock. The recording sounds great for 1967.

6) Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick, (1972)

This is Ian Anderson at his cheekiest, poking fun at the trend in Prog Rock for longer and longer compositions. Yes, it is an album that is just one song. Due to the technology of the day (the long-play record with two sides), this 40-minute song got cut in two. For radio play, it was cut even further. Turns out you can carve out three minutes and get a track that is quite radio-ready. It got a lot of radio play when I was a kid. Tull would return to the full length LP that is just one song with A Passion Play which is quite good, too. But Thick as a Brick has stood the test of time much better.

5) Yes, Tales from Topographic Oceans, (1973)

This double album (which contains a grand total of four tracks) aged very well. In the 80s and 90s, the prevailing wisdom was that these 20+ minute songs were meandering or bloated, a victim of the overly-long-song trend. Not sure why but the popular tide had turned on Tales with some folks putting it near the top of the Yes catalog. To me, this double-album is definitely second tier when up against the likes of albums Fragile, Close to the Edge, or Relayer, but it holds its own and provides the listener with a lot to chew on.

4) Camel, The Snowgoose, 1975

The music on this album is so good that I did pick out Rhayader at #52. But these songs were meant to be heard together as part of the full album. It plays like the soundtrack of a movie that was never made. Very evocative, very refined.

3) The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, 1966

While the Beatles were crafting Tomorrow Never Knows (which is the earliest song on my list), the Beach Boys were putting together one of the greatest, most progressive albums in history with Pet Sounds. In picking nits, though, I don't think Pet Sounds rocks enough for "Prog Rock" whereas, behind Ringo's driving percussion, Tomorrow Never Knows does. It's pedantic, I know, and I'll readily concede that Pet Sounds is every bit as good as Revolver. Anyway, if you haven't listened to Pet Sounds all the way through lately, do yourself a favor and revisit it. And if you've never heard it before, you're in for a treat.

2) Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, 1973

You've heard it, right? You must've heard this album. Everyone knows Dark Side of the Moon. It chartered for decades. I relistened to this full album recently--it's absolutely perfect. I consider it progressive, what with the found sounds and spacy turns. There's nothing else to be said, it is perfect.

1) Genesis, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, 1974

This epic, double-album was released exactly 50 years ago last week. Unlike Dark Side of the Moon, it is not perfect. The band was pulling itself apart as it was being created and this would be the last album with Peter Gabriel. Bridges were burned as Peter insisted on writing all of the lyrics. He built a fictional world with main character, Rael, who hopped from adventure to adventure supported by dreamy and bizarre imagery. The rest of the band scrambled to write the music, often without Peter present. So it's something of a miracle that this album even got made let alone hung together as a cohesive unit. In all, it's over 90 minutes of Rael's story, another soundtrack without a movie, like the Snowgoose. You may want to search out footage from the Genesis tours of '74 and'75 when they performed the entire double-album with Peter essentially playing the role of Rael on stage. Dark Side of the Moon may be the better album, but there's something otherworldly about the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway that draws me back to relisten to it every few months or so. Hope you enjoy it and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Perfect timing - Ian Anderson is on the new Opeth album a bit and I was thinking today that I don't know if I've ever listened to a full Jethro Tull album. Thick as a Brick will be the next listen. I was listening to The Snowgoose a couple weeks ago when I went on a little Camel run. Good recommendation there.

You have the wrong Floyd album listed (Animals), but small quibble.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The Rolling Stones have recorded somewhere around 400 studio tracks. Only two are longer than the average song on this playlist.

"Goin' Home" the closing jam from Aftermath (11:13) and "Sing This All Together (See What Happens)" the psychedelic noodle plate from side one of Their Satanic Majesties (8:33).

The funny thing is, Goin’ Home is only the closing track on the “bastardized” American version. It’s the side 1 closer on the British version.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

LOVE Ashes Are Burning. Was hoping it would show up.

Live, it could get to 30 minutes. They did not use an electric guitar player on stage (composer Michael Dunford only played acoustic), so the song would end with an epic bass solo by Jon Camp, who was every bit the equal of Chris Squire.

 

[zamboni]

I definitely need to brush up more on Renaissance. It’s somewhat of a blind spot for me that I’ve been meaning to fix.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I definitely need to brush up more on Renaissance. It’s somewhat of a blind spot for me that I’ve been meaning to fix.

Prologue, Ashes Are Burning and Turn of the Cards are the albums to start with.

 

[pecorino]

I definitely need to brush up more on Renaissance. It’s somewhat of a blind spot for me that I’ve been meaning to fix.

Prologue, Ashes Are Burning and Turn of the Cards are the albums to start with.

Or for the more casual fan, they released two compilation albums (red and blue, if I remember correctly) in the 80s that cover a lot of ground. But I cannot for the life of me find them online so maybe they are out of print. I played the heck out of them when I was younger.

 

[pecorino]

Perfect timing - Ian Anderson is on the new Opeth album a bit and I was thinking today that I don't know if I've ever listened to a full Jethro Tull album. Thick as a Brick will be the next listen. I was listening to The Snowgoose a couple weeks ago when I went on a little Camel run. Good recommendation there.

You have the wrong Floyd album listed (Animals), but small quibble.

Animals is an all-time great album, agreed. I didn't have any trouble finding an individual track worthy of this list, rather than the full album.

 

[pecorino]

#	Song	Artist	Album	Year
35	The Fountain of Lamneth	Rush	Caress of Steel	1975
34	The Five Bridges Suite	The Nice	Five Bridges	1970
33	Man-Erg	Van der Graaf Generator	Pawn Hearts	1971
32	Father to Son	Queen	Queen II	1974
31	Alucard	Gentle Giant	Gentle Giant	1970
30	Hocus Pocus	Focus	Moving Waves	1971
29	Soundchaser	Yes	Relayer	1974

#35) Band: Rush, Song: The Fountain of Lamneth, Album: Caress of Steel, 1975

Rush jumped on the “a single song on one side of an LP” trend with the six-section “Fountain of Lamneth” of the second side of this early album. Lots of fantastic elements here from proto-prog Rush but they’re still developing as a band so there are some rough spots too. Not only is this track listenable and interesting but it paves the way for 2112 just six months later. Neil gets to show off in “Didacts and Narpets” along with some lovely guitar work from Alex Lifeson in the “No One at the Bridge” section. The fifth individual section (Bacchus) could have been carved out for a radio track but I don’t believe that ever happened. The intent is to listen to it whole.

Fountain of Lamneth by Rush

#34) Band: The Nice, Song: Five Bridges Suite, Album: Five Bridges (1970)

I love a piece that includes a traditional classical arrangement (Bridges #1 and #2), some solo Keith Emerson on the grand piano (Bridge #3), then a groovy bassline with organ (Bridge #4). The final movement, Bridge #5, throws the whole kitchen sink at us. Some unfortunate vocals keep this from being ranked higher. I find the raggedyness of the playing endearing but could see how some folks might dismiss this piece as a mess. Rock should be messy but that runs counter to what we want from a classical piece. You can hear shades of Emerson, Lake and Palmer all over the playing of the Nice. Adding Greg Lake on bass (and vocals) with Carl Palmer on drums produced that prog super group who merged rock and classical more beautifully than the Nice ever did.

The Five Bridges Suite by The Nice

(Not sure how Spotify packages it, but this should be Bridges #1 - Bridges #5 which form the entire suite)

#33) Band: Van der Graaf Generator, Song: Man-Erg From the Album: Pawn Hearts, (1971)

Beautiful, melodic opening piano lines with Peter Hammill’s voice joining with strength. Turns angry fairly quickly and gets dark, like Van der Graaf tends to do,. Then at the 3-minute mark, the track enters its second section–angrier, discordant, dramatic. All in all, Van der Graaf is a bit too dramatic for me and this will be their highest ranking song on my list. I could imagine die-hard fans of this brand of prog rock ranking Van der Graaf Generator much higher with many more entries. At this point, it is a matter of taste, and I just don’t love Peter Hammill’s voice or the overwrought tunes of this band except in small doses.

Man-Erg by Van der Graaf Generator

#32) Band: Queen, Song: Father to Son, Album: Queen II (1974)

If Bohemian Rhapsody wasn’t so overplayed, it would be high ranking on this list. It’s got everything including a popular following so I’d rather expand palettes. This entire second album from Queen is rockin’, leaning more towards metal than prog rock. But there are Ogre Battles and the March of the Black Queen so the band was definitely influenced by the genre. Brian May’s “Father to Son” shifts from light harmonies that are shades of the Beach Boys at the 2 minute mark to Led Zeppelin power chords a few seconds later. A beautiful piece of writing from Queen just before they would get really big.

Father to Son by Queen

#31) Band: Gentle Giant, Song: Alucard, Album: Gentle Giant (1970)

This song is overranked to recognize how solid the entire catalog of Gentle Giant is. Just about any track from any of their albums from the 70s would fit on this list. While there are no epic standouts in their catalog, there’s also no chaff. This selection is less baroque and more rock than their usual. Some nice use of dynamics and dissonance throughout, including short vocal breaks that sound at home in Twin Peaks. I don’t think the lyrics or tape is run backwards but the distortion is pleasantly disturbing.

Alucard by Gentle Giant

#30) Band: Focus, Song: Hocus Pocus, Album: Moving Waves (1971)

Now that we’re in the top 30 these songs are all going to be either epics or they’ll wield a power akin to heavy metal but with a classical bent. This track is a mild exception as it feautures an unusual whimsy. “Hocus Pocus” is also probably the most popularly-known song on this list. Back when there were malls and FM radio, I’d hear it out and about. It’s popped up on advertisements on TV. Not sure how an obscure Dutch prog rock band which highlights whistling and yodeling came to this but history does its thing. The track is worthy, especially live incarnations, with its catchy hook from the outset and, for prog standards, reasonable length.

Hocus Pocus by Focus

#29) Band: Yes, Song: Soundchaser, Album: Relayer (1974)

It dawned on me recently that my disdain for pop music stems from its lack of tension. I had never explicitly thought about that throughout the 80s (when I was a kid) and I found that what was popular was boring. I did identify at that time, though, how important percussion is to me as a listener. The monotonous beats in the 80s, which really have only become more ubiquitous, bore me. The flip side of that coin are bands with drummers like Bill Bruford or Carl Palmer or Neil Peart. One could listen to the isolated percussion track and feast. This Yes track from Relayer features Alan White on the kit. There is plenty of tension to go around. In fact, this is that rare song that is all tension and no release. We get a little respite with a quieter middle section but Steve Howe’s guitar returns, grabs the listener by the neck and never lets go. This should be unsettling and almost unlistenable but for some reason it works perfectly with this track. And the release does indeed come in the next song on the album, “To Be Over””, which serves as a welcome melodic landing spot full of prettiness (but unfortunately could not be squeezed onto this list.) Check out this masterclass in dissonance, tension, and no release.

Soundchaser by Yes