The 100 Greatest Songs of 1970 #1. Bridge Over Troubled Water (2 Viewers)

[timschochet]

63. The Carpenters “We’ve Only Just Begun” (from Close to You) 

https://youtu.be/__VQX2Xn7tI

Originally written as a tv commercial jingle for Crocker Bank, the Carpenters took “We’ve Only Just Begun” and turned it into yet another legendary classic from 1970. 
Over the years lots of people have panned this brother and sister duo from Downey, CA; their easy listening style did not lend itself to the “hip” music of that or any other era. But the critics ignore the high quality of their material, Richard’s brilliant arranging, the professionalism of some of the best session musicians of all time, and most of all, the once in a generation amazing vocals of Karen Carpenter, who only joined the group, reluctantly, because she enjoyed playing drums. 

 

[wikkidpissah]

65. Edwin Starr “War” (from War & Peace)

https://youtu.be/dQHUAJTZqF0

Good God y’all! 
Originally written by and for The Temptations, they chickened out, worried about their clean cut image, and that allowed second string Motown artist Edwin Starr to pursue his own vision, which became one of the greatest protest songs ever recorded. 

no one with ANY understanding of 1970 would place this outside the Top Ten, nm behind em some Carpenters. Good God, indeed...

 

[wikkidpissah]

*lalala*

Maybe I'll be there to share the lame 
Induct myself into its Hall of Fame
Who deserves the blame
When we make War on it together, we're talkin' 'bout together, now

 

[zamboni]

63. The Carpenters “We’ve Only Just Begun” (from Close to You) 

https://youtu.be/__VQX2Xn7tI

Originally written as a tv commercial jingle for Crocker Bank, the Carpenters took “We’ve Only Just Begun” and turned it into yet another legendary classic from 1970. 
Over the years lots of people have panned this brother and sister duo from Downey, CA; their easy listening style did not lend itself to the “hip” music of that or any other era. But the critics ignore the high quality of their material, Richard’s brilliant arranging, the professionalism of some of the best session musicians of all time, and most of all, the once in a generation amazing vocals of Karen Carpenter, who only joined the group, reluctantly, because she enjoyed playing drums. 

Karen always said she was a drummer who happened to sing.

 

[timschochet]

62. Creedence Clearwater Revival “Who’ll Stop the Rain” (from Cosmo’s Factory) 

https://youtu.be/lIPan-rEQJA

Great guitar work on this song. I’ve always loved how it switches to a minor chord on the second verse rather than leading off with it. One of the two great Creedence “rain” songs, both of which have made this list. 

 

[rockaction]

62. Creedence Clearwater Revival “Who’ll Stop the Rain” (from Cosmo’s Factory) 

https://youtu.be/lIPan-rEQJA

Great guitar work on this song. I’ve always loved how it switches to a minor chord on the second verse rather than leading off with it. One of the two great Creedence “rain” songs, both of which have made this list. 

There had better be a third 1970 song with “Rain” in the title on this list, or I’m starting an insurrection. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

There had better be a third 1970 song with “Rain” in the title on this list, or I’m starting an insurrection. 

Sorry Rock, but "It's Raining Men" came along much later.

 

[rockaction]

Sorry Rock, but "It's Raining Men" came along much later.

The lyrics: 

so that each and every woman could find the perfect guy 

Ooh boy oh boy

 

[Leroy Hoard]

The lyrics: 

so that each and every woman could find the perfect guy 

Ooh boy oh boy

Hallelujah!

 

[Raging weasel]

There had better be a third 1970 song with “Rain” in the title on this list, or I’m starting an insurrection. 

I'm in!  

 

[wikkidpissah]

Rainy Days & Mondays was 71

 

[JaxBill]

In High School around 1980, I had a hippie English teacher who made us read Dog Soldiers about Viet Nam era heroin deal. 

Novel was source for movie "Who'll Stop the Rain" (featuring CCR tune). So I've always associated that song with heroin and poppy fields.

 

[wikkidpissah]

In High School around 1980, I had a hippie English teacher who made us read Dog Soldiers about Viet Nam era heroin deal. 

Novel was source for movie "Who'll Stop the Rain" (featuring CCR tune). So I've always associated that song with heroin and poppy fields.

Stone's one of my favorite modern writers - Outerbridge Reach & Damascus Gate were pageturners

 

[timschochet]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

 

[timschochet]

For the record: there are actually 3 more songs coming up on this list with “rain” in the title. 

 

[northern exposure]

no one with ANY understanding of 1970 would place this outside the Top Ten, nm behind em some Carpenters. Good God, indeed...

What is this list good for?

 

[northern exposure]

For the record: there are actually 3 more songs coming up on this list with “rain” in the title. 

I can't wait until one of them "drops".

 

[Pip's Invitation]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

X

Sides 1-4 were real songs. Sides 5-6 were the jams. 

 

[rockaction]

X

Sides 1-4 were real songs. Sides 5-6 were the jams. 

Why let actual listening get in your way, Pip? We make lists. We make lists because nobody else will make them for comment. The value is in the list, not the accuracy.

BRING ON THE GOSH DARN RAIN!

 

[FairWarning]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

This song May be the last of the 60’s sound.  So many groups could have done this song and it would have sounded good (Rascals, Turtles, Tommy James come to mind).  Harrison does it and it sounds timeless.  I probably would have it in my top 3-5 in a loaded year.  

 

[Mr. Mojo]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

I still remember when this came out and am always astounded that Harrison came up with the best post Beatles song ever.

And #61 seems WAY too low for it.

 

[rockaction]

1970 might have been one of the greatest years for me personally in rock n' roll and we haven't even scratched the surface of it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Why let actual listening get in your way, Pip? We make lists. We make lists because nobody else will make them for comment. The value is in the list, not the accuracy.

BRING ON THE GOSH DARN RAIN!

I was just saving krista some work, because she would have called him out on it if I didn't. 

Also, it's a basic fact that can easily be found on discogs or Wiki. 

 

[rockaction]

I was just saving krista some work, because she would have called him out on it if I didn't. 

Also, it's a basic fact that can easily be found on discogs or Wiki. 

I was thinking of her. Perhaps we should tag her and add to her already busy schedule.

Heh. Nah, she'll be here in due time. Harrison was mentioned. There will be beams cris-crossing over her house.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I was thinking of her. Perhaps we should tag her and add to her already busy schedule.

Heh. Nah, she'll be here in due time. Harrison was mentioned. There will be beams cris-crossing over her house.

You also have to remember, she is a lawyer and I am a (medical) journalist. We are more bothered by inaccuracy than the average person. 

 

[Pipes]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

Great great song.  Feel like it should probably be higher but I'm too lazy to do one of these so not going to nitpik.  A bit late to this thread thank you for doing these Tim,  Always love these threads.  

 

[FairWarning]

1970 might have been one of the greatest years for me personally in rock n' roll and we haven't even scratched the surface of it.

Could do a top 250 pretty easily for 1970.

 

[timschochet]

60. Badfinger “No Matter What” (from No Dice)

https://youtu.be/Xoke1wUwEXY

Badfinger produced several pop masterpieces during this years, and this was certainly one of the very best of them. Just an outstanding tune. 

 

[timschochet]

Why let actual listening get in your way, Pip? We make lists. We make lists because nobody else will make them for comment. The value is in the list, not the accuracy.

BRING ON THE GOSH DARN RAIN!

Wow. All because I wrote 5 sides instead of 4? Seems kinda snarky. 

 

[rockaction]

Wow. All because I wrote 5 sides instead of 4? Seems kinda snarky. 

I was praising the list for lists' sake. I think you've read me wrong here. I wasn't being snarky towards anyone, just trying to be funny.

I failed.

I'm still not seeing either of the two bands I'm thinking of before sixty, and this doesn't portend well.

 

[timschochet]

I was praising the list for lists' sake. I think you've read me wrong here. I wasn't being snarky towards anyone, just trying to be funny.

I failed.

I'm still not seeing either of the two bands I'm thinking of before sixty, and this doesn't portend well.

Or maybe it portends great? (Because I have them both ranked so highly). 

 

[timschochet]

59. Cat Stevens “Father and Son” (from Tea for the Tillerman)

https://youtu.be/P6zaCV4niKk

“Father and Son” is one of the future Yusuf’s most brilliant songs, in which he creates a conversation between two generations trying to understand each other. Though it was written as part of a project about the Russian Revolution, and received much attention when it was released  because of its relevance to the Vietnam War and the generation gap of the 1960s, it’s actual relevance remains very strong and timeless. 

 

[timschochet]

58. Neil Young “Southern Man” (from After the Gold Rush) 

https://youtu.be/m5FCcDEA6mY

The lyrics are such a direct criticism of racism that they are nearly a caricature, but they’re rescued by the pounding rock melody, one of Young’s best. 

 

[Ghost Rider]

A southern man don't need Neil Young around anyhow. 

 

[timschochet]

57. The Grateful Dead “Sugar Magnolia” (from American Beauty)

https://youtu.be/nkKuhAxcH7g

Earlier someone complained that there were no songs yet from the “band of the year”. I’m not sure who they were referring to, but my own vote  for “band of the year” for 1970 would have to go to the Grateful Dead, who produced two albums that year, Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, which changed the face of popular music. This classic love song is one of the highlights of those two albums, along with a few others that we’ll be getting to later on. 

Sunshine daydream…walking in the sunshine! 

 

[rockaction]

57. The Grateful Dead “Sugar Magnolia” (from American Beauty)

https://youtu.be/nkKuhAxcH7g

Earlier someone complained that there were no songs yet from the “band of the year”. I’m not sure who they were referring to, but my own vote  for “band of the year” for 1970 would have to go to the Grateful Dead, who produced two albums that year, Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, which changed the face of popular music. This classic love song is one of the highlights of those two albums, along with a few others that we’ll be getting to later on. 

Sunshine daydream…walking in the sunshine!

Yes, that is who I was referring to, but I wasn't complaining, really.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I hadn't heard Sugar Magnolia in years, so I just listened to see if I was missing anything. 

I don't get it.

Next. 

 

[northern exposure]

61. George Harrison “What Is Life” (from All Things Must Pass) 

https://youtu.be/fiH9edd25Bc

Upon leaving the Beatles, George Harrison grabbed up some of his old friends and released a triple album. The first 5 sides had actual songs; the last side was the band fooling around. And it was still a masterpiece. “What Is Life” is one of its best moments. 

I have to admit I have heard this song before and I love it. But, I never knew who sang it.

 

[northern exposure]

60. Badfinger “No Matter What” (from No Dice)

https://youtu.be/Xoke1wUwEXY

Badfinger produced several pop masterpieces during this years, and this was certainly one of the very best of them. Just an outstanding tune. 

I am sure everyone reading in this thread is aware of the Badfinger story. Every time I hear their music I am shaken by all the tragedy that happened to this band.

 

[rockaction]

Why you cryin @shuke

 

[shuke]

Why you cryin @shuke

That you "weren't complaining" about GD being missing from this list.  Hurts deep, brah.

 

[rockaction]

That you "weren't complaining" about GD being missing from this list.  Hurts deep, brah.

I feel ya. I’m exercising patience, my friend. Neither has another band that should have four or five songs already here. I’m just biding my time, waiting for the man. 

 

[Bracie Smathers]

60. Badfinger “No Matter What” (from No Dice)

https://youtu.be/Xoke1wUwEXY

Badfinger produced several pop masterpieces during this years, and this was certainly one of the very best of them. Just an outstanding tune. 

Much prefer the studio version with Pete Ham's dubbed vocals.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

58. Neil Young “Southern Man” (from After the Gold Rush) 

https://youtu.be/m5FCcDEA6mY

The lyrics are such a direct criticism of racism that they are nearly a caricature, but they’re rescued by the pounding rock melody, one of Young’s best. 

Desperate times called for desperate measures. Alabama from 2 years later is the caricature (and the actual song Lynyrd Skynyrd were responding to). 

 

[wikkidpissah]

wOw - the Band of the Year broke their perpetunimous canoodling into 18 pieces in 1970. how enterprisingly, almost anti-mellow that is...

 

[timschochet]

56. Van Morrison “Caravan” (from Moondance)

https://youtu.be/YYJJ55oD02A

Gypsy Robin, Sweet Emma Rose, tell me everything I need to know 

One of those songs where the lyrics are meaningless to me but I love singing them because they roll off the tongue so well. The latter is particularly true of nearly every song off this album, but this is one of the special ones. Famously sung live with The Band in The Last Waltz. 

 

[rockaction]

56. Van Morrison “Caravan” (from Moondance)

https://youtu.be/YYJJ55oD02A

Gypsy Robin, Sweet Emma Rose, tell me everything I need to know 

One of those songs where the lyrics are meaningless to me but I love singing them because they roll off the tongue so well. The latter is particularly true of nearly every song off this album, but this is one of the special ones. Famously sung live with The Band in The Last Waltz. 

Great song by The Rapture circa 2000 something, too.

 

[wikkidpissah]

if i drove xcountry w mr timmy in 1970, he'd be dead by Altoona...

 

[Leroy Hoard]

if i drove xcountry w mr timmy in 1970, he'd be dead by Altoona...

What if we gave you full control over the cardboard box full of 8-tracks?

 

[wikkidpissah]

What if we gave you full control over the cardboard box full of 8-tracks?

that'd be throwed out da van by Scranton. i wouldnt throttle him till he'd not stop whistling Carpenters and Morrison afterwards...