The 100 Greatest Songs of 1973 #1. Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression, Part 2 (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

Me First and the David Bowie Mix Problems (According to Iggy)

 

[FairWarning]

34. Iggy & The Stooges “Search and Destroy” (from Raw Power)

Iggy & The Stooges - Search And Destroy (Bowie Mix) (Audio)

Music video by Iggy & The Stooges performing Search And Destroy (Bowie Mix). (C) 1973 Sony Music Entertainment

youtu.be

Earlier I wrote that punk rock began with the New York Dolls, but it also began right here with Iggy Pop. The Stooges’ records were loud, raw rock and roll heavily influenced by MC5’s Kick Out the Jams, who themselves were heavily inclined by the Velvet Underground’s White Light White Heat. “Search and Destroy” moves even further along the same path that would lead to the New York Dolls, Ramones, and Sex Pistols.

Iggy is from nearby Ann Arbor, definitely has the MC5 sound to it. Never really got Iggy long ago, I do now.

 

[timschochet]

33. Bob Dylan “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (from Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid)

Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Official Audio)

“Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob DylanListen to Bob Dylan: https://bobdylan.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the Bob Dylan YouTube channel: https://bobdylan.lnk...

youtu.be

Dylan’s main contribution to the Sam Peckinpah film, in which he also acted (if you can call it that.) Its a three chord, repetitive tune, and the melody may have been stolen from Neil Young’s “Helpless”. And yet, for all that, it’s a classic. The first comment in the YouTube is: “if this song isn’t played at my funeral, I’m not going.”

 

[shuke]

You guys are crazy. Yes way overplayed but for a good reason. It's all about that beginning and that delicious bass line.

Probably true but you like what you like.

You're damn right I do!

 

[zamboni]

33. Bob Dylan “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (from Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid)

Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Official Audio)

“Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob DylanListen to Bob Dylan: https://bobdylan.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the Bob Dylan YouTube channel: https://bobdylan.lnk...

youtu.be

Dylan’s main contribution to the Sam Peckinpah film, in which he also acted (if you can call it that.) Its a three chord, repetitive tune, and the melody may have been stolen from Neil Young’s “Helpless”. And yet, for all that, it’s a classic. The first comment in the YouTube is: “if this song isn’t played at my funeral, I’m not going.”

I don't think it's Bob's style to lift from other artists - he's usually the liftee - but the songs are indeed very similar musically.

 

[timschochet]

32. Bruce Springsteen “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) ” (from The Wild, the Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle)

Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

Music video by Bruce Springsteen performing Rosalita (Come Out Tonight). (C) 1988 Bruce Springsteen

youtu.be

I think this the song that first garnered Springsteen national attention. Like so many of his early classics, it’s a bit lengthy and self indulgent, but still great to listen to.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

33. Bob Dylan “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (from Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid)

Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door (Official Audio)

“Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob DylanListen to Bob Dylan: https://bobdylan.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the Bob Dylan YouTube channel: https://bobdylan.lnk...

youtu.be

Dylan’s main contribution to the Sam Peckinpah film, in which he also acted (if you can call it that.) Its a three chord, repetitive tune, and the melody may have been stolen from Neil Young’s “Helpless”. And yet, for all that, it’s a classic. The first comment in the YouTube is: “if this song isn’t played at my funeral, I’m not going.”

It is one of Dylan's best but the cover by Guns'N'Roses is one of the worst ever.

 

[timschochet]

31. Bob Marley & The Wailers “I Shot the Sheriff” (from Burnin’)

Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shot The Sheriff (Live At The Rainbow Theatre, London / 1977)

Music video by Bob Marley performing I Shot The Sheriff (Live At The Rainbow 4th June 1977).

youtu.be

The live version linked here shows how great a performer Marley was, along with the rest of his band. Timeless, terrific music.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

The thing I never understood was if Bob shot the sheriff but not the deputy, who shot the deputy? Was there a second gunman, like with JFK?

 

[timschochet]

The thing I never understood was if Bob shot the sheriff but not the deputy, who shot the deputy? Was there a second gunman, like with JFK?

I think the deputy is still alive. And anyhow, it was in self defense.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The thing I never understood was if Bob shot the sheriff but not the deputy, who shot the deputy?

Peter Tosh, of course.

 

[timschochet]

30. The Who “5 15” (from Quadrophenia)

The Who 515

515 by The Who

youtu.be

Inside outside leave me alone
Inside outside nowhere is home

I could have written about this song but I’d rather just turn it on. So good.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't listen to The Who much at all anymore, but 5:15 is always a good one.

 

[timschochet]

29. The Rolling Stones “Angie” (from Goat’s Head Soup)

The Rolling Stones - Angie - OFFICIAL PROMO (Version 1)

- A brand new studio album from The Rolling Stones⦠Hackney Diamonds ð¥Out October 20th & available to pre-order now:https://therollingstones.lnk.to/Hackn......

youtu.be

Keith Richards did almost all of the heavy lifting here with Mick providing only a few lyrics. The beautiful piano is by the legendary Nicky Hopkins. IMO, this is the Stones’ second greatest ballad, behind only “Wild Horses”.

 

[DocHolliday]

29. The Rolling Stones “Angie” (from Goat’s Head Soup)

The Rolling Stones - Angie - OFFICIAL PROMO (Version 1)

- A brand new studio album from The Rolling Stones⦠Hackney Diamonds ð¥Out October 20th & available to pre-order now:https://therollingstones.lnk.to/Hackn......

youtu.be

Keith Richards did almost all of the heavy lifting here with Mick providing only a few lyrics. The beautiful piano is by the legendary Nicky Hopkins. IMO, this is the Stones’ second greatest ballad, behind only “Wild Horses”.

I’m not much of a Stones fan but they do have some great songs. This is one of the them.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

29. The Rolling Stones “Angie” (from Goat’s Head Soup)

The Rolling Stones - Angie - OFFICIAL PROMO (Version 1)

- A brand new studio album from The Rolling Stones⦠Hackney Diamonds ð¥Out October 20th & available to pre-order now:https://therollingstones.lnk.to/Hackn......

youtu.be

Keith Richards did almost all of the heavy lifting here with Mick providing only a few lyrics. The beautiful piano is by the legendary Nicky Hopkins. IMO, this is the Stones’ second greatest ballad, behind only “Wild Horses”.

Didn’t you already pick this? I remember cutting and pasting what Wikkid had to say about the song for @rockaction. Was that a different thread?

ETA: never mind rock just
Mentioned the song when you too 100 Years Ago.

 

[timschochet]

28. Dolly Parton “Jolene” (from Jolene)

Dolly Parton - Jolene (Audio)

"Jolene" by Dolly PartonListen to Dolly Parton: https://DollyParton.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the official Dolly Parton YouTube channel: https://DollyParto...

youtu.be

Arguably Dolly’s best tune, and one of the greatest country music songs ever recorded. Dolly is worried that Jolene is going to take her man.

 

[timschochet]

27. ZZ Top “La Grange” (from Tres Hombres)

ZZ Top - La Grange

La Grange by ZZ Top with lyrics! Please comment and rate!LYRICS:Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town'bout that shack outside La Grange and you know w...

youtu.be

Some of the best ever blues rock, straight from the heart of Texas. Nothing fancy here, just great music.

 

[johnnycakes]

27. ZZ Top “La Grange” (from Tres Hombres)

ZZ Top - La Grange

La Grange by ZZ Top with lyrics! Please comment and rate!LYRICS:Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town'bout that shack outside La Grange and you know w...

youtu.be

Some of the best ever blues rock, straight from the heart of Texas. Nothing fancy here, just great music.

Now you're talking sense, Tim!!

 

[Rustoleum]

The thing I never understood was if Bob shot the sheriff but not the deputy, who shot the deputy? Was there a second gunman, like with JFK?

I think the deputy is still alive. And anyhow, it was in self defense.

Then why do they want to bring him in guilty?

 

[timschochet]

26. Grand Funk Railroad “We’re an American Band” (from We’re an American Band)

Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band (1973 Studio Footage)

Grand Funk in the Studio in 1973!"We're an American Band" (from the album of the same name) is a 1973 song by the band Grand Funk Railroad. It was the group'...

youtu.be

More kick *** rock and roll here. For some reason this tune didn’t stay popular on classic rock radio over the years and I’m not sure why. Lyrics are a little silly but who cares?

 

[simsarge]

35. Elton John “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Lyrics

LOVE this song!

youtu.be

It never ceases to amaze me that, per everything I’ve read, Bernie Taupin would write the lyrics to these songs first and then Elton John would compose the melody. This is reverse of every other composer duo I’ve read about (at least, the ones who clearly divided these duties, like Rodgers and Hammerstein.)

In any event, this is another classic from this duo.

Good point on how unique that songwriting partnership was.

I love EJ, and Yellow Brick Road is far and away my favorite album ever. But to me after he ditched the Elton John Band (the first time) and mostly Taupin too, things just weren't the same for me. Some nice songs here and there, but the albums as a whole were pretty meh.

 

[timschochet]

25. Elton John “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Yellow Brick Road 1 of 21)

Download here: http://amzn.to/VXv9oVGoodbye Yellow Brick Road [Bonus Tracks] 1973

youtu.be

The closest Elton ever got to progressive rock. Over 10 minutes of simply amazing music.

 

[Pipes]

25. Elton John “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Yellow Brick Road 1 of 21)

Download here: http://amzn.to/VXv9oVGoodbye Yellow Brick Road [Bonus Tracks] 1973

youtu.be

The closest Elton ever got to progressive rock. Over 10 minutes of simply amazing music.

I'll wait on the rest of the list but 25 seems ridiculously low for this amazing song. Keep up the good work Tim

 

[timschochet]

24. Hall & Oates “She’s Gone” (from Abandoned Luncheonette)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone (orginal album version) HQ+

Clip by RBsound Holland 2015. Visit us on www.facebook.com/RBsoundholland. She's Gone is a song written and originally performed by pop music duo Daryl Hall ...

youtu.be

I think this is this duo’s best ever song, and one of the best pop tunes of the year. The ultimate in blue-eyed soul.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

25. Elton John “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Yellow Brick Road 1 of 21)

Download here: http://amzn.to/VXv9oVGoodbye Yellow Brick Road [Bonus Tracks] 1973

youtu.be

The closest Elton ever got to progressive rock. Over 10 minutes of simply amazing music.

This would be #1 for me and it's a crime to have it this low.

Possibly my favorite song ever.

 

[Zegras11]

25. Elton John “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Yellow Brick Road 1 of 21)

Download here: http://amzn.to/VXv9oVGoodbye Yellow Brick Road [Bonus Tracks] 1973

youtu.be

The closest Elton ever got to progressive rock. Over 10 minutes of simply amazing music.

This would be #1 for me and it's a crime to have it this low.

Possibly my favorite song ever.

same. Top 5 for me.

 

[zamboni]

25. Elton John “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” (from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road)

Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (Yellow Brick Road 1 of 21)

Download here: http://amzn.to/VXv9oVGoodbye Yellow Brick Road [Bonus Tracks] 1973

youtu.be

The closest Elton ever got to progressive rock. Over 10 minutes of simply amazing music.

I'll wait on the rest of the list but 25 seems ridiculously low for this amazing song. Keep up the good work Tim

I’ll jump on the bandwagon and say it would be top 10 easy for me, but it’s all subjective.

 

[zamboni]

24. Hall & Oates “She’s Gone” (from Abandoned Luncheonette)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone (orginal album version) HQ+

Clip by RBsound Holland 2015. Visit us on www.facebook.com/RBsoundholland. She's Gone is a song written and originally performed by pop music duo Daryl Hall ...

youtu.be

I think this is this duo’s best ever song, and one of the best pop tunes of the year. The ultimate in blue-eyed soul.

Gotta add the cheesy cringeworthy promo video:

Hall & Oates - She's Gone video

Visit us on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nogoodbyes

www.youtube.com

 

[timschochet]

23. Aerosmith “Dream On” (from Aerosmith)

Aerosmith - Dream On (Audio)

Official audio for “Dream On” performed by Aerosmith."Dream On" appeared on Aerosmith's debut, self-titled album in 1973, the band's first global hit. Listen...

youtu.be

Steven Tyler’s best composition and best vocals. And one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.

I’m aware that many people will think that this song, like “Funeral for a Friend”, is ranked too low and that both of these belong somewhere in the top 5 or so for the year. All I can say is bear with me. The top 25% of this list was exceedingly difficult to rank as the quality of songs is REALLY high and almost all of them are legendary as well.

 

[timschochet]

22. Paul McCartney & Wings “Live and Let Die” (released as a single)

Paul McCartney & Wings - Live And Let Die - 1976 - Remaster - By RetrominD

youtu.be

Easily the best Bond theme ever, and he still performs it at every live concert (I just saw him at So Cal Stadium a few months back, complete with fire shooting off during the chorus).

 

[Dr. Octopus]

27. ZZ Top “La Grange” (from Tres Hombres)

ZZ Top - La Grange

La Grange by ZZ Top with lyrics! Please comment and rate!LYRICS:Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town'bout that shack outside La Grange and you know w...

youtu.be

Some of the best ever blues rock, straight from the heart of Texas. Nothing fancy here, just great music.

Is this the only song from the album on the list? There's at least one song that's so much better imo - albeit La Grange is far more popular.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

23 and 22 - overplayed dull songs

 

[timschochet]

27. ZZ Top “La Grange” (from Tres Hombres)

ZZ Top - La Grange

La Grange by ZZ Top with lyrics! Please comment and rate!LYRICS:Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town'bout that shack outside La Grange and you know w...

youtu.be

Some of the best ever blues rock, straight from the heart of Texas. Nothing fancy here, just great music.

Is this the only song from the album on the list? There's at least one song that's so much better imo - albeit La Grange is far more popular.

“Jesus Just Left Chicago” was #53. But the whole album is terrific.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

27. ZZ Top “La Grange” (from Tres Hombres)

ZZ Top - La Grange

La Grange by ZZ Top with lyrics! Please comment and rate!LYRICS:Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town'bout that shack outside La Grange and you know w...

youtu.be

Some of the best ever blues rock, straight from the heart of Texas. Nothing fancy here, just great music.

Is this the only song from the album on the list? There's at least one song that's so much better imo - albeit La Grange is far more popular.

“Jesus Just Left Chicago” was #53. But the whole album is terrific.

I like “Beer Drinkers and He’ll Raisers” such a bad *** riff.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

24. Hall & Oates “She’s Gone” (from Abandoned Luncheonette)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone (orginal album version) HQ+

Clip by RBsound Holland 2015. Visit us on www.facebook.com/RBsoundholland. She's Gone is a song written and originally performed by pop music duo Daryl Hall ...

youtu.be

I think this is this duo’s best ever song, and one of the best pop tunes of the year. The ultimate in blue-eyed soul.

Yes to all of this.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

24. Hall & Oates “She’s Gone” (from Abandoned Luncheonette)

Daryl Hall & John Oates - She's Gone (orginal album version) HQ+

Clip by RBsound Holland 2015. Visit us on www.facebook.com/RBsoundholland. She's Gone is a song written and originally performed by pop music duo Daryl Hall ...

youtu.be

I think this is this duo’s best ever song, and one of the best pop tunes of the year. The ultimate in blue-eyed soul.

Gotta add the cheesy cringeworthy promo video:

Hall & Oates - She's Gone video

Visit us on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nogoodbyes

www.youtube.com

They HAD to be on ludes when they filmed that.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

23. Aerosmith “Dream On” (from Aerosmith)

Aerosmith - Dream On (Audio)

Official audio for “Dream On” performed by Aerosmith."Dream On" appeared on Aerosmith's debut, self-titled album in 1973, the band's first global hit. Listen...

youtu.be

Steven Tyler’s best composition and best vocals. And one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.

I’m aware that many people will think that this song, like “Funeral for a Friend”, is ranked too low and that both of these belong somewhere in the top 5 or so for the year. All I can say is bear with me. The top 25% of this list was exceedingly difficult to rank as the quality of songs is REALLY high and almost all of them are legendary as well.

When we were taking about what might be the first power ballad and I said there was one from this year that might be it, this is what I was referring to.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

23 and 22 - overplayed dull songs

Say what you will about 1970s Paul and Bond themes, but to call Live and Let Die dull is a very hot take.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

23 and 22 - overplayed dull songs

Say what you will about 1970s Paul and Bond themes, but to call Live and Let Die dull is a very hot take.

There’s a crescendo that’s cool but the chorus/verses don’t do much for me. It’s much better than Dream On though.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Now My Love, THAT’S a dull Paul song from 1973.

 

[timschochet]

21. Pink Floyd “Time” (from The Dark Side of the Moon)

Pink Floyd - Time (2011 Remastered)

youtu.be

For Pink Floyd’s greatest ever songs, I have a couple of tiers. In the top tier is “Comfortably Numb”, “Wish You Were Here”, and a song that remains on this list. In the tier directly below that is “Have A Cigar”, “Mother”, “Pigs”, and “Time”.

So yeah I think pretty highly of this song.

 

[Tau837]

23. Aerosmith “Dream On” (from Aerosmith)

Aerosmith - Dream On (Audio)

Official audio for “Dream On” performed by Aerosmith."Dream On" appeared on Aerosmith's debut, self-titled album in 1973, the band's first global hit. Listen...

youtu.be

Steven Tyler’s best composition and best vocals. And one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.

I’m aware that many people will think that this song, like “Funeral for a Friend”, is ranked too low and that both of these belong somewhere in the top 5 or so for the year. All I can say is bear with me. The top 25% of this list was exceedingly difficult to rank as the quality of songs is REALLY high and almost all of them are legendary as well.

Way too low IMO.

 

[johnnycakes]

23. Aerosmith “Dream On” (from Aerosmith)

Aerosmith - Dream On (Audio)

Official audio for “Dream On” performed by Aerosmith."Dream On" appeared on Aerosmith's debut, self-titled album in 1973, the band's first global hit. Listen...

youtu.be

Steven Tyler’s best composition and best vocals. And one of the greatest rock ballads of all time.

I’m aware that many people will think that this song, like “Funeral for a Friend”, is ranked too low and that both of these belong somewhere in the top 5 or so for the year. All I can say is bear with me. The top 25% of this list was exceedingly difficult to rank as the quality of songs is REALLY high and almost all of them are legendary as well.

Way too low IMO.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I can remember listening to the radio way back when. Aerosmith's Dream On was one of the biggest hits of that year.

 

[northern exposure]

Lots of hot takes in this thread, so I may as well join in. I don't get the worship for Elton John. Sure he has some great songs, but he isn't in my top 5 musicians of all time. Tim mentioned Stevie Wonder peaking and I think Elton did in the mid- 70s too. After that there's been decades of mediocre material.

 

[zamboni]

I don't get the worship for Elton John.

I’m not the biggest Elton fan, but Funeral for a Friend is an absolute gem IMO. I feel similarly about Springsteen/Jungleland.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

26. Grand Funk Railroad “We’re an American Band” (from We’re an American Band)

Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band (1973 Studio Footage)

Grand Funk in the Studio in 1973!"We're an American Band" (from the album of the same name) is a 1973 song by the band Grand Funk Railroad. It was the group'...

youtu.be

More kick *** rock and roll here. For some reason this tune didn’t stay popular on classic rock radio over the years and I’m not sure why. Lyrics are a little silly but who cares?

One of the all-time trash rock classics. Runt produced this. Donnie Brewer sings the living hell out of it.

Grand Funk wasn’t “good” in any kind of way, really. But they played every song like it was the end of the world. I’ve heard 100s of bar bands more talented but God I love these guys.

 

[zamboni]

21. Pink Floyd “Time” (from The Dark Side of the Moon)

Pink Floyd - Time (2011 Remastered)

youtu.be

For Pink Floyd’s greatest ever songs, I have a couple of tiers. In the top tier is “Comfortably Numb”, “Wish You Were Here”, and a song that remains on this list. In the tier directly below that is “Have A Cigar”, “Mother”, “Pigs”, and “Time”.

So yeah I think pretty highly of this song.

One of Gilmour's very best solos, which is obviously saying a lot.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Elton John. Sure he has some great songs, but he isn't in my top 5 musicians of all time.

Well, only 5 musicians could be?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Yeah, that's strange wording. There are a lot of incredible artists who aren't in my top 5 of all time, and I still think they're incredible.