The 100 Greatest Songs of 1977 #1. Come Sail Away (4 Viewers)

[Snoopy]

93. Styx “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” (from The Grand Illusion)

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This was Tommy Shaw’s most significant contribution to the band’s breakout album and it’s great. With a bombastic intro (so typical of the American prog rock bands of the era) leading into some excellent guitar work. The Grand Illusion album is mostly Dennis De Young (and it’s his defining moment as an artist) but Shaw played a big role.

My sentiments exactly about my feelings at the time.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

94. The Kinks “Juke Box Music” (from Sleepwalker)

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Ray Davies is certainly one of the greatest songwriters in rock history. This tune is emblematic of his best work: combining irony, humor and pathos in the lyrics set to an infectious melody and Dave’s great lead guitar licks. Dave also shares lead vocals, which is fairly uncommon for them.

One of the Kinks' best. I took it in the first music draft I did on this site.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

93. Styx “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” (from The Grand Illusion)

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This was Tommy Shaw’s most significant contribution to the band’s breakout album and it’s great. With a bombastic intro (so typical of the American prog rock bands of the era) leading into some excellent guitar work. The Grand Illusion album is mostly Dennis De Young (and it’s his defining moment as an artist) but Shaw played a big role.

My top 3 Styx songs are all Shaw's: Blue Collar Man, Renegade and this one.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

93. Styx “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” (from The Grand Illusion)

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This was Tommy Shaw’s most significant contribution to the band’s breakout album and it’s great. With a bombastic intro (so typical of the American prog rock bands of the era) leading into some excellent guitar work. The Grand Illusion album is mostly Dennis De Young (and it’s his defining moment as an artist) but Shaw played a big role.

I also think that this is an amazing album. Every song on it is good and the one I think never gets enough appreciation is Castle Walls.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Styx is great, and The Grand Illusion might be their best album.

However, it is misleading to say it is mostly Dennis DeYoung as he only wrote three of the eight songs alone. Shaw wrote two and James Young wrote one. The other two were written by Shaw, DeYoung and Young.

 

[krista4]

Styx is great, and The Grand Illusion might be their best album.

However, it is misleading to say it is mostly Dennis DeYoung as he only wrote three of the eight songs alone. Shaw wrote two and James Young wrote one. The other two were written by Shaw, DeYoung and Young.

Shaw's "Man in the Wilderness" is one of my favorite Styx deep cuts.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Styx is great, and The Grand Illusion might be their best album.

However, it is misleading to say it is mostly Dennis DeYoung as he only wrote three of the eight songs alone. Shaw wrote two and James Young wrote one. The other two were written by Shaw, DeYoung and Young.

Shaw's "Man in the Wilderness" is one of my favorite Styx deep cuts.

Yep, love that one.

Sidebar: the last two Styx albums, The Mission (from 2017) and Crash of the Crown (from 2021), are outstanding. DDY is not in the band anymore, so they are very Tommy Shaw-heavy albums. Great stuff. Crash of the Crown is one of my favorite albums of the decade so far, which I never thought would be possible from Styx at this stage.

 

[krista4]

Styx is great, and The Grand Illusion might be their best album.

However, it is misleading to say it is mostly Dennis DeYoung as he only wrote three of the eight songs alone. Shaw wrote two and James Young wrote one. The other two were written by Shaw, DeYoung and Young.

Shaw's "Man in the Wilderness" is one of my favorite Styx deep cuts.

Yep, love that one.

Sidebar: the last two Styx albums, The Mission (from 2017) and Crash of the Crown (from 2021), are outstanding. DDY is not in the band anymore, so they are very Tommy Shaw-heavy albums. Great stuff. Crash of the Crown is one of my favorite albums of the decade so far, which I never thought would be possible from Styx at this stage.

Ohhhh, as an unrepentant old-school Styx fan but not much of a DDY fan, I'm going to have to check these out! Thanks!

 

[FairWarning]

And after Rex Smith there was Rick Dees of "Disco Duck" fame.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

Radio only plays the good disco hits anymore, but there really was a reason why "Disco Sucks!" was a thing.

Steve Dahl knew.

 

[timschochet]

92. Queen “It’s Late” (from News of the World )

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A Brian May gem. Like his best work, this song alternates between ballad and hard rock. Of course it helps that Freddie sings the **** out of it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Good call. Even though I love Queen, News of the World is pretty dodgy, but It's Late is damn good. Easily the best song on there outside of the biggies that I am sure will feature later on in this countdown.

 

[Tau837]

 

[timschochet]

91. Heart “Kick It Out” (from Little Queen)

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If anything, Heart’s 2nd album rocked even harder than their debut (Dreamboat Annie) from a year earlier. This was their best era, before they got sidetracked by 80s schmaltz.

 

[rockaction]

Hey, we got a worthy song here!

 

[zamboni]

92. Queen “It’s Late” (from News of the World )

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A Brian May gem. Like his best work, this song alternates between ballad and hard rock. Of course it helps that Freddie sings the **** out of it.

Love Freddie and Brian’s work here, but Roger Taylor’s fierce/all over the kit drum work is the biggest standout IMO.

 

[lardonastick]

94. The Kinks “Juke Box Music” (from Sleepwalker)

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Ray Davies is certainly one of the greatest songwriters in rock history. This tune is emblematic of his best work: combining irony, humor and pathos in the lyrics set to an infectious melody and Dave’s great lead guitar licks. Dave also shares lead vocals, which is fairly uncommon for them.

Great song! Love this era of the Kinks.

 

[timschochet]

90. Crosby, Stllls & Nash “Just a Song Before I Go” (from CSN)

Crosby, Stills & Nash - Just A Song Before I Go

Just a song before I goTo whom it may concernTraveling twice the speed of soundIt's easy to get burnedWhen the shows were overWe had to get back homeAnd when...

youtu.be

This band had been pretty dormant since the early 1970s. This tune, composed by Graham Nash, reminded listeners that they could still contribute pretty well to the sounds of mellow soft rock.

 

[FairWarning]

91. Heart “Kick It Out” (from Little Queen)

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If anything, Heart’s 2nd album rocked even harder than their debut (Dreamboat Annie) from a year earlier. This was their best era, before they got sidetracked by 80s schmaltz.

MTV ruined them, sad to say.

 

[Doug B]

90. Crosby, Stllls & Nash “Just a Song Before I Go” (from CSN)

Interesting origin story:

The song was written by Graham Nash about leaving loved ones behind before going on a concert tour. It was written in Hawaii in about 20 minutes at the piano while Nash and Leslie Morris were staying with a friend, later revealed to be a rather "low-level drug dealer". Nash had a little while to get to the airport to head back to his home in Los Angeles. The dealer queried Nash something along the lines of "You're a big shot song writer, I bet you can't write a song just before you go." After Nash asking how much the dealer was betting, he responded $500. In a February 25, 2016, interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Nash stated that he still has that $500. This song came in the nick of time, because an upcoming hurricane was about to wreak havoc on the island.

 

[timschochet]

89. The Steve Miller Band “Swingtown” (from Book of Dreams)

Steve Miller Band-Swing Town

youtu.be

So lyrics was never this guy’s strong suit. But he did produce fun music to listen to, usually with a pretty strong beat.
Come on and dance, come on and dance!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I'm fairly sure Steve Miller isn't most people's #1 artist. But the guy was able to write some pretty catchy songs.

 

[timschochet]

88. Ramones “California Sun” (from Leave Home)

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The Ramones took a an early 60s surf rock tune, speeded it way up, and sang it so that the lyrics are pretty indecipherable. What’s not to love? A punk rock classic.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

Not a fan of the Ramones, and based on the charts, not many were at the time either, but hey, critics loved them, so yay for that.

 

[zamboni]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I’ve stated in past threads, that his greatest hits package was a staple of every single keg party in my college dorm. Good times.

 

[timschochet]

87. Eddie Money “Two Tickets to Paradise” (from Eddie Money)

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So this was the other huge hit off his debut album. I think it’s slightly better than “Baby Hold On”, but both tunes are pleasant middle of the road rock that has now been played for decades.

 

[falguy]

95. AC/DC “Let There Be Rock” (from Let There Be Rock)

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So this was the era when Angus Young was seemingly effortlessly creating one all time classic guitar riff after another. And Bon Scott was redefining hard rock vocals. The best description of this album came from my older brother’s best friend, who told me, sometime around 1980 I think, “Hey listen to this record. It kicks ***.”
I just listened to it now. Still does.

Love this addition to your list. Big AC/DC fan here (esp. the Bon era) and fall this particular song doesn't get the love it deserves. When the guitars kick in after "Let there be guitarrr. Let there be ROCK..." it just kicks ***. Simple to play, I'm sure, but sounds amazing. Wish I could describe it better. Also, this video is all kinds of awesome.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I think everyone at my college had his Greatest Hits CD.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I’ve stated in past threads, that his greatest hits package was a staple of every single keg party in my college dorm. Good times.

Greatest Hits = half of Fly Like an Eagle, half of Book of Dreams and The Joker. One of most narrowly constructed compilation albums you’ll ever find.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I’ve stated in past threads, that his greatest hits package was a staple of every single keg party in my college dorm. Good times.

Greatest Hits = half of Fly Like an Eagle, half of Book of Dreams and The Joker. One of most narrowly constructed compilation albums you’ll ever find.

Yeah, none of his older and maybe better stuff.

 

[zamboni]

87. Eddie Money “Two Tickets to Paradise” (from Eddie Money)

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So this was the other huge hit off his debut album. I think it’s slightly better than “Baby Hold On”, but both tunes are pleasant middle of the road rock that has now been played for decades.

Ultimate approval

 

[timschochet]

86. Television “Marquee Moon” (from Marquee Moon)

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This song, and the album it headlines, are acquired tastes for sure (and they were certainly even more so in 1977!) But I’ve come to love both over the years, as this music somehow manages to combine post-punk with a jazz sensibility. Of course it goes without saying that if this were a most influential countdown, there are few songs that would be higher than this one.

If you do get a chance to listen to the album, make sure to sample “Guiding Light”; along with “Marquee Moon” it’s my favorite.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

86. Television “Marquee Moon” (from Marquee Moon)

- YouTube

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This song, and the album it headlines, are acquired tastes for sure (and they were certainly even more so in 1977!) But I’ve come to love both over the years, as this music somehow manages to combine post-punk with a jazz sensibility. Of course it goes without saying that if this were a most influential countdown, there are few songs that would be higher than this one.

If you do get a chance to listen to the album, make sure to sample “Guiding Light”; along with “Marquee Moon” it’s my favorite.

It's getting a ton of votes in the "Favorite songs by American artists" thread.

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I’ve stated in past threads, that his greatest hits package was a staple of every single keg party in my college dorm. Good times.

Greatest Hits = half of Fly Like an Eagle, half of Book of Dreams and The Joker. One of most narrowly constructed compilation albums you’ll ever find.

Yeah, none of his older and better stuff.

Fixed

 

[zamboni]

86. Television “Marquee Moon” (from Marquee Moon)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

This song, and the album it headlines, are acquired tastes for sure (and they were certainly even more so in 1977!) But I’ve come to love both over the years, as this music somehow manages to combine post-punk with a jazz sensibility. Of course it goes without saying that if this were a most influential countdown, there are few songs that would be higher than this one.

If you do get a chance to listen to the album, make sure to sample “Guiding Light”; along with “Marquee Moon” it’s my favorite.

Glad you included it, but #86? Come on.

 

[timschochet]

85. Yvonne Elliman “If I Can’t Have You” (from Saturday Night Fever)

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Time to break out the SNF soundtrack, which will be heavily represented on this list. This tune was composed by- surprise!- Barry Gibb, but it might be his only hit of the year that doesn’t sound like he wrote it. That’s because the BeeGees’ manager, Robert Stigwood, nixed their version and gave the song to Elliman, whose career up to that point had been wallowing along ever since she was Mary Magdalene on the original soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Her vocals were outstanding on that record; less so here. She sounds a little drugged out in what might be her best Donna Summer imitation. But the strength of the song comes through anyway.

 

[timschochet]

86. Television “Marquee Moon” (from Marquee Moon)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

This song, and the album it headlines, are acquired tastes for sure (and they were certainly even more so in 1977!) But I’ve come to love both over the years, as this music somehow manages to combine post-punk with a jazz sensibility. Of course it goes without saying that if this were a most influential countdown, there are few songs that would be higher than this one.

If you do get a chance to listen to the album, make sure to sample “Guiding Light”; along with “Marquee Moon” it’s my favorite.

Glad you included it, but #86? Come on.

I hear you. Some of the more eclectic tunes were hard to rank.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Steve Miller Band definitely is one of those bands where you know a dozen songs even if you never went out of your way to hear them. A classic rock staple for many years.

I’ve stated in past threads, that his greatest hits package was a staple of every single keg party in my college dorm. Good times.

Greatest Hits = half of Fly Like an Eagle, half of Book of Dreams and The Joker. One of most narrowly constructed compilation albums you’ll ever find.

yeah, the good stuff is on his earlier "greatest hits" album - "Anthology" ...love the Miller. But nothing much after "Anthology."

 

[zamboni]

85. Yvonne Elliman “If I Can’t Have You” (from Saturday Night Fever)

- YouTube

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youtu.be

Time to break out the SNF soundtrack, which will be heavily represented on this list. This tune was composed by- surprise!- Barry Gibb, but it might be his only hit of the year that doesn’t sound like he wrote it. That’s because the BeeGees’ manager, Robert Stigwood, nixed their version and gave the song to Elliman, whose career up to that point had been wallowing along ever since she was Mary Magdalene on the original soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Her vocals were outstanding on that record; less so here. She sounds a little drugged out in what might be her best Donna Summer imitation. But the strength of the song comes through anyway.

Didn't realize that Yvonne sang backup on some of Clapton's stuff, including the aforementioned "Wonderful Tonight" (and the rest of the Slowhand album). Also on "I Shot The Sheriff".

 

[Dr. Octopus]

85. Yvonne Elliman “If I Can’t Have You” (from Saturday Night Fever)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Time to break out the SNF soundtrack, which will be heavily represented on this list. This tune was composed by- surprise!- Barry Gibb, but it might be his only hit of the year that doesn’t sound like he wrote it. That’s because the BeeGees’ manager, Robert Stigwood, nixed their version and gave the song to Elliman, whose career up to that point had been wallowing along ever since she was Mary Magdalene on the original soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Her vocals were outstanding on that record; less so here. She sounds a little drugged out in what might be her best Donna Summer imitation. But the strength of the song comes through anyway.

Didn't realize that Yvonne sang backup on some of Clapton's stuff, including the aforementioned "Wonderful Tonight" (and the rest of the Slowhand album). Also on "I Shot The Sheriff".

But she's not the female voice on The Core. That's Marcy Levy.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Didn't realize that Yvonne sang backup on some of Clapton's stuff, including the aforementioned "Wonderful Tonight" (and the rest of the Slowhand album). Also on "I Shot The Sheriff".

I think they were romantically involved for a bit, too.

 

[zamboni]

Didn't realize that Yvonne sang backup on some of Clapton's stuff, including the aforementioned "Wonderful Tonight" (and the rest of the Slowhand album). Also on "I Shot The Sheriff".

I think they were romantically involved for a bit, too.

So I guess Sally = Yvonne

 

[zamboni]

85. Yvonne Elliman “If I Can’t Have You” (from Saturday Night Fever)

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Time to break out the SNF soundtrack, which will be heavily represented on this list. This tune was composed by- surprise!- Barry Gibb, but it might be his only hit of the year that doesn’t sound like he wrote it. That’s because the BeeGees’ manager, Robert Stigwood, nixed their version and gave the song to Elliman, whose career up to that point had been wallowing along ever since she was Mary Magdalene on the original soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Her vocals were outstanding on that record; less so here. She sounds a little drugged out in what might be her best Donna Summer imitation. But the strength of the song comes through anyway.

Didn't realize that Yvonne sang backup on some of Clapton's stuff, including the aforementioned "Wonderful Tonight" (and the rest of the Slowhand album). Also on "I Shot The Sheriff".

But she's not the female voice on The Core. That's Marcy Levy.

And Marcy is also on the just mentioned “Lay Down Sally”

 

[timschochet]

84. Lynyrd Skynyrd “That Smell” (from Street Survivors)

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So much sad and terrible irony here. Ronnie Van Zant wrote one of the great anti-drug songs of all time, yet was using cocaine and heroin when he wrote it. He predicted death all throughout the lyrics, and then perished in a plane crash three days after it was released.

 

[zamboni]

84. Lynyrd Skynyrd “That Smell” (from Street Survivors)

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So much sad and terrible irony here. Ronnie Van Zant wrote one of the great anti-drug songs of all time, yet was using cocaine and heroin when he wrote it. He predicted death all throughout the lyrics, and then perished in a plane crash three days after it was released.

Affectionately known by many New York Jets fans as ooh Matt Snell

 

[BobbyLayne]

I had tickets to see Lynyrd Skynyrd at Wings Stadium (Kalamazoo) like 9 days after the crash. Was looking forward to all 3 bands (Pure Prairie League, and Ozark Mountain Daredevils.)

11-21 year old BL had a soft spot for Florida style southern rock - Allman brothers, LS, the Outlaws, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, et al. It was good music for while you were drinking Kentucky whiskey.

 

[BobbyLayne]

87. Eddie Money “Two Tickets to Paradise” (from Eddie Money)

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So this was the other huge hit off his debut album. I think it’s slightly better than “Baby Hold On”, but both tunes are pleasant middle of the road rock that has now been played for decades.

Long after his peak Eddie played the Ionia Free Fair, and my sister got us backstage passes. (he had been sick that week & my sister was the hospitality manager at the resort he stayed at.) It’s the only time I’ve watched a concert from the wings.

He invited us into his motor home before the show. Super nice guy. Also, bit of a John Fogarty style band leader - no drugs, & keep the drinking under control, we’re here to work.

My middle age memory is fuzzy but prolly 1989-92ish.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

84. Lynyrd Skynyrd “That Smell” (from Street Survivors)

- YouTube

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So much sad and terrible irony here. Ronnie Van Zant wrote one of the great anti-drug songs of all time, yet was using cocaine and heroin when he wrote it. He predicted death all throughout the lyrics, and then perished in a plane crash three days after it was released.

so he was wrong about the drugs

 

[timschochet]

83. Bonnie Tyler “It’s A Heartache” (from Natural Forces)

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Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler had a throat operation directly before this song was recorded, and this accounts for her gravelly, Rod Stewart style performance. This tune was one of the two big hits of Ms. Tyler’s career; the other of course was the Jim Steinman epic “Total Eclipse of the Heart”.

 

[timschochet]

Note- the YouTube notes say “released in 1978”; that is not correct. The album was released in 1977, and the single was released in Australia and Europe in 1977, released in 1978 in the USA. That’s why it’s on this list.

 

[BobbyLayne]

released in 1978 in the USA

so you’re openly admitting you’re un-American