The 100 Greatest Songs of 1977 #1. Come Sail Away (3 Viewers)

[timschochet]

39. Kansas “Point of Know Return” (from Point of Know Return)

- 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

Apart from the silly title (even at 12, when my brother couldn’t get enough of this song and album, I thought it was kind of dumb) this is a great tune. I’ve never gotten tired of listening to it. I especially love the bridge.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

39. Kansas “Point of Know Return” (from Point of Know Return)

- 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

Apart from the silly title (even at 12, when my brother couldn’t get enough of this song and album, I thought it was kind of dumb) this is a great tune. I’ve never gotten tired of listening to it. I especially love the bridge.

Is this their best song? Mmmmmmmaybe…..

 

[timschochet]

I’m on a reggae cruise, watching the sunset.

I’m really liking this reggae music. I’ve never really listened to it except for the classics (Marley, Tosh, Cliff, Steel Pulse and a little Buju Banton.) But there are a lot of contemporary artists whom I’ve never heard but quite enjoy. I’m going to have to expose myself some more.

 

[timschochet]

39. Kansas “Point of Know Return” (from Point of Know Return)

- 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

Apart from the silly title (even at 12, when my brother couldn’t get enough of this song and album, I thought it was kind of dumb) this is a great tune. I’ve never gotten tired of listening to it. I especially love the bridge.

Is this their best song? Mmmmmmmaybe…..

Obviously, based on the fact that I have one more song from this album to rank, I don’t think so. Quite.

But it’s damn close.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Kansas had a ton of great songs in the 70s, many of which were deep cuts. Point of Know Return is really good, but I can name at least 20 Kansas songs I like more.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Kansas had a ton of great songs in the 70s, many of which were deep cuts. Point of Know Return is really good, but I can name at least 20 Kansas songs I like more.

"Masque" was criminally underrated.

Two Cents Worth

 

[Ghost Rider]

Kansas had a ton of great songs in the 70s, many of which were deep cuts. Point of Know Return is really good, but I can name at least 20 Kansas songs I like more.

"Masque" was criminally underrated.

Two Cents Worth

Good song, but Icarus and The Pinnacle from that album are where it's at the most. My jaw was on the floor the first time I heard The Pinnacle (as well as Miracles Out of Nowhere from Leftoverture).

 

[timschochet]

Kansas had a ton of great songs in the 70s, many of which were deep cuts. Point of Know Return is really good, but I can name at least 20 Kansas songs I like more.

"Masque" was criminally underrated.

Two Cents Worth

Good song, but Icarus and The Pinnacle from that album are where it's at the most. My jaw was on the floor the first time I heard The Pinnacle (as well as Miracles Out of Nowhere from Leftoverture).

Icarus was always one of my favorites. So so good.

 

[timschochet]

38. Carly Simon “Nobody Does It Better” (from The Spy Who Loved Me)

- 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

Written by the great Marvin Hamlisch. Is this the best James Bond theme song ever? IMO, there are really only 3 candidates for that title: this song, “Live and Let Die”, and “Goldfinger”. If forced, I’d have to choose “Goldfinger” since Shirley Basset’s vocals are so iconic. But “Nobody Does It Better” has an argument.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

38. Carly Simon “Nobody Does It Better” (from The Spy Who Loved Me)

- 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

Written by the great Marvin Hamlisch. Is this the best James Bond theme song ever? IMO, there are really only 3 candidates for that title: this song, “Live and Let Die”, and “Goldfinger”. If forced, I’d have to choose “Goldfinger” since Shirley Basset’s vocals are so iconic. But “Nobody Does It Better” has an argument.

I'd put "Goldfinger" at #1, but I really like this one.

I have no idea if this how to test this, but it's always seemed to me that Carly doesn't get the credit she deserves. She got compared to Joni early on and kind of got dismissed.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

38. Carly Simon “Nobody Does It Better” (from The Spy Who Loved Me)

- 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

Written by the great Marvin Hamlisch. Is this the best James Bond theme song ever? IMO, there are really only 3 candidates for that title: this song, “Live and Let Die”, and “Goldfinger”. If forced, I’d have to choose “Goldfinger” since Shirley Basset’s vocals are so iconic. But “Nobody Does It Better” has an argument.

Those are all great Bond songs. I would add For Your Eyes Only sung by Sheena Easton.

 

[Ghost Rider]

This is one of those songs I was like, "I don't know this one," and then heard like 20 seconds of it and was like, "Oh wait, yeah I do." Certainly a popular song, just not one of note for me, but I get why it is on this countdown.

 

[timschochet]

37. Meat Loaf (with Ellen Foley) “Paradise By the Dashboard Light” (from Bat Out of Hell)

Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Watch the official music video for "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" by Meat LoafListen to Meat Loaf: https://Meatloaf.lnk.to/listenYDSubscribe to the offici...

youtu.be

Jim Steinman’s greatest song has become legendary over the years, in part because of its humorous understanding of relationships, its terrific use of lyrical imagery, and of course its great rock and roll. It’s important to remember that like so much of this album the song is pretty much a tribute to misogyny. Even so a classic.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I always found it awesome at so many family weddings back in the day, so many aunts and uncles (and my parents!!), even the more conservative ones, would be out on the dance floor when Paradise by the Dashboard Light was played (which it almost always was). I always wondered if they all knew what the song was about. Irish-Catholic family and all, haha.

I don't listen to this much anymore, but to me, it's like a novelty song. Great to crank once or twice a year, and it's still fun as hell. And I still know every word to it.

 

[timschochet]

36. Steely Dan “Deacon Blues” (from Aja)

- 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

So my 16 year old nephew has discovered Aja and he can’t stop raving about it. At Christmas time he kept asking me if I ever “REALLY listened to it.” Lol.

A few months back it was Floyd. Now his dad, for Christmas, got him all the classic Rush albums on vinyl. This should be fun!

 

[zamboni]

36. Steely Dan “Deacon Blues” (from Aja)

- 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

So my 16 year old nephew has discovered Aja and he can’t stop raving about it. At Christmas time he kept asking me if I ever “REALLY listened to it.” Lol.

A few months back it was Floyd. Now his dad, for Christmas, got him all the classic Rush albums on vinyl. This should be fun!

My only bad thing to say about this song is the mention of Alabama football.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Aja is fantastic, and Deacon Blues is damn good. As I said before, I can't call myself a huge Steely Dan fan, but that album is tremendous.

 

[timschochet]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

Steve Miller Band - Jet Airliner (Live)

https://www.funkystuff.orgLive From Chicago, 2007, Ravinia Amphitheater, Highland Park, ChicagoSteve Miller Jet Airliner Lyrics:Leavin' home, out on the road...

youtu.be

Steve Miller’s best song ever (IMO) is actually a cover. The original was recorded in the early 70s by little known Paul Peña, a black soul artist, and not released until the 80s. Here it is, a little slower and moodier:

Paul Pena - Jet Airliner (The Original)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/new-train/id19094292http://www.amazon.com/New-Train-Paul-Pena/dp/B00004Y6R1This is the original version of Jet Airliner. The...

youtu.be

I actually love both versions.

 

[Doug B]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

... Big ol' Chad had a light on ...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

... Big ol' Chad had a light on ...

I thought it was Bingo Jack.

 

[Doug B]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

... Big ol' Chad had a light on ...

I thought it was Bingo Jack.

Him, too

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Far, far better than Jungle Love.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If you are going to listen to Jet Airliner, listen to the album version with the full intro, not the single edit where the intro is truncated. Good song, albeit very overplayed.

 

[zamboni]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

... Big ol' Chad had a light on ...

I thought it was Bingo Jack.

Him, too

People have been all over the map on this. Some ridiculous ones there

 

[shuke]

People have been all over the map on this. Some ridiculous ones there

This is my new favorite site.

 

[zamboni]

People have been all over the map on this. Some ridiculous ones there

This is my new favorite site.

Yeah - it’s been around for ages, but it’s great.

My all time favorite is Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” in which some dude (allegedly) heard it as “might as well face it, you’re a d!ck with a glove”

 

[timschochet]

34. The Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” (from Never Mind the Bullocks, Here Comes the Sex Pistols)

Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

Sex Pistols ( http://www.agoravox.tv/tribune-libre/article/god-save-the-queen-her-fascist-30057 : " God Save The Queen, Her Fascist Regime ! ") - God Save Th...

youtu.be

OK, so they were trying to be as shocking as possible, and they figured this tune would piss off as many people as possible. There are worse reasons to make a song. Anyhow it’s got a great beat.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

35. The Steve Miller Band “Jet Airliner” (from Book of Dreams)

... Big ol' Chad had a light on ...

I thought it was Bingo Jack.

Him, too

People have been all over the map on this. Some ridiculous ones there

oh wow - no idea this existed. I remember from way back, a stand up did a bit about this - being stuck in a car with his parents singing the wrong lyrics - and it always stuck with me

"Bingo Jed had a light on"

"the girl with colitis goes by"

Thanks to the trusty innerwebs - I found the guy and clip via reddit.

Johnny Lapert - the song bit starts around the 4 minute mark - but his stuff isn't bad

 

[Zegras11]

People have been all over the map on this. Some ridiculous ones there

This is my new favorite site.

Yeah - it’s been around for ages, but it’s great.

My all time favorite is Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love” in which some dude (allegedly) heard it as “might as well face it, you’re a d!ck with a glove”

My favorite of all time was my wife singing "All The Young Girls Love Alice" as "All The Young Girls Love Violets."

 

[timschochet]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

 

[zamboni]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

No one can sing "Brender" like he can.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

No one can sing "Brender" like he can.

The only other time I’ve ever heard that pronunciation is when I was working at a store for the summer during high school and this odd woman came in and asked to see our manager, whom she said was a friend. When we told her she wasn’t there, she said to tell her that “Brender from Philleh” stopped by.

 

[zamboni]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

No one can sing "Brender" like he can.

The only other time I’ve ever heard that pronunciation is when I was working at a store for the summer during high school and this odd woman came in and asked to see our manager, whom she said was a friend. When we told her she wasn’t there, she said to tell her that “Brender from Philleh” stopped by.

Hear it all too often in the NYC region. It’s gross.

 

[timschochet]

32. Ian Dury “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (released as a single)

Ian Dury - Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

Double blinding :-)

youtu.be

Considered to be an early punk rock anthem, except it’s not punk at all. It’s actually closest to a Paul McCartney style music hall song, except that Dury doesn’t try to hide his cockney accent. Even so a classic.

 

[rockaction]

Never Mind the Bullocks, Here Comes the Sex Pistols

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols

Please see:

The Punk Hundred by rockaction - The Countdown Of My Favorite Hundred Punk Songs By A Hundred Different Bands

Flipper Rules, OK?

forums.footballguys.com

eta* This song still gives me goosebumps thirty-three years after discovering it.

 

[Ghost Rider]

There may not be 32 songs in the history of popular music better than Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and I am pretty sure they aren't all from 1977, so yeah that ranking was dreadfully low.

 

[HellToupee]

There may not be 32 songs in the history of popular music better than Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and I am pretty sure they aren't all from 1977, so yeah that ranking was dreadfully low.

My link

 

[zamboni]

There may not be 32 songs in the history of popular music better than Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and I am pretty sure they aren't all from 1977, so yeah that ranking was dreadfully low.

It all depends upon your appetite.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

There may not be 32 songs in the history of popular music better than Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, and I am pretty sure they aren't all from 1977, so yeah that ranking was dreadfully low.

Uruk: High

 

[timschochet]

There may not be 32 songs in the history of popular music better than Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

But 3 of them are on the same album.

 

[zamboni]

Oh Billy

They couldn't go back to the greasers
The best they could do was pick up the pieces

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Oh Billy

They couldn't go back to the greasers
The best they could do was pick up the pieces

He moved the "r" from "greasers" to "Brenda".

 

[timschochet]

31. The Bee Gees “More Than A Woman” (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

Admittedly as I listen to this song today it sounds dated, belonging to that long ago faded disco era of strobe lights and falsetto singing. And yet what comes through all that, and makes it almost irrelevant to my listening pleasure, is Barry Gibb’s amazing sense of pop hooks and melodic skill. So I still really enjoy it after all these years.

 

[zamboni]

31. The Bee Gees “More Than A Woman” (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

Admittedly as I listen to this song today it sounds dated, belonging to that long ago faded disco era of strobe lights and falsetto singing. And yet what comes through all that, and makes it almost irrelevant to my listening pleasure, is Barry Gibb’s amazing sense of pop hooks and melodic skill. So I still really enjoy it after all these years.

Really strong tune - the Tavares version from the soundtrack is different and also very good, but not up there with the Gibbs.

As an aside, I'm in the middle of watching the Bee Gees' documentary/movie - very interesting and highly recommended.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

31. The Bee Gees “More Than A Woman” (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

Admittedly as I listen to this song today it sounds dated, belonging to that long ago faded disco era of strobe lights and falsetto singing. And yet what comes through all that, and makes it almost irrelevant to my listening pleasure, is Barry Gibb’s amazing sense of pop hooks and melodic skill. So I still really enjoy it after all these years.

Really strong tune - the Tavares version from the soundtrack is different and also very good, but not up there with the Gibbs.

As an aside, I'm in the middle of watching the Bee Gees' documentary/movie - very interesting and highly recommended.

I like both versions a lot. If I'm listening to the entire soundtrack, I'd favor the Tavares take just because it breaks things up a little.

Where is the Bee Gees doc airing?

 

[zamboni]

Where is the Bee Gees doc airing?

I’m watching on demand on FIOS. Per a quick Google:

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, a documentary movie is available to stream now. Watch it on HBO Max, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Vudu or Apple TV on your Roku device.

 

[DocHolliday]

Where is the Bee Gees doc airing?

I’m watching on demand on FIOS. Per a quick Google:

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, a documentary movie is available to stream now. Watch it on HBO Max, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Vudu or Apple TV on your Roku device.

I watched that doc and it was fascinating.

 

[Gr00vus]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

I heard him talk about this on his Sirius/XM channel. He basically said it was him trying to create a multi-piece work with all the complexities of working the transitions similar to what the Beatles did with Day In The Life. His discussion of this tune was a good listen. He's a great songwriter, and it was really interesting to hear where his ideas come from, how he approaches putting his music together, the choices he'll make for chords, keys, etc.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

I heard him talk about this on his Sirius/XM channel. He basically said it was him trying to create a multi-piece work with all the complexities of working the transitions similar to what the Beatles did with Day In The Life. His discussion of this tune was a good listen. He's a great songwriter, and it was really interesting to hear where his ideas come from, how he approaches putting his music together, the choices he'll make for chords, keys, etc.

Good Lord.......

 

[timschochet]

33. Billy Joel “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” (from The Stranger)

- 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

Many people regard this as Billy Joel’s finest work. I certainly don’t, but I do see it as sort of his “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” effort.

I heard him talk about this on his Sirius/XM channel. He basically said it was him trying to create a multi-piece work with all the complexities of working the transitions similar to what the Beatles did with Day In The Life. His discussion of this tune was a good listen. He's a great songwriter, and it was really interesting to hear where his ideas come from, how he approaches putting his music together, the choices he'll make for chords, keys, etc.

Good Lord.......

I know. I like the song, but it’s not one of the great compositions of all time and Billy can get a little pretentious at times.
As I wrote there are 3 other songs on The Stranger that are better than “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant”, and they’re all coming up later on this list.