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

[Ghost Rider]

And this song began new wave’s love affair with reggae

I think the Clash want a word with you on that one.

Anyway, it's simply an awesome song by someone who I came to appreciate much later in my musical ventures into the world. Just fantastic.

You’re correct that Elvis Costello was influenced by the Clash’s use of reggae. But the Clash wasn’t New Wave (at least not then.)

Are you really going to try to debate about who qualifies as New Wave?

Maybe it is my age, but I have reached the point where arguing over genre labels is stupid. There are two kinds of music: good music (see: Billy Joel) and bad music (see: KISS).

know some hated the rockers going monster ballad in the late 70s/early 80s, but Waiting for a Girl Like You is the one song of theirs I still actively listen to, partly because it is on my massive 80s playlist, and partly for that awesome synth work by Thomas Dolby.

A few years ago Lou Gramm was playing a summer outdoor festival a few blocks from my house. As I was sitting on my front porch I could hear him singing this song.

 

[timschochet]

67. The Sex Pistols “Holidays In the Sun” (from Never Mind the Bullocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols)

Sex Pistols - Holidays In The Sun

After recieving a rather large number of requests for more of my Sex Pistols video creations, I thought i'd share this one that was made around the same time...

youtu.be

Nobody can enunciate quite like Johnny Rotten, can they? Love the way he says words like “history”: “hiss-to-REEE-yah!”

Anyhow this is a game-changing album which even now, IMO, retains an extraordinary raw power. We’ll be hearing more from it.

 

[Herb]

Favorite Pistols song, easily. Never Mind the Bollocks is a masterpiece of sleaze and attitude.

 

[timschochet]

66. AC/DC “Whole Lotta Rosie” (from Let There Be Rock)

AC/DC - Whole Lotta Rosie (1979 Paris)

1979 live in Paris

youtu.be

First thought: it’s amazing how much this guitar on this sounds like the Sex Pistols in the last song on this list- demonstrating that the differences between early punk and hard rock were not that significant.

Second thought: did I mention earlier that this band kicks ***? Angus Young is simply an incredible musician. And Bon Scott’s vocals were both unique and terrific.

Third thought: nineteen stone is around 265 pounds. That really was a whole lotta Rosie.

 

[timschochet]

65. Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell” (from Bat Out Of Hell)

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Who says pompous and bloated can’t also be great? With a longer introduction than nearly any progressive rock song (and this is NOT prog rock), “Bat Out Of Hell” is certainly the most pretentious rock song of 1977, or perhaps any other year- and it is also magnificent. It’s also, like so much of Jim Steinman’s work, pretty misogynistic. Although the video creates a Halloween type atmosphere (and indeed, it’s been a staple of that holiday’s songlist ever since it was written), the lyrics are essentially about a guy eager to have sex and then split as quickly as possible.

 

[Bluesbomber]

65. Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell” (from Bat Out Of Hell)

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Who says pompous and bloated can’t also be great? With a longer introduction than nearly any progressive rock song (and this is NOT prog rock), “Bat Out Of Hell” is certainly the most pretentious rock song of 1977, or perhaps any other year- and it is also magnificent. It’s also, like so much of Jim Steinman’s work, pretty misogynistic. Although the video creates a Halloween type atmosphere (and indeed, it’s been a staple of that holiday’s songlist ever since it was written), the lyrics are essentially about a guy eager to have sex and then split as quickly as possible.

not necessarily prog rock but driven by Todd and Utopia members...prog pop...

 

[zamboni]

65. Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell” (from Bat Out Of Hell)

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Who says pompous and bloated can’t also be great? With a longer introduction than nearly any progressive rock song (and this is NOT prog rock), “Bat Out Of Hell” is certainly the most pretentious rock song of 1977, or perhaps any other year- and it is also magnificent. It’s also, like so much of Jim Steinman’s work, pretty misogynistic. Although the video creates a Halloween type atmosphere (and indeed, it’s been a staple of that holiday’s songlist ever since it was written), the lyrics are essentially about a guy eager to have sex and then split as quickly as possible.

Rundgren absolutely shreds on this.

#binkybatoutofhellsignal

 

[rockaction]

67. The Sex Pistols “Holidays In the Sun”

Sometimes rock and roll is good even when the politics are just dumb or audacious. This song was intended to shock, but people screamed along without irony. They wanted over the wall! Didn't understand that bit at all about the cheap essential scenery of West Germany! But what riffs and what kind cockney accent does Rotten ever put on for this one! A sort of dumb and audacious beginning to an even bigger, dumber audacious album that gets greater each year.

So Never Mind The Bollocks, as they would say. Them's The Sex Pistols.

 

[rockaction]

demonstrating that the differences between early punk and hard rock were not that significant.

Steve Jones of the Pistols was playing monster metal riffs. Some punk purists hate the album to this day because of that riffage. He was playing The Stooges to Johnny Rotten's sabotage sideshow. Brilliant all around.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

65. Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell” (from Bat Out Of Hell)

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Who says pompous and bloated can’t also be great? With a longer introduction than nearly any progressive rock song (and this is NOT prog rock), “Bat Out Of Hell” is certainly the most pretentious rock song of 1977, or perhaps any other year- and it is also magnificent. It’s also, like so much of Jim Steinman’s work, pretty misogynistic. Although the video creates a Halloween type atmosphere (and indeed, it’s been a staple of that holiday’s songlist ever since it was written), the lyrics are essentially about a guy eager to have sex and then split as quickly as possible.

Rundgren absolutely shreds on this.

#binkybatoutofhellsignal

2 minute Steinman story on the motorcycle sound on "Bat Out Of Hell"

 

[Leroy Hoard]

demonstrating that the differences between early punk and hard rock were not that significant.

Steve Jones of the Pistols was playing monster metal riffs. Some punk purists hate the album to this day because of that riffage. He was playing The Stooges to Johnny Rotten's sabotage sideshow. Brilliant all around.

The band Poison used a Steve Jones riff for one of their bigger hits.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

67. The Sex Pistols “Holidays In the Sun”

Sometimes rock and roll is good even when the politics are just dumb or audacious. This song was intended to shock, but people screamed along without irony. They wanted over the wall! Didn't understand that bit at all about the cheap essential scenery of West Germany! But what riffs and what kind cockney accent does Rotten ever put on for this one! A sort of dumb and audacious beginning to an even bigger, dumber audacious album that gets greater each year.

So Never Mind The Bollocks, as they would say. Them's The Sex Pistols.

Most politics-set-to-music are dumb, whether it's Toby Keith or John Lennon.

If I were doing this countdown, this would have been my highest-ranking Sex Pistols record. It got overblown by Rolling Stone for it's lyrics (which - again - are dumb), but it's great rock and roll. The whole "the Sex Pistols couldn't play" thing was a sham perpetrated by the band and its management. I don't think much of Johnny Rotten as a singer, but that band could play (until they replaced Matlock with Vicious - who couldn't play at all).

I remember laughing when Lydon was running around saying "the Pistols finished rock-and-roll!". No they didn't, Johnny. Today, their music sounds like classic rock.

 

[FairWarning]

And this song began new wave’s love affair with reggae

I think the Clash want a word with you on that one.

Anyway, it's simply an awesome song by someone who I came to appreciate much later in my musical ventures into the world. Just fantastic.

You’re correct that Elvis Costello was influenced by the Clash’s use of reggae. But the Clash wasn’t New Wave (at least not then.)

Are you really going to try to debate about who qualifies as New Wave?

Maybe it is my age, but I have reached the point where arguing over genre labels is stupid. There are two kinds of music: good music (see: Billy Joel) and bad music (see: KISS).

know some hated the rockers going monster ballad in the late 70s/early 80s, but Waiting for a Girl Like You is the one song of theirs I still actively listen to, partly because it is on my massive 80s playlist, and partly for that awesome synth work by Thomas Dolby.

A few years ago Lou Gramm was playing a summer outdoor festival a few blocks from my house. As I was sitting on my front porch I could hear him singing this song.

flip kiss and billy Joel and I’ll agree with you.

 

[zamboni]

65. Meat Loaf “Bat Out Of Hell” (from Bat Out Of Hell)

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Who says pompous and bloated can’t also be great? With a longer introduction than nearly any progressive rock song (and this is NOT prog rock), “Bat Out Of Hell” is certainly the most pretentious rock song of 1977, or perhaps any other year- and it is also magnificent. It’s also, like so much of Jim Steinman’s work, pretty misogynistic. Although the video creates a Halloween type atmosphere (and indeed, it’s been a staple of that holiday’s songlist ever since it was written), the lyrics are essentially about a guy eager to have sex and then split as quickly as possible.

Rundgren absolutely shreds on this.

#binkybatoutofhellsignal

2 minute Steinman story on the motorcycle sound on "Bat Out Of Hell"

That’s a great clip. Steinman was really an interesting guy.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Oh, Tim...I can think of about 100 prog intros off the top of my head that are longer than the one in Bat Out of Hell. haha

That aside, good song. I don't revisit many songs by Meat Loaf, but that is one of them. Both his singing and Todd Rungren's guitar playing in that song are stellar.

 

[timschochet]

Howdy everyone, good to be back. The list starts tomorrow.
I am saddened by the death of Christine McVie, who will be featured prominently on this list.

100. “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” Andy Gibb
99. “Baby Hold On” Eddie Money
98. “Wonderful Tonight” Eric Clapton
97. “Jamming” Bob Marley
96. “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” Meat Loaf
95. “Let There Be Rock” AC/DC
94. “Juke Box Music” The Kinks
93. “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” Styx
92. “It’s Late” Queen
91. “Kick It Out” Heart
90. “Just a Song Before I Go” Crosby, Stills, & Nash
89. “Swingtown” The Steve Miller Band
88. “California Sun” Ramones
87. “Two Tickets to Paradise” Eddie Money
86. “Marquee Moon” Television
85. “If I Can’t Have You” Yvonne Elliman
84. “That Smell” Lynyrd Skynyrd
83. “It’s A Heartache” Bonnie Tyler
82. “Mr. Blue Sky” Electric Light Orchestra
81. “Cocaine” Eric Clapton
80. “Janie Jones” The Clash
79. “Portrait (He Knew)” Kansas
78. “Like a Hurricane” Neil Young
77. “Gold Dust Woman” Fleetwood Mac
76. “Cat Scratch Fever” Ted Nugent
75. “Short People” Randy Newman
74. “Rockaway Beach” Ramones
73. “Grand Illusion” Styx
72. “One Love/People Get Ready” Bob Marley
71. “What’s Your Name” Lynyrd Skynyrd

 

[timschochet]

64. The Clash “Career Opportunities” (from The Clash)

The Clash - Career Opportunities (Live at Shea Stadium)

The Clash - Career Opportunities (Live from Shea Stadium) Stream The Clash here: https://theclash.lnk.to/PlaylistsSubscribe to The Clash YouTube Channel: htt...

youtu.be

Contrasting the magnificent lengthiness of “Bat Out Of Hell”, here is the equally magnificent brevity of “Career Opportunities”, Joe Strummer’s tribute to the British working class, coming in just under two minutes.

 

[timschochet]

63. Linda Ronstadt “It’s So Easy” (from Simple Dreams)

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It’s so easy to fall in love with Linda. Watch the video and try to tell me you don’t find her absolutely adorable.

 

[zamboni]

63. Linda Ronstadt “It’s So Easy” (from Simple Dreams)

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It’s so easy to fall in love with Linda. Watch the video and try to tell me you don’t find her absolutely adorable.

Not as good of a head of hair as Waddy Wachtel though.

 

[timschochet]

62. Eric Clapton “Lay Down Sally” (from Slowhand)

Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally (1985) HQ

Eric Clapton, playing live at the Hartford CT Civic Center, on May 1st, 1985. It's from Behind The Sun tour. Song's called Lay Down Sally.Lineup:"Duck" Dunn ...

youtu.be

IMO, one of the best tunes of his solo career. His guitar playing, as usual, is stellar here. In addition, Clapton’s vocals were never considered to be excellent but here they work, because of his understated nature. A great performance.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I always thought Clapton was overhyped, but I will listen to a handful or so of songs on purpose, many of which are from the Cream days. Lay Down Sally is solid enough I guess, but I'd never listen to intentionally.

 

[timschochet]

61. Rod Stewart “I Was Only Joking” (from Foot Loose and Fancy Free)

Rod Stewart - I Was Only Joking (Official Video)

Official music video for Rod Stewart – “I Was Only Joking” from 'Foot Loose & Fancy Free' (1977)🎼 Listen to more Rod Stewart here: https://rhino.lnk.to/RodS...

youtu.be

Gorgeous ballad from what was arguably Rod’s best album since Every Picture Tells a Story. The opening guitar is, for me, pure bliss.

 

[Zeppelin]

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.

This is my favorite song by any band.

 

[timschochet]

60. The Steve Miller Band “Jungle Love” (from Book of Dreams)

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It’s driving me mad. It’s making me crazy.

OK, so he wasn’t much on the lyrical skills. Still fun to listen to.

 

[zamboni]

60. The Steve Miller Band “Jungle Love” (from Book of Dreams)

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It’s driving me mad. It’s making me crazy.

OK, so he wasn’t much on the lyrical skills. Still fun to listen to.

Nothing against Steve, but I’ll take the Morris Day & The Time song of the same name any day of the week.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

60. The Steve Miller Band “Jungle Love” (from Book of Dreams)

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It’s driving me mad. It’s making me crazy.

OK, so he wasn’t much on the lyrical skills. Still fun to listen to.

Sorry, tim, but this is horrible. I know it sold a bazillion records, but it's lame as hell.

 

[timschochet]

60. The Steve Miller Band “Jungle Love” (from Book of Dreams)

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It’s driving me mad. It’s making me crazy.

OK, so he wasn’t much on the lyrical skills. Still fun to listen to.

Sorry, tim, but this is horrible. I know it sold a bazillion records, but it's lame as hell.

Hey each to their own GB but I’ve always loved it.

 

[timschochet]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

60. The Steve Miller Band “Jungle Love” (from Book of Dreams)

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It’s driving me mad. It’s making me crazy.

OK, so he wasn’t much on the lyrical skills. Still fun to listen to.

Nothing against Steve, but I’ll take the Morris Day & The Time song of the same name any day of the week.

It's about time someone mentioned Morris Day.

 

[zamboni]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

I like this one. Always thought Lou had a very dynamic voice - one of the better ones in classic rock.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

One of the best debut albums ever. Not a bad song on it.

 

[krista4]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

Nah, this is 1000 times better choice than Jungle Love was. No problem with this!

 

[zamboni]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

One of the best debut albums ever. Not a bad song on it.

Doubt I’m spotlighting a future pick here - “Starrider” is a standout from the album.

 

[timschochet]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

Nah, this is 1000 times better choice than Jungle Love was. No problem with this!

You probably wouldn’t remember, I probably wouldn’t forget.

 

[Ghost Rider]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

One of the best debut albums ever. Not a bad song on it.

Doubt I’m spotlighting a future pick here - “Starrider” is a particularly good tune from the album.

For sure. Starrider is the one Foreigner 70s song I will still seek out on occasion. All the hits, including Feels Like the First Time, are in that "good, but never need to hear them again" category.

 

[Zegras11]

Jungle Love this much better then Like A Hurricane is good shtick.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

59. Foreigner “Feels Like the First Time” (from Foreigner)

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Chances are if you didn’t like “Jungle Love” you’re not going to love this one either. Oh well. Just because it’s gotten a lot of radio play over the years doesn’t make it bad. As I wrote about the earlier song by this band, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to listen to, but it’s still a very good song.

I like this one. Stop painting us with a broad brush!

 

[timschochet]

58. Chicago “Baby What a Big Surprise” (from Chicago XI)

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This was Peter Cetera’s Chicago; at this point he was writing and singing their biggest hits, most notably “If You Leave Me Now” from the year before and this one. And these are superb pop songs.

 

[zamboni]

58. Chicago “Baby What a Big Surprise” (from Chicago XI)

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This was Peter Cetera’s Chicago; at this point he was writing and singing their biggest hits, most notably “If You Leave Me Now” from the year before and this one. And these are superb pop songs.

If You Leave Me Now is a really nice orchestrated piece of pop, but I think they pushed it too much after that with this one.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Yeah, this one is a bit too shmaltzy for me. If You Leave Me Now is really good, and I like a couple of their 80s hits a lot (Love Me Tomorrow is a GREAT song), but this one? Pass.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

58. Chicago “Baby What a Big Surprise” (from Chicago XI)

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This was Peter Cetera’s Chicago; at this point he was writing and singing their biggest hits, most notably “If You Leave Me Now” from the year before and this one. And these are superb pop songs.

so drippy ...it's a crime what Cetera and David Foster did to this once great band

 

[Pip's Invitation]

58. Chicago “Baby What a Big Surprise” (from Chicago XI)

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This was Peter Cetera’s Chicago; at this point he was writing and singing their biggest hits, most notably “If You Leave Me Now” from the year before and this one. And these are superb pop songs.

This was only Cetera's only writing credit on Chicago XI, which is not surprising because Robert Lamm, Terry Kath and James Pankow did most of the writing until Kath's death. However, it was his only lead vocal on the album, which was surprising, as on previous albums he was often tabbed to sing songs written by the others.

My favorite from this album is Kath's Mississippi Delta City Blues.

 

[timschochet]

57. Steely Dan “Josie” (from Aja)

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If punk rock from 1977 featured the rawest edge of popular music, then this is the opposite extreme: AJa is arguably the most polished album in pop music history. Over 40 musicians (many of them legendary, all of them among the best in the business), endless hours of taping, retaping, overdubbing to get the sound precisely right, and the result was an audiophile’s dream, as well as the debut of Yacht Rock.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

57. Steely Dan “Josie” (from Aja)

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If punk rock from 1977 featured the rawest edge of popular music, then this is the opposite extreme: AJa is arguably the most polished album in pop music history. Over 40 musicians (many of them legendary, all of them among the best in the business), endless hours of taping, retaping, overdubbing to get the sound precisely right, and the result was an audiophile’s dream, as well as the debut of Yacht Rock.

Great description up until the bolded. Where is your evidence for that?

 

[timschochet]

57. Steely Dan “Josie” (from Aja)

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If punk rock from 1977 featured the rawest edge of popular music, then this is the opposite extreme: AJa is arguably the most polished album in pop music history. Over 40 musicians (many of them legendary, all of them among the best in the business), endless hours of taping, retaping, overdubbing to get the sound precisely right, and the result was an audiophile’s dream, as well as the debut of Yacht Rock.

Great description up until the bolded. Where is your evidence for that?

A couple of articles like this one:

‘Steely Dan: Aja (Classic Albums)’ Examines The Creation Of Essential Yacht Rock Tome

Released in September 1977, Aja would go on to sell over 2 million copies and is Steely Dan’s most commercially successful album.

decider.com

But honestly I can’t think of a “yacht rock” album before this one. Doesn’t mean there wasn’t one. If I’m wrong no big deal

 

[Ghost Rider]

Aja is a damn fine record. Josie isn't one of my favorites from it - pretty much all of Side 1 is where it's at - but a good tune nonetheless. I am not a Steely Dan enthusiast, but Aja is their one album I can enjoy from start to finish.

 

[timschochet]

56. Kraftwerk “Trans Europe Express” (from Trans Europe Express)

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Talk about a song ahead of its time. There was quite literally nothing else that sounded like this in 1977, if you were even aware of it. Outside of Germany, you might hear this played in a few eclectic New York dance clubs, and later on a couple of black radio stations- and that’s it. Personally I was not aware of this song- or Kraftwerk- until I read about them at some point in the late 1980s. And then I didn’t hear the song until about 10 years after that.

If this was a list of the most influential songs of the year,, or even if the decade, “Trans Europe Express” might be #1, even above “Marquee Moon”. It predicted the entire electronic sound of the next decade.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My favorite part of TEE is when they name check Iggy Pop & David Bowie.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

56. Kraftwerk “Trans Europe Express” (from Trans Europe Express)

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Talk about a song ahead of its time. There was quite literally nothing else that sounded like this in 1977, if you were even aware of it. Outside of Germany, you might hear this played in a few eclectic New York dance clubs, and later on a couple of black radio stations- and that’s it. Personally I was not aware of this song- or Kraftwerk- until I read about them at some point in the late 1980s. And then I didn’t hear the song until about 10 years after that.

If this was a list of the most influential songs of the year,, or even if the decade, “Trans Europe Express” might be #1, even above “Marquee Moon”. It predicted the entire electronic sound of the next decade.

I don't know that you gets acts like Devo without this, either.

There's another from this year and is ahead of its time that I'm wondering if you'll include. It's kinda/sorta had the same influence in the same areas, though the angle of entry is different (not a euphemism).

 

[timschochet]

55. Queen “Spread Your Wings” (from News of the World)

Queen - Spread Your Wings (Official Video)

Taken from News Of The World, 1977 and Forever, 2014.Click here to buy the DVD with this video at the Official Queen Store:http://www.queenonlinestore.comThe...

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There are a few songs in the Queen catalogue that really show off Freddie Mercury’s astonishing range and vocal skills, and this is clearly one of those. He’s simply amazing here.