The 100 Greatest Songs of 1977 #1. Come Sail Away (2 Viewers)

[timschochet]

53. Jimmy Buffett “Margaritaville” (from Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes)

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So this is a pleasant song that I enjoy listening to when it comes on the radio. I’ve always thought so. Sometimes I’ll sing along. It’s totally inoffensive; on the other hand, I don’t see any greatness here.

And yet…

Surely this is the most brilliantly marketed tune in pop music history? Jimmy Buffett is one of the wealthiest musicians alive and it is largely because of “Margaritaville” and the empire he has created, from a chain of restaurants and hot spots to merchandising of just about every product known to man. I challenge anyone to come up with another song that has been quite this successful in terms of marketing- I can’t think of one.

Jimmy Buffett has always amazed me. As you travel around the beachy parts of Mexico, the Carribian and South America, Margaritaville Bar and Grills stand out like a sore thumb. But with the Hard Rocks and Planet Hollywoods going out of business around them, Jimmy's places seem to survive. Kudos to him.

And while I have never sought out owning a JB album or really even seeing him live (I pulled babysitting duty every year when my ex and her sister would go), I could probably hit 80-90% of the lyrics from "Songs You Know By Heart".

Well yeah but it’s not like songs such as “Fins” and “Volcano” are that complex.

 

[rockaction]

52. The Sex Pistols “Pretty Vacant”

This is a serious riff and a serious syllabic use of the word "vacant," milking the latter syllable for all the contempt in the world. To borrow a phrase from Eephus and company, Johnny Rotten had phrasing like Sinatra, only it was atonal and anti-social. Nobody has packed more meaning into a syllable than he did in this song. What the listener wants to use the contempt for is up to that listener, but it's very present in his assessment of things.

As Mike Meyers once said on Saturday Night Live, "You put the m'-phassis on the wrong sil-abel'." Rotten did his with reason.

Solid song from this album.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

I challenge anyone to come up with another song that has been quite this successful in terms of marketing- I can’t think of one

Marquee Moon

What’s ironic about this discussion is that I obviously DO have to take popularity into account in my rankings. It’s not the most important factor but it is a factor.

For example, while I love “Marquee Moon”, my favorite song on that album, by far, is “Guiding Light”. But that’s simply too obscure for this list. To make the top 100 the song has to be well known.

I would rather your list be 100% what you like, rather than worrying about sales and enduring popularity.
The list may suck, but it would be honest.

 

[FairWarning]

53. Jimmy Buffett “Margaritaville” (from Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes)

- 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 this is a pleasant song that I enjoy listening to when it comes on the radio. I’ve always thought so. Sometimes I’ll sing along. It’s totally inoffensive; on the other hand, I don’t see any greatness here.

And yet…

Surely this is the most brilliantly marketed tune in pop music history? Jimmy Buffett is one of the wealthiest musicians alive and it is largely because of “Margaritaville” and the empire he has created, from a chain of restaurants and hot spots to merchandising of just about every product known to man. I challenge anyone to come up with another song that has been quite this successful in terms of marketing- I can’t think of one.

Jimmy Buffett has always amazed me. As you travel around the beachy parts of Mexico, the Carribian and South America, Margaritaville Bar and Grills stand out like a sore thumb. But with the Hard Rocks and Planet Hollywoods going out of business around them, Jimmy's places seem to survive. Kudos to him.

And while I have never sought out owning a JB album or really even seeing him live (I pulled babysitting duty every year when my ex and her sister would go), I could probably hit 80-90% of the lyrics from "Songs You Know By Heart".

Well yeah but it’s not like songs such as “Fins” and “Volcano” are that complex.

That’s the allure of his music though - basic lyrics that anyone can sing along to.

 

[timschochet]

I challenge anyone to come up with another song that has been quite this successful in terms of marketing- I can’t think of one

Marquee Moon

What’s ironic about this discussion is that I obviously DO have to take popularity into account in my rankings. It’s not the most important factor but it is a factor.

For example, while I love “Marquee Moon”, my favorite song on that album, by far, is “Guiding Light”. But that’s simply too obscure for this list. To make the top 100 the song has to be well known.

I would rather your list be 100% what you like, rather than worrying about sales and enduring popularity.
The list may suck, but it would be honest.

I don’t think this list is dishonest. Any “greatest list”, no matter how professional the critic in question is, will by necessity be a combination of personal preference and more general critical and public acclaim. That doesn’t impugn the integrity of the rankings.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Marquee Moon is the most influential song of the 70s? There's a major hot take. I had to look up what song it was and who it was by.

That comment may cause some friction here.

Unless folks decide to see no evil.

 

[massraider]

52. The Sex Pistols “Pretty Vacant”

This is a serious riff and a serious syllabic use of the word "vacant," milking the latter syllable for all the contempt in the world. To borrow a phrase from Eephus and company, Johnny Rotten had phrasing like Sinatra, only it was atonal and anti-social. Nobody has packed more meaning into a syllable than he did in this song. What the listener wants to use the contempt for is up to that listener, but it's very present in his assessment of things.

As Mike Meyers once said on Saturday Night Live, "You put the m'-phassis on the wrong sil-abel'." Rotten did his with reason.

Solid song from this album.

Best, IMO.

Such a great phrase for punk. Pretty Vacant.

If Chuck D has been a white kid from London, he woulda written that.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I challenge anyone to come up with another song that has been quite this successful in terms of marketing- I can’t think of one

Marquee Moon

What’s ironic about this discussion is that I obviously DO have to take popularity into account in my rankings. It’s not the most important factor but it is a factor.

For example, while I love “Marquee Moon”, my favorite song on that album, by far, is “Guiding Light”. But that’s simply too obscure for this list. To make the top 100 the song has to be well known.

I would rather your list be 100% what you like, rather than worrying about sales and enduring popularity.
The list may suck, but it would be honest.

I don’t think this list is dishonest. Any “greatest list”, no matter how professional the critic in question is, will by necessity be a combination of personal preference and more general critical and public acclaim. That doesn’t impugn the integrity of the rankings.

Agreed. We can all quibble about this song or that ranking or whatever, but a list factoring in popularity and personal favorites is usually not a bad way to go at all.

 

[timschochet]

51. Billy Joel “The Stranger” (from The Stranger)

Billy Joel - The Stranger (Live 1977)

In 1977, Billy Joel released his album The Stranger to massive critical and commercial success. Watch this live performance of the title track, 'The Stranger...

youtu.be

Love the opening piano notes on this song. Damn this is really a fine album. I think if it wasn’t for Rumours and Saturday Night Fever this would be the album of the year. It might be anyhow.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I used to be able to play most of the intro to The Stranger on piano (it is not as easy as it sounds, or maybe I was just a bad player, lol). But yeah, great song from a great album.

 

[timschochet]

50. Fleetwood Mac “You Make Loving Fun” (from Rumours)

Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun

1977 Video

youtu.be

I’m gonna tear up all over again. RIP Christine! One of her very best.

 

[timschochet]

49. Elvis Costello “Less Than Zero” (from My Aim Is True)

Elvis Costello Less Than Zero on Vinyl with Lyrics in Description

Track 9 from Declan MacManus’ debut album “My Aim Is True” released in 1977 copyright Stiff/Columbia Records. Widely regarded as one of the best debuts by a ...

youtu.be

A early protest song by Elvis Costello about Oswald Mosley, a 1930s era British fascist attempting to make a comeback in the late 70s. The lyrics are acerbic and brilliant. The title of this song was the source for the 80s novel by Bret Easton Ellis, along with the movie, but neither had anything to do with the content of the song.

 

[timschochet]

48. Commodores “Brick House” (from Commodores)

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This is one of the only hits from this group in which Lionel Richie does not sing lead. He still co-wrote it and plays a killer saxophone. This tune is mighty mighty. Shake it down shake it down shake it down now.

 

[TripItUp]

Anthony's Song at #70 is criminally underranked.

 

[TripItUp]

Anything by Elvis Costello is criminally overranked.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Brick House is a fun tune for sure. I have been meaning to check out more by the Commodores for forever now.

You Make Loving Fun was never a FM favorite of mine, but I have to admit that I listened to it after Christine's recent passing and it sounded a lot better to me. Bummer that it took her death for the lightbulb to go on for me, but I dig it now.

 

[timschochet]

Anything by Elvis Costello is criminally overranked.

This is so very very wrong.

 

[TripItUp]

Anything by Elvis Costello is criminally overranked.

This is so very very wrong.

We'll let the FFA decide...the people will speak.

 

[Mister CIA]

A lot of these greatest songs of the year threads surprise me with the greatness of the songs presented. Not this thread.

 

[Mister CIA]

On the bright side, we have evidence that Eric Clapton is a moderate talent.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

On the bright side, we have evidence that Eric Clapton is a moderate talent.

I think he peaked around 1967.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Brick House is a fun tune for sure. I have been meaning to check out more by the Commodores for forever now.

I'm your huckleberry.

All of their LPs are pretty good. I'd suggest going in chronological order with them if you're doing a really deep dive. They never really grew as songwriters, but they found ways to refresh old ideas in interesting ways and their records are well-produced so they still sound great. Plus, going in order offers a micro-view of how music was changing through the '70s.

The best entry point for novices looking for a starter-LP, though, is their eponymous album - the one with "Brick House" and "Easy" on it. It's in the middle of their run with Richie and best showcases where they'd been and where they were going.

Everyone in the free world knows the Richie-penned hits - most all were ballads and can be heard in dentist offices and supermarkets to this very day. Drummer Walter Orange was the other main songwriter and vocalist in the group (though the others took their turns, too). That's him singing on "Brick House".

Their weirdest album is 1980's Heroes. The title track is just.....strange, and unlike anything they'd ever done. It also has a really fun gospel song (another first for the group) on it. The biggest pop hit on the record was "Old Fashioned Love", which wasn't written by either Richie or Orange but by keyboardist Milan Williams.

Around the same time, Richie had half a foot out of the door as he had pitched "Lady" to Kenny Rogers which became a huge hit and had a massive world-wide duet with Diana Ross in "Endless Love". They cut one more album as a group, then Richie went solo.

 

[timschochet]

47. Samantha Sang “Emotion” (released as a single)

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Much like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”, this is essentially a Bee Gees song. It’s part of the Barry Gibb run, Barry and Robin provide the back up vocals and play the instruments, and Samantha Sang sounds exactly like a Bee Gee on the record. And the result is pop magic- Barry Gibb was simply brilliant in 1977.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

47. Samantha Sang “Emotion” (released as a single)

- YouTube

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Much like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”, this is essentially a Bee Gees song. It’s part of the Barry Gibb run, Barry and Robin provide the back up vocals and play the instruments, and Samantha Sang sounds exactly like a Bee Gee on the record. And the result is pop magic- Barry Gibb was simply brilliant in 1977.

Wow, I always thought that song was the BeeGees .

 

[Uruk-Hai]

47. Samantha Sang “Emotion” (released as a single)

- YouTube

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Much like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”, this is essentially a Bee Gees song. It’s part of the Barry Gibb run, Barry and Robin provide the back up vocals and play the instruments, and Samantha Sang sounds exactly like a Bee Gee on the record. And the result is pop magic- Barry Gibb was simply brilliant in 1977.

Wow, I always thought that song was the BeeGees .

Samantha sang in a lower key

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Samantha sang in a lower key

True, The Chipmunks would have a harder time with her songs.

 

[timschochet]

46. The Clash “White Riot” (from The Clash)

The Clash - White Riot (Official Video)

The Clash - White Riot (Official Video)Courtesy of Don Letts/Kino LibraryStream The Clash here: https://theclash.lnk.to/PlaylistsSubscribe to The Clash YouTu...

youtu.be

The Clash’s debut is one of the greatest punk rock albums of all time, and this song is probably the best thing on it. It’s less than two minutes of sheer energy.

 

[rockaction]

Never liked the Clash as much as the Pistols, but I appreciated them more as I got older. Ironically, I've always been into punk but I like the poppier sensibilities of London Calling better than the S/T.

 

[FairWarning]

47. Samantha Sang “Emotion” (released as a single)

- YouTube

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youtu.be

Much like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”, this is essentially a Bee Gees song. It’s part of the Barry Gibb run, Barry and Robin provide the back up vocals and play the instruments, and Samantha Sang sounds exactly like a Bee Gee on the record. And the result is pop magic- Barry Gibb was simply brilliant in 1977.

Wow, I always thought that song was the BeeGees .

Same here.

 

[timschochet]

45. Jackson Browne “The Load Out/Stay” (from Running On Empty)

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Jackson Browne’s live tribute to the roadies and production crew has become a classic over the years. It’s a beautiful piece of music and heartfelt.

 

[timschochet]

44. Elvis Costello “The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes” (from My Aim Is True)

(Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes--Album Version (Lyrics in Description)

Red Shoes by Elvis CostelloCouldn't find an album version online, so I figured I'd post it.NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDEDOh I used to be disgustedAnd now...

youtu.be

Recently my friend @rockaction noted that Elvis Costello was the king of power pop. I agree and I regard this tune as the ultimate example.

Oh and for anyone here who loves power pop of the Elvis Costello/Nick Lowe variety, check out Ron Sexsmith.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Ope! Someone needs to make a new poll!

 

[timschochet]

43. Crystal Gayle “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” (from We Must Believe in Magic)

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1977 featured two of the greatest country crossover hits of all time- this is one, and the other is coming up a little later.

Although Crystal Gayle was Loretta Lynn’s sister, this song actually sounds at least to me a lot like Patsy Cline’s best work- it has that soulful, bluesy feel to it. I’ve always loved this tune.

 

[zamboni]

43. Crystal Gayle “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” (from We Must Believe in Magic)

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1977 featured two of the greatest country crossover hits of all time- this is one, and the other is coming up a little later.

Although Crystal Gayle was Loretta Lynn’s sister, this song actually sounds at least to me a lot like Patsy Cline’s best work- it has that soulful, bluesy feel to it. I’ve always loved this tune.

Loved her voice. Loved her hair even more.

 

[timschochet]

42. Billy Joel “Only the Good Die Young” (from The Stranger)

Billy Joel - Only The Good Die Young (from Old Grey Whistle Test)

Billy Joel “Only The Good Die Young" from Old Grey Whistle TestListen to Billy Joel: https://billyjoel.lnk.to/listenYDShortly after Billy Joel earned his fir...

youtu.be

An homage to Catholic school girls. This excellent song has become a fan favorite over the years.

 

[timschochet]

OK I will be taking a break through Christmas and then I am off to Jamaica. (Yes, I am going to Margaritaville and also taking a “Bob Marley night cruise”!) . Not sure how much WIFi I will have there; if I do I will continue the list only a little slower. Otherwise I’m back January 9 and will do it then. Everyone have a Merry Christmas and happy new year.

 

[rockaction]

An homage to Catholic school girls

I always found the song a little bit more than suggestive and weirdly, found it offensively sacrilegious. I am not religious.

Oh did you ever say a prayer for me?
When you were counting on your rosary...
Come out, come out
Virginia don't let it wait
You Catholic girls start much too late

 

[rockaction]

OK I will be taking a break through Christmas and then I am off to Jamaica.

Have a good trip, tim. Smoke all gnarly like Marley, dude.

 

[Ghost Rider]

At least we are getting a damn good song leading into the break.

Always love me some Billy Joel. Unless it's River of Dreams. That song blows.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Ope! Someone needs to make a new poll!

“So…no really…do you like Elvis Costello?”

 

[Dr. Octopus]

OK I will be taking a break through Christmas and then I am off to Jamaica. (Yes, I am going to Margaritaville and also taking a “Bob Marley night cruise”!) . Not sure how much WIFi I will have there; if I do I will continue the list only a little slower. Otherwise I’m back January 9 and will do it then. Everyone have a Merry Christmas and happy new year.

Enjoy your vacation.

 

[[scooter]]

45. Jackson Browne “The Load Out/Stay” (from Running On Empty)

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Jackson Browne’s live tribute to the roadies and production crew has become a classic over the years. It’s a beautiful piece of music and heartfelt.

One of the classic examples of 1970s record company excess was the decision to release "Stay" as a standalone single -- with no explanation for the lyrical changes and no credits to the people who sang most of the vocals (Rosemary Butler and David Lindley -- who actually does all the falsetto vocals at the end). It was a pure cocaine-fueled moneygrab.

 

[Zeppelin]

47. Samantha Sang “Emotion” (released as a single)

- YouTube

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Much like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”, this is essentially a Bee Gees song. It’s part of the Barry Gibb run, Barry and Robin provide the back up vocals and play the instruments, and Samantha Sang sounds exactly like a Bee Gee on the record. And the result is pop magic- Barry Gibb was simply brilliant in 1977.

Absolutely love this song.

 

[timschochet]

Greetings to all from Montego Bay! The WiFI seems to be working fine here so I’ll probably continue. Just not quite as often. I have important work to accomplish here and I will be quite busy. (I intend to lay around and do nothing most of the time.)

 

[timschochet]

41. Electric Light Orchestra “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” (from Out of the Blue)

Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman (Audio)

Music video by Electric Light Orchestra performing Sweet Talkin' Woman (Audio). (C) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

youtu.be

Did I mention that these guys sound a little bit like the Beatles? Just a little bit. Anyhow, top notch pop right here.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I never quite got the narrative that ELO sounds a lot like the Beatles. Their brand of symphonic rock seemed a bit different from the Beatles, even when the Beatles would use strings, but that's me. I am not exactly an ELO acolyte, so maybe a deeper dive would reveal more. Either way, I like Sweet Talkin' Woman a lot. Fun little tune.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I never quite got the narrative that ELO sounds a lot like the Beatles. Their brand of symphonic rock seemed a bit different from the Beatles, even when the Beatles would use strings, but that's me. I am not exactly an ELO acolyte, so maybe a deeper dive would reveal more. Either way, I like Sweet Talkin' Woman a lot. Fun little tune.

Most of their stuff was inspired by the Beatles but doesn't overtly sound like it. The Out of the Blue album, however, has a bunch of songs that do overtly sound like the Beatles.

Two years later they were on a Bee Gees kick.

 

[timschochet]

40. The Marshall Tucker Band “Heard It In a Love Song” (from Carolina Dreams)

Marshall Tucker Band - Heard It In A Love Song (Live)

Marshall Tucker Band - Heard It In A Love Song Live The Garden State Arts Center Holmdel, New Jersey 1981Doug Gray - VocalsToy Caldwell - Lead GuitarGeorge M...

youtu.be

Our top 40 kicks off with one of the greatest southern rock songs of all time, and this band’s best effort since “Can’t You See”. Written by the legendary Toy Caldwell, and featuring a killer flute lead.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

and this band’s best effort since “Can’t You See”.

This Ol' Cowboy and Fire on the Mountain are better, for starters.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

What a list. The 60 and 70s had some great music. These artists created a lot of songs. They had to make entire albums where you would listen to the B side, end of cassette, whatever. Naturally there was filler, but man, they still came up with quality.

Take AC/DC Many of their best songs were towards the middle/end of albums. TNT, High Voltage, Ride On, Whole Lotta Rosie, Back in Black. The album might have been named after some of them, but the songs don't appear until song 5 or later. Pretty sure Skynrd had the same type of deal going.

Just an amazing depth of songs and talent throughout the lyrics and music. So much so I actually miss getting out a pencil and trying to reel in my cassettes that came unwound.