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The 100 Greatest Songs of 1975 #1. Bohemian Rhapsody (1 Viewer)

74. Elton John “I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)” (from Rock of the Westies)

https://youtu.be/X5aUJe-EiQs

Elton John released two albums in 1975; we’ll address the first one later on. The second album was mainly known for producing a #1 single, the awful “Island Girl” (other than “I’m Still Standing”, probably Elton’s worst hit song ever) but it also had this gem on it, a throwback to Bernie Taupin’s fascination with the Wild West (a theme which dominated Tumbleweed Connection). It’s a great love ballad, one of Elton’s best IMO. 

 
timschochet said:
74. Elton John “I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)” (from Rock of the Westies)

https://youtu.be/X5aUJe-EiQs

Elton John released two albums in 1975; we’ll address the first one later on. The second album was mainly known for producing a #1 single, the awful “Island Girl” (other than “I’m Still Standing”, probably Elton’s worst hit song ever) but it also had this gem on it, a throwback to Bernie Taupin’s fascination with the Wild West (a theme which dominated Tumbleweed Connection). It’s a great love ballad, one of Elton’s best IMO. 
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Very melancholy song for me - reminds me of my high school senior year.

Underappreciated Elton tune.

 
why am i suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to draw cryptic runes all over my face and repeatedly pierce my flesh with giant babypins?!................oh, yeah - now i remember.

 
timschochet said:
75. Led Zeppelin “Trampled Under Foot” (from Physical Graffiti) 

https://youtu.be/ftknR1gf9qw

This is the only single from Physical Graffiti, and it’s a pretty standard blues song other than the funk infused guitar. But since Les Zeppelin did pretty standard blues better than just about anybody, it’s superlative. 
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The song was hamstrung by a poor mix that drowns out the lyrics. This alternate mix make the lyrics much clearer.

 
timschochet said:
75. Led Zeppelin “Trampled Under Foot” (from Physical Graffiti) 

https://youtu.be/ftknR1gf9qw

This is the only single from Physical Graffiti, and it’s a pretty standard blues song other than the funk infused guitar. But since Les Zeppelin did pretty standard blues better than just about anybody, it’s superlative. 
Click to expand...
Not one of my favorite PG tunes, but that is still a very high bar.

 
73. Kansas “Song for America” (from Song for America) 

https://youtu.be/nI5RenGTSuo

The link is to a live version from 2010 with a full orchestra. There is no orchestra on the original, just a lot of very good keyboards. “Song for America” was released when the band was still in relative obscurity. It was not until a year later that they would hit it really big with “Carry On Wayward Sun”. But “Song for America” became a fan favorite and many lifelong Kansas fans thought it was their best work (including my late brother.) I also really love “Icarus: Borne on Wings of Steel”, also released in 1975 (from their third album, Masque) but it’s just a little too obscure for this list. 

 
72. Janis Ian “At Seventeen” (from Between the Lines) 

https://youtu.be/ESS0eKJpEZQ

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with this song. I love the melody, production and samba beat. It’s a very nice folk song. I hate the lyrics. She’s so whiny- oh so the popular kids won’t invite her to parties? Suck it up Janis. Or stay at home, I don’t care. Being 17 sucks. Get over it. 

 
timschochet said:
72. Janis Ian “At Seventeen” (from Between the Lines) 

https://youtu.be/ESS0eKJpEZQ

I have kind of a love/hate relationship with this song. I love the melody, production and samba beat. It’s a very nice folk song. I hate the lyrics. She’s so whiny- oh so the popular kids won’t invite her to parties? Suck it up Janis. Or stay at home, I don’t care. Being 17 sucks. Get over it. 
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In viewing the video, I came across this speech she gave in 2015 at the Berklee School of Music.  Wow.  Captivating, eloquent, well-spoken, thoughtful.  She gives an amazing address on what it means to be an artist.  Definitely worth a view.

 
timschochet said:
71. Electric Light Orchestra “Evil Woman” (from Face the Music) 

https://youtu.be/jU314nyMKWE

Face the Music was ELO’s fifth album but “Evil Woman” was their first really big hit. After this Jeff Lynne and the band never looked back. 
Like most of their hit songs you can hear a lot of Paul McCartney in it. 
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Fire On High is their truly memorable song from this album. We'll see if it made your list.   

 
timschochet said:
81. Eagles “Take It to the Limit” (from One of These Nights) 

https://youtu.be/tJkW0Clsvrk

The link is to a live version from about 4 years ago at the Forum in Los Angeles, a concert I attended. It would turn out to be one of Glenn Frey’s last performances. 
This song was largely written by Randy Meisner, just before he left the band. Eagles at this time were moving away from the “Poco” sound of Meisner and Bernie Leadon, and towards the more classic hard rock of Joe Walsh. 
Click to expand...
Unless you are a time traveler, you either have the wrong link or the wrong story.     This link goes to a 2018 digital remaster of an Oct, 1976 live performance of the song, done masterfully by Meisner.      No where near one of Glenn's last performances, as Glenn was only 27 years old at this performance.     

 
spodog said:
Unless you are a time traveler, you either have the wrong link or the wrong story.     This link goes to a 2018 digital remaster of an Oct, 1976 live performance of the song, done masterfully by Meisner.      No where near one of Glenn's last performances, as Glenn was only 27 years old at this performance.     
Click to expand...
I screwed up on the link, my bad

 
70. Heart “Dreamboat Annie” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/eLoMej34zvA

In which we are first introduced to one of the greatest vocalists in all of rock music. You hear it for the first time on the third line of the opening verse when she reaches for a high note with the word “warm”- very few singers can hit that note with such passion and confidence.

This is the single version of “Dreamboat Annie” for radio play; the album of the same name has three other versions of the song.  

 
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timschochet said:
79. Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” (from Who Loves You) 

https://youtu.be/mTUhnIY3oRM

Kind of a last hurrah for the classic 60s Doo *** band, even if Frankie himself only sings on the bridge. Valli would have one last hit with the title track to “Grease” a few years later, but that was as a solo artist. 
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Very underrated song.   Valli, Ciccone, and Polci all sharing lead vocals on this.   Pretty sure I had read at one point that Valli was going to sing all the parts, but ended up arranging the vocals this way on this song as he was dealing with his hearing loss issue.   It had gotten so bad he couldn't hear himself sing, either in the studio or in live performances.    Eventually he found a doctor willing to try some experimental treatments or something.     I think the song came out much better this way with the contrasting vocal styles of all three singing lead at different times. 

 
timschochet said:
70. Heart “Dreamboat Annie” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/eLoMej34zvA

In which we are first introduced to one of the greatest vocalists in all of rock music. You hear it for the first time on the third line of the opening verse when she reaches for a high note with the word “warm”- very few singers can hit that note with such passion and confidence.

This is the single version of “Dreamboat Annie” for radio play; the album of the same name has three other versions of the song.  
Click to expand...
Still a great song.  Interesting that this isn’t higher on your list. 

 
68. Fleetwood Mac “World Turning” (from Fleetwood Mac) 

https://youtu.be/byWf4Z-6ldE

Although this song is credited to Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie, it actually has its roots in an earlier song by blues master Peter Green. (Green, who just recently passed away, has a great collection of folk blues songs from the early days of the band, if you’re into that sort of music- which I very much am.) “World Turning” features great guitar and drum work; it’s an excellent rock song. 

 
timschochet said:
70. Heart “Dreamboat Annie” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/eLoMej34zvA

In which we are first introduced to one of the greatest vocalists in all of rock music. You hear it for the first time on the third line of the opening verse when she reaches for a high note with the word “warm”- very few singers can hit that note with such passion and confidence.

This is the single version of “Dreamboat Annie” for radio play; the album of the same name has three other versions of the song.  
Click to expand...
This is a great pick.

 
timschochet said:
Rainbow “Man on the Silver Mountain” (from Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow) 

https://youtu.be/p9nfVrusSMg

Blackmore had been the force behind Deep Purple, one of the greatest hard rock/early heavy metal bands of all time. In 1975 he formed Rainbow with singer Ronnie James Dio; this was their biggest hit. It’s a classic. 
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Top ten for me but I love Dios voice.  He is a god to me.    None the less, this is a great addition to the list.   

 
66. Alice Cooper “Only Women Bleed” (from Welcome to My Nightmare) 

https://youtu.be/dTx6S4kXbXc

What was probably Cooper’s best song ever didn’t get radio play because too many people mistakenly thought it was about menstruation. Actually it was about domestic abuse, and this was a pretty bold topic to be singing about in 1975; very few others were and certainly no men. 
Cooper has spent the last 45 years or so as a caricature of himself and his band, but back in the day he produced some pretty good music. This is my second favorite song of his after “Teenage Lament”, but I recognize that “Only Women Bleed” is his best effort.  

 
timschochet said:
66. Alice Cooper “Only Women Bleed” (from Welcome to My Nightmare) 

https://youtu.be/dTx6S4kXbXc

What was probably Cooper’s best song ever didn’t get radio play because too many people mistakenly thought it was about menstruation. Actually it was about domestic abuse, and this was a pretty bold topic to be singing about in 1975; very few others were and certainly no men. 
Cooper has spent the last 45 years or so as a caricature of himself and his band, but back in the day he produced some pretty good music. This is my second favorite song of his after “Teenage Lament”, but I recognize that “Only Women Bleed” is his best effort.  
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I saw Cooper live about 5 years ago.   His band is made of young talented players that were really tight and brought his music alive.   It was a great show and I would happily see him again.   

 
Speaking of Neil, 1975 was the release year for two of his best albums, Tonight's the Night and Zuma. They don't strike me as Tim kind of albums, but we'll see. 

 
63. Rush “Fly By Night” (from Fly By Night) 

https://youtu.be/nEVDZl5UvN4

Paging @Ghost Rider! 
Actually this song did NOT make Ghost Rider’s list of top 50 Rush songs, so I have no idea what he thinks of it. He did select two other songs from this album, “Anthem” and “By-Tor”. I like “Anthem” (I’ve always had a soft spot for anything Ayn related) but I couldn’t find room for it, and the other one is simply too obscure. 
Being only the most casual of Rush listeners myself I really love “Fly By Night”. It’s a great rock song and I particularly enjoy the guitar work. 

 
timschochet said:
63. Rush “Fly By Night” (from Fly By Night) 

https://youtu.be/nEVDZl5UvN4

Paging @Ghost Rider! 
Actually this song did NOT make Ghost Rider’s list of top 50 Rush songs, so I have no idea what he thinks of it. He did select two other songs from this album, “Anthem” and “By-Tor”. I like “Anthem” (I’ve always had a soft spot for anything Ayn related) but I couldn’t find room for it, and the other one is simply too obscure. 
Being only the most casual of Rush listeners myself I really love “Fly By Night”. It’s a great rock song and I particularly enjoy the guitar work. 
Click to expand...
I mentioned in that thread that this was my first Rush cassette because the Philly FM stations liked to play this song and I became obsessed with it. 

 
DocHolliday said:
I saw Cooper live about 5 years ago.   His band is made of young talented players that were really tight and brought his music alive.   It was a great show and I would happily see him again.   
Click to expand...
I saw him in 2012 or 2013, and same reaction. His band kicked ###, especially the female lead guitarist - I think her name is something like Oriantha? - who was amazing. Alice himself was in fine voice. 

 
timschochet said:
63. Rush “Fly By Night” (from Fly By Night) 

https://youtu.be/nEVDZl5UvN4

Paging @Ghost Rider! 
Actually this song did NOT make Ghost Rider’s list of top 50 Rush songs, so I have no idea what he thinks of it. He did select two other songs from this album, “Anthem” and “By-Tor”. I like “Anthem” (I’ve always had a soft spot for anything Ayn related) but I couldn’t find room for it, and the other one is simply too obscure. 
Being only the most casual of Rush listeners myself I really love “Fly By Night”. It’s a great rock song and I particularly enjoy the guitar work. 
Click to expand...
Good song. Alex’s guitar work is definitely stellar. He was always great at playing stuff that sounded like two guitars, but was only one. Not a favorite of mine, but still a good tune. This wasn’t played by the band live after the late 70’s, so they must not have been too crazy about it. 

 
62. Bob Dylan “Shelter from the Storm” (from Blood on the Tracks)

https://youtu.be/-gsDBuHwqbM
 

‘Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood. 
And now we turn to possibly the greatest album of 1975 (though, to be fair, it has some competition.) For many people this is the best song on the record. And while I take slight issue with that, I’m not going to argue against it either. Sublime stuff here. 

 
60. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (from The Original Soundtrack) 

https://youtu.be/STugQ0X1NoI

A change of pace from the previous few picks. Until making this list I’ve only listened to this tune casually, whenever it showed up on the radio. As it turns out, like many great ballads it’s simplicity is deceptive. This is really a complex piece of work, especially the background vocals. And it influenced a whole lot of music that came after it- a song that immediately comes to mind for me is “Drive” by the Cars. 

 
timschochet said:
60. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (from The Original Soundtrack) 

https://youtu.be/STugQ0X1NoI

A change of pace from the previous few picks. Until making this list I’ve only listened to this tune casually, whenever it showed up on the radio. As it turns out, like many great ballads it’s simplicity is deceptive. This is really a complex piece of work, especially the background vocals. And it influenced a whole lot of music that came after it- a song that immediately comes to mind for me is “Drive” by the Cars. 
Click to expand...
I figured this would be much higher, and probably deservedly so.

 
timschochet said:
60. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (from The Original Soundtrack) 

https://youtu.be/STugQ0X1NoI

A change of pace from the previous few picks. Until making this list I’ve only listened to this tune casually, whenever it showed up on the radio. As it turns out, like many great ballads it’s simplicity is deceptive. This is really a complex piece of work, especially the background vocals. And it influenced a whole lot of music that came after it- a song that immediately comes to mind for me is “Drive” by the Cars. 
Click to expand...
Good song.  Heard it a lot but never knew who sang it.  

 
59. Tim Curry “Sweet Transvestite” (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 

https://youtu.be/bc80tFJpTuo

The performance is what puts the song on the list. It’s a funny enough show tune, the lyrics are catchy and smartly done, but Curry’s over the top vocals are really brilliant and takes it to a whole different level. More than anyone else, Tim Curry is the reason this remains a cult classic. 

 
timschochet said:
59. Tim Curry “Sweet Transvestite” (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 

https://youtu.be/bc80tFJpTuo

The performance is what puts the song on the list. It’s a funny enough show tune, the lyrics are catchy and smartly done, but Curry’s over the top vocals are really brilliant and takes it to a whole different level. More than anyone else, Tim Curry is the reason this remains a cult classic. 
Click to expand...
Oh boy

 
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