Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s
by 
AAL2014 
I view the 1970's as popular music's finest decade. There are great acts that spawned in the 60's, 80's, 90's, and 00's of course, but pound for pound, year after year, album after album, looking at the output from the 1970's makes me feel nostalgic even though I wasn't around.
- Chart updated: 04/04/2026 23:15
- (Created: 07/15/2015 19:04).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
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The greatest album in my collection, the greatest album of the 70’s, the greatest record of all time.
I love Songs in the Key of Life. I love its songs, its production, its album cover. I love As and Another Star, Sir Duke and I Wish, Saturn and Ebony Eyes. I love the timeless vision and Stevie’s flawless execution of it for this project.
But perhaps above all, I love that it reminds me to love. It reminds me that while there’s evil in this world and it can rear it’s ugly head far too often, we have love to combat it. It’s a powerful thing, love. And it needs love too. It needs us to remember that real strength is real love. And if it takes an incredible arrangement and memorable melody to drive that point home, I’m here for the dozens of them that this album has to offer.
? [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
I love Songs in the Key of Life. I love its songs, its production, its album cover. I love As and Another Star, Sir Duke and I Wish, Saturn and Ebony Eyes. I love the timeless vision and Stevie’s flawless execution of it for this project.
But perhaps above all, I love that it reminds me to love. It reminds me that while there’s evil in this world and it can rear it’s ugly head far too often, we have love to combat it. It’s a powerful thing, love. And it needs love too. It needs us to remember that real strength is real love. And if it takes an incredible arrangement and memorable melody to drive that point home, I’m here for the dozens of them that this album has to offer.
? [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,597
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One of the most important records there has ever been for me. Absolutely love this thing. So powerful and will always be the score to my youth and youth itself.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,099
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Stevie Wonder and cynicism? Turns out it’s a combination that works. Stevie takes out his disdain for the ignorant, the racist, and of course Richard Nixon over the course of this record’s 9 track run-time. These are some of the most scorching, scathing, and unapologetically informative tracks in his catalog. Sprinkle in some of his most lovely love songs and you have one of the best records of the 70’s. A record I do not tire of.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,281
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I could soliloquize for a few paragraphs about this record’s majesty and how there’s really nothing exactly like it.. but that’s all that needs to be said anyway.
This is a high watermark in the history of recorded music and the album as a medium. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
This is a high watermark in the history of recorded music and the album as a medium. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
58,608
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If we’re talking about the straight up best records from start to finish of all time, make room for this album towards the top of the list.
Ziggy Stardust is an amazing set of songs telling a story I feel is more successful at being succinct than many of the decade’s classic double concept records, clocking in at just under 39 minutes.
Bowie’s performances here are top notch and along with the genius aid of Mick Ronson adding in his sharp riffs and orchestral brilliance, they take these songs into another dimension.
This album demonstrates a tremendous balance between grace and power, love and fear, self-empowerment and self-loathing. It’s Ziggy Stardust, one of this life’s most unconquerable and incomparable albums. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Ziggy Stardust is an amazing set of songs telling a story I feel is more successful at being succinct than many of the decade’s classic double concept records, clocking in at just under 39 minutes.
Bowie’s performances here are top notch and along with the genius aid of Mick Ronson adding in his sharp riffs and orchestral brilliance, they take these songs into another dimension.
This album demonstrates a tremendous balance between grace and power, love and fear, self-empowerment and self-loathing. It’s Ziggy Stardust, one of this life’s most unconquerable and incomparable albums. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
42,168
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I was introduced to this album and a bunch of Elton’s other music at a relatively young age. Everyone in my family loves Elton John and this album in particular for good reason. This is a genius with a tremendous writing partner and a wicked good band at the top of his flamboyant, flashy, and fantastic game. Give me any one of these songs at any time and I’ll likely be a happy listener. Tons and tons of memories surround this record.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,347
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I keep listening to this album and I am merely more and more blown away by it. Something new to pick up on each spin, Yes’s masterpiece shows one of prog’s most legendary groups (at the peak of their most hallowed lineup) firing on all of the cylinders that made them great. Epics- check. Gorgeous, cathartic, grandiose melodies- check. Time enough for a few groovy ass plunky-funk riffs… check check check.
This is a crown jewel if there ever were one. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
This is a crown jewel if there ever were one. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,744
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One of my favorite albums of all time. Foxtrot helped ease me into classic prog and some tricky odd-time counting. It remains a consistent listen, never too far out of reach as I know I’m going to want to hear it soon.
The ending of Supper’s Ready is legitimately one of music’s finest moments. They shoot for the heavens and they stick the landing. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
The ending of Supper’s Ready is legitimately one of music’s finest moments. They shoot for the heavens and they stick the landing. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
4,934
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The incredible Joni at her most mesmerizing. Worth listening to over and over and over. In the morning, at night, good times, bad times. It's a landmark and so gorgeous. Memorable melodies and laughably good lyrics scattered all over this album.
[First added to this chart: 04/24/2020]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
15,904
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Blood on the Tracks can be Heartbreaking or wound-mending depending on when you find yourself listening to it. This is my favorite Dylan album. Love his voice here, his songs, his meditations. A tremendously strong and important record for me and many many others.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,346
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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1971 | 18 | 18% | |
| 1972 | 15 | 15% | |
| 1973 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1974 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1975 | 13 | 13% | |
| 1976 | 7 | 7% | |
| 1977 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1978 | 3 | 3% | |
| 1979 | 3 | 3% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| David Bowie | 4 | 4% | |
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 4% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 3% | |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 3% | |
| Yes | 3 | 3% | |
| The Who | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
42 | 42% | |
 |
38 | 38% | |
 |
8 | 8% | |
 |
5 | 5% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 8 from 33rd to 25thRam by Paul & Linda McCartney |
| Up 3 from 20th to 17thWhat's Going On by Marvin Gaye |
| Up 2 from 48th to 46thI’ve Known Rivers And Other Bodies by Gary Bartz NTU Troop |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 3 from 23rd to 26thVan Halen by Van Halen |
| Down 2 from 38th to 40thMarquee Moon by Television |
| Down 1 from 17th to 18thParanoid by Black Sabbath |
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s similarity to your chart(s)
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Other decade charts by AAL2014
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2020s | AAL2014 | 2020s decade chart | 2026 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | AAL2014 | 2010s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | AAL2014 | 2000s decade chart | 2026 | |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 6 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/12/2025 05:30 | Johnnyo | 2,581 | 80/100 | |
| 04/21/2022 13:11 |  Larcx13 | 1,139 | 86/100 | |
| 08/01/2020 21:31 | MasterOfPuppets | 174 | 91/100 | |
| 02/28/2020 03:16 |  Tamthebam | 651 | 85/100 | |
| 04/24/2018 03:06 |  jdenny2018 | 102 | 91/100 |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s favourites
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s comments
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From Johnnyo 06/12/2025 05:31 | #309472
Finest decade indeed and a damn fine representation you have of the decade here. One of the best 70’s charts on the site. Great job
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From jdenny2018 04/24/2018 05:51 | #213530
jdenny2018 04/24/2018 05:51 | #213530
AAL, Blood on the tracks, Made in japan, and most of your 41-50 were the new listens. Thanks for the welcome, still getting used to posting in forums and what not
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From AAL2014 04/24/2018 05:23 | #213529
AAL2014 04/24/2018 05:23 | #213529
jdenny, thanks for your comments and ratings on these charts. I actually haven't touched this chart in over a year, maybe longer. Although the albums closer to the top would probably remain the same or close to it, there's a lot of work to be done yet with this chart.
Inner Mounting Flame will definitely be here when I get around to updating it. I had yet to even listen to it when I compiled this chart initially.
May I ask what future listens you took from this?
Welcome to the site!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From jdenny2018 04/24/2018 03:07 | #213526
jdenny2018 04/24/2018 03:07 | #213526
Solid list. Definitely gave me a couple ideas for future listens. Definitely would've chosen Inner mounting flame over birds of fire
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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