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: 12/22/2025 18:15
- (Created: 07/15/2015 19:04).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 4 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 6 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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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:
43,214
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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:
13,854
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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:
5,080
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Machine Head was apart of the earliest batch of records I ever listened to. I still love it to this day. 7 mammoth rock tracks without a dud among them. Highway Star is one of the genre’s most ferocious and fun openers.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,401
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One of his greatest works and it’s not just Superstition I’m talking about. The indefinably joyous You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, its polygamous, pessimistic counterpoint Maybe Your Baby, and the most underrated political rant in pop music, Big Brother flood this album with Wonder's best work by far up to that point in his young yet prolific career.
[First added to this chart: 04/20/2020]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,900
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Average Rating:
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Where the fuck has THIS been all my Zappa loving life? In a catalog so deep, the riches are plenty. This maybe the most impressive Zappa record compositionally.
[First added to this chart: 04/08/2021]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
403
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Overall Rank:
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A very favorite of mine in the singer/songwriter canon and Neil Young at his most convincing and consistent. A Man Needs a Maid and the Needle and the Damage Done are some of the most moving tracks I've ever heard.
[First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,418
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
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[First added to this chart: 08/24/2024]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,049
Rank in 1972:
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Overall Rank:
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Comments:
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[First added to this chart: 04/24/2024]
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It was evident early on he didn't *need* much help from anyone writing and performance wise. His writing style is quirky and varied and it works well including his dabbles into other genres.
[First added to this chart: 04/24/2020]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,616
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Total albums: 15. Page 1 of 2
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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 | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Joni Mitchell | 4 | 4% | |
| David Bowie | 4 | 4% | |
| Genesis | 3 | 3% | |
| Neil Young | 3 | 3% | |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 3% | |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 3% | |
| Black Sabbath | 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 46 from 90th to 44thRock Bottom by Robert Wyatt |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 8 from 41st to 49thPhysical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin |
| Down 7 from 79th to 86thTransformer by Lou Reed |
| Down 4 from 74th to 78thCurtis by Curtis Mayfield |
| New entries |
|---|
| After The Gold Rush by Neil Young |
| Leavers |
|---|
| One Nation Under A Groove by Funkadelic |
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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 | 2025 | |
| 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 | 2,566 | 80/100 |
| ! | 04/21/2022 13:11 |  Larcx13 | 1,145 | 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 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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