Top 49 Music Albums of 1972
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 06/16/2026 21:45
- (Created: 04/11/2012 18:30).
- Chart size: 49 albums.
There are 5 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 has an average rating of 89 out of 100 (from 8 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 59,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Produced by Neil Young, Elliot Mazer, Henry Lewy & Jack Nitzsche. Say what you will about Harvest. "It's too pop". "It's too mellow". I say pah. Harvest is stunning and beautiful. Just because it has "Heart Of Gold" and "Old Man", and just because you've heard them a million times doesn't mean they are bad. Neil has made several masterpieces, and this is most definitely one of them. Not a weak track...not even the ones buried in strings. Ten tracks of perfection from one of the best of all time.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
11,834
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Produced by Tom Dowd. What should have been the grand entrance of The Allman Brothers Band as superstars became a sad monument to Brother Duane. He died while the album was being recorded, and while his guitar can be heard on several tracks, it's his spirit that allows the album to be a triumph. The band carried on for him, and the result is a beautiful headstone for one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Eat A Peach is a great, emotional album, and the pinnacle of what Southern rock was meant to be.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,057
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 05/03/2021]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,799
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 05/11/2012]
1972 – RCA
Produced By DAVID BOWIE & MICK RONSON
1. Vicious
2. Andy’s Chest
3. Perfect Day
4. Hangin’ ‘Round
5. Walk On The Wild Side
6. Make Up
7. Satellite Of Love
8. Wagon Wheel
9. New York Telephone Conversation
10. I’m So Free
11. Goodnight Ladies
In 1972, Lou Reed might not have been a true star yet, but he was most certainly already a legend. After leaving the Velvet Underground with the release of Loaded in 1970, his first and self-titled album had consisted of Velvet’s leftovers, and, while very good, got about as much attention from listeners as his former band’s albums had. But, his legend status was already firmly in place, so it was not difficult to land David Bowie and Mick Ronson to produce Transformer at the height of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona. The result is Reed in the most glam of settings, and while it was not a path he would continue to follow, it was the one that made him a real star. Specifically, it was the album’s centerpiece, “Walk On The Wild Side”, that put Reed over the top. And deservedly so…”Wild Side” is the most unique and catchy song of his career, and it makes Transformer all worthwhile.
While there are some Velvet’s era songs here, Reed was starting to write for his own solo career. “Satellite Of Love” and “Andy’s Chest” were from the Loaded era, but the new songs, like “Wild Side” and “Vicious” stand up well on their own. The album has, understandably, a huge Bowie feel to it, with Ronson playing a large part of the instrumental tracks. It’s a setting that Reed doesn’t seem completely comfortable with…for the next album, Berlin, he went to a much heavier sound with Alice Cooper producer Bob Ezrin. Transformer is ultimately just that. It’s Reed transforming from the Velvets into his own performer and songwriter, and while it has its flaws, shows Reed emerging as a true star and not just that guy who sang “Sweet Jane”. Historically, a fine album. Not Reed in his most familiar setting, but an important piece of his career. [First added to this chart: 06/11/2012]
Produced By DAVID BOWIE & MICK RONSON
1. Vicious
2. Andy’s Chest
3. Perfect Day
4. Hangin’ ‘Round
5. Walk On The Wild Side
6. Make Up
7. Satellite Of Love
8. Wagon Wheel
9. New York Telephone Conversation
10. I’m So Free
11. Goodnight Ladies
In 1972, Lou Reed might not have been a true star yet, but he was most certainly already a legend. After leaving the Velvet Underground with the release of Loaded in 1970, his first and self-titled album had consisted of Velvet’s leftovers, and, while very good, got about as much attention from listeners as his former band’s albums had. But, his legend status was already firmly in place, so it was not difficult to land David Bowie and Mick Ronson to produce Transformer at the height of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust persona. The result is Reed in the most glam of settings, and while it was not a path he would continue to follow, it was the one that made him a real star. Specifically, it was the album’s centerpiece, “Walk On The Wild Side”, that put Reed over the top. And deservedly so…”Wild Side” is the most unique and catchy song of his career, and it makes Transformer all worthwhile.
While there are some Velvet’s era songs here, Reed was starting to write for his own solo career. “Satellite Of Love” and “Andy’s Chest” were from the Loaded era, but the new songs, like “Wild Side” and “Vicious” stand up well on their own. The album has, understandably, a huge Bowie feel to it, with Ronson playing a large part of the instrumental tracks. It’s a setting that Reed doesn’t seem completely comfortable with…for the next album, Berlin, he went to a much heavier sound with Alice Cooper producer Bob Ezrin. Transformer is ultimately just that. It’s Reed transforming from the Velvets into his own performer and songwriter, and while it has its flaws, shows Reed emerging as a true star and not just that guy who sang “Sweet Jane”. Historically, a fine album. Not Reed in his most familiar setting, but an important piece of his career. [First added to this chart: 06/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,374
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1972 – UNI
Produced By GUS DUDGEON
1. Honky Cat
2. Mellow
3. I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself
4. Susie (Dramas)
5. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
6. Salvation
7. Slave
8. Amy
9. Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters
10. Hercules
11. Slave (Alternate Version)
One of the better Elton John albums of the 70’s, Honky Chateau is the one where he really came into his own. Here is where John really began to play less of the singer songwriter and more of the rock and roll artist, with his band finally able to record with him. The writing partnership between John and Bernie Taupin was really beginning to flourish as well here, with three of Elton’s biggest hits making their appearances here. “Honky Cat”, “Rocket Man”, and “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” established John as a true hitmaker, and his piano was becoming one of the signature sounds of the seventies. Here, he was starting to let loose and rock, becoming less restrained and taking more chances with his sound. The guitar work of Davey Johnstone and the rhythm section of Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, which would be a steady presence for years to come, becomes a solid force for the first time.
Aside from the better known songs, which are all excellent, Honky Chateau also features “I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself”, a happy sounding New Orleans style track featuring a tap dancer. This release features two versions of “Slave”, one considerably faster than the other. Some of the rest is borderline filler, but otherwise, Honky Chateau is a good, solid album. The next step for Elton was the one-two punch of Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which would mark the peak of his hitmaking prowess. Honky Chateau is a fine piece of the Elton John discography, sometimes underrated, but always a good listen. And “Honky Cat” is one of his finest and most overlooked hits. In all, this one is definitely worth the time and money. One of Elton’s better moments of the seventies. [First added to this chart: 09/14/2013]
Produced By GUS DUDGEON
1. Honky Cat
2. Mellow
3. I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself
4. Susie (Dramas)
5. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
6. Salvation
7. Slave
8. Amy
9. Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters
10. Hercules
11. Slave (Alternate Version)
One of the better Elton John albums of the 70’s, Honky Chateau is the one where he really came into his own. Here is where John really began to play less of the singer songwriter and more of the rock and roll artist, with his band finally able to record with him. The writing partnership between John and Bernie Taupin was really beginning to flourish as well here, with three of Elton’s biggest hits making their appearances here. “Honky Cat”, “Rocket Man”, and “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” established John as a true hitmaker, and his piano was becoming one of the signature sounds of the seventies. Here, he was starting to let loose and rock, becoming less restrained and taking more chances with his sound. The guitar work of Davey Johnstone and the rhythm section of Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, which would be a steady presence for years to come, becomes a solid force for the first time.
Aside from the better known songs, which are all excellent, Honky Chateau also features “I Think I’m Going To Kill Myself”, a happy sounding New Orleans style track featuring a tap dancer. This release features two versions of “Slave”, one considerably faster than the other. Some of the rest is borderline filler, but otherwise, Honky Chateau is a good, solid album. The next step for Elton was the one-two punch of Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which would mark the peak of his hitmaking prowess. Honky Chateau is a fine piece of the Elton John discography, sometimes underrated, but always a good listen. And “Honky Cat” is one of his finest and most overlooked hits. In all, this one is definitely worth the time and money. One of Elton’s better moments of the seventies. [First added to this chart: 09/14/2013]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,122
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1972-WARNER BROS.
Produced By TED TEMPLEMAN
1. Listen To The Music
2. Rockin’ Down The Highway
3. Mamaloi
4. Toulouse Street
5. Cotton Mouth
6. Don’t Start Me To Talkin’
7. Jesus Is Just Alright
8. White Sun
9. Disciple
10. Snake Man
The Doobie Brothers always had a kind of Southern New Orleans tinge to their music, but they were, in fact, a very California band. In the early years, they were favorites of the Hells Angels, and were led by Tom Johnston, a true rocker, who kept an edge to their sound. Later, after Johnston had his role diminished due to exhaustion and health issues, the band brought in Jeff “Skunk:” Baxter and Michael MacDonald from Steely Dan, changing the band’s sound entirely. But this is the Doobies at their early best. It showcases the band’s early ability to crank out hit singles, and gives at look at them at their best…and their most unspectacular. With two songwriters in Johnston and Patrick Simmons, they nonetheless included three covers on this album, surprising given the abilities they had.
The album contains three hits: Johnston’s “Listen To The Music” and “Rockin’ Down The Highway” are excellent. “Jesus Is Just Alright” follows the earlier version by The Byrds almost to the letter. From there, the quality of material drops. The two Simmons contributions, “Mamaloi” and “Toulouse Street” are average at best. “Cotton Mouth” is from, of all people, Seals & Crofts. Nothing else stands out, and although the playing is exceptional, there’s nothing outside of the three hits that will really grab you. Particularly in the early days, this is a band whose singles are great but surrounded by filler. A better way to experience the early days of this band is on Best Of The Doobies, which leaves the filler behind. [First added to this chart: 08/30/2013]
Produced By TED TEMPLEMAN
1. Listen To The Music
2. Rockin’ Down The Highway
3. Mamaloi
4. Toulouse Street
5. Cotton Mouth
6. Don’t Start Me To Talkin’
7. Jesus Is Just Alright
8. White Sun
9. Disciple
10. Snake Man
The Doobie Brothers always had a kind of Southern New Orleans tinge to their music, but they were, in fact, a very California band. In the early years, they were favorites of the Hells Angels, and were led by Tom Johnston, a true rocker, who kept an edge to their sound. Later, after Johnston had his role diminished due to exhaustion and health issues, the band brought in Jeff “Skunk:” Baxter and Michael MacDonald from Steely Dan, changing the band’s sound entirely. But this is the Doobies at their early best. It showcases the band’s early ability to crank out hit singles, and gives at look at them at their best…and their most unspectacular. With two songwriters in Johnston and Patrick Simmons, they nonetheless included three covers on this album, surprising given the abilities they had.
The album contains three hits: Johnston’s “Listen To The Music” and “Rockin’ Down The Highway” are excellent. “Jesus Is Just Alright” follows the earlier version by The Byrds almost to the letter. From there, the quality of material drops. The two Simmons contributions, “Mamaloi” and “Toulouse Street” are average at best. “Cotton Mouth” is from, of all people, Seals & Crofts. Nothing else stands out, and although the playing is exceptional, there’s nothing outside of the three hits that will really grab you. Particularly in the early days, this is a band whose singles are great but surrounded by filler. A better way to experience the early days of this band is on Best Of The Doobies, which leaves the filler behind. [First added to this chart: 08/30/2013]
Produced by The Band. For this 1971 concert in New York, The Band found themselves paired with a horn section for the very first time. The results are an even more full sound, and an excellent show captured on album to go back and savor over and over. Everyone is in excellent form...the vocals are perfect, as always, and the instrumental interplay is at its best. Better than most live albums in an era of live albums, Rock Of Ages collects their best songs in a powerful live setting.
[First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
1972-CAPITOL
Produced By WILLIAM E MCEUEN
1. Grand Ole Opry Song
2. Keep On The Sunny Side
3. Nashville Blues
4. You Are My Flower
5. The Precious Jewel
6. Dark As A Dungeon
7. Tennessee Stud
8. Black Mountain Rag
9. Wreck On The Highway
10. The End Of The World
11. I Saw The Light
12. Sunny Side Of The Mountain
13. Nine Pound Hammer
14. Losin' You (Might Be The Best Thing Yet)
15. Honky Tonkin'
16. You Don't Know My Mind
17. My Walkin' Shoes
1. Lonesome Fiddle Blues
2. Cannonball Rag
3. Avalanche
4. Flint Hill Special
5. Togary Mountain
6. Earl's Breakdown
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. Wabash Cannonball
9. Lost Highway
10. Doc Watson & Merle Travis: First Meeting (Dialogue)
11. Way Downtown
12. Down Yonder
13. Pins And Needle (In My Heart)
14. Honky Tonk Blues
15. Sailin' On To Hawaii
16. I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes
17. I Am A Pilgrim
18. Wildwood Flower
19. Soldier's Joy
20. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
21. Both Sides Now
Bonus Tracks
22. Foggy Mountain Breakdown
23. Warming Up For The Opry (Talk)
24. Sunny Side (Talk)
25. Remember Me
The Dirt Band was a bunch of country rock hippies who loved the old music. They started asking their idols if they would make guest appearances on their next album, and before they knew it, they had a 3 record monster of great songs and guest appearances from some of the greatest then living legends of country and bluegrass. The guest list is astounding and long, and includes the likes of Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and on and on. The album also introduced fiddle player Vassar Clements to the masses. The songs were all recorded in 1 or 2 takes, and include a lot of pre song dialogue.
This is the ultimate melding of country, bluegrass and rock. An absolute masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 07/25/2012]
Produced By WILLIAM E MCEUEN
1. Grand Ole Opry Song
2. Keep On The Sunny Side
3. Nashville Blues
4. You Are My Flower
5. The Precious Jewel
6. Dark As A Dungeon
7. Tennessee Stud
8. Black Mountain Rag
9. Wreck On The Highway
10. The End Of The World
11. I Saw The Light
12. Sunny Side Of The Mountain
13. Nine Pound Hammer
14. Losin' You (Might Be The Best Thing Yet)
15. Honky Tonkin'
16. You Don't Know My Mind
17. My Walkin' Shoes
1. Lonesome Fiddle Blues
2. Cannonball Rag
3. Avalanche
4. Flint Hill Special
5. Togary Mountain
6. Earl's Breakdown
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. Wabash Cannonball
9. Lost Highway
10. Doc Watson & Merle Travis: First Meeting (Dialogue)
11. Way Downtown
12. Down Yonder
13. Pins And Needle (In My Heart)
14. Honky Tonk Blues
15. Sailin' On To Hawaii
16. I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes
17. I Am A Pilgrim
18. Wildwood Flower
19. Soldier's Joy
20. Will The Circle Be Unbroken
21. Both Sides Now
Bonus Tracks
22. Foggy Mountain Breakdown
23. Warming Up For The Opry (Talk)
24. Sunny Side (Talk)
25. Remember Me
The Dirt Band was a bunch of country rock hippies who loved the old music. They started asking their idols if they would make guest appearances on their next album, and before they knew it, they had a 3 record monster of great songs and guest appearances from some of the greatest then living legends of country and bluegrass. The guest list is astounding and long, and includes the likes of Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and on and on. The album also introduced fiddle player Vassar Clements to the masses. The songs were all recorded in 1 or 2 takes, and include a lot of pre song dialogue.
This is the ultimate melding of country, bluegrass and rock. An absolute masterpiece. [First added to this chart: 07/25/2012]
[First added to this chart: 04/14/2012]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
41,577
Rank in 1972:
Rank in 1970s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 49. Page 1 of 5
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Al Green | 2 | 4% | |
| Deep Purple | 1 | 2% | |
| Emerson, Lake & Palmer | 1 | 2% | |
| The Band | 1 | 2% | |
| Seals And Crofts | 1 | 2% | |
| Curtis Mayfield | 1 | 2% | |
| Jimi Hendrix | 1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Join 50,000+ music fans
- Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Gain access to a Dark Mode theme.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Join now - it only takes a moment!
Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 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 8 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 05/03/2021 21:03 | DJENNY | 4,336 | 100/100 |
| ! | 10/03/2019 06:41 | Johnnyo | 2,623 | 80/100 |
| ! | 08/22/2014 14:38 |  thedistantship | 162 | 84/100 |
| ! | 01/29/2014 22:21 |  tgarritsen | 375 | 86/100 |
| ! | 11/04/2013 20:57 | JusticeDone | 424 | 96/100 |
Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 favourites
Top 49 Music Albums of 1972 comments
Showing all 5 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From Johnnyo 10/03/2019 06:41 | #243329
Brilliant chart. Love all of it
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From tgarritsen 01/29/2014 22:21 | #101855
tgarritsen 01/29/2014 22:21 | #101855
Nice list. Really a great year in music.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From fdistani 10/07/2013 17:33 | #87838
Good chart, even though I would have liked to see Can somewhere, also as a fan of Italian music I would have included a few Italian albums it being undoubtedly the best year ever for Italian music.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Romanelli 09/13/2013 16:08 | #85876
Romanelli 09/13/2013 16:08 | #85876
I agree, Henry! I've always loved this year. So many more great ones to add!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From henrygreen0203 09/13/2013 15:48 | #85872
A great year for popular music!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Your feedback for Top 49 Music Albums of 1972
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
Log in or create a FREE account to assign a rating or leave a comment for this chart.
