Best Albums of the 1970s

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Explore the best albums of the 1970s, based on over 2 million album rankings across 60,000 charts. Last updated: 4 hours ago

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1970s decade summaryThe best artists of the 1970s were Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder and The Who.

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The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

"Novices to the world of acclaimed rock music looking to cut their teeth wouldn't have to dig very deep to find evidence of The Dark Side of the Moon's legacy and societal imprint. After all, this is a record that is arguably the most universally celebrated and globally popular in modern history. ...""Novices to the world of acclaimed rock music looking to cut their teeth wouldn't have to dig very deep to find evidence of The Dark Side of the Moon's legacy and societal imprint. After all, this is a record that is arguably the most universally celebrated and globally popular in modern history. Unfortunately, nowadays it's characterized, more often than not, by hyperbole. This is a shame really because it's pinpoint nuance that makes The Dark Side of the Moon one of the finest albums to grace humanity's collective eardrums. The record radiates a sound of a group that knows exactly what it wants to achieve sonically and signals the completion of a maturation that has occurred over the course of a handful of prior outings. Take 1971's Meddle for example. It's one of Floyd's finest without reservation, boasting immense successes such as Fearless and San Tropez, but there is a rather hefty outlier laden within the tracklist. To be clear, I'm using the term outlier in its most complimentary form. The 23 minute behemoth, Echoes, ended the record and served as a roadmap for where the band would venture next. The destination was a cosmic, ethereal, metaphysical realm that they dubbed The Dark Side of the Moon. The album commences with Speak to Me, a transport that can loosely be described as a track, however, its importance is critical to the LP's DNA. The track is fronted by a literal heartbeat and incorporates various samples (faintly heard) that coordinate with future expositions, elapsing to lay out the coming journey that remains ahead. They say that your life flashes before you on your deathbed, but here the band have presented those nanoseconds at birth. It's an intriguing concept put lightly. After a short (breath) of cognizance, third track, On the Run, epitomizes the frantic rigors that life will bestow upon its participants. Synths and a Hammond organ spark throughout the frenetic, instrumental piece that help craft one of Floyd's most satisfying short-burst affirmations. A cacophony of alarm bells greet you when fourth track Time, one of Floyd's most cherished works, emerges. The song, unsurprisingly, deals with the passage of its namesake and how it is futile to protest against the all-devouring pull of its black hole. The horology driven track is arguably the album's spaciest statement, as it glides wonderfully across an unblemished, unsullied terrain. David Gilmour's lead vocals are hoisted by the serene backing of a myriad of singers before he himself uncorks a guitar solo of unflinching allure. Gilmour warns, "Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain; you are young and life is long and there is time to kill today, and then one day you find ten years have got behind you; no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun." The Dark Side of the Moon has just revealed its first treasure. The final track of the A side is a bit of a deviation, but not in quality. The stunning, non-lexical vocal stylings of Clare Torry caress The Great Gig in the Sky, which stands in as a figurative grim reaper. If only dying could be this inviting. Her yowls seep into every crevice and cranny of the instrumentation, fusing into an intense moment of catharsis as side one fades out. The tranquility subsides with an exchange of currency but this particular quid is of the funky variety. Money benefits substantially from drummer Nick Mason and session saxophonist Dick Parry. Mason excels against a tricky 7/4 time signature which is later converted to 4/4 for Gilmour's punctual guitar solo. Parry's sax shepherds the track through that very transition with all the eccentricities of a free jazz maestro. Thematically, the track mocks the pursuit of monetary wealth in the grand scheme of life's expansive possibility. "Money, it's a gas; grab that cash with both hands and make a stash; New car, caviar, four-star daydream, think I'll buy me a football team," elicits Gilmour. Money is, without opposition, the wittiest voyage on the album. Seventh track, Us and Them, shreds any remaining inklings of snarky banter. The nearly eight-minute cut is an expedition through the nucleus of human interaction and conflict. It's also the highpoint for melodic elegance on the record. For instance, the vocal harmony shared between Gilmour and Richard Wright, supported by the returning vocal quintet from Time, dishes out multiple crescendos which never fail to produce goosebumps. Dick Parry also returns, once again armed with his tenor saxophone. He contributes healthy doses of chaos alongside the angelic climaxes. Gilmour and Wright cry, "Haven't you heard it's a battle of words, the poster bearer cried, listen, son, said the man with the gun, There's room for you inside." Incredible is too tame a word for Us and Them. Any Colour You Like bridges the gap between Us and Them and the final two tracks of the record. Brain Damage, previously known as "Lunatic", is an uncompromising examination of the deterioration of one's mental health. It's a notably subdued moment on the LP, treading lightly in the manner in which one would approach a loved one battling cognitive disarray. Roger Waters tries his hand here, chanting, "And if the dam breaks open many years too soon, and if there is no room upon the hill, and if your head explodes with dark forebodings too; I'll see you on the dark side of the moon." These lyrics seem to metaphorically chronicle the spiraling psychological state of former Floyd compatriot, Syd Barrett. More details on that in 1975. The album comes to a stirring, reflective ending on Eclipse. It unfurls almost as a warning to its audience to take life seriously and thoroughly taste every precious drop of elixir it grants. Waters bestows, "And all that is now and all that is gone, and all that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon." The track departs with the heartbeat that introduced the record's arrival. It's the symbolic ending of a journey, or is it a rebirth? The Dark Side of the Moon continues to induce innumerable headlines, but it's the subtext which serves as a finer asseveration of its invincibility. Its chart topping run isn't the catalyst for the album's cultural staying power, nor is it typified by its pieces. It was constructed with the intention to be consumed wholly in the same fashion in which humans cannot pick and choose select instances within a lifetime. Yes, the performances are marvelous, but it's the uncolored edges of ruminative headspace between the sonic apexes that truly hold the jewels. It's not Pink Floyd's most personal outing (Wish You Were Here) or even their most technically proficient (Animals), but it remains their most essential due to its kinship with the human condition. The truth is, yes, it really is that good. Look within life's tiniest moments for validation. "Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time, Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines, Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way, The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say." -Time Standout Tracks: 1. Us and Them 2. Time 3. Brain Damage 93.6" Reply

DriftingOrpheus | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +14 votes (14 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

4,173 charts

Rank Score:

56,220

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"The first time I heard this album was a bootleged copy off cassete when I was 14, laying on a hillside at night beside the girl who I thought at the time was the most beautiful and sexy in the world. You may like to add your own imagery to the setting, but it left a permanant mark on my psychie t..." Reply

- marcel4tmh | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +15 votes (16 helpful | 1 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1975

Appears in:

3,038 charts

Rank Score:

41,797

Rank in 1975:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

91 (4,099 votes)

Comments:

316

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

David Bowie

"This album has never gotten old for me. Everything fits together well. Suffragette City and Ziggy Stardust just rip. Lady Stardust is a hidden gem." Reply

- edubs | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +11 votes (11 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

3,044 charts

Rank Score:

40,635

Rank in 1972:

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Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

90 (3,594 votes)

Comments:

305

Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV)

Led Zeppelin

"This album has some of the best songs ever made. Stairway to Heaven is a magical masterpiece that gets better with each listen and When the Levee Breaks is so loud and heavy it almost makes your ear drums bleed when you are listening through the headphones. One of the most influential albums of i..." Reply

mayonaise93 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +9 votes (10 helpful | 1 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

3,184 charts

Rank Score:

36,234

Rank in 1971:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

90 (4,036 votes)

Comments:

308

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

"Breathtaking album, every song on here is an absolute masterpiece. I'm not usually a big fan of 70's pop rock, thinking that's usually too cheesy and vapid. This album is far from vapid dealing with difficult themes like breaking up and loss, and I don't think cheesiness applies to this despite t..." Reply

Cojo7 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1977

Appears in:

2,342 charts

Rank Score:

29,318

Rank in 1977:

Rank in 1970s:

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Comments:

"A punk album that everyone can truly find something to enjoy with. It traverses genres like 50s old school rock, pop, ska, and ragae among others. This album is insanely entertaining and is filled to the brim with energy. On top of that, a lot of the songs have strong meanings, like Spanish Bombs..." Reply

- 5432juan | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1979

Appears in:

2,847 charts

Rank Score:

28,919

Rank in 1979:

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Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"As opposed to most BAE, The Wall is an album that requires to be shelved every once in a while. It can be just darn too depressive and all consuming. However, every time it gets a dusting, I am reminded that this is the greatest concept album/show ever realized. Roger rules." Reply

Robert Anton Wilson | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +11 votes (11 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1979

Appears in:

2,262 charts

Rank Score:

23,387

Rank in 1979:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

87 (3,535 votes)

Comments:

270

Animals

Pink Floyd

"For some reason, i only listened to this album once a few years ago and was not impressed. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK WAS I THINKING?" Reply

- Geraldox | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +10 votes (10 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1977

Appears in:

1,773 charts

Rank Score:

21,288

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Comments:

"This is not only the product of a man's sadness, as people usually say, but of a genius' thoughts about life. Few albums can be compared to this huge masterpiece. And it also makes a great t-shirt." Reply

bonafini | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +8 votes (8 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1979

Appears in:

2,002 charts

Rank Score:

20,483

Rank in 1979:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

86 (2,358 votes)

Comments:

191

10.

Who's Next

The Who

"If not for this album, The Who would be remembered as a British group with some hit singles and an uneven rock opera. In my opinion, they are lucky the crazy Lifehouse idea fell apart and that they could make one tight album instead of a messy double LP." Reply

- Rhett | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

2,216 charts

Rank Score:

20,316

Rank in 1971:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

86 (2,603 votes)

Comments:

203

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of the 1970s composition

Year	Albums	%

1970	111	11%
1971	100	10%
1972	96	10%
1973	113	11%
1974	95	10%
1975	97	10%
1976	90	9%
1977	91	9%
1978	104	10%
1979	103	10%

Artist	Albums	%

Neil Young	11	1%
David Bowie	11	1%
Frank Zappa	11	1%
Bob Marley	9	1%
Paul McCartney	9	1%
Yes	9	1%
Genesis	9	1%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	386	39%
	375	38%
	42	4%
	38	4%
	38	4%
	20	2%
	20	2%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	976	98%
Yes	24	2%

Live?	Albums	%
No	946	95%
Yes	54	5%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	987	99%
Yes	13	1%

Best Albums of the 1970s chart changes

Biggest climbers Biggest climbers in top 100 since last month
Up 1 from 100th to 99th Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Up 1 from 98th to 97th Highway To Hell by AC/DC
Up 1 from 88th to 87th Imagine by John Lennon

Biggest fallers Biggest fallers in top 100 since last month
Down 2 from 13th to 15th Exile On Main St. by The Rolling Stones
Down 1 from 58th to 59th Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath
Down 1 from 63rd to 64th Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings

« View best albums of the 1960sView best albums of the 1980s »

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