Best Albums of 1973

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Explore the best albums of 1973, based on over 2 million album rankings across 60,000 charts. Last updated: 2 hours ago

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1973 year summaryThe best artists of 1973 were Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Elton John, The Who, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, The Stooges and Can.

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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:

4,172 charts

Rank Score:

56,403

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"Although I've loved Stevie Wonder for just about as long as I can remember actively listening to music, I have to confess that I was brought to Innervisions by an unlikely source: the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was their cover of "Higher Ground," which initially I didn't know was a cover, that led..." [+] Reply

buzzdainer | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

1,223 charts

Rank Score:

11,842

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"Great, underrated album by Zeppelin. In my opinion, it is their third best, behind only 2 and 4. Fantastic songs such as Song Remains the Same, Over The Hills and Far Away, Dyer Maker and The Ocean. Their hits are pretty diverse too, and if you liked 4 then you should be able to enjoy this." Reply

- Tylo | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

1,343 charts

Rank Score:

11,090

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

115

Average Rating:

85 (2,067 votes)

Comments:

118

Selling England By The Pound

Genesis

"This is one of the true masterpieces of the prog rock genre. To start with the negatives, this isn't a perfect album as it does have a couple flaws such as the elongation of The Battle Of Epping Forest. However, none of these flaws hold it back significantly and for the most part they are people ..." [+] Reply

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

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

1,010 charts

Rank Score:

10,102

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

127

Average Rating:

84 (1,293 votes)

Comments:

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton John

"The first four tracks and Saturday Night are awesome but the rest of the tracks don't hold up for me. This falls in that category of 70s double albums that should have been cut down to a single album and would have been much better." Reply

- | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (7 helpful | 2 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

1,004 charts

Rank Score:

7,253

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

207

Average Rating:

81 (1,174 votes)

Comments:

Quadrophenia

The Who

"This was every teenager's album, including mine. Whenever I was frustrated about anything, I would lock myself in my room and listen to this album all the way through. I still do. Words can't properly express my love for this album. And I thought Tommy was good." Reply

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

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

956 charts

Rank Score:

6,908

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

Paul McCartney & Wings

"This is McCartney's best because it's McCartney at his breezy best, mixing sounds, changing gears, playing with structure, like the genius he is. To me this is a light remake of Abbey Road or the White Album, without the melancholy or deeper tinges that Lennon and Harrison brought to the table." Reply

jhuik | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

834 charts

Rank Score:

6,106

Rank in 1973:

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Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"I really enjoy listening to this album. I love the honky tonk syle piano on 'Time', it blends with the vocals perfectly. 'The Prettiest Star' and 'Panic in Detroit' along with the title track and Jean Genie are personal favourites. There is a great variety of musical styles held within this album..." [+] Reply

- Junomoogmello | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

813 charts

Rank Score:

5,380

Rank in 1973:

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Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"One of the best albums ever - that is all." Reply

Dankel | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +8 votes (9 helpful | 1 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

820 charts

Rank Score:

5,170

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

317

Average Rating:

82 (1,032 votes)

Comments:

10.

Future Days

Can

"While I have to give Tago Mago and Ege Bamyasi at least one more listen, I still think that this album is better than both. Future Days (the song) is really sth special. I can't quite explain it, but I've listened to that song about 20 times today" Reply

- 19loveless91 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

536 charts

Rank Score:

4,613

Rank in 1973:

Rank in 1970s:

Overall Rank:

356

Average Rating:

82 (606 votes)

Comments:

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of 1973 composition

Artist	Albums	%

Various Artists	6	1%
Karl Böhm / Bayreuth Festival Orchestra & Chorus	5	1%
Status Quo	4	0%
Elvis Presley	4	0%
Alice Cooper	3	0%
Gladys Knight	3	0%
The Guess Who	3	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	392	39%
	209	21%
	52	5%
	46	5%
	38	4%
	37	4%
	19	2%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	958	96%
Yes	42	4%

Live?	Albums	%
No	959	96%
Yes	41	4%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	983	98%
Yes	17	2%

Best Albums of 1973 chart changes

Biggest climbers Biggest climbers in top 100 since last month
Up 9 from 73rd to 64th A Passion Play by Jethro Tull
Up 3 from 80th to 77th Time Fades Away by Neil Young
Up 3 from 63rd to 60th Flying Teapot (Radio Gnome Invisible Part 1) by Gong

Biggest fallers Biggest fallers in top 100 since last month
Down 2 from 55th to 57th Sextant by Herbie Hancock
Down 2 from 59th to 61st Mind Games by John Lennon
Down 2 from 60th to 62nd Birds Of Fire by Mahavishnu Orchestra

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