Favourite Songs of 1975

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Let's go back 50 years to 1975, and some of the music from that year. I was but a small child, and discovered a lot of this music as I got older, but there is a definite sense of a lot of the music I would have really enjoyed at the time had I been old enough. Everything from country to rock to pop to even disco, the music of 1975 had some really strong tunes.

Also some really awful songs, but that's not the purpose of these lists. These are to celebrate the songs of a year. And these are my favourite tracks from 1975!



So, as usual, let's start with the honourable mentions. Now, I admit, some of these songs are personal likes ('Convoy' by, for example, is generally disliked by critics) and some are album cuts, but I still like them:
''39' by Queen; '50 Ways To Leave Your Lover' by Paul Simon; 'Action' by The Sweet; 'All By Myself' by Eric Carmen; 'All My Friends Are Getting Married' by Skyhooks; 'At Seventeen' by Janis Ian; 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk; 'Baby Please Don't Go' by AC/DC; 'Black Eyed Bruiser' by Stevie Wright; 'Bony Moronie' by Hush; 'Bye Bye Baby' by Bay City Rollers; 'Convoy' by C.W. McCall; 'Dante Period' by Rick Wakeman; 'December 1963 (Oh What A Night)' by The Four Seasons; 'Denim & Lace' by Marty Rhone; 'Department Of Youth' by Alice Cooper; 'Ego Is Not A Dirty Word' by Skyhooks; 'Fame' by David Bowie; 'Feel Like Makin' Love' by Bad Company; 'Fox On The Run' by The Sweet; 'High Voltage' by AC/DC; 'Hurricane' by Bob Dylan; 'I Love Rock 'N' Roll' by The Arrows; 'I'm In Love With My Car' by Queen.

Part 2! 'January' by Pilot; 'Love Is The Drug' by Roxy Music; 'Lyin' Eyes' by Eagles; 'Mamma Mia' by Abba; 'Movie Star' by Harpo; 'Never Can Say Goodbye' by Gloria Gaynor; 'Philadelphia Freedom' by The Elton John Band; 'Put Another Log On The Fire' by Bill & Boyd; 'Rhinestone Cowboy' by Glen Campbell; 'Rock And Roll All Nite' by Kiss; 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' by Pink Floyd; 'Sky High' by Jigsaw (also known as British Jigsaw); 'SOS' by Abba; 'Summer Love' by Sherbet; 'Tangled Up In Blue' by Bob Dylan; 'That's The Way (I Like It)' by KC & The Sunshine Band; 'Trans Canada Highway' by Gene Pitney; 'Tush' by ZZ Top; 'Una Paloma Blanca' by George Baker Selection; 'Walk This Way' by Aerosmith ; 'You're So Vain' by Carly Simon; 'Young Americans' by David Bowie; 'Your Mamma Won't Like Me' by Suzi Quatro; 'You're No Good' by Linda Ronstadt.

Whew!

So, rules for the top 25 songs! One song per artist in the main list, one version of each song, released initially in 1975. A few famous "1975" songs were actually released in 1974, so please check Discogs. And, of course, as this is my favourites, the list is personal.

Top 25 songs of 1975!


'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen

In a world where Pink Floyd didn't exist, A Night At The Opera would be my favourite album of the year. And this song is deservedly considered a classic.


'Born To Run' by Bruce Springsteen

For most of the world, Springsteen's legend started here. A song of wanting to escape, it is one that I prefer the live version, but the studio cut is still wonderful.


'Dreamer' by Supertramp

Supertramp released some amazing songs over their time, with lyrics that are incredibly complex and deep. More than that, to me this is one of their better tracks.


'Girls On The Avenue' by Richard Clapton

I didn't realise Richard was Australian until years after I first heard this song, and it is deservedly regarded today as one of the best Australian rock songs of the 70s.


'Glad All Over' by Hush

Hush were part of Australia's attempt to do glam rock, and they were probably the best at it from this nation, and this cover is my favourite of their tracks.


'Gloria' by Patti Smith

Horses was an album that inspired many to follow and, unlike many other "inspirational" albums, is still really listenable and a strong work.


'Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul' by Meat Loaf

From the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this is the song I always "did" at midnight screenings. My Meat Loaf love started here.


'It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)' by AC/DC

My very favourite AC/DC song from the Bon Scott era, this just encapsulates the struggle of bands at the time. And it rocks with bagpipes.


'Journey Of The Sorcerer' by Eagles

Okay, this is a bit out of left field. An instrumental, and a song I came to know as the theme song for Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (BBC (best) version), it is still just a great piece of music.


'Jump in My Car' by Ted Mulry Gang

Ignore Hasselhoff (please!), this is one of the best Australian songs recorded, and does not take itself seriously. At all. And is all the better for it.


'Kashmir' by Led Zeppelin

Physical Graffiti is not my favourite Led Zep album, but this track is definitely one of their best songs. The music alone makes it before Plant adds his incredible vocals. Just great.


'Life Is A Minestrone' by 10cc

My favourite 10cc song. Some of the weirdest metaphors and similes ever, and I love it. And, boy, is it sing-along-able!


'Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)' by Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

There is just something I find comforting about this song. Its laid back music and singing make me feel comfortable and good. Had to include it.


'Once Bitten Twice Shy' by Ian Hunter

This song sounds like the obvious evolution of the British pub rock that evolved out of the 60s. The song tells the story of a woman corrupted by rock, and is darkly depressing, but still really strong.


'Only Women Bleed' by Alice Cooper

I'm not sure if this was released as a single, but it was always my favourite track from Welcome To My Nightmare. And is still relevant today…


'Rhiannon' by Fleetwood Mac

Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks added something so different to the blues-rock stalwarts. And tis song, from the first album they were involved with, is still one of their very best.


'Send In The Clowns' by Judy Collins

This song, a Sondheim classic, has been performed by many, but none better than Collins. I love this version. Her voice… just wow.


'Shooting Star' by Bad Company

A depressing song of live fast, die young in the music industry, this stands as one really strong music story, and I can see why its popularity has lasted.


'Sister Golden Hair' by America

My favourite America song (yes, including a certain nameless horse song), their vocal harmonies and playing just work so well in this country-rock classic.


'Slipping Away' by Max Merritt and The Meteors

One of New Zealand's better 1970s exports (along with Dragon and Split Enz), this song is one that I have always loved. A break-up song, but so beautiful.


'Stand By Me' by John Lennon

John Lennon's 1975 was a year of stolen tapes and two versions of the one album being released. But from that mess came one of the best cover songs he ever did.


'Streets Of London' by Ralph McTell

A protest song about the homeless situation in the UK… and it could have been written yesterday. Some incredible lyrics and such a wonderful tune. Depressing, yes, but so good.


'Time Warp' by Cast of Rocky Horror Picture Show

Our second track from the film! Of course, this had to be here! This song still gets people up on a dance floor! An all-time classic.


'Wish You Were Here' by Pink Floyd

My favourite Pink Floyd album and one of my favourite ever albums did not have many singles or shorter songs, but this track is one of the first I learnt on guitar. It is beautiful.


'Yesterday's Hero' by John Paul Young

And we finish with another depressing song, about a singer at the end of his career, sung by a singer at the start of his. I can see why JPY caught on.


So, yes, some depressing lyrical tracks here, but these 25 just speak to me. 1975 had some awesome music, and I hope this list shows that.

I also hope you found something to enjoy!


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