THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. This update: #80- 71. Continues tomorrow.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s It was the decade of glam, disco, funk, Philly Soul, heavy metal, the singer/songwriter, punk and new wave. Here are the 200 songs that mattered most during the Seventies, in terms of influence, impact and success. To be eligible, the song needed to be released- as a single or on an album- during the years 1970-1979.
80	PSYCHO KILLER Talking Heads [1977] Talking Heads mixed funk with new wave on "Psycho Killer". The band added its own individual musical attitude. Its lyrics are disturbing and menacing. The track moved the group even further from its art rock origins.
79	YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND James Taylor [1971] Carole King wrote the tender "You've Got A Friend" and included the ballad on her classic album 'Tapestry'. Soon after, James Taylor recorded his own rendition of the song. He scored a US #1 hit single in the process. The song's lyrics are so raw and heartfelt that they still resonate to this day. It remains one of the best known songs of the singer/ songwriter era and has been covered by a wide range of artists.
78	WISH YOU WERE HERE Pink Floyd [1975] Pink Floyd dropped some of the best rock songs of the 1970s, each with its individual quality. "Wish You Were Here" is a slow-paced guitar-based track that sounds as impressive today as it did back in 1975. David Gilmour's vocal is enticing. Roger Waters co-wrote the song with the former. Some parts of it reflect on the departure of former member Syd Barrett. Musically, it is a beautiful track due to its simplicity.
77	WE WILL ROCK YOU Queen [1977] Some songs change things forever. As soon as Queen unleashed "We Will Rock You", it found favour with fans of rock music and sports. The pounding beat of the cut has seen it become a cherished anthem for decades. With this song, Queen managed to marry pomp, high camp with the sweat and grit of heavy rock. It is usually played in conjunction with the celebratory "We Are The Champions"; being the 2 opening tracks from the band's 'News Of The World' album.
76	A HORSE WITH NO NAME America [1972] The band America helped create the sound of American rock in the early 1970s. Debut single "A Horse With No Name", with its mystical lyrics and blended harmonies, paved the way for folk/rock groups such as The Eagles who would mine the niché most effectively. The single reached #1 in America and Canada. In Britain, it peaked at #3.
75	DREAM ON Aerosmith [1973] "Dream On" is one of the fundamental watersheds that led to the power ballads that followed. Ironically, the band was known for its rock style. The ballad was a rare diversion. Nevertheless, it was this slow building song that attracted the strongest attention on Aerosmith's debut album. The vocal from Steven Tyler is his real voice and is different to how it sounds on other (later) Aerosmith cuts.
74	IT'S TOO LATE Carole King [1971] The high point of the 70s singer/songwriter era was Carole King's 'Tapestry' album. The performer had the benefit of years of songwriting experience. She and former husband Gerry Goffin had created some of the best songs of the 1960s. "It's Too Late" was one of the new songs selected for her mega-successful album. Her compositions had reached #1 before, but this song gave King a chart topper in her own right. She also collected a Record of the Year Grammy for the track.
73	HIGHER GROUND Stevie Wonder [1973] Stevie Wonder's immense talent came to the fore on "Higher Ground". He wrote the song. The lyrics are uplifting, motivating and still pertinent today. The funky soul hit is the musician on every instrument. On this, Wonder raised the bar ever higher for R&B in the 1970s, lyrically and sonically.
72	ROCK AND ROLL Led Zeppelin [1971] Led Zeppelin had a unique multi-layered approach on some of its key tracks. "Rock And Roll" is a back to basics song. The single was lifted off the band's fourth album. There are nods to blues and heavy rock within the energetic cut, but the group astutely keep it minimal.
71	GO YOUR OWN WAY Fleetwood Mac [1976] Anyone familiar with Fleetwood Mac was introduced to the band via the tracks on the 'Rumours' album. "Go Your Own Way" blasted the joys of American West Coast Rock out of radios in the mid-70s and ensnared new listeners. Most of these new converts would be unaware of the group's 60s legacy. Fleetwood Mac's 1975 self-titled LP was an essential stepping stone, but 'Rumours' changed everything for the band and rock music. The single's mood is liberating and optimistic in the face of an imminent conclusion.