Saturday, March 19, 2022

1972: THE 100 GREATEST SONGS. Check out the playlist on Spotify.

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1972

Munich Massacre - HISTORY

THE GREATEST SONGS

MCMLXXII

1972 was a year of tragedy and shock. Israeli athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympic Games. The Watergate scandal broke. In Britain, miners went on strike. Bloody Friday and Bloody Sunday resulted in deaths in Northern Ireland. The last US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. Ceylon became Sri Lanka. Uruguayan soccer players were rescued in the Andes Mountains 2 months after their plane crashed. President Nixon visited China. Cinema audiences were entertained with the hit films ‘The Godfather’, ‘Cabaret’, ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ and ‘What’s Up, Doc?’.

Here are 100 songs representing the best music released during that year. 

 

1

 

YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE

Stevie Wonder

 

Stevie Wonder’s ‘Talking Book’ took the young adult musician to new heights. “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” is one of the most sublime love songs ever recorded. It features traces of jazz, R&B, soul and pop. The #1 single highlights 3 vocalists: Stevie, Jim Giilstrap and Lani Groves.

Steviesunshine.jpg

2

 

ROCKET MAN

Elton John

 

“Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Klong Time)” was from Elton John’s ‘Honky Chateau’ album and remains one of his concert staples. The desolation in the lyrics is heightened by Gus Dudgeon’s production.

 Elton John - Rocket Man.jpg

3

 

WHERE IS THE LOVE

Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

 

Roberta Flack’s solo recording output had brought her immense sales and critical acclaim. Her pairing with Donny Hathaway combined two great voices in a way that has never been bettered.

Where Is the Love - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.jpg

4

 

SUPERWOMAN

(WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU)

Stevie Wonder

 

An underrated track from Stevie Wonder’s ‘Music Of My Mind’ album, “Superwoman” exemplifies the maturing youth that he was becoming. The song deals with a relationship that disintegrates.

 Swonderswoman.jpg

5

 

LAYLA

Derek & The Dominos

 

Guitar god Eric Clapton had already established his credentials before helping to construct this rock epic for Derek & The Dominos. The song was inspired by his love for George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd.

 Derek And The Dominos – Got To Get Better In A Little While / Layla (2011,  Vinyl) - Discogs

6

 

YOU’RE SO VAIN

Carly Simon

 

In 1972, singer / songwriter Carly Simon not only scored a #1 hit with “You’re So Vain”, but sparked one of rock’s enduring mysteries. The person who inspired the smash single is still unidentified, which might explain why the song still resonates today.

 The Story of... 'You're So Vain' by Carly Simon - Smooth

7

 

SUPERSTITION

Stevie Wonder

 

Stevie Wonder was at his creative peak in the early- to mid -1970s, producing an impressive catalogue of diverse songs. He amped up the funk on “Superstition” which remains one of his most popular songs to this day.

 Superstition / You've Got It Bad Girl by Stevie Wonder (Single; EMI; 2C 004  94013): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music

8

 

CROCODILE ROCK

Elton John

 

The 1970s was a prolific time for Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. The nostalgic “Crocodile Rock” became an instant pop classic and signature song for the pianist.

Elton John Crocodile Rock (2).jpg

9

 

BACK STABBERS

The O’Jays

 

Philadelphia Soul was a major force in soul music in 1972, thanks to lush productions like “Backstabbers” from producers/ songwriters Gamble & Huff.

 Back Stabbers.jpg

10

 

BEN

Michael Jackson

 

The Jackson 5 began its chart domination in 1970 with a string of #1 singles. By 1972, Michael was already too big to be constrained to the family act. Motown launched his solo career which continued simultaneously with  recordings with his brothers. “Ben” was the title song from a film about a rat.

 Ben Michael Jackson.jpg

Flag of Sri Lanka - Wikipedia

11 LOVE TRAIN The O’Jays

12 SUPERFLY Curtis Mayfield

13 TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croce

14 I AM WOMAN Helen Reddy

15 CHANGES David Bowie

16 I BELIEVE (WHEN I FALL IN LOVE IT WILL BE FOREVER

Stevie Wonder

17 ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) Gilbert O’Sullivan

18 HURTING EACH OTHER The Carpenters   

19 TAKE IT EASY Eagles

20 MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION Paul Simon

 

21 ME AND MRS JONES Billy Paul

22 STARMAN David Bowie

23 ROCKIN’ ROBIN Michael Jackson

24 THE WAY OF LOVE Cher

25 LEAN ON ME Bill Withers

26 I’D LOVE YOU TO WANT ME Lobo

27 SATURDAY IN THE PARK Chicago

28 CABARET Liza Minnelli

29 DO IT AGAIN Steely Dan   

30 OH GIRL The Chi-Lites

 

31 JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING David Bowie

32 I’M STONE IN LOVE WITH YOU The Stylistics

33 GOODBYE TO LOVE The Carpenters   

34 REELIN’ IN THE YEARS Steely Dan

35 I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU’LL EVER KNOW

Donny Hathaway

36 CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION T. Rex

37 MAYBE THIS TIME Liza Minnelli

38 WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Lou Reed

39 WHAT MAKES A MAN Charles Aznavour

40 TROUBLE MAN Marvin Gaye

 

41 I’LL TAKE YOU THERE The Staple Singers

42 LOOKIN’ THROUGH THE WINDOWS Jackson 5

43 PAPA WAS A ROLLIN’ STONE The Temptations

44 ACROSS 110th STREET Bobby Womack

45 BURNING LOVE Elvis Presley

46 ALL THE YOUNG DUDES Mott The Hoople

47 WHO IS HE (AND WHAT IS HE TO YOU)? Bill Withers

48 POPCORN Hot Butter     

49 THE WINGS OF AN EAGLE Russell Morris

50 I’LL BE AROUND The Spinners

 

51 LISTEN TO THE MUSIC The Doobie Brothers

52 DAY DREAMING Aretha Franklin

53 HEART OF GOLD Neil Young   

54 USE ME Bill Withers   

55 PERFECT DAY Lou Reed

56 YOU ARE EVERYTHING The Stylistics

57 CLAIR Gilbert O’Sullivan   

58 KING HEROIN James Brown

59 DAY AFTER DAY Badfinger

    60 GO ALL THE WAY The Raspberries

 

61 I SAW THE LIGHT Todd Rundgren   

    62 VENTURA HIGHWAY America

63 ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD Paul Simon

64 BETCHA BY GOLLY WOW The Stylistics

65 IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Albert Hammond

66 TUMBLING DICE The Rolling Stones

    67 OOH WAKKA DOO WAKKA DAY Gilbert O’Sullivan   

68 RUN TO ME Bee Gees

69 CORNER OF THE SKY Jackson 5

70 HONKY CAT Elton John

 

71 NO SECRETS Carly Simon

72 SATELLITE OF LOVE Lou Reed

73 IF YOU DON’T KNOW ME BY NOW

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

74 LIFE ON MARS? David Bowie

75 FREDDIE’S DEAD Curtis Mayfield

   76 ROCK AND ROLL Led Zeppelin

     77 ZIGGY STARDUST David Bowie

    78 (LAST NIGHT) I DIDN’T GET TO SLEEP The 5th Dimension 

79 SUMMER BREEZE Seals & Crofts

80 FOR MY LADY The Moody Blues

 

81 GET ON THE GOOD FOOT James Brown

     82 WILD HORSES Rolling Stones

83 LAST SONG Edward Bear

84 BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY Daniel Boone

   85 SHE’S MY KIND OF GIRL Bjorn & Benny

86 IT’S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME The Carpenters

87 (IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG) I DON’T WANT TO BE RIGHT

Luther Ingram

88 APRÈS TOI Vicky Leandros

89 BE REAL BLACK FOR ME Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

90 I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW Johnny Nash

 

91 FLOY JOY The Supremes

92 EVIL Stevie Wonder

93 WHY CAN’T WE LIVE TOGETHER? Timmy Thomas

94 THE RIGHT THING TO DO Carly Simon

95 A BRAND NEW ME Aretha Franklin

96 HOLD YOUR HEAD UP Argent

 97 DAY BY DAY Colleen Hewett

98 LONG COOL WOMAN (IN A BLACK DRESS) The Hollies

99 I’D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING The New Seekers

100 COULD IT BE I’M FALLING IN LOVE The Spinners

Andes 1972 plane crash Museum in Montevideo - Guru'Guay

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