New countdown commencing today: 
THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. Today: #200- 191. 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.
200	STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU Stealers Wheel [1972] Stealers Wheel included in its line-up Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty. The group seemed to possess enough potential for great success, but is largely remembered now for the hit single "Stuck In The Middle With You". It has been re-discovered by younger audiences thanks to its use in the Quentin Tarantino 1992 film 'Reservoir Dogs'. Rafferty went on to score a global smash in his own right with "Baker Street" in 1978.
199	UP THE JUNCTION Squeeze [1979] Squeeze (known in some territories as UK Squeeze) defined English songwriting, featuring a diverse range of themes and characters. "Tempted" dealt with infidelity, "Cool For Cats" is set in a local pub and "Up The Junction" is a sad tale of a man who loses everything. Chris Difford's lyrics will move any listener. The song is relatable storytelling within an obviously British context.
198	SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL Ian Dury [1977] Stiff Records had a unique roster of punk and new wave acts. Ian Dury was one of its successes. The British singer incorporated not only elements of punk and new wave in his music, but also disco, jazz, rock and funk. "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" became an anthem of the hedonistic 1970s. Rock 'n Roll was intertwined with sex and drugs and many performers became casualties of the lifestyle. Dury's song is delivered with wit.
197	THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN Thin Lizzy [1976] Thin Lizzy dropped one of the defining rock songs when "The Boys Are Back In Town" was included on its album 'Jailbreak'. Phil Lynott wrote the song. His vocal style is confident and masculine. The guitar work draws the listener in. It is no wonder it has grown into a staple track on rock radio stations since.
196	MAKE ME SMILE (COME UP AND SEE ME) Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel [1975] Steve Harley penned this defining 70s song which packs so much into its 4 minutes. The music maintains interest with the changes. Throughout, the backing vocals add flavour and a sense of fun to the track. In Britain, the single reached #1. It was also a major hit in parts of Europe.
195	AT SEVENTEEN Janis Ian [1975] Few compositions are as raw and frank as "At Seventeen". Janis Ian's lyrics ring true as she conveys every word. Tapping into the loneliness of "the ugly duckling", Ian's song is one of the best examples of the singer/ songwriter material that was so popular during the first half of the 1970s.
194	THICK AS A BRICK Jethro Tull [1972] Bringing together British folk music and rock, Jethro Tull's "Thick As A Brick" is the group's most accessible track. It was a key influence to the evolution of prog rock. Pivotal member Ian Anderson stars on the track.
193	VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR The Buggles [1979] Much has been said about "Video Killed The Radio Star" and its prophetic title. The Buggles' hit is included here because it kick started Trevor Horn's impact on the music scene. The duo failed to repeat the success of this worldwide debut smash. By the following year, The Buggles had ceased to exist. Horn went on to produce key tracks that include: "Slave To The Rhythm" (Grace Jones), "Relax" (Frankie Goes To Hollywood) and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" (Yes).
192	TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croce [1972] The simple beauty of Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle" gains more poignancy when remembered that this was sadly a posthumous #1 single for the singer/ songwriter. The full potential of Croce's talent was never to be realized. In September 1973, the rising star's life came to an end in a plane crash. "Time In A Bottle" was included on the singer's 1972 album 'You Don't Mess Around With Jim'. The single was issued in November. Along with "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song", the ballads are fine examples of songcraft.
191	IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? Joe Jackson [1978] Joe Jackson may have initially been categorized as a punk / new wave performer, but he soon demonstrated his versatility. His catalogue boasts jazz, pop, jump blues and rock. Debut hit "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" was a worthy introduction to his lyrical skill. Like Elvis Costello, Jackson's music soon defied labelling.