THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. Today: #160- 151. 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.
160	BRASS IN POCKET The Pretenders [1979] Chrissie Hynde was an influential rock chick, out front of the group The Pretenders. Her throaty vocals added a confident sexuality to the role of female lead singer. "Brass In Pocket" introduced us to her on the band's debut self-titled album. The single reached #1 in the UK and Canada. In the USA, it climbed to #14. The Pretenders were a constant chart presence in the subsequent decade.
159	DOWN DOWN Status Quo [1974] Status Quo had scored a hit with a psychedelic pop song during the 1960s. The group struggled after "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" until they launched a new sound in 1970. Despite depending on the same basic boogie on their albums, the band has endured for 5 decades. Its best offerings began with the British chart-topper "Down Down" in 1974. It was followed by "Roll Over Lay Down", "Wild Side Of Life", "Rockin' All Over The World" and "Whatever You Want".
158	SULTANS OF SWING Dire Straits [1978] Dire Straits would become one of the biggest groups in the world in the 1980s, but the foundation began in 1978. Debut single "Sultans Of Swing" was the product of the British pub rock sound blended with blues, boogie, jazz, country and rock music. Lead singer Mark Knopfler penned the alluring single. It is Dylanesque in style and quality. The single took off after being re-released in 1979.
157	FATHER AND SON Cat Stevens [1970] Cat Stevens was one of the leading singer- songwriters of the 1970s. "Father And Son" remains one of the highlights in his catalogue. The generation gap is explored with wisdom and from the perspectives of both the older parent and his young son. Stevens changes his vocal depending on which of the 2 protagonists he is representing during the song.
156	JUST THE WAY YOU ARE Billy Joel [1977] With the success of "Just The Way You Are", Grammy Awards came to Billy Joel. The Song of the Year winner was written by the singer/songwriter and inspired by his first wife. It is still regarded as one of the best love songs. The track was lifted off his 'The Stranger' album. Its success kick-started his golden period which continued well into the 1980s.
155	EASY Commodores [1977] The Commodores managed to balance a funky sound with ballads. "Easy" has a distinct R&B starting point that ventures into adult contemporary with a hint of country. It is one of Lionel Richie's best compositions. His Midas Touch saw him take the group further into the ballads at the expense of the funk. The hits kept coming, led by "Three Times A Lady", "Still" and "Sail On" before the end of the 1970s. By the early 80s, Richie was eyeing a solo career which would ultimately make him a household name in his own right. It all began on this hit song.
154	CHERRY BOMB The Runaways [1976] When "Cherry Bomb" blasted out of radios, female rock groups were a rarity. While the group only enjoyed a brief time of glory, The Runaways proved it could be done. This single was explosive, rough and exuded sex. Out of the ashes of the band came Joan Jett who would enjoy a renewed career in the 1980s with a new group, The Blackhearts.
153	ANNIE'S SONG John Denver [1974] John Denver enjoyed immense chart success during the 1970s as arguably the leading country crossover artist. "Annie's Song" was written about his then wife Ann Martell. His basic guitar and vocals style were radio friendly. This song has tender lyrics and its sound creates images of nature. One can almost smell fresh air and trees while the ballad is playing. The single reached #1 in America, Britain and Canada.
152	CAR WASH Rose Royce [1976] After leaving Motown, Norman Whitfield applied his considerable skills as songwriter and producer on new acts such as Rose Royce. The group is underrated today, but did record some of the finest R&B/ funk soul records of the mid-70s; such as the beautiful "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and "Car Wash". The latter served as the title song from a Richard Pryor comedy film. Strings mixed with a disco and funky beat wrapped around R&B vocals to create an American #1 hit.
151	SHIVERS Boys Next Door [1979] Boys Next Door was a Melbourne group that initially drew inspiration from glam and Alice Cooper. Once  punk arrived, its sound had been  re-defined. Led by the creative Nick Cave, the band left Australia and re-located to London. "Shivers" is an early punk song that will continue to grow in significance as more fans discover Cave. The song was lifted off the group's only album 'Door, Door'.