THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. Today: #150- 141. Continues next week

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.
150	WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Queen [1977] No one but Queen could get away with a song as camp and dramatic as the boasting  "We Are the Champions". It is over the top and defiant. No wonder it was instantaneously adopted as an anthem. It appeals to everyone: from minorities to hard rock audiences. The song is a bold example of Freddie Mercury's ability as both songwriter and showman.
149	ONE STEP BEYOND Madness [1979] Madness arrived on the music scene just before the end of the 1970s. "One Step Beyond" was the title track on the band's debut album. It helped introduce a wider audience to ska. The group would do more as one of the consistent chart acts in the next decade.
148	BROWN SUGAR Rolling Stones [1971] The Rolling Stones had earned its place among the greatest rock groups back in the 1960s. Anyone doubting the band could maintain its title following that decade, was soon proven wrong. The Stones kept the gifts coming. Some of the group's best work was yet to come. Their first key single of the 1970s was "Brown Sugar". It was the opening track on the band's classic 'Sticky Fingers' album. The song's riff blasted out of radio speakers and entrenched The Stones as one of the most enduring legends in rock 'n roll music.
147	BAND ON THE RUN Paul McCartney & Wings [1973] Paul McCartney guided his new group to a song worthy enough to sit alongside his Beatles compositions when Wings released its 'Band On The Run' album in 1973. The song was issued as a single the following year. On the album, the track ran for over 5 minutes. The edited version shaved more than 1 minute off, reaching #1 in America and Canada. In the UK, the single peaked at #3. It remains one of McCartney's best post- Beatles songs.
146	SOMEDAY WE'LL ALL BE FREE Donny Hathaway [1973] R&B explored new directions during the 1970s, led by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes and Al Green. Donny Hathaway is still underrated but has long been lauded by music legends for his recorded output. As a soloist his vocals are golden and pure. His songs are among the decade's best tender love songs, with thoughtfully picked lyrics. "Someday We'll All Be Free" became a civil rights anthem covered by numerous others, but Hathaway's original is still unsurpassed. The song was lifted off his 'Extension Of A Man' album. During the decade, he also recorded beautiful duets with Roberta Flack including "Where Is the Love". Once you discover him, Hathaway stays a cherished favourite.
145	RESPECT YOURSELF The Staple Singers [1971] Family act The Staple Singers served a Stax classic in the early 1970s that has grown into an empowering song created by the bringing together of the worlds of gospel, soul and R&B. It became a civil rights anthem as well as delivering a message that resonated with audiences all over the planet.
144	LOLA The Kinks [1970] Ray Davies penned "Lola" for his group The Kinks. It was controversial at the time, dealing with a transgender woman. The song swiftly gained rock classic status. It has wit, sharp lyrics and great guitar. Released as a single, it peaked at #2 in the UK and made the US Top 10.
143	LIFE IN THE FAST LANE The Eagles [1976] The 1970s was the decade of excess. Rock music was exploited by greedy figures in the music industry, alienating audiences as it created stadium rock and the classic rock genre. The Eagles dropped a snapshot of the decadence of the '70s and the rock 'n roll lifestyle with "Life In The Fast Lane". It was featured on the band's 'Hotel California' album, itself a depiction of the state of America at the time of its bicentennial celebrations.
142	HONG KONG GARDEN Siouxsie & The Banshees [1978] Siouxsie Sioux was an influential female in the punk genre. Her group's biggest success was breakthrough hit "Hong Kong Garden". The single was co-produced by Steve Lillywhite. John McKay drives the track with his guitar. It was one of the early punk songs that was accessible to a pop audience.
141	FREE BIRD Lynyrd Skynyrd [1974] "Free Bird" remains an American rock staple. While some will cite this as an example of the overblown music that helped create the punk / new wave explosion, there are just as many that will claim this as one of the defining songs of its time. Either way, there is no disputing that it was oft-imitatted or influential to many other US rock acts.