THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. This update: #90- 81. Continues next weekend.

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.
90	MARQUEE MOON Television [1977] Television played an integral role in the development of the punk / new wave scene in America. They helped put New York's CBGB on the map as one of the cradles of the US punk scene. At over 10 minutes, "Marquee Moon" is the band's defining moment. The line-up included guitarists Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. The former was also lead singer. He penned the lengthy track.
89	EVER FALLEN IN LOVE  (WITH SOMEONE YOU SHOULD'NT'VE) Buzzcocks [1978] Pete Shelley wrote the enduring punk anthem dealing with unrequited love "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)". Its lyrics are immediate and the song's beat is frenetic. The short and snappy punk classic was later covered by The Fine Young Cannibals.
88	YOU HAVEN'T DONE NOTHIN' Stevie Wonder[1974] Stevie Wonder is scathing on his US #1 single "You Haven't Done Nothin'", criticizing government inaction on much needed reforms, he reserves his most acerbic disdain for then President Nixon. This social comment hit preceded the disgraced leader's resignation.
87	STARMAN David Bowie [1972] When David Bowie introduced audiences to new song "Starman", he was suddenly rocketed to superstar status. This was the lead single from his 'The Rise and Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And the Spiders From Mars' album. It heralded the creation of a new persona: camp, radical and utterly intriguing.
86	ROXANNE The Police [1978] Popular music's most celebrated sex worker remains a rock staple. The Police served a cocktail of punk attitude with a reggae beat that proved irresistible on "Roxanne". While it flopped on initial release, the single became the band's breakthrough hit when re-issued 12 months later.
85	JIVE TALKIN' Bee Gees [1975] The Bee Gees introduced a new phase in their career with a sound that was a radical shift for the successful trio. Reflecting the funk and lush qualities of soul at the time and the impending rise of disco,  The Bee Gees created "Jive Talkin'". The lyrics were urban. Rhythm was at the forefront. The result was a #1 song that would lead the group to that disco classic 'Saturday Night Fever'.
84	WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Lou Reed [1972] Another classic produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, "Walk On The Wild Side" takes the listener to the underbelly of New York street life. It's a world populated by colourful crossdressers, drug dealers and hustlers. The song is a timeless snapshot of the 1970s subculture from the pen of Lou Reed for his 'Transformer' album.
83	KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG Roberta Flack [1973] Roberta Flack was a leading female figure of the 1970s singer/ songwriter era. She was also a fundamental figure among the decade's soul artists. Beginning with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (not included here as it was issued originally in 1969), Flack scored 3 US chart topping singles (the 3rd being "Feel Like Makin' Love"). In the meantime, she was also cutting magical duets with Donny Harthaway. "Killing Me Softly With His Song" was a massive R&B/ pop hit around the world. It was revived decades later by The Fugees.
82	WORKING CLASS HERO John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band [1971] John Lennon poured out bitterness into every line of "Working Class Hero". It is one of his most underrated anthems but has continued attracting new converts over subsequent decades. The sting is powerful as Lennon evokes Bob Dylan on this indelible track.
81	OHIO Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young [1970] Neil Young penned "Ohio", inspired by the shameless tragedy that took place as students at Kent State University protested the Vietnam War in May 1970. The National Guard killed 4 students. He recorded the protest song with the trio consisting of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.