Songs of the Year
Songs of the Year: 1970
It’s 1970 and Jason’s last chance to nominate the Beatles for song of the year!
Welcome to a new decade! The year is 1970 and we’re picking our favorite songs of the year.
It’s a simple concept. We pick five of our favorite songs that made the Billboard Top 100 (established in 1958) during any time that year. We also select five “wildcards” that can be any songs released as a single or on an album or EP that year. Finally, we also pick our “worst” song of the year, just for fun.
We started in 1958 and we’re going until we run out of years.
Well, it’s the 70s. Albums are truly the dominant medium as bands explore concepts and themes. New genres like prog and hard rock truly come into their own. The only thing that stays the same? Prolific drug use and tons of great music! We know how good the albums are in the 70s, but will the songs keep up? Will the Billboard charts continue to contain the greatest works from the greatest bands, or will there finally be a split where all the best songs are deeper cuts? We’ll find out as we go along… for now, it’s 1970 and the Beatles have released their swan song, Led Zeppelin gets experimental with their third album in two years, Eric Clapton learns the power of heartbreak and so much more.
Check back every week for a NEW episode and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and share this post or this video on all your favorite social networks because lord knows we’ve earned it.
(Check out our companion album of the year video for 1970!)
Standings So Far
Jason took one for the team by nominating Billy Preston and Joe notched another win in blowout fashion with Gimme Shelter. Kramzer remained true to his muse, Bob Dylan and kept his losing streak alive. This year? Jason just can’t quit the Beatles, Joe goes for the guy who couldn’t quit the Beatles’ wife and Kramzer gets HARD (rock).
Jason: 6.5
Joe: 5
Kramzer: 3.5
Vote
Which Was the Best Song of 1970?
- Let it Be - The Beatles (38%, 71 Votes)
- Layla - Derek & The Dominoes (35%, 65 Votes)
- Child in Time - Deep Purple (28%, 52 Votes)
Total Voters: 188
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Beatles are such a cheat code in these polls lol.
Yeah, it sucks. Boo Jason.
My favorite songs of 1970:
Rank Title-Artist
1. MAKE ME SMILE – CHICAGO
2. MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME – THREE DOG NIGHT
3. AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH – DIANA ROSS
4. VEHICLE – IDES OF MARCH
5. SPIRIT IN THE SKY – NORMAN GREENBAUM
6. GO BACK – CRABBY APPLETON
7. GREEN-EYED LADY – SUGARLOAF
8. AMERICAN WOMAN – GUESS WHO
9. TEARS OF A CLOWN – SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
10. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE – LED ZEPPELIN
11. NO MATTER WHAT – BADFINGER
12. NO TIME – GUESS WHO
13. IT’S A SHAME – SPINNERS
14. BAND OF GOLD – FREDA PAYNE
15. HAND ME DOWN WORLD – GUESS WHO
16. OUT IN THE COUNTRY – THREE DOG NIGHT
17. VENUS – SHOCKING BLUE
18. TIGHTER, TIGHTER – ALIVE & KICKING
19. CRACKLIN’ ROSIE – NEIL DIAMOND
20. ALL RIGHT NOW – FREE
21. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER – SIMON & GARFUNKEL
22. WOODSTOCK – CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG
23. TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME – TYRONE DAVIS
24. LET IT BE – BEATLES
25. JAM UP JELLY TIGHT – TOMMY ROE
26. ROADHOUSE BLUES – DOORS
27. COME AND GET IT – BADFINGER
28. THANK YOU (FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN) – SLY & THE FAMILY STONE
29. LOLA – KINKS
30. CINNAMON GIRL – NEIL YOUNG
31. RIDE CAPTAIN RIDE – BLUES IMAGE
32. GOTTA HOLD ON TO THIS FEELING – JR. WALKER & THE ALL STARS
33. MAKE IT WITH YOU – BREAD
34. YOU MAKE ME REAL – DOORS
35. DOWN BY THE RIVER – BUDDY MILES
36. UP AROUND THE BEND – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
37. O-O-H CHILD – FIVE STAIRSTEPS
38. QUESTION – MOODY BLUES
39. 25 OR 6 TO 4 – CHICAGO
40. HEY LAWDY MAMA – STEPPENWOLF
More of my favorite songs of 1970:
Rank-Title-Artist
41. LITTLE GREEN BAG – GEORGE BAKER SELECTION
42. HITCHIN’ A RIDE – VANITY FARE
43. THE RAPPER – JAGGERZ
44. PARANOID – BLACK SABBATH
45. SIGNED, SEALED DELIVERED I’M YOURS – STEVIE WONDER
46. HOLLY, HOLY – NEIL DIAMOND
47. WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
48. TRYING TO MAKE A FOOL OF ME – DELFONICS
49. PSYCHEDELIC SHACK – TEMPTATIONS
50. CLOSER TO HOME – GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
51. LOVE OR LET ME BE LONELY – FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION
52. SPILL THE WINE – ERIC BURDON & WAR
53. PUPPET MAN – 5TH DIMENSION
54. SHILO – NEIL DIAMOND
55. SCREAMING NIGHT HOG – STEPPENWOLF
56. FIRE AND RAIN – JAMES TAYLOR
57. STILL WATER (LOVE) – FOUR TOPS
58. ARE YOU READY – PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC
59. WHY CAN’T I TOUCH YOU – RONNIE DYSON
60. EVIL WAYS – SANTANA
61. ONE LESS BELL TO ANSWER – 5TH DIMENSION
62. CECILIA – SIMON & GARFUNKEL
63. LAY A LITTLE LOVIN’ ON ME – ROBIN MCNMARA
64. MISSISSIPPI QUEEN – MOUNTAIN
65. INSTANT KARMA – JOHN LENNON
66. AFTER MIDNIGHT – ERIC CLAPTON
67. LOOKIN’ OUT MY BACK DOOR – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
68. LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) – EDISON LIGHTHOUSE
69. STAND BY YOUR MAN – CANDI STATON
70. SHE CAME IN THROUGH THE BATHROOM WINDOW – JOE COCKER
71. I’LL BE RIGHT HERE – TYRONE DAVIS
72. THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD – BEATLES
73. LOVE BONES – JOHNNIE TAYLOR
74. YOU GOT ME HUMMIN’ – COLD BLOOD
75. WHO NEEDS YA – STEPPENWOLF
76. PART TIME LOVE – ANN PEEBLES
77. RAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD – B.J. THOMAS
78. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM – BOBBIE GENTRY & GLEN CAMPBELL
79. I’LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN – DIONNE WARWICK
80. DO YOU SEE MY LOVE (FOR YOU GROWING) – JR. WALKER & THE ALL-STARS
81. JUST SEVENTEEN – PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS
82. (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU – CARPENTERS
83. WAR – EDWIN STARR
84. THE SEEKER – WHO
85. CANDIDA – DAWN
86. ABC – JACKSON 5
87. I DON’T WANNA CRY – RONNIE DYSON
88. LONG AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
89. EASY RIDER – IRON BUTTERFLY
90. IN THE SUMMERTIME – MUNGO JERRY
91. CELEBRATE – THREE DOG NIGHT
92. SUPERMAN – IDES OF MARCH
93. I THINK I LOVE YOU – PARTRIDGE FAMILY
94. OUR HOUSE – CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG
95. SUMMERTIME BLUES – WHO
96. ARIZONA – MARK LINDSAY
97. SOMEBODY’S BEEN SLEEPING – 100 PROOF AGED IN SOUL
98. EASY COME, EASY GO – BOBBY SHERMAN
99. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN – CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG
100. NEVER HAD A DREAM COME TRUE – STEVIE WONDER
More of my favorite songs of 1970:
Rank-Title-Artist
101. UP THE LADDER TO THE ROOF – SUPREMES
102. GET READY – RARE EARTH
103. ENGINE # 9 – WILSON PICKETT
104. MY BABY LOVES LOVIN’ – WHITE PLAINS
105. FRESH AIR – QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE
106. GOTTA GET BACK TO YOU – TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS
107. I’M JUST A PRISONER (OF YOUR GOOD LOVIN’) – CANDI STATON
108. I LOVE YOU – OTIS LEAVILL
109. THE WONDER OF YOU – ELVIS PRESLEY
110. HOW CAN I FORGET – MAVIN GAYE
111. HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER – HOLLIES
112. THAT SAME OLD FEELING – PICKETTYWITCH
113. YELLOW RIVER – CHRISTIE
114. IT DON’T MATTER TO ME – BREAD
115. HEAVEN HELP US ALL – STEVIE WONDER
116. WHICH WAY YOU GOIN’ BILLY? – POPPY FAMILY FEATURING SUSAN JACKS
117. WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN – CARPENTERS
118. BE MY BABY – ANDY KIM
119. KENTUCKY RAIN – ELVIS PRESLEY
120. THE END OF OUR ROAD – MARVIN GAYE
121. LONG LONG TIME – LINDA RONSTADT
122. RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA – BROOK BENTON
123. GIVE ME JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME – CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD
124. HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN – FRIJID PINK
125. RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
126. PATCHES – CLARENCE CARTER
127. I JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING – B.J. THOMAS
128. BABY HOLD ON – GRASS ROOTS
129. THE LETTER – JOE COCKER
130. REFLECTIONS OF MY LOVE – MARMALADE
131. EVERYBODY’S GOT THE RIGHT TO LOVE – SUPREMES
132. DROP BY MY PLACE – LITTLE CARL CARLTON
133. HOLD ON – RASCALS
134. HI-DE-HO – BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
135. THE WITCH – THE RATTLES
136. GOD, LOVE AND ROCK & ROLL – TEEGARDEN & VAN WINKLE
137. SOLITARY MAN – NEIL DIAMOND
138. BALL OF CONFUSION (THAT’S WHAT THE WORLD IS TODAY) – TEMPTATIONS
139. COMPARED TO WHAT – LES MCCANN & EDDIE HARRIS
140. MONSTER – STEPPENWOLF
141. ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME – R.B. GREAVES
142. JENNIFER TOMPKINS – STREET PEOPLE
143. NO SUGAR TONIGHT – GUESS WHO
144. GROOVY SITUATION – GENE CHANDLER
145. LOVE UPRISING – OTIS LEAVILLE
146. FUNK # 49 – JAMES GANG
147. COME RUNNING – VAN MORRISON
148. OVERTURE FROM “TOMMY” – ASSEMBLED MULTITUDE
149. EVIL WOMAN DON’T PLAY YOUR GAMES WITH ME – CROW
150. WINTER WORLD OF LOVE – ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINCK
151. DOWN IN THE ALLEY – RONNIE HAWKINS
152. I WANT YOU BACK – JACKSON 5
153. VICTORIA – KINKS
154. THE THRILL IS GONE – B.B. KING
155. WALKING THROUGH THE COUNTRY – GRASS ROOTS
156. SHARE THE LAND – GUESS WHO
157. TRAVELIN’ BAND – CREDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
158. MORE THAN I CAN STAND – BOBBY WOMACK
159. LIVING LOVING MAID (SHE’S JUST A WOMAN) – LED ZEPPELIN ^
160. FOR YOU BLUE – BEATLES
161. REACH OUT AND TOUCH (SOMEBODY’S HAND) – DIANA ROSS
162. BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU – EVIE SANDS
163. WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES – JOE SOUTH & THE BELIEVERS
164. LAY DOWN (CANDLES IN THE RAIN) – MELANIE
165. MONTEGO BAY – BOBBY BLOOM
166. AS YEARS GO BY – MASHMAKHAN
167. SILVER BIRD – MARK LINDSAY
168. EL CONDOR PASA – SIMON & GARFUNKEL
169. IT’S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE – GLEN CAMPBELL
170. INDIANA WANTS ME – R. DEAN TAYLOR
171. UNITED WE STAND – BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
172. WALKIN’ IN THE RAIN – JAY & THE AMERICANS
173. GET UP I FEEL LIKE BEING A SEX MACHINE – JAMES BROWN
174. WESTBOUND # 9 – THE FLAMING EMBER
175. VIVA TIRADO – EL CHICANO
176. ISN’T IT A PITY – GEORGE HARRISON
177. COME ON AND SAY IT – GRASS ROOTS
178. BOLD SOUL SISTER – IKE & TINA TURNER
179. WITHOUT LOVE (THERE IS NOTHING) – TOM JONES
180. SILLY, SILLY, FOOL – DUSTY SPRINGFIELD
181. STEAL AWAY – JOHNNIE TAYLOR
182. IT’S ALL IN THE GAME – FOUR TOPS
183. COME SATURDAY MORNING – SANDPIPERS
184. (I KNOW) I’M LOSING YOU – RARE EARTH
185. LUCRETIA MAC EVIL – BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
186. EVERYTHING A MAN COULD EVER NEED – GLEN CAMPBELL
187. EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL – RAY STEVENS
188. SEE ME, FEEL ME – WHO
189. CRY ME A RIVER – JOE COCKER
190. JINGLE JANGLE – ARCHIES
191. TICKET TO RIDE – CARPENTERS
192. LOVE ON A TWO WAY STREET – MOMENTS
193. I’M BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU – MAIN INGREDIENT
194. DON’T PLAY THAT SONG – ARETHA FRANKLIN
195. DEEPER & DEEPER – FREDA PAYNE
196. BORDER SONG – ELTON JOHN
197. THAT’S WHERE I WENT WRONG – POPPY FAMILY WITH SUSAN JACKS
198. SNOWBIRD – ANNE MURRAY
199. LET’S WORK TOGETHER – CANNED HEAT
200. DIDN’T I (BLOW YOUR MIND THIS TIME) – DELFONICS