Songs of the Year
Songs of the Year: 1979
R.I.P. the 1970s. All hail the greatest decade of music in history.
We’re at the end of the 1970’s. R.I.P. to the unimpeachable best musical decade of all-time. No, there’s no argument to be made, so don’t bother!
One last year for classic rock, classic disco, classic new wave and classic pop. The 80s and the fairlight synthesizer will be here soon to blow it all away. But until then let’s enjoy the sounds of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, Fleetwood Mac, Kiss, ABBA, Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, Neil Young, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, The Police, David Bowie, Van Halen, The Cars, Blondie and many, many more.
The year is 1979 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.
Standings So Far …
Kramzer finally picked a winner, breaking his streak of winlessness (and Joe’s Kate Bush loving heart) with Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing. Now, can he get on a roll with a classic tune that wasn’t even supposed to be on the album? Will Jason, once at the top of the charts, ever have another #1? Will Joe pick the obvious (Pink Floyd or Zeppelin or ABBA)? Or is he going to pull a Kramzer and get obscure? Watch and find out!
Joe: 11
Jason: 8.5
Kramzer: 6.5
Vote
Which Was the Best Song of 1979?
- Making Plans for Nigel by XTC (46%, 93 Votes)
- Train in Vain by The Clash (42%, 85 Votes)
- What Makes You Think You're the One by Fleetwood Mac (12%, 25 Votes)
Total Voters: 203
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You guys never heard of Ricki Lee Jones? Sheesh!
My favorite songs of 1979:
Rank Title-Artist
1. ROLLER – APRIL WINE
2. DEPENDIN’ ON YOU – DOOBIE BROTHERS
3. DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY – VAN HALEN
4. FEELIN’ SATISFIED – BOSTON
5. RENEGADE – STYX
6. HOLD THE LINE – TOTO
7. GOOD TIMES – CHIC
8. LONESOME LOSER – LITTLE RIVER BAND
9. DRIVER’S SEAT – SNIFF AND THE TEARS
10. SUCH A WOMAN – TYCOON
11. I NEED A LOVER – JOHN COUGAR
12. LET’S GO – CARS
13. HOLD ON – IAN GOMM
14. SPOOKY – ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION
15. TILL IT SHINES – BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND
16. LOGICAL SONG – SUPERTRAMP
17. ROCK AND ROLL FANTASY – BAD COMPANY
18. HEART OF GLASS – BLONDIE
19. DREAM POLICE – CHEAP TRICK
20. PRECIOUS LOVE – BOB WELCH
21. SULTANS OF SWING – DIRE STRAITS
22. SWEET LUI-LOUISE – IRONHORSE
23. GET USED TO IT – ROGER VOUDORIS
24. GOODBYE STRANGER – SUPERTRAMP
25. SOUL MAN – BLUES BROTHERS
26. BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU – ROBERT PALMER
27. TAKE ME TO THE RIVER – TALKING HEADS
28. MY LIFE – BILLY JOEL
29. SEPTEMBER – EARTH, WIND AND FIRE
30. TRAGEDY – BEE GEES
31. BLUE MORNING, BLUE DAY – FOREIGNER
32. SHINE A LITTLE LOVE – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
33. BIG SHOT – BILLY JOEL
34. WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES – DOOBIE BROTHERS
35. LADY – LITTLE RIVER BAND
36. TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME – SUPERTRAMP
37. A LITTLE MORE LOVE – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
38. HIGHWAY SONG – BLACKFOOT
39. DON’T BRING ME DOWN – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
40. (WISH I COULD FLY LIKE) SUPERMAN – KINKS
More of my favorite songs of 1979:
41. DISCO NIGHTS (ROCK FREAK) – GQ
42. ROLENE – MOON MARTIN
43. LONG LIVE ROCK – WHO
44. GET IT RIGHT THE NEXT TIME – GERRY RAFFERTY
45. GOT TO BE REAL – CHERYL LYNN
46. LIVIN’ IT UP (FRIDAY NIGHT) – BELL AND JAMES
47. DIRTY WHITE BOY – FOREIGNER
48. HOME AND DRY – GERRY RAFFERTY
49. OH WELL – ROCKETS
50. I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S RIGHT – EVELYN “CHAMPAGNE” KING
51. SHAKE YOUR BODY – JACKSONS
52. LOVE TAKES TIME – ORLEANS
53. POP MUZIC – M
54. CRUEL TO BE KIND – NICK LOWE
55. DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA – CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
56. GOOD GIRLS DON’T – KNACK
57. HEART OF THE NIGHT – POCO
58. I WANT YOU TO WANT ME – CHEAP TRICK
59. MY SHARONA – KNACK
60. GOLD – JOHN STEWART
61. TRAIN, TRAIN – BLACKFOOT
62. BORN TO BE ALIVE – PATRICK HERNANDEZ
63. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THAT – RAYDIO
64. ONE LAST KISS – J. GEILS BAND
65. GOODNIGHT TONIGHT – PAUL McCARTNEY AND WINGS
66. HE’S THE GREATEST DANCER – SISTER SLEDGE
67. WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE – BOBBY CALDWELL
68. DO YA THINK I’M SEXY? – ROD STEWART
69. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER – BLONDIE
70. SATURDAYNIGHT – HERMAN BROOD & HIS WILD ROMANCE
71. I GOT MY MIND MADE UP – INSTANT FUNK
72. KNOCK ON WOOD – AMII STEWART
73. HAPPINESS – POINTER SISTERS
74. LIFE DURING WARTIME – TALKING HEADS
75. LAY IT ON THE LINE – TRIUMPH
76. PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH WIND – KANSAS
77. BREAKFAST IN AMERICA – SUPERTRAMP
78. AIN’T NO STOPPIN’ US NOW – MCFADDEN & WHITEHEAD
79. BLOW AWAY – GEORGE HARRISON
80. CRAZY LOVE – ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
81. CHASE (THEME FROM “MIDNIGHT EXPRESS”) – GIORGIO MORODER
82. LOVE IS THE ANSWER – ENGLAND DAN & JOHN FORD COLEY
83. SHAKEDOWN CRUISE – JAY FERGUSON
84. NEW YORK GROOVE – ACE FREHLEY
85. EVERY TIME I THINK OF YOU – BABYS
86. LOTTA LOVE – NICOLETTE LARSON
87. YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH – MEAT LOAF
88. DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH – MICHAEL JACKSON
89. HOT STUFF – DONNA SUMMER
90. ROXANNE – POLICE
91. HEARTACHE TONIGHT – EAGLES
92. BEAUTIFUL GIRLS – VAN HALEN
93. SONG ON THE RADIO – AL STEWART
94. DAYS GONE DOWN (STILL GOT THAT LIGHT IN YOUR EYES) – GERRY RAFFERTY
95. ESCAPE (THE PINA COLLADA SONG) – RUPERT HOLMES
96. VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR – BUGGLES
97. HOT SUMMER NIGHTS – NIGHT
98. IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM – JOE JACKSON
99. HONESTY – BILLY JOEL
100. DON’T EVER WANNA LOSE YA – NEW ENGLAND
More of my favorite songs of 1979:
Rank-Title-Artist
101. ALL MY LOVE – LED ZEPPELIN
102. SHATTERED – ROLLING STONES
103. HOT NUMBER – FOXY
104. LOVIN’, TOUCHIN’, SQUEEZIN’ – JOURNEY
105. MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE – POLICE
106. DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW – ABBA
107. RISE – HERB ALPERT
108. IT’S ALL I CAN DO – CARS
109. HEAD GAMES – FOREIGNER
110. WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN – DR. HOOK
111. BUSTIN’ LOOSE – CHUCK BROWN AND THE SOUL SEARCHERS
112. MIDNIGHT WIND – JOHN STEWART
113. 5:15 – WHO
114. MORNING DANCE – SPYRO GYRA
115. MINUTE BY MINUTE – DOOBIE BROTHERS
116. EVERYONE’S A WINNER – HOT CHOCOLATE
117. MAYBE I’M A FOOL – EDDIE MONEY
118. I KNOW A HEARTACHE – JENNIFER WARNES
119. WATCH OUT FOR LUCY – ERIC CLAPTON
120. DON’T HOLD BACK – CHANSON
121. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS FALLING IN LOVE – LOBO
122. GOOD TIMES ROLL – CARS
123. WE’VE GOT TONIGHT – BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND
124. JUST ONE LOOK – LINDA RONSTADT
125. I’LL SUPPLY THE LOVE – TOTO
126. WHO DO YOU LOVE – GEORGE THOROGOOD & DELAWARE DESTROYERS
127. TUSK – FLEETWOOD MAC
128. DON’T YOU WRITE HER OFF – McGUINN, CLARK AND HILLMAN
129. YOU CAN DO IT – DOBIE GRAY
130. DON’T STOP ME NOW – QUEEN
131. OLD TIME ROCK & ROLL – BOB SEGER & THE SILVER BULLET BAND
132. DAMNED IF I DO – ALAN PARSONS PROJECT
133. STORMY – SANTANA
134. DREAMING – BLONDIE
135. SUSPICIONS – EDDIE RABBITT
136. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE – EARTH, WIND & FIRE
137. HALF THE WAY – CRYSTAL GAYLE
138. DO IT OR DIE – ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION
139. NO TELL LOVER – CHICAGO
140. LOVE YOU INSIDE OUT – BEE GEES
141. SAIL ON – COMMODORES
142. GIRLS TALK – DAVE EDMUNDS
143. AIN’T LOVE A BITCH – ROD STEWART
144. EASY DRIVER – KENNY LOGGINS
145. ARROW THROUGH ME – PAUL McCARTNEY AND WINGS
146. SHAKE IT – IAN MATTHEWS
147. SLIP AWAY – IAN LLOYD
148. SING FOR THE DAY – STYX
149. I CAN’T STAND IT NO MORE – PETER FRAMPTON
150. A MAN I’LL NEVER BE – BOSTON
151. IN THE EVENING – LED ZEPPELIN
152. THOSE SHOES – EAGLES
153. FAT BOTTOMED GIRLS – QUEEN
154. PROMISES – ERIC CLAPTON
155. CHUCK E.’S IN LOVE – RICKIE LEE JONES
156. GIRL OF MY DREAMS – BRAM TCHAIKOVSKY
157. BAD GIRLS – DONNA SUMMER
158. DON’T KILL THE WHALE – YES
159. GOOD TIMIN’ – BEACH BOYS
160. LADY WRITER – DIRE STRAITS
161. AIN’T THAT A SHAME – CHEAP TRICK
162. MAMA CAN’T BUY YOU LOVE – ELTON JOHN
163. GETTING CLOSER – PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS
164. SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING – PEACHES AND HERB
165. SINCE YOU BEEN GONE – RAINBOW
166. I’LL NEVER LOVE THIS WAY AGAIN – DIONNE WARWICK
167. LOVE BALLAD – GEORGE BENSON
168. PRETTY GIRLS – MELISSA MANCHESTER
169. BABE – STYX
170. LOVE PAINS – YVONNE ELLIMAN
171. CRAZY LOVE – POCO
172. IN THE NAVY – VILLAGE PEOPLE
173. UP ON THE ROOF – JAMES TAYLOR
174. I’VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE – SUZI QUATRO
175. DEEPER THAN THE NIGHT – OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
176. I WILL SURVIVE – GLORIA GAYNOR
177. HEAVEN KNOWS – DONNA SUMMER WITH BROOKLYN DREAMS
178. BABY I’M BURNIN’ – DOLLY PARTON
179. FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS – NEIL DIAMOND
180. STREET LIFE – CRUSADERS
181. CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN – EDDIE MONEY
182. HEAVEN MUST HAVE SENT YOU – BONNIE POINTER
183. HOLD ON – TRIUMPH
184. JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU MOST – RANDY VANWARMER
185. BOOGIE WONDERLAND – EARTH, WIND & FIRE WITH EMOTIONS
186. LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE – ROSE ROYCE
187. SEND ONE YOUR LOVE – STEVIE WONDER
188. Y.M.C.A. – VILLAGE PEOPLE
189. FIRE – POINTER SISTERS
190. BICYCLE RACE – QUEEN
191. WE ARE FAMILY – SISTER SLEDGE
192. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY – TOURISTS
193. I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN’ YOU – KISS
194. I WANT YOUR LOVE – CHIC
195. CALL OUT MY NAME – ZWOL
196. SILVER LINING – PLAYER
197. STUMBLIN’ IN – SUZI QUATRO & CHRIS NORMAN
198. RADIOACTIVE – GENE SIMMONS
199. YOU’RE ONLY LONELY – J.D. SOUTHER
200. CONFUSION – ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA