I never considered Foghat a one hit wonder. They had several other hits I can recall: Fool for the City, Stone Blue, Third Time Lucky and I Just Want To Make Love To You.
Are you sure all these songs were hits? 75% of your list I heard the first time when I watched this video especially those you introduced with „you definitely know this“ 😂. And Manfred Mann‘s Earth Band is definitely no one hit wonder. Ever heard of „Davy‘s on the road again“?
I didn't see anyone mention Blues Image and "Ride Captain, Ride." I always thought the vocals, instrumentation and production values on that record captured the 70's so well. I would classify them more of a one-hit wonder than Foghat.
IIRC K-Tel compilations were all shortened edits of songs and the vinyl pressings were really poor quality. But yeah, those commercials are like vaporwave nostalgia.
Great list! Loved most of the songs on it. Just a few of my favorites not on the list - "Baby Come Back" by Player, "Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder, "Still the One" by Orleans, "Beach Baby" by First Class, "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray, "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band, "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, "O-o-h Child" by Five Stairsteps, "Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corporation, "My Maria" by B.W. Stevenson, "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, "Let Your Love Flow" by the Bellamy Brothers
Nazareth had other hits, just not in the top ten. "Hair of the Dog" didn't chart because of the "profanity" in the lyrics in the chorus but it was still played a lot and is all over classic rock radio today.
There's a song that surely belongs on that list. It got to Billboard #1 spot in the US and #1 spot also in Canada. 1977 - Player - "Baby Come Back". Never heard of that band before or after that one single hit. Plus, it's the song that made a special woman fall in my arms. Married for 42 years, now.
"Baby Come Back" also had a resurgence in the 90s in a Simpsons episode when the baby Maggie crawled away from home. Homer had to go out and find her and while he was looking for her they played this song.
Totally agree. I kept expecting it to be in the top 5 . I remember how happy I would be when I heard it start to play on the radio - it opened with the sustained high note on the sax. I was about 12.
When I think of one hit wonders, ‘Smoke From a Distant Fire’ by STB immediately comes to mind. I also thought it would be there in the Top 5. John Townsend - what a voice! Right up there with Steve Walsh of Kansas.
Having spent my teen years in the seventies, this list brings back alot of bittersweet memories. Not just one hit wonders, but some of the best music ever recorded.
Great list! I have a few honorable mentions: - Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John - Chuck E's in Love - Ricki Lee Jones - Smoke From a Distant Fire - Sanford Townsend Band - Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
So many other great 70s one-hit wonders with no mention, like "Undercover Angel" by Alan O'Day, "Magic" by Pilot, "Sky High" by Jigsaw, "Billy Don't Be A Hero" by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, "The Night Chicago Died" by Paperlace, "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion, "Do You Know What I Mean" by Lee Michaels, "Hitchin' A Ride" by Vanity Fair, "More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase, "Brother Louie" by The Stories, and "Jackie Blue" by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.... Just to name a few. I think your list, of course, is very subjective, but you could easily do the top 50, or more, one hit wonders of the 70s.
I love when Rick hears a riff he likes and he looks around in amazement like he's just discovered something new and amazing.....instead of a riff he's heard a million times and just loves. :D
And the air guitar, drums, keyboard is funny because his air guitar doesn't reflect his abilities...he looks like a non guitarist not a master. Also "Woo Hoo" ! At least one Woo Hoo or it wouldn't be a proper Rick list huh man ✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
Oh yeah. Still can you imagine being a teenager during the first years of the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, CCR, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and others...? Being a teenager in the 60s would have been perfection.
Summer of 1974, 11 years old, sitting (unseatbelted) in the middle of the front (bench) seat of our Chevy Impala, driving from our home in suburban Chicago to Orlando. Going through the Smokies in the early morning, the AM radio played Seasons in the Sun, Rock the Boat and Please Come to Boston. Such a wonderful time to be young and discovering music.
My brothers and I, through upstate New York, unbelted in the back of the family station wagon, while Dad drove and Mom smoked in the front seat, same 70s soundtrack...😊
I was nine in 1974 and I remember sitting in the back seat listening to these songs on the radio (with no seat belts!). Music from the 70s are still my favorites to this day.
It's an excellent list, Rick! Here are others that come to mind (in no particular order): Ace - "How Long" The Ides of March - "Vehicle" Uriah Heep - "Easy Livin" Les Dudek - "Old Judge Jones" Dr. John - "Right Place Wrong Time" Sniff 'n' the Tears - "Driver's Seat" Ace Frehley - "New York Groove" John Stewart - "Gold" Nicolette Larson - "Lotta Love" Don McLean - "American Pie" Golden Earring - "Radar Love" The Blues Image - "Ride Captain Ride" Warren Zevon - "Werewolves of London" Blue Swede - "Hooked On a Feeling" Nick Gilder - "Hot Child In The City" David Essex - "Rock On" Elvin Bishop - "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" Sanford Townsend Band - "Smoke From a Distant Fire"
Great list! Here are a few more: “Keep on Smiling,” Wet Willie, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul, “Aimee,” Pure Prairie League, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” Elvin Bishop, “Jackie Blue,” Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “How Long” Ace, “Midnight at the Oasis” Maria Muldar, “Drift Away” Dobie Gray, “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” Danny O’Keefe, “Sweet City Woman” The Stampeders, “Green Eyed Lady” Sugarloaf.
Every time I am listening to "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" I can almost visualise the port, the ships, the pub etc...like momentarily stepping into the song. 😁
@@digidave3456 speaking of story telling singers my mind instantly thought of Jim Croce. But looking glass definitely makes my top ten one hit wonders and Terry Jacks seasons in the sun. But they are all great. One hit wonders or not.
Absolutely agree! You actually had to be able to write music to be successful in the 70’s. Unlike today when it’s all about singing (with auto tune) over the top of a computer generated track with no actual hint of musical instruments being played.
Yeah, and it really isn't close. I would be skeptical that the best songwriter under the age of 50 today could make a top 50 list of the best songwriters of the 70s.
I'm unsure if it was big in America but one of the defining one hit wonder songs of the 70s in the UK was Radar love by Golden earring. Just an absolute driving classic and a rock staple that everyone should listen to at least once.
They also had a hit with "Twilight Zone" , from Cut, in 82. Granted, I don't think that song or the album it's from is anywhere near as good as Moontan and "Radar Love", but they did get a hit from that song. An MTV video too, as I recall.
I’ve watched this video a few times and it’s a gloriously melodic trip down memory lane. Isn’t it amazing how a song can transport you to another place and time?
Not gonna argue about whether or not any of these artists were one hit wonders. Just want to thank you for compiling this list. Brings back so many great memories when I was a teenager.💖
I’m a 90s kid and always thought the 80s were my favorite era of music, but I knew every single song on this list. The musicality, diversity, and production of these songs and their 70s counterparts has me changing my mind about my favorite era of music… thank you Rick for another great lesson!
Yep, back in those days "pop music" wasn't a cuss word. You could listen to one AM station all day long and hear so many different styles and flavors, such great diversity. It was truly a renaissance period of mainstream music, and the underground stuff and regional stuff that wasn't heard all over was insanely badass, too.
@@jimmbrooks The 90s were a resurgence of rock, in particular, until the corporate world pushed the grunge thing so much that it buried a lot of great acts that were emerging, only to be dropped from their labels in their prime. But it was a really good decade for music overall, next to the 60s and 70s. The 80s were more on the suck side, with a few highlights.
So many just freaking great songs on this list. Had a lot of these songs on 8-track and listened to them endlessly as I drove my car cross America twice while in the Navy in the 70s. Thanks for the awesome memories.
I'm a 75'er as well, Beverly. I wish I could understand just how one day, someone pulled the plug on music and just like that, all that's left is Rap and Country. It was said that Music soothes the savage beast. Look at the current state of society, in the absence of music❓
@@theanomalous1401I have to tell you I understand what you were saying. I graduated in 1978 myself. But there is so much good music out there but it is not on the radio. The powers that be don't spread the best music. Continue with TH-cam and any other streaming service that will give you the best of what's out there. You will be surprised at how many young people are replicating the music that we loved
I’m 68, hearing the first three to five notes, I can tell you where I was and who I was with! So many memories etched in our minds. Would we remember them as well without the music?
Every time I hear that infectious rhythymic opening to "Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck and I hear Bruce do that wicked snickering to kick into the chorus, and I hear Bo play the greatest rock marimba solo ever, I can't help but smile from ear to ear. The catchiest tune of the 1970s.
I used to see and talk to guitarist Tommy Strain from Starbuck about once a week around ATL. Although we talked more about life and his other projects, when he covers this song I am not sure he is all fuzzy inside. I had heard some good stories and some interesting ones as well. Great memories from the song as well.
I’m offering this addition for one reason in particular, I saw this band live when the song was a hit, in 1973. Unbelievably, they OPENED with it! Radar Love, Golden Earring.
Black Betty was one of my wife's favorite songs. It would come on the radio while we were driving and she would dance in her seat. That would make me smile. I played that song during her funeral because it always reminded me of her energetic spirit.
While out in the car I was playing songs by the girl groups of the early 60's, and my wife was dancing in her seat doing the dance that was popular at the time each song was a hit.
@@michaelrochester48 Lindsey produced that album and played on it also, but he wasn't a one hit wonder. He had other solo projects with hits like July, You're a Woman
0:33 Rock and Roll Hooche Koo 1:12 Black Betty 2:06 Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl 2:29 Dancing In The Moonlight 2:59 Slow Ride 3:20 Never Been Any Reason 4:07 Stuck in the Middle With You 4:33 Afternoon Delight 5:15 Seasons in the Sun 6:03 Mississippi Queen * 6:45 Hold Your Head Up 7:37 Play That Funky Music 8:50 Blinded By The Light 9:30 We Just Disagree 10:26 Please Come to Boston 11:35 My Sharona 12:05 Cars 12:56 I Can See Clearly Now 13:36 All Right Now 14:37 All The Young Dudes Comment additions: Hocus Pocus (by Focus) In The Summertime
All of my teenage years were in the 70's and I was blessed with incredible taste in music. I'm 63 now, and I truly feel fortunate for the experiences I had, seeing & growing up with great musicians. I got to see Zeppelin, Yes, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kansas, Genesis... So many, God I miss my youth.
Same here, turned 20 in 1980. Saw so many stadium rock concerts. I hated the 80s save for 38 Special, Van Halen, and some Guns N Roses etc. Even Bowie blew in the 80s after such an epic 70s output.
That Argent guitar riff and sound are a time machine. My eyes closed, and shivering, I was transported right back to the 70s. Now I want to be there again. The 70s were a music experience.
Nothing about Dave Mason's music is a one hit wonder. The man ruled the 70s for those of us that blasted his tunes on a nightly basis! He is still cranking them out and touring.
Johnny Nash's death was sadly overlooked due to Eddie Van Halen dying on the same day. "I Can See Clearly Now" is one of the most uplifting, positive songs ever written and performed. And the way each verse adds layers makes the song feel so rich and textured. It's still a great legacy to leave us with this perfect tune!
He wasn’t really a one hit wonder. He had a great song called Hold Me Tight that was at least top 20. It is a cross between Reggae and Country - just a fantastic record! He also had Yellow House that charted. I think he was more popular in the UK. Does anyone know that he sang the theme song for the Hercules cartoon series?
You nailed it! Once again, you hit them all, spot on! All great memories for this child of Rock and Roll, a child of the 70s. I love to take my son, now almost 17 years old, on journeys through the generations of Rock and Roll. He loves our music as much as we do!
That opening solo on "Mississippi Queen" is perfection. Not just the tone-the inflection, the phrasing, everything. It has the absolutely assured confidence of a B.B. King solo. You could teach a master class using this solo on how to turn notes into something that absolutely sings.
My buddy worked in a record store. He bought this album when it first came out. Unfortunately, the pressing was flawed and there was an annoying skip in this song. He returned it and brought home another. Same skip in the exact same place. I don't know how many times he tried to replace it with a copy that didn't skip but eventually he gave up. Over time we just got used to hearing it with the skip so when I finally bought the CD of this album the song Mississippi Queen just sounded funny without the skip....lol
I've been waiting for this list Rick, it's a great one! Here are a few more I'd consider. Sniff and the Tears - Drivers Seat Sanford Townsend Band - Smoke from a distant fire Brownsville station - Smokin in the boys room. Player - Baby come back Gary Wright - Dream Weaver. Walter Egan - Magnet and steel. Sugarloaf - green eyed lady Heatwave - Groove line Firefall - you are the woman Orleans - Still the one. Ace - How long
Great list, but I can't believe that "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum was not on it. It has perhaps the greatest guitar intro of any rock song ever recorded.
It musta been a BLAST being a teen in the 70’s!! With all the amazing muck music and bands comin out in the 70’s!!😊 I was a teen in the mid 90’s and I loved it but being a teen in the 70’s musta been a whole other level of awesome! 😀
@@2king2dingeling think this is restricted to the US, Ram Jam also had another hit with "Keep your hands on the wheel"and then other bands in this clip never had a hit in Europe
"Carolina In The Pines" and his earlier full-album collaboration with the Fifth Edition - Calico (check OUT "Write Me Down") are MASTERPIECES themselves; latter is still NOT digitized (which is just RIDICULOUS.....)
One thing that comes to mind to me from the 70's was the commercials for K-Tel records with many of hits from that era. So long ago I still miss the 70's. And we can't forget Kasey Kasem top 40 every Sunday morning on the radio.
The 70’s had THIS BEST MUSIC EVER!!!! ✌️. Thank you for taking me back to my teenage years. I loved all of these songs and they all bring back some amazing memories.🤘🏼✌️
Mike Summerville is credited as a writer on the Head East classic "Never Been Any Reason". He taught guitar in St. Charles, Missouri at a guitar store called Guitar Exchange (About 1980 to 1984). He taught me how to play guitar. He was an amazing teacher and had such great patience for kids wanting to be rock stars. He passed last year. Hell of a guy.
Sorry to hear of his passing. I've shared that song with hundreds of people as a part of various set break mixes. Often people have said "it's been years since I heard that song" to me. I'm at Mannfred Mann atm, and I've enjoyed every bit of this so far
All of these songs are near and dear to my heart. I was born in '63 so I was of the generation when this music was always on the radio. Good times, great memories.
A one hit wonder I am surprised is not on here is Come and Get Your Love by Redbone released in 1973. I used to love that song when I was a kid and it came out.
Rick!! I just stumbled upon you and IMMEDIATELY Subscribed…. I listened to all these songs and the flood of my middle school/high school years began to flow..I knew every one of these songs and your post brought back fun memories … More 70’s please !!
Notice the range of styles, instrumentation, harmonies, and lyrical content. No digital quantitation, no ProTools, no pitch correction or autotune. All analog. All real writers and real musicians with real talent playing real instrument. The '70s were awesome.
I lived through the 70s. There was a lot of lousy music, and a lot of good music, as there always is. Today's writers and musicians are all real, with real talent. I love hearing new stuff. There's a lot of awesome musicians making great new music. I suggest trying some. Nostalgia isn't my drug of choice. I prefer music.
@@qqw743 I agree, but today it's certainly derivative much more than the 70's where there was more experimentation and so many new styles were being explored. I don't mean that as a knock on the artists just that so many were going in so many directions that it's much harder to find a new direction today and it makes it an even bigger feat when someone does. Way too many folks that just refuse to even listen to anything after 1985 and I was guilty as well as I hated most of the 80's output, but real rock came back in the 90's and we've had so much amazing music since.
I am surprised not to see Ace, How Long. The opening riff is incredible and the guitar solo epic. Even Clapton included the song on his more recent live tours with Paul Carrick.
Graduated high school in 87 so obviously 80’s is my decade. Can’t deny 70s music was so great. Every song on this list will make my Spotify list, if not there already.
Agree with Kiss You All Over !! It plays on the sound track of my life !! Great list you made !! Enjoyed it very much ! A few really took me back on a magic carpet ride to a more carefree simpler time of twisting one up and passing it around !! ✌🏼
"I'd really love to see you tonight" "Dance with Me" "Steal Away" "Ariel" "Come and Get Your Love" "Eres Tu" "Sentimental Lady" *titles taken from my own song collection. 🙂
@@leroysiedenburg2139 They failed to repeat any sizeable hit on pop radio, so decided to move to a simpler audience and made a bit of a career in country music.
'All The Young Dudes' was played at a memorial service for a good friend of mine in high school. He ate a couple of quaaludes and wrapped his car around a telephone pole. I still have trouble holding back the tears when I hear it. R.I.P. Bobby.
@@gerryvandepol7630 Mickey Thomas was the lead singer, it wasn't "ripped" unless I'm misunderstanding. It was the case of the guitar player being the name
I will be 65 soon so our kids are around your age. When people ask me what bands I like from that era, I tell them that 90s music to me was mostly Barney CDs and Radio Disney in the minivan. I loved your comment as likewise, for at least one of our kids, her playlists are heavily the same classic rock that I love. That being said, Gin Blossoms are one of my all-time favorite guitar bands.
The song" Dancing in The Moonlight" was written by keyboard player/songwriter Sherman Kelly in 1969 after a trip to St. Croix where he was attacked and left for dead. While Sherman was recovering from his injuries he wrote this song where he "envisioned an alternative reality."
My favorite episode of "Xena: Warrior Princess" was where all the characters were enchanted and compelled to sing. The show stopper was Joxer performing and dancing to 'Dancing In the Moonlight.'
"Venus" Shocking Blue, "Ride Captain Ride" Blues Image, "Green Eyed Lady" Sugarloaf, "Lonely Girl" Eddie Holman, "Fooled Around and Fell In Love" Elvin Bishop, Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) Melanie (I know she had other hits, I just love this one too much!)
To be age 10 in '70 and 20 in '80 was so perfect in forming my musical tastes and feel for the rest of my life! I was obsessed with music and looking back it feels great to have experienced this music as it came out....thx Rick!
im the same 10 in 70 etc . I feel that I was born at the perfect time for having the best music growing up and yet having all the music of the 30s, 40s 50 at our fingertips as well. Long live great music
Ditto. Born in 1960. My first job after high school, Summer of '78 just before turning 18, was pressing records in So. Cal. We pressed AT40 every week, and a lot of other shows and first pressings before bands signed with large labels. I read Billboard every week. Salad days of my life. Wish they could have lasted forever.
I never considered Foghat a one hit wonder. They had several other hits I can recall: Fool for the City, Stone Blue, Third Time Lucky and I Just Want To Make Love To You.
I thought the same thing.
Me too
"Stone Blue"....Rock'nRoll did help me through....several times.
They had 5 songs reach the Billboard Top 40. Hardly one hit wonders.
That's what I was thinking when he mentioned Foghat
It's weird how you can go for years without hearing a song but it comes right back the moment you hear it.
And that you know all of ⁰ words even though it's been 5 decades.
Yes yes yes
Are you sure all these songs were hits? 75% of your list I heard the first time when I watched this video especially those you introduced with „you definitely know this“ 😂. And Manfred Mann‘s Earth Band is definitely no one hit wonder. Ever heard of „Davy‘s on the road again“?
My exact reaction.
@@mick1967 Yes, I knew every song. I was 5-15 in the 70s.
I didn't see anyone mention Blues Image and "Ride Captain, Ride." I always thought the vocals, instrumentation and production values on that record captured the 70's so well. I would classify them more of a one-hit wonder than Foghat.
Ride Capt: Good pick!
Great choice!
1st 45 I ever owned!
Good call. Great song (I would have picked that over afternoon delight).
Yes!
As a 65 year old, I’ve been smiling and reminiscing all through this video.
Thank you for this!
62 YOM here... And I shed a happy tear or two...
As a 61 year old these are still on my Playlist on Spotify, always wondered why people stop listening to music they like
65 Gang!!! (well, for another week or so anyway)
Me too as an 18 year old lol
If K-Tel still existed, I would definitely buy an album with this compilation. 👍
Damn, the mention of K-Tel takes me back even more. I forgot all about them.
I think that I had one!
Brandy was my favorite on my first K-Tel!
I think today, they call it a Playlist.
IIRC K-Tel compilations were all shortened edits of songs and the vinyl pressings were really poor quality. But yeah, those commercials are like vaporwave nostalgia.
Great list! Loved most of the songs on it. Just a few of my favorites not on the list - "Baby Come Back" by Player, "Hot Child in the City" by Nick Gilder, "Still the One" by Orleans, "Beach Baby" by First Class, "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray, "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band, "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, "O-o-h Child" by Five Stairsteps, "Rock the Boat" by The Hues Corporation, "My Maria" by B.W. Stevenson, "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, "Let Your Love Flow" by the Bellamy Brothers
Excellent additions!
Nazareth had other hits, just not in the top ten. "Hair of the Dog" didn't chart because of the "profanity" in the lyrics in the chorus but it was still played a lot and is all over classic rock radio today.
Great songs indeed. Some aren't one hit wonders though
Great choices
Those are all great songs, so you've got great taste!
There's a song that surely belongs on that list. It got to Billboard #1 spot in the US and #1 spot also in Canada. 1977 - Player - "Baby Come Back". Never heard of that band before or after that one single hit. Plus, it's the song that made a special woman fall in my arms. Married for 42 years, now.
"Baby Come Back" also had a resurgence in the 90s in a Simpsons episode when the baby Maggie crawled away from home. Homer had to go out and find her and while he was looking for her they played this song.
Yes 100%..personally it would be #1 on this list of it were up to me..absolute banger that track...
Not a one hit wonder though. ...This Time Im In It For Love was top 10 song
@@KarlRKaiser This time I'm in it for love the sequel to Baby come back was a top 10 hit.
This Time I'm In It For Love was a high charting follow up for Player, climbing to #10 in 1978
I drove a 18 wheeler for 10 years and Rader Love is the perfect truckers song. I drove before GPS and cell phones so it made a lot of since to me!!
That one is a banger, for sure!
Radar Love was still a banger in 2000s for me, especially on a driving mission (usually gals, but still hauling a load).
I agree100%, if you like Radar Love, then give the whole 'Moontan' album a chance. Especially 'Are you receiving me? ' and 'Vanilla Queen'
Phenomenal song, but they had a top 10 hit with Twilight Zone, so they can't be categorized as a one-hit wonder.
you nailed that my friend, I've been on those runs too.
Smoke from a distant fire, still holds up today. Killer song!!! Sandford Townsend Band.
Come on Rick!! Massive oversight imho
Totally agree. I kept expecting it to be in the top 5 . I remember how happy I would be when I heard it start to play on the radio - it opened with the sustained high note on the sax. I was about 12.
When I think of one hit wonders, ‘Smoke From a Distant Fire’ by STB immediately comes to mind. I also thought it would be there in the Top 5. John Townsend - what a voice! Right up there with Steve Walsh of Kansas.
Smoke from a distant fire, One of the songs of the '70s.
Such an awesome song - first year of grad school in Tx and so many memories.
Having spent my teen years in the seventies, this list brings back alot of bittersweet memories. Not just one hit wonders, but some of the best music ever recorded.
Great list! I have a few honorable mentions:
- Right Place Wrong Time - Dr. John
- Chuck E's in Love - Ricki Lee Jones
- Smoke From a Distant Fire - Sanford Townsend Band
- Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
Yes, I'd vote for all four.
Smoke From a Distant Fire is a great song -- good call.
Ricki Lee was huge! Dr. John has an incredible catalog in addition to that one big hit.
Patti Labelle went onward and upward with her music. "Lady Marmalade" was just a preview of her future.
Mongo Jerry IN the summer time 1970 WAS A HUGE GIE LOL
So many other great 70s one-hit wonders with no mention, like "Undercover Angel" by Alan O'Day, "Magic" by Pilot, "Sky High" by Jigsaw, "Billy Don't Be A Hero" by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods, "The Night Chicago Died" by Paperlace, "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion, "Do You Know What I Mean" by Lee Michaels, "Hitchin' A Ride" by Vanity Fair, "More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase, "Brother Louie" by The Stories, and "Jackie Blue" by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.... Just to name a few. I think your list, of course, is very subjective, but you could easily do the top 50, or more, one hit wonders of the 70s.
Omg! Billy don’t be a hero. 😢😢😢😢😢
Ozark Mountain Daredevils also did "If You Want To Get To Heaven You Got To Raise A Little Hell". Not a one hit wonder band.
@@comicsgod53 The song unfortunately only made it to # 25. So yeah, one hit wonder. Underrated band that deserved better.
Agree 100% All great songs
Pilot not one hut wonders.
I love when Rick hears a riff he likes and he looks around in amazement like he's just discovered something new and amazing.....instead of a riff he's heard a million times and just loves. :D
Ha ha... True True.
It's one of the reasons we love Rick ,when he does that - pure joy in hearing the music
He does that during korns freak on a leash
True🙂
And the air guitar, drums, keyboard is funny because his air guitar doesn't reflect his abilities...he looks like a non guitarist not a master. Also "Woo Hoo" ! At least one Woo Hoo or it wouldn't be a proper Rick list huh man ✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
I'm glad I was a teenager in the 70's. We had the best music!
Oh yeah. Still can you imagine being a teenager during the first years of the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, CCR, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and others...? Being a teenager in the 60s would have been perfection.
New Orleans Ladies by Leroux
@@silviac221 Indeed, it was.
Yep! Lucky us 🇺🇸
I was a pre-teen, but, yeah, it influenced me so much.
Summer of 1974, 11 years old, sitting (unseatbelted) in the middle of the front (bench) seat of our Chevy Impala, driving from our home in suburban Chicago to Orlando. Going through the Smokies in the early morning, the AM radio played Seasons in the Sun, Rock the Boat and Please Come to Boston. Such a wonderful time to be young and discovering music.
Same experience! Heading out from the northwest suburbs down to Florida. Philadelphia Freedom always brings me back.
My brothers and I, through upstate New York, unbelted in the back of the family station wagon, while Dad drove and Mom smoked in the front seat, same 70s soundtrack...😊
I was nine in 1974 and I remember sitting in the back seat listening to these songs on the radio (with no seat belts!). Music from the 70s are still my favorites to this day.
In 1974 I was 15 gonna start sophomore year of high school!!
As a member of a Nashville rock band, I can say that the Head East tune was always loved by the crowd. Super fun to play too. Great top 20!
Living in the 70’s was a gift from heaven for some of us
Yes! Magical time to grow up!
It’s a curse for those of us that didn’t get to!
The best times of my life
Rod Argent had a few hits with the Zombies in the 1960s.
Life itself is a gift from Heaven, and God provided the soundtrack of our youth 🙏🏼💗😄
It's an excellent list, Rick! Here are others that come to mind (in no particular order):
Ace - "How Long"
The Ides of March - "Vehicle"
Uriah Heep - "Easy Livin"
Les Dudek - "Old Judge Jones"
Dr. John - "Right Place Wrong Time"
Sniff 'n' the Tears - "Driver's Seat"
Ace Frehley - "New York Groove"
John Stewart - "Gold"
Nicolette Larson - "Lotta Love"
Don McLean - "American Pie"
Golden Earring - "Radar Love"
The Blues Image - "Ride Captain Ride"
Warren Zevon - "Werewolves of London"
Blue Swede - "Hooked On a Feeling"
Nick Gilder - "Hot Child In The City"
David Essex - "Rock On"
Elvin Bishop - "Fooled Around And Fell In Love"
Sanford Townsend Band - "Smoke From a Distant Fire"
Don McLean wasn't a one hit wonder; "Vincent".
Also, although Golden Earring only had one hit in the 70s, "Twilight Zone" was a hit in the 80s.
Redbone - Come and Get Your Love probably should be in there as well
@@debbieomi Also "Dreidel" by Don McLean.
@@deaconblue949Witch Queen of New Orleans was another hit for Redbone😎👍
Great list! Here are a few more: “Keep on Smiling,” Wet Willie, “Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul, “Aimee,” Pure Prairie League, “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” Elvin Bishop, “Jackie Blue,” Ozark Mountain Daredevils, “How Long” Ace, “Midnight at the Oasis” Maria Muldar, “Drift Away” Dobie Gray, “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” Danny O’Keefe, “Sweet City Woman” The Stampeders, “Green Eyed Lady” Sugarloaf.
Sugar loaf also had a song. Don't call us. we'll call you.
@@boltonsullivan9683Actually they had the classic Green Eyed Lady which went to #3 in 1970.
@@boltonsullivan9683Not to make an excuse, but I have an eye infection and I failed to read the post you replied to. My humble apologies.
We need a Top 30 at the least
Great list.
The 70’s were filled with ONE HIT WONDERS!
You barely scratched the surface! I mean barely!
That’s what he said in the beginning.
Great memories! These songs take me back in time! I'm 68 years old, and I remember when these songs were hits! Awesome collection, Rick! Great job!
Every time I am listening to "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" I can almost visualise the port, the ships, the pub etc...like momentarily stepping into the song. 😁
Yah, like in Guardians of The Galaxy when Kurt Russell started quoting the lyrics, I think he did as well.
The term 70s story tellers comes to mind to many 70s songs. Gordon Lightfoot for example as well
Same. It's a real story teller's triumph.
@@digidave3456 speaking of story telling singers my mind instantly thought of Jim Croce. But looking glass definitely makes my top ten one hit wonders and Terry Jacks seasons in the sun. But they are all great. One hit wonders or not.
I think of Bill Murray’s lounge singer on SNL
Sniff-n-Tears “Drivers seat”. Definitely needs to be on that list. Was nice to see Head East make the list.
Bang on the money fella, Driver's seat is a classic for sure
One of my favorites of the decade, I think that was was more AOR than Top 40 though. It did go top 15 though, so maybe.
@@craighendrickson7938 Rainbow copied one of their songs because Ritchie Blackmore liked them.
@@stevechristy3244 I think you are referring to "Since You've Been Gone".
I agree with you. Head East is a great band.
I grew up in the 80s and that’s dominated my playlist but I have come around and now believe the 70s has the best music.
This is what makes music so special. As soon as we hear the song, it takes us back to that special time of our lives, and we feel young again.
70's was by far the best decade for song writing in all of musical history in my opinion. Glad I got to experience it. Will never be another like it.
Amen!
Yup - and film
100%
Absolutely agree! You actually had to be able to write music to be successful in the 70’s. Unlike today when it’s all about singing (with auto tune) over the top of a computer generated track with no actual hint of musical instruments being played.
Yeah, and it really isn't close. I would be skeptical that the best songwriter under the age of 50 today could make a top 50 list of the best songwriters of the 70s.
I'm unsure if it was big in America but one of the defining one hit wonder songs of the 70s in the UK was Radar love by Golden earring. Just an absolute driving classic and a rock staple that everyone should listen to at least once.
They also had a hit with "Twilight Zone" , from Cut, in 82. Granted, I don't think that song or the album it's from is anywhere near as good as Moontan and "Radar Love", but they did get a hit from that song. An MTV video too, as I recall.
They had many hits
US fan of Radar Love here. That's on my road trip play list. Hit the Interstate, turn up the music, and set the Cruise Control. 😄👍❤️
Oh, it was big.
It was pretty big in the US as well. At least by my recollection
Rock On (Jimmy Dean) by David Essex deserves a spot on this list! One of the all-time great one hit wonders!
It is a great track and I loved it from first hearing but David Essex had many chart hits so not eligible for this lidt!
I completely agree, to me it is timeless and unique.
I’ve watched this video a few times and it’s a gloriously melodic trip down memory lane. Isn’t it amazing how a song can transport you to another place and time?
Makes me want to listen to the whole song of every one (almost every song).
It's a trip that has mixed feelings. It definitely causes a melancholy sense of being.
Same here, every single one of these brings me back to my more carefree days...@@shancan6328
My dad used to say, “That one sends me.” 😉
Thats for sure !!!!
Green Eyed Lady by Sugar Loaf. One of the best one hit wonders.
Not a one-hitter. "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You"
#3 in 1970! Good choice! One of my favorites.
But Sugarloaf also had "Don't call us..we'll call you"...featuring Wolfman Jack
I am a green eyed lady and I crank that one up
Fave of mine
Wow, surprised to not see Jackie Blue by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils on here! That song was so unique and interesting for the 70's.
They're kind of a one-and-a-half hit wonder; their song "If you want to get to heaven" (you got to raise a little hell) hit 25 on the hot 100.
They also had "If You Want to Get to Heaven"
They had another with a killer harmonica " If you want to get to heaven !
Thank Gawd it wasn't here! 🤮
I agree. Very overplayed
I love how much you love listening to these!
Not gonna argue about whether or not any of these artists were one hit wonders. Just want to thank you for compiling this list. Brings back so many great memories when I was a teenager.💖
I’m a 90s kid and always thought the 80s were my favorite era of music, but I knew every single song on this list. The musicality, diversity, and production of these songs and their 70s counterparts has me changing my mind about my favorite era of music… thank you Rick for another great lesson!
Yep, back in those days "pop music" wasn't a cuss word. You could listen to one AM station all day long and hear so many different styles and flavors, such great diversity. It was truly a renaissance period of mainstream music, and the underground stuff and regional stuff that wasn't heard all over was insanely badass, too.
Good for you! You were surrounded by good people, and an open environment to have been exposed to such a diversity of music.
Shame you don't think 90s were best... in my mind 80s music doesn't exist... for me it goes
90s
70s
60s
50s
00s
10s
80s
@@jimmbrooks The 90s were a resurgence of rock, in particular, until the corporate world pushed the grunge thing so much that it buried a lot of great acts that were emerging, only to be dropped from their labels in their prime. But it was a really good decade for music overall, next to the 60s and 70s. The 80s were more on the suck side, with a few highlights.
Same here. I'm a 90's kid, but the 80's are my favourite decade of music.
So many just freaking great songs on this list. Had a lot of these songs on 8-track and listened to them endlessly as I drove my car cross America twice while in the Navy in the 70s. Thanks for the awesome memories.
The 70's were the best! So glad I grew up in that era with the music...and...the TV shows!
Absolutely, 70s had the best music
Me too
Oh and the serial murders can’t forget them.
I agree!!!!
Absolutely
Ace's "How Long" is an all time song. Perfect vocals.
Paul Carrack singing that. He goes back a ways..
@@kkindron Paul is great
Fantastic singer.. He and Paul Rodgers will always be underrated. They both hit the spot for me. How long is a classic 👌
And the guitar riff is quintessential
70s jam
@@stevenprice6957 underappreciated, not underrated. People always get this wrong. He is RATED very highly.
I graduated from high school in 1975. I know every song on this list. You had me singing and jamming along on every song! What memories!
I'm a 75'er as well, Beverly. I wish I could understand just how one day, someone pulled the plug on music and just like that, all that's left is Rap and Country. It was said that Music soothes the savage beast. Look at the current state of society, in the absence of music❓
@@theanomalous1401I have to tell you I understand what you were saying. I graduated in 1978 myself. But there is so much good music out there but it is not on the radio. The powers that be don't spread the best music. Continue with TH-cam and any other streaming service that will give you the best of what's out there. You will be surprised at how many young people are replicating the music that we loved
I’m 68, hearing the first three to five notes, I can tell you where I was and who I was with!
So many memories etched in our minds. Would we remember them as well without the music?
Every time I hear that infectious rhythymic opening to "Moonlight Feels Right" by Starbuck and I hear Bruce do that wicked snickering to kick into the chorus, and I hear Bo play the greatest rock marimba solo ever, I can't help but smile from ear to ear. The catchiest tune of the 1970s.
Agree. That song evokes feelings from that exact time of my life every time I hear it.
I used to see and talk to guitarist Tommy Strain from Starbuck about once a week around ATL. Although we talked more about life and his other projects, when he covers this song I am not sure he is all fuzzy inside. I had heard some good stories and some interesting ones as well. Great memories from the song as well.
Totally agree!
I’m offering this addition for one reason in particular, I saw this band live when the song was a hit, in 1973. Unbelievably, they OPENED with it! Radar Love, Golden Earring.
Not really a one-hit wonder, Ray, given the FM radio success of "Twilight Zone."
Not a one-hit wonder. Golden Earring’s single Twilight Zone is an 80s classic.
Saw them open for Rush in 1978 at Cobo Arena really good.
Yeah, that should be on the list!
Golden Earring isn't one hit. I heard 2 other of their songs constantly on the radio in the 80's
Black Betty was one of my wife's favorite songs. It would come on the radio while we were driving and she would dance in her seat. That would make me smile. I played that song during her funeral because it always reminded me of her energetic spirit.
Ram Jam was cool.Played live with major bands and was on an episode of judge judy
Sorry for your loss my man.
@@zoltanszabados8445 that was Blebu that lost his gal.
While out in the car I was playing songs by the girl groups of the early 60's, and my wife was dancing in her seat doing the dance that was popular at the time each song was a hit.
I am puzzled as to why there are two versions of Black Betty. One has a sort of red neck funk out in the middle, the other doesn't.
This just absolutely confirmed that I am a 70s geek!! Great list, Rick!
Great list. The 70;s was a pivotal era for music. So much diversity opened doors for what was to follow. What a time to be alive.
Great list if you like wrong information!!!!....not sure of his sources but a musician should know better!!!!
All the young dudes that's awesome carry it out 😅😂❤
The 70's was really a great decade for music!
The best
It was indeed. I lived through it.
65-75. After that disco & punk.
Some great stuff such as Zeppelin but also some pure shite as well... Captain & Tennille.
The 1960s are far and away the best ever, with the 1950s in second.
Walter Egan - Magnet and Steel. 22 weeks on the charts and Stevie and Lindsey sang backup vocals. True one hit wonder! One of my guilty pleasures!
Stevie Nicks also sang on several hits by the former lead singer of the Kingston Trio, notably the song gold
Boogie Nights Soundtrack! Such a killer jam!
Agree!
@@michaelrochester48 Lindsey produced that album and played on it also, but he wasn't a one hit wonder. He had other solo projects with hits like July, You're a Woman
one of my favorite 70s songs!!
The bridge and solo on My Sharona (full length version) is one of THE most underrated and rippin' ever!
I’ve been saying this for years - totally agree with you.
But would the Knack be a one hit wonder? They also had Good Girls Dont.
@@timabrams1885 Very good point. Good Girls was a minor hot, but good point.
The song that killed disco!
All these songs live rent free in my head, and I still know 90% of the lyrics to every one.
Amen, STurnrr
I'm right there with you my friend. 👍🎸🎹🎶✌️
Yup!
Same here, I'm 61 and still rocking out knowing every single word. I ❤ memory lane.
Just music memory is a must!!
0:33 Rock and Roll Hooche Koo
1:12 Black Betty
2:06 Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl
2:29 Dancing In The Moonlight
2:59 Slow Ride
3:20 Never Been Any Reason
4:07 Stuck in the Middle With You
4:33 Afternoon Delight
5:15 Seasons in the Sun
6:03 Mississippi Queen *
6:45 Hold Your Head Up
7:37 Play That Funky Music
8:50 Blinded By The Light
9:30 We Just Disagree
10:26 Please Come to Boston
11:35 My Sharona
12:05 Cars
12:56 I Can See Clearly Now
13:36 All Right Now
14:37 All The Young Dudes
Comment additions:
Hocus Pocus (by Focus)
In The Summertime
Thank you.
Great suggestion!!
Driver's Seat--Sniff 'n' the Tears
I remember them all and like them all.
You are right, Hocus Pocus by Focus was great; Sylvia was another good one from them 👍 the good ole days😊☮️
All of my teenage years were in the 70's and I was blessed with incredible taste in music.
I'm 63 now, and I truly feel fortunate for the experiences I had, seeing & growing up with great musicians. I got to see Zeppelin, Yes, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kansas, Genesis... So many, God I miss my youth.
I am also 63 and all of these songs take me right back to my teens.
Same here, turned 20 in 1980. Saw so many stadium rock concerts. I hated the 80s save for 38 Special, Van Halen, and some Guns N Roses etc. Even Bowie blew in the 80s after such an epic 70s output.
Kansas!
Did you get to see Genesis when Peter was the singer? No shade on Phil's incarnation, but Gabriel's Genesis was endlessly intriguing
I once arrived in a Rush to a Kiss concert muttering Judas Priest I forgot to turn off the AC
Thank you for sharing these. Brings back incredible memories.
That Argent guitar riff and sound are a time machine. My eyes closed, and shivering, I was transported right back to the 70s. Now I want to be there again. The 70s were a music experience.
Dave Mason's "We Just Disagree" is just a classic. The harmonies..... crazy good.
That was my favorite out of the list.
Nothing about Dave Mason's music is a one hit wonder. The man ruled the 70s for those of us that blasted his tunes on a nightly basis! He is still cranking them out and touring.
Dave Mason was legendary. Hardly in the OHW category!
It is !
Anything that Mason puts his name on eventually lands in my record collection.
Johnny Nash's death was sadly overlooked due to Eddie Van Halen dying on the same day. "I Can See Clearly Now" is one of the most uplifting, positive songs ever written and performed. And the way each verse adds layers makes the song feel so rich and textured. It's still a great legacy to leave us with this perfect tune!
Yeah, they sadly died on the same day.
One of my favorite songs of all time.
truth! And without Johnny.. we might not have Bob Marley..
One of my favorite songs, I would sing it in the shower, word for word. :)
He wasn’t really a one hit wonder. He had a great song called Hold Me Tight that was at least top 20. It is a cross between Reggae and Country - just a fantastic record! He also had Yellow House that charted. I think he was more popular in the UK.
Does anyone know that he sang the theme song for the Hercules cartoon series?
You nailed it! Once again, you hit them all, spot on! All great memories for this child of Rock and Roll, a child of the 70s. I love to take my son, now almost 17 years old, on journeys through the generations of Rock and Roll. He loves our music as much as we do!
“Do You Know What I Mean” by Lee Michaels got up to #6 in 1971. The organ riff still rocks, and the lyrics are pure heartbreak.
Great song
That Lee Michaels album didn't have a week cut on it.
@@PFA57 I thought for years it was Tom Petty singing that song.
I'd only ever heard that song in southern California for years.
Love that song
"Hold Your Head Up" deserves a full "What Makes This Song Great" episode.
Agree! My fav song from the 70’s. There’s an excellent TH-cam vid of them performing Hold Your Head Up, live 👏🏻🔥👏🏻
God Gave Rock And Roll to You was another hit for Argent.
It's because we heard each of these at least 100 times!
70s pop was absolutely the most diverse. You could get country, rock, funk, disco, jazz, adult contemporary, on any given weekly top 40
The 70s were THE BEST! ✌🏼
I grew up with these wonderful songs and I’m so glad that you sent them to us ✌️❤️
You could’ve definitely added ‘Moonlight (Feels Right)’ by Starbuck to this list. It’s a great song and has the most amazing marimba solo ever.
Yeah it sure does. I’ve always wondered who played that solo.
@@davidpanzer1166 According to Wikipedia, co-founding member Bo Wagner played the solo. 🙂
Yes Brett Ecklund I LOVE that song and the solo especially!
OOh, that's a really, really awesome one.
Love that band - compination of Kraftwerk & Zappa...? 😏
... damn I miss the 70's, great time to be a teen, great time to be alive!
I couldn't agree more!
70s were depressing
What a decade!
@@nickmalone3143that must be YOUR PROBLEM
Was thinking the same thing, great time to be a teen!
That opening solo on "Mississippi Queen" is perfection. Not just the tone-the inflection, the phrasing, everything. It has the absolutely assured confidence of a B.B. King solo. You could teach a master class using this solo on how to turn notes into something that absolutely sings.
Don't forget the cowbell.
I spent hours learning it whe Guitar for the Practicing Musician published the tab.
I bet it was great to hear in a decked out van with lots of speakers.
My buddy worked in a record store. He bought this album when it first came out. Unfortunately, the pressing was flawed and there was an annoying skip in this song. He returned it and brought home another. Same skip in the exact same place. I don't know how many times he tried to replace it with a copy that didn't skip but eventually he gave up. Over time we just got used to hearing it with the skip so when I finally bought the CD of this album the song Mississippi Queen just sounded funny without the skip....lol
Greatest guitar tone ever!!!!!
I've been waiting for this list Rick, it's a great one!
Here are a few more I'd consider.
Sniff and the Tears - Drivers Seat
Sanford Townsend Band - Smoke from a distant fire
Brownsville station - Smokin in the boys room.
Player - Baby come back
Gary Wright - Dream Weaver.
Walter Egan - Magnet and steel.
Sugarloaf - green eyed lady
Heatwave - Groove line
Firefall - you are the woman
Orleans - Still the one.
Ace - How long
Great list, but I can't believe that "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum was not on it. It has perhaps the greatest guitar intro of any rock song ever recorded.
I totally agree! ❤❤❤
Yes!
Yes, you are correct!
And it was his only hit - a TRUE one-hit wonder!!
Yep - I just wish it wasn't a religious song...@@jimroscovius
I’m soooo blessed to have been a teenager in the 70’s!!!❤❤❤
Woo-hoo, you said it, sista!
Absolutely and totally agree 70's kicked ass
But the clothes were god awful. 😂
Rick, you sure know how to pick’em 😍🤓🥰☺️🥸😇
It musta been a BLAST being a teen in the 70’s!! With all the amazing muck music and bands comin out in the 70’s!!😊 I was a teen in the mid 90’s and I loved it but being a teen in the 70’s musta been a whole other level of awesome! 😀
You completely took me down memory lane with this list Rick! So good!
“Driver’s Seat” by Sniff ‘n’ the Tears and “Vehicle” by The Ides of March !!
'Hocus Pocus' by Focus is a 70s fave of mine. Killer track.
YES!!
Focus is not really a 1 hit wonder? House of the king. Sylvia. 😳
Focus at the Rainbow was a classic album
They live on in the 8-track tape soundtrack clicking in my brain !!!
@@2king2dingeling think this is restricted to the US, Ram Jam also had another hit with "Keep your hands on the wheel"and then other bands in this clip never had a hit in Europe
‘Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphy
IA very eerie piece of storytelling and a great piece of 1970s AM radio
MMM has had modest success singing Western music, but his music doesn't fit in with the sound of Nashville-style "country" radio stations.
"Carolina In The Pines" and his earlier full-album collaboration with the Fifth Edition - Calico (check OUT "Write Me Down") are MASTERPIECES themselves; latter is still NOT digitized (which is just RIDICULOUS.....)
he had a song the Monkees did....What Am I Doin Hangin Round.
Loved Wildfire as little girl. SEASONS IN THE SUN .makes me think of .y dad who passed
Geronimo's Cadillac also. Fail
Jackie Blue by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, still one of my favorites. The lyrics are timeless.
They had a second hit called “If You Want to Get to Heaven”.
One of the earliest songs I fell in love with!
It sounded like Fleetwood mac
Brilliant addition
Laughed so hard at the seen in the show Ozark when one of the Colombian thugs was playing that song in his car.
One thing that comes to mind to me from the 70's was the commercials for K-Tel records with many of hits from that era. So long ago I still miss the 70's. And we can't forget Kasey Kasem top 40 every Sunday morning on the radio.
You took me back to my childhood, sitting around listening to the radio. I remember every one of them, like it was yesterday. I miss those days.
me too
RIGHT ON
Me three!
The 70’s had THIS BEST MUSIC EVER!!!! ✌️. Thank you for taking me back to my teenage years. I loved all of these songs and they all bring back some amazing memories.🤘🏼✌️
Right there with ya- The best of times. Wouldnt trade it for anything
As an old radio jock I share your passion for the 70's...such a diverse decade! Keep on Truckin'....
Mike Summerville is credited as a writer on the Head East classic "Never Been Any Reason". He taught guitar in St. Charles, Missouri at a guitar store called Guitar Exchange (About 1980 to 1984). He taught me how to play guitar. He was an amazing teacher and had such great patience for kids wanting to be rock stars. He passed last year. Hell of a guy.
Sorry to hear of his passing. I've shared that song with hundreds of people as a part of various set break mixes. Often people have said "it's been years since I heard that song" to me. I'm at Mannfred Mann atm, and I've enjoyed every bit of this so far
I don't know why, but this song somehow never made it to the NY/NJ/Boston stations that I can recall.
they played Wichita Kansas all the time it seemed... a great band really...
Yup.. I own radio stations in St Louis and live in St Charles County. I knew Mike as well..
"Never Been Any Reason" still kills. I have it on my playlist for the gym.
All of these songs are near and dear to my heart. I was born in '63 so I was of the generation when this music was always on the radio. Good times, great memories.
Listening to 70s music is like a breathe of fresh air. Eternally young with a brass of poetic serenity.
Fresh Air was a big hit for Quick Silver Messenger Service
I can't believe Rick forgot about "The Funky Gibbon" by The Goodies.
Funny you should mention Rochester-1973, fresh out of college in my first job and my first apartment. Best songs and best time of my life!
*Smoke from a Distant Fire by Sanford-Townsend Band* is another excellent example of a 70s one hit wonder. Great song!!
Love Love Love that song!!!
One of my all time favorites
So good
Agree. That song has a rockin energy that always requires a volume turn up
LOVE that song. As a kid I played it over and over again on my K-Tel album (remember those???)
A one hit wonder I am surprised is not on here is Come and Get Your Love by Redbone released in 1973. I used to love that song when I was a kid and it came out.
Redbone weren't a one hit wonder. They had another huge hit with Witch Queen of New Orleans.
Hell yeah!
Native band, love it
RED BONE Not a one hit wonder?? Witchy Woman and Maggie
Agree - I had that on a 45 when I was 10 :-)
Another one to add to the list was Edison Lighthouse Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes. 1970
IN THE SUMMERTIME 1970, BY Mongo Jerry sold 35 million records makes it the 5th biggest selling song ALL TIME ,
I was thinking of that as well - and all-time sing-along feel good song
❤great song
Ooooo great choice!
LOVE this song.
Rick!! I just stumbled upon you and IMMEDIATELY Subscribed…. I listened to all these songs and the flood of my middle school/high school years began to flow..I knew every one of these songs and your post brought back fun memories … More 70’s please !!
Notice the range of styles, instrumentation, harmonies, and lyrical content. No digital quantitation, no ProTools, no pitch correction or autotune. All analog. All real writers and real musicians with real talent playing real instrument. The '70s were awesome.
As Rick himself likes to say, "Before there was ProTools, there were Pros!" 🙂
If autotune existed back then it'd 100% be used
@@Francisah Probably, but it didn't so it wasn't, so it, for me is more enjoyable than the stuff that is auto tuned.
I lived through the 70s. There was a lot of lousy music, and a lot of good music, as there always is. Today's writers and musicians are all real, with real talent. I love hearing new stuff. There's a lot of awesome musicians making great new music. I suggest trying some.
Nostalgia isn't my drug of choice. I prefer music.
@@qqw743 I agree, but today it's certainly derivative much more than the 70's where there was more experimentation and so many new styles were being explored. I don't mean that as a knock on the artists just that so many were going in so many directions that it's much harder to find a new direction today and it makes it an even bigger feat when someone does. Way too many folks that just refuse to even listen to anything after 1985 and I was guilty as well as I hated most of the 80's output, but real rock came back in the 90's and we've had so much amazing music since.
Elvin Bishop Fooled Around and Fell in Love
One of the best songs ever!
@@ayoung1and he didn’t even sing it!
It was Mickey Thomas wasn’t it? the guy who was later in Starship
@@Omega21456 yes it was.
@@preacher63 Thats what I was thinking.
I am surprised not to see Ace, How Long.
The opening riff is incredible and the guitar solo epic.
Even Clapton included the song on his more recent live tours with Paul Carrick.
Definitely a great song. I would include it.
Ikr
Graduated high school in 87 so obviously 80’s is my decade. Can’t deny 70s music was so great. Every song on this list will make my Spotify list, if not there already.
70s was the Best period of music for me raw True organic real musicianship and by far the most experimental and creatived
Two songs that could have made the list too:
1. Exile - "Kiss You All Over"
2. Starbuck - "Moonlight Feels Right"
Agree with Kiss You All Over !! It plays on the sound track of my life !! Great list you made !! Enjoyed it very much ! A few really took me back on a magic carpet ride to a more carefree simpler time of twisting one up and passing it around !! ✌🏼
Exile was NOT a one hit wonder!!!
"I'd really love to see you tonight"
"Dance with Me"
"Steal Away"
"Ariel"
"Come and Get Your Love"
"Eres Tu"
"Sentimental Lady"
*titles taken from my own song collection. 🙂
@@leroysiedenburg2139
They failed to repeat any sizeable hit on pop radio, so decided to move to a simpler audience and made a bit of a career in country music.
Clearly you do not know music!
Growing up in the 70's these are spot on. Great stuff. 65 and I still know all the words.
Amazing how I can't remember things from last week but I remember the words too...great music back then
Me too!
Me too! What a great list.
Every song brought me back to my younger days when life wasn't so scary. Some were my favorites and all left me with a smile.
'All The Young Dudes' was played at a memorial service for a good friend of mine in high school. He ate a couple of quaaludes and wrapped his car around a telephone pole. I still have trouble holding back the tears when I hear it. R.I.P. Bobby.
GREAT list! "We Just Disagree" kills me - such great harmonies and full of feeling.
One I'd add - "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop.
Yea, fooled around and fell in love was ripped by Mickey Thomas
Afternoon delite.. 🤮
@@gerryvandepol7630 Mickey Thomas was the lead singer, it wasn't "ripped" unless I'm misunderstanding. It was the case of the guitar player being the name
@@billionairechimp5972 I meant ripped as in sung masterfully
@@gerryvandepol7630 cool, thought it was ripped off :)
I was a kid in the 90's and knew more songs on this list than the 90's one, guess it says a lot of the enduring power of these songs.
I will be 65 soon so our kids are around your age. When people ask me what bands I like from that era, I tell them that 90s music to me was mostly Barney CDs and Radio Disney in the minivan. I loved your comment as likewise, for at least one of our kids, her playlists are heavily the same classic rock that I love. That being said, Gin Blossoms are one of my all-time favorite guitar bands.
So true!
What a great post! He played the songs longer than three seconds and I remember all of them. True music lover. I want to see more posts!
The song" Dancing in The Moonlight" was written by keyboard player/songwriter Sherman Kelly in 1969 after a trip to
St. Croix where he was attacked and left for dead. While Sherman was recovering from his injuries he wrote this song
where he "envisioned an alternative reality."
@PeteManic Fake news
@PeteManic different song though! But yes, the live and dangerous version is incredible
My favorite episode of "Xena: Warrior Princess" was where all the characters were enchanted and compelled to sing. The show stopper was Joxer performing and dancing to 'Dancing In the Moonlight.'
But released in the 70s
1969 is not the 1970s
Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum should definitely have made your list. Great tune and an overlooked one in this case. 👍😊
One the best fuzz tones in history!
I was very surprised that wasn't here. But it came out in '69 as it turns out.
Totally!!!!!
He still performs. I'd like to hear his show just to hear some of his other songs.
I want this song played at my funeral.
"Venus" Shocking Blue, "Ride Captain Ride" Blues Image, "Green Eyed Lady" Sugarloaf, "Lonely Girl" Eddie Holman, "Fooled Around and Fell In Love" Elvin Bishop, Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) Melanie (I know she had other hits, I just love this one too much!)
Ride Captain Ride, yes!
So many of these are very high on my 70s playlist on my Mac/iPhone. Totally brings me back.
To be age 10 in '70 and 20 in '80 was so perfect in forming my musical tastes and feel for the rest of my life! I was obsessed with music and looking back it feels great to have experienced this music as it came out....thx Rick!
And my first job in '79 was two doors from a record store! What a time!
Same here. Age 10 in ‘70 and 20 in 80’. Great time for a teen. Great music, great cars available cheap, and the girls.
im the same 10 in 70 etc . I feel that I was born at the perfect time for having the best music growing up and yet having all the music of the 30s, 40s 50 at our fingertips as well. Long live great music
Ditto. Born in 1960. My first job after high school, Summer of '78 just before turning 18, was pressing records in So. Cal. We pressed AT40 every week, and a lot of other shows and first pressings before bands signed with large labels. I read Billboard every week. Salad days of my life. Wish they could have lasted forever.
Same as well. It was the best time for music. 🥰
Gerry Rafferty (Stealers Wheel) was a genius RIP. Loved his sound.
Baker Street was one of my favorites
Hardly a one-hit wonder.
@@JohnnieWalkerDread You would have thought he'd check Wikipedia. The first record I bought was Stealers Wheel's Star (a hit in the UK & the USA).
Drank himself to death.
City to city great album...band on the run kept it from being album of the year 👍