The 25 Best Songs From the 70s: Classic Hits That Still Sound Great

The 1970s gave us disco, arena rock, soul, singer-songwriters and the birth of punk. It was one of the most varied decades in music history. Here are 25 of the best songs from the 70s, the ones that still fill dance floors, classic rock stations and road trip playlists today.

Rock classics

1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (1975). A six-minute rock opera that broke all the rules.
2. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin (1971). Never released as a single in the U.S., yet one of the most famous rock songs ever.
3. “Hotel California” by Eagles (1977). Its twin-guitar finale is legendary.
4. “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen (1975). The song that made Springsteen a star.
5. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974). A Southern rock anthem.
6. “Dream On” by Aerosmith (1973). Steven Tyler's soaring power ballad.
7. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac (1977). The band's only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Disco and dance

1. “Stayin' Alive” by Bee Gees (1977). The signature song of Saturday Night Fever.
2. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA (1976). ABBA's only U.S. No. 1 single.
3. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (1978). An enduring anthem of resilience.
4. “Le Freak” by Chic (1978). Nile Rodgers' irresistible guitar groove.
5. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire (1978). Still a party staple decades later.
6. “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People (1978). You probably made the letters with your arms.
7. “Car Wash” by Rose Royce (1976). From the movie of the same name.
8. “Heart of Glass” by Blondie (1979). New wave meets disco.

Soul and R&B

1. “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder (1972). That clavinet riff is instantly recognizable.
2. “What's Going On” by Marvin Gaye (1971). A soulful plea for peace and understanding.
3. “Let's Stay Together” by Al Green (1971). Smooth, romantic and timeless.
4. “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers (1972). A song about friendship that never gets old.

Singer-songwriters and pop

1. “Imagine” by John Lennon (1971). Lennon's most famous solo song.
2. “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (1973). The ultimate sing-along.
3. “American Pie” by Don McLean (1971). An eight-and-a-half-minute ode to rock and roll history.
4. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver (1971). West Virginia's unofficial anthem.
5. “Rocket Man” by Elton John (1972). One of Elton's signature songs.
6. “You're So Vain” by Carly Simon (1972). People still debate who it's about.

Test your memory

Think you know your '70s music? Take our 70s music trivia quiz, or see the best songs from the 80s.