1974 was a watershed moment in music history, with the publication of several songs that have endured and are still cherished today – Top 100 songs of 1974. 1974 was a year of musical diversity and experimentation, spanning rock, funk, soul, disco, and everything in between. In this post, we will look at the 100 finest songs from 1974.
The songs on this list represent the pinnacle of creativity and invention in music during this time period. From critically acclaimed to commercially popular, every record on this list exemplifies music’s ability to inspire, entertain, and move us. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of vintage rock, a funk and soul fanatic, or a casual listener who appreciates great music, this list offers something for everyone.
We’ll look at the backstories of these songs, how they influenced the music industry and the world as a whole, and what makes them stand the test of time. With so many outstanding songs released in 1974, it was difficult to limit the list to just 100. But we’re convinced that the albums we’ve picked will transport you back to a time when music reigned supreme and encourage you to explore new sounds and styles that have altered the music business in the decades since.
1. THE WAY WE WERE by Barbra Streisand
2. BENNIE AND THE JETS by Elton John
3. DANCING MACHINE by The Jackson 5
4. LOVE’S THEME by Love Unlimited Orchestra
5. SEASONS IN THE SUN by Terry Jacks
6. THE JOKER by Steve Miller Band
7. THEN CAME YOU by Dionne Warwick & The Spinners
8. UNTIL YOU COME BACK TO ME (THAT’S WHAT I’M GONNA DO) by Aretha Franklin
9. SHOW AND TELL by Al Wilson
10. YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW by The Stylistics
11. YOU HAVEN’T DONE NOTHIN’ by Stevie Wonder
12. JUNGLE BOOGIE by Kool & the Gang
13. THE STREAK by Ray Stevens
14. COME AND GET YOUR LOVE by Redbone
15. HOOKED ON A FEELING by Blue Swede
16. TSOP (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA) by MFSB featuring the Three Degrees
17. TIME IN A BOTTLE by Jim Croce
18. NOTHING FROM NOTHING by Billy Preston
19. THE LOCO-MOTION by Grand Funk Railroad
20. SPIDERS AND SNAKES by Jim Stafford
21. BAND ON THE RUN by Paul McCartney and Wings
22. SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDERS by John Denver
23. YOU’RE SIXTEEN by Ringo Starr
24. LET ME BE THERE by Olivia Newton-John
25. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL by Charlie Rich
26. SUNDOWN by Gordon Lightfoot
27. THE ENTERTAINER by Marvin Hamlisch
28. BOOGIE DOWN by Eddie Kendricks
29. MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS by Maria Muldaur
30. BILLY DON’T BE A HERO by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
31. ROCK ME GENTLY by Andy Kim
32. BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME by Gladys Knight & the Pips
33. ROCK ON by David Essex
34. FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE by Roberta Flack
35. (YOU’RE) HAVING MY BABY by Paul Anka with Odia Coates
36. SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS ROOM by Brownsville Station
37. I’VE GOT TO USE MY IMAGINATION by Gladys Knight & the Pips
38. SIDESHOW by Blue Magic
39. NEVER, NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP by Barry White
40. ANNIE’S SONG by John Denver
41. LIVING FOR THE CITY by Stevie Wonder
42. DARK LADY by Cher
43. MOCKINGBIRD by Carly Simon & James Taylor
44. THE NIGHT CHICAGO DIED by Paper Lace
45. TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD by Rufus & Chaka Khan
46. THE SHOW MUST GO ON by Three Dog Night
47. JAZZMAN by Carole King
48. I SHOT THE SHERIFF by Eric Clapton
49. GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD by Elton John
50. LEAVE ME ALONE (RUBY RED DRESS) by Helen Reddy
51. IF YOU LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW) by Olivia Newton-John
52. I HONESTLY LOVE YOU by Olivia Newton-John
53. ROCK THE BOAT by The Hues Corporation
54. HANG ON IN THERE BABY by Johnny Bristol
55. ROCK YOUR BABY by George McCrae
56. TOP OF THE WORLD by The Carpenters
57. JUST DON’T WANT TO BE LONELY by The Main Ingredient
58. THE AIR THAT I BREATHE by The Hollies
59. SWEET HOME ALABAMA by Lynyrd Skynyrd
60. CAN’T GET ENOUGH by Bad Company
61. I’M LEAVING IT UP TO YOU by Donny and Marie Osmond
62. TIN MAN by America
63. WATERLOO by ABBA
64. ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN by The Righteous Brothers
65. BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT by William DeVaughn
66. RIKKI DON’T LOSE THAT NUMBER by Steely Dan
67. THE BITCH IS BACK by Elton John
68. PLEASE COME TO BOSTON by Dave Loggins
69. CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN by The Guess Who featuring Wolfman Jack
70. ON AND ON by Gladys Knight & the Pips
71. THE LORD’S PRAYER by Sister Janet Mead
72. OH MY MY by Ringo Starr
73. DON’T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME by Elton John
74. YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD by Helen Reddy
75. YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET / FREE WHEELIN’ by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
76. HELP ME by Joni Mitchell
77. (I’VE BEEN) SEARCHIN’ SO LONG by Chicago
78. BEACH BABY by The First Class
79. WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT by John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Band
80. HELLO IT’S ME by Todd Rundgren
81. CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE, BABE by Barry White
82. JET by Paul McCartney and Wings
83. ERES TÚ by Mocedades
84. AMERICANS by Byron MacGregor
85. YOU WON’T SEE ME by Anne Murray
86. DO IT (‘TIL YOU’RE SATISFIED) by B.T. Express
87. WILDWOOD WEED by Jim Stafford
88. BACK HOME AGAIN by John Denver
89. HOLLYWOOD SWINGING by Kool & the Gang
90. FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY by The O’Jays
91. ONE HELL OF A WOMAN by Mac Davis
92. TUBULAR BELLS by Mike Oldfield
93. PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER by The O’Jays
94. I’LL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG by Jim Croce
95. MY MELODY OF LOVE by Bobby Vinton
96. HELEN WHEELS by Paul McCartney and Wings
97. ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT by Cat Stevens
98. LOOKIN’ FOR A LOVE by Bobby Womack
99. JUST YOU ‘N’ ME by Chicago
100. STEPPIN’ OUT (GONNA BOOGIE TONIGHT) by Tony Orlando and Dawn