Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s by AAL2014

I view the 1970's as popular music's finest decade. There are great acts that spawned in the 60's, 80's, 90's, and 00's of course, but pound for pound, year after year, album after album, looking at the output from the 1970's makes me feel nostalgic even though I wasn't around.

• Chart updated: 04/25/2024 01:15
• (Created: 07/15/2015 19:04).
• Chart size: 100 albums.

There are 3 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 5 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.

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1. (=)

Songs In The Key Of Life 

 Stevie Wonder

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The greatest album in my collection, the greatest album of the 70’s, the greatest record of all time.

I love Songs in the Key of Life. I love its songs, its production, its album cover. I love As and Another Star, Sir Duke and I Wish, Saturn and Ebony Eyes. I love the timeless vision and Stevie’s flawless execution of it for this project.

But perhaps above all, I love that it reminds me to love. It reminds me that while there’s evil in this world and it can rear it’s ugly head far too often, we have love to combat it. It’s a powerful thing, love. And it needs love too. It needs us to remember that real strength is real love. And if it takes an incredible arrangement and memorable melody to drive that point home, I’m here for the dozens of them that this album has to offer.

🧡 [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1976

Appears in:

1,224 charts

Rank Score:

15,431

Rank in 1976:

1

Rank in 1970s:

23

Overall Rank:

87

Average Rating:

 85 (1,311 votes)

Comments:

86

2. (=)

Born To Run 

 Bruce Springsteen

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One of the most important records there has ever been for me. Absolutely love this thing. So powerful and will always be the score to my youth and youth itself. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1975

Appears in:

1,555 charts

Rank Score:

17,150

Rank in 1975:

3

Rank in 1970s:

20

Overall Rank:

73

Average Rating:

 83 (1,930 votes)

Comments:

131

3. (=)

Innervisions 

 Stevie Wonder

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Stevie Wonder and cynicism? Turns out it’s a combination that works. Stevie takes out his disdain for the ignorant, the racist, and of course Richard Nixon over the course of this record’s 9 track run-time. These are some of the most scorching, scathing, and unapologetically informative tracks in his catalog. Sprinkle in some of his most lovely love songs and you have one of the best records of the 70’s. A record I do not tire of. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

1,152 charts

Rank Score:

13,098

Rank in 1973:

2

Rank in 1970s:

31

Overall Rank:

108

Average Rating:

 86 (1,281 votes)

Comments:

76

4. (=)

The Dark Side Of The Moon 

 Pink Floyd

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I could soliloquize for a few paragraphs about this record’s majesty and how there’s really nothing exactly like it.. but that’s all that needs to be said anyway.

This is a high watermark in the history of recorded music and the album as a medium. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

4,043 charts

Rank Score:

71,063

Rank in 1973:

1

Rank in 1970s:

1

Overall Rank:

2

Average Rating:

 92 (5,208 votes)

Comments:

582

5. (=)

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars 

 David Bowie

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If we’re talking about the straight up best records from start to finish of all time, make room for this album towards the top of the list.

Ziggy Stardust is an amazing set of songs telling a story I feel is more successful at being succinct than many of the decade’s classic double concept records, clocking in at just under 39 minutes.

Bowie’s performances here are top notch and along with the genius aid of Mick Ronson adding in his sharp riffs and orchestral brilliance, they take these songs into another dimension.

This album demonstrates a tremendous balance between grace and power, love and fear, self-empowerment and self-loathing. It’s Ziggy Stardust, one of this life’s most unconquerable and incomparable albums. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

2,936 charts

Rank Score:

50,152

Rank in 1972:

1

Rank in 1970s:

3

Overall Rank:

9

Average Rating:

 90 (3,450 votes)

Comments:

299

6. (=)

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 

 Elton John

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I was introduced to this album and a bunch of Elton’s other music at a relatively young age. Everyone in my family loves Elton John and this album in particular for good reason. This is a genius with a tremendous writing partner and a wicked good band at the top of his flamboyant, flashy, and fantastic game. Give me any one of these songs at any time and I’ll likely be a happy listener. Tons and tons of memories surround this record. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1973

Appears in:

935 charts

Rank Score:

7,936

Rank in 1973:

6

Rank in 1970s:

51

Overall Rank:

209

Average Rating:

 81 (1,118 votes)

Comments:

81

7. (=)

Close To The Edge 

 Yes

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I keep listening to this album and I am merely more and more blown away by it. Something new to pick up on each spin, Yes’s masterpiece shows one of prog’s most legendary groups (at the peak of their most hallowed lineup) firing on all of the cylinders that made them great. Epics- check. Gorgeous, cathartic, grandiose melodies- check. Time enough for a few groovy ass plunky-funk riffs… check check check.

This is a crown jewel if there ever were one. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

1,135 charts

Rank Score:

14,548

Rank in 1972:

4

Rank in 1970s:

24

Overall Rank:

90

Average Rating:

 85 (1,420 votes)

Comments:

115

8. (=)

Foxtrot 

 Genesis

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One of my favorite albums of all time. Foxtrot helped ease me into classic prog and some tricky odd-time counting. It remains a consistent listen, never too far out of reach as I know I’m going to want to hear it soon.

The ending of Supper’s Ready is legitimately one of music’s finest moments. They shoot for the heavens and they stick the landing. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1972

Appears in:

601 charts

Rank Score:

5,979

Rank in 1972:

9

Rank in 1970s:

75

Overall Rank:

301

Average Rating:

 82 (821 votes)

Comments:

62

9. (=)

Blue 

 Joni Mitchell

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The incredible Joni at her most mesmerizing. Worth listening to over and over and over. In the morning, at night, good times, bad times. It's a landmark and so gorgeous. Memorable melodies and laughably good lyrics scattered all over this album. [First added to this chart: 04/24/2020]

Year of Release:

1971

Appears in:

1,330 charts

Rank Score:

17,112

Rank in 1971:

6

Rank in 1970s:

21

Overall Rank:

75

Average Rating:

 85 (1,451 votes)

Comments:

108

10. (=)

Blood On The Tracks 

 Bob Dylan

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Blood on the Tracks can be Heartbreaking or wound-mending depending on when you find yourself listening to it. This is my favorite Dylan album. Love his voice here, his songs, his meditations. A tremendously strong and important record for me and many many others. [First added to this chart: 07/16/2015]

Year of Release:

1975

Appears in:

1,814 charts

Rank Score:

23,480

Rank in 1975:

2

Rank in 1970s:

11

Overall Rank:

41

Average Rating:

 87 (2,134 votes)

Comments:

165

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Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s composition

Year	Albums	%
1970	10	10%
1971	18	18%
1972	14	14%
1973	11	11%
1974	8	8%
1975	13	13%
1976	8	8%
1977	10	10%
1978	5	5%
1979	3	3%

Artist	Albums	%
David Bowie	4	4%
Joni Mitchell	4	4%
Pink Floyd	3	3%
Black Sabbath	3	3%
Yes	3	3%
The Who	3	3%
Genesis	3	3%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	40	40%
	40	40%
	7	7%
	7	7%
	2	2%
	1	1%
	1	1%
Show all

Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s chart changes

Biggest climbers
Up 3 from 69th to 66th The Inner Mounting Flame by The Mahavishnu Orchestra With John McLaughlin
Up 2 from 74th to 72nd Curtis by Curtis Mayfield
Up 2 from 73rd to 71st Fear Of Music by Talking Heads

Biggest fallers
Down 3 from 65th to 68th I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight by Richard & Linda Thompson
Down 3 from 70th to 73rd Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Down 3 from 71st to 74th Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! by Devo

New entries
Sextant by Herbie Hancock

Leavers
Sin After Sin by Judas Priest

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s similarity to your chart(s)

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s ratings

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Rating	Date updated	Member	Chart ratings	Avg. chart rating
95/100	04/21/2022 13:11	Larcx13	1,092	86/100
90/100	08/01/2020 21:31	MasterOfPuppets	175	91/100
90/100	02/28/2020 03:16	Tamthebam	554	85/100
95/100	04/24/2018 03:06	jdenny2018	103	92/100
95/100	12/02/2017 22:14	panapsal	233	93/100

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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1970s comments

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Rating:  

95/100

From jdenny2018 04/24/2018 05:51

AAL, Blood on the tracks, Made in japan, and most of your 41-50 were the new listens. Thanks for the welcome, still getting used to posting in forums and what not

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

From AAL2014 04/24/2018 05:23

jdenny, thanks for your comments and ratings on these charts. I actually haven't touched this chart in over a year, maybe longer. Although the albums closer to the top would probably remain the same or close to it, there's a lot of work to be done yet with this chart.

Inner Mounting Flame will definitely be here when I get around to updating it. I had yet to even listen to it when I compiled this chart initially.

May I ask what future listens you took from this?

Welcome to the site!

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Rating:  

95/100

From jdenny2018 04/24/2018 03:07

Solid list. Definitely gave me a couple ideas for future listens. Definitely would've chosen Inner mounting flame over birds of fire

Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

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