1974: The Year In Music

1974 – Chinese farmers discover the famous Terracotta Army. The first extra-terrestrial message is sent from Earth into space. ABBA wins the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo”. Not the craziest year, but some good songs released!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – One Hell of a Woman (Mac Davis)

It’s fair to say that “One Hell of a Woman” hasn’t stood the test of time.

I like the electric keyboard, but the rest is pretty forgettable.

9 – Bennie and the Jets (Elton John)

Though it sounds live, “Bennie and the Jets” is actually a studio recording – producer Gus Dudgeon thought the track needed more energy and that the live vibe would help … what a crazy take!

“Bennie and the Jets” is easily one of the most exciting and dynamic songs of the year, with a great piano performance and some excellent vocals by Elton in the latter half.

8 – The Streak (Ray Stevens)

No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Get this song away from me.

“The Streak” is a novelty song that might be funny initially but makes you go deaf after more than a few seconds.

7 – TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) (MFSB)

“TSOP” is a brilliant showcase of vibrant Philadelphia Soul, although the six-minute runtime overstays its welcome.

6 – The Loco-Motion (Grand Funk Railroad)

I know Grand Funk Railroad for their pioneering originals, so hearing a mundane cover from them is quite disappointing.

They picked a fun 60’s classic to pay homage to, but “The Loco-Motion” lacks the bounciness and crucially the Funk of their best works.

5 – Dancing Machine (The Jackson 5)

“Dancing Machine” isn’t a bad Jackson 5 song at all – in fact, it’s kinda groovy – but it’s odd to think a myriad of other better Jackson 5 classics haven’t appeared on these lists.

4 – Come and Get Your Love (Redbone)

“Come and Get Your Love” was made incredibly popular thanks to “Guardians of the Galaxy”, but it’s important to remember it was a hit in its own time.

It’s just about as feelgood a song as you can get, with a cracking chorus that I always want to jam to.

3 – Love’s Theme (Love Unlimited Orchestra)

Love Unlimited Orchestra served predominantly as Barry White’s supporting unit, so I’m glad they got the chance to do their own work.

“Love’s Theme” is a gorgeous song … but it is sorely missing some sultry vocals from White himself.

2 – Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks)

I always thought this was a Paul Simon song (it was actually written by Jacques Brel and Rod McKuen), so I was surprised to find Terry Jacks’ name attached to a classic.

It’s a lovely track, albeit a bit simple and soppy, but I need to be in a certain mood for it to truly hit.

1 – The Way We Were (Barbra Streisand)

Barbra Streisand was arguably the most famous woman on the planet for a time, so any song she released was bound to be a hit.

“The Way Were Were” has some divine vocals and instrumentation, and I like how it picks up the pace in the latter half.

FAVOURITE – “Bennie and the Jets” (Elton John)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “The Streak” (Ray Stevens)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – The Gates of Delirium (Yes)

As will become more apparent as the list goes on, 1974 proved to be quite the year for Prog Rock.

Yes always knock it out the park, and “The Gates of Delirium” is a highlight of their discography. Its length is daunting, but the production is astounding.

9 – Crime Of The Century (Supertramp)

I completely forgot that Supertramp were a 70’s band, and I also forgot that they had their roots in Prog Rock!

Their songs are a little on the shorter side compared to other epics from the era, but “Crime Of The Century” is still a short but sweet melodramatic number.

8 – Rikki Don’t Lose That Number (Steely Dan)

Steely Dan are one of the most underrated artists of the 70’s, and “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is one of their best.

To me, Steely Dan represent some of the most innovate songwriting of the decade – this is the correct evolution of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

7 – Jolene (Dolly Parton)

1974’s high-rated tracks is comprised of mostly forgotten gems and niche Prog Rock, so I was surprised to find “Jolene” among its ranks.

Dolly Parton is one of the all-time great Country musicians, and this is her most famous track by a country (hehe) mile.

6 – Rebel Rebel (David Bowie)

If there’s one thing 1974 was missing, it was more Bowie!

The entire “Diamond Dogs” album is great (and should’ve made the top five albums, but oh well), and “Rebel Rebel” is one of the highlights. It’s definitely one of Bowie’s most iconic guitar riffs, that’s for sure.

5 – School (Supertramp)

The harmonica intro was a bold start, but the rest of “School” is dynamic enough for it to be enjoyable.

4 – Lady Fantasy: Encounter / Smiles For You / Lady Fantasy (Camel)

I’d never heard of Camel before this 1974 retrospective, but they pack more of a punch than I was expecting!

They should be put right up alongside the Prog Rock greats, and the “Lady Fantasy” medley is their magnum opus. Those final three minutes are sublime.

3 – Fallen Angel (King Crimson)

“Fallen Angel” starts with some of the best production I’ve heard all year, and it doesn’t let up after that.

The chaotic woodwind and harmonised vocals akin to their 1969 masterpiece return, and they’re arguably better than ever.

2 – The Carpet Crawlers (Genesis)

Genesis have been consistently pumping out Prog Rock goodness year after year, and “The Carpet Crawlers” is yet another excellent addition to the pantheon of Genesis greats.

Peter Gabriel is once again flawless on vocals – in fact, this might be my favourite Genesis chorus of this Prog Rock era of theirs.

1 – Starless (King Crimson)

It doesn’t have quite the same punch as “In The Court Of The Crimson King”, but “Starless” is still a fantastic album closer.

The first half is slow and gentle, but the mid-point shift is what earns it its legendary status.

BEST SONG OF 1974 – “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (Steely Dan)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Crime Of The Century (Supertramp)

Supertramp already bagged a couple of songs in the high-rated top ten with “School” and the title track, so suffice it to say “Crime Of The Century” is good stuff.

It’s not the Supertramp I’m necessarily used to, but some tracks like “Dreamer” are just what the doctor ordered.

4 – The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (Genesis)

Early Genesis was on a roll – not only is “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” another excellent album, but it’s a double album too!

The instruments, vocals and production are better than ever, and I especially love the touches of piano throughout.

3 – A Tábua De Esmeralda (Jorge Ben Jor)

“A Tábua De Esmeralda” is the most surprising top 5 album entry in quite a while – I wasn’t expecting some Brazilian music alongside the Prog Rock!

Credit where credit’s due, Jorge Ben Jor is a fantastic songwriter, and his songs like “Os Alquimistas Estao Chegando Os Alquimistas” and “Menina Mulher Da Pele Preta” are lots of fun.

2 – On The Beach (Neil Young)

Another Neil Young album, which means another record not currently available on Spotify. I’m not saying artists have to put their stuff on streaming, but it would make my research a whole lot easier …

I like the Rock-ier production of “On The Beach”, and the lyrics are moodier than usual, but Young’s style isn’t my favourite.

1 – Red (King Crimson)

“Red” is similar to “In The Court Of The Crimson King” in that it has five songs of incredible quality, and while this isn’t as good as the 1969 classic I still really liked it.

King Crimson just had that magic touch of making each song sound melodramatic and grand, and every second of the album is a new experience.

BEST ALBUM OF 1974 – “Red” (King Crimson)

Final Thoughts

The hits were disappointing, and while the high-rated songs and albums were good they weren’t the most notable entries in music history. Quite a one-note year on the whole.

Overall Grade: C+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: