1975: The Year In Music

1975 – The film “Jaws” by Steven Spielberg releases. “Wheel Of Fortune” and “Saturday Night Live” both premier on NBC. Margaret Thatcher becomes leader of the Conservative Party. Liz Truss is born, who would go on to be the single greatest Prime Minister in British history bar none. Okay, that last fact might be a half-truth … but there’s nothing half-arsed about the music released this year!

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 of These Nights (Eagles)

That opening bass slide already makes “One of These Nights” great, but the typically smooth Eagles chorus turns it into a classic.

It’s weird to think that Eagles were one of the biggest bands of the 1970’s – they have a huge hit that I’ll talk about in a future year, but otherwise I feel they’ve fallen under the radar in modern times.

9 – Laughter in the Rain (Neil Sedaka)

I quite like Sedaka’s vocals and the luscious strings in “Laughter in the Rain”, but it’s a bit cheesy.

8 – Fame (David Bowie)

Of all the Bowie songs that garnered commercial acclaim in its time, I’m always flabbergasted whenever I remember “Fame” had chart success. That song is so funky and weird!

I think having John Lennon’s name attached helped it soar up the charts, and the fundamental groove is legendary.

7 – Shining Star (Earth, Wind & Fire)

Any 70’s playlist would be incomplete without Earth, Wind & Fire, and “Shining Star” is one of their best.

It’s the grooviest song of 1975, and that chorus is so catchy.

6 – Some Kind of Wonderful (Grand Funk Railroad)

Yet again Grand Funk Railroad resorted to a cover. It’s a good cover, and I like the shuffle groove, but I know they can do more.

5 – My Eyes Adored You (Frankie Valli)

It’s good to see a 60’s legend like Frankie Valli still making hits in the 70’s, and “My Eyes Adored You” is surprisingly good.

It’s heartfelt and sincere, with exciting production and songwriting for an otherwise slower song.

4 – Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Freddy Fender)

“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” is predominantly a Country song, and as I’ve mentioned before in this series that isn’t my preferred kind of music.

The song is notable for Freddy Fender’s performance and the Spanish verses, but otherwise is forgettable.

3 – Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John)

I love seeing some more Elton John hits on these lists, but “Philadelphia Freedom” has never been one I go back to.

It sounds a little broad and cheesy, as if Elton was trying to appeal to new American fans.

2 – Rhinestone Cowboy (Glen Campbell)

Despite my bias against Country songs, I can’t deny that “Rhinestone Cowboy” is a classic. It’s simple but it works.

1 – Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille)

I knew I’d heard this song before – it’s great to finally attribute a name to a funky bop!

It’s not exactly ground-breaking stuff, but “Love Will Keep Us Together” is nothing if not fun.

FAVOURITE – “Fame” (David Bowie)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” (Freddy Fender)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac)

An early Fleetwood Mac classic, “Rhiannon” starts with an iconic guitar riff and hits the nail on the head with Stevie Nicks’ pitch-perfect vocals in the chorus.

9 – Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)

Another famous Fleetwood Mac song, and a fan favourite … so is it weird that I vastly prefer “Rhiannon” to “Landslide”?

Don’t get me wrong – “Landslide” has a killer acoustic guitar and vocal melody, but I find it less engaging than other Fleetwood Mac hits.

8 – Cortez The Killer (Neil Young & Crazy Horse)

I hadn’t heard “Cortez The Killer” prior to compiling this list, and now I think I’m in love.

That opening guitar playing is phenomenal, and the lyrics are some of Young’s best.

7 – Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen)

From now on we’re dealing only in all-timers – in terms of the highest-rated songs, 1975 is one of the best years yet!

First up is “Born To Run”, an absolutely euphoric song that always evokes powerful and uplifting emotions – Springsteen’s vocals and songwriting are jaw-dropping.

6 – Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts VI-IX (Pink Floyd)

No, this isn’t the version of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” you’re thinking of – this is the song that plays at the end of the Pink Floyd album. It’s still just as awesome as the main event, though.

5 – Tangled up in Blue (Bob Dylan)

“Blood On The Tracks” is considered one of Dylan’s masterworks, and it gets off to a cracking start.

The opening track “Tangled Up In Blue” shows just how far Dylan has come in terms of production, but that backbone of fantastic lyrics and songwriting is still present.

4 – Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)

Oh boy … these top four songs are something else.

First up is “Kashmir”, a Led Zeppelin song that couldn’t have been more dramatic and epic if it tried. The combative time signatures for the drums and strings create a really fascinating rhythm, and the songwriting can be borderline psychedelic at times.

3 – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)

When you have a song as universally loved – a song that many music lovers and critics cite as their favourite – in only third place, you know it was a good year for music.

Queen’s production and songwriting was revolutionary on “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and the final, head-banging Rock section is a high point in their discography.

2 – Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)

I can’t think of a more beautiful ode to a lost friend in music history.

Pink Floyd honoured their former bandmate Syd Barrett with “Wish You Were Here”, a gorgeous, more focused track than a lot of their other work that showcases their talents for shorter, more introspective songwriting.

1 – Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts I-V (Pink Floyd)

Pink Floyd bagged the top two tracks of the year, and rarely has an album in music history contained two absolute gems on the tracklist.

The intro track “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” was my favourite song ever for a time – I adore the slow intro and the booming chorus, and the production is as stellar as always.

BEST SONG OF 1975 – “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen)

I was tearing my hair out trying to pick the “best” song of 1975 – all of the top four could have very easily been the winner, and even now I’m having doubts and second thoughts. Let’s move on before I have a mental breakdown!

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Another Green World (Brian Eno)

It must have baffled general audiences in the 70’s when Brian Eno went from hits with Roxy Music to experimental solo work.

He was one of the pioneering producers and musical auteurs of his time, and songs like the title track and “The Big Ship” sound like they could’ve released today.

4 – Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen)

The Boss would’ve been an American icon if he’d only released “Born To Run”, but his vast array of fantastic tracks over the years makes him an undisputed legend.

“Thunder Road” is one of my favourite openers, the title track is absolutely euphoric, and “Jungleland” is quite an underrated closer.

3 – Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin)

Led Zeppelin attempted their first double album with “Physical Graffiti”, and they nailed it on the first attempt.

“Kashmir” could’ve carried the album on its own, but other bangers like “Trampled Under Foot” and “The Wanton Song” make it a worthwhile experience. I kinda wish the second half was stronger, though …

2 – Blood On The Tracks (Bob Dylan)

For as illustrious as Dylan’s discography is, I can’t think of a stronger album than “Blood On The Tracks”.

It’s a joy from start to finish, with tracks like “Tangled up in Blue” and “Shelter from the Storm” that have gone down as classics.

1 – Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)

I’ve been impressed with all of these albums, but unfortunately they’re competing with one of my absolute personal favourites.

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” (all parts) and the title track are famous for good reason, and the other two tracks “Welcome To The Machine” and “Have A Cigar” are fairly underrated. That accounts for all five songs – in other words, this album is practically flawless from start to finish.

BEST ALBUM OF 1975 – “Wish You Were Here” (Pink Floyd)

If you thought 1975’s top five rated albums were strong, wait until you hear who missed out – “Horses” by Patti Smith, “Young Americans” by David Bowie, and even “A Night At The Opera” by Queen!

Final Thoughts

1975 had fun hits and some ridiculously strong high-rated songs and albums. Perhaps the hits could’ve been better, but otherwise I was impressed across the board.

Overall Grade: A-

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