The 10 Best Songs to Come Out of 1977
A quick search on Spotify will land you on Top Hits of 1977. There, you will find a mixture of country, soft rock, hard rock, disco, and pop music. You will be spoilt for choice as you browse through some of the best 1977 songs, and it can be a nerve-racking experience trying to settle for only a few. Not to worry; we have sorted the ten best for you, and here is the shortlist.
10. Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton
This is Parton’s first song to be certified gold, but the weird thing is that the country musician did not want to record it. According to Outsider, Parton wanted to try something new and expand her fan base but was worried that the song would turn off her country fans. However, her manager bet her that if the song would not be No.1 in both country and pop categories, he would not interfere with her decisions again. Funny enough, it is the country singer’s highest charting crossover to date.
9. Easy by Commodores
If you have ever given your all, but it was not good enough, Lionel Richie had you in mind when writing this song. In the narrative, he is going above and beyond for the relationship to work, but it is not enough. Therefore, he decides to leave, and he has never felt better since walking away; he is easy like a Sunday morning.
8. Lucille by Kenny Rogers
After going solo, Rogers needed to prove himself, and this song helped establish him in the arenas of country music. According to The Tennessean, Hal Bynum was inspired to write the song by an encounter with a blind man. Bynum also sought the help of Roger Bowling to refine the lyrics, and within five minutes, they created a hit song. The late country musician’s mother thought it was about her because her name was Lucille. It took a lot of convincing from her son that it was a random name: after all, Rogers’ mother had eight children while Lucille in the song had four.
7. Knowing Me, Knowing You by ABBA
Before 1976, Stig Anderson, the group’s manager would collaborate with the group members in writing the lyrics to the songs. However, things changed, and the manager would only give the group a title and expected them to pen lyrics informed by the title. This was the case in “Knowing Me Knowing You,” and Bjorn Ulvaeus thought about his efforts to advance as a lyricist. Still, the song has been interpreted to refer to a couple splitting, and the songwriter admitted that perhaps he had a premonition, since the song was written way before the couple divorced.
6. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
Clapton had been in love with Pattie Boyd for a long time, though from a distance, since she was married to his friend, George Harrison. Fate conspired to have the two together when Harrison and Boyd divorced, allowing Clapton to make his move. One of the songs Boyd inspired is “Wonderful Tonight.” As he waited for the love of his life to dress up for a night out, Clapton wrote this song which most fans find a befitting dedication to their loving wives.
5. Heroes by David Bowie
A forbidden love inspired this song. According to Dig!, Bowie watched as Tony Visconti passionately kissed his then-girlfriend, Antonia Maass, yet Visconti was married. The late singer wondered why the two lovebirds had decided to meet near the Berlin wall, yet there were so many more romantic places in the town. Bowie drew inspiration from other influences such as the story of “A Grave For A Dolphin” and the “Lovers Between Garden Walls” painting.
4. Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
Arguably the most popular song by Marley, “Three Little Birds,” has been interpreted to mean different things to various people. Some believe the three little birds refer to the Holy Triunity. Others opine they are birds that the late reggae artist had come to love while watching them from his home in Jamaica. Yet, another explanation is the birds are the three women who always accompanied him. Whatever he meant, one thing for certain is that the song has a soothing effect as it reminds you not to worry because nothing lasts forever.
3. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks wrote the lyrics to this song, having been inspired by her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham. According to SmoothRadio, the two had been together for eight years, but the relationship had hit a rough patch. So, one day when Nicks found herself in front of a piano, she recorded the song in ten minutes, admitting that it was sort of in response to “Go Your Way,” which Buckingham had written about her.
2. How Deep is Your Love by Bee Gees
When Robert Stigwood needed a soundtrack for his film “Saturday Night Fever,” he sought Bee Gee’s help. John Travolta had originally been dancing to Boz Scaggs and Stevie Wonder songs, but there were rights issues; hence, Bee Gees were asked to intervene. The brothers wrote “How Deep is Your Love” one weekend with Yvonne Elliman in mind as the artist. However, Stigwood wanted the brothers to record the song instead, resulting in one of the most popular ballads to date.
1. We Will Rock You by Queen
This song that has become a chant for every Queen fan is living up to its purpose. According to RadioX, the band had just finished their gig at Bingley Hall on May 29, 1977, when they heard the crowd singing “You Will Never Walk Alone,” a classic football anthem. The incident spurred Brian May and Freddie Mercury to compose songs, to which the band’s fans could chant along. May wrote “We Will Rock You,” while Mercury penned “We Are The Champions.” To make it a perfect chant, the production team in the studio stomped and clapped, then overdubbed the effect for the “crowd” to be assumed bigger.
You can also read:
- The 10 Best ABBA Songs of All-Time
- The 10 Best Kenny Rogers Songs of All-Time
- The 20 Best Dolly Parton Songs of All-Time
- Ranking All 18 Fleetwood Mac Studio Albums
- The 20 Best Queen Songs of All-Time