On Hall of Songs, the 1970s have truly arrived.
Tim and Chris unveil their picks for the 12 best tunes of 1973, a wild year where musicians continue to stretch the limits of popular song. There’s the sneering punk of the New York Dolls and the lush dancefloor proto-disco of “TSOP.” Then there are massive stars who will come to define the decade: Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen.
After listening to our nominees, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1973, plus tunes from 1972, ’71, ’70, ’69, ’68 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on December 17 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1973 nominees:
- “Dixie Chicken” as performed by Little Feat
- Written by Lowell George and Fred Martin; recorded late 1972; released January 1973
- “Ooh La La” as performed by Faces
- Written by Ronnie Lane and Ronnie Wood; recorded January 1973; released March 1973
- “Let’s Get It On” as performed by Marvin Gaye
- Written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend; recorded March 1973; released June 1973
- “I Can’t Stand the Rain” as performed by Ann Peebles
- Written by Ann Peebles, Don Bryant and Bernard Miller; recorded spring 1973; released July 1973
- “Personality Crisis” as performed by New York Dolls
- Written by David Johansen and Johnny Thunders; recorded April 1973; released July 1973
- “Midnight Train to Georgia” as performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
- Written by Jim Weatherly; recorded summer 1973; released August 1973
- “Living For the City” as performed by Stevie Wonder
- Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded spring 1973; released August 1973
- “Free Bird” as performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant; recorded April 1973; released August 1973
- “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as performed by Elton John
- Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin; recorded May 1973; released September 1973
- “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
- Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded summer 1973; released September 1973
- “Jolene” as performed by Dolly Parton
- Written by Dolly Parton; recorded May 1973; released October 1973
- “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” as performed by MFSB
- Written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff; recorded summer 1973; released late 1973
Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on December 31, 2021 to find out the voting results, and January 2, 2022 for our discussion on 1974.