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1978! The Most Fun Episode of Hall of Songs Ever

We got a little bloated, a little overboard over the past few episodes of Hall of Songs. So, let’s clear the room and bring in the fun.

Submitted for your approval are our top-12 songs from 1978, a year where studio artistry was at an absolute peak, artists were crossing genres once again, and ultimately, the best songs were just plain fun. We have party jams, feel-good tunes, and rip-roaring rock. You’ll enjoy this one.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1978, plus tunes from 1977, ’76, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now at hallofsongs.com and come back on March 25, 2022, to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1978 nominees:

“Wuthering Heights” as performed by Kate Bush
- Written by Kate Bush; recorded summer 1977; released January 1978
“Rock Lobster” as performed by The B-52s
- Written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson; recorded February 1978; released April 1978
“Surrender” as performed by Cheap Trick
- Written by Rick Nielsen; recorded late 1977; released April 1978
“Just What I Needed” as performed by The Cars
- Written by Ric Ocasek; recorded February 1978; released May 1978
“Le Freak” as performed by Chic
- Written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; recorded January 1978; released August 1978
“Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)” as performed by Buzzcocks
- Written by Pete Shelley; recorded August 1978; released August 1978
“Heart of Glass” as performed by Blondie
- Written by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein; recorded June 1978; released September 1978
“Teenage Kicks” as performed by The Undertones
- Written by John O’Neill; recorded June 1978; released October 1978
“I Will Survive” as performed by Gloria Gaynor
- Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris; recorded summer 1978; released October 1978
“Don’t Stop Me Now” as performed by Queen
- Written by Freddie Mercury; recorded August 1978; released November 1978
“September” as performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
- Written by Maurice White, Al McKay and Allee Willis; recorded September 1978; released November 1978
“What a Fool Believes” as performed by The Doobie Brothers
- Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins; recorded August 1978; released December 1978

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on March 25, 2022 to find out the voting results, and March 27, 2022 for our discussion on 1979.

23rd Election Results! Do the Voters Give the People What They Want?

We at Hall of Songs have been bemusing over the recent lack of new songs entered into our very prestigious salon. Could the voters figure it out and come to some consensus once in a while?

After discussing our picks for the top-12 songs of 1977, and then slotting them onto our ballot, we waited with baited breath to see if the voters would finally respond. In this episode, we get a clear answer. Find out if any songs have been elected to the Hall of Songs, joining the 48 already entered.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Full results coming soon!

1977! The Year of Music Excess

Big productions, big statements, big hooks, and lots of style: 1977 is a year not be messed with.

Listen to the latest episode of Hall of Songs, in which Tim and Chris unveil their top-12 songs from 1977. We’ll talk more disco, more heavy guitar, more soft rock, experimental pop and rock and … well, just you wait.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1977, plus tunes from 1976, ’75, ’73, ’72, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on March 11 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1977 nominees (spoilers below; highlight to reveal):

“Margaritaville” as performed by Jimmy Buffett
- Written by Jimmy Buffett; recorded November 1976; released January 1977
“Dreams” as performed by Fleetwood Mac
- Written by Stevie Nicks; recorded summer 1976; released February 1977
“Marquee Moon” as performed by Television
- Written by Tom Verlaine; recorded September 1976; released April 1977
“I Feel Love” as performed by Donna Summer
- Written by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte; recorded late 1976; released May 1977
“Barracuda” as performed by Heart
- Written by Ann Wilson, Roger Fisher, Nancy Wilson and Michael Derosier; recorded spring 1977; released May 1977
“Best of My Love” as performed by The Emotions
- Written by Maurice White and Al McKay; recorded late 1976; released June 1977
“‘Heroes'” as performed by David Bowie
- Written by David Bowie and Brian Eno; recorded summer 1977; released September 1977
“Deacon Blues” as performed by Steely Dan
- Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen; recorded early 1977; released September 1977
“Mr. Blue Sky” as performed by Electric Light Orchestra
- Written by Jeff Lynne; recorded summer 1977; released October 1977
“Stayin’ Alive” as performed by Bee Gees
- Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb; recorded summer 1977; released December 1977
“Flash Light” as performed by Parliament
- Written by George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Bernie Worrell; recorded 1977; released November 1977
“Lovely Day” as performed by Bill Withers
- Written by Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon and Glen Matlock; recorded 1977; released Decemebr 1977

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on March 11, 2022 to find out the voting results, and March 13, 2022 for our discussion on 1978.

22nd Election Results! We’re Hangin’ Down at Dino’s

Finally, the dam breaks as our 22nd Election for the Hall of Songs yields multiple inductees.

Come along for a 30-minute ride as we discuss how the best songs of the early and mid 1970s fared in our most recent election. Among the nominees: “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” “Superstition,” “Dancing Queen” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” Also, yes, we’re heading to Dino’s Bar & Grill.

Listen by clicking above, and subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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Results here (spoilers!):

Let’s congratulate the following songs on making the Hall of Songs …

The Boys Are Back in Town / Thin Lizzy – 75% (1st round)
Born to Run / Bruce Springsteen – 68.75% (2nd round)
Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd – 68.75% (2nd round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Blitzkrieg Bop / The Ramones – 62.5% (1st round)
Sir Duke / Stevie Wonder – 62.5% (1st round)
Maggie May / Rod Stewart – 56.25% (2nd round)
Anarchy in the U.K. / Sex Pistols – 56.25% (1st round)
Dancing Queen / ABBA – 53.12% (1st round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 50% (6th round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 46.87% (4th round)
More Than a Feeling / Boston – 43.75% (1st round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 43.75% (5th round)
Sweet Emotion / Aerosmith – 40.62% (2nd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Jolene / Dolly Parton – 34.37% (4th round)
Don’t Leave Me This Way / Thelma Houston – 34.37% (1st round)
Thunder Road / Bruce Springsteen – 31.25% (2nd round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 28.12% (4th round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 25% (8th round)
Tangled Up in Blue / Bob Dylan – 25% (2nd round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers -25% (5th round)
Cherry Bomb / The Runaways – 15.62% (1st round)
Lowdown / Boz Scaggs – 15.62%
Desperados Under the Eaves / Warren Zevon – 12.5%
As / Stevie Wonder – 12.5%
Love Hangover / Diana Ross – 9.37%

1976! A Wonder-Ful Year + Punk’s Big Boom and Peak Disco

A whole lot is happening in 1976 in music, and we at Hall of Songs are here to break it down.

We present our picks for the top-12 songs of a big year where disco peaks, punk breaks out, and Stevie Wonder reigns supreme. You’ll hear the ultimate in classic rock perfection along with the complete destruction of the pop formula.

After listening to Tim and Chris, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1976, plus tunes from 1975, ’73, ’72, ’71 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on February 25 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1976 nominees:

“Love Hangover” as performed by Diana Ross
- Written by Marilyn McLeod and Pamela Sawyer; recorded late 1975; released February 1976
“Lowdown” as performed by Boz Scaggs
- Written by Boz Scaggs and David Paich; recorded September 1975; released February 1976
“Blitzkrieg Bop” as performed by The Ramones
- Written by Tommy Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone; recorded February 1976; released February 1976
“The Boys Are Back in Town” as performed by Thin Lizzy
- Written by Phil Lynott; recorded December 1975; released April 1976
“Desperados Under the Eaves” as performed by Warren Zevon
- Written by Warren Zevon; recorded 1975; released May 1976
“Cherry Bomb” as performed by The Runaways
- Written by Joan Jett and Kim Fowley; recorded 1976; released June 1976
“Dancing Queen” as performed by ABBA
- Written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson; recorded August 1975; released August 1976
“More Than a Feeling” as performed by Boston
- Written by Tom Scholz; recorded early 1976; released August 1976
“Sir Duke” as performed by Stevie Wonder
- Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded 1974-1976; released September 1976
“As” as performed by Stevie Wonder
- Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded 1974; released September 1976
“Don’t Leave Me This Way” as performed by Thelma Houston
- Written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert; recorded 1976; released October 1976
“Anarchy In the U.K.” as performed by Sex Pistols
- Written by Paul Cook, Steve Jones, John Lydon and Glen Matlock; recorded October 1976; released November 1976

Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down to vote. Then, come back on February 11, 2022 to find out the voting results, and February 13, 2022 for our discussion on 1976.

21st Election Results! One of the Hosts Gets Into the Rant Zone

Well, it was bound to happen. The voting process in Hall of Songs finally resulted in some possible chicanery.

One of our hosts has to address it, and he does so with equal parts frustration and … well, you should listen.

Did any songs get into our prestigious hall of fame for songs? Listen to find out. But please, hit play on this one. It’s a ride.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following songs on making the Hall of Songs …

Bohemian Rhapsody / Queen – 68.9% (1st round)
Take Me Home Country Roads / John Denver – 67.24% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Born to Run / Bruce Springsteen – 58.6% (1st round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 48.27% (4th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 44.82% (5th round)
Tangled Up in Blue / Bob Dylan – 44.82% (1st round)
Thunder Road / Bruce Springsteen – 44.82% (1st round)
Wish You Were Here / Pink Floyd – 44.82% (1st round)
Maggie May / Rod Stewart – 41.37% (1st round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 39.65% (3rd round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 37.93% (4th round)
Sweet Emotion / Aerosmith – 36.2% (1st round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 34.48% (7th round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 34.48% (3rd round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 32.75% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers -29.31% (5th round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 29.31% (5th round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 29.31% (4th round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 27.58% (3rd round)
Crazy on You / Heart – 24.13% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 22.41% (5th round)
Waterloo / ABBA – 22.41% (2nd round)
Gloria / Patti Smith – 17.24% (1st round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 13.79% (4th round)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything / Barry White – 12.06% (2nd round)
Shining Star / Earth, Wind & Fire – 12.06% (1st round)
Help Me / Joni Mitchell – 10.34% (2nd round)
Get Down Tonight / KC and the Sunshine Band – 10.34% (1st round)
I’m Not in Love / 10cc – 10.34% (1st round)
Love to Love You Baby / Donna Summer – 10.34% (1st round)
That Lady / The Isley Brothers – 3.44% (1st round)
Can the Can / Suzi Quatro – 1.72% (1st round)

1975! Bruce, Bohemians, and the Return of Bob

For some, 1975 is a banner year for music.

It’s the year artists grasp the full capability of the studio recording with monumental tracks like “Born to Run” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s also the year the dance floor heats up with disco standouts from KC & The Sunshine Band and Donna Summer.

Plus, a familiar face returns with a terrific album, and a new face emerges from the New York streets.

Join Tim and Chris is they discuss this great year, unveiling their top-12 songs from 1975. Then, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1975, plus tunes from 1974, ’73, ’72, ’71, ’70 and ’69 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on February 11 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1975 nominees:

“Tangled Up in Blue” as performed by Bob Dylan
- Written by Bob Dylan; recorded December 1974; released January 1975
“Shining Star” as performed by Earth, Wind & Fire
- Written by Maurice White, Larry Dunn and Philip Bailey; recorded September 1974; released January 1975
“Get Down Tonight” as performed by KC and the Sunshine Band
- Written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch; recorded late 1974; released February 1975
“I’m Not in Love” as performed by 10cc
- Written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman; recorded late 1974; released March 1975
“Sweet Emotion” as performed by Aerosmith
- Written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton; recorded March 1975; released April 1975
“Thunder Road” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
- Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded July 1975; released August 1975
“Born to Run'” as performed by Bruce Springsteen
- Written by Bruce Springsteen; recorded August 1974; released August 1975
“Love to Love You Baby” as performed by Donna Summer
- Written by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte; recorded June 1975; released August 1975
“Wish You Were Here” as performed by Pink Floyd
- Written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour; recorded early 1975; released September 1975
“Crazy on You” as performed by Heart
- Written by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson; recorded August 1975; released September 1975
“Bohemian Rhapsody” as performed by Queen
- Written by Freddie Mercury; recorded August 1975; released October 1975
“Gloria” as performed by Patti Smith
- Written by Patti Smith and Van Morrison; recorded September 1975; released November 1975

20th Election Results! Our Most Interesting Results Yet + At Least 1 Hall of Songs Inductee

In Hall of Songs, we attempt to determine the greatest songs of all-time through listener votes. But after our listeners elected no songs to our prestigious song hall of fame the last time out, what would happen after introducing a bunch of songs from 1974?

Would the early and mid-1970s continue to be a black hole? Could a 1967 song finally sneak into the hall after several rounds of waiting? What does this all mean?!

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

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Alright. Let’s congratulate the following song on making the Hall of Songs …

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 80% (8th round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 60% (4th round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 56% (2nd round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 52% (6th round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers -52% (4th round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 52% (3rd round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 52% (3rd round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 48% (2nd round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 44% (4th round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 44% (3rd round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 44% (2nd round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 44% (2nd round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 40% (4th round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 40% (3rd round)
Help Me / Joni Mitchell – 36% (1st round)
Waterloo / ABBA – 36% (1st round)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything / Barry White – 36% (1st round)

Eliminated from the ballot

Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number / Steely Dan – 32% (1st round)
Cat’s in the Cradle / Harry Chapin – 32% (1st round)
Autobahn / Kraftwerk – 24% (1st round)
September Gurls / Big Star – 16% (1st round)
Rock Your Baby / George McCrae – 12% (1st round)
You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet / Bachman-Turner Overdrive – 12% (1st round)
Return of the Grievous Angel / Gram Parsons – 4% (1st round)
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ / Stevie Wonder – 4% (1st round)
Fire / The Ohio Players – 4% (1st round)

1974 Hall of Songs Nominees: Welcome the Future of Popular Music

If there’s a word that describes the music of 1974, it’s “influential.”

Some of the year’s best songs, which Tim and Chris have nominated for the Hall of Songs, are among the most important ever written. In this episode we talk about the roots of electronic music and modern dance pop, plus styles that weren’t fully embraced for another generation or two.

After listening to our nominees, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1974, plus tunes from 1973, ’72, ’71, ’70, ’69 and ’67 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on January 28 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1974 nominees:

“Help Me” as performed by Joni Mitchell
- Written by Joni Mitchell; recorded late 1973; released January 1974
“Return of the Grievous Angel” as performed by Gram Parsons
- Written by Gram Parsons; recorded summer 1973; released January 1974
“September Gurls” as performed by Big Star
- Written by Alex Chilton; recorded fall 1973; released February 1974
“Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number” as performed by Steely Dan
- Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen; recorded fall 1973; released February 1974
“Waterloo” as performed by ABBA
- Written by Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson; recorded December 1973; released February 1974
“Rock Your Baby” as performed by George McCrae
- Written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch; recorded late 1973; released June 1974
“You Haven’t Done Nothin'” as performed by Stevie Wonder
- Written by Stevie Wonder; recorded late 1973; released July 1974
“You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” as performed by Barry White
- Written by Barry White, Peter Radcliffe and Tony Sepe; recorded early 1974; released August 1974
“Cat’s in the Cradle” as performed by Harry Chapin
- Written by Harry Chapin and Sandra Chapin; recorded late 1973; released August 1974
“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” as performed by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- Written by Randy Bachman; recorded early 1974; released September 1974
“Fire” as performed by Ohio Players
- Written by Billy Beck, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Marvin Pierce, Clarence Satchell and James Williams; recorded summer 1974; released November 1974
“Autobahn” as performed by Kraftwerk
- Written byRalf Hutter, Florian Schneider and Emil Schult; recorded summer 1974; released November 1974

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 January 28, 2021 to find out the voting results, and January 30, 2022 for our discussion on 1975.

19th Election Results! Did We Add to Our 42-Song Hall of Songs?

After our 1972 episode, we asked you to vote for the songs that you thought were Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Bill Withers, Elton John, Dolly Parton. These are names of people.

They’re also names of people whose songs are currently on the Hall of Songs ballot. Did any of their songs get into our prestigious Hall of Songs, joining 42 other tunes? Listen to find out!

Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.

…

Alright. Let’s congratulate the following song on making the Hall of Songs …

Nope. Nothing.

Continuing to the next round of voting

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman / Aretha Franklin – 61.53% (7th round)
Superstition / Stevie Wonder – 61.53% (2nd round)
Jolene / Dolly Parton – 61.53% (1st round)
Let’s Get It On / Marvin Gaye – 53.84% (1st round)
Lean on Me / Bill Withers – 50% (2nd round)
Midnight Train to Georgia / Gladys Knight and the Pips – 50% (1st round)
Free Bird / Lynyrd Skynyrd – 50% (1st round)
Bridge Over Troubled Water / Simon and Garfunkel – 46.15% (3rd round)
Ain’t No Sunshine / Bill Withers – 46.15% (3rd round)
Won’t Get Fooled Again / The Who – 46.15% (3rd round)
Here Comes the Sun / The Beatles – 42.3% (5th round)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want / The Rolling Stones – 42.3% (3rd round)
Rocket Man / Elton John – 42.3% (2nd round)
Walk on the Wild Side / Lou Reed – 42.3% (2nd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

All Along the Watchtower / The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 34.61% (6th round)
Layla / Derek and the Dominos – 34.61% (4th round)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Elton John – 34.61% (1st round)
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) / Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band – 34.61% (1st round)
You’re So Vain / Carly Simon – 30.76% (2nd round)
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone / The Temptations – 26.92% (2nd round)
Ooh La La / Faces – 26.92% (1st round)
Dixie Chicken / Little Feat – 23.07% (1st round)
Living For the City / Stevie Wonder – 19.23% (1st round)
I Can’t Stand the Rain / Ann Peebles – 11.53% (1st round)
Personality Crisis / New York Dolls – 7.69% (1st round)
TSOP / MFSB – 3.84% (1st round)