Tag Archives: Yacht Rock

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.

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.

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.