The music industry has totally changed in the past 50 years, thanks in part to the rise of streaming and digital music services. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is people’s appreciation of good music.
With hits from influential groups like The Beatles to legendary singers like Diana Ross, 1970 was a fantastic year for music. In this post, we’re highlighting the top 10 songs from 1970, according to Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Stroll down memory lane with these hit songs from the start of the ’70s.
10. Band of Gold by Freda Payne
This soul classic was released in February 1970 and quickly rose to the top of the charts. In the 50 years since its initial release, it has been covered by famous artists like Bonnie Tyler and Belinda Carlisle.
9. Let It Be by The Beatles
This quintessential Beatles hit is the title track from their final album Let It Be. The single came out in March 1970, two months before the album was released.
8. Get Ready by Rare Earth
“Get Ready” was written by Smokey Robinson and initially released by The Temptations in 1966. Four years later, rock band Rare Earth recorded their version of the song and released it through Motown.
7. I’ll Be There by Jackson 5
Another Motown hit from 1970, “I’ll Be There,” was the top-performing single released by The Jackson 5. Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz covered the song in 1992 and also performed it at Michael Jackson’s memorial in 2009.
6. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” initially hit the charts in 1967, when Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recorded it. In 1970, Diana Ross recorded her version of the song, which eventually earned her a Grammy nomination.
5. War by Edwin Starr
Edwin Starr’s version of “War,” a song criticizing the Vietnam War, was a smash hit when it was released in June 1970. It remained at the top of the Billboard chart for three weeks and earned him a Grammy nomination.
4. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head by B.J. Thomas
This Oscar-winning song was written for the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Since its initial release, it has been used in numerous movies and television shows, including Forrest Gump and The Simpsons.
3. American Woman/No Sugar Tonight by The Guess Who
“American Woman” was released with its B-side, “No Sugar Tonight,” in March 1970. Later, in 1999, Lenny Kravitz covered the song, which also became a worldwide hit.
2. (They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters
This song was released by several influential artists before The Carpenters recorded their hit version in 1970. In the years since, many more musicians have released their own versions, including Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick.
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
The number-one hit song of 1970 is the title track on Simon & Garfunkel’s final album Bridge Over Troubled Water. Both the song and the album won several Grammy Awards.
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