When asked what the all-time worst year of the Billboard Hot 100 chart would be, there is not a consensus amongst critics and those with a long-term awareness of the charts.
But there are some years that come up frequently in the discussion. One year that seems to always be a part of the conversation is 1974.
AI certainly seems to think so, for what that’s worth.
Were the charts as much of a dumpster fire in 1974 as people say they were? Let’s take a look and see, bearing in mind that how one views the quality of hits from any year can largely depend on their personal tastes, perspective, and age.
We’ll start with the obvious place:
“The Way We Were” was the top single of 1974 overall.
I know my sister Marybeth is probably getting misty eyed just hearing the name of that song mentioned, along with plenty of other Streisand fans.
While not everyone’s cup of tea, not a terrible start.
How’s the rest of that list looking? Oof. This could be trouble. There are quite a few songs here that have been reviled to varying degrees over the years:
- “Seasons in the Sun”,
- “(You’re) Having My Baby”
- “The Streak”
- “Kung Fu Fighting”
- “Billy Don’t Be a Hero”
- “The Night Chicago Died”, and:
A 33-year-old Ringo Starr ill-advisedly covering “You’re Sixteen”.
Icky.
I would be more than fine with having a mysterious event wipe all of those songs from our consciousness, a la the film Yesterday.
But if you have a love for any of these and would like to vouch for them, by all means please avail yourself to the comment section. Just know that I have hated “Seasons in the Sun” passionately since the age of nine. You may not want to poke the bear on that one.
And if anyone (and by anyone, I’m thinking of one person in particular) speaks up on behalf of “(You’re) Having My Baby”, so help me…
In addition to the above, there are a couple of lesser remembered oddities that could add to the cause for concern.
- We have the side-eye-inducing titled “Dark Lady” by Cher:
A song about a Gypsy fortune teller.
The narrator (Cher?) catches her with her man and shoots her dead. Was it because the song was so bad that Cher had to wait nearly 25 years before topping the charts again? Not sure if that can be implied, but maybe not a stretch to say that this was not one of her finer offerings.
- And then we have to talk about the truly bizarre “Angie Baby”, by Helen Reddy:
About a solitary girl whose entire world consists of fantasy lovers, through the music coming out of her radio.
When a neighbor boy enters her room with bad intentions, he is sucked into the radio, never to be seen again, presumably becoming Angie’s secret lover through the airwaves.
Disturbing, but for the record, I don’t dislike this song, and I actually prefer to see something this twisted and weird go to #1, over anything else mentioned thus far.
What else?
Lots and lots of ballads, soft rock and adult contemporary, which if you are a fan of such fare, you’ll likely be happy.
But many critics do not hold these genres in high esteem, particularly from this era, so that would also be a factor in the derision.
Disco pokes its head into the top slot for the first time, but it’s still fairly new and finding its footing. Then you have entries by iconic artists such as John Lennon and Stevie Wonder that, while not weak by
any means, would not be considered among their better known and loved songs.
As far as songs that could possibly offset the dreck, there are not many.
- “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe”, Barry White’s signature song
- “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney & Wings“
- “Then Came You” by Dionne Warwick/The Spinners,
… and Elton’s “Bennie and the Jets” probably would be mentioned by many.
I would also add “Nothing from Nothing” by Billy Preston and “Show and Tell” by Al Wilson, but that’s just me.
Some might also make a case for Steve Miller’s “The Joker” and Clapton’s cover of “I Shot the Sherriff”.
On the softer side, singer-songwriter hits like Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” and Croce’s “Time In a Bottle” with their more introspective themes have genuinely moved people over the years.
And I’m sure there are at least a few backers of “TSOP” out there.
But are the best songs on the list enough to stave off an avalanche of mediocrity, and at worst, flat-out
trash?
By looking solely at the #1’s , even considering personal taste and experience, it’s at least understandable as to why many would conclude ’74 to be at or near rock-bottom.
I’ll admit it’s looking bleak right about now, but why stop at the #1s? If you were listening to the radio and popular music in general in 1974, these surely weren’t the only songs playing. I don’t think it’s fair to judge the whole year on just the very top of the charts, so let’s explore a bit further.
I can’t say I know every single song, but there is more than enough evidence here that 1974 had plenty of great songs and should not be written off.
I found at least 30 songs that I like off of that list, and in some cases love. Yes, my own musical tendencies are in play, but a good number of these are all-time bangers that I would defy even the fussiest critic to give a thumbs down. Below is my Spotify playlist, in order of where they were ranked on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100.
Feel free to let me know what songs you like, what songs you would have included that are absent, and which ones I have on the list that you don’t like. If anyone reading this still thinks that 1974 is not redeemable, that’s fine, but just know that the dude does not abide.
When all is said and done, these days I personally don’t find much value in trying to label any year the worst year of the charts.
I am finding that it’s more worthwhile to focus on the good music, charting or non-charting, and I have found it in pretty much any era when I’ve tried, even the ones where I have supposedly aged out.
In the case of 1974, much of it was right there on the charts all along.
Sometimes one just has to dig a little deeper.
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And as for songs that did not top the charts, 1974 has gems such as:
Shuggie Otis!!! Love that song!
Some more for consideration;
The Sweet – Teenage Rampage
T-Rex – Teenage Dream
Bob Marley and The Wailers – Lively Up Yourself
Big Star – September Gurls
Gill Scott-Heron – The Bottle
Mud – Tiger Feet
Suzi Quattro – Devil Gate Drive
Mott The Hoople – Roll Away The Stone
And these were very popular in Britain in 1974, four top 10 hits;
https://youtu.be/VIxkqoNi8I4?feature=shared
I don’t know all of these, but the ones I do are all top shelf. I’m wondering if Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra is the same Phaedra referenced in “Some Velvet Morning” by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra?
Possibly, though the Tangerine Dream piece sounds less about how she gave them life than about how she made it end.
Agreed. The state of current music never has very much to do with the charts. Groundbreaking music will, almost by definition, be too far ahead of the curve to chart. If you’re interested in where music is going, you have to dig.
In the TNOCS poll, we’ve finished ranking the #1s from 1958 through 2017. While the score we gave 1974 is low, it’s not the lowest. In fact, there are 18 years we ranked lower. We gave 1974 a score of 5.79, which isn’t great but we really didn’t like 1994, giving it only 5.08.
The worst three years were 1994 (5.08), 2016 (5.18), and 2014 (5.20). The best three years were 1965 (7.76), 1964 (7.71), and 1970 (7.59). I think it’s safe to say we have some Beatles fans in our midst.
But that’s only the songs that hit #1. The real gems rarely make it that high.
Yeah, 1994 had some truly excellent music on the radio and elsewhere, just not so much at the top of the charts.
In 1974, I was a junior in high school. We often winced at the Top 40 cheesiness, but did so with a laugh.
Likely due to my age at the time, none of these songs feel like an affront to me, but instead invoke fond memories of hanging with Vinney, slow dancing at a CYO party, or spending time with my favorite radio DJs.
I think that for folks like us, radio and music between the ages of 13-17 – irrespective of the “quality” – deliver a particularly magical feeling.
Age is absolutely a factor. The songs that we loved before we had developed really discerning tastes continue to sound good to us. That said, even at that age, I hated “Seasons in the Sun” and “You’re Having My Baby.” Yuk.
For1974 me, I had a reason to like records that I might have otherwise hated.
The trick was to act appalled amidst the girls in our group, by trashing sappy things like (Y)HMB. Just to engage, get them to talk to me, and get a rise out of them.
*** Whoa, wait – It just occurred to me: – did I invent trolling?’ ****
*The artists covered in Dude, Where’s My Van? have entered the chat*
🙏
If it was indeed trolling, I would say any girl that was a fan of that song had it coming, so good on you.
Let’s not forget Ringo Starr’s “You’re Sixteen,” which hit #1 in January 1974. As a teenager at the time, the ickiness of a guy in his thirties singing this song didn’t even occur to me, because I was fifteen. A sixteen-year-old was an older woman. It’s all relative.
Also, I think we took music less literally at the time. When Starr sang “Boys” with The Beatles, he wasn’t really interested in boys, what a bundle of joy. He just liked the song, and he liked The Shirelles. The same is probably true with “You’re Sixteen.”
Still. Ick.
Ringo’s Liverpudlian charm gets it a pass.
And I agree; at the time it never occurred to me that he was singing as a 30+ guy – never for a moment.
I framed it as him playing a coming-of-age character: a similarly-aged bloke infatuated with a peer, a 16 year old girl from down the block.
Then again, I caught on to these nuances slowly. Like how I never knew what Peter Amilatucciotti was getting at when he pledged to be a “lifelong confirmed bachelor.”
Yes, I was 13 in 1974, and even the lamest songs (e.g. “The Streak”) from then seem at least a little bit magical to me. Except for “Having My Baby”. That song seemed dreadful even to 13-year-old me.
I remember every one of these. Some I liked, some I loved, some I didn’t care for. But to me, the real overlooked jewel from the top 100 was “Me and Baby Brother” by War. Glad to see it made your list.
“Me and Baby Brother” is such a jam. It was one of two songs I didn’t know very well or not at all that I included on the list because they immediately hooked me in when I was checking out songs on the Year-End Hot 100. The other was “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely” by The Main Ingredient, which I have been listening to almost non-stop the past week.
So glad that you feel the same way that I do. Just in case you missed another War classic from 1971, here is a treat for you.
https://youtu.be/OLyF0EFXU28?si=yEPPikVXUwE2iW7K
Look…all I’m saying is that I like tootling flutes, and it would make a good instrumental.
The flute on “Til You Come Back to Me” off of the playlist is really popping out to me, after continued listens.
I’d never argue for 1974 as pop’s worst year, not when the pre-Beatles ’60s are around to vie for the honor.
Of the list of “awful songs” you cited, the only two I won’t defend in any way are “You’re Having My Baby” (although I do think it was boundary-pushing to have Paul Anka and Odia Coates singing the leads in 1974) and “You’re Sixteen.” I can’t say I love “Seasons in the Sun” but I find it inoffensive and, if I were to hear it while thinking of a departed one, might find it touching for a minute.
I think “The Streak” is a hoot, as novelty songs go, Ray Stevens’ politics aside, and I unabashedly love “Kung Fu Fighting.”
So, here are 10 Top 40 songs from 1974 that I’d throw at anyone trying to make the “1974 is the *worst*” argument:
Abba’s “Waterloo”
Gordon Lightfoot’s “Carefree Highway”
Three Degrees’ “When Will I See You Again?”
Carl Carlton’s “Everlasting Love”
Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Jet”
Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love”
Love Unlimited Orchestra’s “Love’s Theme”
George McCrae’s “Rock Your Baby”
The Hues Corporation’s “Rock the Boat”
Andy Kim’s “Rock Me Gently”
These are just in addition to your list, which I wholeheartedly endorse. Add Chicago’s “Wishing You Were Here,” First Class’ “Beach Baby” and the Guess Who’s “Star Baby,” and the dross just fades away.
Woah–how did I miss “When Will I See You Again?” I love that song.
And the whole Band on the Run album is worth defending.
Oh man, “Wishing You Were Here” is one of my favorite Chicago songs. So, so good!
I am going to be “that guy” and tweak our beloved host for a second: Why is “Shannon” from 1976 on here? Is it because it’s an example of a song not “held in high esteem”? If so, no argument there — year quibbling aside, I hate that song with a passion. But then, I’m not a dog guy. And, back in 1976, I wasn’t a cat guy, either.
I’m not even familiar with that song and didn’t include it. I’m throwing mt under the bus completely and shamelessly on that one.
You’re right about this, of course.
I think when I read “particularly from this era”, I was thinking about the mid 70s in general, instead of homing in exclusively on ’74.
Aa they used to say in my neighborhood: Meyah culper.
All was not lost on that one. It made an impression enough on my sister Elise that she reposted the cover picture in a family group text.
As ever: Elise, for the win.
I like toss in an obvious mistake every once in awhile, just to see if everyone’s paying attention. Good job, Chuck.
And if you’ll excuse me, I’m running late for my Fibbers Anonymous meeting.
I’ll help you take down chairs and serve the coffee.
I am a huge defender of 1974. I was born in 1970, but the kitchen radio was always turned on to a pop/MOR station so I heard those 1974 hits all through my childhood. But I agree, it’s a year with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows (almost).
The Way We Were – I am not anti-Streisand, but I do not like this song.
I Shot the Sheriff – Worst #1 song of 1974. I never want to hear this song.
Whatever Gets You Through the Night – Lame. Worst #1 song by a solo Beatle.
Billy Don’t Be a Hero, Kung Fu Fighting, and The Night Chicago Died are all goofy, but harmless. I don’t love them, but I certainly don’t hate them.
But there are two songs that are in my top 3 #1 songs of all time:
TSOP – MFSB. Anytime I hear this song it just elevates me. I love it.Sundown – Gordon Lightfoot. The ultimate singalong song. It is perfect.Here are the other songs in my 1974 iTunes playlist to which I’ve assigned a 5 star rating (meaning it’s a 9/10 or 10/10).
Show and Tell – Al WilsonLove’s Theme – Love Unlimited OrchestraBand on the Run – WingsFeel Like Makin’ Love – Roberta FlackNothing from Nothing – Billy PrestonThen Came You – The Spinners and Dionne WarwickYou Haven’t Done Nothin’ – Stevie WonderCat’s in the Cradle – Cat StevensAngie Baby – Helen Reddy.Special mention of my 10/10 for Angie Baby. It’s a Twilight Zone episode inside a pop song. It’s got some good storytelling going on, and some nice, creepy music to compliment it. I love that song.
Other greats from 1974:
Haven’t Got Time for the Pain – Carly SimonJazzman – Carole KingSide one and two from Chicago VIIMachine Gun – The CommodoresLamb Lies Down on Broadway – Genesis (the whole album)Seven Island Suite – Gordon LightfootThe Entertainer – Marvin HamlischThe Air that I Breathe – The HolliesApache – The Incredible Bongo BandBack Home Again – John Denverthe Court and Spark album by Joni MitchellMidnight at the Oasis – Maria MuldaurPhoebe Snow’s debut albumKiller Queen – QueenSteely Dan’s Pretzel Logic (some day’s my favorite Dan album).Dreamer – SupertrampSquib Cakes – Tower of PowerThe Worst Band in the World – 10cc
So I just cannot hate 1974. There’s too much good to offset the…not so good.
hmm…where’d my bulleted formatting disappear to?
Some strong stuff on this list, Link. The TSOP reference in the article was basically a shout-out to you, as was the plea to not try to defend “(You’re) Having My Baby”, in case you didn’t catch it.
I definitely caught it. 🙂 Hence my reference-less comment on tootling flutes.
Here’s why I think the 1974 U.S. pop chart gets such grief is because it had everything. You name a genre, it was there.
Foreign language? “Eres Tu” was waiting for you. Eydie Gorme did a version in English that flopped.
Comedy? You got endure more than 5 minutes of Cheech and Chong trying to be funny on “Earache My Eye.”
Spoken word? OMG, “The Americans” had not one but two versions make the top 40, the original by Gordon Sinclair and a radio-friendly shorter take by deejay Byron MacGregor. Even Tex Ritter, father of John Ritter, got a version on the Hot 100 before he passed away in 1974.
Instrumental? Several, including “The Entertainer” and “Tubular Bells,” both of which would never be played on a contemporary top 40 radio station.
Novelty? Besides those already mentioned, you had the horrendous stylings of Jim Stafford (“My Girl Bill”) and a break-in record by the master, Dickie Goodman (“Energy Crisis ’74”).
Recharted hits? Sure. Both “Surfin’ USA” by The Beach Boys and “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley returned to the top 40.
It was a Mulligan’s stew of sounds in 1974, and the resulting cacophony might’ve left a bad taste in some people’s mouths. But for those who sought out the good stuff and found joy in “Help Me,” “My Mistake Was to the You,” “Mighty Love,” and “Let It Ride,” among many others, it was a pretty good year despite the wildness and occasional dreck.
I was just listening to Eres Tu in the car, from the playlist. That song has always moved me. Help Me is just a masterpiece. I think you bring up a good point, and I also think that a lot of critics felt that ’74 was the worst example of the neutering of rock and roll and led to it getting ripped on as much as it did. That’s just shortsighted as far as I’m concerned. So many great songs on that year end top 100 alone.