21 Best Songs From 1973

You probably understand how good music from 1973 is when you compare it to modern hits. Sure, there are some good ones now, but there’s something special about the songs of this year.

Here are the best songs from 1973.

1. “Long Train Runnin’” by The Doobie Brothers

As one of the top songs of the year, “Long Train Runnin’” was a hit in 1973. The song talks about the direction life can go without having love in the equation. While the music behind the words was used in several tracks by the band, they finally sat down to create the lyrics for their 1973 album The Captain and Me.

2. “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye

Everyone in the world may have heard this epitome of good music from 1973 at least once in their lifetime. This reason is due to the many different ways creators insert the lyrics into their own projects. Initially, Ed Townsend wrote this song about fighting alcoholism. However, Marvin Gaye changed the lyrics to reflect his intense desire for his new wife.

3. “Angie” by The Rolling Stones

After releasing this song from Goat’s Head Soup, much speculation came to be about the lyrics and their meaning. It’s a song about a woman, but her true identity is a secret.

There are many stories about how the song got its name, ranging from a snippet from an autobiography written by Mick Jagger’s wife Angie about his past to it being about Keith Richard’s infant daughter who was born around that time.

4. “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight & the Pips

The 1973 hit by Gladys Knight & the Pips, known as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” depicts a woman’s struggle as her significant other gives up on their dream of making it big in Hollywood. In the song, the man admits defeat and takes the train back home to Georgia. The theme is depicted beautifully in its video and won a Grammy shortly after being released.

5. “Natural High” by Bloodstone

The meaning behind the song “Natural High” by the famous 1973’s band Bloodstone comes through in both the music video and song. As you will decipher through viewing and listening, the musician is talking about his excitement upon seeing a girl he likes for the first time. After that moment, he continues to fall more and more in love with her as time goes on.

6. “That Lady, Parts 1 and 2” by the Isley Brothers

A song still prevalent today, “That Lady, Parts 1 and 2” by the Isley Brothers took off in 1973 after four years of falling short on the top song lists. The song's overall theme is about their appreciation for a beautiful woman that has come into their life. This song is a remake of the band's earlier version in the 1960s.

7. “Behind Closed Doors” by Charlie Rich

Taking a different direction from the love theme that many top songs focus on, “Behind Closed Doors” by Charlie Rich offers a look into what happens when decisions are made at a political level when nobody else is around.

As you can often see in interviews, the public mentions don’t always know what happens behind closed doors, which can be unfair when politicians are deciding things that affect the country as a whole. This song brings the topic to light, focusing on the Watergate scandal around 1973.

8. “One of a Kind (Love Affair)” by The Spinners

This poignant song by The Spinners is a true story. The band released “One of a Kind (Love Affair)” in 1973 following the lead musician's breakup with his girlfriend.

While it doesn’t play out in the video, the song speaks to coming home to a poignant message on the wall and a girlfriend nowhere to be seen. Through interviews, the musician disclosed the event to the public, making the song even more meaningful.

9. “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers

At the top of the list for good music from 1973, “Ramblin’ Man” enjoyed its place at the top of the rankings for several weeks. Listeners enjoyed tuning in on the radio to take in the catchy tune. The writer took the title from an older Hank Williams song and the lyrics are a tribute to him. The words fit nicely as a musician who travels frequently and takes life as it comes.

10. “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love?” by The Spinners

1973 was an excellent year for The Spinners, with another top-ranking hit in “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.” As the song shows listeners, after years of turmoil and failed attempts at a relationship, a person can finally start to find true love again. Melvin and Mervin Steals wrote the song for the band and envisioned The Spinners while composing the lyrics.

11. “Shambala” by Three Dog Night

There is a unique backstory to the song “Shambala” by Three Dog Night. Songwriter Daniel Moore penned the lyrics, and the group recorded the tracks at nearly the same time, along with another musician, B.W. Stevenson. Both versions came within weeks of one another, while the Three Dog Night song rose to the top after a few weeks.

The song features Buddhist principles. A Buddhist story inspired Moore to write the lyrics and these ideas also appear in the music video.