21 Best Songs From 1975

12. “Mandy” by Barry Manilow

“Mandy” was released as “Brandy” by Scott English. Barry Manilow recorded a version but changed the name so people would know the difference. He released it on his self-titled album, and it became his first gold single. It has become the definitive version, with any covers made after that using the new title.

13. “Fame” by David Bowie

“Fame” was released on David Bowie’s “Young Americans” album. It is a rock song with a funky beat that does not paint his feelings of being a celebrity in a good light. It is about Bowie’s dissatisfaction with his stardom. Despite the theme, it earned the number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

14. “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver

John Denver was a singer whose music could span genres. He usually recorded country music and was very successful with those songs. This title was released on his “Back Home Again” album and had aspects of folk and bluegrass. It hit the top of the country music charts and was covered by Dolly Parton and Billy Dean. It is also played during the seventh-inning stretch at all home games for the Baltimore Orioles.

15. “Black Water” by the Doobie Brothers

“Black Water” was born when Patrick Simmons created a guitar lick he liked during a recording session. The song was built around that sound through inspiration on a trip to New Orleans as well as memories of reading Huckleberry Finn. Eventually, it was released on their album titled “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits”.

16. “One of These Nights” by the Eagles

Eagles have always been regarded as a country-rock band throughout their career. Their songs play well on rock stations but have a country sound that has helped make them timeless. “One of These Nights” was created to subvert those expectations and create a rock song. It was released on their album of the same name.

17. “Boogie On Reggae Woman” by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder already had a long career in 1975 when he released his seventeenth album. He created this funky song for that album titled “Fulfillingness’ First Finale”. Despite having reggae in the title, this song is R&B, though it has Wonder’s distinct sound along with his famous harmonica.

18. “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin

This rock song from Harry Chapin’s album titled “Verities & Balderdash” has brought a tear to the eyes of many grown men. Chapin taps into that feeling parents have when they are so busy trying to make a good living for their children that they forget to watch them grow up. The lyrics spanned genres as this version was decidedly folk-inspired, but Ugly Kid Joe recorded a hard rock version in 1993 that also performed very well.

19. “When Will I Be Loved” by Linda Ronstadt

Though this song was already a hit recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1960, Linda Ronstadt released the go-to version on her album titled “Heart Like a Wheel”. Hitting the number 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, this soft rock song is the definitive version of the title.

20. “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” by Barry White

Barry White bridged the gap between R&B and disco to make this song a success. He released it on his “Can’t Get Enough” album and watched it rocket to number 2 on the charts. It was written as a country song by Peter Redcliffe but was never recorded. White changed the structure to disco and took it to success during that seventies dance craze.

21. “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band

Disco was in full swing in 1975, and there were plenty of songs to cater to it. KC and the Sunshine Band was one of the most successful disco groups. They released “Get Down Tonight” as part of their self-titled album. It reached the top of the charts in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Top Songs From 1975, Final Thoughts

1975 saw the evolution of almost every genre of music from what it had been in the sixties to what it would be in the years to come. There are hundreds of great songs that originated in 1975 for music lovers to comb through. Let our list be a starting point as you jump in and hear more of what that year had to offer. Make your definitive list of the best songs of 1975!