31 Best Songs From 1977

“Come Sail Away” by Styx

Song Year: 1977

“Come Sail Away” is an iconic song by Styx that starts with a slower ballad accompanied by a piano before transitioning into an upbeat rock sound. The lyrics have a theme of pursuing your dreams and leaving your old life behind, incorporating imagery of sailing, angels, and a spaceship.

It was a featured track on Styx’s album, The Grand Illusion, which sold over three million copies. The song peaked in the eighth spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart.

“Hotel California” by Eagles

Song Year: 1977

If you’re looking for a classic 1977 rock song to listen to on the weekend, you can’t go wrong with Eagles’ “Hotel California.” Its guitar solo has a satisfying sound that grabs any music lover’s attention until the song’s end.

“Hotel California” sold over a million certified units, peaked inthe top position of Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, and won the 1978 Grammy Award for “Record of the Year.”

“Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston

Song Year: 1977

Thelma Houston’s rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” has soulful vocals that blend with the song’s overall upbeat disco and R&B sound. The lyrics describe a person’s desire for love.

This song ranked first on several of Billboard’s charts, including the Hot 100 Chart, Dance Club Songs Chart, and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs Chart. It won the 1978 Grammy Award for “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female.”

“Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp

Song Year: 1977

Plenty of good music from 1977 has optimistic and cheerful tones, so you can’t go wrong with adding Supertramp’s “Give A Little Bit” to your online playlist when you’re spending a night at home alone. Its guitarwork that opens the song gives it a pleasant sound before the other instruments join.

The song’s lyrics incorporate a message about showing compassion and charity to the people around you. It peaked in the 15th spot on Billboard’s Pop Singles Chart.

“La Vie En Rose” by Gracie Jones

Song Year: 1977

Gracie Jones’ cover of Édith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose” incorporates a slow yet upbeat bossa nova sound that can lighten anybody’s mood. Its English and French lyrics perfectly embody the feelings of love that bring happiness to a person’s life.

Initially released on Jones’ debut album, Portfolio, this single peaked in the tenth position on the Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart.

“Heard It in a Love Song” by The Marshall Tucker Band

Song Year: 1977

Despite its upbeat instrumentation, “Heard It in a Love Song” is a country rock song with a sad undertone about a man talking about how he can’t settle down with a woman despite desiring a relationship that many songs romanticize.

The next time you feel down about love, consider listening to this to lighten the mood. It ranked fifth on RPM’s Top Singles Chart and 14th on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart.

“Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon

Song Year: 1977

Best known as the theme for The Spy Who Loved Me, “Nobody Does It Better” is one of Carly Simon’s finest hits. The slower tempo enhances Simon’s beautiful vocals. The lyrics are from the perspective of a woman in love with James Bond.

The song ranked first on RPM‘s Adult Contemporary Chart and second on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. It also got nominated for two Grammy Awards.

“Rich Girl” by Hall & Oates

Song Year: 1977

Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl,” tells the tale of a rich, spoiled girl who, despite getting everything she could ask for thanks to her family, isn’t the best person to be around, personality-wise. Ironically, the main inspiration for this song stems from a former boyfriend of Sara Allen.

By the end of March 1977, this song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and sold over a million certified units in the United States.

“Love Is the Answer” by Utopia

Song Year: 1977

Utopia’s “Love Is the Answer” incorporates a straightforward message in its lyrics about humanity loving one another to ensure a peaceful existence, regardless of the faith someone believes. Despite qualifying as a rock song, the song’s final minute has a gospel-inspired sound.

Over the years, many artists recorded covers of this classic song, including England Dan & John Ford Coley, Cindy Morgan, and Sheila Walsh.

“Cold as Ice” by Foreigner

Song Year: 1977

The lyrics of Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice” describe a cold-hearted and selfish woman taking advantage of the narrator’s feelings, insinuating that she’ll receive payback for her cruelty. The song’s synthesized beats and guitarwork give the song an extra edge.

It sold over 500,000 copies in the United States and ranked sixth on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. It’s a great song to listen to after dealing with unbearable people.