Top 100 Songs Of 1970

This blog post revisits the musical landscape of 1970, spotlighting the top 100 songs that defined the era, featuring 85 unique bands and artists. The Jackson 5 lead the pack with four hits among the year’s most memorable tracks.

Displayed with the song titles in gray and the artists’ names in red, this compilation not only celebrates the diversity of the year’s music but also serves as a gateway to more content from the 70s, accessible via links at the bottom of the page.

Top Songs of 1970

1Bridge over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
2(They Long to Be) Close to You
The Carpenters
3American Woman
The Guess Who
4Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head
B.J. Thomas
5War
Edwin Starr
6Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Diana Ross
7I’ll Be There
The Jackson 5
8Get Ready
Rare Earth
9Let It Be
The Beatles
10Band of Gold
Freda Payne
11Mama Told Me (Not to Come)
Three Dog Night
12Everything Is Beautiful
Ray Stevens
13Make It with You
Bread
14Hitchin’ a Ride
Vanity Fare
15ABC
The Jackson 5
16The Love You Save
The Jackson 5
17Cracklin’ Rosie
Neil Diamond
18Candida
Dawn
19Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
Sly & the Family Stone
20Spill the Wine
Eric Burdon & War
21O-o-h Child
Five Stairsteps
22Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum
23Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
Melanie
24Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today)
The Temptations
25Love on a Two-Way Street
The Moments
26Which Way You Goin’ Billy?
The Poppy Family
27All Right Now
Free
28I Want You Back
The Jackson 5
29Julie, Do Ya Love Me
Bobby Sherman
30Green-Eyed Lady
Sugarloaf
31Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
Stevie Wonder
32Ride Captain Ride
Blues Image
33Venus
Shocking Blue
34Instant Karma!
John Lennon
35Patches
Clarence Carter
36Lookin’ out My Back Door
Creedence Clearwater Revival
37Rainy Night in Georgia
Brook Benton
38Something’s Burning
Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
39Give Me Just a Little More Time
Chairmen of the Board
40Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
Edison Lighthouse
41The Long and Winding Road
The Beatles
42Snowbird
Anne Murray
43Reflections of My Life
Marmalade
44Hey There Lonely Girl
Eddie Holman
45The Rapper
The Jaggerz
46He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
The Hollies
47Tighter, Tighter
Alive N Kickin’
48Come and Get It
Badfinger
49Cecilia
Simon & Garfunkel
50Love Land
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
51Turn Back the Hands of Time
Tyrone Davis
52Lola
The Kinks
53In the Summertime
Mungo Jerry
54Indiana Wants Me
R. Dean Taylor
55Indiana Wants Me
R. Dean Taylor
56Easy Come, Easy Go
Bobby Sherman
57Express Yourself
Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
58Still Water (Love)
The Four Tops
59Make Me Smile
Chicago
60The House of the Rising Sun
Frijid Pink
6125 or 6 to 4
Chicago
62My Baby Loves Lovin’
White Plains
63Love or Let Me Be Lonely
The Friends of Distinction
64United We Stand
The Brotherhood of Man
65We’ve Only Just Begun
The Carpenters
66Arizona
Mark Lindsay
67Fire and Rain
James Taylor
68Groovy Situation
Gene Chandler
69Evil Ways
Santana
70No Time
The Guess Who
71Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
The Delfonics
72The Wonder of You
Elvis Presley
73Up Around the Bend
Creedence Clearwater Revival
74(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can’t I Touch You?
Ronnie Dyson
75I Just Can’t Help Believing
B.J. Thomas
76It’s a Shame
The Spinners
77For the Love of Him
Bobbi Martin
78Mississippi Queen
Mountain
79I Want to Take You Higher
Ike & Tina Turner
80The Letter
Joe Cocker
81Ma Belle Amie
Tee Set
82The Bells
The Originals
83Yellow River
Christie
84Somebody’s Been Sleeping
100 Proof (Aged in Soul)
85Vehicle
The Ides of March
86Gimme Dat Ding
The Pipkins
87Lay a Little Lovin’ On Me
Robin McNamara
88Up the Ladder to the Roof
The Supremes
89Travelin’ Band
Creedence Clearwater Revival
90Come Saturday Morning
The Sandpipers
91Psychedelic Shack
The Temptations
92Without Love (There Is Nothing)
Tom Jones
93Are You Ready?
Pacific Gas & Electric
94Woodstock
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
95I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
Dionne Warwick
96Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma
The New Seekers
97Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Joe South
98The Thrill Is Gone
B.B. King
99It’s Only Make Believe
Glen Campbell
100Call Me
Aretha Franklin

What was the number one song in 1970?

The number one song in 1970 was “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel. This song reached the pinnacle of the charts and became an anthem of hope and solace for many, embodying the essence of the #1 song in 1970. 

Its lyrical depth and musical composition helped it stand out as the number one song of 1970, significantly impacting the music scene.

What were the top 40 hits in 1970?

The top 40 hits in 1970 included diverse music that highlighted the era’s rich musical landscape. From the harmonious tunes of The Beatles to the soulful melodies of Marvin Gaye, the 1970 hits encompassed a variety of genres and styles. 

This collection of top hits of 1970 serves as a snapshot of the year’s musical diversity, with each song contributing to the tapestry of 1970’s music culture.

What is the best song of 1970?

Determining the best song of 1970 can be subjective, but “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel often tops the list due to its widespread acclaim and enduring popularity. 

Its recognition as the number one song in 1970 and its frequent mention among the top hits of 1970 underline its significance and lasting impact on listeners and the music industry.

More 70’s Content