# Absolute monster 1970s AM radio hits **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 11, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160 "2008-09-11T21:22:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/1 "2008-09-11T21:22:37Z")
Probably not quite accurate chronologically but if you were listening to WLS AM Chicago from 1970 to 1977 or so…well, these were the songs that were drilled into _my_ brain, anyway. One Tin Soldier/Coven The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down/Joan Baez Take Me Home, Country Roads/John Denver American Pie/Don McLean Daniel/Elton John Killing Me Softly/Roberta Flack Year of the Cat/Al Stewart Sara Smile/Hall and Oates Bohemian Rhapsody/Queen Hotel California/Eagles Sir Duke/Stevie Wonder Oh, I could make it complete (yeah right) but it would be more fun to let others chime in. FWIW, I can’t stand “Sir Duke.” It had the potential to be a great song but that 2 minute outro was over the top and ultimately made me want to smash my radio to bits. Other than that, I think many of the songs went from love to hate when overplayed…but most have made it back to love or even like in some cases. Sure, “One Tin Soldier” is righteous and lame, for instance, but I listen to that and I’m at the movies with Billy Jack! Kickin’ ass and takin’ names in a totally groovy environment! OK, maybe not. What songs were monsters that had to be put down before they ate all the radio waves, IYHO? ---
**Author:** ![leafrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@leafrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leafrog)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/2 "2008-09-11T21:32:26Z")
Geesh, I’m having major flashbacks to being a little kid in the back of the station wagon, listening to those songs on the radio on the way to grandma’s house! Songs I would add to the list: Popcorn (Instrumental)/Gershon Kingsley Music Box Dancer/Frank Mills Knock Three Times/Tony Orlando and Dawn One Toke over the Line/Brewer & Shipley Silly Love Songs/Wings ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/3 "2008-09-11T21:40:35Z")
Yogotta throw some Elton John in there - Daniel, or Honky Cat… ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/4 "2008-09-11T21:45:10Z")
Toss in some ABBA ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/5 "2008-09-11T21:47:16Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > Yogotta throw some Elton John in there - Daniel, or Honky Cat… Daniel was mentioned in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/6 "2008-09-11T21:48:22Z")
**I Write the Songs** and **Looks Like We Made It** by Barry Manilow ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/7 "2008-09-11T21:50:06Z")
Una\_Paloma\_Bl… No, I can’t say it, I can’t! GAAAAAHHHH :smack::smack::smack: How did I miss Abba? Ooh, Silly Love Songs…the only thing that is redeeming about that song is that “Let 'Em In” was worse. How did I leave out “Band on the Run.” Talk about a monster! ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/8 "2008-09-11T21:58:14Z")
> [@Rebo](#): > > Yogotta throw some Elton John in there - Daniel, or Honky Cat… “Yogotta?” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Bi-Polar\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@Bi-Polar\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bi-Polar_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/9 "2008-09-11T22:04:17Z")
Brandy (you’re a fine girl etc…) ---
**Author:** ![criminey.jicket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@criminey.jicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminey.jicket)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/10 "2008-09-11T22:08:52Z")
This thread is the equivalent of an earworm\* farm\*. 😃 American Woman, The Guess Who War, Edwin Starr Without You, Nilsson Let’s Get It On, Marvin Gaye The Loco-Motion, Grand Funk Fame, David Bowie Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/11 "2008-09-11T22:09:44Z")
> [@Bi-Polar\_Guy](#): > > Brandy (you’re a fine girl etc..) Ooh, yeah, the swimming pool…it always played over the loudspeaker. That and “Joy to the World” (Jeremiah was a bullfrog)/Three Dog Night. “Reelin’ in the Years,” anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/12 "2008-09-11T22:14:03Z")
Afternoon Delight Spill The Wine Bad Moon on the Rise Stuck in the Middle With You I think these are all '70s. I didn’t check. You wait until I start thinking about the WBLS jams! ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/13 "2008-09-11T22:17:59Z")
I Shot the Sheriff- Eric Clapton Midnight at the Oasis- Maria Muldaur Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen Beth- Kiss Evil Woman- ELO ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/14 "2008-09-11T22:57:53Z")
Oh, man. This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles Rocky Mountain Way - Joe Walsh I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton It Never Rains in Southern California - Albert Hammond We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen Rock ‘N Me - The Steve Miller Band Saturday in the Park and Old Days - Chicago 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room - Brownsville Station Taking Care of Business and You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet - Bachman-Turner Overdrive Frankenstein - The Edgar Winter Group My Sharona - The Knack Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree - Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry Get Down Tonight and That’s the Way (I Like It) - K.C. and the Sunshine Band ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/15 "2008-09-12T01:25:40Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Afternoon Delight > Spill The Wine > Bad Moon on the Rise > Stuck in the Middle With You > > I think these are all '70s. I didn’t check. You wait until I start thinking about the WBLS jams! Not sure about “Spill” or “Bad.” Afternoon Delight is as glossy a turd as was ever laid on the airwaves. 76 or 77 I’d say. “Stuck” is in my Rhino collection and definitely fits. Much as I love Fleetwood Mac, and much as I’d have loved to do Stevie Nicks, “Dreams” definitely got too much air time. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/16 "2008-09-12T01:36:44Z")
After some research. Spill the Wine-- 1970 Bad Moon Rising-- 1969 Stuck in the Middle-- 1972 Afternoon Delight-- 1976 I love Afternoon Delight. I thought it was about eating candy at lunchtime until years after it came out. The happy harmonies make me smile. Plus, it’s about doing it right in the middle of the day! ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/17 "2008-09-12T01:41:29Z")
Love will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tennille You Light up My Life -Debbie Boone Both way over played ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/18 "2008-09-12T01:43:49Z")
Joy - Apollo 100 Eres Tu - Mocedades Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree - Dawn Bad Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce And now, I will kill this thread with the single most-played, most hated by everyone song of the entire decade… You Light Up My Life - Debbie Boone ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/19 "2008-09-12T02:03:25Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I love Afternoon Delight. I thought it was about eating candy at lunchtime until years after it came out. The happy harmonies make me smile. Plus, it’s about doing it right in the middle of the day! Thanks, **Biggirl** , my cold just came back, double force! :smack: Sadly, those were ppl that worked with John Denver. They knew how to write a decent song. Why? WHY? \\> why??? I gotta think we can do better (worse?) than “You Light Up My Life,” however. Like, oh, I don’t know…“Afternoon Delight?” The single most irritating part of that song, for me, is when they sing, “Thinkin’ of you’s working up a appetite.” Yes, “you’s” and “a appetite.” Gag me with a chainsaw! Although if we were taking a vote, I wouldn’t veto sex in the afternoon. Or candy, for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160/20 "2008-09-12T03:34:07Z")
From _The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits_, these were the #1 hits during my senior year of high school (early Sept. 1973 through early June 1974): Let’s Get It On- Marvin Gaye Delta Dawn- Helen Reddy We’re An American Band- Grand Funk Half-Breed- Cher Angie- The Rolling Stones Midnight Train To Georgia- Gladys Knight & The Pips Keep On Truckin’- Eddie Kendricks Photograph- Ringo Starr Top Of The World- The Carpenters The Most Beautiful Girl- Charlie Rich Time In A Bottle- Jim Croce The Joker- Steve Miller Band Show And Tell- Al Wilson You’re Sixteen- Ringo Starr The Way We Were- Barbra Streisand Love’s Theme- Love Unlimited Orchestra Seasons In The Sun- Terry Jacks Dark Lady- Cher Sunshine On My Shoulders- John Denver Hooked On A Feeling- Blue Swede Bennie And The Jets- Elton John TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)- MFSB The Loco-Motion- Grand Funk The Streak- Ray Stevens Band On The Run- Paul McCartney & Wings [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/absolute-monster-1970s-am-radio-hits/463160.md?page=2)