# Best of the Rest of the Top 40: 1978 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313 "2015-02-10T18:19:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/1 "2015-02-10T18:19:50Z")
Our survey brings us now to 1978. In the #1 survey, this was the absolute peak of the Age of Disco, with the Gibb siblings dominating. And the last few best-of-the-rest charts have been lackluster, but I have to say _hot damn_ this is a good set of songs here that were just bubbling under the top spot. I only had to go to #41 to compile this list of 25. What’s your favorite? Previous polls: [1956](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744629) [1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744819) [1958](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744978) [1959](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745151) [1960](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745331) [1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745525) [1962](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745733) [1963](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=745956) [1964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746118) [1965](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746342) [1966](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746498) [1967](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746735) [1968](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=746932) [1969](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=747152) [1970](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=747345) [1971](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=747517) [1972](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=747737) [1973](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=747976) [1974](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=748145) [1975](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=748360) [1976](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=748527) [1977](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=748653) Best #1 single polls: [1955-56](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731649) [1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731871) [1958](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732021) [1959](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732199)[1960](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732526) [1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732691) [1962](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732872) [1963](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733112) [1964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733297) [1965](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733526) [1966](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733750) [1967](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733958) [1968](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734168) [1969](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734331) [1970](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734535) [1971](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734741) [1972](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735107) [1973](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735304) [1974](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735502) [1975](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735659) [1976](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735871) [1977](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736076) [1978](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736316) [1979](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736501) [1980](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736705) [1981](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736957) [1982](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737099) [1983](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737315) [1984](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737488) [1985](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737732) [1986](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737957) [1987](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738178) [1988](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738403) [1989](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738639) [1990](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738829) [1991](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739067) [1992](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739360) [1993](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739525) [1994](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739880) [1995](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740122) [1996](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740302) [1997](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740497) [1998](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740709) [1999](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740859) [2000](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741047) [2001](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741267) [2002](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741450) [2003](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741604) [2004](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741730) [2005](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741915) [2006](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742069) [2007](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742147) [2008](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742282) [2009](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742467) [2010](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742676) [2011](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742846) [2012](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675664) [2013](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=710843) [2014](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743899) [1950s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743046) [1960s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743240) [1970s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743399) [1980s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743597) [1990s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743803) [2000s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743981) [2010s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744176) [All-time](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744358) ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/2 "2015-02-10T19:01:25Z")
Why is Debbie Boone included, her song was #1? I could go with several one which is Queen, but they are out as they got my vote in1976. I wish Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” was on this list. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/3 "2015-02-10T19:03:02Z")
Gotta go w/ Kansas. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/4 "2015-02-10T19:06:10Z")
Had to go with Baker Street. Love that song. Gerry Rafferty is one of those underappreciated artists. Kansas, Sweet and Meat Loaf were pretty good, too. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/5 "2015-02-10T19:13:14Z")
I used to think “Magnet and Steel” was the most outwardly gay song ever, as I heard the singer belt out “For you are a ma-an, and I am Steve”… for over 20 years. :o ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/6 "2015-02-10T19:21:11Z")
There’s some pretty decent stuff on this list. Even the Foreigner song is pretty good, and on the whole I can’t stand Foreigner. Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” is a beautiful song. Randy Newman’s “Short People” is wonderfully funny. Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” surpasses its genre (cocktail-lounge music) in its straightforward sincerity. ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me” brings back good memories of a long-ago (it would have to be, wouldn’t it?) romance. “Baker Street,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “It’s a Heartache” are still worth listening to afer all these years. There are some songs here I wouldn’t mind never hearing again, but the only one worthy of comment from my POV is Queen’s twin bill. “We Will, We Will Rock You” long ago passed “Stairway to Heaven” as the most overplayed song in the history of rock n’ roll. Can we take this song out and shoot it? And “We are the champions, my friend, and we’ll keep on fighting to the end” is an abysmally stupid line. That sounds like the guy in Cake’s “The Distance” who keeps on driving his car around the racetrack for hours after the race is over. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/7 "2015-02-10T19:21:15Z")
I went with “Baker Street”, btw, but I could have picked 5+ other songs depending upon my mood. Queen, Paul Davis, Bonnie Tyler, Donna Summer, Kansas, Meat Loaf… probably more. Even the Billy Joel song is good and I am NOT a fan. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/8 "2015-02-10T19:22:26Z")
> [@Nema98](#): > > Why is Debbie Boone included, her song was #1? I blame my proofreader. Please consider the #42 song of the year, “Use ta Be My Girl” by the O’Jays, as a substitute. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/9 "2015-02-10T19:35:44Z")
I guess I was ahead of my time in supporting the LBGT community, I LOVED me some Walter Egan. I went with Man and Steve. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/10 "2015-02-10T20:13:54Z")
I’m going with ABBA here, with Queen close behind. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/11 "2015-02-10T22:21:26Z")
_Baker Street_, for sure. Great sax music, great lyrics. Just a great composition. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/12 "2015-02-10T22:51:17Z")
I voted for Queen (despite the fact that the song is overplayed, as **RTFirefly** notes). Donna Summer’s entry finishes second in the world-famous **Ponch8 Music Rating System**. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/13 "2015-02-11T00:21:37Z")
Again, too many good ones to choose from. I could’ve picked one of just about any of those. I ended up going with “It’s a Heartache.” Can still remember that it was played on CBS at halftime of Game 7 of the NBA Finals that year between Washington and Seattle. Yeah, I know - funny what kinds of things stick in one’s head, right? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/14 "2015-02-11T00:47:04Z")
That is a surprisingly strong year. I could have picked a number of them too because I have many of the songs on my favorite play-lists. I love ABBA and Bonnie Tyler but I had to go with Baker Street as well because it is such a distinctive song that is well executed. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/15 "2015-02-11T00:58:10Z")
When I saw in the list the track with a sax line for the Ages, my vote was decided for this year. Baker Street it is – with my due respects anyway to Queen (overplay or no overplay) and Donna Summer. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/16 "2015-02-11T01:00:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > _Baker Street_, for sure. Great sax music, great lyrics. Just a great composition. I agree. And I think this is the first time I’ve voted for the front-runner. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/17 "2015-02-11T01:10:21Z")
Peter Brown- Dance With Me got my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/18 "2015-02-11T01:39:16Z")
Its a great song anyway, but I have to cast my vote for best memory during one of those songs. I once kissed a girl to “Just the Way You Are” without coming up for air Even Once. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/19 "2015-02-11T03:32:23Z")
Meatloaf. We fat fucks have to stick together. Plus Jim Steinman at his operatic gloriousest. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313/20 "2015-02-11T03:44:48Z")
Kansas was the reason we had huge speakers in the dorm rooms at my college. Thus. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-of-the-rest-of-the-top-40-1978/712313.md?page=2)