The year 1970 was a seismic year in music history. The Beatles broke up, marking the end of an era, and new solo artists and bands carved their own legacy. A heady cocktail of rock, soul, folk, pop and country in 1970 birthed some of the most unforgettable and long-lasting songs of the 20th century.

The best songs of 1970 range from reflective ballads to raucous rock anthems, and they still connect with listeners many years later.

So, in this blog, we are going to take a closer look at the top songs of 1970 — the music, the cultural influences, and why they still hold relevance today.

The Music Landscape of 1970

Before breaking down the individual songs, it’s worth noting what the musical landscape looked like in 1970. The late ’60s set the stage for experimentation and revolution in music. Psychedelic rock was ceding ground to harder-edged styles, and singer-songwriters were hitting their stride with more personal storytelling.

Soul and R&B were thriving, driven in large part by labels like Motown and Stax. Folk and country were mixing with mainstream pop, and protest songs captured the continuing tumult of the Vietnam War and civil rights struggles.

So, with that in mind, please read on for the best Billboard songs from 1970.]

1. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” — Simon & Garfunkel

When Bridge Over Troubled Water was released in January 1970, it emerged as an anthem of solace and hope. Written by Paul Simon and gorgeously sung by Art Garfunkel, the song spent six weeks at top of the Billboard Hot 100. Its gospel-steeped arrangement and soul-shaking lyrics have enshrined it as a classic.

The song that won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at multiple Grammy Awards. The piano intro and orchestration represent a marked departure from Simon & Garfunkel’s earlier folk sound and a move toward a more cinematic musical style.

2. “Let It Be” – The Beatles

Let It Be was a single and the title cut of The Beatles’ final studio album, released in March 1970. It was written by Paul McCartney during a rough patch for the group, influenced by a dream about his dead mother.

The song is a message of peace and acceptance, and its haunting organ and soulful guitar solo by George Harrison have helped make it one of the Beatles’ most adored songs.

While the tensions in the studio were running high during its recording, Let It Be stands as a comforting final farewell from the Fab Four.

3. “American Woman” – The Guess Who

American Woman, with its hard-hitting guitar riff and raw vocals, was a huge hit in 1970. It hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first song by a Canadian band to reach No. 1 on that chart.

The song was originally improvised at a concert, which is all the more interesting. Lyrically, it is often seen as a critique of American politics and war, and its aggro tone reflected a change toward harder rock in mainstream music.

4. “War” – Edwin Starr

“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!” This indelible chorus helped make Edwin Starr’s War one of the most powerful protest songs ever recorded. The Temptations first recorded it, but Starr’s version made it a No. 1 hit.

It caught the anti-Vietnam zeitgeist then, infusing funk grooves with incensed vocalism. War is a potent example of music as social commentary.

5. “ABC” – The Jackson 5

With its release in February 1970, ABC by The Jackson 5 highlighted the youthful charm and vocal talent of a very young Michael Jackson. The song swiftly climbed to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, dethroning The Beatles’ Let It Be.

Coating the bubblegum pop sound of one of the Motown-produced hits with a soul sensation, the infectious hook and explosive feel of “I Want You Back” helped establish the Jackson 5 as one of the biggest acts of the decade to come.

6. “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” – B.J. Thomas

This Academy Award winner for Best Original Song was featured in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and became a hit in early 1970.

Written, composed and arranged by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, its whimsical melody and hopeful words stood apart from other pop songs during an era of political turmoil.

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a signifier of the easy-listening pop aesthetics that countered the more serious themes in vogue at the time.

7. “Lola” – The Kinks

Lola was controversial and trailblazing. Released in June 1970, the song narrates a romantic encounter with a trans woman, a daring tale for the time.

Ray Davies’ clever lyrics, along with that infectious chorus, had Lola charting in the U.K. and U.S. It also demonstrated the way rock music was starting to address more complicated and taboo subjects.

8. “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” — Three Dog Night

Written and recorded by Randy Newman and later popularized by the band Three Dog Night, the song is a tongue-in-cheek look at the wild party world and the culture shock it can inspire.

Its funky rhythms and exaggerated vocals made Mama Told Me (Not to Come) a No. 1 hit in July 1970.

Its blend of rock, funk and satire enabled it to stand out in the summer of 1970.

9. “Fire and Rain” – James Taylor

A difficult, autobiographical song, Fire and Rain reflected James Taylor’s struggles with addiction, fame and the suicide of a close friend. It was released in February 1970, became one of his signature songs, and helped define the singer-songwriter era.

With readers responding to its acoustic arrangement and emotional lyrics, Taylor became one of the highest-profile artists of the decade.

10. “The Long and Winding Road” — The Beatles

Another smash from Let It Be, this Paul McCartney ballad became the last Beatles single to be released during their lifetime. With lush orchestration contributed by producer Phil Spector (much to McCartney’s chagrin), the song went to number one in the US.

Its mournful character captured the end of the Beatles’ expedition, and it serves as a bittersweet farewell to one of the great bands of all time.

Honorable Mentions

While those songs ruled the charts and radio stations, 1970 also had its share of other gems worthy of mention:

• “Instant Karma!” – John Lennon: A blocky, demanding solo hit that foreshadowed Lennon’s activist soul.
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” – Stevie Wonder: A Motown classic that highlighted Wonder’s burgeoning independence as a songwriter and producer.
• “Venus” — Shocking Blue: A catchy psychedelic-inflected pop hit out of the Netherlands.
• “I’ll Be There” – The Jackson 5: A tender ballad that showed off the group’s versatility.
• “Kentucky Rain” — Elvis Presley: A high-drama, well-produced track that proved the King still had the goods.

Legacy of 1970’s Music

More than just a nostalgia trip, the best songs of 1970 are a music turning point. No more formula for artists. They experimented with new sounds, addressed more serious topics and, perhaps, felt more comfortable being themselves.

1970 was the bedrock for classic rock, the rise of soul and funk and the introduction of more introspective songwriting. Several of those artists — Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor — would later shape the sound of generations of musicians.

Conclusion

The sound of 1970 was a reflection of its era — rich with beauty and tension, change and upheaval. No matter if you listen to the soothing harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel, Edwin Starr’s calls to peace or The Beatles’ swan songs, these songs tell the story of a transitioning world.

They embody the spirit of a decade just dawning and the reverberations of the one just concluding. The greatest songs of 1970 are classics, no doubt, but they’re also timeless.

So queue up your playlist, drop the needle on the vinyl or press play on your streaming service. 1970’s music is ready to take you back.

What is your favorite song from 1970? Let us know in the comments!