The year 1977 was an incredible one around the world. The rings around Uranus and the second Voyager probe were discovered and we got another amazing year of great music. In this article, we’ll use Billboard’s year-end rankings to determine the 35 best songs of 1977.
1. Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) – Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart’s Tonight’s The Night (Gonna Be Alright) was the overall best song of the year in 1977 and was his second track to reach number one on the Hot 100 singles chart. It also had the longest run at the top spot since The Beatles’ Hey Jude in 1968, remaining in that spot for eight consecutive weeks. By the end of the year, it was the best-selling song to be released throughout the entire year and remains one of the best-selling singles in the history of the Hot 100.
2. I Just Want to Be Your Everything – Andy Gibb
I Just Want To Be Your Everything was the first song released from Andy Gibb’s 1977 debut album Flowing Rivers. It quickly reached the top of the Hot 100 chart, spending three weeks in that position the first time it got there and then regained the spot for one more week. It also reached the top of the Record World and Radio and Records charts in the US.
3. Best of My Love – The Emotions
Best Of My Love was the lead single of The Emotions’ 1977 album Rejoice. It not only reached the top of the Hot 100, but it also reached the top of the US R&B chart. It also made it to the top five of the charts in several other countries, eventually earning the group a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
4. Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born) – Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand’s Evergreen was the theme song of the 1976 film A Star Is Born. She both composed and performed it, and it was featured on the movie’s soundtrack. After being released as a single, it became her second number-one hit, spending three weeks on top of the Hot 100 and six weeks on top of the Easy Listening chart. It also won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
5. Angel in Your Arms – Hot
Angel In Your Arms was a top 10 hit twice, once in 1977 for Hot and another time in 1985 for Barbara Mandrell. It was one of the earlier examples of cheating songs in country music and was a big hit during both releases. Their version of the track made it to number six on the Hot 100 and number nine on the Easy Listening chart.
6. I Like Dreamin’ – Kenny Nolan
I Like Dreamin’ was Kenny Nolan’s debut single and appeared on his debut eponymous album in 1976. After being released as the lead single of the album in October of that year, it spent a total of 27 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three on that chart and number four on the Adult Contemporary chart.
7. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
Don’t Leave Me This Way was first released in 1976 by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. It was eventually covered the following year by Thelma Houston, and her version became an anthem of the gay community during that era. It reached the top of the R&B and Dance Club Songs while also becoming an overall number-one hit by reaching the top of the Hot 100.
8. [Your Love Has Lifted Me] Higher and Higher – Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge’s [Your Love Has Lifted Me] Higher And Higher was first recorded by Jackie Wilson for his 1967 album of the same name. Her version a decade later reached number two on the Hot 100 and number five on the Adult Contemporary chart but did take the top spot of the Cash Box Top 100.
9. Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day
Undercover Angel was another one of the biggest hits of 1977. Alan O’Day’s recording of the song discusses the angel underneath the narrator’s sheets and was a bit risque when it was first released. It ended up making it to the top of the Hot 100, Cash Box Top 100, and US Record World charts. It also just missed out on the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart by peaking at number 43.
10. Torn Between Two Lovers – Mary MacGregor
Torn Between Two Lovers is the torrid tale of a love triangle and all of the emotions that came along with it. It served as the title track of Mary MacGregor’s debut album and became a big hit single for them. It eventually reached the top spot on the Hot 100, Easy Listening chart, and the Canadian charts.
11. I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & the Sunshine Band
I’m Your Boogie Man was first recorded by KC & The Sunshine Band for their fourth album, which was ironically titled Part 3. In 1977, the song ended up reaching the top of the Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It then became an international number-one single by taking the top spot in Canada.
12. Dancing Queen – ABBA
Dancing Queen was probably one of the most iconic disco songs to be released throughout the 70s. It was the lead single of ABBA’s 1976 album Arrival and was an international best-seller. It was their only number-one hit in the US and also topped the charts in 16 other countries.
13. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer’s You Make Me Feel Like Dancing was one of the best tracks to come from his 1976 album Endless Flight. It was his first number-one pop single, rising to the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart. It then won him a Grammy for Best R&B Song the following year.
14. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
Margaritaville embodied the laid-back beach lifestyle of Jimmy Buffet and is still a song you’re going to hear in tourist destinations like the Florida Keys. In the US, the track peaked at number eight on the Hot 100, made it to number one on the Easy Listening chart, and number 13 on the Hot Country Songs chart. To this day, it’s his highest-charting single and even helped inspire a chain of tropical hotels.
15. Telephone Line – Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra’s Telephone Line was an international hit in 1977. It rose to the top of the Canadian charts and made it into the top 10 in the US, the UK, and Australia. It even sold over one million records that year, helping it lock in a place as a top-15 song on the year-end rankings by Billboard.
16. Whatcha Gonna Do? – Pablo Cruise
Whatcha Gonna Do? first appeared on Pablo Cruise’s 1977 album A Place In The Sun. The song reached number six on the Hot 100 and was a slight hit on the Soul Singles chart but fared better in Canada. There, it made it to number one on the RPM Top Singles Chart.
17. Do You Wanna Make Love – Peter McCann
Do You Wanna Make Love was first featured on Peter McCann’s eponymous 1977 album and served as the B-side to Right Time Of The Night. It quickly became the more popular side of the single release, ending up becoming a hit single in 1977. His version of the song competed with one by David Willis that year but far outranked its competition and made it to number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.
18. Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
Sir Duke first appeared on Stevie Wonder’s 1976 album Songs In The Key Of Life. Written as a tribute to Duke Ellington—who had died three years prior to the track’s release—it quickly picked up steam and topped both the Hot 100 and Black Singles charts. It then rose to number two on the UK Singles Charts and is tied for being his biggest hit in that country.
19. Hotel California – Eagles
Hotel California is an infinitely interesting and sort of creepy hit that’s remembered today as a legendary song. It remains the best-known single released by the Eagles and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978. During its chart run in 1977, the track reached number one on the Hot 100.
20. Got to Give It Up – Marvin Gaye
Marv Gaye’s Got To Give It Up originally appeared on his 1976 album Bigger Than Both of Us and eventually became one of his six total overall number-one singles. It rose to the top of the Hot 100 and was a minor hit internationally. Another one of his most catchy songs and brimming with steamy underpinnings, it sold over one million copies in the US.
21. Gonna Fly Now – Bill Conti
Bill Conti’s Gonna Fly Now was the theme song for the movie Rocky. It quickly became a huge part of American pop culture thanks to its use in the iconic scene from the film that sees Rocky Balboa running up the stone steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It later became the theme song of the NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles, and during its chart run in 1977, the track made it to number one on the US Hot 100.
22. Southern Nights – Glen Campbell
Southern Nights was the title track of Allen Toussaint’s 1975 album, but Glen Campbell would go on to record his version of it two years later. It was the first release from his album and was also the title track of that one. In 1977, it made it to the top of the Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Country Songs charts in the US.
23. Rich Girl – Hall & Oates
Rich Girl was the song that truly cemented Hall & Oates’ legacy as it became the first of the pair’s six number-one singles in the US. It originally appeared on their 1976 album Bigger Than Both Of Us, and by the end of 1977, it was the 23rd most successful single of the year.
24. When I Need You – Leo Sayer
Leo Sayer’s When I Need You was the title track of his 1976 album, though it originally appeared on Albert Hammond’s 1976 album. His version of the song was an international hit, taking the top spot of the UK Singles Chart and holding it for three weeks while also making it to the top spot of the US Hot 100.
25. Hot Line – The Sylvers
The Sylvers’ Hot Line came from their 1976 album Something Special. It earned a gold record after becoming an international top-10 hit single, rising to number five on the Hot 100 and number one on the Canada RPM Top Singles chart.
26. Car Wash – Rose Royce
Rose Royce’s Car Wash became one of the most beloved songs of the entire era and one of the biggest successes of the disco craze. It served as the theme for the 1976 film of the same name and was the lead single of the movie’s soundtrack. It would eventually rise to number one on both the Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts in the US.
27. You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) – Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis Jr.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.’s recording of You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show) popularized the earlier work and was featured on the pair’s album I Hope We Get To Love In Time. The song was a crossover hit, spending a total of six months on the US charts and making it to the top of both the Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts. It then went on to win them a Grammy Award in 1977.
28. Fly Like an Eagle – Steve Miller Band
Fly Like An Eagle was introduced to most people my age in the film Space Jam, with Seal’s recording being the version we grew up listening to. But, it was an even bigger hit for Steve Miller Band when it was released as the title track of their 1976 album. By 1977, the song had made it to number two on the US Hot 100 and Canada Top Singles charts.
29. Don’t Give Up on Us – David Soul
After leaving the hit TV show Starsky And Hutch, David Soul capitalized on his brand power by delivering the hit single Don’t Give Up On Us. The song quickly became a worldwide hit, rising to number one on the US Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary chart. It also sold well over one million copies in the UK and topped the UK Singles Chart that year.
30. On and On – Stephen Bishop
On And On first appeared on Stephen Bishop’s debut album Careless. In total, it spent 28 weeks on the Hot 100 chart in the US, rising as high as number 11 on those rankings. It fared a bit better on the Easy Listening chart, peaking at number three. And while it didn’t break into the top 10 of the major charts, its seven-month run earned it a spot in the top 30 of the year-end rankings.
31. Feels Like the First Time – Foreigner
Foreigner hit it big with their eponymous debut album, and the lead single they chose for it turned into a massive hit. Feels Like The First Time is a song that’s still often used in other media today, but in 1977, it rose as high as number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.
32. Couldn’t Get It Right – Climax Blues Band
Couldn’t Get it Right was a bit of a middle finger from Climax Blues Band to their label, as the label told them their 1976 album Gold Plated didn’t have a standout single. But while the title might have been a jest, the song sure wasn’t. It rose to number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
33. Easy – Commodores
Easy was a standout track on the Commodores’ fifth studio album, and it ended up being a big crossover hit. The song quickly made Lionel Richie a household name when it reached number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart and number four on the Hot 100.
34. Right Time of the Night – Jennifer Warnes
Peter McCann was the original writer of Right Time Of Night, but it was Jennifer Warnes’ recording that became a hit single. It peaked at number six on the Hot 100 and rose to the top of the Easy Listening chart.
35. I’ve Got Love on My Mind – Natalie Cole
I’ve Got Love On My Mind came from Natalie Cole’s third studio album Unpredictable. It became one of her most popular songs and sold over a million copies, spending five weeks on top of the Hot Soul Singles chart and reaching the top five of the Hot 100.
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As a contributing writer for Music Grotto, Dakotah writes and produces professional music/media content. He works closely with editorial staff to meet editorial standards and create
quality content for the Music Grotto website. Dakotah is passionate about music in a wide variety of genres, from hip-hop to country and lo-fi to metal, and he enjoys creating music pieces for Music Grotto.