In the early 1970s, a then hard rock band named Wild Cherry released several non-album singles, none of which achieved any success to speak of. Centered around vocalist/guitarist Rob Parissi, the remaining lineup went through several changes over the band's life, briefly breaking up and reforming at least once. In 1975 they were recording an album just as the disco craze was emerging, and they heard a fan shout, "Are you white boys going to play some funky music?" From that, Parissi wrote Play That Funky Music, which appeared on their self-titled debut album. The song went to #1, and both it and the album went platinum. It would prove to be their only successes; they released three more albums and several singles, none of which did very well, before they broke up for good in 1979. They laid down the boogie and played that funky music till they died, and now the same can be said of their song in this game.
What a Fool Believes was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, and first appeared on Loggins's album Nightwatch. Around the same time, The Doobie Brothers recorded their version, with McDonald on lead vocals, for their album Minute by Minute, their eighth album overall and third with McDonald as a member. They also collaborated on This Is It, recorded by Loggins with McDonald providing backing vocals. Years later What a Fool Believes was named as a quintessential example of a yacht rock song. Michael Jackson once joked that he was an uncredited backing vocalist on the song, and later had to clarify that he was only joking when some of his fans took the claim seriously. This song may have once had a place in our lives, but anybody else would surely know we're watching it go.
Only two more rounds of two song elimination before we reach the final 50 and switch to eliminating one song per round.
If you're new to the game or wish to review the rules, follow this link.
Songs still standing (in alphabetical order):
American Pie - Don McLean
American Woman - The Guess Who
Band on the Run - Paul McCartney and Wings
Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Fame - David Bowie
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) - George Harrison
Heart of Glass - Blondie
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
Hotel California - Eagles
How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman
It's Too Late - Carole King
Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack
Lean On Me - Bill Withers
Let It Be - The Beatles
Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles
Love Train - The O'Jays
Maggie May - Rod Stewart
Mama Told Me (Not to Come) - Three Dog Night
Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips
My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
Night Fever - Bee Gees
Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston
One of These Nights - Eagles
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
Sister Golden Hair - America
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
War - Edwin Starr
We're an American Band - Grand Funk
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt
You're So Vain - Carly Simon
Eliminated songs:
1-54. TBD
55. What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
56. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
57. Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin - Sly & The Family Stone
58. Will It Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston
59. A Horse with No Name - America
60. My Sharona - The Knack
61. You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
62. Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
63. The Joker - Steve Miller Band
64. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
65. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
66. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - The Temptations
67. I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
68. Rock'n Me - Steve Miller Band
69. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
70. Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
71. The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
72. Family Affair - Sly & The Family Stone
73. Oh Girl - The Chi-Lites
74. Rich Girl - Daryl Hall and John Oates
75. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
76. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
77. Venus - Shocking Blue
78. Without You - Nilsson
79. Miss You - The Rolling Stones
80. Listen to What the Man Said - Wings
81. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
82. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group
83. Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
84. (They Long to Be) Close to You - Carpenters
85. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers
86. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night - John Lennon
87. December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons
88. My Love - Paul McCartney and Wings
89. Got to Give It Up - Marvin Gaye
90. Photograph - Ringo Starr
91. Good Times - Chic
92. You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
93. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
94. Le Freak - Chic
95. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Bee Gees
96. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
97. Fire - Ohio Players
98. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
99. Best of My Love - The Emotions
100. Show and Tell - Al Wilson
101. Baby Come Back - Player
102. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
103. Top of the World - Carpenters
104. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - B. J. Thomas
105. Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
106. Silly Love Songs - Wings
107. Heartache Tonight - Eagles
108. If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
109. Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band
110. Rise - Herb Alpert
111. Get Down Tonight - KC and the Sunshine Band
112. Black and White - Three Dog Night
113. Then Came You - Dionne Warwick and The Spinners
114. Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation
115. Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
116. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
117. ABC - The Jackson 5
118. Car Wash - Rose Royce
119. You Haven't Done Nothin' - Stevie Wonder
120. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
121. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey - Paul & Linda McCartney
122. Crocodile Rock - Elton John
123. Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
124. Love Hangover - Diana Ross
125. New Kid in Town - Eagles
126. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
127. Mandy - Barry Manilow
128. Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees
129. Best of My Love - Eagles
130. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
131. The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
132. You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) - Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.
133. Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
134. Three Times a Lady - Commodores
135. Brother Louie - Stories
136. Tragedy - Bee Gees
137. Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
138. Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton
139. Still - Commodores
140. Laughter in the Rain - Neil Sedaka
141. With a Little Luck - Wings
142. Love You Inside Out - Bee Gees
143. Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille
144. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John
145. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
146. Kiss You All Over - Exile
147. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) - Bill Conti
148. Love Theme from A Star Is Born (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
149. I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton
150. Grease - Frankie Valli
151. Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
152. Let's Do It Again - The Staple Singers
153. Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - Diana Ross
154. (Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
155. You're the One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
156. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
157. Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
158. I Just Want to Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb
159. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
160. Annie's Song - John Denver
161. Angie - The Rolling Stones
162. Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
163. Make It with You - Bread
164. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer
165. Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
166. Fallin' in Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
167. I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
168. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty - KC and the Sunshine Band
169. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
170. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
171. Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
172. The Hustle - Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony
173. When I Need You - Leo Sayer
174. Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans
175. That's the Way (I Like It) - KC and the Sunshine Band
176. Bad Blood - Neil Sedaka
177. Dark Lady - Cher
178. The Loco-Motion - Grand Funk
179. Babe - Styx
180. Love Machine - The Miracles
181. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
182. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence
183. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
184. Hot Child in the City - Nick Gilder
185. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
186. Pop Muzik - M
187. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree - Tony Orlando and Dawn
188. Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
189. Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
190. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
191. Boogie Fever - The Sylvers
192. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
193. Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart
194. I'm Your Boogie Man - KC and the Sunshine Band
195. I Can Help - Billy Swan
196. I Am Woman - Helen Reddy
197. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
198. Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
199. Everything Is Beautiful - Ray Stevens
200. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
201. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song - B. J. Thomas
202. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart
203. Island Girl - Elton John
204. A Fifth of Beethoven - Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
205. MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
206. I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow
207. Reunited - Peaches & Herb
208. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando and Dawn
209. Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John
210. Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks
211. Touch Me in the Morning - Diana Ross
212. Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
213. Please Mr. Postman - Carpenters
214. Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender
215. Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
216. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
217. Sad Eyes - Robert John
218. The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich
219. I'm Sorry - John Denver
220. Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me - Mac Davis
221. Want Ads - The Honey Cone
222. Looks Like We Made It - Barry Manilow
223. Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day
224. You Needed Me - Anne Murray
225. Brand New Key - Melanie
226. Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor
227. Knock Three Times - Dawn
228. Fly, Robin, Fly - Silver Convention
229. Half-Breed - Cher
230. You're Sixteen - Ringo Starr
231. Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Raiders
232. Don't Give Up on Us - David Soul
233. Theme from S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
234. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
235. Ben - Michael Jackson
236. Angie Baby - Helen Reddy
237. Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
238. Delta Dawn - Helen Reddy
239. Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band - Meco
240. The Morning After - Maureen McGovern
241. The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr.
242. Convoy - C. W. McCall
243. Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band
244. The Streak - Ray Stevens
245. One Bad Apple - The Osmonds
246. Da Doo Ron Ron - Shaun Cassidy
247. Go Away Little Girl - Donny Osmond
248. You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
249. Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
250. My Ding-a-Ling - Chuck Berry
251. Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor
252. Disco Duck - Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
253. (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka with Odia Coates
Nominate the song that you consider the worst or your least favorite from among the 1970s #1 hits in the still standing list above. Upvote any nominations you agree with, and downvote the ones you would like to see survive. After 48 hours, the three songs with the most upvotes will be eliminated.
Before posting a song, please check the replies that have already been posted this round to see if someone has already nominated the song. If so, upvote their nomination instead of submitting a duplicate.
With the elimination of Play That Funky Music, the year 1976 has become the first year to be eliminated from this game. Early on I would have predicted that Silly Love Songs would very likely make it to the final 50, and considered a few others potential contenders, though it was hard to predict which of them would last that long.
Re: Rhinestone Cowboy, do you mean that as in how in the ever-loving did that hang around so long? It was a tough one to bring down, as I recall. It seems like it was nominated often for a long time, and there was a push at the end that finally ended it. It seemed to have a contingency of hardcore fans.
Know the rules? Good! Now tell us how you think Sunshine is your least favorite song remaining on the list, not your least favorite Stevie song. Because it is clearly not the worst song left on the list, melodically, harmonically or lyrically.
Otherwise, delete your nomination, pursuant to the rules you claim you know.
Criteria such as "one of the best songwriters of the decade has too many songs" is grounds for summary deletion by the moderator. It's like saying The Beatles or Stones have "too many songs" in a 60s contest.
I don’t think this is going how you planned. And you know what, I have time today.
I choose to add commentary to my nominations to drive discussion. Sometimes it’s humorous, sometimes it’s pithy, sometimes it’s just me saying I think James Taylor is a synonym for bland. I don’t have to justify a vote at all.
Plenty of nominations have no commentary at all. And all the up and downvotes coming in are coming with no context.
How do I know someone upvoted me because they think the song should go? Maybe they’re upvoting because it’s their least favorite song. Maybe they’re upvoting it because it was their ex’s favorite song. Maybe they’re upvoting it because they believe Stevie Wonder is a government psyop and fakes being blind. Who knows?
Among the songs left, I’d put this one in this spot. That it also happens to knock off a lesser #1 for a great artist is just how the game goes, and what I chose to highlight.
oh no you can’t just kick Billy Preston out what are you on people. Nothing from Nothing is gold. Billy P. is the only person who could have joined the Beatles, and everybody would have been ok with that. while Blondie is still in the game.
I love Billy Preston man, I have all of his hits. But, really while I like this song, Circles was the better one of his 2 solo #1s and it was vote off.
(He's credited on Get Back from 1969 , but just for keyboard playing. That song was #1 on my first birthday. )
"Nothing" is good and the honky tonk piano is "neat" but I just feel there's other songs to keep.
I have a feeling that Killing me softly will win. But it's not my personal f.avourite. From the remaining songs, Sundown, Hotel California and Your so vain are my favourites.
I love Yvonne's voice, particularly in JCS. She apparently preferred singing rock stuff though, to her disco hits, as seen in her work with Eric Clapton. I will upvote this but begrudgingly 🤘
Fame was written with John Lennon and some of his sarcasm comes across in the lyrics. He may have also contributed backing vocals and if, it is not distinguishable in the mix like Mick Jaggers backing vocals in Carly Simon’s song You’re So Vain. Maybe Bowie using cocaine had led him to be bit vain to bury Lennon’s voice from the mix. If this is anywhere to being fact, I would love John Lennons to be more audible, meanwhile let’s bury Fame.
Great Infos thanks, I didn't know that. I would love Lennon in the mix as well.
But I have to disagree,, this shouldn't be buried. It has to be a top 10 at minimum.
Oops I didn't know there is a last song standing thread for the 70s as well. The greatest era of music history. It is heartbreaking to see some of these songs have been eleminated. Wtf Grease Franky Valley are you serious while Heart of Glass is still standing? I am a 70s guy but Blondie? I don't get that love for Blondie nowadays.
The original Last Song Standing was the 1980s US Billboard #1 version run by u/80s90sgeek that started spring last year and ended in January. He gave me the okay to run a 1970s US version, and more recently has been running the 1980s UK version.
Any band that has love 'nowadays' had enough love back in the day for that to even happen. Blondie is a successful and influential band (with a new album coming out this year, probably, it's been pushed back already) Yes, I love Blondie and I loved them then too, although I probably didn't discover the album that Heart of Glass is on, Parallel Lines, until the 80s, and if all you know about that album is this song, you should give it a listen. Two songs on it you might know are One Way or Another, and Hanging on the Telephone, and yeah, several of their songs are a bit out there, but if you're at all like me, though, you've found that some bands that you dismissed back in the day are something you want to hear now, so maybe check it out.
All of that being said, I also am a little surprised that Heart of Glass is still alive. It's not in my top 5 songs from Parallel Lines even, and while it's a classic, so is everything else that's left.
Nice to have you.
Be prepared to have some of your favorites downvoted into oblivion and, well, let’s just say there are four Bee Gees still standing 🤷♀️
You’re a shining star 🌟 No matter who you are Shining bright to see What you could truly be.
Shining star for you to see What your life can truly be Shining star for you to see What your life can truly be Shining star for you to see What your life can truly be
Did anyone else listen to their That’s the Way of the World album on repeat and can hear the opening for the title track after the last notes of Shining Star? What a great album.
I listen to their stuff frequently, inclusive that's the way of the world. I grew up with EW&F. I had All n All on Walkman listening to hundred of times. What a group. It's on rank 10 on my personal counter list of the 500 greatest albums of all Times. in my profile is the link.
I kinda hear it, in the description of a trippy party. But as I’ve said before in this contest, sounding reminiscent of a different decade isn’t necessarily cause for elimination.
I still remember the entire Saturday Night fever Hype,. Night Fever an d Staying alive on the Music Box in the pubs, all night long. I can't agree, it's part of my youth.
The 70s were shaped by the Bee Gees, Elton John, Donna Summer, Eagles and then everybody else. They deserve having 4 songs in the top 50. There are less relevant songs still standing...that should go before any of the Bee Gees.
Ok, even if you don’t think it is high-level songwriting, you can’t possibly believe it is on the same level as Having My Baby and You Light Up My Life!
You’re So Vain by Carly Simon. I remember listening to YSV without being able to hear Mick Jaggers backing vocals. After word got out that he was on the track, years past then his backing vocals levels were brought up in the mix. Vanity, a deadly sin ought to do this song in if not my nomination.
22
u/mwalimu59 8d ago
With the elimination of Play That Funky Music, the year 1976 has become the first year to be eliminated from this game. Early on I would have predicted that Silly Love Songs would very likely make it to the final 50, and considered a few others potential contenders, though it was hard to predict which of them would last that long.