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Best songs of 1974

Kraftwerk built the motorik pulse this year and pop has been renting it ever since, usually without paying. Not a loud year on the charts, and one of the most consequential underneath them. Dub was doing something similar to rhythm in Kingston at the same time.

Songs from the albums of 1974, ordered by their own ratings rather than the record's.

Jolene cover№ 1JoleneDolly Parton · Jolene1 rating
  1. 2For My Love, Mother Music coverThe GypsyJosé Feliciano · For My Love, Mother Music1 rating
  2. 3Another Time, Another Place coverAnother Time, Another PlaceBryan Ferry · Another Time, Another Place1 rating
  3. 4Nightmares...and Other Tales From the Vinyl Jungle coverDetroit BreakdownThe J. Geils Band · Nightmares...and Other Tales From the Vinyl Jungle1 rating
  4. 5Down to Earth coverSave My Love For a Rainy DayThe Undisputed Truth · Down to Earth1 rating
  5. 6They Say I'm Different coverSpecial PeopleBetty Davis · They Say I'm Different1 rating
  6. 7They Say I'm Different coverThey Say I'm DifferentBetty Davis · They Say I'm Different1 rating
  7. 8They Say I'm Different coverHe Was a Big FreakBetty Davis · They Say I'm Different1 rating
  8. 9Todd coverUseless BeggingTodd Rundgren · Todd1 rating
  9. 10Heavy coverHey Girl Come and Get ItThe Stylistics · Heavy1 rating
  10. 11Heavy coverWhat's Happenin' BabyThe Stylistics · Heavy1 rating
  11. 12Mighty Love coverMr. Big ManThe Spinners · Mighty Love1 rating
  12. 13Mighty Love coverLove Don't Love NobodyThe Spinners · Mighty Love1 rating
  13. 14Hijack coverLiquid WhisperAmon Düül II · Hijack1 rating
  14. 15Fly to the Rainbow coverSpeedy's ComingScorpions · Fly to the Rainbow1 rating
  15. 16Elektronik Türküler coverYalnızlar RıhtımıErkin Koray · Elektronik Türküler1 rating
  16. 17Benimle Oynar mısın coverBenimle OynarmısınBülent Ortaçgil · Benimle Oynar mısın
  17. 18Endless Summer coverSurfin' U.S.A.The Beach Boys · Endless Summer
  18. 191969: Velvet Underground Live With Lou Reed, Volume 1 coverWe're Gonna Have a Real Good Time TogetherThe Velvet Underground · 1969: Velvet Underground Live With Lou Reed, Volume 1
  19. 20Hotter Than Hell coverGoin' BlindKISS · Hotter Than Hell
  20. 21Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverContinental Square DanceJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  21. 22Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverAftershower FunkJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  22. 23Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverPeace, Friendship, SolidarityJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  23. 24Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverJohnnyJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  24. 25Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverLatin Strut (2013 - Remaster)Joe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  25. 26Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverFinJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  26. 27Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverMujer MiaJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  27. 28Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverWhen Sunny Gets BlueJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  28. 29Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverMuchacho OrdinarioJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  29. 30Salsoul (2013 - Remaster) coverMi NubeJoe Bataan · Salsoul (2013 - Remaster)
  30. 31Carnival (Live) coverMystery of LoveRandy Weston · Carnival (Live)
  31. 32Carnival (Live) coverTribute to Duke EllingtonRandy Weston · Carnival (Live)
  32. 33Carnival (Live) coverCarnivalRandy Weston · Carnival (Live)
  33. 34Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version] coverCherokee (2024 Live Remastered Version)Jimmy McGriff · Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version]
  34. 35Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version] coverEverything Happens to Me (2024 Live Remastered Version)Jimmy McGriff · Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version]
  35. 36Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version] coverGreen Dolphin Street (2024 Live Remastered Version)Jimmy McGriff · Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version]
  36. 37Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version] coverFreedom Suite, Pt. 2 (2024 Live Remastered Version)Jimmy McGriff · Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version]
  37. 38Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version] coverFreedom Suite, Pt. 1 (2024 Live Remastered Version)Jimmy McGriff · Concert Friday the 13th Cook County Jail (2024 Live Remastered Version) [Live 2024 Remastered Version]
  38. 39Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverThe SermonJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  39. 40Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverThe Worm TurnsJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  40. 41Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverThese Foolish ThingsJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  41. 42Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverCotton Boy BluesJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  42. 43Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverTikiJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  43. 44Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverJumpin' the BluesJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  44. 45Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverPlain Brown BagJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  45. 46Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverSuper FunkJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  46. 47Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverFat CakesJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  47. 48Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverBug OutJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  48. 49Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverDig On ItJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land
  49. 50Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land coverShuckin & JivinJimmy McGriff · Tribute to Count Basie / Funkiest Little Band In the Land

One great song, one bad album

Tracks carry their own ratings here, so a record you would never play front to back can still have a song worth defending.

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