Top-ranked No. 1 Hits of 1970
was the King of Pop and a global superstar. “I Want You Back” is a perfect pop song, with a relentless, joyful beat, unmissable hooks, and the kind of exuberant singing and harmonizing that only young vocalists can provide.
4. American Woman
Canadian band The Guess Who were the superstars of 1970, having the biggest hit of the year in “American Woman.” Recorded in icy Minnesota, the song has a tough, rugged, and dark guitar riff that makes it sound dangerous and edgy. And though the lyrics are an admonition of a certain kind of American woman, the song has a universal quality as anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-patriotism, and pro-feminism, making it both singular and relatable.
3. Let It Be
“Let It Be” is a song of reassurance and solace written at a tough time for The Beatles. As Paul McCartney remembers from a dream about his late mother, she offered advice that became the core of the song. With its lovely gospel-inflected solo sung by McCartney over gorgeous orchestration, “Let It Be” provided genuine comfort to listeners in 1970 and does so today. Its grandiloquent nature, both musically and thematically, makes it a favorite go-to of hopeful reassurance the world over.
2. The Long and Winding Road
Another final No. 1 hit for The Beatles, “The Long and Winding Road” was essentially a Paul McCartney solo venture by now, as the other members of the band had all but bossed this song by asserting their roles and creative visions. A grand, sweeping, turgid ballad of regret and loss, “The Long and Winding Road” was as grandiloquent and enigmatic a hit as any Beatles single.
1. (They Long to Be) Close to You
The first No. 1 song of 1970 was “Close to You” by siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter, AKA The Carpenters. It was a velvet-’70s lounge-type daydream with a light orchestration and one verse that repeated six times, interspersed with understated calls of “Close to you” during the chorus. A soft and gentle soft-rock pop song that’s pretty, but like all great pop, even earlier on Karen Carpenter’s disturbingly angelic voice sounds like a harbinger of doom.
Decades ’70s
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The first year of the 1970s was significant for the music industry with the emergence of iconic and timeless songs that dominated the pop charts. The sounds of the ’60s melded with newer genres and trends that shaped the subsequent decade. Top-charting hits in 1970 represented a diverse range of genres from pop, rock, soul, folk, to adult contemporary, by musicians from both sides of the Atlantic. A total of 21 songs reached the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The top hits of 1970 have been remembered for their enduring quality and impact on music. When considering the durability, influence, and overall quality of the songs, these are the top 10 chart-toppers of 1970.
Cracklin’ Rosie
Neil Diamond provided a catchy and whimsical tune that resonated with audiences in 1970 with “Cracklin’ Rosie.” The song is an ode to fun times with a mysterious female and embodies Diamond’s signature style with numerous hooks and an underlying theme of escapism using wine as a metaphor for romance.
I Think I Love You
“I Think I Love You” credited to the fictional band The Partridge Family featuring David Cassidy, captured the essence of 1970s bubblegum pop with its upbeat and infectious melody. The track explores the naive sentiment of falling in love and Cassidy’s charismatic delivery, accompanied by unique harpsichord and percussion elements, adds depth to the cheerful composition.
Mama Told Me (Not to Come)
Three Dog Night’s “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” exemplified the band’s fusion of vocal harmonies and rock sensibilities in this distinctive 1970 hit. Originally penned by Randy Newman, the song’s edgy narrative and captivating chorus create a memorable listening experience, highlighted by a gradual