Throwing back to the week of April 11, 1976, we find Johnnie Taylor holding on to the #1 spot of the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Disco Lady.’
At #2, on its way to a single week atop the chart, was The Bellamy Brothers’ ‘Let Your Love Flow.’ This country crossover hit was the duo’s debut single and by far their biggest success on the Hot 100 (their second most popular song reached #39).
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…
#6 – Saturday Night Fever soundtrack
It goes against my long-held principles to include a soundtrack album on a list of favorites, but I do allow some exceptions. And if ever an album is worthy of an exception, it’s the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.
In fact, it’s probably a bigger outrage that this seminal recording didn’t crack my top five. But that’s just a testament to how incredible 1977 was for new music.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…
#7 – Animals – Pink Floyd
I was four years old for most of 1977, so I didn’t listen to any of these albums at the time. But it’s funny how many have a nostalgic pull for me nonetheless, based on the time in my life I first discovered them.
Pink Floyd’s Animals is the most prominent example. My Pink Floyd era, like that of most men who had one, came in high school. That’s when I gobbled up the progressive rock band’s catalog and memorized every spacey note.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…
#8 – Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers
Four years ago, I did a deep dive of Bob Marley, covering his 13 studio albums. Though I enjoyed every one of those records, 1977’s Exodus topped my eventual ranked list.
This is a perfect album to encapsulate the political, spiritual, and romantic resonance of Marley’s music. If all you’ve ever heard is Legend, like I had before the deep dive, this is a great next step.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…
#9 – Slowhand – Eric Clapton
Slowhand is Eric Clapton’s fifth solo album and remains his best-performing in the U.S. (setting aside his live Unplugged album). It is best known for its hit singles ‘Lay Down Sally’ and ‘Wonderful Tonight.’
This is the only Clapton album I have ever owned, but I played the hell out of it in and around my college years. It’s a compulsively listenable record, a perfect vibe.
Meet Me In Montauk 