Top Songs of 1972


Rank All Time Rank Artist Song Genres
1
32
Stevie Wonder Superstition Funk, Soul
2
71
Lou Reed Walk on the Wild Side Art Rock, Glam Rock, Jazz Pop
3
213
Roxy Music Virginia Plain Art Rock, Glam Rock
4
221
Deep Purple Smoke on the Water Blues Rock, Hard Rock
5
230
The Temptations Papa Was a Rollin' Stone Psychedelic Soul
6
240
David Bowie Ziggy Stardust Glam Rock
7
271
Mott the Hoople All the Young Dudes Glam Rock
8
303
Alice Cooper School's Out Glam Rock, Hard Rock
9
323
The Rolling Stones Tumbling Dice Blues Rock
10
344
Neil Young Heart of Gold Country Rock, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
11
379
Nick Drake Pink Moon Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
12
471
David Bowie Starman Glam Rock, Pop Rock
13
534
Lou Reed Perfect Day Baroque Pop, Piano Rock
14
582
Jimmy Cliff The Harder They Come Pop Reggae
15
610
Big Star Thirteen Folk Pop, Pop Rock
16
809
Neil Young The Needle and the Damage Done Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
17
825
Carly Simon You're So Vain Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
18
841
The O'Jays Back Stabbers Philly Soul
19
877
Randy Newman Sail Away Baroque Pop, Singer/Songwriter
20
933
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes If You Don't Know Me by Now Philly Soul, Smooth Soul
21
954
Elton John Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) Piano Rock
22
1043
Steely Dan Reelin' in the Years Pop Rock
23
1048
Curtis Mayfield Superfly Chicago Soul, Film Soundtrack, Funk
24
1064
Manu Dibango Soul Makossa Jazz-Funk, Makossa
25
1104
Al Green Love and Happiness Southern Soul
26
1152
Lou Reed Satellite of Love Glam Rock
27
1257
Bill Withers Lean on Me Pop Soul
28
1262
Little Feat Willin' Country Rock
29
1318
David Bowie Suffragette City Glam Rock
30
1337
The Rolling Stones Happy Blues Rock
31
1343
The O'Jays Love Train Philly Soul, Pop Soul
32
1366
Stevie Wonder You Are the Sunshine of My Life Pop Soul
33
1383
The Rolling Stones Rocks Off Blues Rock
34
1409
Townes Van Zandt Pancho and Lefty Progressive Country, Singer/Songwriter
35
1434
Billy Paul Me and Mrs. Jones Philly Soul, Smooth Soul
36
1442
Steely Dan Do It Again Jazz-Rock, Pop Rock
37
1455
Neu! Hallogallo Krautrock
38
1475
Curtis Mayfield Freddie's Dead Chicago Soul, Film Soundtrack, Funk
39
1494
Spinners I'll Be Around Philly Soul, Smooth Soul
40
1506
The Staple Singers I'll Take You There Soul
41
1571
Todd Rundgren I Saw the Light Piano Rock
42
1634
David Bowie Moonage Daydream Glam Rock
43
1745
Stealers Wheel Stuck in the Middle with You Folk Rock, Pop Rock
44
1756
Bobby Womack Across 110th Street Film Soundtrack, Funk, Soul
45
1824
Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now Pop Soul
46
1827
David Bowie Five Years Art Rock, Glam Rock
47
1845
T. Rex Telegram Sam Glam Rock
48
1889
The Chi-Lites Oh Girl Chicago Soul, Smooth Soul
49
1932
Raspberries Go All the Way Power Pop
50
1942
Spinners Could It Be I'm Falling in Love Philly Soul
51
1945
Deep Purple Highway Star Hard Rock
52
1959
T. Rex Metal Guru Glam Rock
53
1986
Thin Lizzy Whiskey in the Jar Celtic Rock, Hard Rock
54
1993
Todd Rundgren Hello It's Me Pop Rock
55
2000
Timmy Thomas Why Can't We Live Together Soul
56
2024
T. Rex Children of the Revolution Glam Rock
57
2068
Curtis Mayfield Pusherman Chicago Soul, Film Soundtrack, Funk
58
2077
Gary Glitter Rock and Roll Part 2 Glam Rock
59
2141
David Bowie Rock 'n' Roll Suicide Art Rock, Glam Rock, Rock Opera
60
2153
Elton John Crocodile Rock Glam Rock, Piano Rock
61
2201
Eagles Take It Easy Country Rock
62
2211
Gilbert O'Sullivan Alone Again (Naturally) Baroque Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
63
2345
Neil Young Old Man Country Rock, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
64
2349
Nick Drake Things Behind the Sun Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
65
2389
David Bowie The Jean Genie Glam Rock
66
2404
Hawkwind Silver Machine Space Rock
67
2560
Helen Reddy I Am Woman Adult Contemporary
68
2585
Rod Stewart You Wear It Well Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter
69
2649
Slade Mama Weer All Crazee Now Glam Rock, Hard Rock
70
2719
Randy Newman God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind) Piano Blues, Singer/Songwriter
71
2839
Jim Croce Time in a Bottle Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
72
2845
Black Sabbath Supernaut Heavy Metal
73
2847
The Rolling Stones Shine a Light Blues Rock
74
2870
Horace Andy Skylarking Dub, Roots Reggae
75
2921
Elvis Presley Burning Love Pop Rock, Rock & Roll
76
2947
Big Star The Ballad of El Goodo Power Pop
77
3059
Al Green How Can You Mend a Broken Heart Smooth Soul, Southern Soul
78
3118
Neil Young A Man Needs a Maid Baroque Pop, Singer/Songwriter
79
3119
Can Vitamin C Krautrock
80
3132
Al Green I'm Still in Love with You Smooth Soul, Southern Soul
81
3165
David Bowie John, I'm Only Dancing Glam Rock
82
3216
Lyn Collins Think (About It) Funk, Soul
83
3279
Alice Cooper Elected Glam Rock, Hard Rock
84
3302
Elvis Presley Always on My Mind Blue Eyed Soul, Country Pop
85
3379
Rick Nelson Garden Party Country Pop
86
3399
Dennis Brown Money In My Pocket Dub, Roots Reggae
87
3405
Edgar Winter Group Free Ride Hard Rock, Pop Rock
88
3407
Bill Withers Use Me Rhythm & Blues, Smooth Soul
89
3512
Randy Newman Political Science Singer/Songwriter
90
3544
The Stylistics I'm Stone in Love with You Philly Soul, Pop Soul
91
3593
Luther Ingram (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right Southern Soul
92
3672
Paul Simon Mother and Child Reunion Pop Reggae, Singer/Songwriter
93
3683
J.J. Cale Call Me the Breeze Blues Rock, Country Rock
94
3730
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band Big Eyed Beans from Venus Blues Rock
95
3748
Bread Everything I Own Soft Rock
96
3752
Edgar Winter Group Frankenstein Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock
97
3797
Jackson Browne Doctor My Eyes Singer/Songwriter
98
3855
The Rolling Stones All Down the Line Blues Rock
99
4050
Faust It's a Rainy Day, Sunshine Girl Krautrock
100
4063
Genesis Supper's Ready Symphonic Prog
101
4304
Chicago Saturday in the Park Piano Rock
102
4423
Michael Jackson Ben Film Soundtrack, Pop Soul
103
4434
Seals and Crofts Summer Breeze Soft Rock, Yacht Rock
104
4538
Arlo Guthrie The City of New Orleans Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
105
4677
Flamin' Groovies Slow Death Garage Rock, Proto-Punk
106
4692
Paul Simon Me and Julio Down by the School Yard Folk Pop, Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
107
4732
The Doobie Brothers Listen to the Music Yacht Rock
108
4768
Yes Close to the Edge Symphonic Prog
109
4919
Matching Mole O Caroline Canterbury Scene
110
5218
Michael Jackson I Wanna Be Where You Are Soul
111
5258
The Rolling Stones Sweet Virginia Country Rock, Roots Rock
112
5312
Al Green Look What You Done for Me Smooth Soul, Southern Soul
113
5567
Eddie Kendricks Girl You Need a Change of Mind Pop Soul
114
5571
Mel and Tim Starting All Over Again Southern Soul
115
5711
The Rolling Stones Loving Cup Blues Rock
116
5737
Michel Fugain Une belle histoire Chanson, French Pop
117
5802
Bonnie Raitt Love Has No Pride Blues Rock, Singer/Songwriter
118
5885
Lou Reed Vicious Glam Rock
119
5925
War The World Is a Ghetto Funk, Soul
120
6082
Jimmie Dale & The Flatlanders Dallas Country
121
6084
Sui Generis Canción para mi muerte Folk Rock
122
6117
Joe Tex I Gotcha Funk, Soul
123
6171
Yves Simon Au pays des merveilles de Juliet Chanson
124
6306
Joni Mitchell You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
125
6361
Free Wishing Well Hard Rock
126
6367
Chick Corea Return to Forever Jazz Fusion
127
6368
Chuck Berry My Ding-a-Ling Novelty, Pop Rock
128
6398
Johnny Nash Stir It Up Pop Reggae
129
6416
The Osmonds Crazy Horses Hard Rock, Pop Rock
130
6473
Neu! Neuschnee Krautrock
131
6578
Charles Aznavour Comme ils disent Chanson à texte
132
6606
Ohio Players Funky Worm Funk
133
6674
Elvis Presley An American Trilogy Adult Contemporary
134
6746
Neil Diamond Song Sung Blue Country Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
135
6911
John Denver Rocky Mountain High Contemporary Folk, Country Pop
136
6962
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons The Night Pop Soul
137
7029
The Rolling Stones Torn and Frayed Blues Rock
138
7161
Uriah Heep Easy Livin' Hard Rock
139
7186
Ringo Starr Back Off Boogaloo Glam Rock, Pop Rock
140
7188
Albert Hammond It Never Rains in Southern California Folk Pop
141
7207
The Rolling Stones Let It Loose Blues Rock
142
7286
Roxy Music Re-make / Re-model Art Rock, Glam Rock
143
7421
Gladys Knight and The Pips Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) Smooth Soul
144
7526
Paul McCartney and Wings Hi, Hi, Hi Pop Rock
145
7609
Randy Newman You Can Leave Your Hat On Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
146
7658
The Stylistics Break Up to Make Up Philly Soul, Pop Soul, Smooth Soul
147
7739
Jethro Tull Thick as a Brick Folk Rock, Progressive Rock
148
7753
Nino Rota Love Theme from The Godfather Cinematic Classical, Film Score
149
7854
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose Too Late to Turn Back Now Soul
150
7893
America Ventura Highway Folk Pop, Folk Rock, Soft Rock
151
7970
Joni Mitchell For the Roses Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
152
7983
Van Morrison Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile) Blue Eyed Soul, Pop Soul, Rhythm & Blues
153
8002
Tanya Tucker Delta Dawn Nashville Sound
154
8030
Looking Glass Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) Soft Rock
155
8055
B.J. Thomas Rock & Roll Lullaby Pop
156
8218
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken Bluegrass
157
8233
James Taylor Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight Singer/Songwriter
158
8327
Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandel Dueling Banjos Bluegrass, Film Soundtrack
159
8395
The Kinks Celluloid Heroes Pop Rock
160
8417
The Allman Brothers Band Ain't Wastin' Time No More Blues Rock, Jam Band, Southern Rock
161
8456
Slade Gudbuy T'Jane Glam Rock, Hard Rock
162
8461
Yes And You and I Symphonic Prog
163
8512
Bobby Womack Harry Hippie Soul
164
8558
Ray Charles America the Beautiful Pop Soul
165
8564
Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs Most People I Know (Think That I'm Crazy) Pop Rock
166
8599
Cymande Bra Funk, Psychedelic Soul
167
8604
Lou Reed Wild Child Rock
168
8684
Carpenters Goodbye to Love Baroque Pop
169
8774
James Brown King Heroin Soul Jazz, Spoken Word
170
8867
Terry Callier Dancing Girl Contemporary Folk, Soul
171
8945
Steely Dan Dirty Work Pop Rock
172
8966
War The Cisco Kid Funk, Soul
173
9010
Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway Where Is the Love Smooth Soul
174
9032
The Who Join Together Hard Rock
175
9051
Joe Dassin Salut les amoureux Chanson
176
9120
Big Star In the Street Power Pop
177
9156
Lucio Battisti Il mio canto libero Baroque Pop, Pop Rock, Progressive Pop
178
9224
Edward Bear Last Song Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
179
9241
Dr. Hook The Cover of "Rolling Stone" Country Pop, Country Rock, Musical Comedy
180
9360
The Rolling Stones Ventilator Blues Blues Rock
181
9401
Marvin Gaye Trouble Man Film Soundtrack, Smooth Soul
182
9417
Love Unlimited Orchestra Walkin' in the Rain With the One I Love Smooth Soul
183
9552
Bobby Womack Woman's Gotta Have It Southern Soul
184
9615
Fela Kuti Roforofo Fight Afrobeat
185
9691
Otis Clay Trying to Live My Life Without You Southern Soul
186
9714
Neil Young Out on the Weekend Country Rock, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
187
9721
Bread The Guitar Man Soft Rock
188
9728
King Sunny Adé Sunny ti de Jùjú
189
9791
Paul Simon Peace Like a River Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
190
9816
Jim Croce Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels) Singer/Songwriter
191
9879
The Main Ingredient Everybody Plays the Fool Soul
192
9938
Hot Butter Popcorn Synthpop

Songs "bubbling under" the all-time top 10,000:
Donny Osmond Puppy Love Teen Pop
Raspberries I Wanna Be With You Power Pop
Leon Russell Tight Rope Piano Rock, Roots Rock
Lobo I'd Love You to Want Me Soft Rock
Three Dog Night Black and White Pop Rock
Al Green You Oughta Be With Me Smooth Soul, Southern Soul
The Jimmy Castor Bunch It's Just Begun Funk
Deep Purple Space Truckin' Hard Rock
Eagles Witchy Woman Country Rock, Soft Rock
Malo Suavecito Latin Rock, Latin Soul
The Move Do Ya Hard Rock
Los Jaivas Todos juntos Andean Rock, Progressive Folk, Progressive Rock
Lucio Battisti I giardini di marzo Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Georges Brassens Mourir pour des idées Chanson à texte
Liza Minnelli Cabaret Cabaret, Show Tunes
Bee Gees Run to Me Soft Rock
Elton John Honky Cat Jazz Pop, Piano Rock
Linda Jones Your Precious Love Deep Soul
The Rolling Stones Rip This Joint Blues Rock
The Jackson 5 Lookin' Through the Windows Pop Soul
Genesis Watcher of the Skies Symphonic Prog
The Allman Brothers Band Blue Sky Country Rock, Southern Rock
The Band Don't Do It Roots Rock
Neil Young Words (Between the Lines of Age) Country Rock, Hard Rock
The Allman Brothers Band Melissa Blues Rock, Southern Rock
Fela Kuti Lady Afrobeat
Nick Drake From the Morning Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Jo Jo Gunne Run, Run, Run Hard Rock
Véronique Sanson Amoureuse Chanson
Donny Hathaway I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know Deep Soul, Smooth Soul
The Allman Brothers Band One Way Out Blues Rock, Southern Rock
Pure Prairie League Amie Country Rock
Eddie Kendricks My People...Hold On Funk, Soul
Steve Goodman The Dutchman Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Blue Öyster Cult Cities On Flame with Rock and Roll Hard Rock
Miles Davis On the Corner / New York Girl / Thinkin' One Thing and Doin' Another / Vote for Miles Jazz Fusion, Jazz-Funk
Gilberto Gil Expresso 2222 Tropicália
Neil Young Harvest Country, Country Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Yes Siberian Khatru Symphonic Prog
The Rolling Stones I Just Want to See His Face Blues Rock
The Incredible String Band Dear Old Battlefield Folk Rock, Psychedelic Folk
Nick Drake Which Will Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Millie Jackson My Man, a Sweet Man Northern Soul
James Brown Get on the Good Foot, Part I Funk
Loudon Wainwright III Dead Skunk Contemporary Folk, Country Pop
Joni Mitchell Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
The Rolling Stones Soul Survivor Blues Rock
Tim Buckley Get on Top of Me Woman Funk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Emerson, Lake & Palmer From the Beginning Folk Rock, Progressive Rock
Keith Jarrett In Front ECM Style Jazz
Blerta Dance All Around the World Jazz-Rock, Pop Rock
Little Feat Easy to Slip Southern Rock
David McNeil Hollywood Chanson, French Pop
Jerry Garcia Sugaree Folk Rock, Roots Rock
Aretha Franklin Day Dreaming Pop Soul, Smooth Soul
Elvis Presley Until It's Time for You to Go Blue Eyed Soul
Georges Brassens Les passantes Chanson à texte
Eagles Peaceful Easy Feeling Country Rock, Soft Rock
The Rolling Stones Sweet Black Angel Blues Rock
The Dramatics In the Rain Smooth Soul
Harry Chapin Taxi Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Stevie Wonder I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever) Soul
Caetano Veloso You Don't Know Me MPB, Singer/Songwriter
Dr. John Junko Partner New Orleans R&B
Jackson Browne My Opening Farewell Singer/Songwriter
Véronique Sanson Bahia Chanson, French Pop, Soft Rock
Walter Carlos Title Music from "A Clockwork Orange" Electronic, Film Soundtrack, Western Classical Music
Todd Rundgren Dust in the Wind Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Michael Jackson Rockin' Robin Bubblegum, Pop Soul
The Beach Boys Cuddle Up Pop Rock
A Foot in Coldwater (Make Me Do) Anything You Want Hard Rock
Graham Nash & David Crosby Page 43 Folk Rock
The Moody Blues I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band) Progressive Rock
Sweet Little Willy Bubblegum, Glam Rock
Michel Polnareff Holidays French Pop, Psychedelic Pop
Jackson Browne Song For Adam Singer/Songwriter
David Bowie Hang on to Yourself Glam Rock
T. Rex Ballrooms of Mars Glam Rock
Randy Newman Lonely at the Top Music Hall, Singer/Songwriter, Vaudeville
Paul McCartney and Wings C Moon Pop Rock
Big Youth Screaming target Deejay
Lou Reed New York Telephone Conversation Novelty, Novelty Piano, Singer/Songwriter, Vaudeville
Focus Sylvia Art Rock, Progressive Rock
Van Morrison Listen to the Lion Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Yes America Symphonic Prog
Townes Van Zandt To Live Is to Fly Country, Singer/Songwriter
Mort Shuman Le Lac Majeur Chanson
Todd Rundgren Couldn't I Just Tell You Power Pop
Tim Buckley Sweet Surrender Funk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Ton Steine Scherben Wir müssen hier raus Deutschrock
Big Youth Ace Ninety Skank / S90 Skank Deejay
Véronique Sanson Besoin de personne Chanson, French Pop
Billy Preston Will It Go Round In Circles Rhythm & Blues, Soul
Humble Pie 30 Days in the Hole Blues Rock, Hard Rock
Genesis Can-Utility and the Coastliners Symphonic Prog
Stealers Wheel Late Again British Folk Rock, Pop Rock
John Lennon & Yoko Ono Woman Is the Nigger of the World Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
T. Rex Solid Gold Easy Action Glam Rock
Humble Pie Hot 'n' Nasty Boogie Rock
Deep Purple When a Blind Man Cries Hard Rock
The Soft Machine Memories Canterbury Scene, Psychedelic Rock
Deep Purple Lazy Hard Rock
Roxy Music Sea Breezes Art Rock, Progressive Rock