As we continue our Soul Train line dance through the 1970s, we’ll note that 1974 was the first year that music was produced as much for the dance floor as it was the transistor radio (exhibit A – “Dancing Machine”). A palindromic Swede quartet started a path toward world domination that was much more successful than Napoleon Bonaparte and Paul McCartney had proven himself as the most reliable hit machine of the former Beatles. It was a year of funky China men from funky Chinatown.
Back of a Car, Big Star
Benny and the Jets, Elton John
The Bottle, Gil Scott-Heron
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, Barry White
Come and Get Your Love, Redbone
Dancing Machine, The Jackson 5
Drinkin’ Thing, Gary Stewart
The Grand Tour, George Jones
Help Me, Joni Mitchell
How Long?, Ace
I Can Help, Billy Swan
I Don’t Know What I Want, The Raspberries
I Shot the Sheriff, Eric Clapton
I Will Always Love You, Dolly Parton
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It), The Rolling Stones
Jackie Blue, Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Jet, Paul McCartney and Wings
Jolene, Dolly Parton
The Joker, The Steve Miller Band
Junior’s Farm, Paul McCartney and Wings
Killer Queen, Queen
Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas
Living for the City, Stevie Wonder
Musta Got Lost, J. Geils Band
Piano Man, Billy Joel
September Gurls, Big Star
Sideshow, Blue Magic
Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith
Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Takin’ Care of Business, Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Then Came You, Dionne Warwick and The Spinners
Until You Come Back to Me, Aretha Franklin
Up for the Down Stroke, Parliament
Waterloo, ABBA
(We’re Not) The Jet Set, George Jones and Tammy Wynette