Melodic Songs of the 70s

Paul McCartney - Junk
Wonderful melodies even with the version of Paul alone with an acoustic.

 

"Nothing Rhymed" - Gilbert O'Sullivan

 

Any of the hit singles by The Carpenters...melodic heaven.

 

"Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft"

 

Correction . . .

 

This was the first thing that entered my mind. They were Masters!

 

"Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" - Eric Rachmaninoff

 

They have some great non-hits, too! 4 singles released on "Passage" but this wasn't one of them.

 

Queen - The Prophet's Song

 

Stealers Wheel - Who Cares

 

Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

 

Lou Reed - Perfect Day
Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian restaurant

 

Fanny
"Fanny Hill" ( 1972 )
The third LP by the group owning the accolade of having been the first all-female hard rock band to record an album for a major label. 'Fanny Hill' was produced by Beatles' engineer Geoff Emerick and still holds up incredibly well today for fans of early-to-mid-70s melodic hard rock. One of the best bands of the period, imo.

 

"Could It Be Magic" - Barry Chopin

 

And let's not forget the Gibb Brothers' amazing touch, extending verses beyond the lines of their melodies, such as in "How Deep Is Your Love"
(don't need to post it...I know ya got it up there somewhere...)

 

Pretty much any single ( and most album tracks) released by Elton John, 1970-76.

 

Gordon Lightfoot "If You Could Read My Mind"

 

...and Karen's voice was perfect for these songs; not a powerhouse voice or a show-off voice...simply a beautiful one and one that "speaks" to you. When I was growing up and these songs were hits on the radio, they were just "there" for me. I've grown to appreciate them more and more over time; at age 60, the melody/subject matter/vocal delivery of a Carpenters track can evoke tears.

 

Great song. Very sad song as well. Another one of those that-to my ears- was just a part of the hitradio "landscape" back in the day...till many many years later when i really paid attention to the story line which is beautifully complemented by the melodically pensive melody . Great stuff.

 

Elton John was obviously one of the greats of the era in terms of melodicism. Here's a personal favorite that never makes it onto the compilations.

 

All we need is Macca upsetting the Ph balance in this pool...

 

H2Overture by War...

 

Can't Get It Out Of My Head by Electric Light Orchestra...