The 70s - My Top 10 Albums

The 1970s are known for so many different genres of music. From hard rock to soul, funk to disco - the list goes on! So many wonderful musicians released albums during this period of time and they will never get old. From Blondie to Bowie, here are my top ten albums of the seventies:

1. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass (1970)

While he had previously released two albums, this was Harrison's first solo album after the break up of The Beatles - and is arguably his best. With the likes of the hit singles My Sweet Lord and What Is Life, as well as the title track ( which was originally put forward to be a Beatles song but was denied ), it's impossible to dislike this album. All Things Must Pass was extremely successful upon release, with long stays at number one on charts worldwide, and in 2014 was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

2. Abba - Arrival (1976)

Formed in 1972, the Swedish pop group released eight albums while together and every single one of them is incredible. In my opinion, Arrival is their best. The whole album is full with iconic, memorable tracks like Dancing Queen, When I Kissed The Teacher, Why Did It Have To Be Me, plus so many more. In fact, seven out of the twelve songs went on to be used in the Mamma Mia! films. Later in 2016, the album was released as a double vinyl mastered at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London.

3. Queen - A Night At The Opera (1975)

Upon release, A Night at the Opera remained at number one on the UK Album chart for four weeks. It peaked at number four on the US Billboard chart and became the band's first platinum certified record in the US. While I believe all of Queen's albums are phenomenal, this has always been my favourite due to the tracks You're My Best Friend, '39 and Seaside Rendezvous. It also produced the band's most successful single in the UK, Bohemian Rhaposdy, which became their first UK number one.

4. Blondie - Parallel Lines (1978)

Parallel Lines is the third studio album by the American rock band Blondie. After being released in September 1978, the album reached the number one spot in the UK charts later in February 1979. The album quickly spawned some successful singles, like One Way Or Another which went on to be covered by One Direction for charity, but most importantly Heart Of Glass, which is an international hit.

5. David Bowie - Hunky Dory (1971)

Out of all of Bowie's work, Hunky Dory has always been my favourite album of his. Following his previous album which was more hard rock, this album took more of an art rock/ art pop turn - and I love it. With songs like Kooks and Oh! You Pretty Things, it's clear why it's regarded as one of Bowie's best works and why it's been placed on numerous lists of the greatest albums of all time, including by Time, Rolling Stone and Q.

6. The Beatles - Let It Be (1970)

Let It Be was the twelfth and final album released by The Beatles. With songs like Across The Universe, The Long and Winding Road, and the incredible Let It Be, I see this album as one of the greatest ever made. Following in the footsteps of their previous albums, Let It Be quickly topped the charts in several countries. By late 1968, McCartney was eager for the band to perform live again, but the other members sadly weren't as enthusiastic - this being mainly Harrison due to having taken the strongest dislike to the exhausting tours of the Beatlemania era.

7. Michael Jackson - Off The Wall (1979)

With the likes of the number one single Don't Stop Till You Get Enough and Rock With You, Off The Wall quickly reached the number one spot in the Billboard R&B Albums chart, staying there for 16 weeks.

This was Jackson's fifth studio album, which critics say was crafted from disco, pop, funk, R&B, soft rock and Broadway ballads. Through this album, Jackson became the first solo artist to have four singles from the same album peak within the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

8. T.Rex - Electric Warrior (1971)

Electric Warrior has received acclaim as a pivotal release of the glam rock movement. After release, the album quickly reached number one on the UK charts as well as becoming the best selling album of 1971. The sixth track, Get It On ( later re-titled Bang A Gong (Get It On) by the US record company ) reached the top ten in the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Later in 1973, to promote the album, Marc Bolan of the band starred on the hit BBC show Cilla, where he and Cilla Black performed the song Life's A Gas.

9. Elton John - Honky Chateau (1972)

Named after the 18th century French chateau where it was recorded, Honky Chateau reached number one in the US charts and was ranked 359 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the '500 Greatest Albums Of All Time'. Two of the eleven tracks were also released as singles: Rocket Man which reached number two in the UK singles chart and Honky Cat. This album followed John's transition from just a singer/songwriter to being more rock n' roll., and is critically regarded as one of his best records.

10. Grease - The Soundtrack (1978)

From Olivia Newton John and John Travolta singing You're The One That I Want, to the legendary Frankie Valli singing Grease, this album never gets old. With over twenty million copies sold worldwide, this is one of the best selling albums of all time - as well being one of the biggest selling soundtracks. For me, there is not one bad song on this album. The soundtrack, along with the film, takes you on an emotional journey, through the songs of Summer Nights to Hopelessly Devoted To You, from Sandy to Greased Lighnin'.

Some more of my favourite seventies albums:

• The Doors - Morrison Hotel (1970)

• Electric Light Orchestra - Out of the Blue (1977)

• The Clash - Lnondon Calling

• Abba - Voulez-Vous (1979)

• Hall & Oates - Bigger Than Both of Us (1976)

• John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band (1970)

• Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)

• KISS - Rock and Roll Over (1976)