The Top 100 Songs of 1976*: #70-61

In 1976, a 19-month civil war ended in Lebanon, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is not inherently cruel or unusual and is constitutional, while the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17 to win the Super Bowl.

When you look at the strength of the individual years of the Rock Era, 1976 doesn't jump out as one of the 10 strongest, with just 12 making The Top 500 of the Rock Era*.  While there may not have been a lot of great songs that year, there were a lot of quality songs, as 126 songs from 1976 make The Top 5000*.

Inside The Rock Era continues our salute to the music of 40 years ago with #70-61:

#70:

Over My Head

Fleetwood Mac

After years of struggles and numerous personnel changes, this act finally clicked in 1976, beginning with this song from their second self-titled album.

#69:

The Boys Are Back In Town

Thin Lizzy

This act was led by bass guitarist and vocalist Phil Lynott and at one time included recently departed elite guitarist Gary Moore, although Moore does not appear on this big hit.

#68:

You're My Best Friend

Queen

1976 was the year that this British group began to come into their own with the album A Night at the Opera.

#67:

Shannon

Henry Gross

Here is the artist who was the youngest person to play on the main stage at the famous Woodstock Festival in 1969.  He was just 18 at the time.

#66:

Sweet Love 

Commodores

Here's another supergroup that was just getting started--Lionel Richie and the Commodores came out with this winner.

#65:

Love Hurts

Nazareth

Nazareth grabs #65 with the only big hit of their career.

#64:

Fooled Around & Fell In Love

Elvin Bishop

At #64, an artist once with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.  He's also one of the smartest of the Rock Era, a National Merit Scholar finalist, Elvin earned a scholarship to the University of Chicago, where he majored in physics.

#63:

Sweet Thing

Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan

Here's a song whose popularity has risen through the years.  In our updated check of songs from 1976, "Sweet Thing" comes in at #63.

#62:

Baby, I Love Your Way

Peter Frampton

Peter Frampton came out with one of The Top Albums of the Rock Era* in 1976, which was simply a live album of songs he had already written and recorded.  Frampton places three songs in The Top 65* for the year.

#61:

Devil Woman

Cliff Richard

With the Shadows, Cliff Richard was one of the top stars of his native England, but he had not enjoyed one hit in the U.S. until 1976.  That changed with this smash.