Radio Days, 1974

I was eleven-years-old in 1974, my family had just moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco and my radio, as it had been since I was 8, was my best friend. I'd spend hours in my room listening to the Top 40 station, the music providing endless entertainment and comfort as well as a soundtrack for the movie of me that played in my head.

Below are some of the songs from that year, each one served to cement 1974 into my memory, a time of transition both in my external and internal worlds. Some of the songs I loved, some I loathed, and some I would scoff at in front of friends but secretly found painfully and beautifully romantic.


Abra-Ca-Dabra - DeFranco Family (#32)
The Air That I Breathe - The Hollies (#6)
Already Gone - Eagles (#32)
Another Saturday Night - Cat Stevens (#6)
Be Thankful for What You Got - William DeVaughn (#4)
Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods (#1)
Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks (#2)
Bungle in the Jungle - Jethro Tull (#12)
Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin (#1)
Come and Get Your Love - Redbone (#5)
Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5 (#2)
Devotion - Earth, Wind & Fire (#33)
Do It ('Til You're Satisfied) - B.T. Express (#2)
Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack (#1)
For the Love of Money - The O'Jays (#9)
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd (#19)
Help Me - Joni Mitchell (#7)
Hooked On A Feeling - Blue Swede (#1)
I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John (#1)
I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton (#1)
I Won't Last A Day Without You - Carpenters (#11)
I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song - Jim Croce (#9)
I'm Leaving It All Up to You – D. & M.Osmond (#4)
I've Been Searchin' So Long - Chicago (#9)
I've Got the Music in Me - The Kiki Dee Band (#12)
Jazzman - Carole King (#2)
Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas (#1)
Let's Get Married - Al Green (#32)
Livin' for You - Al Green (#19)
Midnight at the Oasis - Maria Muldaur (#6)
Midnight Rider - Gregg Allman (#19)
The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace (#1)
Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston (#1)
Oh Very Young - Cat Stevens (#10)
Piano Man - Billy Joel (#25)
Please Come To Boston - Dave Loggins (#5)
Radar Love - Golden Earring (#13)
Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Steely Dan (#4)
Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim (#1)
Rock On - David Essex (#5)
Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation (#1)
Rock Your Baby - George McCrae (#1)
Seasons In the Sun - Terry Jacks (#1)
Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy) - Al Green (#7)
Skin Tight - Ohio Players (#13)