- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 23
"The Way We Were," performed by Barbra Streisand, was written by Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Marvin Hamlisch. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1975.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks was originally an English adaptation of the French song "Le Moribond" by Jacques Brel. The song was initially intended for The Beach Boys, but after they decided not to release it, Terry Jacks recorded it himself, leading to its massive success.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 13
"Love's Theme" by the Love Unlimited Orchestra, released in 1973, was composed by Barry White, who was also the mastermind behind the orchestra. The song is notable for being one of the few instrumental tracks to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, achieving this feat in 1974.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 18
"Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John was initially released in 1973 on the album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." Interestingly, the song was not intended to be a single, but it gained massive popularity after being played frequently on a Detroit radio station. Additionally, the song's lyrics, written by Bernie Taupin, satirize the music industry and its commercialization, portraying a fictional band led by the enigmatic Bennie.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 2
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 17
"Dancing Machine" by The Jackson 5 was notable for being one of the first songs to popularize the robot dance, which Michael Jackson famously performed on television. Additionally, the song was a commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1975.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 17
"Rock Your Baby" by George McCrae was written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band. The song is notable for being one of the earliest hits to feature a drum machine, which helped it become a massive success and a defining track of the disco era.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Sunshine on My Shoulders" by John Denver was co-written by Denver along with Richard Kniss and Mike Taylor. The song achieved significant recognition, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 8
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 16
"Sideshow" by Blue Magic was written by the songwriting duo Bobby Eli and Vinnie Barrett. The song became a major hit, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the R&B chart in 1974.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 2
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 18
"You Make Me Feel Brand New" by The Stylistics was written by the songwriting duo Thom Bell and Linda Creed, who were also responsible for many of the group's other hits. The song was notably covered by Simply Red in 2003, bringing it to a new generation of listeners and showcasing its enduring appeal.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Rock the Boat" by Hues Corporation was one of the earliest disco hits, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. The song was written by Wally Holmes and was initially considered a filler track for the album before it gained massive popularity.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 3
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 17
"Tell Me Something Good" by Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan, was written by Stevie Wonder and became a breakthrough hit for the band in 1974. The song won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1975, solidifying its place in music history.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 6
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Waterloo" by ABBA was the song that won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, propelling the Swedish band to international fame. Interestingly, the song was originally written with the title "Honey Pie" before being reworked into the hit that it became.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas was originally intended to be a B-side track but ended up becoming a massive hit, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. The song was written in just ten minutes and went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Selling Single in 1974.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 6
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 13
"The Air That I Breathe" by The Hollies was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, and it was originally recorded by Hammond for his 1972 album "It Never Rains in Southern California." The song later gained significant recognition when The Hollies' version, released in 1974, became a major hit, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries and earning a gold certification in the UK.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" was written and produced by Barry White himself, showcasing his multifaceted talent in the music industry. The song became one of his signature hits and was featured in several films and TV shows, including the popular sitcom "Ally McBeal," where it was used to underscore the romantic and comedic elements of the series.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Annie's Song" by John Denver was written in just ten minutes while he was on a ski lift in Aspen, Colorado, inspired by the beauty of the surrounding nature and his love for his then-wife, Annie Martell. The song became one of Denver's biggest hits, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974 and has since been covered by numerous artists across various genres.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 3
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Rock and Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers was originally written by Alan O'Day and Johnny Stevenson and first recorded by the duo Climax in 1973. The song gained more popularity when The Righteous Brothers released their version in 1974, which became a tribute to deceased rock and roll legends and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace was written by the songwriting duo Peter Callander and Mitch Murray, who also wrote the band's other hit, "Billy Don't Be a Hero." Despite its American-themed lyrics, the song was actually recorded by the British band Paper Lace and became a major hit in the United States, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Band on the Run" by Paul McCartney & Wings was recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, after the band faced numerous challenges, including being mugged at knifepoint and losing some of their demo tapes. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus in 1975, solidifying its success and acclaim.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" by MFSB featuring The Three Degrees was written by the legendary songwriting duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. The song gained widespread recognition as the theme music for the popular television dance show "Soul Train," which significantly contributed to its success and cultural impact.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 5
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Please Come to Boston" by Dave Loggins was released in 1974 and became his most successful single, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Interestingly, the song was inspired by Loggins' own experiences and travels, and it has been covered by numerous artists, including Kenny Chesney and Reba McEntire, showcasing its enduring appeal.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 8
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"You Won't See Me" by Anne Murray is a cover of a song originally written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles, which first appeared on their 1965 album "Rubber Soul." Anne Murray's version, released in 1974, became a hit in Canada, reaching No. 8 on the RPM Top Singles chart, and also made her the first Canadian female solo artist to earn a Gold record in the United States.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 3
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 17
Jim Stafford's "Spiders & Snakes," a spoken-word novelty song with a catchy chorus, was originally offered to another artist, Lobo, who politely declined. It was co-written with David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers. The song became a major hit in 1974, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning a gold record for its sales.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Then Came You" was a collaboration between Dionne Warwick and The Spinners, and it marked Warwick's first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Sherman Marshall and Phillip T. Pugh, and it was notably produced by Thom Bell, a key figure in the development of the Philadelphia soul sound.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 13
"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive was written by the band's lead guitarist Randy Bachman as a joke for his brother, who had a stutter. The song was never intended to be released, but it ended up becoming the band's only U.S. number one hit. Additionally, the track was famously used in the 1993 film "The Sandlot," further cementing its place in pop culture.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 1
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 14
"Nothing from Nothing" by Billy Preston was released in 1974 and became a significant hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Billy Preston, often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle," was a highly talented musician who not only had a successful solo career but also collaborated extensively with The Beatles, contributing to their later albums such as "Let It Be" and "Abbey Road."
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 6
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur was written by David Nichtern, who was a relatively unknown songwriter at the time. The song became a surprise hit in 1974, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Muldaur a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 4
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 15
"Beach Baby" by The First Class was a one-hit wonder for the band, though the song itself wasn't written by any of the official members. The songwriter, John Carter, actually produced the track with a different singer, Tony Burrows, who never performed the song live. The song, released in 1974, reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top Position: 2
- Number of Weeks on Hot 100: 13
"Jazzman" by Carole King was co-written by King and David Palmer, who was a former member of the band Steely Dan. The song, which features a prominent saxophone solo by Tom Scott, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1975.
