THE 200 ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s. This update: #110- 101. Continues next weekend.

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1970s It was the decade of glam, disco, funk, Philly Soul, heavy metal, the singer/songwriter, punk and new wave. Here are the 200 songs that mattered most during the Seventies, in terms of influence, impact and success. To be eligible, the song needed to be released- as a single or on an album- during the years 1970-1979.
110	HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE Bee Gees [1977] Duromg disco's halcyon days, The Bee Gees dropped a massive love song. Toning down the dance beat, "How Deep Is Your Love" became a rare ballad that proved popular on dancefloors. The slow song gave couples an opportunity to move in closer. Its subtle disco beat and rhythm was fused with lush strings and harmonies with some hints of R&B. The track was added to the 'Saturday Night Fever' movie soundtrack.
109	ROCK AND ROLL (Part 1 & 2) Gary Glitter [1972] When glam ruled the airwaves, Gary Glitter was one of its key acts. The singer punched out 3 British chart toppers. Another 4 - including "Rock And Roll"- peaked at #2 there. This iconic glam anthem was built around a pounding beat and basic lyrics. Most of the song features a refrain where the title is repeated numerous times. The track served as a bridge between glitter and pop/ rock.
108	ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (Part 2) Pink Floyd [1979] Pink Floyd created a body of work during the 1970s that was both diverse and unparalleled. As the decade was coming to its end, the group unleashed its classic 'The Wall' LP. "Another Brick In The Wall" finds the band at its most accessible. The track soon became a rare hit single, topping charts in America, Britain, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and South Africa.
107	TANGLED UP IN BLUE Bob Dylan [1975] Bob Dylan attracted fans during the 1960s. The songsmith continued crafting stories and much-studied compositions into the Seventies. Standouts from the decade include "Hurricane", "Gotta Serve Somebody" and "George Jackson". "Tangled Up In Blue" has been analysed over and over again but still refuses to be locked into a single interpretation. The track was lifted off Dylan's 'Blood On The Tracks' album.
106	GOT TO GIVE IT UP Marvin Gaye [1977] Marvin Gaye's reluctance to dance led to the creation of a disco/ funk classic for the Motown label. The studio cut "Got To Give It Up" was tacked onto his 'Live At The London Palladium' album as a bonus track. Released as a single, it topped the Pop, R&B and Disco charts in America.
105	PIANO MAN Billy Joel [1973] Billy Joel's debut album 'Cold Spring Harbor' flopped in 1971. Drawing on his time as a lounge singer on the West Coast, the singer / songwriter penned a tune filled with a menagerie of fictional characters. "Piano Man", the title track on Joel's second album, became his breakthrough single. It is still a crowd favourite in his live shows.
104	AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH Diana Ross [1970] After a dozen US #1 singles as lead singer of the Supremes, Motown wanted to ensure its key act would succeed as a solo star. Diana Ross' solo debut single "Reach Out And Touch" only managed a disappointing peak position of #20 on the American chart. The Ashford & Simpson-penned "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" had already been a hit duet for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Ross' remake featured spoken segments and a climactic burst of harmonies from background vocalists. The result was a radical transformation of the song. While Motown was launching her as a film star, the single became the first American #1 for Ross in her own right.
103	LOVE TRAIN The O'Jays [1972] Songwriting / production duo Gamble & Huff created a new sound for soul music with the launch of Philadelphia International Records. The O'Jays had formed in 1958 and achieved its greatest success on that label. The lush Philly sound bridged the thrill of 60's Motown to disco in the 1970s. "Love Train" was one of the label -and the group's- gems. Possessing a positive message of unity, the single chugged to #1 in the US. The group went on to record other Philly classics including "Back Stabbers", "I Love Music" and "Use Ta Be My Girl".
102	(I'M) STRANDED The Saints [1976] Australian band The Saints helped shape the burgeoning sound of punk/ new wave with their seminal recording "(I'm) Stranded". Lead singer Chris Bailey had the punk attitude in his vocal. The group drew from simple rock music and the punk groundswell.
101	WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN Creedence Clearwater Revival [1970] CCR adapted folk rock, pop and rock music into a  radio-friendly string of hit singles. Guided by John Fogerty's songwriting and production, the band soon developed its distinctive sound. "Who'll Stop The Rain" can be enjoyed purely as an enticing track. Dig deeper, and its lyrics reveal a depth.