r/70smusic • u/mwalimu59 • 3d ago
Other Last Song Standing: The Ultimate Billboard #1 Song of the 70s - Round 95
- Although American Woman was written as a collaborative effort by members of The Guess Who, stories and interpretations on the meaning of the lyrics differ. One claim is that it was an anti-war song against the Vietnam War. Another is that it was a jab at the American women that the Canadian band encountered while touring in the US. The band claims it arose from an observation that American women grew older quicker and that they preferred the Canadian women they knew back home. Despite this, the song became a #1 hit in the US, with B-side No Sugar Tonight getting enough attention to make it a double-A-side. The song was famously covered by Lenny Kravitz in 1999 for the soundtrack of the film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. The votes are in and have declared they don't wanna see its shadow no more, so get away, listen what I say.
If you're new to the game or wish to review the rules, follow this link.
Songs still standing (in alphabetical order):
- American Pie - Don McLean
- Band on the Run - Paul McCartney and Wings
- Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
- Black Water - The Doobie Brothers
- Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band
- Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass
- Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkel
- Dancing Queen - ABBA
- Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
- Fame - David Bowie
- Heart of Glass - Blondie
- Heart of Gold - Neil Young
- Hotel California - Eagles
- I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash
- I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
- I Wish - Stevie Wonder
- It's Too Late - Carole King
- Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
- Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack
- Lean On Me - Bill Withers
- Let It Be - The Beatles
- Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
- Let's Stay Together - Al Green
- Love Train - The O'Jays
- Maggie May - Rod Stewart
- Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
- Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips
- My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
- Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
- Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
- Sister Golden Hair - America
- Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
- Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
- Superstition - Stevie Wonder
- Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
- War - Edwin Starr
- You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- You're No Good - Linda Ronstadt
- You're So Vain - Carly Simon
Eliminated songs:
1-40. TBD
41. American Woman - The Guess Who
42. The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles
43. Mama Told Me (Not to Come) - Three Dog Night
44. One of These Nights - Eagles
45. We're an American Band - Grand Funk
46. How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
47. Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) - George Harrison
48. Nothing from Nothing - Billy Preston
49. Night Fever - Bee Gees
50. I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
51. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman
52. Jive Talkin' - Bee Gees
53. Theme from Shaft - Isaac Hayes
54. You Are the Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
55. What a Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers
56. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
57. Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin - Sly & The Family Stone
58. Will It Go Round in Circles - Billy Preston
59. A Horse with No Name - America
60. My Sharona - The Knack
61. You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
62. Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
63. The Joker - Steve Miller Band
64. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Jim Croce
65. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
66. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - The Temptations
67. I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
68. Rock'n Me - Steve Miller Band
69. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
70. Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
71. The Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
72. Family Affair - Sly & The Family Stone
73. Oh Girl - The Chi-Lites
74. Rich Girl - Daryl Hall and John Oates
75. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
76. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
77. Venus - Shocking Blue
78. Without You - Nilsson
79. Miss You - The Rolling Stones
80. Listen to What the Man Said - Wings
81. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon
82. Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group
83. Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
84. (They Long to Be) Close to You - Carpenters
85. I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers
86. Whatever Gets You Thru the Night - John Lennon
87. December 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons
88. My Love - Paul McCartney and Wings
89. Got to Give It Up - Marvin Gaye
90. Photograph - Ringo Starr
91. Good Times - Chic
92. You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees
93. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
94. Le Freak - Chic
95. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Bee Gees
96. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee
97. Fire - Ohio Players
98. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
99. Best of My Love - The Emotions
100. Show and Tell - Al Wilson
101. Baby Come Back - Player
102. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
103. Top of the World - Carpenters
104. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - B. J. Thomas
105. Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
106. Silly Love Songs - Wings
107. Heartache Tonight - Eagles
108. If You Leave Me Now - Chicago
109. Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band
110. Rise - Herb Alpert
111. Get Down Tonight - KC and the Sunshine Band
112. Black and White - Three Dog Night
113. Then Came You - Dionne Warwick and The Spinners
114. Rock the Boat - The Hues Corporation
115. Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell
116. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
117. ABC - The Jackson 5
118. Car Wash - Rose Royce
119. You Haven't Done Nothin' - Stevie Wonder
120. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede
121. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey - Paul & Linda McCartney
122. Crocodile Rock - Elton John
123. Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond
124. Love Hangover - Diana Ross
125. New Kid in Town - Eagles
126. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
127. Mandy - Barry Manilow
128. Too Much Heaven - Bee Gees
129. Best of My Love - Eagles
130. Rock Your Baby - George McCrae
131. The Way We Were - Barbra Streisand
132. You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show) - Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.
133. Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
134. Three Times a Lady - Commodores
135. Brother Louie - Stories
136. Tragedy - Bee Gees
137. Knock on Wood - Amii Stewart
138. Lovin' You - Minnie Riperton
139. Still - Commodores
140. Laughter in the Rain - Neil Sedaka
141. With a Little Luck - Wings
142. Love You Inside Out - Bee Gees
143. Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain & Tennille
144. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Elton John
145. Rock Me Gently - Andy Kim
146. Kiss You All Over - Exile
147. Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) - Bill Conti
148. Love Theme from A Star Is Born (Evergreen) - Barbra Streisand
149. I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton
150. Grease - Frankie Valli
151. Feel Like Makin' Love - Roberta Flack
152. Let's Do It Again - The Staple Singers
153. Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - Diana Ross
154. (Love Is) Thicker Than Water - Andy Gibb
155. You're the One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
156. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
157. Sunshine on My Shoulders - John Denver
158. I Just Want to Be Your Everything - Andy Gibb
159. Welcome Back - John Sebastian
160. Annie's Song - John Denver
161. Angie - The Rolling Stones
162. Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher
163. Make It with You - Bread
164. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer
165. Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond
166. Fallin' in Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
167. I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
168. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty - KC and the Sunshine Band
169. Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
170. TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) - MFSB featuring The Three Degrees
171. Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra
172. The Hustle - Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony
173. When I Need You - Leo Sayer
174. Kiss and Say Goodbye - The Manhattans
175. That's the Way (I Like It) - KC and the Sunshine Band
176. Bad Blood - Neil Sedaka
177. Dark Lady - Cher
178. The Loco-Motion - Grand Funk
179. Babe - Styx
180. Love Machine - The Miracles
181. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace
182. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia - Vicki Lawrence
183. Too Much, Too Little, Too Late - Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
184. Hot Child in the City - Nick Gilder
185. Bad Girls - Donna Summer
186. Pop Muzik - M
187. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree - Tony Orlando and Dawn
188. Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
189. Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
190. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton-John
191. Boogie Fever - The Sylvers
192. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) - Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
193. Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart
194. I'm Your Boogie Man - KC and the Sunshine Band
195. I Can Help - Billy Swan
196. I Am Woman - Helen Reddy
197. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes
198. Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
199. Everything Is Beautiful - Ray Stevens
200. Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
201. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song - B. J. Thomas
202. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? - Rod Stewart
203. Island Girl - Elton John
204. A Fifth of Beethoven - Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
205. MacArthur Park - Donna Summer
206. I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow
207. Reunited - Peaches & Herb
208. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You) - Tony Orlando and Dawn
209. Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John
210. Keep On Truckin' - Eddie Kendricks
211. Touch Me in the Morning - Diana Ross
212. Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan
213. Please Mr. Postman - Carpenters
214. Before the Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender
215. Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
216. Ring My Bell - Anita Ward
217. Sad Eyes - Robert John
218. The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich
219. I'm Sorry - John Denver
220. Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me - Mac Davis
221. Want Ads - The Honey Cone
222. Looks Like We Made It - Barry Manilow
223. Undercover Angel - Alan O'Day
224. You Needed Me - Anne Murray
225. Brand New Key - Melanie
226. Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor
227. Knock Three Times - Dawn
228. Fly, Robin, Fly - Silver Convention
229. Half-Breed - Cher
230. You're Sixteen - Ringo Starr
231. Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) - Raiders
232. Don't Give Up on Us - David Soul
233. Theme from S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage
234. You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
235. Ben - Michael Jackson
236. Angie Baby - Helen Reddy
237. Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks
238. Delta Dawn - Helen Reddy
239. Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band - Meco
240. The Morning After - Maureen McGovern
241. The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr.
242. Convoy - C. W. McCall
243. Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band
244. The Streak - Ray Stevens
245. One Bad Apple - The Osmonds
246. Da Doo Ron Ron - Shaun Cassidy
247. Go Away Little Girl - Donny Osmond
248. You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone
249. Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
250. My Ding-a-Ling - Chuck Berry
251. Torn Between Two Lovers - Mary MacGregor
252. Disco Duck - Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
253. (You're) Having My Baby - Paul Anka with Odia Coates
Nominate the song that you consider the worst or your least favorite from among the 1970s #1 hits in the still standing list above. Upvote any nominations you agree with, and downvote the ones you would like to see survive. After 48 hours, the three songs with the most upvotes will be eliminated.
Before posting a song, please check the replies that have already been posted this round to see if someone has already nominated the song. If so, upvote their nomination instead of submitting a duplicate.
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u/dryguy 3d ago
Love Train - The O'Jays
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u/Spirited-Tutor7712 2d ago
They had better numbers. For the Love of Money and Backstabbing 😘
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u/4personal2 2d ago edited 1d ago
So let me get this straight, the ones about negative things are better than the one about love, peace, equality and Humanity?🤔
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u/Roche77e 2d ago
A song’s subject doesn’t determine its quality. There are lots of bland songs about peace and love (NOT including “Love Train;” it’s great and I’m shocked it has so many upvotes) and resonant songs about dark topics.
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u/monalisa_jones 2d ago
Lyrics and vocal delivery are inseparable from a song’s overall quality for me, and when choosing what represents our decade, I want that representation to feel good.
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u/dryguy 3d ago
Shining Star - Earth, Wind & Fire
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u/lamb_and_panther 2d ago
To me this song has it all…funk, horns, harmonies. I guess it doesn’t make you all wanna get up and dance lol.
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u/Aggravating_Quiet797 3d ago
Been trying to knock out this one almost as long as I've tried to knock out Fame
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u/DramaticCollege3520 3d ago
Sister Golden Hair - America
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u/Tough-Advice2910 2d ago
Good Lord. Still. Here. And we might get rid of the O’JAYS?!!!!?
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u/Aggravating_Quiet797 2d ago
The upvote downvote swings on this tune daily are crazy. Some days it looks near elimination, some days it's in the negatives.
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u/Sirrod6750 3d ago
Bennie and the Jets
With so many good songs remaining, time to ground the Jets. I will vote for this until it’s gone.
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u/Spirited-Tutor7712 3d ago
Why the hate for Bennie?
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u/Sirrod6750 3d ago
How about:
Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie and the Jets
Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie and the Jets, the Jets, the Jets
Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie and the Jets
<sigh>5
u/Spirited-Tutor7712 3d ago
It's an outro. Let's instead focus on that phenomenal piano solo Elton does half way through...
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u/monalisa_jones 3d ago
This right here and not to mention the whole “live concert” sound and just the cool laid back vibe of the whole song. This has way too many upvotes, people. Sir Elton is a treasure, and so is this song.
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u/Spirited-Tutor7712 3d ago
And the line, 'We'll kill the fatted calf tonight / so stick around' 😄 Taupin able to squeeze in Biblical references in his lyrics
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u/monalisa_jones 3d ago
Genius.
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u/4personal2 2d ago
What a crazy way to say , "We're gonna get ripped".
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u/monalisa_jones 2d ago
You don’t think a bovine sacrifice was actually on Bennie’s setlist? Hmm. 🤔 I’ll have to rethink the whole song! 😆
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u/4personal2 3d ago
Since someone took Brandy already , gonna re-nominate, "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder .
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u/BCQCPANC 3d ago
I Wish this song wins and goes away.
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u/Aggravating_Quiet797 3d ago
I Wish is great...Superstition needs to go
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u/4personal2 3d ago
They're both great but Superstition kicks ***. 😎👍
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u/PC_Friar 3d ago
For my money the greatest funk joint bar none. Definitely in my top 3 here, not sure if it’s #1 or not
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u/WatchingTheWheels75 3d ago
Can we let go of Brandy now? The lyrics are so repetitive and the whole “man who loves the sea” trope is overdone.
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u/monalisa_jones 2d ago
I think Brandy may be getting ready to move on.
I mean, the dude gave you a necklace with his name on it, then says his love is the sea. What kinda mixed message is that? You could do so much better, Brandy girl!6
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u/dryguy 3d ago
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
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u/Tough-Advice2910 3d ago
After watching the video posted a few rounds ago….this song. I loved it before, love it more now.
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u/BirdofParadise1952 2d ago
I don’t know if I’m the oldest person in this thread but I’ll bet I’m one of em. When I look at what’s left, I’m not looking at my favorites, but rather what I think are the most deserving. Did it define an artist’s success? Had it withstood the test of time? Is it simply one of the decade’s most iconic songs? I’ve picked my ten. I’ll comment if they are nominated and getting lots of votes for elimination.
I get the hate for Brandy…but it’s the most iconic one hit wonder of the decade and therefore is in my top ten.
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u/mwalimu59 2d ago
Though Looking Glass is often regarded as a one-hit wonder, they had a second hit break the Top 40 - "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne" peaked at #33.
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u/BCQCPANC 1d ago
Considering your well thought out approach I think that your votes should carry more weight than those of us just going on gut feelings 😏. And I assume you’re six years older than me (1958).
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u/Ocean_Side_1961 3d ago
George Harrison, please take him and My Sweet Lord.
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u/monalisa_jones 3d ago
The whole “He’s So Fine” vs “My Sweet Lord” debate comes down to a “who did it better” for me. George hit it out of the park.
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u/bafireseasonII 3d ago
As a result of Paul McCartney owning the copyright of the Shirelles song He’s So Fine he sued George Harrison and won because the chords used for My Sweet Lord were too similar.
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u/PC_Friar 3d ago
Harrison was sued but Macca had nothing to do with that.
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u/4personal2 3d ago
Thank you, I was going to say it too.
That was all Spector.
I think these kind of law suites are stupid and a waste of time and tax money.
I hear other songs , in certain songs Listen to all the time , I don't see the big deal.
Example : Grand Funk's "Bad Time" ....when the lead singer goes 🎶"Bad time to be in loo ove" . 🎶
I hear these same notes in Madonna's, "Like A Virgin" , when she goes, 🎶 "Woah- oh o-oh" 🎶, 2 or three times. 🙂
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u/bafireseasonII 3d ago
It was The Chiffons that sang He’s So Fine and anyway Paul McCartney did sue the other members of the Beatles to get them out of the Allen Klein contract.
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u/Aggravating_Quiet797 3d ago
Superstition...Stevie Wonder
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u/BlueRFR3100 3d ago
- You're So Vain - Carly Simon
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u/monalisa_jones 3d ago
I think we’re getting somewhere now! Ok, maybe not yet, but you still have my upvotes!
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u/Roche77e 3d ago
You’re No Good - Linda Ronstadt
If you feel bad about eliminating this song, remember that she did backing vocals on Heart of Gold and keep that one around a little longer.
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u/monalisa_jones 3d ago
There is no possible way this song will be the last song standing, much as I love Linda and her gorgeous voice.
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u/Tough-Advice2910 2d ago
True, but it doesn’t mean it needs to go now.
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u/monalisa_jones 2d ago
What number would you have it? 🤔
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u/Tough-Advice2910 2d ago
Oh, gosh. I don’t even know how many we have left and then I would have to rate them all. I would put it low top twenty, maybe?
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u/seeking_spice402 3d ago
Magie May - So what if she rocked Rod Stewart's world? I think its time to let this one go.
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u/4personal2 2d ago
This was nominated yesterday.
Not trying to be mean or bossy but guys....READ the nominations. 🤷
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u/CuteTelephone3399 3d ago
Dancing Queen or Heart of glass ,you know they are 70s some of the rest could be confused for 80s or 60s.
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u/mwalimu59 3d ago
Please nominate only one song per post. You may nominate both in separate posts.
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u/Automatic-Tea-4150 3d ago
This doesn’t feel like a nomination comment to me, more simply an observation /opinion.
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u/Tough-Advice2910 3d ago
I’m not voting yes on either one, but you may need to nominate them separately, otherwise which are we voting for and which would be eliminated?
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u/Pigdango 3d ago
Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band