Excellent. I was 15 in 1975 and lived outside Austin. Pretty good list to capture the zeitgeist although many of the artists on this list weren't being played on our radio. KLBJ had just started 'daring to differ', i.e. it wasn't playing country. So, basically it was all Beatles, all the time and a ton of prog rock. But, Willie was predominant in Austin along with all the other outlaws. Red Headed Stranger was everything. I still love it.
1975 was a pretty good year to be in Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Nothing like it. The floods made me think of Willie Nelson singing the old song "The Hill Country of Texas" which KLBJ played every morning when my alarm went off.
I was eleven years old in the 5th grade. The best thing about 1975 was seeing "Tommy" in the movie theater and having joints passed to me. I fell in love with Roger Daltrey that day.
Oh, these aren't ranked. They're simply placed in the order that they pop into my head. As for what ended up as an "honorable mention," I was back and forth on most every choice here, so I understand!
I'm turning 50 this summer and so many of these albums were in my parents' record collection, to form the soundtrack of those early years. The thought and effort you put into this post is remarkable and much appreciated.
Outstanding post! Regarding Paul Simon:I remember 13 year-old me listening to "50 Ways" on NYC Top 40 giant WABC and thinking " My goodness, that man sounds sad.Is that what it's like to be an adult?" I know the song is meant to be a bit of a raucous trifle, but I always hear it dripping with melancholy. Maybe it's the drums ...
Agreed, but I chalk it up to the chord progression during the verses - they set a very melancholy mood. The resignation and acceptance in his voice make the song even sadder.
Your album list is very well-rounded indeed! I'd suggest only two additions: The Who By Numbers and Gordon Lightfoot's Cold On the Shoulder. Thank you!
Yes! On both counts! Fun aside: Freddy "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" Fender did a cover of "Squeeze Box" that I'd spin on the air now and then back in the day.
I had no idea about Gary Stewart. It’s also wild that so much happened in 1975. What a year! I was also a big K-tel fan and remember begging my mom to let me order them through the mail.
Thanks for the mixtape, also. This is going to get me through my Saturday chores.
'Hissing' was in an earlier, longer draft, but I decided to limit it to my favorite 25, hence all the honorable mentions and the playlist (mixtape). Dig down into the 75-song playlist, and the title track is there.
Excellent. I was 15 in 1975 and lived outside Austin. Pretty good list to capture the zeitgeist although many of the artists on this list weren't being played on our radio. KLBJ had just started 'daring to differ', i.e. it wasn't playing country. So, basically it was all Beatles, all the time and a ton of prog rock. But, Willie was predominant in Austin along with all the other outlaws. Red Headed Stranger was everything. I still love it.
1975 was a pretty good year to be in Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Nothing like it. The floods made me think of Willie Nelson singing the old song "The Hill Country of Texas" which KLBJ played every morning when my alarm went off.
Willie was a DJ at several stations around Texas in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. KBOP in Pleasanton was his first, I think.
Thanks for reading!
What a year. I was just a kid but my big sister played this music. And created my musical love.
Siblings and family shape our musical loves more than we realize until much later, that's for sure. Thanks for reading!
I was eleven years old in the 5th grade. The best thing about 1975 was seeing "Tommy" in the movie theater and having joints passed to me. I fell in love with Roger Daltrey that day.
Ah, yes...Running shirtless on the beach!
It was the wallpaper!
Great list! Thank you for including the most handsome man in Rock & Roll - Dick Manitoba.
You know it!
Can’t argue (much) with your list. I would have put the Ian Hunter album higher. Great music all round. 50 years ago though!!!!! Can’t be surely?……
Oh, these aren't ranked. They're simply placed in the order that they pop into my head. As for what ended up as an "honorable mention," I was back and forth on most every choice here, so I understand!
Nice write up! So many great songs! Hard to pick just one. Takes me back to the day
My 1975 mixtape…
“All Night Long We Would Sing That Stupid Song”
Tangled Up in Blue – Bob Dylan
Venus and Mars – Wings
The Killing of Georgie Pt I and II – Rod Stewart
Meeting Across the River – Bruce Springsteen
Have a Good Time – Paul Simon
Anna – Bad Company
Just Another Love Song – The Allman Brothers Band
After the Thrill is Gone – Eagles
’39 – Queen
March, the Mad Scientist – Jethro Tull
They Are All in Love – The Who
Time Waits for No One – The Rolling Stones
Down By the Seaside – Led Zeppelin
Win – David Bowie
Sweet Thing – Rufus
Sara Smile – Hall & Oates
Lady Blue – Leon Russell
Why Can’t We Be Friends – War
Doctor Wu – Steely Dan
No argument here - prime stuff.
I'm turning 50 this summer and so many of these albums were in my parents' record collection, to form the soundtrack of those early years. The thought and effort you put into this post is remarkable and much appreciated.
Thanks for reading and the kind words - and happy early birthday!
Love it. Man when “A Night at the Opera” is an honorable mention…
Great to see Gary Stewart appreciated. Last week a pal compiled a1976 Spotify playlist and I insisted he add Quits.
Oh, absolutely!
Outstanding post! Regarding Paul Simon:I remember 13 year-old me listening to "50 Ways" on NYC Top 40 giant WABC and thinking " My goodness, that man sounds sad.Is that what it's like to be an adult?" I know the song is meant to be a bit of a raucous trifle, but I always hear it dripping with melancholy. Maybe it's the drums ...
Agreed, but I chalk it up to the chord progression during the verses - they set a very melancholy mood. The resignation and acceptance in his voice make the song even sadder.
Well done piece. I’d add the Spinners’ Pick of the Litter & the Albums list. Top songs and production by Thom Bell.
Yes! It could've been a hundred songs and then some!
Your album list is very well-rounded indeed! I'd suggest only two additions: The Who By Numbers and Gordon Lightfoot's Cold On the Shoulder. Thank you!
Yes! On both counts! Fun aside: Freddy "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" Fender did a cover of "Squeeze Box" that I'd spin on the air now and then back in the day.
I had no idea about Gary Stewart. It’s also wild that so much happened in 1975. What a year! I was also a big K-tel fan and remember begging my mom to let me order them through the mail.
Thanks for the mixtape, also. This is going to get me through my Saturday chores.
Old white dude here. Just have to say that you nailed it. I might also offer, Joni Mitchell‘s “hissing of the summer lawns”.
'Hissing' was in an earlier, longer draft, but I decided to limit it to my favorite 25, hence all the honorable mentions and the playlist (mixtape). Dig down into the 75-song playlist, and the title track is there.
Thanks for reading and subscribing, Andrew!
Graduated high school spring. Worked the wheat harvest summer. Started college fall. This was the soundtrack of that life