History's Best Selling Music of 1970

Make way for the hits of 1970! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the disco & blockbuster decade and the march of first-rate music. Crowd-pleasers such as Bridge Over Troubled Water shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Black Sabbath and Elton John. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Simon & Garfunkel and Black Sabbath, these trailblazing products defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Bridge Over Troubled Water

   Released in 1970 by Simon & Garfunkel, Columbia Records

   On January 26, 1970, the music world received a masterpiece that would also serve as a poignant farewell. Simon & Garfunkel released their fifth and final studio album, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The release came at a time of significant cultural and social change, and the album's themes of hope, friendship, and passage resonated deeply with a global audience. Despite the immense personal and creative friction between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel during its production, the album became their most successful work, a testament to their fractured but brilliant partnership. It immediately captured the zeitgeist, offering both solace and sophisticated musicality, and its release is a landmark moment in the history of popular music.

2. Black Sabbath

   Released in 1970 by Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Vertigo Records

   On Friday, February 13th, 1970, the world of music was irrevocably altered. With the sound of a thunderstorm, a tolling funeral bell, and a monstrous three-note guitar riff, the debut album *Black Sabbath* was unleashed upon an unsuspecting public. This release didn't just launch a band; it single-handedly birthed a new genre. The ominous release date was no coincidence, perfectly heralding the arrival of a sound that was darker, heavier, and more foreboding than anything that had come before, creating the foundational text for what would become known as heavy metal.

3. Elton John

   Released in 1970 by Elton John, DJM Records, Uni Records

   On April 10, 1970, American audiences were formally introduced to the genius of Elton John with the US release of his self-titled second studio album. While his debut 'Empty Sky' had gone largely unnoticed, this record would prove to be his transatlantic breakthrough. The album's release on this date marked the beginning of his ascent to global superstardom, powered by the monumental success of its lead single, 'Your Song.' It was a pivotal moment that established the iconic songwriter-performer as a major new voice in popular music, setting the stage for a decade of unparalleled chart dominance and creative output that would define an era.

4. McCartney

   Released in 1970 by Paul McCartney, Apple Records

   Released on April 17, 1970, Paul McCartney's solo debut, "McCartney," served as the public's de facto announcement of The Beatles' dissolution. Though John Lennon had privately left the band months earlier, the group's split was not yet common knowledge. McCartney's decision to release his solo work, complete with a self-interview in the press kit confirming he was on a "break" from the band and saw no future for the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership, effectively ended the world's most famous musical act. The album's arrival just weeks before The Beatles' own "Let It Be" caused internal friction but also cemented this date as a pivotal moment in music history, marking the end of one era and the defiant start of another.

5. Let It Be

   Released in 1970 by The Beatles, Apple Records

   Released on May 8, 1970, "Let It Be" was a bittersweet farewell from the most influential band in popular music history. The album arrived a month after Paul McCartney had publicly announced his departure, formalizing the breakup of The Beatles. Its release was not the triumphant culmination of a project, but rather the posthumous assembly of sessions recorded over a year earlier, originally intended for a back-to-basics TV special. This specific date marks the moment fans could finally hear the last collection of new songs from the Fab Four, serving as a complex and often somber epitaph to a legendary career that had permanently changed the face of music.

6. Deep Purple in Rock

   Released in 1970 by Deep Purple, Harvest Records

   On June 3, 1970, the landscape of rock music was irrevocably altered with the release of Deep Purple's "Deep Purple in Rock." The album marked a seismic shift for the band, solidifying its classic "Mark II" lineup—featuring Ian Gillan on vocals and Roger Glover on bass—and unleashing a sound that was harder, faster, and more aggressive than anything they had previously produced. Released into a world still dominated by blues-rock and psychedelia, "In Rock" was a declaration of intent, a foundational text for what would become heavy metal and hard rock. Its release on this day wasn't just another album drop; it was the firing of a starting pistol for a new, heavier era in music history.

7. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs

   Released in 1970 by Derek and the Dominos, Atco Records, Polydor Records

   Released on November 9, 1970, 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' arrived not with a bang, but with a slow, smoldering burn that would eventually ignite into one of rock history's most revered double albums. At the time, Eric Clapton was seeking anonymity after the superfame of Cream and Blind Faith, hence the band name Derek and the Dominos. The album's release date marks the moment the public first heard this raw, impassioned collection of songs, largely born from Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his best friend George Harrison. This emotional turmoil fueled a creative firestorm, resulting in a work of unparalleled vulnerability and musical intensity.

8. All Things Must Pass

   Released in 1970 by George Harrison, Apple Records, EMI

   On November 27, 1970, the music world received a monumental statement from the so-called "quiet Beatle." George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" was not just his first post-Beatles solo album; it was a sprawling, ambitious triple-album that unleashed years of pent-up creative energy. For years, Harrison's songwriting contributions to The Beatles were overshadowed by the Lennon-McCartney powerhouse, leading him to amass a significant backlog of songs. This release date marks the moment he stepped firmly out of that shadow, revealing the full breadth of his spiritual and musical vision to an eager public and redefining his artistic identity for the decade to come.

9. H to He, Who Am the Only One

   Released in 1970 by Van der Graaf Generator, Charisma Records

   On December 20, 1970, the landscape of progressive rock was further defined with the UK release of "H to He, Who Am the Only One" by Van der Graaf Generator. This third album from the band marked a pivotal moment, showcasing their increasingly complex and dark thematic explorations. Released during a golden era for the genre, the album solidified the band's reputation for challenging musical conventions, blending saxophone, organ, and Peter Hammill's distinctive vocals into a sound that was both intellectually stimulating and emotionally raw. The release positioned them as one of the most adventurous and uncompromising acts of their time, distinct even from peers like King Crimson and Genesis.

10. Music from The Body

    Released in 1970 by Roger Waters, Ron Geesin, Harvest Records

    Released in the United States on December 24, 1970, 'Music from The Body' arrived as a peculiar and challenging offering for the holiday season. The album is the soundtrack to Roy Battersby's documentary 'The Body', which explored human biology in graphic detail. Its Christmas Eve release date positioned it as a stark piece of counter-programming against the festive cheer, appealing to a more experimental and avant-garde audience. This was a period of immense creativity for Roger Waters, who was simultaneously pushing the boundaries of rock music with Pink Floyd. The release served as a fascinating side project, showcasing his and collaborator Ron Geesin's interest in musique concrète and conceptual art outside the confines of a major rock band.