Could it be I'm POLLING in love? ~~~ ILM 70s SOUL/FUNK/DISCO TRACKS POLL ~~~ RESULTS THREAD!

I can respect Michael and Jamerson on it but that's still not actually enjoying I Want You Back. Bad Luck too low. It's the best gospel song I know. The way Teddy insists each and every bad thing that happens isn't your fault but due to bad luck is crazy moving. Can't think of the other Nixon tune but I'm sure it's obvious.

I had "What's Going On" as my #1. I played all of my contenders in full - not far off 200 of them! - and it simply hit the hardest, even after decades of regular listens.

^ that's dedication.

What's Going On still packs a punch, it's true. It's easy to take the song for granted, but that bridge where it changes key is so indescribably beautiful, with the soaring choir and strings.

Most represented artist will be Stevie Wonder by a wide margin, if you include "Tears of A Clown", "It's A Shame", "Tell Me Something Good", "I'm Going Left" and whatever's to come.

I had "What's Going On" somewhere around the middle of my ballot. One of those songs that I keep thinking is totally played out at this point, but then I'm struck by every time I hear it.

What's Going On will always be overshadowed by Inner City Blues for me.

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
24. The Chi-Lites - Have You Seen Her
410 points / 8 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVYxKRXDT2I

Please let "One Nation" be Funkadelic's highest ranking tune (unless "Knee Deep" is still in line).

Can't think of the other Nixon tune but I'm sure it's obvious.

Actually, it's not, in that he's not mentioned by name. But I find it impossible not to think of it as a Nixon song, and in fact, for the first few years of the decade, I think Nixon's an unspoken presence in a lot of the more despairing songs: "The World Is a Ghetto," "Winter in America," a few by Stevie Wonder, etc.

Too low of course. Can't think of anything quite like the Chi-Lites. Off kilter but on point.

Is Nixon Misstra Know It All?

That song placed, but still.

xp to Eric if I know ILM, Maggot Brain is coming

I know, I know. I expect it to be #2 actually.

Can't really see "You Haven't Done Nothin" placing at this point.

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
23. Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
412 points / 6 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKTUAESacQM

lol

One of those songs that I keep thinking is totally played out at this point, but then I'm struck by every time I hear it.

I had this feeling surprisingly often, when playing through my long list. But it was sometimes equally surprising in reverse: "oh, I love this track - oh wait, it's kinda played out now".

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
22. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
417 points / 5 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOKn33-q4Ao

Well, at least we got it over with.

*ducks*

I know, I know. I expect it to be #2 actually.

Close enough.

If Maggot Brain counts as soulfunkdisco then Station to Station is surely in the top 10?

"Stairway to Heaven" at #1

Maggot Brain is way out of place

brilliant, moving guitar solo that belongs nowhere near this poll. Get thee back to the Epics poll!

For voting in this poll, I maintained a rule of if its been nominated (and it reasonably counts as the 70s), I'll vote for it. The only song on the noms list that I couldn't justify, or even comprehend, as Soul/Funk/Disco was "Station to Station."

too low

too slow

One thing I'm taking away from this poll is that I'll never get into Parliament/Funkadelic.

your loss

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
21. Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
422 points / 6 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJx2NnnxA0

(Apart from "One Nation Under A Groove". But that cleared the floor when I played it out a couple of weeks ago, so pfft to it.)

esp considering the stuff placing here is only the most obvious/famous tracks

xp

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
20. The Commodores - Easy
425 points / 7 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XcTyEKSnYg

I voted for a bunch of Funkadelic, but yeah, not Maggot Brain.

has always felt like more of an 80s song to me, just the production and general vibe. ridiculous that it's this high.

xp

Aww, glad this made it. An especially lovely vocal performance from Lionel here.

This always felt like a jingle to me. Never figured anybody actually enjoyed it. Will give it a shot I guess.

No, it doesn't work. Prefer 80's Lionel comfortably.

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
19. Patrice Rushen - Haven't You Heard
426 points / 7 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHxc3e2TJXc

Yes!

LOL at "Easy," but hey, it's awesome that it's above "Maggot Brain" so

It would've been a fun exercise to list each song's WhoSampled entry when they placed.

Obviously, "Easy"'s greatest legacy is inspiring "Hey Ma"

"Maggot Brain" was my #2.

"Stairway" at #3 obv.

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
18. The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes
428 points / 7 votes / 1 number one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CJZcVi5BA4

Another Yes! Peak Whitfield.

Patrice so high is a nice surprise; Undisputed Truth is one of my best new finds (but still fell outside my 100).

That's my #1.

Have never heard the Patrice Rushen song. Admittedly I was paying less attention by '79, but it didn't seem to be that big of a hit Stateside (#42).

It would've been a fun exercise to list each song's WhoSampled entry when they placed.

http://i.imgur.com/Hr9cESp.png
17. George McCrae - Rock Your Baby
433 points / 7 votes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdo-ZiHqbls