10 of the biggest hits from 1974

If you're of a certain age, you'll know and love these huge hits that were all released back in 1974! Can you believe the likes of 'Seasons In The Sun', 'Band On The Run' and 'Love Me For A Reason' all turned 50 in 2024? We wouldn't blame you for feeling like they were released just yesterday.

From the likes of ABBA, and their Eurovision-winning 'Waterloo', to Carl Douglas' one-hit-wonder 'Kung Foo Fighting', there's bound to be a song here that you know and love...

Check out 10 of the biggest songs from 1974:

Suzi Quatro - 'Devil Gate Drive'

Suzi Quatro released 'Devil Gate Drive', and it was a huge hit in 1974. The song became Suzi's second solo UK Number 1.

Paper Lace - 'Billy Don't Be a Hero'

Nottingham band Paper Lace had a Number 1 song in 1974 with their breakthrough song 'Billy Don't Be a Hero'. Despite reaching the top spot, the song was also classed as one of the 10 Worst Songs of the 1970s, according to a Rolling Stone poll, where it was placed at Number 8.

Terry Jacks - 'Seasons In The Sun'

'Seasons In The Sun' comes from a Belgian song called 'Le Moribond', written in 1961. 'Seasons In The Sun' was written with English lyrics in 1963, and released by Terry Jacks in 1974, when it became a Number 1 hit in the UK. The song also became a hit decades later for Westlife, when they got a Christmas Number 1 in 1999.

ABBA - 'Waterloo'

ABBA released 'Waterloo' back in 1974 as their Eurovision Song Contest entry. The song won the competition for Sweden, leading the country to host the competition the following year. The song also went on to become a big hit outside of Eurovision, going to Number 1 in many countries around the world, including the UK.

The Rubettes - 'Sugar Baby Love'

The Rubettes enjoyed a Number 1 hit with 'Sugar Baby Love', which was the band's debut single. The Rubettes also had Top 10 hits with 'Juke Box Jive', 'I Can Do It', and 'Baby I Know', in 1974, 1975 and 1977 respectively.

Ray Stevens - 'The Streak'

'The Streak' was a novelty song which had huge success in 1974 with Ray Stevens. The song was a Number 1 hit in the UK and US, and was the lead single from his album 'Boogity Boogity'. In 1992, Ray starred in a new music video for the song.

Charles Aznavour - 'She'

'She' was released by Charles Aznavour as the theme tune for the TV show Seven Faces of Woman. As well as the English version of the song, it was also recorded in French, German, Italian and Spanish. The music video follows a woman walking through the streets of Paris, towards the end of the video she meets a man, but we never get to see the woman's face.

Since its initial release the song has been covered by Elvis Costello and Laura Pausini (in Italian).

Paul McCartney and Wings - 'Band On The Run'

Released by Paul McCartney and Wings, 'Band On The Run' was the title track from the band's 1973 album. The song was released in April 1974 and was a Top 5 hit for Paul and the rest of the group.

Carl Douglas - 'Kung Fu Fighting'

When Carl Douglas released 'Kung Fu Fighting' it became a Number 1 hit around the world. The song was his debut release and his first and only Number 1. The song was also rated Number 100 in VH1's 100 Greatest one-hit wonders.

The Osmonds - 'Love Me For A Reason'

The Osmonds released a cover of Johnny Bristol's 'Love Me For A Reason' in 1974, which became a Number 1 hit, before returning to the Top 5 two decades later, with the release of Boyzone's version.

Now read:

24 huge hits that turned 40 in 2024

17 songs which were huge hits after a re-release

The greatest one-hit wonders of the 1970s

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