1973 – It’s the year the United States withdrew from Vietnam, the World Trade Center opened in New York City and the year Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes.
It’s also the year many music artists began or continued their careers, creating albums many still listen to today, fifty years after their release. Below is a list of five albums released in 1973 that people still play today, whether through vinyl records or Spotify.
“Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” – Bruce Springsteen
“The Boss” debuted on Jan. 5, 1973, with “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” peaking at 60 on the U.S. Billboard 200. However, the album was almost not as successful as it came to be.
Springsteen first submitted the album to Columbia Records in 1972. Clive Davis, president of Columbia Records, rejected it, feeling the record lacked a hit single. Springsteen then wrote and recorded “Spirit in the Night” and “Blinded by the Light” – later made a hit by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – and the rest is history.
Lester Bangs of Rolling Stone reviewed the album on July 5, 1973, admiring Springsteen as a “bold new talent with more than a mouthful to say.”
With songs like “Born to Run” and “Born in the U.S.A.” just around the corner, it’s unquestionable that Springsteen’s commentary on the world around him didn’t end with his debut album.
“The Dark Side of the Moon” – Pink Floyd
The album that pairs well with “The Wizard of Oz” and “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” arrived on the scene on March 1, 1973. Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, “The Dark Side of the Moon” has sold more than 45 million units worldwide.
Pink Floyd’s concept album explores the human experience through themes such as time, greed, death and mental illness, specifically, former bandmate Syd Barrett’s battle with mental illness. Barrett, who founded Pink Floyd, left the group in 1968 when his mental health worsened after excessive use of psychedelic drugs.
Lloyd Grossman of Rolling Stone reviewed the album on May 24, 1973. He recognized its brilliance by saying, “‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ has flash – the true flash that comes from the excellence of a superb performance.”
Pink Floyd would follow up “The Dark Side of the Moon” with other concept albums such as “Animals,” released in 1977, and “The Wall,” released in 1979.
“Queen” – Queen
The world first heard Freddie Mercury’s voice on Queen’s self-titled debut album, released on July 13, 1973. With songs like “Keep Yourself Alive,” “Doing Alright,” “Liar” and “Jesus,” it was clear Queen would soon be a rock and roll staple.
The album also featured an instrumental of “Seven Seas of Rhye,” which would later appear in its entirety on Queen’s second album, “Queen II,” released in 1974. “Seven Seas of Rhye” would be the band’s first hit, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.
Gordon Fletcher of Rolling Stone reviewed the album on Dec. 6, 1973, stating Queen shall soon be known as the “new Led Zeppelin.” He also says Mercury has a strong, steady voice that doesn’t lack power and authority.
The comparison between Led Zeppelin and Queen isn’t far-fetched. Rolling Stone readers ranked Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zeppelin, and Mercury side by side in an article about the best lead singers of all time.
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Elton John
With six albums already under his belt, Elton John introduced “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” to the world on Oct. 5, 1973, at the height of his career. Featuring hits such as “Candle In The Wind,” “Bennie And The Jets,” “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” and the title track, the album has sold more than 30 million copies and topped the charts for eight weeks.
The album opens with “Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding,” wherein John showcases his piano-playing skills, and Bernie Taupin demonstrates his prowess as John’s lifelong songwriting partner. Critics ranked the song as John’s second-best in a 2019 Billboard article, referring to the song as “John’s finest opus.”
Stephen Davis of Rolling Stone reviewed the album on Nov. 22, 1973, complimenting John’s ability to sing, play, emote and lead a band. However, he states John “can’t get organized.”
Knowing “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” took the top spot in a 2013 Rolling Stone article ranking John’s best albums, his fans beg to differ.
“Piano Man” – Billy Joel
Billy Joel’s sophomore album first hit the airwaves on Nov. 9, 1973. Although the title track is one of Joel’s most beloved songs today, the last song on the album set him on the path to superstardom.
“Captain Jack” gained popularity after Joel performed a live radio concert in Philadelphia on April 15, 1972. Playing songs from “Piano Man” and his first studio album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” “Captain Jack” received airplay even after the concert aired, grabbing the attention of Columbia Records, who signed Joel to their label in 1973.
Jack Breschard of Rolling Stone reviewed the album in 1974, stating the album’s production is “reminiscent of Elton John’s.”
Seeing Joel collaborated with John on a series of “Face to Face” tours in the 90s and 2000s, perhaps this comparison wasn’t too far off.
