13 huge hits celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2023
We love these songs!
We LOVE music from the 70s, so as it's 2023, we thought we'd take a look at some of the biggest songs from 50 years ago, in 1973.
Whether you were a fan of Paul McCartney during his Wings days, Diana Ross, or Elton John, you're bound to find yourself reminiscing about your younger years as you scroll through this gallery.
Take a look through 13 hits from 1973:
Donny Osmond - ‘When I fall in Love’
Donny Osmond released his version of 'When I fall in Love' in 1973, having a Top 5 song hit with it. The song was originally recorded in 1952, but has had various versions released over the years, including on by Rick Astley in 1987 and Celine Dion and Clive Griffin in 1993.
Watch the music video for 'When I Fall in Love'
David Bowie - 'The Jean Genie’
Technically released in 1972, 'The Jean Genie' was also featured on David Bowie's album 'Aladdin Sane', which was released in 1973. The song was a huge hit in the UK reaching Number 2, spending 13 weeks on the chart in total.
Watch the music video for 'The Jean Genie'
Slade - ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’
Slade's iconic Christmas song 'Merry Xmas Everybody' has stood the test of time, however it was originally released in 1973. The song was the band's sixth and final Number 1 single in the UK, giving them the highly sought after Christmas Number 1 in the year of its release.
Watch the music video for 'Merry Xmas Everybody'
Wizzard - ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’
Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' is another iconic Christmas tune which is still around in the 21st century. Sadly the song didn't chart higher than Number 4, so it was decided to re-release it in 1981, however sadly it didn't perform as well. Since then the song has re-entered the chart several times over the years, but not had the success of the original release.
Watch the music video for 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday'
Carly Simon - ‘You’re So Vain’
'You're So Vain' was Carly Simon's breakthrough song in the UK where it reached Number 3 when it was released five decades ago. The music video has now had more than 11 million views on YouTube.
Watch the music video for 'You're So Vain'
Elton John - ‘Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting’
Elton John's hit 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' was featured on his popular album 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', also released in 1973. The song was a Top 10 hit for Elton and has been certified Gold here in the UK.
Watch the music video for 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting'
Paul McCartney & Wings - ‘Live and Let Die’
Paul McCartney & Wings song 'Live and Let Die' was the theme tune to the James Bond film on the same name. The song was written by Paul and Linda McCartney, who also provided backing vocals. This version of 'Live and Let Die' reached Number 9 in the UK, however a later version of the song released by Guns 'n' Roses' in 1991, reached Number 5!
Watch the music video for 'Live and Let Die'
T.Rex - ‘20th Century Boy’
T.Rex's '20th Century Boy' reached Number 3 in 1973 and stayed in the UK chart for nine weeks in total. Despite being released at a similar to time to the band's album 'Tanx' it wasn't featured on there until they re-issued the album in 1985, including '20th Century Boy' as a bonus track.
Watch the music video for '20th Century Boy'
10cc - ‘Rubber Bullets’
'Rubber Bullets' was 10cc's first Number 1 single and it featured on their self-titled debut album. The band formed in Stockport in 1972, with the line-up of Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.
Watch the music video for 'Rubber Bullets'
Marvin Gaye - ‘Let’s Get It On’
Despite Marvin Gaye's song 'Let's Get It On' not charting particularly high in the UK, the song has become one of those iconic love songs, still played to this day. The song featured on Marvin's song of the same name and 'Come Get to This' and 'You Sure Love to Ball'.
Watch the music video for 'Let's Get It On'
Slade - ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’
The first of three Number 1 songs in 1973 alone for Slade was 'Cum On Feel The Noize'. The song was their fourth Number 1 overall and stayed in the UK charts for 12 weeks.
Watch the music video for 'Cum On Feel The Noize'
David Cassidy - ‘Daydreamer’
David Cassidy's 'Daydreamer' became the 10th best-selling song of 1973, released as a double-A side with 'The Puppy Song', 'Daydreamer' was a Number 1 song for David and featured on his album 'Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes', released in the same year.
Watch the music video for 'Daydreamer'
Diana Ross - ‘Touch Me In The Morning’
'Touch Me In The Morning' was the first song from Diana Ross' fourth album of the same name. The song was a Top 10 song here in the UK and a Number 1 hit in the US' Billboard Hot 100.
Watch the music video for 'Touch Me In The Morning'
Now read:
21 huge hits celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2023
Songs which were huge hits after a re-release
The greatest one-hit wonders of the 1970s