History's Best Selling Music of 1977

In the colorful era of the 1970s, 1977 saw a swell surge of retro grooves and analog innovation in the world of music! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like Low and Animals, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like David Bowie and Pink Floyd proved their mettle with Rumours, delivering craftsmanship that defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. Low

   Released in 1977 by David Bowie, RCA Records

   On January 14, 1977, the music world received a transmission from a radically different David Bowie. Following his commercially successful but personally tumultuous period in Los Angeles, Bowie had relocated to West Berlin to escape the pressures of fame and drug addiction. It was in this stark, divided city that he created "Low," the first installment of his revered "Berlin Trilogy." Released on this day, the album was a shocking and profound departure from the glam rock and soul stylings that had made him a superstar. Listeners expecting another "Ziggy Stardust" or "Young Americans" were instead confronted with fragmented, abstract rock songs on one side and stark, atmospheric instrumentals on the other. It was a bold artistic statement that redefined Bowie's career and challenged the boundaries of popular music.

2. Animals

   Released in 1977 by Pink Floyd, Harvest Records, Columbia Records

   On January 21, 1977, British rock legends Pink Floyd released their tenth studio album, "Animals," in the United Kingdom. This date marked the arrival of a stark, cynical, and politically charged concept album that stood in bleak contrast to the escapism of disco and the raw fury of the burgeoning punk rock movement. While its predecessor, "Wish You Were Here," was a lament for a lost friend, "Animals" turned its gaze outward, offering a scathing critique of socio-political conditions in 1970s Britain. The album's release on this day cemented a new, darker chapter in the band's evolution, using George Orwell's "Animal Farm" as a framework to dissect human society's class struggles and moral decay.

3. Rumours

   Released in 1977 by Fleetwood Mac, Warner Bros. Records

   On February 4, 1977, the music world received a masterpiece born from intense personal turmoil: Fleetwood Mac's eleventh studio album, "Rumours." Released amidst the emotional wreckage of multiple romantic breakups within the band, the album was a raw, public diary set to music. The two couples in the group—bassist John McVie and keyboardist-vocalist Christine McVie, and guitarist-vocalist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks—were in the process of separating, while drummer Mick Fleetwood was also going through a divorce. This emotional crucible became the unlikely furnace that forged one of the most successful and enduring albums in history, transforming their pain into a universally relatable artistic statement.

4. Marquee Moon

   Released in 1977 by Television, Elektra Records

   On February 8, 1977, the landscape of rock music was irrevocably altered with the release of "Marquee Moon," the debut studio album by the New York City band Television. Arriving amidst the raw, three-chord fury of the burgeoning punk rock movement centered around clubs like CBGB, "Marquee Moon" offered a startlingly different vision. While it shared the same downtown scene and anti-establishment energy as bands like the Ramones, Television's sound was complex, intricate, and almost literary in its ambition. The album's release on this date marked a pivotal moment, demonstrating that punk's spirit could be channeled not just through primal force, but also through virtuosic musicianship, poetic lyricism, and sophisticated song structures, effectively laying the groundwork for post-punk and alternative rock.

5. Book of Dreams

   Released in 1977 by Steve Miller Band, Capitol Records

   On May 6, 1977, the Steve Miller Band released "Book of Dreams," continuing an incredible run of commercial and artistic success that had started with "The Joker" and exploded with 1976's "Fly Like an Eagle." Released almost exactly a year after its predecessor, "Book of Dreams" felt like a companion piece, with many of its tracks recorded during the same prolific sessions. The album arrived at a moment when Miller had perfected his blend of blues-rock, pop hooks, and psychedelic-tinged space rock, solidifying his status as a titan of AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) radio. The release cemented the band's position at the pinnacle of the music world, delivering another collection of songs that would become permanent fixtures on classic rock playlists for decades to come.

6. The Grand Illusion

   Released in 1977 by Styx, A&M Records

   Released on July 7, 1977, Styx's seventh studio album, "The Grand Illusion," arrived at a perfect cultural moment. The mid-to-late 1970s saw the peak of 'arena rock' or 'pomp rock,' a genre characterized by grandiose arrangements, slick production, and themes of personal triumph. Styx, having already achieved some success, seized this moment to release a concept album that would define their career. The album was a meditation on the struggle between dreams and reality in the face of American commercialism, urging listeners to see beyond the 'grand illusion' of fame and material success and to believe in themselves. This message, wrapped in radio-friendly rock, was poised to conquer the airwaves.

7. I Robot (album)

   Released in 1977 by The Alan Parsons Project, Arista Records

   On July 8, 1977, The Alan Parsons Project released their second studio album, "I Robot." This release came at a time when progressive rock was still a dominant force, but also on the cusp of being challenged by the punk and new wave movements. The album's futuristic themes, drawn from Isaac Asimov's science fiction stories, tapped into a growing cultural fascination with technology, artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity. The release solidified the band's reputation for creating conceptually rich, sonically pristine albums, offering a sophisticated and thought-provoking alternative to the rawer sounds emerging in the late 1970s music landscape.

8. "Heroes"

   Released in 1977 by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Tony Visconti, RCA Records

   Released on October 14, 1977, David Bowie's twelfth studio album, "Heroes", marked the creative apex of his celebrated 'Berlin Trilogy.' Recorded at Hansa Studio by the Wall in West Berlin, the album's atmosphere is deeply infused with the political and social tensions of the Cold War. This specific date marks the moment the world first heard this ambitious and bifurcated work, a record that captured the essence of a city divided yet resilient. It wasn't just another album release; it was a profound artistic statement, using the stark reality of the Berlin Wall as a backdrop for exploring themes of alienation, escape, and defiant love, creating a powerful and enduring musical document of its time and place.

9. Bat Out of Hell

   Released in 1977 by Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman, Todd Rundgren, Cleveland International Records, Epic Records

   On October 21, 1977, in a music landscape dominated by punk rock's raw energy and disco's shimmering pulse, a sonic behemoth was unleashed. "Bat Out of Hell," the epic collaboration between vocalist Meat Loaf and composer Jim Steinman, crashed into the scene with the force of a teenage fever dream. It was an album out of time, rejecting contemporary trends in favor of a bombastic, Wagnerian style of rock and roll that fused 1950s teenage tragedy songs with the grandeur of opera. Its release on this date marked the beginning of a slow-burn success story that would see it become one of the best-selling and most enduring albums in music history.

10. News of the World

    Released in 1977 by Queen, EMI Records, Elektra Records

    On October 28, 1977, as the punk rock movement was aggressively challenging the rock establishment, Queen unleashed their sixth studio album, 'News of the World'. Released in the wake of their ornate and layered predecessor, 'A Day at the Races', this album was a deliberate and defiant pivot. The band, often criticized by punk purists as bloated and pretentious, responded not by retreating, but by creating a more direct, raw, and universally anthemic sound. The release of this album marked a pivotal moment, showcasing Queen's remarkable ability to adapt and connect with a mass audience on an unprecedented scale, proving their stadium-sized ambitions were more potent than ever.

11. Saturday Night Fever (The Original Movie Sound Track)

    Released in 1977 by Bee Gees, Various Artists, RSO Records

    On November 15, 1977, the world of music and film was irrevocably changed with the release of the soundtrack for "Saturday Night Fever." The album was not merely a collection of songs to accompany a movie; it was a cultural event that ignited a global phenomenon. In the late 1970s, disco was a thriving subculture, but this soundtrack, powered by the rejuvenated Bee Gees, thrust it into the mainstream spotlight. The album's release didn't just coincide with the film's premiere; it defined it, creating a symbiotic relationship where the music became the driving force of the narrative and the movie became the visual representation of the album's sound, capturing the hopes, dreams, and dance-floor escapism of an entire generation.

12. Slowhand

    Released in 1977 by Eric Clapton, RSO Records

    On November 25, 1977, Eric Clapton released 'Slowhand,' an album that would cement his transition from a fiery blues-rock guitar god to a more laid-back, commercially successful solo artist. Released during a period of personal and professional change, the album captured a more relaxed and confident Clapton. The nickname 'Slowhand,' given to him in his Yardbirds days, was ironically perfect for an album that showcased his nuanced, melodic playing rather than sheer speed. The release marked a pivotal moment, presenting a collection of songs that were both radio-friendly and deeply rooted in Clapton's signature blues style, broadening his appeal to a massive global audience and producing some of the most enduring songs of his entire career.