Video Vault - 1975

Yes, 1975 was the year of Born to Run, but to ruffle feathers, I went with Three Dog Night's "Shambala."  3DN covered the song, but theirs is the one most known to all.  The song really stuck with me after watching one of the only "feel-good" episodes of Lost, as Hurley, Charlie, Jin & Sawyer get the VW bus working again.

Here are the boys in their heyday (bell bottoms, feathered hair,etc) with the feel good song:

Best Year in Music - the Rebuttal (1975)

Off the top of my head, The one year that came to mind would be 1975.  A crucial year for music.  Classic Rock apex's, the singer-songwriter begins to fade, disco will begin to creep in, punk roots are formed, and alternative radio influences begin to form.  Do I listen to this stuff much now, not really.  But I can appreciate the influence it has had.

Here are my examples:

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks

Patti Smith - Horses

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Blues for Allah by the Grateful Dead, Katy Lied by Steely Dan, Night at the Opera by Queen, Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith, Alive! by Kiss, Tonight's the Night by Neil Young, Red Octopus by Jefferson Starship, Dreamboat Annie by Heart, and Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed are not shabby runner-ups. 

Plus songs like "No Woman , No Cry," by Bob Marley, "Love is the Drug" by Roxy Music, "Low Rider" by WAR, "Slow Ride" by Foghat, "I'm not in Love" by 10cc, "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet, "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell, and "If" by Telly Savals all help to make a strong case for our country's199th year!