4 Wildly Underrated Hit Songs From 1973

The year 1973 produced some really great music in pop, rock, folk, and beyond. Sadly, a lot of excellent tunes from that year have been forgotten over time through no fault of their own. Let’s revisit a few underrated songs from 1973, shall we?

1. “She’s Gone” by Hall & Oates

I definitely wouldn’t call Hall & Oates underrated, considering how successful their career was. However, many fans of this duo know them best by songs like “Rich Girl” from 1977 and “Maneater” from 1982. I’d say that the Philadelphia soul tune “She’s Gone” is one of their most underrated hits, and the whole of Abandoned Luncheonette is pretty underrated, too.

2. “What Is Hip?” by Tower Of Power

Ah, the age-old question. Funk outfit Tower Of Power first posed this question back in 1973 with “What Is Hip?” from their self-titled album. Up until that album was released, this Oakland-based band was more or less an underground gem. They finally got the attention they deserved in 1973, and this glittering, horn-packed powerhouse of a song is one of their finest releases.

3. “I Got A Name” by Jim Croce

In my opinion, the late Jim Croce is one of the most underrated musical acts of the 1970s. That might have changed if his life hadn’t been cut tragically short. Regardless, the music he produced before he left this world deserves way more love and recognition. “I Got A Name” from 1973 is just one example of what he was capable of as a singer/songwriter. It’s a little bit country, a little bit folk, and beautifully written.

4. “Swimming Song” by Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright III might be best known for folky tunes like “Motel Blues” and “The Man Who Couldn’t Cry”, but you just can’t beat one of his most underrated songs from 1973, “Swimming Song”. This tune is a standout release from Wainwright’s 1973 album Attempted Mustache. “Swimming Song” is a definitive one in Wainwright’s discography, and it also just sounds like the summer of 1973. It makes sense that so many artists have covered this particular work; it’s really gorgeous.

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images

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