By Scott Goldfine

Top 50 1970s Funk/R&B Songs: It should go without saying that every selection is the long album or extended version rather than single or edited versions of the song, including the top choice being the amazing 12-inch extended recording. Provided links connect to albums of origin, or alternatives when original sources are not available.

1. One Nation Under a Groove – Funkadelic (1978)

One Nation Under a Groove GET NOW (Amazon)



2. Fire – Ohio Players (1974)

Fire GET NOW (Amazon)



3. Fopp – Ohio Players (1975)

Honey GET NOW (Amazon)



4. School Boy Crush – Average White Band (1975)

Cut the Cake GET NOW (Amazon)



5. Shining Star – Earth, Wind and Fire (1975)

That’s The Way Of The World GET NOW (Amazon)



6. Slide – Slave (1977)

Slave GET NOW (Amazon)



7. Dazz – Brick (1977)

Good High / Brick: Deluxe Edition GET NOW (Amazon)



8. Take Me to the Next Phase – Isley Brothers (1978)

Showdown GET NOW (Amazon)



9. Flashlight – Parliament (1977)

Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome GET NOW (Amazon)



10. Stretchin’ Out – Bootsy’s Rubber Band (1976)

STRETCHIN OUT GET NOW (Amazon)



11. The Big Payback – James Brown (1972)

The Payback GET NOW (Amazon)



12. Gimme My Mule – Commodores (1976)

Movin’ On GET NOW (Amazon)



13. The Grooveline – Heatwave (1978)

Central Heating GET NOW (Amazon)



14. (Not Just) Knee Deep – Funkadelic (1979)

Uncle Jam Wants You GET NOW (Amazon)



15. Love Ballad – L.T.D. (1976)

Love to the World GET NOW (Amazon)



16. Jam Fan (Hot) – Bootsy’s Rubber Band (1979)

This Boot Is Made for Fonk-N GET NOW (Amazon)



17. Outa-Space – Billy Preston (1973)

I Wrote a Simple Song GET NOW (Amazon)



18. Do It (Till You’re Satisfied) – B.T. Express (1974)

Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied) GET NOW (Amazon)



19. Reasons (live) – Earth, Wind and Fire (1976)

Gratitude GET NOW (Amazon)



20. Bustin’ Out – Rick James (1979)

Bustin Out of L Seven GET NOW (Amazon)



21. Person to Person – Average White Band (1974)

AWB GET NOW (Amazon)



22. Reach for It – George Duke (1977)

Reach for It GET NOW (Amazon)



23. Mothership Connection (Star Child) – Parliament (1975)

Mothership Connection GET NOW (Amazon)



24. Wanna Make Love (Come Flick My Bic) – Sun (1976)

Wanna Make Love / Sun-Power GET NOW (Amazon)



25. Valentine Love – Michael Henderson (1976)

Solid – Expanded Edition GET NOW (Amazon)



26. Shake Your Rump to the Funk – Bar-Kays (1976)

Too Hot to Stop GET NOW (Amazon)



27. Theme From the Black Hole – Parliament (1979)

Gloryhallastoopid GET NOW (Amazon)



28. Superstition – Stevie Wonder (1972)

Talking Book GET NOW (Amazon)



29. L-o-v-e U – Brass Construction (1977)

Brass Construction III & IV GET NOW (Amazon)



30. Fancy Dancer – Commodores (1977)

Hot On The Tracks GET NOW (Amazon)



31. The Jam – Graham Central Station (1975)

AIN’T NO BOUT-A-DOUBT IT GET NOW (Amazon)



32. Shaky Ground – Temptations (1974)

Song For You GET NOW (Amazon)



33. Fame – David Bowie (1975)

Young Americans GET NOW (Amazon)



34. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry (1976)

Wild Cherry GET NOW (Amazon)



35. Get Down Tonight – K.C. & the Sunshine Band (1975)

KC and the Sunshine Band 25th Anniversary Collection GET NOW (Amazon)



36. Merry Go Round – Ohio Players (1977)

Angel / Jass-Ay-Lay-Dee GET NOW (Amazon)



37. A Real Mother for Ya – Johnny “Guitar” Watson (1977)

A Real Mother For Ya GET NOW (Amazon)



38. Back in Love – L.T.D. (1977)

Something To Love GET NOW (Amazon)



39. Confunkshunizeya – Con Funk Shun (1976)

Secrets GET NOW (Amazon)



40. Slippery When Wet – Commodores (1975)

Caught in the Act GET NOW (Amazon)



41. Super Natural Feeling – Blackbyrds (1977)

Action / Better Days GET NOW (Amazon)



42. Glide – Pleasure (1978)

Future Now GET NOW (Amazon)



43. Climbing Up the Ladder – Isley Brothers (1977)

Go For Your Guns GET NOW (Amazon)



44. Living for the City – Stevie Wonder (1973)

Innervisions GET NOW (Amazon)



45. Hollywood Swinging – Kool and the Gang (1973)

Wild And Peaceful GET NOW (Amazon)



46. Masquerade – George Benson (1976)

Breezin GET NOW (Amazon)



47. Good to Your Earhole – Funkadelic (1975)

Let’s Take It to the Stage GET NOW (Amazon)



48. Bambi – Prince (1978)

Prince GET NOW (Amazon)



49. Best of My Love – Emotions (1977)

Rejoice GET NOW (Amazon)



50. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly & the Family Stone (1970)

Sly & The Family Stone Greatest Hits GET NOW (Amazon)



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