Soft Rock Sounds Part 1

Soft rock is also referred to as light rock. This type of music originated in the late 1960s in Southern California and the UK. In this series are some of the best soft rock songs to come out over the years.

“Annie’s Song” is a song that was written and recorded by American singer and songwriter John Denver. The song was featured on his 1974 album Back Home Again and released as the lead single. It became his second number-one hit in the US and was also at number-one on the Easy Listening chart. In the UK the song at number-one became Denver’s only major hit single in the country. Four years later flautist James Galway did an instrumental version which became his only major British hit.

“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” is a song that was recorded by the American pop rock band Looking Glass. It was featured on their 1972 debut album Looking Glass. The song was written by the band’s lead guitarist and co-vocalist Elliot Lurie. The single went to number-one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts.

“Best of My Love” is a song that was written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and JD Souther. It was originally recorded by the American rock band The Eagles and featured on their 1974 album On the Border. The song became the band’s first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also topped the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked the song the number 12 song for 1975.

“Baker Street” is a song that was written and recorded by the Scottish singer and songwriter Gerry Rafferty. It was released in 1978 and won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1979. After the song was released as a single it charted on both the UK and Billboard Hot 100 charts. It was number-one on the Cash Box chart and is recognized by BMI for surpassing five million performances worldwide.

“Cracklin’ Rosie” is a song that was written and recorded by American singer and songwriter Neil Diamond. It is featured on his 1970 album Tap Root Manuscript. The song went to number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart becoming Diamond’s first big hit in the US and his third to sell a million copies. It also became his breakthrough single on the UK Singles chart.

“Cat’s in the Cradle” is a song that was written and recorded by American singer and songwriter Harry Chapin. It is featured on his 1974 album Verities & Balderdash. The song went to number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart becoming Chapin’s only number-one hit. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.

“Dust in the Wind” is a song that was recorded by the American progressive rock band Kanas. It was written by band member Kerry Livgren and is featured on their 1977 album Point of Know Return. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart becoming the band’s only single to reach the Top Ten in the US. It was certified Gold by the RIAA and certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA in 2019.

“Dream Weaver” is a song that was recorded by the American singer Gary Wright. It came out as the lead single from his 1975 album of the same name. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was inspired by the book “Autobiography of a Yogi” given to Wright by George Harrison. The expression “Dream Weaver” was popularized by John Lennon in his 1970 song “God” taken from his solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. Wright re-recorded the song twice, first in 1986 for the movie soundtrack to “Fire and Ice” and a longer version for the movie soundtrack to “Wayne’s World” in 1992.