I'd like a list of the top 40 coolest songs from 1972-1982. Not the
most popular or the Billboard biggies, but the ones that had an impact
on the industry (I'm looking for an opinion here, not a "fact." So let
'er rip).

Hi, headdoc!

Here's my highly opinionated list. I've picked what I view as some
extremely cool songs from 1972 through 1982. I've tried to choose a
variety of musical styles and artists.

1.   American Pie, Don McLean (1972)
2.   Heart of Gold, Neil Young (1972)
3.   A Horse with No Name, America (1972)
4.   Layla, Derek & the Dominos (1972)
5.   You're So Vain, Carly Simon (1973)
6.   Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple (1973)
7.   Money, Pink Floyd (1973)
8.   Time in a Bottle, Jim Croce (1974)
9.   Tubular Bells, Mike Oldfield (1974)
10.  Fame, David Bowie (1975)
11.  Cat's in the Cradle, Harry Chapin (1975)
12.  You're No Good, Linda Rondstadt (1975)
13.  Bungle in the Jungle, Jethro Tull (1975)
14.  Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen (1976)
15.  Get Up and Boogie, Silver Convention (1976)
16.  You Sexy Thing, Hot Chocolate (1976)
17.  Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac (1976)
18.  Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett (1977)
19.  Hotel California, Eagles (1977)
20.  Carry On Wayward Son, Kansas (1977)
21.  Walk This Way, Aerosmith (1977)
22.  I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor (1978)
23.  Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Meat Loaf (1978)
24.  Short People, Randy Newman (1978)
25.  Slip Slidin' Away, Paul Simon (1978)
26.  Heart of Glass, Blondie (1979)
27.  In the Navy, Village People (1979)
28.  Don't Bring Me Down, Electric Light Orchestra (1979)
29.  Bad Case of Lovin' You, Robert Palmer (1979)
30.  The Rose, Bette Midler (1980)
31.  Brass in Pocket, Pretenders (1980)
32.  Heartbreaker, Pat Benatar (1980)
33.  Refugee, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (1980)
34.  Time, Alan Parsons Project (1981)
35.  Too Much Time On My Hands, Styx (1981)
36.  Whip It, Devo (1981)
37.  I Love Rock 'n' Roll, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (1982)
38.  Centerfold, J. Geils Band  (1982)
39.  Hurts So Good, John Cougar (1982)
40.  Shake It Up, Cars (1982) 

These sites were a big help in tracking down the years in which these
songs were released:

Superseventies
http://www.superseventies.com/

i80s
http://www.i80s.com/80s_music/top1000_80s_songs/top_1000_index.htm

In case you wonder about my credentials for choosing cool songs, I can
only say I am a middle-aged music lover and amateur historian for whom
the 1970s and early 80s were a peak time of music appreciation; I
still have a huge collection of vinyl artifacts from that era, and
even today, scarcely an hour goes by without my playing some '70s or
'80s music as I do my work. My head got stuck back then, it appears.
At this moment I am listening to Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the
Dashboard Light," from the original "Bat Out of Hell" album.

Thanks for asking one of the most enjoyable questions I've had in a
long time! If you have any questions, please request clarification;
I'll gladly offer further assistance before you rate my answer.

Best wishes,
pinkfreud

This is very helpful. Thanks. I've been putting together the
"definitive music mix" for a 30th High School Class Reunion and I
wanted representation from all years, not just our High School years,
so I needed lots of ideas, and I got them! VH1 just announced the 100
top songs of the last 25 years; they match uop with us in some places
and deviate wildly in others! Thanks.

Here are a few of my picks from the late 70's Early 80's  - I looked
for songs that were on the leading edge of the changing music scene in
the time when we went from Rock to Disco to 'New Wave'

Not that I was a big disco fan - but you gotta add in the Bee Gees -
just because you asked for songs that affected the industry.

In 1978 between the Bee Gees and Andy Gib (their lil bro) - they had 7
of the top 15 songs (when you include 'Greese and 'You're the one that
I want.').

An Elvis Costello song might be tossed in there.

You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Barbra Streisand & Neil Diamond  (1979) -
I remember when this came out (I was in Jr High) - it was initially 2
solo's and a DJ somewhere combined the two songs into one and it was a
hit so they re-cut it (going from memory) - I would say that was one
of the sources of Celebrity Duet songs that came later.

The Devil Went Down To Georgia, Charlie Daniels Band (1979) Another
one of those songs that sticks out in my mind because it was sort of a
country-cross-over - and there were two versions since Charlie said
SOB on one.

Another Brick In The Wall, Pink Floyd (1980) - Man - this song was a
huge hit - and it had a big influence on kids my age - Jr High - "Hey
teacher, leave us kids alone!!"

De Do Do Do, De Da Da, Police (1981) or any other Police hit from 81 &
82 - this band was just inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame, hard to
argue that they didn't have a major impact on the industry.

867-5309 (Jenny), Tommy Tutone (1982) - Does anyone have that number
now?  When I was in high school it was common to see it scrawled
everywere.

We Got The Beat, Go-Go's (1982) And here come the girl bands.

Who Can It Be Now?, Men At Work (1982) And the Aussies.... 'new wave'
sound.

Hooked On Classics, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1982) Can you
believe this song was #57 for '82?

(Oh) Pretty Woman, Van Halen  (1982) Van Halen goes mainstream.

My source (both pages include a lil synopsis of each year):

http://top40.about.com/cs/70shits/index.htm  Top 100 hits of each year
of the 70's

http://top40.about.com/cs/80shits/index.htm  Same for the 80's

That was fun :)

I'll add a few that I think had an influence on the industry. 

"Hurting Each Other" The Carpenters, 1972
Their use of overdubbing and Richard's skill in arranging led to a
different kind of sound. Also, their easy-listening/pop style drew
listeners who might otherwise not listen to pop/rock stations.

"Rocky Mountain High" John Denver, 1973
This song catapulted John Denver's career and gave listeners and
aspiring songwriters a taste of American folk music which had
successfully crossed over into mainstream pop.

"Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" Elton John, Bernie Taupin, 1974
This is just one example of the amazing string of hits this duo was
able to create. Elton John also brought the piano to the forefront in
his music, whereas it had normally been simply a supporting
instrument.

"Lucille" Kenny Rogers, 1977
This song crossed over from country to pop and helped launch Rogers'
lengthy string of pop/country hits.

"Feels So Good" Chuck Mangione, 1977
This song introduced the public to the Flugelhorn and a music category
that didn't even exist yet. It can often be heard today on "smooth
jazz" stations.

"Staying Alive" The Bee Gees, 1978
Echoing ilovereality's comment, this group had a string of hits from
the mid-70's and influenced disco in the latter part, especially with
the soundtrack to "Saturday Night Fever".

"Super Freak" Rick James, 1981
In addition to being a popular funk song when it was released, it
gained a rebirth in 1990 with M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch This". M.C's
hit rap song won 2 grammys (Best R&B Song, Best Solo Rap Performance).

refs:  allmusic.com

While I don't disagree with the previous posts, I think there is a
glaring omission.  Sure, the songs listed were popular.  But, in terms
of influence on the industry, there is nothing here representing the
punk movement.  Where's The Ramones?  Where's the Sex Pistols? 
Where's Iggy and the Stooges?

Somewhere, someone needs to put them on the list.  Granted "God Save
The Queen" or "Animals" were not on maximum rotation, but the
influence of the punk forerunners is still in a lot of todays popular
rock music.

I agree completely - I actually was looking for a Sex Pistols song but
obviously they didn't make the list I was looking at.  I would include
a song by both the Ramones & Sex Pistols in there as well :)  Were the
Clash out there then as well?

Once again I recall my best friend playing "God Save The Queen" or "My
Way" and thinking "wow!" and then his dad came upstairs and boy were
we in trouble - lol.

Heh

Yeah I remember my parents hearing me play "Who Killed Bambi?" and
asking if I was on the dope - lol.

Yes - the Clash were around - you have to include all of Combat Rock
somewhere on the list of the influential.  For me, at least, the list
has to include:

The Clash - Combat Rock (Entire Album)
The Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks (Entire Album)
The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop

We forgot:

Kiss - Detroit Rock City 
Alic Cooper - Welcome to my Nightmare
Van Halen - All of Van Halen 1

Kiss because they made a rock concert an *experience* - they took OK
music, and combined it with master showmanship and marketing to become
a huge success.  Truly impacting every concert since then.

Alice Cooper for almost the same reason.  Alice took concerts to a new
level with the Nightmare show.  Snakes, guillotines, blood, a real
Rock Opera in many ways.  Speaking of Rock Operas - was The Who on the
list for Tommy?

And no one can begrudge Van Halen a spot on the charts.  Remember the
first time you heard "Runnin' With the Devil"?  I do - and damn that
was incredible.