ABBA beats Queen in poll of 70 greatest things about the 1970s – see full list

A new survey reveals that two thirds of adults consider the 1970s one of the most exciting decades, with music legends like Abba and Queen and iconic TV shows topping the list of its greatest highlights.

For two thirds of adults, the 70s was one of the most thrilling and creative decades ever. Now, a list of the top 70 things about the 70s has been unveiled. The survey of 2,000 adults celebrated the era of flares, funk and feathered hair and discovered that TV and music were key highlights of the decade.

The top three highlights were Queen, who went from newcomers to dominating the decade, Fawlty Towers which aired from 1975-1979, but legendary group Abba, who won Eurovision song content in 1974, clinched the top spot. The era also saw a surge in popular telly shows like The Two Ronnies, Dad’s Army and Charlie’s Angels, which is set to premiere on the TV channel, Legend.

A spokesperson for Legend, who commissioned the research, said: “The research shows how fondly the nation feels about the 70s. Whether you lived through it or not, there’s no way your life hasn’t been shaped in some way by what came out during those 10 years.

“Some of the biggest cultural properties of the modern age – like Star Wars – first appeared in the 1970s, and it’s amazing to think about what life must have been like when it was brand new.”

Other cherished memories from the decade include fashion trends like flares or tie-dye clothing, as well as the rise of the roller disco. One in ten selected the iconic 1972 film The Godfather as one of their favourite things from the era.

For 16 per cent of those who weren’t yet born said they feel like they’ve missed out. The music scene is what people would most like to see if they could revisit the time.

As many as four in 10 also felt friendship and community spirit were better in the 1970s than they are now, with 26 per cent saying the same about nightlife and club culture.

More than one in 10 engage with 1970s music on a daily basis, and 24 per cent watch telly. from the decade weekly if not daily, according to the OnePoll.com data.

The spokesperson for the channel added: “There’s something comforting about the aesthetic of the 70s. “Pop culture from the 70s also left a lasting mark, from cult films to iconic TV shows, the characters and stories of that era continue to resonate.

“We know our shows bring nostalgia for many of our viewers, they want to turn back the clock and shows like Charlie’s Angels offer them this comforting escapism.”

THE 70 BEST THINGS ABOUT THE 70s:

1. Abba
2. Queen
3. Fawlty Towers
4. Woolworths
5. Star Wars
6. Disco music
7. Morecambe and Wise
8. David Bowie
9. Grease
10. The Two Ronnies
11. Cassette tapes
12. The Muppet Show
13. Elton John
14. Muhammad Ali
15. Dad’s Army
16. Happy Days
17. The Bee Gees
18. Volkswagen Beetle
19. Saturday Night Fever
20. The Godfather
21. Jaws
22. Starsky and Hutch
23. Bruce Lee
24. The 1976 heatwave
25. Porridge
26. Pink Floyd
27. Angel Delight
28. Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em
29. Polaroid instant cameras
30. The Queen’s Silver Jubilee
31. Steptoe and Son
32. Punk
33. Led Zeppelin
34. Ford Capri
35. Glam rock
36. Lava lamps
37. The Wombles
38. Charlie’s Angels
39. Ozzy Osbourne
40. Rising Damp
41. Jackie (magazine)
42. Funk music
43. Bagpuss
44. George Best
45. Tie-dye clothing
46. John Travolta
47. Flares/bell-bottom trousers
48. Pocket calculators
49. Space Hopper
50. Boney M.
51. Golden Wonder crisps
52. Roller discos
53. Raleigh Chopper
54. The Clangers
55. The Sex Pistols
56. Ford Cortina
57. Afros
58. Connect Four
59. Skateboards
60. David Cassidy
61. Platforms
62. Glitter makeup
63. Subbuteo game
64. The Village People
65. KISS
66. The Osmonds
67. Tupperware parties
68. Evel Knievel
69. Butterfly shirt collars
70. Pong Video Game