20 Unforgettable Tracks From the 1970s
The 1970s were a dynamic time for music, with artists impacting the cultural landscape. These were the years of glam, punk, folk, progressive rock, hard rock, and disco.
Several of the most legendary artists had hits during the 1970s. Elton John, Rolling Stones, John Lennon, The Carpenters, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, and The Ramones made their mark on this decade.
We wholeheartedly believe the following songs shaped the 1970s. These tunes, among many others from this magical decade, undoubtedly continue to inspire today’s artists.
1: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel
This 1970s ballad shows the duo’s incredible harmonies. Written by Paul Simon and recorded with his musical partner Art Garfunkel, the tune won Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 1971 Grammys.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was the second single of Simon & Garfunkel’s fifth and final studio album. Luminaries Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley covered the popular song.
2: “(They Long to Be) Close to You” by The Carpenters
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” is on The Carpenters’ second studio album. Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter recorded the song in 1970.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote the mellow song. In 1971, it won the Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus Grammy and spent several weeks on Billboard’s Top 100.
3: “American Pie” by Don McLean
Don McLean’s epic 1971 folk rock song “American Pie” never won a Grammy but was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi, and Garth Brooks covered the beloved song from McLean’s second album.
The memorable lyric “The day the music died” remained a mystery for many years. In a 2022 documentary, McLean said he was inspired to write the lyrics after the tragic 1959 crash of a plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson (The Big Bopper).
4: “A Case of You” by Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell’s swoon-worthy hit “A Case of You” is on her 1971 album “Blue.” The song is about a breakup with her partner, Graham Nash of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Fellow musician James Taylor played the guitar on the original recording. Over 200 artists, including Prince and Tori Amos, have covered the romantic song.
5: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin
This epic rock anthem is known as one of the greatest songs of all time. With lyrics by Robert Plant and music by guitarist Jimmy Page, it is on their fourth, untitled album, known as “Led Zep IV.”
Interestingly, the band never released the 1971 song as a single. It’s so popular that it has been played on the radio over 10 million times.
6: “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye’s emotional song, “What’s Going On,” was inspired by tragedies of that time. These were the years of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the shooting of Black Panther Fred Hampton. Gaye’s singing partner also died around that time of brain cancer complications.
Gaye featured the single on his 11th album in 1971. Also titled “What’s Going On,” the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
7: “Imagine” by John Lennon
Former Beatles member John Lennon’s thought-provoking anthem for peace and unity still has a significant impact today. The song is on the album “Imagine,” which was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1971.
Lennon famously composed the music for the song in one session. “Imagine” was co-written by Yoko Ono, and the song won the National Music Publishers Association Centennial Song Award in 2014.
8: “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
“Superstition” is on Stevie Wonder’s 1972 album, “Talking Book.” Many people don’t know, but Wonder wrote the song for his friend Jeff Beck. The famous Motown CEO Berry Gordy talked him into keeping the song for himself.
The funky tune won Wonder his first Grammy Award. Chuck Berry and Little Richard presented him with the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance award in 1974.
9: “Rocket Man” by Elton John
Elton John released his single, “Rocket Man,” in 1972. He later included it on his fifth studio album, “Honky Château.”
Bernie Taupin, John’s frequent collaborator, wrote “Rocket Man.” The Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards (EGOT) winner’s 2019 biopic was also titled “Rocket Man.” It starred Taron Egerton as John.
10: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Sweet Home Alabama” is on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s second album, “A Second Helping.” A Californian and two Floridians surprisingly wrote the Southern rock anthem; none had even been to Alabama.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lead vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant, said the band wrote the 1974 song in response to Neil Young’s 1971 song, “Southern Man.” They wanted to release something that showed the South in a positive light.
11: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Queen’s 1975 song “Bohemian Rhapsody” entered the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. The song is a groundbreaking, unforgettable blend of rock, opera, and ballad.
The song was a hit when it was first released and was a hit again after being featured in a famous scene in the 1992 film “Wayne’s World.” It is also the title of the 2018 biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
12: “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen’s song “Born to Run” is on his third studio album, also called “Born To Run.” The exhilarating rock anthem landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 in 1975.
The song was also Springsteen’s first Top 40 single. Music experts credit this album for making Springsteen a star.
13: “Hotel California” by Eagles
The Eagles’ Glenn Frey wrote the lyrics to the haunting 1976 song “Hotel California.“ The single is on their band’s fifth album of the same name.
The track sold over 16 million copies in the U.S. and charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks. In 1978, it won a Grammy for Record of the Year.
14: “Anarchy in the U.K.” by Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols released their single “Anarchy in the U.K.” in 1976, and it was a source of great controversy. Many were outraged by the punk rock track, leading to its ban from the radio.
Of course, the scandal made the song even more popular. It reached No. 38 on the U.K. charts and is known as a punk classic.
15: “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones
The Ramones said their 1976 hit “Blitzkrieg Bop” was inspired by the Bay Street Rollers’ single “Saturday,” which had a chant. The punk band said they also wanted to write a song with a chant.
The speedy song, originally titled “Animal Hop,” was their debut single and is on their first album, “The Ramones.”
16: “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac released their album “Rumours” in 1977. Written by Lindsay Buckingham, the album’s single “Go Your Own Way” was inspired by his relationship with fellow bandmate and ex-girlfriend, the iconic Stevie Nicks.
The album went on to sell 40 million copies. It won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1978.
17: “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees
Arguably the most famous disco song ever, Bee Gee’s single “Stayin’ Alive is on the soundtrack for the 1977 film “Saturday Night Fever.”
With lyrics about the dangerous streets of New York City, Robin Gibbs of the Bee Gees said the song was originally not written to be a dance classic. The song won a Grammy for Best Arrangement For Voices for the song.
18: “YMCA” by The Village People
The Village People released the wildly popular song “YMCA” in 1978. Members of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) filed a lawsuit against the band, saying they defamed their name.
Still, the song off their third album, “Cruisin’,” was a huge success. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The Grammy Hall of Fame inducted the track in 2021.
19: “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
Country icon Kenny Rogers released his sixth studio album, “The Gambler,” featuring the single of the same name. The album went multi-platinum.
The song “The Gambler” won Rogers the Best Male Country Vocal Performance Grammy in 1979. The song inspired a series of television films starring Rogers as, you guessed it, a gambler.
20: “Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang
Sugarhill Gang recorded their 1979 hit “Rapper’s Delight” in one take. Often credited as the first commercially successful hip-hop song, this track introduced rap music to a broader audience.
“Rapper’s Delight” was the first rap song to make it onto the Top 40. The Grammy Hall of Fame inducted it in 2014.
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