The 1970s was a transformative decade in music. It gave us nostalgia, change, diversity, and most importantly, unforgettable tracks that defined their respective genres. Some of the best rock songs ever were recorded in the ’70s, but this decade was also responsible for the birth of hip-hop as a new genre. Funk, soul, R&B, disco, and pop were all trendy styles of the ’70s as well. Here are seven songs that not only defined the ’70s but also continue to thrill fans and listeners today.
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1. “Stairway to Heaven”—Led Zeppelin (1971)
Considered an ideal rock song by many fans and critics alike, the English rock band Led Zeppelin probably didn’t know they had created a masterpiece when the song was being released. Composed by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, “Stairway to Heaven” is popular for its three-tempo structure and an iconic guitar solo by Jimmy Page, which some critics regard as one of the most difficult guitar riffs to recreate.
The song narrates the tale of a greedy woman whose optimism shines brightly despite the unpromising path ahead of her. This song deeply connected with younger listeners, offering a gateway to an alternate realm of spirituality and immersing them in a more mystical perspective on life.
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody”—Queen (1975)
Queen broke genre rules when they released “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1975. It was the beginning of a new brainier approach to rock music that would become known as progressive rock.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a mix of rock and opera. It became popular because of its soulful lyrics and the enthralling vocals of Freddie Mercury. The epic song claimed the No. 1 spot on the UK Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks (and an additional five weeks after Freddie Mercury’s passing in 1991). To this day, it holds the distinction of being the third-highest-selling single in the history of the U.K.’s music charts.
3. “Imagine”—John Lennon (1971)
Written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, “Imagine” is an anthem whose simple yet profound lyrics and haunting melody continue to inspire generations to envision a better world. Upon its 1971 release, amid the Vietnam War, Lennon’s appeal to imagine a world characterized by peace and unity particularly resonated.
BMI named “Imagine” one of the most performed songs of the 20th century, although it only became a chart-topper after Lennon’s 1980 murder. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
4. “Stayin’ Alive”—Bee Gees (1977)
The Bee Gees‘ disco hit “Stayin’ Alive” encapsulated the era’s dance and nightlife culture. Its infectious beat and falsetto vocals epitomize the disco phenomenon of the ’70s. It was written for and included on the soundtrack of the Saturday Night Fever film that brought the disco phenomenon of the day to the big screen. In the U.K., “Stayin’ Alive” was a top seller, but not as popular as it was in the U.S., where it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1978.
5. “Hotel California”—Eagles (1976)
“Hotel California” was the lead track of the Eagles’ 1976 album of the same name. It was written by band members Don Henley, Don Felder, and Glenn Frey. The track features Henley’s breezy vocals and an iconic two-minute-long guitar solo by Don Felder. The song and album somehow made the biggest band in the world in 1976 even bigger.
“Hotel California” topped the U.S.’s Billboard albums chart and won Record of the Year at the 20th Grammy Awards. It’s one of the most speculated-about songs in rock history, too. Don Henley eventually shed some light on the mysterious lyrics and meaning of the song by saying it is a song about the excesses of American culture and the uneasy balance between art and commerce.
6. “Superstition”—Stevie Wonder (1972)
“Superstition” marked a significant turning point not only in Stevie Wonder‘s career but also in the landscape of popular music. For many, the track symbolizes the conclusion of the Civil Rights Movement and the era of Motown’s “sound of integration.” With the rise of the Black Power Movement, the music scene was on the verge of a transformation, with soul and funk emerging as the predominant forms of Black musical expression. “Superstition” heralded the onset of this shift.
[RELATED: Top 10 Stevie Wonder Songs]
As the lead single from Wonder’s 15th album, Talking Book, “Superstition” soared to the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard‘s Hot Soul Singles chart in January 1973. The track did far more than further showcase Wonder’s musical brilliance—it poignantly captured the changing tides of the era’s cultural and musical landscape: When you believe in things that you don’t understand, then you suffer / Superstition ain’t the way.
7. “Sweet Home Alabama”—Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
This Southern rock anthem is both a celebration of the South and a response to Neil Young’s songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama,” which, in Skynyrd‘s view, blamed an entire region for the onset of slavery, amongst other affronts. Its memorable guitar riffs and spirited lyrics make it a symbol of ’70s rock, although lovers of country music also still enjoy it as a staple. The infusion of country and rock made it to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the band’s highest-charting track.
Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ol’ Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don’t need him around anyhow
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images
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