3 Classic Punk Rock Songs From the 1970s

Speed, aggression, pace, sweat. These are words that leap to mind when people think of punk rock music—especially that of the 1970s. It was music that had a message and one that it just had to get out. There was no time for gilding the lily, no bits and bobbles to adorn. Get in, get out, and get it.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that embody this reality. A trio of tracks that showcase the verve and energy of great 1970s punk rock music. Indeed, these are three classic punk rock songs from that seminal era.

[RELATED: 5 Little-Known Facts About The Ramones’ Debut, Released On This Day in 1976]

“Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways from The Runaways (1976)

Before she was telling the world how much she loved rock and roll, Joan Jett was performing in the 1970s punk rock band The Runaways. And “Cherry Bomb,” which she co-wrote, was the group’s biggest hit. Comprised of five brash women, the group was unrelenting, subversive, sarcastic, and powerful. Explosive just like the name of their hit single. This song plays with expectations like a panther might play with its food. Batting it around before tearing it to pieces. As evidence, lead vocalist Cherie Currie sings,

Can’t stay at home, can’t stay in school
Old folks say, “You poor little fool”
Down the streets I’m the girl next door
I’m the fox you’ve been waiting for

Hello, daddy, hello, mom
I’m your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb
Hello world I’m your wild girl
I’m your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb

“I Wanna Be Sedated” by Ramones from Road to Ruin (1978)

Ramones helped put punk rock on the map. The New York City-born band was speed incarnate. It’s easy to wish you could go back to the era in the city when the sordid seemed to be the norm in the Big Apple and maybe you could stumble onto a rock club at night with people flying their freak flags. And in the corner, the Ramones would be slamming on their instruments, singing about drugs and wanting to be sedated. Ah, if only. And on this track, lead vocalist Joey Ramone sings,

20, 20, 24 hours to go
I wanna be sedated
Nothin’ to do, nowhere to go-oh
I wanna be sedated

Just get me to the airport, put me on a plane
Hurry, hurry, hurry before I go insane
I can’t control my fingers, I can’t control my brain
Oh, no, oh-oh, oh-oh

“What Do I Get” by Buzzcocks (Single, 1978)

This British-born band had snarl. They were the prototype for the disaffected, attitude-rich groups like Oasis that would come after them. And they knew how to write buzzy hits, too, as evidenced by this 1978 standalone single. This song is about desire, about want. But as The Rolling Stones told us, sometimes you can’t get what you want. Indeed, on the tune, lead vocalist Pete Shelley sings,

I just want a lover like any other
What do I get?
I only want a friend who’ll stay to the end
What do I get?

What do I get, oh-oh-oh
What do I get?
What do I get, oh-oh-oh
What do I get?

I’m in distress, I need a caress
What do I get?
I’m not on the make, I just need a break
What do I get?

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