3 Classic Rock Songs for Those Born in 1974

To the 50-year-old readers, your birth year was eventful.

President Richard Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal and Muhammad Ali upset George Foreman in a fight billed as The Rumble in the Jungle.

But 1974 was equally big for music, too.

On this brief playlist, a three-piece band known for its technical ability recorded a blues-based populist anthem before its drumming legend had even joined. Then, a group of Southern rock pioneers covered a beloved and influential songwriter on an album with perhaps the most ubiquitous rock song ever. Finally, an engineer helps kick-start the stalled career of one of America’s biggest groups.

Here are three classic rock songs for those born in 1974.

Turn it up.

“Working Man” by Rush from Rush

In Rush’s pre-Neil Peart days, they echoed the heavy blues of Led Zeppelin and Cream. “Working Man” features original drummer and co-founding member John Rutsey. Alex Lifeson’s lengthy guitar solo continued in the tradition of long rock songs in the 1970s—pushing the populist tune past seven minutes. Meanwhile, Geddy Lee howls through a working-class anthem that became a fan favorite. Lee also said “Working Man” was one of his favorite Rush songs to perform live. Once Peart came along, the Canadian trio blended high and low culture to become one of the most successful progressive rock bands in history.

So I get home at five o’clock
And take myself out a nice cold beer
Always seem to be wondering
Why there’s nothing going down here

“Call Me the Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd from Second Helping

Hearing Ronnie Van Zant rumble through this J. J. Cale song gives the kind of freewheeling vibes one expects from a Southern rock legend. The triple guitars of Gary Rossington, Ed King, and Allen Collins bring to life Cale’s blues boogie. In Cale’s subdued original, he aims for the open road. But the track’s drum machine keeps the rambler composed, steady, and upright. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s version sounds freer. Van Zant’s character feels slightly unhinged. It fits Mr. Breeze’s need to keep moving. Also, “Call Me the Breeze” bookends an album that begins with “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Well I got that green light, baby
I got to keep moving on
Well I might go out to California
Might go down to Georgia, I don’t know

“Same Old Song and Dance” by Aerosmith from Get Your Wings

Despite “Dream On” becoming a rock radio classic, people largely ignored Aerosmith’s debut album. But engineer Jack Douglas saw something in the band and worked to bring out the magic between Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. “Same Old Song and Dance” is built on Perry’s glam-boogie riff, and Douglas added a horn section to highlight the rhythm and blues lurking beneath the loud guitars. Aerosmith became America’s Rolling Stones, with Perry and Tyler as its own Glimmer Twins. This swaggering tune went a long way to get them there.

Gotcha with the cocaine they found with your gun
No smooth-face lawyer to get you undone
Say love ain’t the same on the south side of town
You could look, but you ain’t gonna find it around

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