I was watching Reservoir Dogs a few days ago when I had a eureka moment during the famous ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ scene featuring Michael Madsen as Mr Blonde. Throughout the film, K-Billy’s Super Sounds of the 70s radio show is featured, which gave me a great idea: the 1970s boasts some of the most iconic bands and songs of all time, and it is personally one of my favourite decades for music. So without further ado, here are my Super Sounds of the 70s…
Bohemian Rhapsody // Queen
To start off is possibly one of the best songs ever written. The legendary Freddie Mercury wrote this song in 1975 for Queen’s fourth studio album, A Night At The Opera and it was a huge success, reaching No.1 on the UK charts in both 1975 and 1991, and it is now the UK’s third highest selling single of all time.
The song is a great blend of progressive and heavy rock with a hint of opera, which was Queen’s signature style. The song showcases Mercury’s lyrical genius, as well as Brian May’s skills as a guitarist and the harmonies of all four vocalists. The song is not only one of Queen’s most defining songs, but also one of the most iconic songs of the 70s.
Stayin’ Alive // The Bee Gees
Taken from the soundtrack from the film Saturday Night Fever, this song has become a dance sensation. No party is complete without this little disco number. The 1977 hit has become one of the defining songs of disco and is one of the most iconic songs of all time.
‘Stayin’ Alive’ has featured heavily in pop culture since its release and is considered to be one of the most defining songs of the 70s. And lets be honest, we all start thinking that we’re John Travolta when this song comes on at parties.
Does Your Mother Know // ABBA
While this song isn’t the most popular of ABBA’s many hits, this is my list after all and ‘Does Your Mother Know’ is one of my favourite ABBA songs. Taken from their 1979 album Voulez-Vous, this song is a great one to dance to and it really captures ABBA’s signature style as well as the style of the decade as a whole.
It’s also one of the rare occasions that Benny and Bjorn take lead vocals. I always find myself dancing to this one whenever I hear it.
Sunday Girl // Blondie
While ‘Heart of Glass’ may be their most iconic song, ‘Sunday Girl’ is one of the best songs that New-Wave Punk band Blondie has to offer. The song was a smash hit in the UK, reaching No.1 in the charts.
It’s my favourite song by Blondie but it is often overlooked by other tracks from the Parallel Lines album, which is also considered to be one of the most iconic albums of the 1970s. Nevertheless, ‘Sunday Girl’ is a great little song but it unfortunately doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves.
Moonage Daydream // David Bowie
How could any 70s list be complete without a David Bowie song? This man lived and breathed the very essence of the 70s glam-rock era. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars remains one of the most iconic 70s albums ever.
This song really captures the feel of the 70s and Bowie’s own unique style. It also featured on the soundtrack to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Bridge Over Troubled Water // Simon & Garfunkel
This isn’t your typical 70s disco song but it’s still one of the best songs of the decade. It won 5 Grammy Awards in 1971, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It is a simple yet elegant ballad and has become one of the most performed songs of all time. While it’s doesn’t really adhere to the typical style of the 70s, it is nevertheless a masterpiece.
Go Your Own Way // Fleetwood Mac
Finally, we come to the Lindsey Buckingham penned track from the Grammy Award Winning album Rumours. Written about his troubled relationship with Stevie Nicks, ‘Go Your Own Way’ was a huge success around the world when it was released in 1977.
Fleetwood Mac were one of the defining artists of the 1970s so it is only right (see what I did there? Dreams pun) that they make this list.
Honourable Mentions
- Hotel California // The Eagles
- Hooked On A Feeling // Blue Swede
- Stuck In The Middle With You // Stealers Wheel
- American Pie // Don McLean
- Stairway to Heaven // Led Zeppelin
Words by Anthony Cody