# Can we agree that the worst decade for popular music was the 1970s? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 16, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944 "2014-06-16T23:43:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/81 "2014-06-17T19:52:33Z")
[QUOTE=Sparky812] Nope. It’s universally accepted that the worst decade in pop music history was the 00s. It’s not even open for debate. [/QUOTE] > [@pulykamell](#): > > See, I thought the Aughts were pretty great. I suppose it depends what you like, but even though post-punk is my sweet spot for music, I like the dance music on the charts that decade: Outkast, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Usher, Jay-Z, Ludacris, Gnarls Barkley, etc. I’d submit that the 00s are probably my favorite decade for Top 40 pop, and, as I said before, the 70s for just general music of popular music genres, just not necessarily Top 40. I’m not even sure that it’s now really possible to say that a certain year or a decade represents the best or worst in terms of popular music. During the last 15 to 20 years, the audience for popular music has fragmented into so many different niches that the days of dominating mega-selling artists or genres are receding into the past. Having a number one single or album doesn’t matter as much as it used to. On one hand, this is a good thing since if you don’t like whatever song that’s topping the pop charts at the moment, there’s still a lot of new (and old) stuff out there to pick from that can be easily accessed thanks to Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, and music-streaming sites like Rhapsody, Pandora, and Spotify. Yet, on the other hand, this also means that fewer of us are on the same page in terms of popular culture. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/82 "2014-06-17T19:59:13Z")
worst decade is NOW ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/83 "2014-06-17T20:08:20Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Pish, tush. The 1880’s have the worst popular songs, including the whole genre of “coon songs”. Disco pales in comparison. Oh, come _on_. Sure, it was terrible if you were just into the mainstream Dressler, but are you telling me you never rocked out to some Gilbert & Sullivan? **Walks off humming “Oh, Better Far To Live And Die”** ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/84 "2014-06-17T20:59:48Z")
Why do people think that the 70’s were just bell-bottoms and Disco? A bunch of the most influential music and movies came out of the 70’s: Bruce Springsteen Billy Joel Elton John Led Zeppelin Pink Floyd Yes Rush Judas Priest The Allman Brothers Lynyrd Skynyrd James Taylor The Who (Who’s Next) Stevie Wonder The Eagles Black Sabbath David Bowie Chicago Aerosmith Steeley Dan Creedence Clearwater Revival Three Dog Night Rod Stewart Bob Seger Supertramp Genesis AC/DC Van Halen Jethro Tull And I’m leaving out many great artists. Basically every major musical artist that I like, and many I don’t, made major contributions throughout the 70’s. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/85 "2014-06-17T21:00:57Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Pish, tush. The 1880’s have the worst popular songs, including the whole genre of “coon songs”. Disco pales in comparison. No, no, no. Granted, the decade was a little down after the deaths of Bizet and Offenbach, but Gilbert and Sullivan were in their prime, Wagner completed _Parsifal_ before he died, John Phillip Souza was making a name for himself, and Tchaikosky became an international superstar. Any decade that produced the _1812 Overture_ AND the _Washington Post March_ can’t be all bad! ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/86 "2014-06-17T23:03:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The 90s was a thought for me, too. Just for fun, here are the US Top 100 for the years > > [1975](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1975) > [1985](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1985) > [1995](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Year-End_Hot_100_singles_of_1995) I think what’s becoming apparent is that top 40 hits are largely forgettable and only a small percentage have staying power beyond the moment, regardless of the decade. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/87 "2014-06-17T23:22:00Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Ramones, JoniMitchell, Led Zeppelin. The 70s rocked! Joni Mitchell rocked? > [@Sparky812](#): > > It’s universally accepted that the worst decade in pop music history was the 00s. > > It’s not even open for debate. I’m beginning to agree. I never listened to any of it and am admiring my good taste. > [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > Bruce Springstein, lots of Bob Dylan’s music, Linda Ronstadt, lots of Rolling Stones, lots of Neil Young, lots of Elton John, Joe Jackson. lots of Stevie Wonder, **The White Stripes** , plus hundreds of other great artists. > > The 70s produced some of the greatest music of all time. Though the decade produced both Jack and Meg White, I don’t think they fit in the decade as artists, especially since Meg is in the running for Worst Professional Drummer of All Time. > [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Pish, tush. The 1880’s have the worst popular songs, including the whole genre of “coon songs”. Disco pales in comparison. I was going to counter with “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” because the Muzak at the hospital played it Saturday, but it was written in 1875. And though the population of a hospital skews old, nobody there remembers it from its first time on the charts and most remember it as the song with which Lt Riley serenaded the crew from the Enterprise’s engineering com. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/88 "2014-06-17T23:44:02Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Why do people think that the 70’s were just bell-bottoms and Disco? A bunch of the most influential music and movies came out of the 70’s: > > Bruce Springsteen > Billy Joel > Elton John > Led Zeppelin > Pink Floyd > Yes > Rush > Judas Priest > The Allman Brothers > Lynyrd Skynyrd > James Taylor > The Who (Who’s Next) > Stevie Wonder > The Eagles > Black Sabbath > David Bowie > Chicago > Aerosmith > Steeley Dan > Creedence Clearwater Revival > Three Dog Night > Rod Stewart > Bob Seger > Supertramp > Genesis > AC/DC > Van Halen > Jethro Tull > And I’m leaving out many great artists. > > Basically every major musical artist that I like, and many I don’t, made major contributions throughout the 70’s. And… The Cramps Psychedelic Furs Joy Division U2 The Ramones Kate Bush The Cure Elvis Costello Iggy Pop The Jam Now you’ve got me thinking about a new running playlist - only '70’s. ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/89 "2014-06-17T23:50:09Z")
Question: \*\*Can we agree that the worst decade for popular music was the 1970s? \*\* Answer: No. We cannot. Next question? ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/90 "2014-06-17T23:57:17Z")
\ ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/91 "2014-06-17T23:59:55Z")
Thank you, MrKnowItAll (from Whatsamatta U.) I’m going way out on a limb, here: Someone tell me what was so wrong with the Captain & Tenille. She had an excellent voice (sang backups for Elton John), he was a first-rate arranger, played all the instruments except the drums (might have played them, too), and I think he produced their albums, as well. They covered many popular artists (Smokey R., Neil Sedaka, et al). Why the hate? Because they didn’t RAWK OUT enough? James Taylor didn’t RAWK that much. Was their catalog puerile? And REO Speedwagon wasn’t? Just one concrete reason, please. But first, some bourbon. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/92 "2014-06-18T00:17:27Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > In 1990 Rhino released the first in its 25 [url=“[Rhino Entertainment - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_a_Nice_Day_%28album_series%29)”]Can we agree that the worst decade for popular music was the 1970s? I think what we can agree on is that you cherry-picked a basket of (mostly) bad songs and presented them as representative of the decade. I could do the same for the 60s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and Gawd-a-Mighty the 10s. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/93 "2014-06-18T00:19:45Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The 70s also gave us Billy Joel. Two of the best albums of the decade, _The Stranger_ and _52nd Street_. This made me chuckle. You’re basically arguing that the two best albums of the 70s were from the 70s. mmm ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/94 "2014-06-18T00:20:44Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Thank you, MrKnowItAll (from Whatsamatta U.) > I’m going way out on a limb, here: Someone tell me what was so wrong with the Captain & Tenille. She had an excellent voice (sang backups for Elton John), he was a first-rate arranger, played all the instruments except the drums (might have played them, too), and I think he produced their albums, as well. They covered many popular artists (Smokey R., Neil Sedaka, et al). Why the hate? Because they didn’t RAWK OUT enough? James Taylor didn’t RAWK that much. Was their catalog puerile? And REO Speedwagon wasn’t? > > Just one concrete reason, please. They had an idiotic variety show. Pink Lady was actually a legitimate singing duo as well, but they squandered any chance they may have had of a legitimate recording career in the US with their idiotic (but unintentionally hilarious) variety show with Jeff (who probably has a last name, but I don’t remember it). Plus, “Muskrat Love.” ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/95 "2014-06-18T00:42:23Z")
You know, it’s interesting that the Captain and Tennille voluntarily left their HIT variety show in order to further pursue their musical career. I personally think that was a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/96 "2014-06-18T00:43:04Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Vanity Fare’s “Early in the Morning” Happens to be in my top ten fav songs, probably number 9.:mad: ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/97 "2014-06-18T00:51:50Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > …with Jeff (who probably has a last name, but I don’t remember it). Jeff Altman’s had a career, including a part in _Highlander II,_ which I believe is one of the ones you people believe exists, and is an irregular on Letterman. Didn’t make _Pink Lady and Jeff_ a better show. > **[Jeff Altman | Actor, Producer, Soundtrack](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0022901/)** > > Known for: Bee Movie, Highlander II: The Quickening, Easy Money ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/98 "2014-06-18T01:04:34Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > And… > > The Cramps > Psychedelic Furs > Joy Division > U2 > The Ramones > Kate Bush > The Cure > Elvis Costello > Iggy Pop > The Jam > > Now you’ve got me thinking about a new running playlist - only '70’s. Kiss Moody Blues Neil Diamond Barbara Streisand Styx Cher Jackson 5 Chic KC and the Sunshine Band Kansas 10cc ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/99 "2014-06-18T02:13:32Z")
So what do we call this? Prog-Disco? [Rah Rah Rasputin, Russia’s greatest love machine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBXRJgSd-aU) I actually kind of like that. History lesson in disco form. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944/100 "2014-06-18T03:12:58Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > You know, it’s interesting that the Captain and Tennille voluntarily left their HIT variety show in order to further pursue their musical career. I personally think that was a mistake. It may have been a hit show, but it was not a good show. All those “Christmas Special” variety shows from the 60s, 70s, & 80s got huge ratings, but they were stupid (in fact, in the context of Christmas/holiday specials, the Star Wars Holiday Special is pretty typical). I can name a lot of hit shows that were in fact, pretty stupid shows. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-agree-that-the-worst-decade-for-popular-music-was-the-1970s/690944.md?page=6)