I agree for the most part with those that say “Stayin’ Alive.”
But as a child of the 70’s (born in '65), the song that transports me the most is “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number.”
Without reading any other posts: “Staying Alive.”
There were some big hit songs that tied together more than one 70s music trend:
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“Lowdown”, by Boz Scaggs (disco, funk, singer-songwriter)
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“Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” by Rod Stewart (classic rock, disco, funk)
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“Good Times” and “Le Freak” by Chic (guitar rock, funk, disco)
Stevie Wonder’s catalog is a great place to mine for this question. To name three, “Higher Ground”, “I Wish”, and “Sir Duke” cover a lot of ground.
Plus the post-new wave “British Invasion” (Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, ABC, etc.). And the birth of alternative rock (REM, Pixies, Violent Femmes, Hüsker Dü). Another British alternative genre that captures acts like The Smiths and The Cure. And the maturing rap scene.
And really, I could go on. A lot of genres can be identified in 80s music.
“Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band
“Dance With Me” by Orleans
“Dancing Queen” by ABBA
"Best Disco In Town" by The Ritchie Family
“Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield
“The song satirizes success in the music business; the song’s narrator laments that his band has not been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine despite having the superficial attributes of a successful rock star, including drug usage, ‘teenage groupies, who’ll do anything we say’ and a frenetic guitar solo.”
What’s-Their-Names Make the Cover…
“Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes.
Every damn time that comes on the playlist at my local 40-Years-Of-Top-40 radio station the first thing that crosses my mind is “Damn…that’s SUCH a 70s song!”
For me, album rock and P/Funk styling ruled the decade.
Pop was glurgy (You Light Up My Life, Billie Don’t be a Hero, Seasons in the Sun) early on and got disco-y later (Funky Town, Pop Muzik)
Country was Twitty, Dolly, George, Willy, etc…
Hard decade to pin down.
Probably not “the most” '70s song but the one which I thought of immediately was My Sweet Lord by George Harrison.
Get a load of Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft by the Carpenters. It’s cheesy, bombastic and painfully earnest as only 70s music can be, and even has a few tempo changes. Plus, the video is full of Star Trek style sci-fi cliches and has a long, silly intro.
When I think 1970’s, my mind turns to gas shortages, polyester leisure suits, Ford Pintos and their exploding gas tanks, Watergate/Ford/Carter and “malaise.”
Therefore, the most 70’s of all songs must be Afternoon Delight.
Stairway to Heaven. Already mentioned.
Hotel California. Already mentioned.
Cocaine. Let’s face it, it was the decade of the Devil’s Dandruff.
I am rather shocked that punk has not appeared in this thread yet. How about “I Want to be Sedated”?
Surprised we haven’t got
Freebird - Lynrd Skynrd
All right now - Free
How Long - Ace
What about “Convoy” by CW McCall??? How can you leave that out? That song crystalizes everything that was ridiculous about Jimmy Carter-era US pop culture.
I was a wee young thing in the 70’s and my mom listened exclusively to our local “adult contemporary” station. The 70’ is light rock - The Carpenters, Captain & Tenille, John Denver. I think my most 70’s song is “Top of the World”.
Wait, no - Evergreen. Barbra.
Or Natural Woman or Its Too Late by Carole King. Oh hell, this is hard.
One more, then I’ll stop. Actually I’m going to go putter around on youtube. Neil Diamond! Forever in Blue Jeans is totally 70’s.
Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy! Gah, this is fun.
My vote - Santa Esmeralda’s cover of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood. I can’t think of another decade in which a song like that could have been recorded.