# What is THE quintessential 70's song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 8, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263 "2016-03-08T06:36:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/61 "2016-03-08T19:22:27Z")
I can think of four good contenders, for now : “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees “Hotel California” by the Eagles ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/62 "2016-03-08T19:31:31Z")
I wanted to say “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang, then I looked and saw it wasn’t released until 1980, but it wasn’t a very 80s song… So I will go with YMCA ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/63 "2016-03-08T20:20:25Z")
The '70s were **mellow**. As in “Have You Never Been Mellow?” Another song I loathe! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/64 "2016-03-08T20:26:27Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Ooh, a \*Rock Follies \*fan. Awesome! I think I still have the 1976 \*\*and \*\*the '77 album packed away somewhere! :o ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/65 "2016-03-08T21:07:07Z")
Since Chicago was the most successful band of the 70s, I’m going to have to pick something by them. I’d probably say “Does anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” but it turns out that song was recorded in 1969. It wasn’t released as a single until October 1970 though. I don’t know, I guess I’m sticking with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/66 "2016-03-08T21:14:53Z")
“(Everybody was) Kung Fu Fighting”? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/67 "2016-03-08T21:54:07Z")
Gerry Rafferty, “Baker Street” Earth, Wind, and Fire, “September” Eagles, “Hotel California” Billy Joel, “The Stranger” ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/68 "2016-03-08T22:21:43Z")
The first thing I think about with 70’s music are the sitar(?) and hammond B3 (?) solos in Steely Dan’s “Do it Again”. “Radar Love” That egregiously vile “so put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water” song - like, whoa. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/69 "2016-03-08T22:25:22Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Oh yeah, baby - it really sounds like William Shatner / Captain Kirk should be singing it. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RiEIToOWr64/hqdefault.jpg "chevy van") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiEIToOWr64) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/70 "2016-03-08T22:35:52Z")
Speaking of Shatner and the '70s… https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3Mz6R_DUH0?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDp3Mz6R_DUH0&start=14 ---
**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:** [March 8, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/71 "2016-03-08T22:46:59Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Anything by Carol King or Carly Simon. Maybe “It’s too late, baby”, or “You’re so vain” > Or maybe Helen Reddy’s “I am woman, hear me on…” > Note: The OP asked for a _Quinessential_ 70’s song. Not the _best_ 70’s song. 🙂 > > My suggestions are songs that scream “oooh–it must be the 1970’s!!! --an independent female singer!!”. > They could not have been written in the 60’s, and by the 80’s they were already old and dated. Submitted for your approval, [Torn Between Two Lovers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALK5HSZvtuE) and [I’ve Never Been to Me.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGhgfo6Iew) Although the latter was actually a bigger hit when it was re-released in 1982 so maybe it should be disqualified. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/72 "2016-03-08T23:46:44Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Wondering what is the song that puts you right back there in the 1970’s. When I think of 70s music, I think the some of the earlier stuff that was a bit folksy and hippy-Esque. Joni Mitchell music comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/73 "2016-03-08T23:48:22Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Submitted for your approval, [Torn Between Two Lovers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALK5HSZvtuE) and [I’ve Never Been to Me.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txGhgfo6Iew) “At Seventeen” Janis Ian to add to the list. I’d love to say “Born to Run” but that one is too timeless. So I’ll go to the other end of the spectrum and echo “Afternoon Delight”. ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/74 "2016-03-09T01:19:16Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > As this thread evolves to focus on more pure '70’s-ness, I have to go with **Looking Glass - Brandy** : [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=39Z80oHUZOw](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=39Z80oHUZOw) > > It is mentioned in a list upthread, but for quintessential '70’s cheese, it is hard to do better. Stuff like Disco Duck, The Streak and Kung Fu fighting were intentionally silly/capitalizing on a trend, like Gangam Style more recently. Drivel like Seasons in the Sun, The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia, Billy, Don’t Be a Hero, etc. - I don’t know - Brandy has a story that I thought was cooler when I was a kid singing along 😉 I hear what you’re saying, but [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l31WvSr4YqM), sadly, disqualifies Brandy. In lieu of, I forward Sundown. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/75 "2016-03-09T02:41:03Z")
Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn. They even had their own variety show. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/76 "2016-03-09T02:55:13Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree by tony orlando and dawn. > > They even had their own variety show. we have a winner ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/77 "2016-03-09T03:02:34Z")
Not surprising that there are so many different answers, and none are wrong. Just depends on what your view of the decade was. In my memory, the '70s were chock-full of bad, treacly one-hit-wonder songs like Shannon, One Tin Soldier, Billy Don’t Be A Hero, Playground In My Mind, etc. And the king of them all: Seasons In The Sun. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/78 "2016-03-09T03:20:05Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > They even had their own variety show. Not good enough. In the 70’s EVERYONE had their own variety show. {Actual variety show singer-hosts from the 70’s} Glen Campbell Johnny Cash Jim Nabors Julie Andrews Sonny & Cher Cher without Sonny Sonny without Cher Tony Orlando & Dawn Donny & Marie Captain & Tenille Barbara McNair Starland Vocal Band Bobby Darin Bobby Goldsboro Bobby Vinton Bobbie Gentry Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. Jerry Reed I’m sure I missed a few. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2016, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/79 "2016-03-09T03:25:02Z")
^ Jim Stafford **Wheelz** , I’m pretty sure “Having My Baby” gives “Seasons in the Sun” a run for the money. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263/80 "2016-03-09T03:27:10Z")
The seventies were rough and rag tag hard banging metal, mod and groovy hip, saccharine sweet and schmaltzy …so one song can’t define the decade Bohemian Rhapsody Band on the Run Lovin You Minnie Ripperton [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-quintessential-70s-song/748263.md?page=5)