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
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
The '70s were mellow. As in “Have You Never Been Mellow?” Another song I loathe! :mad:
I think I still have the 1976 **and **the '77 album packed away somewhere! :o
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.
“(Everybody was) Kung Fu Fighting”?
Gerry Rafferty, “Baker Street”
Earth, Wind, and Fire, “September”
Eagles, “Hotel California”
Billy Joel, “The Stranger”
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.
Speaking of Shatner and the '70s…
Submitted for your approval, Torn Between Two Lovers and I’ve Never Been to Me.
Although the latter was actually a bigger hit when it was re-released in 1982 so maybe it should be disqualified.
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.
“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”.
I hear what you’re saying, but this, sadly, disqualifies Brandy.
In lieu of, I forward Sundown.
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
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.
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.
^ Jim Stafford
Wheelz, I’m pretty sure “Having My Baby” gives “Seasons in the Sun” a run for the money.
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