Music and culture were on the verge of a dynamic shift as America moved into the decade of the 1970s. These songs perfectly capture ’70s America.
Led Zeppelin, “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)
Led Zeppelin has quite the library of hits, but none is more well known than Stairway to Heaven. It’s the Led Zeppelin song that non Led Zeppelin fans love because it transcends genres. The song became so popular, that the band got tired of playing it. It was, however, a perfect representation of the early ’70s music scene.
Grateful Dead, “Uncle John’s Band” (1970)
The Grateful Dead is one of the most iconic bands in American history. This is because, not only was their music influential, but they left their mark on culture more than most bands. Uncle John’s Band was significant as AM was being replaced with FM, and the ’60s hippie movement was giving way to the underground 1970s music scene.
Elton John, “Rocket Man” (1972)
The 1970s were a decade of over the top performances and innovative performers. No one is more over the top than Elton John, and “Rocket Man” solidified him as rock and Roll Royalty.
The Sweet, “The Ballroom Blitz” (1973)
Ballroom Blitz does not get enough credit for its place in music history. Not only was it a great jam in the film “Wayne’s World,” but back in 1973, it marked a shift in popular music style with its fast-paced hard rock sounds.
Helen Reddy, “I Am Woman” (1972)
Discussion of the women’s liberation movement is typically centered around the 1950s and 1960s, but no anthem better summed up American feminism than Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.” She would later write that “I was able to connect with all kinds of women who had been initially turned off by some of the more strident feminist voices; or women who believed they were already liberated.”
These are five of the most influencial songs from the 1970s, but if you are interested in more check out Rolling Stone’s list of 20 definitive early ’70 songs here.
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