Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1

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Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 features music courtesy of ABBA, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, and The Undisputed Truth.

Ah, the 1970s – what a time, what a time! What better way to reminisce on the decade than to select some of its best songs. There were plenty of kick a$$ rock, pop, disco, soul/funk/R&B records that stand the test of time. Honestly, there are far too many awesome musicians to recognize in one musical compendium – at least with blurbs involved. Still, we begin the process with 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1. 🎧 Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 features some of the 70 finest courtesy of 🎙 ABBA, 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire, 🎙 Lynyrd Skynyrd, 🎙 Pink Floyd, and 🎙 The Undisputed Truth among others. So, get into the spirit of the 1980s and check out these epic musical classics!

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1. Freda Payne, “Band of Gold”

💿 Band of Gold • 🏷 HDH / Invictus • 📅 1970

“Now that you’re gone / All that’s left is a band of gold / All that’s left of the dreams I hold / Is a band of gold / And the memories of what love could be / If you were still here with me.” Woo! Versatile singer and actress 🎙 Freda Payne earned the biggest hit of her career with her 1970 single, 🎵 “Band of Gold”. “Band of Gold” appeared on Payne’s album of the same title. “Band of Gold” also graced Payne’s 💿 Greatest Hits compilation, released in 1991. “Band of Gold” was written by 🎼 ✍ Ron Dunbar and Edyth Wayne, with Edyth Wayne being a pseudonym for the legendary songwriting/production collective comprised of Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, and Lamont Dozier. “Band of Gold” was a pop hit, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold by the RIAA.

“Band of Gold” is incredibly catchy, as exemplified by the excerpted chorus. Furthermore, the music is groovy as albeit – it’s a soul classic through and through. Vocally, Payne shows off her versatility without a hitch. That said, what often draws the most interest with this song beyond its elite musicianship is the theme. In the most general sense, literally right after becoming husband and wife, the marriage is effectively over, like, oh snap! “We kissed after taking vows,” she sings in the first verse, continuing, ‘but that night of the honeymoon / We stayed in separate rooms.” That’s exactly why Payne is singing “All that’s left is a band of gold!” Similarly, the second verse testifies to this sus union: “I’d wait in the darkness of my lonely room / Filled with sadness, filled with gloom / Hoping soon / That you’d walk back through that door.” What’s interesting is, this record is subject to multiple interpretations with two popular takes including the sexual inabilities of the man in the relationship, as well as the fact she may have married a gay man. Regardless, it’s a fabulous, fabulous record.

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2. Paul Revere and the Raiders, “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”

💿 Indian Reservation • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1971

“They took the whole Cherokee nation / Put us on this reservation / Took away our ways of life / The tomahawk and the bow and knife.” Sigh, what a [bleep] shame 😤 😡 🤬. Of course, 🎵 “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” is merely a song. Still, this classic, penned by 🎼 ✍ John D. Loudermilk (a white country musician/songwriter), does consider the history of Native Americans, specifically the Cherokees, being driven out of their lands by – wait for it – white folks 😏. Shocking, right (Rhetorical question, and you don’t have to be woke to know the answer). Anyways, the most popular and successful version of the song arrives courtesy of 🎙 Paul Revere and the Raiders. Yes, just let that name sink in, and listen to the lyrics/message of the song (“Took away our native tongue / And taught their English to our young”).

Despite a lie Loudermilk told regarding the inspiration for writing the song, as well as the name of the band who earned a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with it, “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” is a classic. Paul Revere and company truly put their stamp on it with the instrumentation and production. Keys including organ, guitars, vibraphone – decadent ear candy for a crossover audience! 🎙 Mark Lindsay sounds epic singing the lead vocals as he stands up for the – wait for it – “CHEROKEE PEOPLE, CHEROKEE TRIBE / So proud to live, so proud to die!” Interestingly, in the second verse, while the Cherokee has adapted to unfortunate changes (“Though I wear a shirt and tie”), he is still who he was, somewhat (“I’m still part red man deep inside”). Of course, it should be noted that red man/redskin is considered offensive today. Of course, Disney did far worse with 🎵 “What Makes The Red Man Red?” from Peter Pan – a children’s movie, mind you 🤦‍♂️! All told, 🎵 “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” is a surefire rock classic.

Appears in 🔻:

Paul Revere and the Raiders, “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”: FIERCE Pop + Rock 🔥🤘 19 (2023)

3. The Undisputed Truth, “Smiling Faces Sometimes”

💿 The Undisputed Truth • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

“Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / They don’t tell the truth,” 🎙 The Undisputed Truth asserts on the chorus of the classic, 🎵 “Smiling Faces Sometimes”. The memorable, timeless chorus of this minor-key gem continues, “Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes / Tell lies and I got proof.” Woo! Penned by the dynamic Motown duo 🎼✍ Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is actually a COVER! Shock and awe, folks!

What’s interesting about the fact that “Smiling Faces Sometimes” wasn’t originally recorded by The Undisputed Truth is WHO originally recorded it 👀. Strong and Whitfield are Motown writing legends, so, Motown artists often recorded songs recorded by other Motown artists. 🎙 The Temptations recorded the original 👀! The Temptations did a marvelous job on the 12 ½ minute original, but The Undisputed Truth earned the biggest hit of their career, peaking at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It probably also helps that The Undisputed Truth version runs just over three-minutes-long, while capturing the marvelous tune and exceptional production and orchestration. TUT get right to the point, which is more readymade for airplay on radio. Take one listen and you’ll see the hype and can’t resist smiling at the truth the collective serves up! The lush production intact with fat bass line, the memorable songwriting – #SICKENING! While you don’t get those epic lead vocals from 🎙 Eddie Kendricks, the performances by committee are awesome, nonetheless. This 1971 song from 💿 The Undisputed Truth is an undisputed bop to this day!

“The truth is in the eyes

Cause the eyes don’t lie, amen

Remember a smile is just

A frown turned upside down

My friend let me tell you.”

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4. Pink Floyd, “Money”

💿 The Dark Side of The Moon • 🏷 Pink Floyd Music Ltd. • 📅 1973

“Money, so they say / Is the root of all evil today.” 🎙 Pink Floyd is the definition of FIERCE, period. The iconic progressive rock band is known for exhibiting innovative spirit throughout their illustrious career. Among the collective’s most celebrated albums is 💿 The Dark Side of the Moon from 1973. The crowning achievement from The Dark Side of the Moon is… 🎵 “Money”, written by bassist, 🎙 Roger Waters. Besides composing the record, his bass line is utterly sick. All in all, on “Money,” the musicianship is top-notch – through the roof. Set in an unconventional 7/4 time signature, the record has a bluesy, jazz sensibility in addition to being idiomatic of rock. It’s further amplified by money sound effects, the use Wurlitzer electric piano and Wah-wah pedal (🎙 Richard Wright), and a killer tenor saxophone solo (🎙 Dick Parry).

Of course, you cannot mention “Money” without shouting out guitar and vocalist 🎙 David Gilmour. He brings Waters lyrics to life sensationally. Early on, he speaks about the power and dangerousness of the five-letter word. “Money, it’s a gas,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.” Maybe more memorable is the profane lyric from the second verse: “Money, it’s a hit / Ah, don’t give me that do-goody-good-bullshit.” That is a mic drop moment for sure! Another memorable moment is where Gilmour highlights greed at its, well, greediest: “I’m in a high-fidelity first class traveling set / And I think I need a Learjet.” Maybe the late, great 🎙 Barrett Strong said it best: “I need money (That’s what I want) / That’s what I want (That’s what I want)”. Oh, capitalism! Money aside, there is nothing evil about the top-20 prog rock classic that is 🎵 “Money”, Pink Floyd’s second biggest hit only to no. 1 hit, 🎵 “Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)”.

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5. Roberta Flack, “Killing Me Softly With His Song”

💿 Killing Me Softly • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 1973

“Strumming my pain with his fingers / Singing my life with his words / Killing me softly with his song… / Telling my whole life, with his words…” Back in the day – the late 60s and 70s – 🎙 Roberta Flack had a fabulous run. She had solo hits in addition to striking gold in the duets department. One of her crowning achievements is 🎵 “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” which, amazingly, wasn’t originally recorded by her. Even so, “Killing Me Softly…” in her hands became the ‘IT’ version – the definitive recording.

Why is the Roberta Flack version so good? First and foremost, her voice is angelic, radiant, and incredibly soothing. Flack has a way of ‘packing a punch’ without having to over-sing. She doesn’t need gospel histrionics to sell the pain that she sings about, even considering this isn’t an original by herself. It also helps that the songwriting by (🎼✍ Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel) is impeccable. “I felt all flushed with fever / Embarrassed by the crowd,” she sings expressively, on the second verse, adding, “I felt he found my letters / And read each one out loud.” Throw in colorful production work (🎛 Joel Dorn) that plays well to both pop and soul crowds, and you have a 🏆 Grammy-winning, no. 1 hit. Hard to imagine anyone topping this ultra-successful version, right? Well, 🎙 Fugees remade this gem with their own epic rendition.

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6. Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama”

💿 Second Helping • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 1974

Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME! Legendary southern rock band 🎙 Lynyrd Skynyrd serve up the same sentiment on their beloved, 1974 classic, 🎵 “Sweet Home Alabama” (💿 Second Helping). “Sweet home Alabama / Where the skies are so blue,” 🎙 Ronnie Van Zant sings with immense southern pride in the chorus, continuing, “Sweet home Alabama / Lord, I’m coming home to you.” “Sweet Home Alabama” is synonymous with the band and arguably their most popular song (🎵 “Free Bird” might have a bone to pick with that, of course). The single was a top-10 hit on the pop charts, peaking at no. 8 on the Hot 100.

Obviously, “Sweet Home Alabama” acknowledges traditional southern values and the positive attributes of the south. It is, hence, a far cry from the 🎙 Neil Young classic, 🎵 “Southern Man” which finds the Canadian rock icon criticizing the region. In the second verse, Ronnie directly references Young’s characterization:

“Well, I heard Mr. Young sing about her (Southern man)

Well, I heard ol’ Neil put her down

Well, I hope Neil Young will remember

A Southern man don’t need him around, anyhow.”

Burn! There are politics that come in play in the third verse, with reference to the state’s governor, the controversial 🎙 George Wallace. Wallace was governor four times, and at the time “Sweet Home Alabama” was released, was in his second, nonconsecutive term. A racist, he would reform in his fourth and final term, repenting of his wrongs. Notably, in the same verse, Van Zant sings, “Now Watergate does not bother me / Does your conscience bother you? / Tell the truth.” Intriguing. All told, 🎵 “Sweet Home Alabama” is a certified, surefire rock classic 🤘 – TIMELESS!

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7. Elton John, “Philadelphia Freedom”

💿 Diamonds [via Captain Fantastic] • 🏷 Island • 📅 2017 [1975]

“Because I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom / From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag.” Pennsylvania itself doesn’t have much of ring to it regarding being the title of a song. Hence, there aren’t many songs written explicitly about the state using its lengthy name as a title. However, 🎙 Elton John and longtime lyricist 🎼✍ Bernie Taupin knew that 🎵 “Philadelphia Freedom” had a ring to it, or at least, superb songwriting, singing, and most of all, the makings of a hit.

The song is a tribute to 🎾 Billie Jean King, a renowned tennis player who played on the Philadelphia Freedoms. King, like John, is a member of the LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 community.

“Oh, Philadelphia freedom, shine on me

I love ya

Shine the light through the eyes of the ones left behind

Shine the light, shine the light

Shine the light, won’t you shine the light?

Philadelphia freedom, I lo-o-ove ya.”

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8. Earth, Wind & Fire, “Shining Star”

💿 That’s The Way Of The World • 🏷 Columbia • 🗓 1975

“When you wish upon a star / Your dreams will take you very far, yeah.” YEAH!!! It is hard to believe that 🎙 Earth, Wind & Fire, an iconic band with many hits, only scored one no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 🤯. That sole no. 1 hit was NOT the beloved 🎵 “September” either 🤯! It was 🎵 “Shining Star”, the opening track from 💿 That’s The Way Of The World, that reached the penthouse on the Hot 100. That’s The Way Of The World was certified triple platinum by the RIAA. As for “Shining Star,” it was certified gold. Even more notably, “Shining Star” earned Earth, Wind & Fire their first of six 🏆 Grammy awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus (18^th Annual GRAMMY Awards).

What makes “Shining Star” the sugar honey iced tea when it comes to the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog? Well, 🎙 Maurice White and 🎙 Philip Bailey plays sizable role with their electrifying pipes. Of course, beyond that, the songwriting is sweet too, with the chorus taking the cake: “You’re a shining star / No matter who you are / Shining bright to see / What you could truly be.” Also, as previously highlight on my write-up about 🎵 “Reasons”, the musical backdrop is a big reason why much of Earth, Wind & Fire’s music is so iconic. The riffs, particularly performed by the guitar, are lit. The bass line is funk as albeit. The horns are killer, truly confirming that 1970s sound that is clearly once in a lifetime. Furthermore, the keyboard work is marvelous as well, shining most during the chorus. Revisiting the infectious 🎵 “Shining Star”, it is easy to see why it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and ranks at or near the top of the Earth, Wind & Fire catalog.

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Appears in 🔻:

Earth, Wind & Fire, “Shining Star”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 20 (2023)

9. Thelma Houston, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”

💿 Any Way You Like It • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1976

To recap, beloved soul classic, 🎵 “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, was written by Philly soul proponents 🎼 ✍ Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. Cary Gilbert is also credited on this particular song. Originally performed by iconic soul collective 🎙 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, featuring 🎙 Teddy Pendergrass, another R&B standout, 🎙 Thelma Houston, would have more success. Arguably, Houston owns the definitive version.

Houston had the hit of a lifetime on her hands, period. Her sole 🏆 Grammy win comes courtesy of “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” winning for Best Female R&B Performance, deservingly. Beyond the Grammy win, Houston topped the Billboard Hot 100. This disco gem was everywhere by 1977, originally released in late 1976, and appearing on the album, 💿 Any Way You Like It. 🎛 Hal Davis serves as the producer, doing a fabulous job of giving Houston the perfect backdrop. Houston sings superbly, exhibiting ample personality on this love-filled number. Besides the famous first verse, the chorus is the centerpiece, lacking no shortage of energy. Houston certainly rises to the occasion:

“(Ahh) Baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you

Now come on down and do what you got to do

You started this fire down in my soul

Now can’t you see it’s burning out of control?

Come on, satisfy the need in me

‘Cause only your good loving can set me free

(Set me free, set me free).”

Simply glorious! Notably, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” became a gay anthem in 1980s and 90s with the AIDS epidemic. It’s simply awesome – Houston’s stellar voice and Davis’ groovy disco production.

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10. ABBA, “Dancing Queen”

💿 Arrival • 🏷 Polar Music International AB • 📅 1976

“You can dance, you can jive / Having the time of your life / Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene / digging the dancing queen.” Oh, the vibes, the vibes, the vibes! 🎼 ✍ Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson composed a masterpiece with 🎵 “Dancing Queen”, period. This was by far the biggest hit by 🎙 ABBA. The Swedish collective brought this unique, Europop / Euro disco hit to worldwide success, including no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Surprisingly, “Dancing Queen” is the only song by ABBA to reach the penthouse 🤯.

What makes “Dancing Queen” the sugar honey iced tea? Honestly, it is all the details – every musical cue soundly assembled. The arrangement and production are nothing short of immaculate. The groove established by the drums is noteworthy itself, with the song drawing inspiration from the drumming from the 1972 Dr. John album, Gumbo. Also, another disco hit, 🎵 “Rock Your Baby” by 🎙 George McCrae serves an influence. Beyond the drums, the keys are gorgeous, the bass line fat, and the strings soar. Of course, the bright vocals of 🎙 Anni-Frid Lyngstad and 🎙 Agnetha Fältskog play a huge role in the success, particularly in the chorus, among the best, most exuberant, and catchiest of all time. 🎵 “Dancing Queen” gets the job done, easily making you want to dance whether you are a girl or boy, young or old. Nearly five decades later, “Dancing Queen” remains a huge hit. Artists who have covered the record include 🎙 A*Teens and another icon herself, 🎙 Cher.

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ABBA, “Dancing Queen”: Dance Gemz 🕺 💎 🎶 7 (2023)

11. L.T.D., “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again”

💿 Something To Love • 🏷 A&M • 🗓 1977

“Every time I move, I lose / When I look I’m in / And every time I turn around / I’m back in love.” Woo – what an incredibly catchy chorus, 🎙 L.T.D.! 🎵 “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” is easily one of the funkiest soul records of all time – NO CAP! This top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100 (peaked at no. 4) appears as the third track from L.T.D.’s 1977 LP, 💿 Something To Love. Both “Back In Love Again” and Something To Love earned gold certification by the RIAA.

So, what makes “Back In Love Again” so effing funky? The groove is electric, the bass line robust, while the guitar and keys are also absolutely sick 💪. Furthermore, those horns are epic to the n^th degree – the riffs are killer! Beyond the backdrop, among the biggest selling points is the assertive, nuanced lead vocals by 🎙 Jeffrey Osborne, who would go on to have a successful solo career beyond L.T.D. He shines on the verses, impressing most on the centerpiece, the chorus. Beyond Osborne’s excellent pipes, he’s aided by superb of backing vocals which up the ante. The theme of 🎵 “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” is simple: even though love can be hell, Jeffrey can’t help but find himself falling in love over and over again. The same could be said about any of us, right? Right!

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12. Bee Gees, “Stayin’ Alive”

💿 How Can You Mend a Broken Heart • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2020

“Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.” Cutting straight to the chase, 🎵 “Stayin’ Alive” is the quintessential disco song, period. 🎙 Bee Gees have many, many hits, but none is bigger and more recognizable than “Stayin’ Alive.” The record is an entire vibe and even though it hails from a different music era, it remains fresh and relevant.

“Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk

I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk

Music loud and women warm

I’ve been kicked around since I was born.”

Woo! So, why is “Stayin’ Alive” still ‘alive and well’ today? It’s timeless to the n^thdegree. The groove is utterly infectious, making you want to get up and dance. The production (Bee Gees, 🎛 Karl Richardson, and Albhy Galuten), idiomatic of disco back-when, is slick and impressive, even four decades later. The falsetto vocals remain ripe, with few other bands rivaling those high-flying head vocals, ha-ha. Furthermore, what about the personality and the swagger Bee Gees exhibit? There’s no shortage of confidence. The chorus, of course, is the centerpiece – tuneful and recognizable by those older and younger. Even so, the bridge – “I’m goin’ nowhere, somebody help me / Somebody help me, yeah” – is sweet in its own right. Wanna know how to write a kick-ass pop record? “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees is an exemplary blueprint.

“Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother

You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’

And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive

Ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin’ alive.”

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13. Peaches & Herb, “Reunited”

🎙 Peaches & Herb • 💿 2 Hot • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. / Motown • 🗓 1978

“Reunited / And it feels so good / Reunited / ‘Cause we understand,” R&B duo 🎙 Peaches & Herb memorably sing in chorus of 🎵 “Reunited”. They continue singing, “There’s one perfect fit / And sugar, this one is it / We both are so excited ‘cause we’re / Reunited / Hey, hey.” “Reunited,” which appears on the duo’s 1978 album, 💿 2 Hot!, was a huge hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979. The nearly six-minute, slow but energetic, love-centric ballad was penned by 🎼 ✍ Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren.

On “Reunited,” The listener is treated to authentic, dedicated vocal performances by both members. While they sing with confidence, neither seems to perspire, performing with a cool energy which is – wait for it – cool 😎. Their chemistry is undeniable – nothing short of remarkable. “I was a fool to ever leave your side / Me minus you is such a lonely ride” Herb (🎙 Herb Fame) sings in the first verse, singing about a breakup and ultimately, realizing how special the relationship is. Peaches (🎙 Linda Greene at this time) confirms the same sentiment: “I sat here starin’ at the same old wall / Came back to life just when I got your call…” Further fueling the fire on this late 1970s classic, beyond the theme of breaking up and reuniting, is incredibly lush and refined production (Perren). The awe-inspired orchestration includes woodwinds, horns, strings (including harp), and of course, keys. 🎵 “Reunited” is one of those once in a lifetime gems that NEVER grow old. No anachronism here on this 🏆 Grammy nominated masterpiece!

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Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; A&M, Atlantic, Capitol, Columbia, Geffen, HDH / Invictus, Inc., Island, Motown, Motown, Pink Floyd Music Ltd., Polar Music International AB, Sony Music Entertainment, UMG Recordings; cottonbro studio via Pexels]

Incredible Songs: 1970s, Vol. 1 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on April 14, 2023April 14, 2023