The 1970s were an era of musical spectacle. Here are some of their most emotive songs, from those years.
Get ready for an emotional ride – these 1970s songs were designed to make you cry. Ranging from heartbreak to loss, these emotive tracks will have you reaching for tissues – so settle into a comfortable chair with plenty of tissues nearby and prepare yourself for an emotional journey!
One Less Bell to Answer
From Marvin Gaye’s soulful vocals and Carole King’s thoughtful lyrics, the 1970s were full of emotionally wrenching music that can bring tears. From love songs featuring poignant love stories with poignant tales of addiction and death, these tracks will touch your heartstrings.
Townes Van Zandt was responsible for some of the decade’s most melancholic ballads, such as “Pancho and Lefty,” or the folksy melodrama “Tecumseh Valley.” Here’s one of his earliest compositions that will touch your emotions: an acoustic guitar solo with soft vocals is sure to move any listener!
Dolly Parton had many country hits during her time, but “One Less Bell to Answer” stood out among them as an emotional ballad about lost love that remains one of its finest examples in genre.
Although only reaching #2 in the US charts, this song became a massive international success thanks to Paper Lace, Bo Donaldson and Heywoods who all released hit versions in 1974. Showcasing a powerful vocal performance by McCool along with amazing harmonies – this truly stands as a timeless classic!
Sinead O’Connor’s haunting voice and layers of weeping synth strings made this tragic break-up song memorable, yet poignant in its message of lost love. Listening to it is highly recommended; you won’t regret it!
Long, Long Time
Long, Long Time is a heartrending 70s music song from Linda Ronstadt that was released as part of her Silk Purse album and became an instant classic. Written as an ode to an unrealized love relationship and life’s lost opportunities, it quickly became one of her signature pieces.
After being featured in The Last of Us’ third episode, streams for this song saw an exponential surge. The show depicts survivors living in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by an outbreak of cordyceps. Bill (Nick Offerman) and Frank (Murray Bartlett) sang it during this particular scene of the episode – leading to even higher streams and charts! It quickly rose in popularity among audiences worldwide!
Craig Mazin had reached out to Seth Rudetsky for suggestions when selecting songs for two characters to connect over. Rudetsky suggested “Long, Long Time,” which Mazin agreed to feature in an episode; according to Spotify streams for the song increased 4900% since being featured.
This episode brought something different than expected when Bill and Frank surprised each other with an unexpected love story that left everyone emotionally moved, concluding with an endearing scene where Bill and Frank sang an emotional duet together that would become one of their favorite memories.
Without You
From soulful croons of Marvin Gaye to insightful lyrics by Carole King, the 1970s produced some truly moving tunes. Although most music from this decade was upbeat and celebratory, some tracks truly broke our hearts; whether a heartbreaking tale about lost love or personal misery; these sad 70s songs will leave you wiping your tears away.
Three Dog Night is responsible for this song’s composition and recording, but Harry Nilsson made it iconic with his haunting vocals that have made this track popular worldwide. Nilsson’s distressful cries stop just short of sounding unhinged for an eerie effect that will have you experiencing heartbreak like never before.
This song marries a tragic 1970s music style with a heartbreaking tale of lost love and betrayal, telling of one person desperately longing to return, yet knowing there is no chance they ever will. The final line is especially heartbreaking: “I don’t know what I’d do without you”.
Blur’s 1970s track “Wonderwall” captures feelings of loneliness and loss with its spare yet emotive tune, drawing parallels between its lyrics and mopey psychedelic-meets-easy listening arrangements reminiscent of your youth.
Neil Young’s heartbreaking folky ballad, “Weary Kind of Wandering”, is an emotive tale of heartbreak, loss and regret. The song addresses an absent dream of finding true love; artists including Natalie Imbruglia, the Corrs and Psychic TV have covered this heartrending track despite its melancholic melody and lyrics, making it popular with listeners of all kinds.
Diary
Marvin Gaye and Carole King both created heartbreaking songs of sadness in the ’70s that left an impactful mark. Ranging from love tragedies and personal heartache anthems, to songs with powerful musical composition and instrumentation that everyone could relate to; each has something universal that everyone could take comfort in.
Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” stands as an unforgettable icon from 70s music, telling of Syd Barrett, their original lead singer who had to leave due to mental illness. It still resonates today for anyone experiencing depression while remaining an amazing track.
Harry Styles kept his promise and gave us this beautifully haunting ballad about broken romance, which features stripped-back music and song lyrics to bring us all the emotion associated with its subject matter. A powerful heartbreaking ballad from the 70s.
But sometimes sadness stems not from what has occurred but how we react to it afterward. That is what makes this song so moving; it captures perfectly how someone who has recently experienced loss may feel about his or her partner being taken away from them. Acoustic guitar and beautiful vocals add depth to this track which recalls some of the greatest emo songs ever. Although bruises from breakups may linger long-term, we must move on in search of someone that fills our hearts with happiness again.
Rainy Days and Mondays
The late 60s to mid 70s was an era rife with sadness expressed through music, due to Vietnam, recreational heroin use or just economic woes. Whatever inspired it all, we’ve collected 15 of the best sad 70s songs to take you on an emotional roller coaster ride – so get out your Kleenex box and grab your comforting blanket before embarking.
Harry Chapin’s melancholy tune about a taxi driver’s struggles is set off by its mournful lyrics, yet its haunting string arrangement and synths create an almost symphonic atmosphere.
Linda Ronstadt released this song as her debut solo album in 1970 and its opening acoustic guitar solo is sure to bring back memories of lost love. Linda Ronstadt’s emotive vocals perfectly accompany its lyrics about time passing away and wanting what might have been.
This country singer-songwriter was an expert at writing emotional ballads. From outlaw tragedies like “Pancho and Lefty” to folk melodramas like “Tecumseh Valley,” his compositions captured every emotion with powerful strings and horns that set an emotionally stirring scene. Here we see him portray the heartbreak of an ex-spouse returning home after finding that their former partner has remarried – an exquisite tale told with striking strings and horns in “This Lonesome Love Song”.
Nirvana may have perfected the art of angsty anthems, but few can match the intensity and pain depicted on this powerful and emotive song about an attempted suicide attempt by The Cure. Mental health groups could easily use this deep song as an anti-suicide rallying call, while its strong vocal performance and poignant message make this one of the best sad songs ever composed.