By the time of its arrival in the 1970s, rock had advanced considerably since its explosive infancy and become something unique and distinct in itself. Soul artists in particular made it their own during this decade.
Even after years of being played at weddings and hen parties – and with even more renditions at karaoke bars! – this poignant piano ballad remains one of the most beautiful songs ever composed.
ABBA’s ’Mamma Mia’
In the original ABBA song, Donna laments over her struggles to run her taverna smoothly while Tanya and Rosie sing of their carefree lives. Donna mentions she’s searching for love; as soon as this comes up during conversation at her hen party, all three potential fathers arrive and sparks fly between them all!
This 1975 ABBA hit was one of the five biggest hits in both Britain and Australia at that time, and even managed to top both charts for seven weeks in each. It marked their first global hit and is still currently featured in Mamma Mia as a worldwide phenomenon.
The musical was written by Catherine Johnson with music and lyrics composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus; produced by Judy Craymer and directed by Phyllida Lloyd; the Broadway production has played to over 10 million viewers and is the tenth longest-running show in theater history. Meryl Streep plays Donna in the movie version while Amanda Seyfried portrays Sophie; other cast members include Julie Walters, Christine Baranski Stellan Skarsgard and Pierce Brosnan as potential lovers for her love interests.
’Brown Sugar’
The 1970s was an eventful era, from ABBA’s take on disco to Fleetwood Mac and Elton John creating unforgettable melodies with profound lyrics and timeless melodies. But music also served as an agent of social change; bands such as The Ramones and Sex Pistols challenged mainstream norms through music.
The Rolling Stones’ song ‘Brown Sugar’ is one of the most memorable guitar riffs ever heard, yet contains shocking lyrics about sexual exploitation that occurred during slavery. Some argue this song should just be treated as harmless fun while others say its lyrics hurt marginalised communities and set an unnecessary example for future generations.
In the 1970s, many African artists made waves globally through music. Fela Kuti pioneered Afrobeat while Mulatu Astatke combined jazz, Latin and Ethiopian sounds into an original sound with incredible influence and lasting appeal.
’The Force’
The 70s was an era of musical exploration and diversity, from rock (Led Zeppelin) to disco (Donna Summer and the Bee Gees). One notable aspect was a new generation of musicians exploring outside traditional bounds of music; for instance funk and soul artists expanded their horizons while African fusion flourished under Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke’s leadership.
Many of the top 70s songs featured artists exploring their personal trajectories with honesty and freshness. This was especially true of rock bands, with singers such as Lindsey Buckingham and Bruce Springsteen deftly documenting relationships through song.
Rod Stewart’s autobiographical song ‘Maggie May’ became one of the most beloved hits from pop music 70s; this track told of his failed attempt at reconciling with an ex-partner who had since married someone else. This was an enormous success and remains one of the best-known pop hits of all time.
’Britney Spears’ ’It’s All About Us’
Britney Spears’ memoir offers readers an exciting journey through her youth to her adult life as a mother who battled postpartum depression, encountered an ex-lover backstage and ultimately reached success as an entertainer. Britney discusses her 13-year conservatorship, complex relationships and how she came to be where she is today.
Since 1993, when Spears first released her single, her debut became an instantaneous success and helped usher in an unprecedented period in music production, sound, and style. Its memorable melody, schoolhouse-romp video, and commercial success inspired numerous singers to follow in her footsteps.
Pop singer Adele’s 2016 second album ‘Glory’ proved more mature than her earlier release and demonstrated her ability to work across multiple genres and vocal styles, from breathy murmurs to an exultant falsetto.
At the conclusion of her book, Spears revealed that her approach to music had changed due to conservatorship, parenting and other events in her life; these may all affect how she engages with creative processes. It remains to be seen if Spears returns to prominence.
’Gary Numan’s ’Freak Like Me’
Mash-up culture transformed bedroom musicians into superstars, and none was more remarkable than Gary Numan’s 1979 UK number one, “Robot Prostitutes,” as an example. Although its unusual lyrics about robot prostitutes might have caused disapproval back then, today it has become a landmark of synthpop.
Though the song became an international smash hit, its inspiration stemmed from an unsuccessful love affair. Instead of mocking femininity or demeaning it as an ideal, “Cherry Red” by Kate Bush (then 18) was written with Emily Bront’s novel as its basis.
Numan’s success paved the way for numerous new wave acts such as The Human League, Boney M, Village People and 10cc to emerge during this decade, such as The Human League, Boney M, Village People and 10cc. Soul music also experienced an explosion with artists like Eddie Kendricks and Minnie Riperton expanding its boundaries; Slade Darts Smokie Showaddywaddy as well as Elton John’s Wonderful Tonight standing out among them all while Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody left all in its wake – truly unforgettable performances from Slade Darts Smokie Smokie bringing big-selling pop hits into pop charts; with Elton John’s Wonderful Tonight becoming an enduring favourite, while Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody left everyone stunned.
’Bowie’s ’Hymn to Hedonism’
This song explores the impact of living a life that prioritises pleasure without considering its long-term consequences. Through powerful lyrics and dynamic musical composition, this track brings home to listeners the pain and regret associated with engaging in self-indulgent behavior. Skunk Anansie uses rhythmic feel, digital effects, and Skin’s captivating vocal performance to deliver this powerful message of empty hedonism’s perils.
Bowie’s lyrics reveal his ironic sentimentality through this major-key, sentimental chord progression; it almost seems as though he’s singing from beyond; all earthly pleasures have already been taken away from him.
As such, this song becomes an exploration of mortality and loss. As the chord progression winds down to an emphatic major IV chord that promises resolution – Mahlerian cadence that seems to promise something – only for it all to fade away abruptly into an open synthesizer dyad in the upper register – signaling that this emotionally charged album may continue on with new characters or bands being introduced as the story progresses; what matters most is keeping music alive despite these setbacks.
’Jacko’
“Jacko” has become an indisputable favorite in any music lover’s repertoire, its catchy lyrics compel us to sing along time after time! Perfect for use during dance parties with friends or family!
As FM radio became a mainstream medium during the 70s, it provided hippies and folk musicians an alternative to pop hits they’d been raised on. Other artists tried their hands at Kris Kristofferson’s tale of itinerant lovers – none could come close to Janis Joplin in terms of vocal performance – yet her death prior to release cemented this tune into one of history’s iconic blues tunes.
The 1970s witnessed an explosion of music genres from rock, country and folk. Some of the most beloved classics from that decade include The Beatles’ “Let It Be” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, both acclaimed commercial successes from this era. Additionally, German bands Neu! and Kraftwerk proved that you didn’t need loud music to have success; their minimal, repetitive grooves set them apart from other styles while inspiring many contemporary musicians today.