In the mood for some super-nostalgic classic rock songs from 1974? That was a very good year for everything from glam rock to pop rock to country rock. And there’s something for just about every rock-leaning taste from that era. Let’s take a look at a few such songs that have aged quite well through the years, shall we?
“Best Of My Love” by Eagles
“Best Of My Love” off of On The Border was such a big hit in late 1974, there’s no way I’d not include it on this list. According to JD Souther, Glenn Frey came up with the addictive tune after listening to a Fred Neil record. The result was pretty far removed from Neil’s folk stylings. However, the track ended up becoming one of the biggest country rock hits of the year. “Best Of My Love” was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, Canada Top Singles, and Canada Adult Contemporary charts. And even if you weren’t alive back in 1974 to hear it, you probably know that melody all too well.
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“Bennie And The Jets” by Elton John
Another ultra-catchy tune, “Bennie And The Jets” has come to be a signature song of sorts for glam rock icon Elton John. A standout single from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, “Bennie And The Jets” has since become one of John’s most popular songs. And it was a huge hit in North America when it first dropped. This tune peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 in the US. It also topped the Canada Top Singles chart as well.
“Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Suede
This classic pop rock jam from Blue Suede technically dropped in 1973, but it started to really chart in 1974, so I’ll go ahead and include it on this list. “Hooked On A Feeling” was originally a psychedelic pop tune first recorded by B. J. Thomas in 1968. It was a pretty decent hit back then. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the song would get covered by Thomas’ contemporaries. It was the rock band Blue Suede that would find success with the song, and their version peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Canada Top Singles chart.
Photo by RB/Redferns
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These 1970s parody songs beat all the "real" music on the charts. They blurred the lines between fake song and true hit. -
AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Photo of AC DC and Angus YOUNG and AC/DC and Mark EVANS and Bon SCOTT; Mark Evans, Angus Young (playing Gibson SG guitar), Bon Scott – performing live onstage, c.1975/1976 (Photo by Bob King/Redferns) -
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Don Gibson Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 2 — Pictured: Musical guest Boz Scaggs performs on September 25, 1976 — Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank -
Barry Manilow in concert at the Bottom Line, NYC during Barry Manilow Achive Images – 1975 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage) -
(Original Caption) Charlie Daniels (3rd from left), the entertainer who dedicated his last album to "gun-rotting whiskey and hellatious fights" says he will not play gentle music just to please "damn Yankees drinking martinis" 1/20 at Jimmy Carter's inaugural reception. Daniels said he plans to play the same brand of foot-stomping Southern music he and his band have always produced. They are (from left), Charlie Hayward, Tom Crain, Daniels, Joel Digregorio, Don Murray and Fred Edwards.
