If you think about the 1970s, there are probably at least a few bands from the era that you could rattle off from the top of your head. There’s Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and their peers. But what about the songs? What about those specific tracks that stopped you in yours? What about the rambunctious songs that got you off your couch and dancing with your air guitar? That’s what we wanted to look into here. Let’s examine three songs from the decade of the 70s—well, even more specifically, from 1975—that still have a huge, lasting impact on our culture today. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs from the middle of the 70s that are still hugely relevant.
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Videos by American Songwriter
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from ‘A Night At The Opera’ (1975)
If you want to see an incredible live performance of a classic rock song, Freddie Mercury has you covered with this tune. If you want to see an incredible music video, this is the song. And, if you want a classic rock song that will take you on a journey of lush harmony and story, this is your song. Interestingly enough, it took the 1990s movie, Wayne’s World, to give this Queen track a second life. Thanks to its inclusion in the popular comedy, it has since become one of the most beloved and listened to classic rock songs of all time.
“Rock And Roll All Nite” by KISS from ‘Dressed To Kill’ (1975)
The king of all party songs, this classic rock tune from the face-painted band KISS captures that feeling of wanting to celebrate and puts it to a soundtrack of buzzing guitars, vocal harmonies, and pyrotechnics. What could be better? It’s like a group of pre-teen boys wrote their fantasy down on paper and then grew up and brought it to life for everyone else to enjoy. When you’re young, who doesn’t like the idea of rockin’ all night and partying every day? Where is the signup sheet? That’s what KISS bottled here for music fans.
“Born To Run” by Bruce Springsteen from ‘Born To Run’ (1975)
If there was one song that defines the New Jersey-born rocker Bruce Springsteen, it’s probably “Born To Run” from the 1975 album of the same name. Springsteen was passion incarnate. He was the embodiment of a song running down the highway. Escaping, escaping, escaping. Throwing off the shackles of your one-stoplight town and finding something better, something more, something worthy of you. And so his single “Born to Run” completely showcases that. It provides a vibe that lives on in the guts and souls of so many today.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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