In 1977, rock fans heard songs like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac and “Heroes” by David Bowie. In a year that exceeded genre expectations, here are a few songs that you might’ve missed.
“Draw The Line” by Aerosmith
This song was the first single released for its album of the same name in 1977. When it came to the Draw The Line album, there were a lot more hands on deck than was typical for Aerosmith.
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“A lot of people had input into that record because Steven and I had stopped giving a f**k,” Joe Perry told Stephen Davis. “‘Draw The Line’, ‘I Want To Know Why’, and ‘Get It Up’ were the only things Steven and I wrote together. Tom, Joey and Steven came up with ‘Kings and Queens’, and Brad played rhythm and lead. Brad and Steven wrote ‘The Hand That Feeds’, which I didn’t even play on because I’d stayed in bed the day they recorded it and Brad played great on it anyway.”
“Turn To Stone” by Electric Light Orchestra
With a sound that’s kind of reminiscent of The Beach Boys and Elton John, “Turn To Stone” is probably one of the most fun-sounding songs in Electric Light Orchestra’s discography.
Referring to a section of “Turn To Stone” that happens after the second chorus, ELO’s Jeff Lynne shared with Rolling Stone: “There’s a part in the middle where I talk super fast. I just felt like it needed something simple in the middle of the song. I often used to put a funny little piece in a song just in case I get bored with it. I’d go, ‘Well, maybe this is going on too long. I’ll think of something daft to put in there.’”
“Going For The One” by Yes
“Going For The One” is about possibility and going after what you really want. Its lyrics are actually pretty direct, even though they’re masked by Yes’ distinct rock persona.
Get the idea, cross around the track
Underneath the flank of a thoroughbred racing chaser
Getting the feel as the rhythm flows
Would you like to go and shoot the mountain masses
And here you stand no taller than the grass sees
And should you really chase so hard
The truth of sport plays rings around you.
Photo by: Victor Chavez/WireImage
More The List
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L-R) Guitarist Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek (1950 – 2011), of the British-American rock band America, perform on stage in London, England, January 5, 1972. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images) -
CLARKSTON – JULY 31: American singer and actress, Whitney Houston, performs at the Pine Knob Music Theater during her "Moment of Truth" world tour, on July 31, 1987, in Clarkston, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images) -
British singer-songwriter David Bowie performing at BC Place in Vancouver, during his Serious Moonlight tour, Canada, 9th August 1983. (Photo by Armando Gallo/Getty Images) -
American New Wave group Devo backstage at Max's Kansas City, New York, New York, November 15, 1977. (Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Images) -
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns -
NASHVILLE – OCTOBER 11: Music group Alabama (Pictured left to right) Mark Herndon, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Randy Owen pose for a portrait for The 16th Annual Country Music Association Awards, (CMA Awards show), at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn., October 11, 1982. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) -
Patsy Cline poses for a portrait wearing a fur coat in circa 1958. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
