Pop music has always been a delight, but there’s something about mid-1970s pop bangers that just continue to age well. Let’s look at just a few pop bangers from 1974, specifically, that probably make it to regular rotation just as often as they did on your record player in the mid-1970s.
“If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” by Olivia Newton-John
This Olivia Newton-John classic has stood the test of time. And I think it’s one of the finest works from her country-pop era. Written by John Rostill, this song made it all the way to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974. It also topped the Canada Country Tracks and Cashbox Country Top 75 charts as well. If you were a 70s kid, you might remember Newton-John performing this tune with Andy Gibb of Bee Gees and ABBA on her 1978 TV special, Olivia!
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“Sideshow” by Blue Magic
How about some classic Philadelphia soul that crossed over to the pop charts? “Sideshow” by Blue Magic dropped in 1974 and was a quick hit for the R&B soul group. It topped the R&B charts in the US and also made it all the way to No. 8 on the Hot 100. Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli composed this tune after visiting an antique museum and getting inspired to write a romantic pop hit. They certainly succeeded. “Sideshow” remains one of the vocal quintet’s most memorable tunes, alongside the follow-up “Three Ring Circus”.
“Come And Get Your Love” by Redbone
This might just be the most memorable pop song of 1974, and it’s one of several pop-rock disco-leaning bangers from the band Redbone. This standout track from Wovoka was released in early 1974. It climbed multiple charts within just a few weeks, peaking at No. 5 on the Hot 100 and No. 25 on the Canada Top Singles chart. Written mainly by Lolly Vegas, “Come And Get Your Love” remains a popular tune still in classic rock radio rotation today. And whenever I want a taste of the 70s, personally, I tend to put this song on. Younger fans still enjoy this jam today, too. It was featured on an episode of Reservation Dogs in 2021.
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