Do you yearn for simpler times and (arguably) better music? The year 1970 produced hits that would set the musical tone for the rest of the decade, and Iโm a big fan of the following three nostalgic songs, specifically. Letโs take a walk down memory lane, shall we? You probably know all of these songs by heart, especially if you were alive to hear them debut.
โLet It Beโ by The Beatles
โLet It Beโ could easily be considered the most famous song of the 1970s. Itโs one of the band’s final songs, the title track of their final album, and an endlessly rewarding tune that has stood the test of time. Written by Paul McCartney, โLet It Beโ features so many amazing elements that made The Beatles as good as they were. George Harrisonโs guitar solo is stunning. McCartney takes on quite a few roles, singing lead and playing a variety of instruments. Itโs a classic that will absolutely never get old.
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โBlack Magic Womanโ by Santana
โBlack Magic Womanโ by Santana is one of the bandโs most famous songs, but it actually isnโt โtheirโ song. The original โBlack Magic Womanโ is a Fleetwood Mac classic that was released in 1968. I love the OG version, but Santanaโs 1970 version has a special place in my heart as well. While the original song did well in the UK, Santanaโs electrifying Latin rock rendition was a huge hit stateside, hitting No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1970. Itโs packed with Carlos Santanaโs finest solos, and I continue to find fresh interest in this song, years after it was first released.
โWar Pigsโ by Black Sabbath
This is one of my favorite Black Sabbath songs. And itโs also one of the most nostalgic songs to come out in the year 1970. “War Pigs” is a killer heavy metal anti-war protest song, and thereโs no song that would have been better-suited to open up Paranoid than this one. A songwriting effort that involved the entire band, โWar Pigsโ has been used countless times through the years as a protest song, proving that Black Sabbath never really went out of style. If youโre mad about the state of the world, this song will probably amp you up. Ozzy Osbourneโs vocals are on another level here.
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