The 1970s was an incredible time for music. And many of the greatest tunes of the decade came out around the mid-to-late 1970s. Because so much incredible music hit the airwaves in those later years, quite a few genuinely good songs have been buried under the heft of bigger, chart-topping hits. Let’s take a look at just a couple of late 1970s songs that we think are a bit underrated… or at the very least, very much worth revisiting!
1. “Do The Du” by A Certain Ratio
The post-punk movement was inspired by many bands, the most underrated of which being A Certain Radio. “Do The Du” is one of their very best songs, complete with a solid rhythm, groovy energy, and excellent vocals that sound almost like a prayer. We think it was ahead of its time, yet perfect for its era all the same.
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2. “Time Goes By So Slow” by Distractions
Underrated 1970s songs are a dime a dozen. However, we just can’t wrap our heads around how “Time Goes By So Slow” by Distractions didn’t get more love when it was released in 1979. Even today, it doesn’t have much in the way of streams.
“Time Goes By So Slow” is unbelievably catchy and a solid example of the top-notch punk-slash-new-wave tunes Manchester bands were putting out at the time.
3. “Outdoor Miner” by WIRE
The late 1970s was the era of English post-punk bands. Quite a few excellent songs in the genre slipped through the cracks. “Outdoor Miner” by WIRE only made it to no. 51 on the UK singles chart in the late 1970s, and we think it deserved to go further. It’s an excellent jangle pop tune with a youthful energy to it that you just don’t hear in similar types of songs from that era.
4. “Good Times” by Chic
“Good Times” by Chic is one of the most underrated 1970s disco songs ever, particularly when it comes to that snazzy bass line. You might remember the song itself, considering it is legendary; but do you actually remember Chic as a band? Exactly. They deserved better, we’d say!
“Good Times” is a classic little slice of disco that aged pretty well. And that’s owed to each member of the band being genuinely talented guitarists, pianists, and vocalists.
Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns
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