The year 1970 kicked off a decade of groundbreaking music in everything from rock to pop to R&B. That very year yielded a ton of hits, like “Let It Be” by The Beatles and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel. However, 1970 also saw the release of a ton of underrated songs, and we think they’re worth revisiting.
1. “Synthetic World” by Swamp Dogg
Swamp Dogg is pretty underrated, though he did gain a bit of a cult fandom for a while. He’s since enjoyed a resurgence in popularity with collaborations with modern-day musicians like Bon Iver.
Videos by American Songwriter
However, his 1970 track “Synthetic World” is Swamp Dogg at his very best. It’s a soulful, melodic piece of work and one of the best songs from his sorely neglected magnum opus, Total Destruction To Your Mind.
2. “The Letter” by Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker is far from underrated (who else could take a Beatles song and make it even better?), but he does have a few songs in his discography that are indeed underrated, including this killer track from 1970.
“The Letter” boasts Cocker’s unreal vocal prowess in its purest form. And like his rendition of “With A Little Help From My Friends”, this track is a cover of a Box Tops tune.
3. “Exuma, The Obeah Man” by Exuma
This underrated song from 1970 got some love in the 2022 science fiction film Nope when it was included on the film’s soundtrack, among a number of other underrated songs. Honestly, the entirety of this Bahamian legend’s debut self-titled record is essential listening. If you’re not familiar with junkanoo music, this folk song is a beautiful introduction to the genre.
4. “Son Of A Lovin’ Man” by Buchanan Brothers
If any song on this list personifies the early 1970s era, it’s “Son Of A Lovin’ Man” by the Buchanan Brothers. This underrated track got some new love when it was included in the soundtrack for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, and it was an apt addition.
The self-titled album “Son Of A Lovin’ Man” comes from is quite mysterious, too. It has become a cult-favorite rock album among music nerds and historians alike.
Photo by Fotos International/Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.