By decade

1970s songs, explained.

Every song from the 1970s in the archive: what it is about, who wrote it and what it did on the charts, listed by artist. Years come from each song's own page.

Songs explained

Artists

1970s

Decade

All Rock Pop R&B & Soul Hip-Hop Folk & Country Latin & Reggae Electronic

49 songs

Sorted by artist

ABBA Dancing QueenDelve into the shimmering world of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen.' Explore its themes of youthful exuberance, musical composition, chart success, and lasting cultural… 1976 ABBA FernandoDelve into the heartwarming narrative, historical context, and timeless appeal of ABBA's 'Fernando.' Explore its lyrics, global success, and enduring emotional… 1976 ABBA Knowing Me, Knowing YouDelve into the poignant story, melodic genius, and enduring appeal of ABBA's 'Knowing Me, Knowing You.' Uncover its lyrics, chart history, and emotional… 1976 ABBA Mamma MiaDelve into the catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and enduring appeal of ABBA's 'Mamma Mia.' Discover its themes, chart history, and cultural impact. 1975 ABBA Voulez-VousDelve into the vibrant energy, disco influences, and lyrical intrigue of ABBA's 'Voulez-Vous.' Uncover the song's meaning, chart performance, and enduring… 1979 ABBA WaterlooDelve into the infectious energy and historical metaphor of ABBA's Eurovision-winning hit 'Waterloo.' Discover its catchy lyrics, themes of romantic surrender… 1974 AC/DC Highway to HellPlug into the story behind AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell.' Explore the relentless riff, touring lore, lyrical mythology, chart impact, and why this rock anthem… 1979 Al Green Let's Stay TogetherWhat Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' means: a vow made in advance of the trouble, not after it. How Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson Jr built it at Hi Records… 1971 Bill Withers Ain't No SunshineWhat 'Ain't No Sunshine' means: the film that inspired it, the 26 repeats of 'I know' that were meant to be finished lyrics, and the B-side that made a factory… 1971 Bob Marley No Woman, No CryNo Woman No Cry meaning explained: Bob Marley is telling a woman not to cry. Explore the Jamaican phrase, Trenchtown memories, hope, and Vincent Ford. 1974 Boney M. Rivers of BabylonDelve into the history, biblical meaning, and cultural impact of Boney M.'s iconic 'Rivers of Babylon.' Explore its lyrics, disco roots, and lasting legacy. 1978 Bruce Springsteen BadlandsDive into the heartland angst and rebellious spirit of Bruce Springsteen's 'Badlands.' Explore its themes of working-class struggle, resilience, and the search… 1978 Chicago If you leave me nowExplore the heartfelt plea and timeless sound of Chicago's 'If You Leave Me Now.' Dive into its themes of love, desperation, and the iconic string and horn… 1976 Creedence Clearwater Revival Have You Ever Seen the Rain?Explore the meaning and legacy of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain?' with lyrical insights, historical context, themes of impending… 1971 David Bowie Life on Mars?What David Bowie's 'Life on Mars?' means: its disillusioned heroine, surreal media images, My Way connection, and cinematic arrangement explained. 1971 Deep Purple Smoke on the WaterUncover the true story and meaning behind Deep Purple's iconic rock anthem 'Smoke on the Water.' Explore its famous guitar riff, lyrics about the Montreux… 1972 Dolly Parton JoleneExplore the heartbreaking plea and raw vulnerability of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene.' Dive into its lyrics about jealousy and fear of losing a loved one, its iconic… 1974 Don McLean American PieExplore the rich history, deep symbolism, and legendary status of Don McLean's iconic song 'American Pie.' Uncover the meaning behind this cultural masterpiece… 1971 Electric Light Orchestra Mr. Blue SkyStep into the sunshine of Electric Light Orchestra's 'Mr. Blue Sky.' Discover its creation in the Swiss Alps, orchestral pop fusion, lyrical optimism, chart… 1977 Elton John Candle in the WindUnpack the enduring legacy of Elton John's 'Candle in the Wind.' Explore the song's origin, lyrical symbolism, chart history, instrumentation, Diana tribute… 1973 Elton John DanielUncover the poignant story and emotional depth of Elton John's classic song 'Daniel.' Explore its lyrical themes of war, loss, and a brother's love, alongside… 1973 Elton John Rocket ManDive into the captivating narrative and emotional landscape of Elton John's 'Rocket Man.' Explore themes, lyrics, and the song's enduring impact on music… 1972 Frank Zappa Bobby BrownDive into the satirical and controversial world of Frank Zappa's 'Bobby Brown (Goes Down).' Explore its provocative lyrics, biting social commentary, and… 1979 Heart BarracudaDive into the angry true story behind Heart's 'Barracuda.' A hard rock anthem about sexism, corporate greed, and the 'porpoise' scandal. 1977 John Lennon ImagineWhat John Lennon's 'Imagine' means: a political song Lennon said was accepted only because it was sugar-coated. Yoko Ono's Grapefruit, the credit that took 46… 1971 José Feliciano Feliz NavidadDiscover the meaning behind José Feliciano's 'Feliz Navidad' - the bilingual Christmas anthem that bridges cultures. Explore the song's origin story, its… 1970 Led Zeppelin KashmirJourney through Led Zeppelin's epic masterpiece 'Kashmir.' Explore its monumental riff, orchestral grandeur, mystical lyrics inspired by desert landscapes, and… 1975 Led Zeppelin Stairway to HeavenExplore the legendary 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin. Discover its themes, intricate composition, cultural impact, and timeless lyrics. 1971 Marvin Gaye What's Going OnDive into the social commentary, soulful melodies, and enduring legacy of Marvin Gaye's masterpiece 'What's Going On.' Explore its themes of justice, peace… 1971 Neil Young Old ManWhat Neil Young's 'Old Man' means: not a song to his father, but to Louis Avila, the caretaker of the ranch Young had just bought — and the question Avila… 1972 Pink Floyd Another Brick in the WallWhat Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' means: three separate songs, only one about school. The 23 children who sang it for nothing, the disco beat the… 1979 Pink Floyd Comfortably NumbExplore the profound meaning of Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb.' Dive into its themes of emotional detachment, the doctor-patient narrative, and iconic guitar… 1979 Pink Floyd Wish You Were HereDelve into Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here,' a tribute to Syd Barrett exploring themes of absence and alienation. Discover its lyrics, composition, and… 1975 Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet MotherDiscover the heartfelt meaning, cultural significance, and enduring legacy of Prince Nico Mbarga's iconic hit, 'Sweet Mother.' Explore its lyrics, history, and… 1976 Queen Bohemian RhapsodyDive into the operatic grandeur, lyrical enigma, and revolutionary impact of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Uncover its meaning, lyrics, chart history, and… 1975 Queen Crazy Little Thing Called LoveDelve into the upbeat energy and playful charm of Queen's 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love.' Uncover its rockabilly roots, infectious lyrics, and lasting impact… 1979 Queen We Will Rock YouWhat Queen's 'We Will Rock You' means: Brian May — not Freddie Mercury — wrote it after a crowd in Stafford sang back at the band. The three ages of one man… 1977 Ramones Blitzkrieg BopWhat 'Blitzkrieg Bop' means: it is about the audience, not the war. Where 'Hey ho, let's go' came from, the line Dee Dee changed, and how a two-minute song… 1976 Rod Stewart Maggie MayUnravel Rod Stewart's classic 'Maggie May.' Explore its lyrics about a young man's bittersweet romance with an older woman, coming-of-age, and nostalgia. 1971 Rod Stewart The first Cut is the DeepestDiscover the meaning, lyrics, and story behind Rod Stewart's 'The First Cut Is the Deepest.' Explore song analysis, background, and why this classic remains a… 1977 The Beatles Let It BeUncover the profound meaning, historical context, and musical genius behind The Beatles' timeless classic, 'Let It Be.' Explore its lyrics, chart success, and… 1970 The Eagles Hotel CaliforniaUnravel the enigmatic masterpiece 'Hotel California' by The Eagles. Explore its allegorical themes of excess, the California dream, its iconic guitar solos… 1977 The Police Message in a BottleDive into the narrative depth, emotional resonance, and enduring legacy of The Police's hit 'Message in a Bottle.' Discover its themes, lyrics, and cultural… 1979 The Police RoxanneDive into the emotional narrative of 'Roxanne' by The Police. Explore its themes of love, longing, and heartbreak while unraveling its cultural significance. 1978 The Rolling Stones AngieDelve into the poignant beauty and lasting legacy of The Rolling Stones' 'Angie.' Discover its heartfelt lyrics, chart performance, and the story behind this… 1973 The Rolling Stones Wild HorsesDelve into the poignant beauty and raw emotion of The Rolling Stones' 'Wild Horses.' Explore its meaning, lyrics, history, chart performance, and enduring… 1971 The Who Baba O'RileyWhat 'Baba O'Riley' by The Who means: the song everyone calls 'Teenage Wasteland', written for the abandoned Lifehouse opera, named… 1971 Tina Turner Nutbush City LimitsDelve into the raw energy, autobiographical storytelling, and enduring legacy of Tina Turner's iconic 'Nutbush City Limits.' Explore its lyrics, themes of… 1973 Village People YMCADive into the cultural significance, celebratory spirit, and enduring legacy of Village People's iconic anthem 'YMCA.' Discover its lyrics, chart achievements… 1978

About this list

Every entry sets out what a song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Lyrics are quoted only as far as an explanation needs. Missing a song? Suggest it and it goes on the list. Back to all songs.