Glam rock, which took the world by storm in the 1970s with glitter-drenched makeup and flamboyant costumes.
It went beyond mere fashion, revolutionizing the music scene with genderless expression and highly artistic songs.
Although it is now recognized as an important subgenre of rock, at the time it was a shocking presence that overturned existing values.
In this article, we introduce glam rock from its birth and development to the signature songs that defined its golden era.
Enjoy the musical innovation hidden behind the flashy outfits and the timeless allure that never fades with age!
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The allure of 70s glam rock! A collection of classic songs that colored a dazzling chapter of music history (1–10)
The Ballroom BlitzSWEET
Sweet are a British band who debuted in the late 1960s, rode the wave of the glam rock boom in the 1970s to success, and then evolved along their own path as a band.
When it comes to their representative song from the glam rock era, it has to be The Ballroom Blitz, released in 1973.
Its Japanese title—literally something like “Madly in Love with Rock ’n’ Roll”—is unforgettable, and the track’s ultra-catchy, crisp guitar riff stands out.
Covered by many bands, it’s remembered as a timeless classic.
Ziggy StardustDavid Bowie
This is an emblematic work from English artist David Bowie’s landmark album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, released in June 1972.
The song lies at the heart of the story depicting the glory and downfall of a rock star from outer space.
You can almost picture the alien protagonist leading his band and furiously thrashing his guitar.
Listeners are instantly captivated by his overwhelming charisma and the allure that hints at a ruinous, destructive edge.
The famous anecdote of Bowie himself announcing the end of the character at a July 1973 concert is well known.
Why not give it a listen when you want to experience a powerful individuality that shatters conventional boundaries?
Rock And Roll (Part 1 & 2)Gary Glitter
This is the debut single by UK artist Gary Glitter, whose glitter-clad outfits came to symbolize the 1970s.
Released in March 1972, it spent three consecutive weeks at No.
2 on the UK charts.
The track is structured in two parts: a vocal section that serves as an ode to rock ’n’ roll, and an instrumental section built solely on a driving rhythm and repeated shouts of “Hey.” Its sheer, unfiltered exhilaration has the power to sweep listeners into a frenzy in an instant.
It was also included on his debut album, Glitter, and many may remember its memorable use in the film Joker.
Give it a listen when you want to feel that stadium-shaking sense of unity.
All The Young DudesMOTT THE HOOPLE
Also known by its striking Japanese title “Subete no Wakaki Yarō-domo,” Mott the Hoople’s 1972 hit “All the Young Dudes”—famously provided by David Bowie—is invariably cited as a quintessential glam rock classic.
Thanks to its success not only in the UK but also in the US, it became the band’s signature song.
The anthemic melody, the distinctive organ tones, and that faintly decadent atmosphere are all irresistibly cool.
Queen BitchDavid Bowie
David Bowie, the British artist who kept revolutionizing the music scene with his ever-changing style.
Featured on the December 1971 album Hunky Dory, this track can be called a dazzling prelude to his glam rock era.
As Mick Ronson’s aggressive guitar riff rings out, a perverse world swirling with jealousy and longing unfolds before your eyes.
From his apartment, the protagonist watches the person who dumped him wandering the nighttime streets, his feelings a complex tangle.
You can’t help but be captivated by its decadent beauty.
The song later appeared as the B-side to the single Rebel Rebel and is also known for its use in the film Milk.
Why not give it a listen when you want to feel the precarious air lurking beneath the glitter of the 1970s?
Cum On Feel The NoizeSlade
You’ve probably heard its dynamic riff and unforgettable chorus somewhere! Slade, a powerhouse band that rose to popularity with a style between glam rock and hard rock, delivered one of the genre’s indispensable classics with their signature anthem “Cum On Feel The Noize.” As evidenced by Quiet Riot’s later cover becoming a massive hit, the song combines both an aggressive edge beloved by metal bands and a glamorous vibe—how cool is that? The lyrics and music were written by Slade’s vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea.
Search and DestroyIggy & The Stooges
This is a track by the American band Iggy and the Stooges, often hailed as the godfathers of protopunk.
Released as a single in June 1973, it was also included on the landmark album Raw Power, mixed by glam rock icon David Bowie.
The song voices the feelings of a young person who thinks society has abandoned them, calling themselves a “cheetah walking down the street,” torn between destructive impulses and a hunger for recognition.
Its machine-gun-like guitar riff and feral vocals radiate a raw energy that stands apart from glittering glam rock.
It was memorably used in Wes Anderson’s film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
When you feel the urge to tear everything down, why not surrender yourself to this roaring wall of sound?