The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
Western music of the 1970s, which began with the symbolic event that signaled the end of the 1960s—the breakup of The Beatles—saw a wide variety of genres flourish alongside traditional rock, including hard rock, progressive rock, and glam rock, with many stadium bands achieving record-breaking hits.
As a counter-movement, punk rock emerged, making it undeniable that this was a pivotal era in rock history.
In this feature, we present a lineup centered on classic, definitive numbers—masterpieces and hit songs that colored the golden age of Western rock in the ’70s.
It’s a recommended guide for young music fans who are interested in ’70s Western rock but aren’t sure where to start listening!
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The 70s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended masterpieces and hit songs (1–10)
Another Brick in the WallPink Floyd
Pink Floyd, a quintessential product of British progressive rock and a massive stadium band that epitomized the 1970s, achieved tremendous commercial success.
Their “Another Brick In The Wall,” memorable for its children’s chorus, is a rare case of them releasing a single—despite being fundamentally an album-oriented act skeptical of singles—and it became a huge hit in 1979.
It serves as the lead track from the 1979 album The Wall, a conceptual rock opera that posted record-breaking sales, with bassist and vocalist Roger Waters—who drove the album—handling both lyrics and composition.
The heavy disco-inflected beat, the catchy melody, and the meticulously crafted structure are all absolutely top-tier.
The music video, aligned with the song’s lyrical worldview, is also fascinating as a visual work—be sure to check it out alongside the track!
ParanoidBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath is a globally renowned British hard rock band and a seminal presence in the birth of heavy metal.
They continue to be respected across genres by countless artists, from metal subgenres like stoner and black metal all the way to alternative rock.
While one hallmark of the band is how their musical style shifts depending on the era and the vocalist—beginning with beloved rock icon Ozzy Osbourne—the track we’re focusing on here, Paranoid, is one of their signature songs.
It’s the title track of their second album, Paranoid, released in 1970, which reached No.
1 in the UK.
Within Black Sabbath’s often heavy and ominous sound, this song offers an exceptional sense of speed; Tony Iommi’s inventive opening riff and chugging guitar work, combined with Ozzy’s incantatory vocals, even lend it a touch of pop appeal.
It just might become a favorite even for those listening to Black Sabbath for the first time.
DreamsFleetwood Mac
Here’s an introduction to a signature song by Fleetwood Mac that had a major impact on the 1970s rock scene.
Depicting a journey through lost love and self-discovery, the track was born against the backdrop of complex relationships within the band.
It features a soothing sound that incorporates soft rock elements and Stevie Nicks’s enchanting vocals.
Released in March 1977, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Included on the album Rumours, the record spent 31 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.S.
charts.
With lyrics about the end of a romance and the transience of human relationships, the song resonates with many listeners.
It’s a recommended listen for anyone who has experienced heartbreak or wants to take a closer look at themselves.
Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple
If you play guitar, even if you’re not particularly into hard rock, chances are you’ve tried copying the guitar riff from the intro of this song at least once, right? Smoke on the Water is a signature track by Deep Purple—one of the greatest hard rock bands to come out of the UK and a massive influence on later heavy metal bands—and it’s an incredibly famous classic of 70s hard rock.
Included on the landmark 1972 album Machine Head, it was released as a single in 1973 and even broke into the U.S.
Top 10, cementing the band’s worldwide popularity.
The riff by the legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is nothing short of iconic—stripped down to the extreme yet supremely heavy and cool—hardly something that needs saying at this point.
The organ tone from keyboardist Jon Lord is equally cool, and from the standpoint of band ensemble, you could call this a perfect song.
Bad BloodNEW!Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka, a quintessential American singer-songwriter who made a dramatic comeback in the mid-1970s.
The track I’d recommend as a work where he embraced rock elements and broke new ground is “Bad Blood.” Its appeal lies in the sound where the groove created by pounding piano lines interlocks with his energetic vocals.
It’s also known for featuring his close friend Elton John on backing vocals.
The hook in the chorus, where their voices blend, is unforgettable after just one listen.
Released as a single in September 1975, it achieved overwhelming success, including three consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.S.
Billboard chart.
It’s also included on the U.S.
edition of the album The Hungry Years.
Perfect for when you want to lift your spirits or savor classic pop-rock.