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 1970s: The Golden Age of Western Rock! Recommended Classics and Hit Songs (21–30)
ChangesDavid Bowie
A pioneering figure of the glam rock genre, David Bowie is a singer-songwriter from England.
This song is included on Hunky Dory, his fourth album, released in 1971.
It sings about oneself and the surrounding circumstances gradually changing.
His bright, clear vocals really resonate with the heart.
RoundaboutYES
The bass riff is awesome! It’s included on the album “Fragile,” released in 1971 by the British progressive band YES.
The ever-engaging song structure and catchy choral work are captivating.
In Japan, it gained attention when it was used as the ending theme for the 2012 anime “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.”
Walk This WayAerosmith
This is a song by Aerosmith, known as a rock band from the East Coast of the United States.
Even if you don’t know the title, many people have probably heard the guitar riff in the intro.
It was included on the 1975 album “Toys in the Attic.” The lyrics depict the actions and words of a playboy protagonist.
Mama Weer All Crazee NowSlade
This is a song by Slade, a rock band from the West Midlands in the United Kingdom.
It’s included on their 1972 album “Slayed?”.
The upbeat sound is enough to make you feel good just by listening to it.
20th Century BoyT-REX
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it one of the most famous songs in the genre known as glam rock.
With its truly “glamorous,” hard-edged guitar sound, memorable riffs, pop melodies, and thick female backing vocals, it’s a quintessential 1970s killer tune that grabs listeners and won’t let go.
It’s a classic released in 1973 by T.
Rex, led by the legendary rocker Marc Bolan, who died young.
The song has maintained enduring popularity, covered by countless musicians and bands worldwide and used in commercials and film themes.
In fact, there’s a backstory: the track was recorded in 1972 at Toshiba EMI’s studio in Akasaka, Tokyo, when T.
Rex made their first visit to Japan.
Their popularity in Japan was phenomenal—strong enough to sell out the Nippon Budokan—so it’s a nice bit of history that a masterpiece etched into rock history was born in a country that so dearly loved the band.
Take It EasyThe Eagles
As you listen, it somehow makes you want to go on a journey—it’s a classic.
This is the debut single by the Eagles, a rock band that was active on the U.S.
West Coast.
It was released in 1972.
The melancholic guitar sound is striking.
It’s also widely known in Japan as background music for the TV show “Let’s Stay in the Countryside!”
I Want You to Want MeCheap Trick
There are many bands whose popularity first caught fire in Japan rather than in their home countries, and Cheap Trick from Illinois, USA, is a prime example.
Debuting in 1977, they first became popular in Japan as mentioned at the outset, and on their very first visit they immediately pulled off a successful show at the Nippon Budokan.
The 1978 classic Cheap Trick at Budokan, which captured that performance, was “re-imported” to the U.S., broke into the Top 10 on the charts, and led to the band joining the ranks of popular acts in their home country—a trajectory that feels very much like something unique to the golden age of Western pop in the 1970s.
Their signature song I Want You to Want Me, also known in Japan by the title Amai Wana (“Sweet Trap”), pairs a bouncy rhythm with an irresistibly catchy melody that makes your heart flutter just by listening.
It’s a classic of so-called power pop, and its fusion of loud guitars and sweet melody shines with a brilliance that will never fade.