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 were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs (31–40)
American GirlTom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the ones who created a masterpiece that can be called a symbol of American rock.
This work, which tells the story of an American girl pursuing youth and freedom, truly stands as a monument to ’70s rock.
Released in November 1976 as a track on the album “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers,” it didn’t become a major hit at first, but was later reappraised and came to be loved by many fans.
Its use in the film “The Silence of the Lambs” also drew attention, boosting its universality and recognition.
It’s a perfect song for anyone who wants to chase their dreams or reminisce about their youth.
Easy Livin’Uriah Heep
The bouncy rhythm is wonderful.
It’s a song by the English rock band Uriah Heep.
It was included on their 1972 album “Demons and Wizards.” Once you hear it, you’ll want to listen again—a highly addictive track.
Saturday NightBay City Rollers
In Japan, it’s well known through commercial jingles and covers by famous artists.
It’s a song by the pop rock band Bay City Rollers from the UK, Scotland.
It was included on their 1974 album Rollin’.
The exciting, upbeat sound is great.
TarkusEmerson Lake&Palmer
This is a song by the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, affectionately known as “ELP.” It’s the epitome of progressive rock—a suite running over 20 minutes in total.
It was released in 1971.
London CallingThe Clash
In the 1970s, Western music saw rock band concerts drawing skyrocketing crowds, giving rise to terms like “stadium rock” and “arena rock.” As a counter to this bloated form of rock, punk rock emerged.
Without delving into the full historical context here, one of the definitive representatives of London punk—which is said to have begun around 1976—and a band that remains beloved alongside the Sex Pistols as an enduring symbol of the movement, is The Clash.
Blending the raw thrills of straight-ahead punk with reggae and dub, R&B, rockabilly, and jazz, they also found success in the United States.
Their 1979 masterpiece London Calling, and particularly its title track, is packed with elements that showcase The Clash’s uniqueness.
Politically charged lyrics, reggae-inflected beats, rough-and-ready guitar backing, and the punkish vocals of the now-late charismatic Joe Strummer—countless bands have drawn inspiration from this style.
If you approach this song expecting the typical punk image of “fast and short,” you’re in for a surprise!
The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs (41–50)
Benny and the JetsElton John
Opening with audience cheers and a striking piano riff, this track appears to be influenced by the glam rock boom and was crafted by the legendary British musician Elton John.
Included on the classic 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and released as a single in February 1974, it soared to No.
1 on the U.S.
charts.
The song depicts a fervor for a futuristic, sci-fi-style fictional band.
You can practically picture their stage show—dazzling costumes and performances that captivate the crowd.
Its live-like immediacy, despite being a studio recording, transports you to the glittering world of the 1970s.
Why not give it a listen on a night when you want to forget the everyday and lose yourself in a sparkling spectacle?
Just What I NeededThe Cars
Swapping in as the punk rock boom faded, the genre known as “New Wave,” which surged in popularity from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, had many subgenres and an admittedly vague definition.
True to its name, it was a new musical style that incorporated a wide range of elements—electronic music, disco, world music, and even contemporary classical—into traditional rock and pop.
The Cars, the subject of this piece, debuted in that New Wave era and became a worldwide hit-making American band, known for their innovative musicality and highly polished live performances said to be indistinguishable from their studio recordings.
Their 1978 debut single “Just What I Needed”—released in Japan under the striking title “Moeru Yokubō” (“Burning Desire”)—is both a signature song and a bona fide classic.
Benjamin Orr, the handsome bassist and vocalist, delivered a sweet vocal, and the irresistibly catchy melody, loud guitars, and ringing keyboard lines were greeted with astonishment as a fresh style that somehow hadn’t existed before.