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!

Playlist

The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Bohemian RhapsodyQueen		Queen’s classic hit draws renewed attention in a film
2	Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin		Led Zeppelin's innovative music
3	Highway to HellAC/DC		AC/DC’s classic “Highway to Hell,” the soul of rock!
4	Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles		The Eagles’ classic song “Hotel California.”
5	Ziggy StardustDavid Bowie		David Bowie's musical diversity
6	Another Brick in the WallPink Floyd		Introducing Pink Floyd's signature songs
7	ParanoidBlack Sabbath		Black Sabbath, pioneers of metal music
8	DreamsFleetwood Mac		Fleetwood Mac’s classic song, a tale of love and self-discovery
9	Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple		Deep Purple’s signature songs are famous worldwide.
10	Dream OnAerosmith		The appeal of Aerosmith’s signature song “Dream On”
11	Bad BloodNeil Sedaka		Neil Sedaka's rock fusion works
12	LolaThe Kinks		The Kinks, an iconic UK rock band
13	More Than a FeelingBoston		Boston's signature song 'More Than a Feeling'
14	Heart of GlassBlondie		A classic rock song from the 70s, a signature track by Blondie
15	Brown SugarThe Rolling Stones		The Rolling Stones, classic songs of the 1970s
16	LaylaDerek and the Dominos		Eric Clapton’s classic song “Layla”
17	Won’t Get Fooled AgainThe Who		The classic song by the British rock band, The Who
18	This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of UsSparks		Sparks: Over 50 Years of Musical Activity and Originality
19	Born to RunBruce Springsteen		The King of Rock 'n' Roll, Springsteen
20	Anarchy In The U.K.SEX PISTOLS		The Sex Pistols’ musical revolution
21	BarracudaHeart		A landmark of 70s rock, a masterpiece of virtuosic technique
22	Mama Weer All Crazee NowSlade		Signature songs of the rock band Slade
23	RoundaboutYES		Prog rock classic gains renewed attention through anime
24	20th Century BoyT-REX		A glam rock classic, T. Rex
25	Walk This WayAerosmith		Aerosmith’s classic hit, with playboy-style lyrics
26	ChangesDavid Bowie		A Bowie classic that portrays changing times and self
27	MoneyPink Floyd		It’s a classic song with an impressive money sound.
28	I Want You to Want MeCheap Trick		Cheap Trick, who became popular first in Japan
29	Carry On Wayward SonKansas		Kansas song becomes a hot topic in the movie
30	Do It AgainSteely Dan		The Captivating Musical World of Steely Dan
31	StarlessKing Crimson		King Crimson’s music, a captivating epic
32	Because the NightPatti Smith Group		Patti Smith’s signature song “Because the Night”
33	Love GunKISS		KISS’s heavy rock sound explodes
34	The Boys Are Back In TownTHIN LIZZY		The classic Thin Lizzy song “The Boys Are Back in Town.”
35	American GirlTom Petty And The Heartbreakers		An American rock classic, a song of freedom and youth
36	Take It EasyThe Eagles		A classic Eagles masterpiece, an album that stirs the wanderer’s heart
37	Band On The RunPaul McCartney & Wings		A classic song by Paul McCartney’s band, Wings
38	Maggie MayRod Stewart		A classic rock anthem of the ’70s, memories of youth
39	Saturday NightBay City Rollers		A classic by the Bay City Rollers
40	TarkusEmerson Lake&Palmer		A milestone of progressive rock, a masterpiece by ELP
41	(Don’t Fear) The ReaperBlue Oyster Cult		A 70s rock masterpiece that depicts death and love
42	Search and DestroyIggy & The Stooges		Iggy Pop's rebellious cry, the soul of the street
43	Benny and the JetsElton John		Elton John, a classic song by a sci‑fi-style band
44	London CallingThe Clash		The Clash, the pioneering punk rock band
45	Locomotive BreathJethro Tull		Masterpieces and classic albums of 70s progressive rock
46	Just What I NeededThe Cars		New Wave, the dawn of innovative music
47	Easy Livin’Uriah Heep		An addictive classic by a rock band
48	My Sweet LordGeorge Harrison		A rock song that stirs the souls of those born in the ’70s
49	Mr. Blue SkyE.L.O		A classic ELO song—catchy and exhilarating
50	Hot LoveT-REX		A classic by T. Rex, pioneers of glam rock
51	Baba O’RileyThe Who		A famous song by The Who, one of the three greatest rock bands
52	Marquee MoonTelevision		The allure of the guitar, Television’s classic songs
53	My SharonaThe Knack		A coming-of-age love song by a popular rock band from the ’80s
54	We Are the ChampionsQueen		Queen’s signature stadium anthem
55	I’mamanJobriath		A maverick of glam rock, singing in their own way
56	Beauty QueenRoxy Music		Revolutionary band of 70s glam rock
57	Devil Gate DriveSuzi Quatro		A song of freedom and defiance riding on rock 'n' roll
58	I’m Not In Love10cc		A classic from the ’70s that expresses the complexities of love
59	Highway StarDeep Purple		Deep Purple is a great band with many classic songs.
60	Rock And Roll (Part 1 & 2)Gary Glitter		An iconic glitter anthem of the 70s
61	ViciousLou Reed		The shocking world of Lou Reed’s “Transformer”
62	TrashNew York Dolls		A classic song by the punk pioneers, the New York Dolls
63	We’re An American BandGrand Funk Railroad		A song by an American band about self-assertion
64	Baby Hold OnEddie Money		A masterpiece that gives hope to an uncertain life
65	Rock and Roll All NiteKISS		Kiss’s signature song “Rock and Roll” is legendary.
66	Wild HorsesThe Rolling Stones		A love song that compares a dear person to a wild horse
67	Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout LoveVan Halen		A heavy metal classic that depicts the irony of love
68	Sultans of SwingDire Straits		A classic rock anthem of the ’70s: a tale of passion and music
69	Dyna-miteMud		An iconic upbeat rock ’n’ roll song
70	My LovePaul McCartney & Wings		A moving masterpiece that sings of the depth of love
71	Fly By NightRush		Rush’s classic song with a positive message
72	Queen BitchDavid Bowie		The captivating musical world of David Bowie
73	Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel		Steve Harley’s classic song: a tale of betrayal and loneliness
74	La GrangeZZ Top		ZZ Top classic songs, a cross-generational appeal
75	Love of My LifeQueen		A gem of a ballad about love and farewell, a heart-stirring classic
76	All Right NowFree		A classic from the ’70s, a passionate rock of freedom
77	JailbreakTHIN LIZZY		Thin Lizzy's classic song, a masterpiece that captured the hearts of young people
78	LaylaEric Clapton		Clapton’s classic that portrays a heartrending love
79	The Best of My LoveThe Eagles		A poignant love classic by the Eagles