20 iconic pop songs that defined the '70s

In 1977, the Bee Gees released their iconic disco track “Stayin’ Alive,” which was a single from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The song was heard in a critical scene from the film in which John Travolta struts down the street. 

“I Wish” was the lead single of Stevie Wonder’s critically-acclaimed album Songs in the Key of Life. On the track, Wonder reflects on his upbringing and expresses a desire to go back in time to relive those simpler days. 

In 1976, pop group ABBA released their fourth album Arrival, which featured the hit single “Dancing Queen.” On the track, the group describes a young woman who’s looking to have a good time on the dance floor. As they sing on the hook, “You can dance, you can jive / Having the time of your life / Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene / Diggin' the dancing queen.”

Michael Jackson truly came into his own as a solo artist with the release of his fifth album Off the Wall. The second single “Rock With You” was produced by Quincy Jones and written by Rod Temperton. On the track, Jackson wants to dance and spend some intimate time with his partner. As he says in the second verse, “Out on the floor / There ain't nobody there but us / Girl, when you dance / There's a magic that must be love.” 

In 1977, rock band the Eagles released one of their signature tracks, “Hotel California.” On the single, the band describes the high life of being in California, from women to weather. “Hotel California” became a Hot 100 chart-topper and won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. 

Donna Summer is known as the Queen of Disco, and her 1978 single “Last Dance” is one of the signature tracks of the genre. While the song starts off as a ballad, it soon moves into the disco uptempo feel as Summer sings about having a last dance with a potential partner. 

In 1970, The Beatles released their hit song “Let It Be.” On the track, the band reflects on the notion that people shouldn’t sweat the small things and realize that sometimes you have to roll with life’s punches. As they sing on the first verse, "And in my hour of darkness / She is standing right in front of me / Speaking words of wisdom / Let it be."

Marvin Gaye’s 1977 single “Got to Give It Up” is the perfect track for wallflowers who may be too nervous to dance around other people. His feelings are evident from the beginning of the track as he sings, “I used to go out to parties / And stand around / ‘Cause I was too nervous / To really get down / But my body yearned to be free / I got up on the floor and thought / ‘Somebody could choose me.’"

Carly Simon is calling out an egocentric man on her 1972 hit single “You’re So Vain.” As she sings on the second verse, “You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive / Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair and that you would never leave / But you gave away the things you loved / And one of them was me.”

The beginning of the autumn season is upon us once Earth, Wind & Fire’s hit single “September” is in the rotation. On the track, the group describes how they fell in love during that month, as they sing, “Do you remember / The twenty-first night of September? / Love was changin' the minds of pretenders / While chasin' the clouds away.”

Rock band Fleetwood Mac gives the perspective of someone contemplating the end of a relationship on their hit song “Dreams.” It’s evident from Stevie Nicks as she sings, “Now, here you go again / You say you want your freedom  / Well, who am I to keep you down?"

Elton John puts his feelings and vulnerability on full display for a lover on his 1970 single “Your Song.” On the track, he mentions that he may not have much for his lover, but he wants them to hear this song he wrote for them, about how life can be beautiful. 

Girl group Sister Sledge wants the world to know how close of a sibling bond they have on their hit single “We Are Family.” Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the song is easily a perfect track that tends to be heard at family reunions. As the sisters sing in the first verse, “All of the people around us, they say / ‘Can they be that close?’ / Just let me state for the record / We're giving love in a family dose.”

Rock band Led Zepellin’s 1971 track “Stairway to Heaven” has one of those smooth guitar chords that instantly draw a listener in. The song insinuates that a person has a choice between a material life or more of a spiritual one. Although it was never released as a single in the US, it’s one of Led Zeppelin’s signature songs.

The Isley Brothers are interested in a woman who caught their eye on their hit track “That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2.” As they sing on the first verse, “Hear me calling out to you / ‘Cause that's all that I can do / Your eyes tell me to pursue / But you say, 'Look, yeah, but don't touch, baby.'"

Disco band Chic has everyone running to the dance floor with their 1978 hit song “Le Freak.” On the track, they’re describing a new dance craze that is sure to put anyone in a groove. As they sing on the first verse, “Young and old are doing it, I'm told / Just one try, and you too will be sold / It's called Le Freak, they're doing it night and day / Allow us, we'll show you the way.” The song was No. 1 on the disco charts for seven consecutive weeks. 

Bobby Caldwell shares the perspective of a man who’s been hit with the love bug on his single “What You Won’t Do For Love.” He’s in tune with his feelings and he wants his lover to know, as he sings, “My friends wonder what is wrong with me / Well, I'm in a daze from your love, you see / I came back to let you know / Got a thing for you and I can't let it go.”

“Oye Como Va” was originally released by Tito Puente in 1962, but the song saw mainstream success when it was covered by rock band Santana in 1971. Although the song is very minimal with lyrics, it’s the type of track that draws listeners in because of the instrumentation. Santana’s version became a big hit and reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Disco group Village People released their hit song “Y.M.C.A.” in 1978, and it became one of their best-selling singles. On the track, the group expresses how there’s no need for young men to feel down when they could easily get their spirits back up by hanging out at the Y.M.C.A.

Rock band Boston came onto the scene in 1976 with the debut single “More Than a Feeling.” On the track, the protagonist gives the perspective of someone who starts thinking of a lady named Marianne after he hears a particular song. As they sing on the hook, “It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling) / When I hear that old song they used to play (More than a feeling) / And I begin dreaming (More than a feeling) / 'Til I see Marianne walk away.”