Back in Time Today
The 1970s gave us some of the most unforgettable music in history—both amazingly good and painfully bad. Bell bottoms, disco balls, and rock anthems defined this wild decade of musical experimentation.
Whether you lived through this era or just discovered these tunes later, join me as we rank the absolute worst offenders and the timeless masterpieces that emerged from this colorful decade.
10. “Seasons in the Sun” – Terry Jacks (1974)
A tearjerker that makes most listeners cringe rather than cry. This melodramatic farewell song dominated radio stations despite its syrupy lyrics and overly sentimental delivery. Based on a French song, Jacks transformed it into a commercial hit that sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Yet its repetitive chorus and maudlin storytelling make it the musical equivalent of a bad soap opera. The song’s saccharine quality hasn’t improved with age, making it the perfect opening to our worst songs countdown. Even die-hard ’70s music fans typically reach for the skip button when this track begins.
9. “Disco Duck” – Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots (1976)
Radio DJ Rick Dees somehow convinced millions to buy a novelty song featuring duck noises over a disco beat. The track tells the bizarre tale of a man who suddenly starts dancing and quacking like a duck at a disco club. Despite its ridiculous premise, this feathered fiasco reached #1 on the Billboard charts. The song’s success proves that the ’70s were truly a different time in music history. Featuring cringe-worthy duck impressions throughout, the track feels like an inside joke that somehow escaped the studio. Listening to it now feels like musical punishment rather than entertainment.
8. “Afternoon Delight” – Starland Vocal Band (1976)
Masquerading as an innocent folk tune, this Grammy-winning track is actually packed with thinly veiled sexual references that make modern listeners squirm. The four-part harmonies can’t disguise the awkwardness of lyrics about “skyrockets in flight.” The band won Best New Artist at the Grammys but quickly faded into one-hit wonder territory. Their legacy remains this uncomfortable ode to midday intimacy that somehow became a family radio staple. Most disturbing is how many people sang along without realizing what they were actually celebrating. The song’s cheerful melody contrasts jarringly with its suggestive content, creating a truly uncomfortable listening experience.
7. “Muskrat Love” – Captain & Tennille (1976)
Only in the ’70s could a love song about rodent romance become a hit. The husband-wife duo of Captain & Tennille somehow thought listeners wanted to hear about muskrats named Susie and Sam getting cozy together. The track features bizarre synthesizer sounds mimicking muskrat noises during their romantic encounter. Legend has it they even performed this oddity at a White House dinner for Queen Elizabeth II – a diplomatic incident narrowly averted. Despite its strange concept, the song reached #4 on the charts. Its saccharine sweetness combined with its peculiar subject matter makes it a prime example of ’70s music gone terribly wrong.
6. “(You’re) Having My Baby” – Paul Anka (1974)
Paul Anka’s cringe-inducing celebration of pregnancy hasn’t aged well at all. The lyrics praise a woman for “having his baby” while emphasizing what “a lovely way of saying how much she loves him.” Feminists immediately criticized the song for its possessive tone and portrayal of women. Despite the controversy (or perhaps because of it), the track topped the charts for three weeks. The song’s message feels particularly tone-deaf today, with Anka seemingly patting himself on the back throughout. Even in 1974, many recognized this as a misstep for the otherwise talented songwriter who gave us classics like “My Way.”
5. “Feelings” – Morris Albert (1975)
Brazilian singer Morris Albert created the ultimate easy-listening nightmare with this mind-numbingly repetitive ballad. The word “feelings” appears 27 times in the lyrics, as if Albert ran out of other words to use. The song’s blandness made it perfect elevator music, yet somehow it reached #6 on the Billboard charts. Later, Albert lost a plagiarism lawsuit when it was determined he had copied the melody from a 1956 song by Louis Gasté. Despite being widely mocked and parodied, “Feelings” became a staple of lounge singers everywhere. Its saccharine sentimentality without any specific emotional depth makes it the musical equivalent of a greeting card from the discount bin.
4. “Convoy” – C.W. McCall (1975)
This novelty country song about truck drivers using CB radio slang somehow became a #1 hit in America. Filled with incomprehensible trucker jargon like “10-4 good buddy” and “bear in the air,” most listeners couldn’t understand half the lyrics. The song rode the wave of a short-lived CB radio craze that swept the nation. It even inspired an equally forgettable movie of the same name starring Kris Kristofferson. Beneath its catchy chorus lies a confusing narrative about truckers forming a convoy to crash through roadblocks and evade police. The song’s popularity remains a head-scratching mystery and a testament to the bizarre musical tastes of the mid-’70s.
3. “Playground in My Mind” – Clint Holmes (1973)
This saccharine track features a children’s chorus singing “My name is Michael, I got a nickel” over and over until listeners contemplate throwing their radios out the window. Holmes’ adult vocals contrast awkwardly with the childish lyrics and melody. The song inexplicably reached #2 on the charts despite its nursery-rhyme quality. Its cloying sweetness and repetitive structure make it nearly unbearable for adult listeners. Even worse, the melody sticks in your head for days afterward, like a musical parasite you can’t shake. The song’s success proves that sometimes the most annoying tunes become the biggest hits, a phenomenon that continues to plague music charts to this day.
2. “Having a Party” – The Osmonds (1974)
The Osmonds were masters of bubblegum pop, but this track takes their sugary sound to tooth-decaying levels. The forced enthusiasm and artificial energy make it sound like they’re trying to convince themselves they’re having fun. Released when disco was taking over, this outdated piece of fluff felt like a desperate attempt to stay relevant. The repetitive chorus and lack of any meaningful lyrics make it a prime example of style over substance. Even die-hard Osmond fans typically rank this among their least favorite tracks. The song’s relentless cheerfulness feels manufactured and hollow, like a commercial jingle stretched to an unbearable length.
1. “My Ding-a-Ling” – Chuck Berry (1972)
The rock legend’s only #1 hit was unfortunately this juvenile novelty song filled with obvious double entendres about a child’s toy. The audience participation and Berry’s knowing delivery make the innuendo impossible to ignore. The fact that this childish track outperformed classics like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Roll Over Beethoven” is a musical tragedy. Berry himself seemed to treat it as a joke, but the joke hasn’t aged well. Critics were baffled by its success, with one famously writing: “If this is what the public wants, they deserve what they get.” The song remains a bizarre footnote in the career of one of rock’s greatest pioneers and our pick for the worst song of the decade.
10. “Superstition” – Stevie Wonder (1972)
Stevie Wonder created this funk masterpiece by first laying down that iconic drum beat himself, then adding the unforgettable clavinet riff that opens the song. The track showcases his musical genius at its peak during his classic period. The lyrics warn against believing in superstitions while the groove makes it impossible to sit still. Wonder played nearly every instrument on the recording, demonstrating his remarkable talents beyond his soulful vocals. Jeff Beck was originally supposed to record the song first after helping inspire it, but Wonder’s version was released earlier and became the definitive version. The track remains a testament to Wonder’s unparalleled musical vision and execution.
9. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen (1975)
Freddie Mercury’s six-minute rock opera defied all commercial logic yet became one of music’s most beloved epics. The song seamlessly blends ballad, opera, and hard rock sections into a cohesive masterpiece that still surprises listeners today. Recording the operatic middle section required 180 separate vocal overdubs by Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. The groundbreaking music video helped propel the song to success during an era when singles rarely exceeded three minutes. No one sings along halfheartedly to “Bohemian Rhapsody” – it demands full commitment, especially during the headbanging section immortalized in “Wayne’s World.” The song remains a testament to Queen’s willingness to push boundaries and Mercury’s unmatched theatrical vision.
8. “Imagine” – John Lennon (1971)
Lennon’s gentle piano ballad presents a utopian vision that continues to resonate with new generations. Its simple melody contrasts with its profound message about imagining a world without divisions of religion, nationality, or possessions. Recorded at Lennon’s home studio in England, the song features production by Phil Spector and Lennon’s distinctive vocals at their most vulnerable. Yoko Ono later received co-writing credit, acknowledging her influence on the song’s concept. Despite its peaceful message, the song sparked controversy for its lines about imagining no religion or possessions. Yet its power lies in asking listeners to envision possibilities rather than prescribing solutions, making it an enduring anthem of hope across cultural and political divides.
7. “Hotel California” – Eagles (1976)
This mysterious epic captures California’s dark underbelly beneath its sunny façade. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a nightmarish luxury hotel where “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” Don Felder initially composed the music on a 12-string guitar in a beach house. Don Henley then crafted lyrics exploring themes of excess and disillusionment in the American dream, particularly within the music industry. The song’s crowning glory is the extended guitar duet between Joe Walsh and Don Felder that closes the track. Their harmonized guitar lines create one of rock’s most recognizable and frequently air-guitared solos, cementing the song’s legendary status beyond its cryptic lyrics.
6. “Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green (1971)
Al Green’s silky vocals float effortlessly over this soul classic, creating three minutes of pure musical perfection. His delicate falsetto and precise control demonstrate why he’s considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Producer Willie Mitchell created the song’s distinctive sound at Royal Studios in Memphis. The subtle horn arrangements and gentle rhythm section provide the perfect backdrop for Green’s intimate delivery. The song’s message about commitment through both good and bad times gives it emotional depth beyond typical love songs. Green’s performance walks a masterful line between restraint and passion, making this a go-to track for romantic moments for over five decades.
5. “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees (1977)
That opening bass line instantly transports listeners to the disco era. The Bee Gees created the ultimate dance floor anthem for “Saturday Night Fever,” combining their distinctive falsetto harmonies with an irresistible groove. Surprisingly, the lyrics tell a serious story about urban survival rather than just partying. The driving rhythm has literally saved lives as its tempo provides the perfect beat for performing CPR chest compressions. The Gibb brothers recorded the song in France, with Barry Gibb discovering his signature falsetto almost by accident during this period. The track’s production perfectly balances electronic elements with organic instrumentation, creating a timeless sound that transcends the often-maligned disco genre.
4. “Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Lindsey Buckingham’s bitter farewell to Stevie Nicks became the breakup anthem of the decade. The raw emotion in his voice reflects the real pain behind the song, written as their relationship collapsed during the making of “Rumours.” Mick Fleetwood’s distinctive drumming drives the track forward with an almost reckless energy. The band was famously falling apart personally while creating their most cohesive music professionally. The song’s power comes from its honesty – Buckingham doesn’t hide his anger or hurt. Nicks reportedly objected to the line “packing up, shacking up is all you want to do,” but it remained in the final version, capturing the unfiltered emotional reality that made Fleetwood Mac’s music so compelling.
3. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
Paul Simon wrote this soaring ballad about friendship and support during difficult times, with Art Garfunkel delivering one of the most beautiful vocal performances ever recorded. The song builds from a gentle piano opening to a majestic orchestral climax. Producer Roy Halee created innovative recording techniques to capture the song’s grand scale. Garfunkel’s voice was recorded in a church to achieve the perfect reverb for the final verse. Simon later expressed regret at allowing Garfunkel to sing it solo, as it became their signature song. The track won Grammy Awards for Record and Song of the Year, providing a fitting finale for the duo before their split later that year.
2. “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye (1971)
Inspired by police brutality at an anti-war protest, Marvin Gaye created this soulful meditation on social injustice that sounds as relevant today as it did fifty years ago. The song opens with party chatter and saxophone, creating an intimate atmosphere before Gaye’s velvet voice enters. Motown founder Berry Gordy initially rejected the song as too political. Gaye stood his ground, creating not just a hit single but an entire concept album addressing environmental concerns, poverty, and the Vietnam War. The track’s gentle questioning approach avoids preaching while still delivering its powerful message. Its sophisticated jazz-influenced arrangements and layered vocals demonstrated that soul music could tackle serious social issues while remaining musically innovative.
1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin (1971)
The crown jewel of ’70s rock gradually unfolds over eight minutes, taking listeners on a musical journey from gentle acoustic beginning to thunderous conclusion. Jimmy Page’s guitar work shifts seamlessly between folk fingerpicking, melodic solos, and hard rock power chords. Robert Plant’s mystical lyrics about a lady buying a stairway to heaven have been endlessly analyzed. The song was never released as a single yet became the most requested song on FM radio throughout the decade. John Bonham’s drums don’t even enter until halfway through, creating dramatic tension. The song’s masterful structure, building from whisper to scream, created the template for the rock epic that countless bands have tried to replicate but never equaled.