Ten 1970s Rock Songs Played The Most On Our Turntables

Feature Photo: Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com

Do you remember the first time you heard that certain rock song that completely blew your mind and you couldn’t stop playing it? If you grew up in the 1970s as a teenager, that situation happened over and over again, as we were the lucky ones who grew up in the greatest decade of rock and roll music. Of course, those who were teens in the ’60s will argue that it was their decade, and they have a very good point. However, the decade when I went to high school was the 1970s, and that’s what I know the most. And I have a feeling that most of the readers of this site are around the same age as I am. So this list is all about the 10 songs that probably got the most plays, not just on my turntable but, I think, among the majority of rock fans who grew up during the 1970s. Of course, there are hundreds, if not thousands more, but these 10 were special. These were the ten that really blew our minds the first time we heard them. They got so many plays that eventually we kind of got a little tired of them, but we still go back to them with a big smile on our faces.

# 10 – More Than A Feeling – Boston

“More Than a Feeling,” the iconic opening track and lead single from Boston’s 1976 self-titled debut album, remains one of the most enduring rock songs of the 1970s. For many of us who navigated our teenage years during that vibrant decade, the song wasn’t just a hit on the charts—it was a staple on our turntables.

The song was written over several months, primarily between October 1975 and April 1976, in Tom Scholz’s basement studio in Massachusetts. Scholz, an MIT-trained engineer and the creative force behind Boston, wrote the entire song and played the electric and acoustic guitars as well as the bass guitar. His innovative recording techniques and attention to sonic detail were groundbreaking at the time. Additional recording sessions took place at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The lineup featured Brad Delp on lead and backing vocals, whose soaring vocal range became a signature element of the band’s sound, and Sib Hashian on drums, providing the driving rhythm that anchors the track. Produced by Tom Scholz and John Boylan, the song exemplifies a polished fusion of hard rock and melodic hooks.

# 9 – Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf

“Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” released in 1977 on Meat Loaf’s seminal album Bat Out of Hell, is a theatrical rock epic that became a defining track of the late 1970s. Written by the visionary composer Jim Steinman, the song is renowned for its dynamic narrative and operatic flair, encapsulating the fervor of teenage romance and the complexities that accompany it. For many who spent their youth during this era, the song wasn’t just a charting hit; it was an audacious storytelling experience that unfolded on our turntables, reflecting the highs and lows of young love.

Read More: Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs

# 8 – Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

“Born to Run,” the title track from Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album, stands as a monumental anthem that encapsulated the restless spirit of a generation. For those of us who came of age in the 1970s, the song was more than just a staple on our turntables; it was a rallying cry for freedom and a testament to the enduring allure of the open road. Springsteen’s vivid storytelling and passionate delivery resonated deeply, offering both an escape from and a reflection on the complexities of American life.

# 7 – Slow Ride – Foghat

Fool For The City (180 Gram Emerald Green Audiophile Vinyl/Limited Anniversary Edition)

If there was one band I loved dearly in the 1970s, it was Foghta. I saw them so many times. What a thrill it was for me last year when I got the chance to interview Roger Earl. “Slow Ride,” released in December 1975 as the lead single from Foghat’s fifth studio album Fool for the City, is a quintessential track that epitomizes the hard rock and blues-rock sound of the 1970s. For many of us who spent our youth spinning vinyl records, this song was a mainstay on our turntables, capturing the spirit of an era defined by its raw energy and unbridled enthusiasm for rock music.

# 6 – Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

“Stairway to Heaven,” released on November 8, 1971, as part of Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth studio album (commonly known as Led Zeppelin IV), stands as one of the most iconic rock songs of all time. For those of us who spent countless hours with headphones on and vinyl spinning, this track was a transformative experience that encapsulated the depth and innovation of 1970s rock music. Its intricate composition and profound lyrics made it a staple on our turntables, offering a musical journey that unfolded with each listen.

# 5 – Paranoid – Black Sabbath

“Paranoid,” released in 1970, is one of Black Sabbath’s most iconic tracks and a cornerstone in the development of heavy metal music. Recorded between June and August 1970 at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, the song was a late addition to the band’s second studio album, also titled Paranoid. Produced by Rodger Bain, the track features the classic lineup of Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. Despite its hasty creation—the song was written and recorded in a matter of hours to fill album space—it became the band’s only Top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and reaching number 61 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

# 4 – Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting – Elton John

“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” released in 1973 as a single from Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, is a raucous and rebellious anthem that captures the raw energy and attitude of youth. For those of us who spent our formative years in the 1970s, this track quickly became a staple on our turntables, embodying the untamed spirit of weekend nights filled with excitement and sometimes chaos. The song’s driving piano, aggressive guitar riffs, and relentless rhythm delivered a rock sound that stood in stark contrast to some of Elton John’s more introspective ballads, such as “Candle in the Wind” from the same album.

Recorded at the Château d’Hérouville studio in France in May 1973, “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” was produced by Gus Dudgeon, who had worked extensively with Elton John. The song features John on piano and vocals, Davey Johnstone on electric guitar, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. Johnstone’s gritty guitar riff and Olsson’s hard-hitting drumming are the driving forces behind the song’s anthemic quality. The track perfectly encapsulates the wild, adrenaline-fueled nature of youth looking to break free from societal restrictions for a night of rowdy celebration.

The lyrics, penned by Elton John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, reflect the working-class experiences of Taupin’s youth in England. Lines like “My old man’s drunker than a barrel full of monkeys” and “I’m a juvenile product of the working class whose best friend floats in the bottom of a glass” convey a sense of defiance and rebellion. The protagonist is eager to escape the confines of home and head out into the night with friends, ready to engage in whatever mischief and excitement come their way. The chorus’s refrain, “Saturday night’s alright for fighting, get a little action in,” signals the raw, aggressive energy that drives the song. This rebellious spirit is a common theme in rock music of the era, paralleling the intense urgency to escape found in Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” albeit through a more belligerent and carefree lens.

# 3 – Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

“Wish You Were Here,” the title track from Pink Floyd’s 1975 album, is one of the band’s most poignant and enduring compositions. Written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, the song was a tribute to their former bandmate Syd Barrett, whose mental health struggles had forced him to leave the group. For many of us growing up in the 1970s, “Wish You Were Here” was more than just a track on the turntable—it was a deeply emotional reflection on loss, absence, and longing. Its delicate, acoustic guitar-driven melody and heartfelt lyrics made it a standout on an album already filled with profound themes.

The song was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London between January and July 1975, during the same sessions that produced the rest of Wish You Were Here. The album was produced by the band members themselves, with David Gilmour on vocals and acoustic guitar, Roger Waters on bass, Richard Wright on keyboards, and Nick Mason on drums. Gilmour’s guitar riff, played on a twelve-string acoustic, is one of the most recognizable openings in rock history, setting a reflective tone for the entire track. Waters’ lyrics were a direct commentary on the disillusionment he and the band felt toward the music industry, as well as their sadness over Barrett’s decline.

Read More: Top 10 Pink Floyd Deep Tracks

# 2 – Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin

“Whole Lotta Love,” released in 1969 as the lead single from Led Zeppelin’s second studio album, Led Zeppelin II, is one of the most electrifying and influential songs in rock history. For those of us who grew up in the 1970s, this track was a defining moment—its raw power and hypnotic groove made it a mainstay on our turntables and a cornerstone of the classic rock sound. The song’s explosive riff, driving rhythm, and Robert Plant’s commanding vocals showcased Led Zeppelin at the height of their creative energy, marking a significant moment in the evolution of hard rock and heavy metal.

# 1 – Free Bird (Live Version from One More From The Road) – Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd - One More From The Road - MCA Records - 82.004-2

“Free Bird” is synonymous with the spirit of Southern rock, and the live version from One More from the Road, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first live album released in 1976, elevates the song to an entirely new level of intensity and emotion. For those of us who lived through the 1970s, the live rendition of “Free Bird” was not just a song; it was an epic, a journey, and a declaration of freedom that resonated deeply with the rock-loving crowd. It quickly became a staple on our turntables, capturing the raw power and brilliance of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s performances.

Read More: Top 10 Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs