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Our Top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list looks back at the red rockers’ best material from the decade of the 1970s. Like many classic rock fans, we first discovered Sammy Hagar in the 1970s as a solo artist. Of course, there were many rock fans who knew of him as the vocalist for Montrose. Although, he had not made a name for himself on a mass cultural level yet. He was simply a band member and the lead vocalist in that band. It was as the opening act for Boston in 1977 when many rock and roll fans were first introduced to the passionate vocals and high-energy performances that Sammy Hagar delivered every night on the concert stage.
This writer saw Sammy Hagar open for Boston at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1977, went straight to the record store the next day, and purchased what we all call the Red album. Since then, Sammy Hagar has been at the top of our list as one of the greatest rock and roll singers and artists ever.
Sammy Hagar’s debut solo album, Nine On A Ten Scale, was released in 1976. While that album loomed mainly under the radar in the music business, his sophomore album, Sammy Hagar, released in 1977, made a lot of noise. A genuinely excellent rock record, the album has remained a favorite of Sammy Hagar fans since its release. Sammy Hagar released his third album in 1977 called Musical Chairs. Sammy Hagar’s final album of the decade, entitled Street Machine, was released in 1979. We also can’t forget the excellent live album that Sammy Hagar released in 1978 entitled All Night Long.
Our Top 10 Sammy Hagar Songs of the 1970s celebrates ten of our favorite Sammy songs from the decade that gave us all so much great rock and roll music.
This list focuses on the songs Sammy Hagar released as a solo artist in the 1970s. However, we have also included a second list that features the great songs he wrote while in Montrose. We thought that would be the best way to represent some of his best 1970s material
Top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s Songs – Solo Albums
# 10 – Rock ‘N Roll Romeo
We open our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list with the grooving song “Rock ‘N Roll Romeo.” The song was released on the album entitled Nine On A Ten Scale. It was the closing track on the album. The album was released in 1976. The song “Rock ‘N Roll Romeo” was written by John Carter and Sammy Hagar. Some of the song’s lyrics might not sit too well in today’s age, but the song rocks hard and was the perfect album closer. Sammy Hagar sounds a little like Foghat’s Dave Peverett on this track.
# 9 – Rock And Roll Weekend
Continuing with our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list, we listen to the great song entitled “Rock And Roll Weekend.” There are two versions of this song that are quite different. We love both of them. The first version was released on Sammy Hagar’s Red album in 1977. The second version Sammy Hagar released was a live version issued on the All Night Long album. The live version sounds nothing like the original. The band plays the song at about three times the speed of the original. Both versions are killer. We have included the live version below.
# 8 – This Planet’s on Fire (Burn in Hell)
Many fans never really think of Sammy Hagar as a metal artist, but the riffs he writes could be utilized in the Metal Genre. “This Planet’s on Fire (Burn in Hell)” is a perfect example. You don’t have to take our word for it; just check out Megadeath’s blasting cover version of this killer cut. Sammy Hagar’s original song version was released on his Street Machne album in 1979. The musicians featured on this track included Sammy Hagar on lead vocals and guitar, Gary Pihl on guitar, Bill Church on bass, and Chuck Ruff on drums.
# 7 – Fillmore Shuffle
We will never tire of listening to that opening acoustic guitar riff and the cool bass line. This has always been one of our favorite Sammy Hagar songs that have gotten lost in the shuffle. The song appears on Sammy Hagar’s sophomore album entitled Sammy Hagar. This one always sounded good because it opened up the album’s second side and was given the vinyl’s widest grooves. This one also has a great chorus that you can’t stop singing. Bruce Stephens wrote the song.
# 6 – I’ve Done Everything for You
Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list, we present the song “I’ve Done Everything for You.” The song was released as a stand-alone single by Sammy Hagar in 1978. It would be included on his classic 70s live album All Night Long. The song was never a hit in the US, but it broke the top 40 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number thirty-eight. Of course, in the US, the song became a monster hit when Rick Springfield recorded his version of the song that broke the US Billboard Top 10 in 1981.
# 5 – Reckless
The song’s title pretty much defines the feel of this roaring rocker. At the halfway point on our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list is the song entitled “Reckless.” The song was issued on the album entitled Musical Chairs. The album was released in 1977. The song appeared as the fourth track on the album. It was the fourth of four straight tracks in a row on side one written by Sammy Hagar and John Crater. The recording featured Sammy Hagar on lead vocals and guitar, Gary Pihl on guitar, Bill Church on bass, Alan Fitzgerald on keyboards and Denny Carmassi on drums.
# 4 – Plain Jane
At number four on our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list, we present the high-spirited song entitled “Plain Jane.” The song was released on the album entitled Street Machine. This is one of Sammy Hagar’s most underrated albums. The album was released in 1979. The Street Machine album featured guest appearances by Brad Delp, Barry Goudreau, and Sib Hashian of Boston.
# 3 – Urban Guerilla
Moving along on our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list, we present the song entitled “Urban Guerilla.” The song was released on the album entitled Nine On A Ten Scale. The album was released in 1976. This is the one that got away. It’s a ferocious track that almost would fit perfectly on a Chickenfoot album. One of Sammy’s earliest in-your-face metal rockers. Listen to that scream at the song’s start. This one has a bit of a UFO feel.
# 2 – Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)
Just off the top spot on our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list, we celebrate the song entitled “Trans Am (Highway Wonderland).” The song was released on the album entitled Street Machine. This song would become a Sammy Hagar classic. Its opening riff and groove really defined the Sammy Hagar sound of the 1970s. It’s a great closing statement on the work Sammy Hagar had done for a decade. The 80s would become so much more successful for Sammy Hagar on a commercial level, but many fans still love the songs and style of music Sammy Hagar delivered on his solo albums released in the 1970s.
# 1 – Red
We close out our top 10 Sammy Hagar 70s songs list with the song “Red.” The song was released on the album entitled Sammy Hagar. The album was released in 1977. Red was the opening track on the album. It would also become the opening song Sammy Hagar would utilize during his live performances. It was the perfect opening song with its driving beat that gets more intense with each slamming guitar chord that creeps in. Surprisingly, this song has not been used in many motion pictures because it’s the perfect opening sequence song. It is one of Sammy Hagar’s all-time great recordings.
Sammy Hagar 70s Songs Written In Montrose
# 8 – I Don’t Want It
“I Don’t Want It” is the first of eight songs we have included on this list that were written or co-written by Sammy Hagar while he was in the band Montrose. “I Don’t Want It” was released on the debut Montrose album. Songwriting credit was given to Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose.
# 7 – “One Thing on My Mind”
“One Thing On My Mind” was released on the debut Montrose album. Songwriting credit was given to Sammy Hagar, Ronnie Montrose, and J. Sanchez.
# 6 – The Dreamer
“The Dreamer,” was released on the Paper Money Montrose album. Songwriting credit for the song was shared by Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose.
# 5 – Spaceage Sacrifice
“Spaceage Sacrifice,” was released on the Paper Money Montrose album. Songwriting credit for the song was shared by Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose.
# 4 – Make It Last
“Make It Last,” was released on the debut Montrose album. Sammy Hagar received sole songwriting credit for the song.
# 3 – Space Station # 5
“Space Station # 5” was released on the debut Montrose album. Songwriting credit for this one was shared by Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose.
# 2 – Bad Motor Scooter
“Bad Motor Scooter” was released on the debut Montrose album. Sammy Hagar received sole songwriting credit for the song. Sammy Hagar has continued to play the song throughout his career. The song also appeared on Sammy Hagar’s All Night Long Live album, released in 1978.
# 1 – Rock Candy
“Rock Candy” was released on the debut Montrose album. Songwriting credit was given to all members of the band, including Sammy Hagar, Ronnie Montrose, Denny Carmassi, and Bill Church.
Updated February 12, 2024
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