Music Through the Ages: 1970s

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By Alekhya Maram and Anna Ravid

After the radical change of the 1960’s, the start of the 70s heralded a decade of social and political progress. The inaugural Earth Day in 1970 and the decision of the Roe v. Wade case showed that the progressivism of the 60s would remain prominent in American society. 

Anti-war sentiment intensified in the 70s, especially due to the inconclusive stalemate that marked the end of the Vietnam War. The resignation of Richard Nixon following the Watergate Scandal was only one of the many political disasters that would rock the nation. Later in the decade, the nation faced economic depression and gas shortages that would contribute to a growing feeling of malaise. Much of the nation’s turmoil was reflected in the music of the era. 

Folk-rock duo Simon and Garfunkel reached the pinnacle of their collaborative musical career in the 1970s. The two gained popularity in the 60s with their hit single “Sound of Silence,” now well known for the meme-ing of its first line, “hello darkness, my old friend.” In 1970, they went on to release the album “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which charted in 11 countries and was the best selling album at that point in history. The album contains a diverse range of songs, from the upbeat “Baby Driver,” to the more mellow “The Only Living Boy in New York.” The standout single on the album, the eponymous “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” is a timeless, rhapsodic classic which envelops listeners with its deep melody and comforting lyrics. 

The American rock scene also flourished during the 1970s. One prominent rock band of the era was Aerosmith; like many groups of that time, its music drew on the blues of the 50s and 60s, but diversified its rhythms and tone. Hits like “Dream On” by Aerosmith and “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen would come to define the genre. Springsteen predilection for poeticism and storytelling is evident in his 1975 song “Born to Run”:

“In the day, we sweat it out on the streets

Of a runaway American dream

At night, we ride through mansions of glory

In suicide machines

Sprung from cages out on Highway 9

Chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin' out over the line

Oh, baby this town rips the bones from your back

It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap

We gotta get out while we're young”

Springsteen’s powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics perfectly capture the spirit of youthful disillusionment and a desire to escape societal confines in pursuit of an unreachable American dream. 

The ‘70s also gave birth to disco, a genre that is simultaneously beloved and widely despised. Beginning as an underground subculture, disco became mainstream largely with the success of the Bee Gees, who came to Miami in 1975 and launched their prolific music career. After their studio album was featured on the John Travolta film “Saturday Night Fever,” the Bee Gees were catapulted into stardom. Mega Hits like “Staying Alive,” “How Deep is Your Love,” and “More than a Woman” topped the charts. Immensely popular, disco was also deeply disliked by many, including President Ronald Reagan. The decade ended with a so-called ‘Disco Demolition Night’ where 7,000 records were burned in a night of unleashed disco hatred.  

Another genre that dominated the 1970s was soul music. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin helped popularize the genre with hits like Let’s Get it On (Gaye) Respect (Franklin) and Superstition (Wonder). At the start of the ‘70s, Marvin Gaye  produced the seminal album “What’s Going On.” Disillusioned with the world, Gaye set out to write powerful soul music in response to the growing anti-war movement and police brutality. In doing so, he paved the way for future soul- artists to tackle pressing issues with artistic freedom. 

The hit single “What’s Going On” layers Gaye’s own voice to create a smooth, modern sound. Though it was written 50 years ago, the message still resonates with the generations of people who continue to rise up and protest the many injustices of today’s world:

“Picket lines and picket signs

Don't punish me with brutality

Talk to me

So you can see

Oh, what's going on” - Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On”