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[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by Western Rock Bands of the 1970s
The rock scene of the ’70s was a golden era in which guitar riffs and psychedelic sounds evolved, vastly expanding the possibilities of music.
It was a tumultuous time that saw the birth of new genres one after another, including hard rock, progressive rock, and glam rock.
So, with what debut tracks did the bands that etched their names into the world’s rock history in that brilliant decade take their first steps? Here, we present a selection of debut songs that fired up rock fans of the time and remain as vibrant as ever today.
[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by 1970s Western Rock Bands (1–10)
Can I Sit Next to You, GirlAC/DC
When it comes to great rock bands born in Australia, it has to be AC/DC.
This is their very first original single, crafted under the leadership of the Young brothers.
The lyrics are delightfully youthful and straightforward, with the singer asking a girl he’s interested in, “Can I sit next to you?” Unlike the grittier hard rock image that would come later, the glittering sound here feels fresh, reflecting a clear glam rock influence.
This version features the band’s original vocalist, and after its release in Australia in July 1974, it peaked at No.
50 on the charts.
It was later re-recorded with a tougher arrangement and included on the classic album High Voltage.
This rough-cut gem, packed with the trials and errors of a great band in the making, is perfect for when you want to experience the dawn of a legend.
Not Fade AwayRush
This is the debut single from the very early days of Canadian rock band Rush.
It’s brimming with a raw energy that’s a bit different from the image they later earned as masters of progressive rock.
The track is a cover of the Buddy Holly and the Crickets classic, delivering a passionate message: “My love is real and it will never fade.” The highlight is how they elevate the original rock ’n’ roll into hard rock with heavily distorted guitars and tight three-piece playing.
Released exclusively in Canada in September 1973, it wasn’t included on their debut album, Rush.
It’s a perfect song for when you want to bask in the youthful impulse and heat of ’70s rock.
Black Hearted WomanThe Allman Brothers Band
Known as pioneers of Southern rock, the Allman Brothers Band have captivated listeners since their formation in 1969 with a robust sound rooted in blues and jazz.
The debut track featured on their first album, The Allman Brothers Band, is the song we’re focusing on here.
This piece centers on the intense, love-hate turmoil of a man manipulated by a cold-hearted woman.
Said to have sprung from Gregg Allman’s personal experience, its raw cries from the heart, paired with the band’s bluesy, heavy performance, never fail to tighten the chest.
The rough-edged organ and growling interplay of twin guitars capture the band’s early, primal impulse.
Released as a single in March 1970, this track is perfect for when you want to tap into the very essence of gritty blues rock.
Love → Building on FireTalking Heads
This is the landmark debut single by Talking Heads, the intellectual face of New York’s ’70s new wave.
Its thrilling world conjures the impulse of love as an act akin to entering a “burning building,” which is truly compelling.
Hearing David Byrne’s nervy vocals and the band’s still rough-hewn yet tightly wound sound, you can’t help but sense the emergence of their extraordinary talent.
Released in February 1977, the track initially didn’t belong to any studio album, but it can later be heard on compilations such as Sand in the Vaseline: Popular Favorites.
It’s a song for when you want to step just a little outside the everyday, letting you glimpse the origins of their artful sensibility.
Man on the Silver MountainRainbow
Rainbow, the new band formed by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore after leaving Deep Purple.
This debut single from their 1975 release, the debut album Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, is a true statement of intent for the band.
Blackmore’s sharp, heavy guitar riffs fuse with Ronnie James Dio’s powerful, expressive vocals to deliver an overwhelming impact.
The lyrics paint a grand fantasy world centered on a heroic figure to whom people turn for salvation—an approach that arguably defined the band’s future musical direction.
The fact that it’s the most frequently performed song in the band’s live history attests to its immense popularity among fans.
It’s a perfect track for when you want to experience the essence of 1970s hard rock, brimming with dramatic, classical flair.
Can’t Get EnoughBad Company
Bad Company, the standard-bearers of British hard rock, brought together members from popular bands like Free and Mott the Hoople.
Released in 1974, this song—both their debut single and the opening track of their self-titled debut album, Bad Company—is a true classic and one of their signature numbers.
Its thunderous guitar riff born from open-C tuning, paired with Paul Rodgers’s husky, powerful vocals, is the very definition of a straight-ahead rock anthem.
The track lays bare uncontrollable feelings for a loved one with striking simplicity—and that’s exactly what makes it resonate.
The album hit No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts, and the single was a massive success as well.
It’s no surprise it remains a radio staple to this day.
Highly recommended for your next drive.
Cities on Flame with Rock and RollBlue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult carved out a unique niche by bringing intellectual, allegorical lyrics to hard rock—earning a reputation as “thoughtful heavy metal.” The track that marked their first step into rock history appears on their 1972 debut album, Blue Öyster Cult, and was also released as their debut single.
From the outset, the pummeling heavy guitar riff leaves an unforgettable impact.
In the lyrics, an apocalyptic vision of a city engulfed in flames is portrayed as the very embodiment of rock ’n’ roll’s destructive energy.
It suggests a grand theme: a declaration of music’s power to burn away the old world and usher in a new era.
The fact that this demo secured them a deal with a major record label speaks to the song’s immense potential.
Later featured in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, it’s a perfect pick when you want to feel the raw, nerve-tingling tension of ’70s hard rock.