![[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by Western Rock Bands of the 1970s](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/5FJLGGVevAw/maxresdefault.webp)
[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, GirlNEW!AC/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 AwayNEW!Rush
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 WomanNEW!The 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.
Can’t Get EnoughNEW!Bad 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 RollNEW!Blue 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.
Oh, CandyNEW!Cheap Trick
Often hailed as the originators of power pop and a major influence on countless later bands, Cheap Trick really set the tone.
Their very first single, included on their 1977 debut album Cheap Trick, is a surprisingly profound track.
The sound blends exhilarating guitar riffs with irresistibly catchy melodies—a quintessential example of power pop in rock form.
Yet the song’s theme is a tribute to a deceased friend, and it’s precisely this contrast with its upbeat tone that showcases their exceptional talent.
There’s even a record noting that this debut effort performed roughly at the equivalent of No.
207 on the U.
S.
charts.
It’s a classic with a curious charm—one that not only lifts your spirits, but also reaches out to a heart weighed down by an overwhelming sense of loss.
Need All My FriendsNEW!Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd, the iconic standard-bearers of Southern rock with roots in blues and country, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Unlike their later, wilder image, this track is strikingly delicate and melodic, and it really resonates.
The pure, earnest longing for companionship comes through directly in the emotional vocals of a young Ronnie Van Zant.
Recorded in May 1969, only about 300 copies were pressed at the time, making it a rare release that was later included on the compilation album Collectybles.
Rough around the edges yet filled with a wistful mood that hints at the masterpieces to come, this song is perfect for when you want to reconnect with the band’s roots.