[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.
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- [80s Western Music] A roundup of debut songs by girl bands
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- Classic and hit Western pop songs from the 1970s
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- Debut songs by female Western artists from the 1980s
[Golden Age of Rock] Debut Songs by 1970s Western Rock Bands (21–30)
Don’t Want to Say GoodbyeNEW!Raspberries
Formed around Eric Carmen—who would later score massive solo hits like “All by Myself”—the Raspberries were the band that laid the foundation for power pop.
Preceding their debut album Raspberries, their debut single, released in February 1972, is a beautiful piano ballad reminiscent of Paul McCartney.
The song powerfully conveys the protagonist’s heartrending inability to say “goodbye” at a parting, through a sweet melody and a dramatic arrangement.
However, perhaps due to its nearly five-minute length, it was shunned by radio at the time and peaked at only No.
86 on the U.
S.
charts.
Even so, it remains a hidden gem that still shines today, standing by anyone nursing a bittersweet heart.
DallasNEW!Steely Dan
Steely Dan fused rock with jazz and R&B to pursue an urban, sophisticated sound.
Centered around Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, their landmark debut single, released in June 1972, is a track brimming with fresh charm that differs slightly from their later perfectionist approach.
With its catchy pedal steel and country-rock flavor, the song portrays the bittersweet feelings of a protagonist heading to Texas to see a loved one.
The straightforward lyrics stand in contrast to the ironic worldview of their later work, making you feel as if you’re watching a road movie.
It’s also notable that the song wasn’t included on an album and features drummer Jim Hodder on vocals—a real rarity.
It’s perfect for a drive; why not listen to it and feel the refreshing breeze?
Your Poppa Don’t MindNEW!Supertramp
It’s a light, upbeat rock number with a pleasant interplay between rhythmic guitars and keyboards.
It’s the debut single by the British band Supertramp, who fused the structural sophistication of prog with pop accessibility.
Peeking into the lyrics, you can picture a youthful, slightly overconfident romance, singing something like, “I don’t care what your father thinks.” Rick Davies’s vocals seem to capture that mischievous vibe perfectly.
This track opens their second album, Indelibly Stamped, released in June 1971.
Although the album initially struggled commercially, it later earned a Gold certification in Canada, standing as a snapshot of the band’s formative era.
It’s a song you’ll want to play on a drive or on a weekend morning when you want to lift your spirits.
Sultans Of SwingDire Straits
Included on the 1978 album Dire Straits.
A six-piece rock band from London formed in 1977, they released a string of hits from their debut in the late ’70s through the ’80s.
Their debut single became one of their signature numbers.
It’s a track where the electric guitar’s tone resounds strikingly.
Keep On DancingBay City Rollers
A single released in 1971.
It’s a cover of a single by the American band The Gentrys, originally released in 1965.
The band is a five-piece pop rock group from Scotland formed in 1966.
In Japan, they’re widely known for “Saturday Night,” and this was their debut single.
If you listen without any prior information, you might think, “Hey, this sounds like The Beatles,” as the style and even the vocals are quite similar.
Don’t Ease Me InGrateful Dead
A single released in 1966.
A six-piece rock band formed in 1965 from California, this is their debut single and they are one of the representative bands of the American West Coast.
It delivers an open, cheerful American rock sound that makes for an enjoyable listen.
To Play Some MusicJourney
Included on the 1975 album “Journey.” A five-piece punk band from San Francisco formed in 1973.
Also known as a representative band of the “American progressive hard” movement that flourished in the mid-’70s, this is a single from their debut album.
The hard rock sound blends nicely with the gentle tones of the keyboards, resulting in a very pleasant listen.