The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
Western music of the 1970s, which began with the symbolic event that signaled the end of the 1960s—the breakup of The Beatles—saw a wide variety of genres flourish alongside traditional rock, including hard rock, progressive rock, and glam rock, with many stadium bands achieving record-breaking hits.
As a counter-movement, punk rock emerged, making it undeniable that this was a pivotal era in rock history.
In this feature, we present a lineup centered on classic, definitive numbers—masterpieces and hit songs that colored the golden age of Western rock in the ’70s.
It’s a recommended guide for young music fans who are interested in ’70s Western rock but aren’t sure where to start listening!
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The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs (41–50)
The Boys Are Back In TownTHIN LIZZY
Known as the “Heroes of Ireland” and enjoying peak popularity in the 1970s, Thin Lizzy released this signature masterpiece in 1976! The Boys Are Back in Town—also known in Japan under the title “Yatsura wa Machi e”—was the lead single from their 1976 album Jailbreak, which sold two million copies worldwide and marked the band’s breakthrough in the United States.
It became a hit, reaching No.
8 on the UK charts and No.
12 in the US.
Written by Phil Lynott, the song features his dapper yet world-weary vocals tinged with melancholy, his melodically rich bass lines, an exhilarating back-and-forth of supremely tuneful guitar riffs from two Les Pauls, and dynamic, tempo-shifting drums that anchor the ensemble.
The result is a deceptively simple song with depth and enduring appeal—one of the great tracks of ’70s hard rock, beloved by countless listeners.
Packed with melodies that particularly resonate with Japanese fans, it’s a highly recommended killer tune even for those who don’t typically listen to hard rock!
The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs (51–60)
Easy Livin’Uriah Heep
The bouncy rhythm is wonderful.
It’s a song by the English rock band Uriah Heep.
It was included on their 1972 album “Demons and Wizards.” Once you hear it, you’ll want to listen again—a highly addictive track.
Maggie MayRod Stewart
A melodic mandolin tone and Rod Stewart’s distinctive voice weave together a 1970s rock masterpiece! The lyrics, depicting the complex relationship between a young man and an older woman, were inspired by Stewart’s personal experiences and resonate with a universal theme that touches many listeners.
Released in August 1971, the song became a global smash, reaching No.
1 on the U.
S.
Billboard Hot 100, and marked a pivotal turning point in Stewart’s solo career.
Incorporating elements of folk rock, this track is perfect for moments when you want to look back on the sweet, bittersweet memories of youth.
Savor this romantic, atmospheric classic of 1970s rock!
Highway StarDeep Purple
Deep Purple is a quintessential British hard rock band that, despite a breakup and numerous lineup changes, released a new album in 2024 and continues to perform as an active band.
As one of the groups that drove the hard rock boom of the 1970s, they enjoy immense popularity in Japan as well.
“Highway Star,” included on their landmark album Machine Head, stands alongside “Smoke on the Water” as a quintessential masterpiece often cited as a model study piece for guitarists.
This famous track is also referenced in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, where it appears in Part 4, Diamond Is Unbreakable, as Yuya Fungami’s Stand.
Just What I NeededThe Cars
Swapping in as the punk rock boom faded, the genre known as “New Wave,” which surged in popularity from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, had many subgenres and an admittedly vague definition.
True to its name, it was a new musical style that incorporated a wide range of elements—electronic music, disco, world music, and even contemporary classical—into traditional rock and pop.
The Cars, the subject of this piece, debuted in that New Wave era and became a worldwide hit-making American band, known for their innovative musicality and highly polished live performances said to be indistinguishable from their studio recordings.
Their 1978 debut single “Just What I Needed”—released in Japan under the striking title “Moeru Yokubō” (“Burning Desire”)—is both a signature song and a bona fide classic.
Benjamin Orr, the handsome bassist and vocalist, delivered a sweet vocal, and the irresistibly catchy melody, loud guitars, and ringing keyboard lines were greeted with astonishment as a fresh style that somehow hadn’t existed before.
Saturday NightBay City Rollers
In Japan, it’s well known through commercial jingles and covers by famous artists.
It’s a song by the pop rock band Bay City Rollers from the UK, Scotland.
It was included on their 1974 album Rollin’.
The exciting, upbeat sound is great.
Marquee MoonTelevision
The guitar’s mysterious tone is addictive.
It’s a song by Television, a band from New York, USA.
It’s the title track from their 1977 album Marquee Moon.
Their distinctive musical style earned them strong support and a place among popular bands.
Even now, it has a timeless appeal that doesn’t feel dated.