70s Music-Songs from 1976

I was right in the middle of my teens in the mid-70s and that is when I was first discovered music on the radio.  

I had been brought up in a house full of old country music played on LP albums from dad's collection.  I still enjoy old country music to this day, but there was something exciting and different about the stuff I was hearing from the radio in the mid-70s.

The first song I really fell in love with was "Jive Talkin'" by the Bee Gees.

My original intent was to publish a single hub covering 1975-1978, but it proved to be too lengthy. So, I'm breaking it up. You can find 70s Music (1975) by clicking here.

I hope you enjoy this journey back through time.

• Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y...NIGHT.....the song we all loved to sing along to. I still have my Bay City Rollers album. We just loved their Scottish accents as well. For a brief period these guys were considered teen idols.

• Convoy - C.W. McCall

The anthem of trucking CB'ers everywhere. I like the lyric about the "couple of long-haired friends of Jesus in the chartreuse microbus".

• I Write The Songs - Barry Manilow

I remember hearing a bit of trivia about this song. He didn't actually write it.

• Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) - Diana Ross

According to Wikipedia, "The chorus, "Do you know where you're going to, do you like the things that life is showing you," exemplifies the song's theme of nostalgia and loss."

• Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players

I remember all of the rumors that flew around about this song and a high-pitched scream that can be heard in the song. There are too many versions to go into here, but click here to read about some of them. The sound is actually Billy Beck. In another spot, it's actually a recorded scream of a woman on a rollercoaster. Read for yourself.

• 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover - Paul Simon

I remember learning an aerobics routine to this song in junior high PE class. How sad is that? Check out this live version. It's very good.

• Theme From S.W.A.T. - Rhythm Heritage

They were an American disco-funk band best known for this song. They also have recorded theme music for TV shows such as "Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow" from Baretta (sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.).

• Love Machine (Part 1) - The Miracles

I remember there being a laugh in this song that reminds of cartoon Fat Albert. If you can find a good copy of this song, you'll see what I mean. I had trouble finding a good one on YouTube. The song's lyrics compare a lover to some type of machine like a robot or computer. The 7-minute song was split into two parts for its release as a single, with "Part 1" receiving most notoriety.

• December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) - The Four Seasons

This song has different members of the group singing the verses. Frankie Valli only does lead vocals on the chorus.

• Disco Lady - Johnnie Taylor

This is the first Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit to include the word "disco".

• Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers

Brothers Howard and David Bellamy still go out on tour. They were in my area just last year. They are a crossover band that most probably feel are more country than not. They are famous for "Redneck Girl" and"If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me?" I also learned that David Bellamy wrote "Spiders and Snakes" that was recorded by Jim Stafford.

• Welcome Back - John Sebastian

The beloved theme of "Welcome Back Kotter". Remember Vinnie Barbarino and Horseshack? Epstein and Boom BoomWashington? Vinnie Barbarino was a very young John Travolta.

• Boogie Fever - The Sylvers

The song featured all nine Sylvers. I remember using this song in a school project in junior high. We had to create an interview with someone where you used snippets of songs to create the answers. I remember we create a doctor/patient scenario where the doctor asks why the patient is there and he replies he has boogie fever.

• Silly Love Songs - Wings

John Lennon and other music critics had long teased McCartney about writing so many lightweight love songs and this was his reply. He was one of the first British artists to try getting into disco.

• Love Hangover - Diana Ross

Diana Ross was named "Female Entertainer of the Century." in 1976 by Billboard Magazine. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame--one as a solo artist and the other as a member of The Supremes.

• Afternoon Delight - Starland Vocal Band

The name for the song comes from the name of a special menu item. The Starland Vocal Band was nominated for five Grammy awards and won 2-Best arrangement (voices) and Best New Act.

• Kiss And Say Goodbye - Manhattans

The song, was only the second single to ever go platinum.

• Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John & Kiki Dee

There is so much that can be said about Sir Elton Hercules John (born as Reginald Kenneth Dwight). The man is phenomenal. Click here to read his lengthy bio on Wikipedia.

• You Should Be Dancing - The Bee Gees

This is a great video of this song. It has clips of John Travolta dancing in scenes from "Saturday Night Fever" and clips of the Bee Gees singing the song with Andy Gibb singing with them.

• (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty - KC & The Sunshine Band

They took their name from lead singer Harry Casey's last name ("KC") and the "Sunshine Band" came from his home state of Florida, known as "The Sunshine State".

• Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

The song listed at #73 on Billboard's Greatest Songs of All Time.

• A Fifth Of Beethoven - Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band

It was one of the most popular and memorable pieces of music from the disco era

• Disco Duck (Part 1) - Rick Dees & His Cast Of Idiots

This is a novelty hit from Rick Dees, the weekly top 40 DJ. I still own this 45 rpm as well.

• If You Leave Me Now - Chicago

Peter Cetera's voice is so clear in this song. It's the kind of song that I can only picture him singing. This song was his biggest singing and songwriting accomplishment with Chicago.

• Rock'n Me - Steve Miller

This song was their second #1 hit and is a playable master track in the game Rock Band 2.

• Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart

The lyrics reveal quite a seduction: 'Cmon Angel my heart's on fire Don't deny your man's desire You'd be a fool to stop this tide Spread your wings and let me come inside 'cause Tonight's the night (gonna be alright)