May 13, 2003

THAT '70S MUSIC



So we got into a discussion at work the other day - no big surprise, if you know our group - about 70s music. This was inspired in no small part because of an interview one of us did with Joe Walsh the other day.

We were talking about the great stuff he did with The James Gang, with The Eagles and as a solo act. One of my esteemed colleagues couldn't place the song "Walk Away" in the extensive jukebox in his head.

And you know what? That's just a shame. Not because he lacked the mental faculties (he doesn't). It just means we're one more song further away from that kind of great music we had then. All the N'Sync and Britney and Christina crap is pushing out the stuff that really had feel and groove and texture.

As a goof, I started downloading a bunch of songs that I think would be essential for knowing the basics of '70s rock. Not Jethro Tull. None of that Yes or Moody Blues stuff. I'm talking stuff you'd listen to in your cutoff jean shorts at the beach. The stuff you'd sing while riding around in the backseat of your buddy's car with a bunch of friends.

So far, here's the preliminary list I came up with:

Aerosmith, "Sweet Emotion" and "Back In The Saddle Again"
Joe Walsh, "Life's Been Good"
Steve Miller Band, "Jungle Love"
Journey, "Wheel In The Sky"
Grand Funk Railroad, "We're An American Band"
Kansas, "Carry On My Wayward Son"
Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Sweet Home Alabama"
The Eagles - "Life In The Fast Lane"
Eric Clapton, "Layla"
T.Rex - "Bang A Gong"
Cheap Trick, "Surrender"
AC-DC - "Back In Black"
Foreigner - "Hot Blooded"
Rick Derringer - "Rock 'n' Roll Hootchie Koo"
The Rolling Stones - "Brown Sugar" and "Shattered"


Got any suggestions for what you'd add to the list? (Yes, I know, there's no Zep or Frampton or Who on it.) Drop me a line.


Posted by Jeff at May 13, 2003 08:31 AM | TrackBack
Comments