The Top Pop Music Hits of the 1970s
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Looking for a trip down memory lane? Check out our blog post on the top pop music hits of the 1970s! From ABBA to the Bee Gees, we’ve got all your favorite artists covered.
Introduction
In the 1970s, disco music became very popular in nightclubs. This new style of music was often played in a continuous, rhythmic fashion without any pauses between songs. As a result, many popular songs from this era are now considered to be “one-hit wonders” because they only had one song that was successful.
The following is a list of the top pop music hits of the 1970s:
-“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
-“We Are the Champions” by Queen
-“Boogie Nights” by Heatwave
-“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
-“You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone
The Rise of Pop Music in the 1970s
The 1970s saw the rise of pop music as a genre. This was due in part to the popularity of rock music, which began to dominate the charts in the 1960s. However, pop music also began to assert itself as a distinct genre in its own right, with artists such as ABBA and Michael Jackson achieving massive success. The 1970s was therefore a pivotal decade for pop music, and many of the hits of the era have gone on to become timeless classics.
The Top Pop Music Hits of the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade that saw the birth of some of the most iconic pop songs of all time. disco music dominated the charts and the likes of ABBA and the Bee Gees were huge global superstars. So, what were the top pop hits of the 1970s?
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
“I Will Survive” is a hit song written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris that was first popularized by Gloria Gaynor in 1978. The song is a message of empowerment and was originally written as an anthem for the disco era. It has been covered by many artists over the years, but Gaynor’s version remains the best-known and most popular.
“We Are the Champions” by Queen
“We Are the Champions” is a song by the British rock band Queen, first released on their 1977 album News of the World. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it is one of Queen’s most popular songs and one of rock’s most enduring anthems. The song was a worldwide success, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart and becoming the band’s second US hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since been covered by many artists.
The song culminates in an operatic section which references Mercury’s home country, England. He sings of how his dream has become reality, and how all he wanted to achieve has been done. The image of “champion” is often associated with sports, but also works as a metaphor for other types of achievement. For example, in 2002 Mercury was posthumously awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection, and Brian May accepted it on behalf of Queen saying “this acknowledges Freddie as one of our champions”.
“Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” is a classic pop song that was released in 1981 and quickly became a signature tune for the band. The song talks about following your dreams and never giving up, even when the odds are against you. The lyrics and simple, catchy melody have helped to make this one of the most popular songs of all time, and it continues to be a staple on radio stations across the globe.
Conclusion
The disco craze of the late 1970s continued to be popular in the early 1980s, with artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Prince topping the charts. However, by the mid-1980s, pop music was beginning to take on a new sound, with synthesizers and drum machines becoming more prevalent in the production of hits. Artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson continued to enjoy success in the pop charts throughout the 1980s, but new acts like The Smiths, R.E.M., and U2 were also beginning to make a name for themselves.
