The albums that defined
the 1970s.
Our picks for where to start with 1970–1979 — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
The 1970s are where every modern genre lays its foundation. Rock splinters into prog, glam, hard rock, art rock, country rock — the umbrella that worked in 1969 stops working by 1973. Black music undergoes its own fission: Marvin and Stevie turn soul into long-form auteur statements, James Brown invents the funk grammar that hip-hop will sample for the next forty years, disco organizes the dance floor as a queer political space. Jamaica gives the world reggae as a global pop language. Punk arrives in 1976 and 1977 and incinerates everything that's gotten too comfortable.
It's the decade of the album as feature-length statement. Studios get bigger, budgets get bigger, the listener is expected to sit down with side A and hear it through. Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, Bowie, Springsteen — all making records that assume you'll spend an hour with them.
Where to start: Songs in the Key of Life for soul's most ambitious double album, Dark Side of the Moon for prog at its most accessible, Blue for the singer-songwriter blueprint, Rumours for the studio-rock-as-confessional template, London Calling for the punk record that contained whole other genres. The '70s repay deep listening more than any decade before or since — these are albums built to live with, not to scroll past.
Top of the 1970s
Twenty-four picks from 1970–1979, ranked by where we would start.
ABBA
Arrival
A vibrant blend of disco rhythms and catchy melodies that captures the exuberance of the mid-70s pop landscape.
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ABBA
Waterloo
A vibrant tapestry of catchy melodies and shimmering harmonies that defined the early sounds of disco-pop.
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Prince
Prince
A vibrant blend of funk, pop, and R&B that showcases Prince's signature sound and charismatic songwriting.
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Prince
For You
A vibrant blend of funk, soul, and pop that showcases Prince's early musical genius and distinctive vocal style.
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John Coltrane
Infinity
A transcendent exploration of spirituality through intricate melodies and expansive improvisation, merging Coltrane's free jazz vision with meditative themes.
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John Coltrane
Interstellar Space
An astral exploration where Coltrane's saxophone soars over cosmic rhythms, bending time and space into a tapestry of sound.
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Stevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life
A vibrant blend of soul, funk, and jazz that celebrates love, life, and social consciousness through intricate melodies and lush instrumentation.
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Stevie Wonder
Talking Book
A vibrant fusion of soul, funk, and pop that showcases Wonder's innovative use of synthesizers and heartfelt lyricism.
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Neil Young
Harvest
A blend of heartfelt folk melodies and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and connection to the past.
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Neil Young
Comes a Time
A blend of reflective folk and country rock, infused with Neil Young's signature emotive vocals and poignant storytelling.
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Kate Bush
Lionheart
A kaleidoscope of theatrical sounds interwoven with lush melodies and introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of a burgeoning artist's vision.
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Kate Bush
The Kick Inside
A haunting blend of ethereal vocals and whimsical arrangements that evoke literary themes and emotional depth.
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James Brown
The Payback
A relentless groove of funk and soul, driven by powerful brass and layered rhythms that speak to resilience and defiance.
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James Brown
The Original Disco Man
A vibrant tapestry of funk grooves infused with disco rhythms and dynamic brass arrangements that embody the dance floor spirit.
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Jimi Hendrix
The Cry of Love
An exploration of emotional depth and sonic experimentation, blending rock, blues, and psychedelic elements with Hendrix's virtuosic guitar work.
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Jimi Hendrix
Crash Landing
Experimental guitar riffs and layered production create an eclectic soundscape that combines rock, blues, and psychedelic elements.
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Don McLean
Don McLean
A blend of introspective folk and rock, woven with vivid storytelling and melodic sensibilities.
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Don McLean
Homeless Brother
A reflective blend of folk melodies and poignant storytelling, capturing vulnerability through McLean's distinctive voice.
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Patti Smith
Horses
'Horses' is celebrated for its cohesive sound and lyrical depth, offering an insightful look into Smith's artistic vision. It marks the beginning of her journey in rock music while delivering powerful performances that resonate across generations.
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Patti Smith
Set Free
An intersection of art rock and punk energy, blending poetic lyricism with raw instrumentation in a captivating sonic journey.
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David Bowie
Diamond Dogs
A theatrical blend of glam rock and dystopian themes enveloped in rich, cinematic soundscapes.
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David Bowie
Lodger
A vibrant fusion of world rhythms and avant-garde pop, showcasing Bowie's adventurous spirit in the late '70s.
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Dire Straits
Communiqué
A smooth blend of bluesy guitar riffs and reflective storytelling that captures the essence of late '70s rock.
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Françoise Hardy
La Question
A delicate tapestry of soft melodies and introspective lyrics, merging French chanson with bossa nova rhythms.
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By genre
The 70s, one tradition at a time.