5 punk songs that helped define the 1970s

The first songs I purchased with my own money were three singles that I adored when I was eleven years old back in 1973. I remember going to our local record store and choosing “Brandy” by Looking Glass, which quickly became a favorite, as well as “Signs” by the Canadian band Five Man Electrical Band and “Long Train Runnin'” by my then-current obsession, the Doobie Brothers.

(This was pre-Michael McDonald, when the Doobies were cool).

Let me clarify upfront that there’s a chance my recollections might not be entirely accurate. Time has passed, and memories, especially those related to music, tend to blur together. However, I am confident that I did purchase those 45 records at some point, and I played them frequently.

At age eleven, I wasn’t into punk music. However, by the time I turned twelve, things changed significantly. As for “Brandy,” it remains a classic, but let’s delve into an incredible decade for punk rock, starting from its inception….

Punk songs that defined the 1970s

“Personality Crisis” by the New York Dolls (1973)

In a style reminiscent of American glamor, The Dolls infused their music with a Big Star-esque melodic guitar sound, yet their edgy attitude, led by vocalist David Johansen, had a raw, punk essence. They donned flamboyant costumes and makeup, causing quite the stir among parents, paving the way for many pop-punk genres that would surface two decades later.

“Cherry Bomb” by the Runaways (1976)

Back in 1976, I found myself drawn to two distinct flavors of female pop – ABBA’s Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad were ruling the scene, while out here in sunny California, Cherrie Currie and Joan Jett were stirring up a different kind of music storm. This legendary band, featuring Lita Ford on lead guitar, Jackie Fox on bass, and Sandy West on drums, wasn’t the first all-female punk band, but they certainly made their mark.

It was they who stood out, to some extent due to Kim Fowley’s cunning marketing tactics as their manager. Despite not achieving great success or enduring for long periods, their influence can be seen in the latter half of the decade and beyond. “Cherry Bomb” may not have caused the nationwide uproar that Fowley anticipated upon its release, but it did resonate strongly with many young rock music enthusiasts.

“Anarchy in the U.K.” by the Sex Pistols (1976)

Curious about which group embodies the raw energy of punk in every circle? That would be The Sex Pistols. Although they didn’t originate punk, and weren’t the initial punk band, their influence is so profound that we can break down the history of punk into two distinct eras: before the Sex Pistols and after them.

The influence of the band didn’t become apparent in the USA until the subsequent year when their debut (and authentic) album came out. It’s challenging to express the significance that Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols had on the rock music world. Even though the impact was less intense in the U.S., they were still a sensation there.

In Britain during late 1976, the band debuted their first single titled “Anarchy in the U.K.”, effectively marking the conclusion of a particular style of youth-oriented rock and the advent of something entirely new. One of the most penetrating lyrics from the ’70s music era is “I don’t know what I want, but I know how to get it”.

“I Wanna Be Sedated” by Ramones (1978)

As the Sex Pistols ignited the punk revolution in the U.K., a slightly more amiable and melodic form of punk was gaining traction in the USA around the same time with the debut of Ramones in 1976. They garnered much attention for their rapid pace and cleverness, yet the New York City-based band aspired for mainstream popularity.

In their fourth studio album, titled “Road to Ruin”, the band aimed for a specific sound. However, it failed to resonate with their fans, producing no major hits. Yet, a lesser-known track, “I Wanna Be Sedated”, gradually gained traction and became one of the Ramones’ most recognized songs. The song’s focus on boredom – “got nothing to do, nowhere to go, oh” – would later become a recurring theme in many punk and pop punk genres that emerged.

By 1980, the song “I Wanna Be Sedated” had already achieved enough cultural significance to be featured on the film’s soundtrack titled “Times Square“. Despite not being a hit initially, when it was re-released as part of the soundtrack album, the track went platinum.

“London Calling” by the Clash (1979)

In simpler terms, let me be concise. I strongly believe that “London Calling” by The Clash stands out as the greatest rock album ever made. The title song, which starts it off, is a groundbreaking revolution that surpassed what bands like the Sex Pistols were striving for. To quote, “Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust.” Absolutely!

2025-04-29 13:00