This is the second post in my series about my favorite song from each year of my life. In the first, I explored the music of the 1960s. Now, we move into the decade when I truly came of age musically.
These were the years when I began to discover music on my own, though my uncle, cousin, and younger sister Lisa had a hand in guiding me. Lisa, for example, once put Pink Floyd’s Animals in my hand and asked, “Have you listened to this?” That moment opened a door to an entirely new world.
Since I’m viewing this list through the lens of today, the music here doesn’t necessarily reflect what I listened to at the time. It’s music I grew into as my tastes matured. Some artists I adored then, like Supertramp, didn’t make the cut, even though I still love them. For example, “London Calling” eventually edged out anything from Breakfast in America.
📌 The Rules (Revisited)
- This list is a living document, meant to evolve as your tastes change. A good example is 1972, where I had 30 or 40 contenders. I ultimately chose “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder, based on a friend’s advice.
- I chose one song per year, but build your list however you like.
- There’s no deadline. Take your time.
- Share it and enjoy the process.
🎵 My Life in Songs: The 1970s
1970 – “Lola” by The Kinks
A cheeky, clever narrative song that challenged norms at a time when few mainstream rock acts dared to. Its unforgettable acoustic riff and Ray Davies’ wit made it a hit.
Trivia: The BBC originally banned it over brand-name references, forcing the band to re-record the word “Coca-Cola” as “cherry cola.”
Due to restrictive parents, I didn’t hear “Lola” until years after its release, but once I did, it became an instant favorite. Its mix of humor and boldness was unlike anything I’d grown up with.
1971 – “Life on Mars?” by David Bowie
Bowie at his most surreal and cinematic. This piano-driven ballad weaves cryptic imagery over Rick Wakeman’s stunning keyboard work.
Trivia: Bowie described it as “a cross between a Broadway musical and a Salvador Dalí painting.”
I came to Bowie late, but this song stopped me in my tracks. It was weird, beautiful, and completely new to me; proof that music could be art in every sense. Plus my parents hated Bowie, so I loved him.
1972 – “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
A funky, clavinet-driven anthem that became one of Stevie’s most iconic tracks. Written originally for Jeff Beck, Stevie kept it after realizing its potential.
Trivia: The riff was born from an impromptu jam between Wonder and Beck.
This was a brutally tough year to choose from. I could have picked a dozen other songs, but “Superstition” always wins for sheer groove. It’s the kind of song that demands you move, whether you want to or not.
1973 – “Get Up, Stand Up” by The Wailers
Bob Marley and Peter Tosh turned political outrage into an infectious reggae rhythm. It’s both a protest and a rallying cry.
Trivia: Written after Marley visited Haiti and saw the country’s poverty firsthand.
This wasn’t on my radar as a kid, but when I discovered Marley later, it felt like he was speaking directly to me. It’s music with a message you can feel in your bones Also, nothing has changed in Haiti.
1974 – “Any Major Dude Will Tell You” by Steely Dan
A softer, reflective side of Steely Dan, pairing warm guitar work with cryptic but reassuring lyrics.
Trivia: Though never a single, it’s one of the band’s most beloved deep cuts from Pretzel Logic.
I didn’t fully appreciate Steely Dan until adulthood. This song felt like a quiet reassurance during a chaotic time in my life; smooth, wise, and comforting without being sentimental.
1975 – “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
A heartfelt tribute to Syd Barrett, this song blends acoustic intimacy with a sense of longing.
Trivia: The radio intro was intentionally mixed to sound like someone tuning in mid-song.
Lisa started my Pink Floyd journey with _Animals, but “Wish You Were Here” hit me in a deeper place. It’s the song I play when I miss people I can’t see anymore. It is also my all time favorite song
1976 – “Jailbreak” by Thin Lizzy
Phil Lynott’s gritty vocals and the band’s signature twin-guitar harmonies made this an instant rock classic.
Trivia: The song inspired countless “breakout” metaphors in pop culture, from sports commentary to TV shows.
I first heard this on a beat-up cassette in a friend’s car, windows down, volume up. It’s pure rock adrenaline; exactly what a teenager wants to feel invincible.
1977 – “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads
Minimalist, funky, and brilliantly eccentric. David Byrne transformed paranoia into something you can dance to.
Trivia: The partial French lyrics (“qu’est-ce que c’est?”) add an extra layer of quirky sophistication.
This was my introduction to Talking Heads, and it made me realize that music didn’t have to be conventional to be brilliant. Weird became wonderful in an instant.
1978 – “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
An explosion of joy in music form. Maurice White and Al McKay crafted a groove that’s impossible not to move to.
Trivia: The line “Ba-dee-ya” was never meant to mean anything—White insisted it simply “felt good.”
I’ve never once been able to stay still when this comes on. Even on bad days, “September” makes the world feel a little brighter. It is also the song I most associate with falling in love with Florence.
1979 – “London Calling” by The Clash
A post-punk masterpiece mixing apocalyptic imagery with furious energy.
Trivia: Recorded during a sweltering London summer, the band’s studio flooded mid-session. almost too on-the-nose for its doomsday tone.
This song didn’t just edge out my Supertramp nostalgia, it kicked the door down. Raw, urgent, and impossible to ignore, it’s the sound of a band on fire in every sense.
🎧 Listen Along
You can hear all my picks in this Spotify playlist:
Favs from Each Year of My Life
Peanuts In My Pocket 
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