1974: Music from My Birth Year
Another awesome music writing challenge
This is a music writing challenge from Steve Devine — write about the music from the year you were born.
I was born in 1974. Patty Hearst, IRA, Watergate, oil crisis, Vietnam War, bombings, hijackings, executions, plane crashes, Cyclone Tracey … and me.
The best-selling singles for 1974 were:
- Australia: My Coo Ca Choo — Alvin Stardust
- Canada: Seasons in the Sun — Terry Jacks
- UK: Tiger Feet — Mud
- US: The Way We Were — Barbra Streisand
Hmm. I think we can do better.
1974 was a year of proto-punk, proto-disco, proto-electronica, glam rock and great rock. In October of that year, the Ramones played their first show at CBGB.
But as they didn’t release any singles in 1974, here are my picks for that year.
Autobahn — Kraftwerk
The single “Autobahn” was released in 1975 but it also came out on the studio album of the same name in November 1974. So I’m including the song in my list.
Kraftwerk not only pioneered electronic music, they popularised it. “Autobahn” played an important part in that.
“Autobahn” is the perfect song to play on repeat as you zoom along a nice stretch of road. At 22-minutes long, you only need to repeat the song a few times, even during long trips.
I like “Autobahn” because it takes you on a journey. The music dips and dives and rolls along. The lyrics are repetitive but soothing, with few words besides, “Wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn” (we drive, drive, drive on the autobahn).
Billy Don’t Be a Hero — Paper Lace
I first heard “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” on the Priscilla, Queen of the Desert soundtrack. As Priscilla was a film about drag queens, I always pictured the woman begging Billy not to be a hero as a drag queen too.
I love the beat of the tin drum and the narrational style of this song. “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” is a unique anti-war song, harking back more to the American Civil War that the Vietnam War that was ongoing in 1974.
Billy was a hero twice in 1974. In the UK, Paper Lace’s version reached number 1. And in the US, Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods’ version topped the US Billboard charts. I prefer the Paper Lace version. It just seems to have more expression in it.
Still, I’m not sure why the Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods version made it to Rolling Stone’s “10 Worst Songs of the 1970s”.
Can’t Get Enough — Bad Company
“Can’t Get Enough” is good, fun classic rock. Sure, there are better rock songs but this one reminds me of letting loose and strutting my stuff in non-pretentious pubs. In Australia, we call this unleashing our inner-bogan.
There’s always a place for that. And there’s always a place for songs like “Can’t Get Enough”.
Cat’s in the Cradle — Harry Chapin
“Cat’s in the Cradle” was Harry Chapin’s only number one song. But what a song. No wonder it became a folk standard.
This song breaks my heart every time I listen to it. Luckily I don’t have any kids so I don’t need to worry about not spending time with them. But the song’s message still applies — spending time with the people you care about is more important than anything, especially work.
“Cat’s in the Cradle” is just the kind of song to hum along to when you’re feeling nostalgic and slightly regretful.
It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll (But I Like It) — Rolling Stones
It may only be rock and roll, but I love it! Rock and roll changed music forever, and with this song the Stones are celebrating that.
The mid-70s were a period of instability for the Rolling Stones — from drug charges to a changing lineup. However, I think “It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll (But I Like It)” showed that they were here to stay. This was also the first song Ronnie Wood contributed to. You might also recognise the backup singer — it’s David Bowie.
Kung Fu Fighting — Carl Douglas
I must confess that I do like a bit of disco. And if you’re disco dancing you may as well combine it with some kung fu moves. And soul.
Lady Marmalade — Labelle
“Lady Marmalade” was first recorded by The Eleventh Hour — a disco group of studio musicians. But it was the next version, performed by Labelle, that made the song a hit.
While there are many covers of “Lady Marmalade”, Labelle’s version is, for me, the best. It’s smooth, it’s soul and it’s disco.
Piss Factory — Patti Smith
I was originally drawn to “Piss Factory” by the title. I’d never had a job as bad as the one Patti Smith had as a teenager, but I’d had enough bad jobs to appreciate the song.
As a kid, I’d never been into poetry. Until I heard “Piss Factory”. Bloody brilliant!
Rebel Rebel — David Bowie
“Rebel Rebel” is a song about a boy who wears makeup. It’s a freeing song. Sometimes people don’t know who you are, “if you’re a boy or a girl”, but you can still go dancing.
“Rebel Rebel” was one of Bowie’s last glam rock songs. But I reckon it’s also one of the best glam rock songs.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes — Bryan Ferry
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” is a standard that’s been recorded many times. The first recording dates back to 1933, performed by Gertrude Niesen. The most famous version is probably The Platters’ 1959 version. But I like Bryan Ferry’s version. Seductive glam rock at its finest.
Ferry performs “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” while draped on a couch wearing a white tux. If you’re going to be heartbroken, you may as well wear a white tux.
Some Kind of Wonderful — Grand Funk Railroad
A cover of a 1967 soul song, Grand Funk Railroad’s version thumps along.
Grand Funk Railroad were a band best enjoyed when they were performing in big areas. Their version of “Some Kind of Wonderful” is just the song for that.
I reckon “Some Kind of Wonderful” can get pretty much anyone nodding their head or tapping their foot along to the beat.
The Wild One — Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro proved that rockers don’t need to be men. I love her version of “The Wild One”. Definitely one of the greatest 70s rock songs.
The original “Wild One” was performed by Australian, Johnny O’Keefe. The release date of O’Keefe’s version (5 July 1958) is considered by many as the birth of Australian rock and roll.
Iggy Pop released a version, titled “Real Wild Child (Wild One)”, in 1986.
I like all the versions, but Quatro’s is my favourite. It’s seductively wild.
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