Feature Photo: Marines, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This article takes us back to the 1970s, a time when hearing a song for the first time often led to the discovery of a new band. While this might sound like a personal experience, it’s actually a shared commonality among music fans. Some songs from the ’70s were so mind-blowing that they made us all stop in our tracks, turning heads and asking, “Who is that?” This concept isn’t quite the same as a “Best Debut Single” list, because not all of these songs were the artists’ first releases. In fact, mant weren’t even from their first couple of albums.
Many music fans were already familiar with these bands or artists before their breakthrough hits, and as we all know, there’s often a sense of bittersweet pride when a beloved band becomes massively popular. Admit it—you’ve probably felt like they weren’t as good once everyone else discovered them. But let’s be honest, that’s more about our own sense of ownership than the music itself. This list is a bit of a mixed bag, focusing on discovery. For most listeners, these songs served as introductions, to bands that woudl beciem so dealry beloved.
So, here are ten unforgettable tracks that made us stop, take notice, and say, “Whoa! I need to get that album.”
# 10 – Magic Man – Heart
We open this list with Heart’s “Magic Man.” Every time I hear the sound of that guitar at the beginning of the song, it brings me back to being 15 years old, hanging out on the streets of the Bronx at night, and doing what all 15-year-old rock and rollers do. That guitar sound is just so distinctive—you know the song as soon as you hear the first opening note. Of course, this was the first song we all heard from the band Heart, and the sound of Ann Wilson’s incredible vocal skills made so many of us run to the record stores to buy their debut album, Dreamboat Annie. It began a long love affair with the two sisters that we still cherish to this day.
Released in 1975 as part of their debut album, Dreamboat Annie, the song was recorded at Can-Base Studios in Vancouver, Canada, and produced by Mike Flicker. With its sultry lyrics and spellbinding melody, it quickly became one of the decade’s defining tracks. Ann Wilson’s powerful vocals and Nancy Wilson’s intricate guitar work established the sisters as trailblazers in a genre dominated by men. Chart-wise, “Magic Man” climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Heart’s status as a rising force in rock.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Heart Songs
# 9 – Feels Like The First Time – Foreigner
It was only about seven months after we had all discovered the band Heart and were blown away by the single “Magic Man” that another brand new song started playing on the radio. The killer opening guitar lick and another sensational vocalist we had never heard before immediately grabbed our attention. Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time” was another track that blew our minds the first time we heard it. Whether it was 1976 or 1977, so many new bands were emerging, and many of them will be appearing on this list.
Foreigner’s “Feels Like the First Time” was released in March 1977 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. It was written by guitarist and founding member Mick Jones. Lou Gramm’s powerhouse vocals take center stage, while Jones’s crisp guitar work provides the perfect complement. Al Greenwood’s keyboards and Ian McDonald’s rhythm guitar add a rich, layered sound, making the track as polished as it is electrifying. The rhythm section, driven by Ed Gagliardi on bass and Dennis Elliott on drums, anchors the song with a steady yet dynamic groove. “Feels Like the First Time” was a commercial success, climbing to number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Foreigner Songs
# 8 – Slow Ride – Foghat
Foghat had been around for a while before the song “Slow Ride” became such a big hit. Many music enthusiasts older than me were probably already aware of the band Foghat, especially fans of Savoy Brown. But being around 15 years old at the time when “Slow Ride” became a monster hit, it was the song that turned me on to this band. I don’t think I’m alone in this either because “Slow Ride” was constantly on FM radio, and it was featured on the album Fool for the City, which also started receiving a lot of airplay.
Additionally, Foghat was a local band recording a lot of their music in Port Jefferson. So, being a New Yorker, Foghat became a really popular band in my area. They built on the success of “Slow Ride,” following it up with an incredible set of albums, including Night Shift and Stone Blue. I became a huge fan for the rest of my life, and I have to tell you, it was pretty thrilling to interview Roger Earl, the founding member of the band, a couple of years ago.
“Slow Ride,” released in 1975, epitomizes the unhurried groove and swaggering energy that made Foghat a staple of 1970s rock radio. The track debuted on the band’s fifth studio album, Fool for the City, and quickly became a signature song, cementing their status as one of the premier boogie-rock bands of the era. Recorded in New York City under the skilled production of Nick Jameson, the track’s laid-back rhythm and infectious riff-driven structure captured the essence of road-trip anthems and late-night jam sessions. Jameson, who also played bass on the album, worked alongside band members Dave Peverett (vocals and guitar), Rod Price (lead guitar), and Roger Earl (drums), creating a rich tapestry of sound that was both gritty and polished. Chart-wise, “Slow Ride” made an impressive impact, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Read More: Bryan Bassett of Foghat: 10 Albums That Changed My Life
# 7 – Don’t Fear The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
In a very similar fashion to our discovery of the band Foghat, Blue Öyster Cult had been around for a while before they really hit it big with the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” which was the track that turned so many people on to the band. Foghat’s breakthrough hit came from their fifth album, whereas Blue Öyster Cult’s defining moment was on their fourth album, which had so many people turning their heads and asking, “Who is that?”
Also, in a similar fashion, Blue Öyster Cult was seen as a local band, coming from an area close to where Foghat had been living. Port Jefferson and Stony Brook are pretty close to each other, creating a sense of shared locality.
Released in 1976 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Agents of Fortune, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” firmly established Blue Öyster Cult as one of the most intriguing bands of the decade. Recorded at The Record Plant in New York City and produced by David Lucas, Murray Krugman, and Sandy Pearlman, the song showcased the band’s ability to blend eerie lyricism with an infectious melody. Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist for this track, wrote the song, inspired by the concept of eternal love and the inevitability of mortality. The atmospheric soundscape created by the interplay of Roeser’s melodic guitar riffs and Eric Bloom’s haunting backing vocals made “Don’t Fear the Reaper” an enduring rock anthem. The track gained significant airplay on FM radio and reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing millions to the hypnotic style of Blue Öyster Cult.
Read More: Eric Bloom of Blue Öyster Cult: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
# 6 – Show Me The Way – Peter Frampton
The live version of “Show Me The Way,” recorded during Peter Frampton’s groundbreaking Frampton Comes Alive! sessions, became the defining moment that catapulted Frampton into rock superstardom. Released as the lead single from the live album in 1976, the song’s infectious blend of heartfelt lyrics, Frampton’s signature talk box guitar effects, and an electrifying live atmosphere captivated audiences worldwide. Recorded at venues like the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, Frampton Comes Alive! showcased Frampton’s ability to connect with live audiences, a dynamic that translated seamlessly into this radio-friendly hit. Produced by Frampton himself, alongside engineers Chris Kimsey and Eddie Kramer, the live album became a phenomenon, reshaping the record industry’s view of live albums as lucrative endeavors.
“Show Me The Way” distinguished itself not just for its innovative talk box feature but also for its ability to balance intimacy and exuberance. Frampton’s yearning vocal delivery and the fluid, melodic guitar solo brought an emotional depth to the track that resonated with listeners. Critics lauded the song for its fresh energy, and its widespread airplay on FM radio fueled the massive success of Frampton Comes Alive!, which shattered sales records and stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for 97 weeks. The song’s relatable lyrics—about seeking clarity and connection—added a universal appeal, making it a staple in Frampton’s repertoire and a symbol of the era’s live album explosion.
In the context of this list, “Show Me The Way” shares an important connection to other tracks like “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult. Both songs served as defining introductions to their respective bands for many listeners, each showcasing groundbreaking sounds—whether through the eerie, hypnotic riff of “Reaper” or the innovative talk box on “Show Me The Way.” Yet, where Blue Öyster Cult leaned into mystique, Frampton’s charm lay in his warmth and accessibility, creating a contrast that underscores the diverse paths bands took to captivate audiences during the 1970s.
“Show Me The Way” didn’t just help listeners discover Peter Frampton; it transformed him into a cultural icon and reshaped perceptions of live music’s commercial potential. Its monumental success solidified Frampton’s place in rock history and remains a shining example of how a single live track can redefine an artist’s career.
Read More: 10 Most Rocking Peter Frampton Songs
# 5 – You Really Got Me – Van Halen
Do you remember the first time you heard this song? Hearing Eddie Van Halen’s playing for the first time was unforgettable. I’m sure it didn’t take long before you were rushing out to the mall, Sam Goody’s record store, Record World, or wherever you bought music, to grab this album. Honestly, there’s not much more that needs to be said about it.
Read More: Michael Anthony’s 10 Best Van Halen Backing Vocal Tracks
# 4 – More Than A Feeling – Boston
Man, we were truly spoiled growing up in the 1970s, attending high school during that incredible decade and discovering all this amazing new music for the first time, thinking it would go on forever. I’m so glad I grew up in a time without distractions like cell phones, video games, or the internet. All we had was music and friends, and I’ll never forget the fall of 1976 when both Heart and Boston debuted their first albums. Boston’s debut completely knocked us off our feet, and it wasn’t just “More Than a Feeling,” though that song introduced us to the band. As soon as we picked up the album, every single track blew us away. It’s easily one of the greatest debut albums of all time—but more than that, it’s simply one of the greatest rock and roll albums ever made. Imagine hearing it for the first time at 15 years old. I know a lot of you did.
Read More: Boston’s Best Song On Each Of Their Studio Albums
# 3 – Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen
I remember sitting in my ninth-grade journalism class when a high school senior, who was really into rock and roll, tapped me on the back. He’d noticed how often I brought up music in conversations with the teacher and said, “There’s this new musician I think you’ll really like. His name is Bruce Springsteen. Check out the Born to Run album—it’s something special.” This was 1975, and while not many people had heard of Springsteen yet, there was definitely a buzz starting to build. I took his advice, bought the single, and popped it onto my turntable. The moment the music began, I was completely blown away. I’d never heard a voice like Springsteen’s before, and I wasnt sure if I liked it. Then came the moment in the middle of the song when the music nearly screeches to a halt, and Springsteen shouts “One, two, three, four!” That hit me straight in the heart, igniting a new love for music that I had never experienced before. For me, it was a life-changing moment, and I’m sure it was for a lot of others as well.
Read More: Top 10 Bruce Springsteen Songs Of The 1970s
# 2 – Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf
Read More: Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs
# 1 – 2112 – Rush
Read More: Alex Lifeson of Rush: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Ten 1970s Songs That Helped Us Discover New Bands For 1st Time article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
