Five songs from 1976 which history needs to preserve
Let’s be honest, when it comes to music, whether we’re talking about songs in the 1970s or songs released just this week, there are some we’d rather be scrubbed from the history books.
Of course, where there is the bad, there is also the good, and while there may be some songs we’d rather forget existed, there are others which we need to ensure we never forget. This isn’t just because of the quality of the track, but is also because of what they did in the broader sense, be it politically, how they influenced music as an art form, or how they showed the world that simple can be best.
1976 was arguably one of the greatest years for music, as the number of genres which weren’t just finding form, but were reaching their peak, was phenomenal. Whether you wanted to start mosh pits, dance, fall in love, or get lost in an incredibly layered sound, all of those options were available to you in the form of great music.
Out of the entire year, there are a few songs which stand out as particularly special, and these are the five that we need to ensure history remembers.
Five songs from 1976 that history will never forget
Eagles – ‘Hotel California’
‘Hotel California’ is already remembered by everyone who’s heard it as a classic, but it needs to be preserved in history for future generations to appreciate – you have to remember, Eagles shot to fame because of their ability to merge rock and country, and ‘Hotel California’, as both a song and an album, was one of the most exciting representations of the blend between those two genres.
It certainly leaned a lot heavier towards the rock side of things than their previous songs did, but the way the band were able to champion that sound and still use the storytelling elements of country to create what music lovers now look at as some kind of fictional world is inspired. This was a band showing the potential of not sticking within the confines of one set style. This is something all artists need to be aware of, and preserving ‘Hotel California’ in history is the best way to ensure they are.
Queen – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
It’s hard to work out what the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is actually about. When asked, Brian May said he thinks it’s Freddie Mercury’s inner monologue slapped on top of a rock song. “I think that Freddie was certainly battling with problems in his personal life, which he might have decided to put into the song himself,” said May. “He was certainly looking at re-creating himself. But I don’t think at that point in time it was the best thing to do so he actually decided to do it later. I think it’s best to leave it with a question mark in the air.”
Those personal elements for Mercury, while they may be drenched in surrealism, clearly resonate somehow with those listening, given that the song lives permanently in the hearts of all those listening. It’s a pretty wonderful thing to experience, and pair those interesting lyrics with the exceptional musicianship of the rest of Queen, and you have a recipe for one hell of a song.
Sex Pistols – ‘Anarchy in the UK’
Punk was a thing before the Sex Pistols came along. You had The Damned, who released ‘New Rose’, while The Ramones were in the States performing in a way that we now recognise as punk. Additionally, you had people like Iggy Pop performing in the years prior in a manner which onlookers found shocking. However, even with all of these different elements, it was Sex Pistols and a song like ‘Anarchy In The UK’, which allowed the genre to rise up into the mainstream.
The song reminds listeners of two things. The first is that sometimes the stripped-back approach is the best approach, as in a world of psych and prog rock, the punk sound was a return to basics for a lot of budding musicians. It also reminded people how much art could make a difference on a societal level, as Sex Pistols weren’t just a band, they were a voice for people who couldn’t speak up for themselves, a middle finger to an establishment that wasn’t looking after its people. Long live this song and what it stands for.
AC/DC – ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’
AC/DC’s ethos has always been pretty easy to follow. The band do things simply, and they do those simple things well. Angus Young has always said that the quintessential AC/DC album is Let There Be Rock, as this was when they decided to stop worrying about what genres were making it big and just focus on putting out exceptional guitar music.
While this might be the case psychologically, the band needed proof of concept before making such a decision, and that came in the form of songs like ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’… If there was ever a track that summed up AC/DC, it’s this one, as the riff is simple, the chords are minimal, and yet it’s entirely its own entity – the chorus, the vocal melody, the solo, they are all instantly recognisable, despite being relatively stripped back.
Let it be preserved in history: simple done well will always trump complex done poorly.
Led Zeppelin – ‘Achilles Last Stand’
Presence isn’t considered one of Led Zeppelin’s finest albums, but this seems like a pretty silly assessment, and while it might not be held up as one of the band’s grandest goddamn offerings, there are still moments of absolute genius that shine through and highlight just how much of a great group Led Zeppelin truly were.
They had an ability to write incredibly complex music and pair it with storytelling as well as other musical elements from different genres and cultures – you can hear that wonderfully in this track, which is one of those innovative pieces of music that highlight just how limitless the art form truly is. What a beautiful sound.
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