Billy Joel: Moving Out (Anthony's Song) (1977)

Billy Joel chides people for rejecting their blue collar roots in favor of the middle class. In his view, it will only lead to a "heart attack." The character is disgusted with those around him and seems to have either given up or believes upward mobility a futile endeavor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBpt1dya60

Paul Simon: Slip Slidin' Away (1977)

Reminds me of childhood sitting in the back of the car...

Before it appeared in commercials, Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away" hit the top 10. Who hasn't had a period in life like this? The song itself seems to sum up America in the 1970s after the promise of the Kennedy years. It came at a time when the divorce rate began to skyrocket, gas prices jumped, the economy soured, and Watergate left everyone in a "last days of Rome" mood.

The Oak Ridge Boys provided backup vocals.

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f88rdBAJSVY

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_H-LY4Jb2M

Queen: We Will Rock You (1977)

Brian May wrote "We Will Rock You" in response to an overwhelmingly emotional response from an audience following a show at Bingley Hall in Stafford. The song is essentially a cappella with the exception of May's brief guitar blurb. Other than that, the only accompanyment is some stomping and clapping. "We Will Rock You" has since emerged as the preeminent stadium rock song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk&ob=av2e

838. Barracuda by Heart (1977)

"Barracuda" represents Ann Wilson's response to a sleazy record execs attempts to intimate a lesbian love affair between her and her sister Nancy. The song has been compared to Led Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand" due to its guitar riff. In 2008, the GOP used the song to introduce Sarah Palin at their convention which angered the Wilson Sisters. However, other band members loved the idea since it brought the song back into the public's consciousness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bt_-R5LInU

854. The Stranger by Billy Joel (1977)

"The Stranger" is Billy Joel's examination of the human pysche. In particular, the stranger represents desire and other primal instincts which is held under control by force of will. The song opens and closes with the whistling which probably represents the primative reminding the superego of its existence. To me, the whistling sounds rather lonely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI2BnzF1860

863. Back in the Saddle by Aerosmith (1977)

"Back in the Saddle" might be Aerosmith's heaviest single. Originally, the song was about cowboys and sex. After the band disintegrated and reunited, the song took on a different meaning. Perhaps it will recapture that feeling in the future if Steven Tyler stops judging karoke contests.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDKxUt9UkmU

938. Sheep by Pink Floyd (1977)

Pink Floyd critiqued the socioeconomic and political conditions in England during the seventies with their concept album Animals. The album was loosely based on Orwell's Animal Farm and could easily be applied to the industrial west as a whole. The album's critique of capitalism ventures from traditional European leftist thought and into communism. In the end, the people (the sheep) rise up and overthrow the capitalists and gain control of the means of production. "Sheep" contains a cynical reworking of Psalm 23 in which the workers plot their revolution.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me down to lie, Through pastures green, He leadeth me the silent waters by. With bright knives, He releaseth my soul. He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places. He converteth me to lamb cutlets. For lo! He hath great power and great hunger. When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection and great dedication, Master the art of karate, Lo! we shall rise up And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5mJQGMqJvw

955. Alison by Elvis Costello (1977)

"Alison" is a mystery. Elvis won't say who the song is about, but denies it is about murder. He does not wish to spoil the song for people. Elvis himself came out of the punk and new wave scene of the late seventies and is an amazing lyricist known for his word play as well as divergent influences.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs6HbYit5-A

970. Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees (1977)

It's hard to imagine how popular the Bee Gees were in 1977-78. They were bigger than anything we've seen in the last 15 years or so. Stayin' Alive became one of their signature songs. It's the perfect example of the right song at the right time with the right movie. The film Saturday Night Fever is a cultural milepost for the baby boomers and the Bee Gees did the soundtrack. The group became something of a joke when people revolted against disco, but are now respected songwriters. In a bizarre twist, Ozzy covered "Stayin' Alive" in 2005.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo