Miscellaneous 70s Song Facts


With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats ...
Stanza: You can't say we're satisfied
Song: Angie
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Year: 1973, Chart: 1
Theme: This was thought to be about David Bowie's wife, Angela, a friend of Mick Jagger's, but the lyrics suggest it is about his relationship with Marianne Faithfull, which ended in turmoil in 1969.
I watched you suffer, a dull, aching pain
Now you've decided to show me the same
No sweeping exits or offstage lines ...
Stanza: Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind
Song: Wild Horses
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Year: 1971, Chart: 58
Theme: This started as a song for Keith Richard's newborn son Marlon. It was 1969 and Keith regretted that he had to leave his son to go on tour.

Goodbye my friend it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky ...


Stanza: Now that the spring is in the air
Song: Seasons in the Sun
Artist: Terry Jacks
Year: 1972, Chart: 9
Theme: Story of a dying man, bidding farewell to loved ones who have shared his life


And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
...
Stanza: There will be an answer, let it be
Song: Let it Be
Artist: Beatles
Year: 1970, Chart: 1
Theme: Paul McCartney wrote this song. It was inspired by his mother, Mary, who died when he was 14. Many people thought "Mother Mary" was a biblical reference when they heard it.


Mama, take this badge off of me
...

Stanza: I can't use it anymore
Song: Knocking on Heaven's Door
Artist: Bob Dylan
Year: 1973, Chart: 12
Theme: Dylan wrote this for the film Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid. Dylan was in the movie.

When I was young
I never needed anyone
And makin' love was just for fun
  ...

Stanza: Those days are gone
Song: All By Myself
Artist: Eric Carmen
Year: 1975, Chart: 2
Theme: The song has no real meaning. It was pieced together over several sessions, almost randomly adding melody & lyrics from various sources.


Johnny made a record, Went straight up to number one ...

Stanza: Suddenly everyone loved to hear him sing the song
Song: Shooting Star
Artist: Bad Company
Year: 1975, Chart: ???
Theme: About suicide, someone who had made it big and when his star was falling, had a hard time coping.

...
Stanza: I got you, to help me forgive
Song: You're My Best Friend
Artist: Queen
Year: 1976, Chart: 16
Theme: Queen bass player John Deacon wrote this about his wife. He enjoyed a rather quiet home life.

I went down Virginia
Seekin' shelter from the storm
Caught up in the fable ...

Stanza: I watched the tower grow
Song: Who'll Stop the Rain?
Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Year: 1970, Chart: 2
Theme: Group leader John Fogerty wrote this. Like some of his other songs, like "Fortunate Son," it is a protest of the Vietnam War.


Lookin out at the road rushin under my wheels.
Lookin back at the years gone by ...

Stanza: Like so many summer fields 
Song: Running on Empty
Artist: Jackson Browne
Year: 1977, Chart: 11
Theme: Recorded onstage, backstage, in 3 different hotel rooms, and on a Continental Silver Eagle tour bus during a cross-country tour in 1977, "Running on Empty" is a paean to life on the road.
You lured me away from home just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart ...
Stanza: and that's what really hurt
Song: Maggie May
Artist: Rod Stewart
Year: 1971, Chart: 1
Theme: This song is about the woman who deflowered Stewart when he was 16. "Maggie May was more or less a true story, about the first woman I had sex with, at the Beaulieu Jazz Festival.


Hey you, out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone ...
Stanza: Would you touch me?
Song: Hey You
Artist: Pink Floyd
Year: 1979, Chart: ???
Theme: This is one of the most mysterious songs on The Wall. It seems to be about the longing for human interaction. In every verse is a person in some sort of desperate or pathetic scenario.

Look at me, I am old, but I'm happy
I was once like you were now ...
Stanza: and I know that it's not easy
Song: Father and Song
Artist: Cat Stevens
Year: 1971, Chart: ???
Theme: About a Russian family where the son wants to join the revolution but his father wants him to stay home and work on the farm. Stevens made up the story, but his relationship with his own father was an influence on the song.

But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay ...
Stanza: He learned to walk while I was away
Song: Cat's in the Cradle
Artist: Harry Chapin
Year: 1974, Chart: 1
Theme: This heart-wrenching song tells of a father and son who can't schedule time to be with each other, and it serves as a warning against putting one's career before family.

A dreamer of pictures, I run in the night;
you see us together ...
Stanza: chasin' the moonlight
Song: Cinnamon Girl
Artist: Neil Young
Year: 1970, Chart: 55
Theme: Young has never said who the Cinnamon Girl is but stated: "Wrote this for a city girl on peeling pavement coming at me thru Phil Ochs eyes playing finger cymbals. It was hard to explain to my wife."
I bet your mama was a tent show queen
And all her boyfriends were sweet sixteen
I'm no schoolboy but I know what I like ...
Stanza: You shoulda heard me just around midnight
Song: Brown Sugar
Artist: Rolling Stones
Year: 1971, Chart: 1
Theme: The lyrics are about slaves from Africa who were sold in New Orleans and raped by their white masters. The way the song is structured, it comes off as a fun rocker about a white guy having sex with a black girl.
 

I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear ...
Stanza: But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there
Song: Wild World
Artist: Cat Stevens
Year: 1971, Chart: 11
Theme: Stevens wrote this about searching for peace and happiness in a crazy world. It's talking about losing touch with home and reality - home especially.

I am yours for evermore
till eternity
silently
listen to the words I say ...
Stanza: I'm not talking just for play.
Song: Heaven Knows
Artist: Donna Summer
Year: 1978, Chart: 4
Theme: The late 1970's were a prolific time for Summer, and here is yet another hit from that era. It's a pretty desperate song about a woman trying to keep her marriage/relationship working against considerable odds.


Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Hip big woman ...
Stanza: you made a bad boy out of me
Song: Fat Bottomed Girls
Artist: Queen
Year: 1978, Chart: 24
Theme: Queen guitarist Brian May wrote this. It's about a young man who comes to appreciate women of substantial girth.
"I wrote it with Fred(Mercury) in mind, as you do especially if you've got a great singer who likes fat bottomed girls."


Whatever will be, will be
the future is our to see ...
Stanza: When you hold on to me
Song: Baby Hold On
Artist: Eddie Money
Year: 1977, Chart: 11
Theme: This was the first single for Eddie Money, who was a New York City cop before pursuing his music career. Money (real name: Edward Mahoney) wrote the song with his guitarist Jimmy Lyon. It's simply about a couple struggling to hold on to their love during difficult times.