#154 - Top 7 Songwriters of the 70s
Neil Young - An indisputable all-time great, Neil Young’s skill as a songwriter allows him to paint complex, sensory images with his lyrics. Our favourite track? Horse With No Name (1971)
Patti Smith - Equal parts singer, author and poet, Patti Smith’s skill with words sees her weaving complex narratives through her music. We love ‘Dancing Barefoot’ (1979) for its clever use of history.
Marvin Gaye - Marvin Gaye’s ability to weave powerful social messages into his delicately arranged tracks, leaves his music summing up the signature soulful sound, as well as the key political concerns of the 70s. If we had to choose a favourite? The lyrics of ‘Save The Children’ are pretty special.
Nick Drake - Nick Drake’s iconic sound is perhaps best defined by its spaciousness. Hypnotic, circling acoustic guitar melodies, paired with the softness of Drake’s voice - a match made in heaven. Drake’s 1972 album ‘Pink Moon’ is definitely a release worthy of full album listening but, if we had to pick just one, the title track of ‘Pink Moon’ never disappoints.
Stevie Wonder - It wouldn’t be a 70s songwriter roundup without a mention of Soul-King, Stevie Wonder. His 1976 release, ‘Songs in the Key of Life’, is an album of back-to-back hits. But the jubilant lyrics and brass accompaniments of ‘Sir Duke’ give this track pole position in our books - guaranteed to get any dance floor moving!
Carole King - We could have included Carole King in our 60s roundup, but it was in ‘71, after splitting from her duo project with her husband, that King really hit upon something special with her songwriting. The jazz infused track, ‘It’s Too Late’, from her 1971 debut solo album, ‘Tapestry’, is both nostalgic and forward-looking, melancholic and hopeful - songwriting at its best!
Bob Marley - We couldn’t possibly miss the King of Reggae, Bob Marley, off the list. Known for raising the popularity of Reggae and Ska across the globe, Marley’s unique, Rock-infused take on these traditional genres saw him soaring up the charts. Whilst Marley’s lyrics succeeded in simultaneously speaking to both personal and historical struggles. (One of) our favourite tracks? ‘This Is Love’ (1978).
