4 songs from the 1970s you know by heart (but might not know what it is called)

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Enjoying nothing more than embarking on a lengthy road trip, where concerns dissipate and the wind rustles through your hair, can be quite invigorating. Even if you don’t have a convertible, sticking your head out of the window for brief moments can still provide that same refreshing feeling. You can figure out how to do that part yourself.

It’s fun to have tunes playing on your radio or music streamer, so you can join in and belt them out. Whether you’re pitch-perfect or not is beside the point – that’s something others need to deal with!

Occasionally, you could find yourself joining in the lyrics without knowing the title of the tune. Here’s a brief background for each example:

1. Case Study 1: You’re humming along to a catchy melody at work when suddenly you realize that you know all the words but can’t recall the name of the song. This tune is often played on the radio, but it’s never been one of your favorites, so you don’t usually pay attention to its title.

2. Case Study 2: You’re at a party and find yourself belting out the lyrics to a familiar tune, yet you can’t seem to remember what it’s called. This song has accompanied many of your childhood memories, but you never took the time to learn its name.

3. Case Study 3: While taking a walk in the park, you find yourself singing a popular tune from your youth, but you can’t for the life of you remember what it’s called. This song brings back fond memories, and although you don’t know the title, the melody is forever etched in your mind.

1970s songs you might know the words to but don’t know the name of the track

“Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin (1971)

The intro of this tune is remarkably memorable, featuring an engaging vocal melody and catchy guitar riff. It’s a lively number that seems to push ahead with a punk-like energy. Blast it during a long car ride and belt it out at top volume; you may find yourself questioning the title of the song.

It’s quite possible you may ponder over the origin of the song title “Black Dog.” The name is derived from a black Labrador that the band frequently encountered at Headley Grange studio during their recording sessions for this track, which ended up on Led Zeppelin’s fourth self-titled album.

“Baba O’Riley” by The Who

If you’re looking for this tune online, it could be that you’re searching for a track titled “Teenage Wasteland.” This phrase is repeatedly used in the song, and it refers to a state of being ‘wasted’ or out of control, which is also the central theme of the song. The song is famously linked to the band’s performance at the 1969 Isle of Wight festival, as the area was left in disarray after everyone departed, much like a ‘Teenage Wasteland.’

Initially, the tune was intended for an upcoming album by The Who, a follow-up to their work titled Tommy, which was called Lifehouse. However, this project didn’t materialize, so eight of these songs were incorporated into the album known as Who’s Next. The song’s title stemmed from two significant influences in Pete Townshend’s life: Indian spiritual guru Meher Baba and American composer Terry Riley.

“N.I.B.” by Black Sabbath

This track exudes a distinct bluesy ambiance, with Ozzy Osbourne delivering vocals reminiscent of a passionate Pentecostal preacher. However, the storyteller in this song is not just malevolent; he embodies evil itself. The song narrates a unique perspective on love, telling it from the Devil’s point of view as he attempts to transform into something good, or at least appear that way.

The track didn’t have a formal name, and labeling it as something Ozzy sings in the song (“Oh yeah!”) could create a pop-like association, which was not suitable for Black Sabbath. Instead, “N.I.B.” seems to be an amusing inside joke among the band members, representing their perception of drummer Bill Ward’s beard at the time as a pen nib.

“Annie’s Song” by John Denver

If someone is looking for this overly sweet tune, they might start with “You Fill Up My Senses” instead. This part of the song is easiest to sing along with, but its title actually pays tribute to Denver’s spouse at that time.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share this intense tale from the past. In the heart of the ’80s, Denver and Annie Martell chose to part ways. During their separation, Annie made a striking move by severing Denver’s cherished trees at their shared home. To respond, Denver took matters into his own hands (quite literally) with a chainsaw, dividing their bed and kitchen table right down the middle.

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2025-07-16 16:00