There was something magical about crafting the perfect mix tape back in the day—a carefully curated collection of songs that spoke volumes when our own words failed us. Whether you were hoping to impress a new friend or subtly hint at your feelings for someone special, these analog love letters required patience, precise timing, and an intimate knowledge of which songs would convey exactly what you wanted to say.
1. “Your Song” by Elton John (1970)
Elton’s heartfelt piano ballad from his second album became the gold standard for expressing sincere affection without coming on too strong. The vulnerable lyrics about not having much to give except a simple song resonated with anyone who felt they had more feelings than material gifts to offer. The track’s gentle melody and Bernie Taupin’s straightforward poetry made it perfect for an early spot on Side A of your carefully planned cassette. Smooth Radio confirms that, to this day, Elton can’t stay away from the stage for long.
Released in 1970, this track reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since become one of John’s signature songs. Many mix tape creators appreciated how the song balanced intimacy with a certain innocence that wouldn’t make the recipient uncomfortable. The track’s enduring popularity was cemented when Ewan McGregor performed it in 2001’s “Moulin Rouge,” introducing it to a whole new generation who would never know the anxiety of recording songs from the radio.
2. “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John (1971)
Another Elton classic that found its way onto countless mix tapes, “Tiny Dancer” worked its magic through its epic build and cinematic quality. The song’s first gentle piano notes signaled the beginning of something important, while its soaring chorus created the perfect emotional crescendo. Many of us included this track around the middle of Side A, when we were ready to elevate the emotional stakes of our musical message. American Songwriter gives a deep dive into the origins of this famous track.
Though only reaching #41 on the U.S. singles chart upon release, “Tiny Dancer” gained legendary status over time and became a cultural touchstone after its memorable use in the film “Almost Famous.” The track’s six-minute length meant sacrificing precious tape space, but its build-up and emotional payoff made it worth every second. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics about his first wife, Maxine Feibelman, capturing the spirit of California in the early ’70s that we all wanted to channel in our mix tapes.
3. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Stevie Nicks’ contemplative masterpiece about facing life’s changes became a mix tape staple for deeper connections and friendships weathering difficult times. The stripped-down production showcased Nicks’ distinctive voice and created an atmosphere of intimate confession that made the recipient feel they were being trusted with something precious. The song’s themes of growth and transformation made it particularly appropriate for tapes marking graduations, moves, or other life transitions. As noted by Far Out Magazine, many of the band’s songs had conflict at their heart.
Released on the band’s self-titled 1975 album, “Landslide” wasn’t initially a single but became one of their most beloved tracks through word of mouth and radio play. Nicks wrote the song while contemplating her music career and relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, creating lyrics that felt universal yet deeply personal. The gentle guitar work by Buckingham complemented the emotional vulnerability of the lyrics, making it the perfect song to include when you wanted to show someone you trusted them with your true feelings.
4. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
The Rumours album’s first single became a mix tape favorite for its hypnotic groove and emotional complexity that somehow worked for both romantic overtures and platonic playlists. Nicks’ ethereal vocals floating over the distinctive rhythm section created a vibe that was impossible to resist, even as the lyrics hinted at relationship troubles. The song’s popularity ensured your recipient would recognize it immediately, but its layered meaning allowed for personal interpretation—perfect for when you wanted to leave things slightly ambiguous.
“Dreams” reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1977 and returned to the charts decades later thanks to a viral TikTok video, proving its timeless appeal. The track was recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California, during the famously turbulent Rumours sessions where the band’s romantic entanglements were falling apart. Despite its melancholy undertones, the song’s irresistible rhythm made it suitable for almost any mix tape scenario, from road trip soundtracks to subtle romantic hints.
5. “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc (1975)
This innovative studio masterpiece became the ultimate mixed-signals song for mix tapes, with its narrator insisting he’s not in love while everything about the dreamy production suggests otherwise. The song’s atmospheric soundscape—created from hundreds of layered vocal tracks—provided a lush backdrop for contemplation as your lucky recipient pondered exactly what you were trying to tell them. The ironic disconnect between lyrics and feeling made it perfect for those times when you weren’t quite ready to declare your feelings directly.
Peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, the track featured groundbreaking production techniques that created its distinctive wall of sound without traditional instruments. The famous whispered “big boys don’t cry” interlude added an intimate moment that felt like a direct message to the listener, making it impossibly personal on a mix tape. The song took three weeks to record and nearly didn’t make it onto the album until the band’s secretary burst into tears upon hearing it, convincing them of its emotional power.
6. “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon (1972)
Simon’s wickedly clever takedown of a narcissistic lover provided mix tape makers with the perfect passive-aggressive inclusion when feelings were complicated or unrequited. The catchy chorus and mysterious subject matter (who was she singing about?) made it irresistible, while giving you plausible deniability about any pointed message. Adding this track sent a clear signal that you were nobody’s fool, even if you were including more hopeful love songs elsewhere on the tape.
The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1973 and has kept listeners guessing about its subject for decades, with candidates including Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, and James Taylor. Mick Jagger provided uncredited backing vocals on the chorus, adding another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating track. The song’s blend of confession and accusation made it the perfect mix tape choice for maintaining your dignity while still engaging emotionally.
7. “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede (1974)
This irresistibly catchy cover of B.J. Thomas’s 1968 hit, complete with its memorable “ooga-chaka” intro, injected pure joy into any mix tape needing a mood lift. The song’s unabashed expression of being overwhelmed by emotion made it perfect for conveying enthusiasm about a new relationship or friendship without getting too serious. Many mix tape creators strategically placed this as the first song on Side B, giving the recipient a burst of energy when they flipped the cassette.
The Swedish group’s version reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1974, bringing the song back to the charts with its distinctive tribal chant introduction. The track found renewed popularity when featured in “Guardians of the Galaxy” in 2014, but for those of us making mix tapes in the ’70s, it had already cemented its status as the ultimate feel-good declaration of being smitten. The song’s international success demonstrated how a catchy hook could transcend language barriers, making it universally relatable for any mix tape recipient.
8. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel (1977)
Joel’s Grammy-winning ballad offered mix tape creators the perfect way to say “I appreciate you exactly as you are” without having to find the words themselves. The song’s message of unconditional acceptance resonated deeply with anyone who wanted to express appreciation for someone special in their life. The jazz-influenced piano and saxophone solo added sophistication that elevated your mix tape beyond teenage crush territory.
Released on Joel’s breakthrough album “The Stranger,” the song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards. Joel originally wrote the song for his first wife Elizabeth Weber, though he later admitted he grew to hate performing it after their divorce. The track’s warm production and sincere delivery made it the definitive “I like you for you” statement, perfect for placement toward the end of a carefully crafted mix tape.
9. “Evergreen” by Barbra Streisand (1976)
Streisand’s theme from “A Star Is Born” provided mix tape creators with a moment of pure, unabashed romantic declaration when subtlety was no longer required. The Oscar-winning ballad’s soaring vocals and timeless message about love that remains fresh and vital conveyed serious intentions that couldn’t be misinterpreted. For many of us, including this track was a bold move that signaled we were all in, emotionally speaking.
The song spent three weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Streisand an Academy Award for Best Original Song, making her the first female composer to win in that category. Streisand co-wrote the music with Paul Williams, who crafted lyrics that felt both poetic and direct, perfect for when your mix tape needed to make a clear statement. The track’s lush orchestration and Streisand’s powerful delivery ensured it would command attention wherever it appeared in your cassette sequence.
10. “You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Christine McVie’s upbeat celebration of new love provided mix tape curators with the perfect guilt-free expression of joy and attraction. The song’s bouncy rhythm and straightforward appreciation of a relationship made it suitable for mix tapes at almost any stage of friendship or romance. Its position as the fourth hit single from “Rumours” ensured your recipient would recognize it, while its positive energy clearly communicated your optimistic feelings.
The track reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was inspired by McVie’s affair with the band’s lighting director, Curry Grant (though she told her husband John McVie it was about her dog to avoid conflict). The song’s infectious keyboard hook and McVie’s warm vocals made it impossible not to smile while listening—exactly the effect you wanted your mix tape to have. The track’s straightforward happiness provided a necessary counterpoint to some of the more melancholy or complex emotional songs typically included on a thoughtfully curated cassette.
11. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Diana Ross (1970)
Ross’s epic reimagining of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell classic became a mix tape essential for expressing unwavering commitment and support. The dramatic spoken-word sections and building orchestration created a powerful statement of “I’ll be there for you” that worked equally well for deep friendships and romantic relationships. Many mix tape creators saved this track for a climactic moment near the end of Side B, when they wanted to leave no doubt about their loyalty.
The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked Ross’s successful transition to a solo career after leaving The Supremes. Producer Ashford & Simpson transformed the original upbeat duet into a cinematic solo showcase that incorporated elements of gospel, soul, and classical music. The song’s message of overcoming any obstacle to be there for someone special made it the ultimate declaration of dedication on a mix tape designed to strengthen bonds.
12. “We’ve Only Just Begun” by The Carpenters (1970)
The Carpenters’ optimistic ballad became the perfect mix tape closer, suggesting that whatever relationship existed between creator and recipient had wonderful potential ahead. Karen Carpenter’s warm, intimate vocals made the song feel like a personal message speaking directly to the listener about shared possibilities. Originally written for a bank commercial, the song found its true purpose as the ultimate statement of hopeful beginnings on countless cassettes exchanged between friends and potential partners.
The track reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since become a standard at weddings and anniversary celebrations. Paul Williams and Roger Nichols wrote the song that Richard Carpenter expanded into a full-length recording after hearing the bank commercial on television. The gentle optimism and promise of “so much life ahead” made it the perfect final statement on a mix tape, leaving your recipient with a warm glow and the suggestion that your shared story was just getting started.
Long before playlists and music streaming, these analog creations demanded real investment—recording songs in real-time, writing out track listings by hand, and physically giving them to someone who mattered to you. Each of these twelve songs carried emotional weight that helped us express feelings we couldn’t put into words ourselves, creating soundtracks for friendships and romances that many of us can still recite by heart decades later. Perhaps in today’s digital world, we’ve gained convenience but lost something of the beautiful vulnerability of handing someone a cassette that said, “This is how I feel about you, in twelve carefully chosen songs.”
