1. “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero” – Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
In 1974, you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero.” It told a dramatic story of a soldier who ignored his fiancée’s plea to stay safe, only to meet a tragic end. Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods made it a smash in the U.S., even though the song had started as a UK hit for Paper Lace. Its mix of catchy chorus and tearjerker storytelling made it perfect for the ’70s airwaves.
Still, despite being a number one hit, it didn’t have much staying power. As music shifted into disco and later rock, “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero” started to sound old-fashioned. It’s rarely played now, except by diehard fans of vintage pop. But anyone who grew up with it can still recall the soaring “Billy, don’t be a hero, come back to me” hook.
2. “Midnight at the Oasis” – Maria Muldaur
When Maria Muldaur released “Midnight at the Oasis” in 1974, it felt sultry, whimsical, and just a little bit exotic. The jazzy folk-pop tune invited listeners into a desert fantasy, complete with camels and candlelit romance. It stood out on the radio because it sounded so different from the rock and disco dominating the airwaves. The song quickly became her signature hit, earning Grammy nominations and endless airplay.
Yet despite its early success, Muldaur never had another hit of the same scale. “Midnight at the Oasis” drifted into the background as disco fever took over. These days, it’s mostly remembered by music fans with a love for quirky one-hit wonders. Still, its breezy style and playful lyrics make it a charming slice of ’70s pop that deserves more attention.
3. “Seasons in the Sun” – Terry Jacks
When Terry Jacks released “Seasons in the Sun” in 1974, it became a global phenomenon almost overnight. The bittersweet ballad, with its themes of farewell and mortality, connected deeply with listeners. It was one of those songs that seemed to be everywhere, from radio rotations to family gatherings. People found themselves humming its melancholy melody whether they wanted to or not.
But time hasn’t been especially kind to it. Critics began to label it too sentimental, and it gradually lost its spot in pop culture. Today, it’s often remembered more for being cloying than for the emotional punch it once carried. Still, for those who were there, the opening line is enough to bring back a flood of memories.
4. “Disco Duck” – Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots
Long before novelty songs became a punchline, “Disco Duck” was a genuine chart-topping sensation in 1976. Radio DJ Rick Dees created it as a playful parody of disco culture, complete with quacking vocals and a funky beat. Against all odds, it climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a dancefloor favorite. People laughed, danced, and couldn’t get enough of the silliness.
But once the disco craze faded, so did the duck. Even Rick Dees himself seemed embarrassed by its legacy later on. Few songs better capture how quickly a novelty hit can rise and fall. Today, it’s a trivia answer rather than a beloved track, but in the mid-’70s, it was absolutely everywhere.
5. “Afternoon Delight” – Starland Vocal Band
There was a time in 1976 when everyone was singing “Afternoon Delight,” even if they weren’t entirely sure what it was about. With its sunny harmonies and lighthearted sound, it seemed like a wholesome folk-pop tune. But the cheeky lyrics about daytime romance gave it an edge that made people giggle and blush. The song became a cultural touchstone, winning a Grammy and shooting the band to stardom.
Of course, that stardom didn’t last. Starland Vocal Band never managed another big hit, and “Afternoon Delight” became their defining one-hit wonder. These days, it’s remembered more for its risqué reputation than its chart dominance. It may be forgotten by some, but it remains a perfect snapshot of ’70s pop at its quirkiest.
6. “Undercover Angel” – Alan O’Day
In 1977, Alan O’Day came out of nowhere with “Undercover Angel,” a dreamy pop tune that captured listeners’ imaginations. With its whimsical lyrics and catchy chorus, it sounded like a blend of storytelling and pure fantasy. O’Day was better known as a songwriter for others, but this single made him a star in his own right. For a brief moment, it seemed like he’d found a permanent place in the pop scene.
But the hit was lightning in a bottle. O’Day never repeated the success, and “Undercover Angel” drifted into obscurity as the decade closed. You’ll rarely hear it now outside of a soft rock playlist or retro station. Still, its charm hasn’t faded for those who remember humming along in the summer of ’77.
7. “Torn Between Two Lovers” – Mary MacGregor
Few songs summed up ’70s ballad drama like Mary MacGregor’s “Torn Between Two Lovers.” Released in 1976, it told the story of a woman caught between her husband and her lover. The vulnerable delivery and emotional honesty struck a chord with audiences, sending it all the way to number one. For a while, it was one of those songs you couldn’t escape on the radio.
But despite its massive popularity, it didn’t linger in pop culture the way other hits did. The confessional tone felt dated as music shifted toward disco and new wave. MacGregor herself never scored another comparable success. Today, it’s a song that comes to mind only when someone stumbles across it in an old record bin.
8. “Playground in My Mind” – Clint Holmes
When Clint Holmes released “Playground in My Mind” in 1972, it was a slow build that eventually became a big hit by 1973. The sweet, almost childlike tune featured a sing-along chorus about candy and simple joys. It was innocent, sentimental, and exactly the kind of feel-good track listeners loved in the early ’70s. Kids adored it, and parents appreciated its wholesome vibe.
But innocence doesn’t always age well. As the decade wore on, the song sounded more like a relic of a different era. Holmes would never again reach the same level of success. While the title might not ring many bells today, those who lived through it remember its catchy refrain clearly.
9. “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” – The New Seekers
This tune started life as a Coca-Cola jingle in 1971, before The New Seekers turned it into a full-length hit. Its message of peace and unity fit perfectly with the mood of the time. People instantly connected with the idea of a world brought together by something as simple as a song. For a while, it felt like it could become a lasting anthem.
Yet once the ad campaign faded, so did much of the song’s presence. While still beloved by those who remember the commercial, it’s rarely played today. The New Seekers themselves faded from mainstream U.S. success not long after. Still, the song is unforgettable to anyone who recalls that famous “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” moment.
10. “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” – Edison Lighthouse
Released in 1970, “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” was one of those irresistible earworms that instantly took over the radio. The upbeat melody, cheerful lyrics, and catchy chorus made it a massive hit, shooting to number one in the U.S. and the UK. Edison Lighthouse became an overnight sensation, and the song was played everywhere from school dances to car radios. It felt like one of those songs that would stick around forever.
But like many pop acts of the time, Edison Lighthouse couldn’t follow up with another big success. The group itself was a revolving door of musicians, which didn’t help them build a long-term fan base. As the decade wore on, the song slipped quietly into the background. Still, when it pops up today, it’s impossible not to smile and remember how sunny and carefree it once sounded.
11. “The Night Chicago Died” – Paper Lace
Paper Lace had their moment in 1974 with “The Night Chicago Died,” a fictional tale of gangsters and police battles. With its dramatic lyrics and driving beat, it felt like a mini-movie wrapped up in a three-minute pop tune. American audiences ate it up, sending it to the top of the charts. For a British band, it was a surprising Stateside success.
But the song’s fictional details, including a made-up Chicago neighborhood, drew laughs later on. The band never managed another big U.S. hit, and the song’s legacy faded quickly. Today, it’s remembered mostly by music trivia buffs. Still, for a few months in 1974, it sounded like the most exciting story ever told on the radio.
12. “Precious and Few” – Climax
In 1972, Climax scored big with “Precious and Few,” a tender love ballad that seemed to play nonstop on soft rock stations. Its heartfelt lyrics and smooth delivery made it the kind of song couples would dedicate to each other, and it climbed all the way into the Top 10. The track had that quintessential early ’70s romantic vibe, sitting comfortably alongside other mellow hits of the time. For a while, it felt like Climax might become a lasting presence on the charts.
But lightning didn’t strike twice for the band. After “Precious and Few,” Climax couldn’t produce another major hit, and the group faded quickly from the spotlight. Today, the song is rarely heard outside of oldies playlists or wedding anniversary mixes. Still, for those who remember, it’s one of those forgotten gems that captures the softer side of ’70s pop perfectly.
