A True ’70s Fan Can Name These 20 Songs From Just The Opening Line
The 1970s gave us unforgettable music that still fills the radio today.
From disco beats to rock anthems, these songs defined a generation and continue to inspire listeners of all ages.
Can you recognize these classics from just their first line?
Test your knowledge and see if you’re a true fan of the grooviest decade in music history.
Disclaimer: This article is presented for entertainment and music appreciation purposes and references well-known song lyrics solely for identification and commentary.
Song descriptions reflect widely recognized cultural interpretations, historical context, and personal perspective, and the selections represent a subjective list rather than a definitive ranking.
1. Imagine There’s No Heaven
John Lennon created one of the most powerful peace anthems ever recorded with this 1971 masterpiece.
The opening line challenges listeners to envision a world without divisions, setting the stage for a message of unity and hope.
This song became an instant classic, touching hearts across generations with its simple yet profound lyrics.
Whenever you hear those first piano notes, you know something special is about to unfold, like opening a window to a better tomorrow.
2. Very Superstitious, Writings On The Wall
Opening with a sharp reminder about trusting superstitions and misleading signs, this funky 1972 classic grabs attention right away.
That unmistakable clavinet riff kicks in instantly, setting off toe-tapping momentum before you even realize it’s happening.
Creative brilliance comes through in the way social observation blends seamlessly with grooves so strong they ruled the charts.
Spinning this track feels like a jolt of motivation, the kind of musical boost that makes a sluggish Monday suddenly feel manageable.
3. Well, You Can Tell By The Way
The Bee Gees delivered the ultimate disco anthem in 1977 with this swagger-filled opening line.
Those first words capture the confidence and cool of the disco era, making everyone want to strut down the street.
This track became the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, cementing its place in pop culture forever.
Playing this song transforms any ordinary walk into a movie scene where you’re the star gliding through your neighborhood with unstoppable style.
4. On A Dark Desert Highway
A haunting sense of mystery unfolds in this 1976 opener, guiding listeners through a shadowy vision of California’s backroads.
Almost instantly, the imagery places you on a quiet highway at dusk, where the air feels heavy and the next moment is impossible to predict.
What truly carries the song is its masterful storytelling, holding attention tightly from the opening line through the final, lingering guitar notes.
Anytime a road trip stretches into sunset, this track slips naturally into place as the soundtrack for traveling toward the unknown.
5. Every Time That I Look In The Mirror
What takes place when a song begins with honest self-reflection that echoes the quiet struggles many people carry inside?
Almost immediately, a powerful vocal rise transforms that opening into something grand, setting the stage for a lasting rock anthem centered on perseverance and big dreams.
In the way that emotion settles so fast, listeners find space to reflect on personal journeys, lingering doubts, and long-held ambitions.
Doesn’t it resemble a late-night conversation with someone you trust, when the world slows down and you finally ask yourself who you are becoming?
6. Loving You Isn’t The Right Thing To Do
Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 breakup anthem opens with brutal honesty that cuts straight to the heart.
Lindsey Buckingham poured his real relationship struggles into this line, creating something painfully authentic and universally relatable.
The raw emotion behind these words helped make Rumours one of the best-selling albums ever recorded.
Hearing this song is like reading your own diary from a tough breakup, reminding you that even painful endings can create beautiful art.
7. You Can Dance, You Can Jive
With an irresistible invitation to relax and celebrate, this 1976 disco hit kicks open the dance floor in the most joyful way possible, courtesy of ABBA.
Pure happiness pours through those opening words, as the Swedish supergroup distilled fun into a song that still fuels parties decades later.
In just a few lines, the promise of freedom and carefree nights comes through clearly, capturing exactly what the disco era lived for.
Drop this track into any gathering and the atmosphere shifts instantly, like a switch flipped that sends worries away and gets everyone moving.
8. A Long, Long Time Ago
Don McLean’s 1971 epic begins like a fairy tale, immediately drawing listeners into a nostalgic musical journey.
This eight-minute masterpiece uses these opening words to transport us back to the day the music died, referencing Buddy Holly’s tragic plane crash.
The storytelling brilliance packed into this song has kept music fans analyzing its lyrics for generations.
Hearing this feels like sitting around a campfire while someone shares the most important story you’ll ever hear about rock and roll history.
9. Do You Remember
Opening with a simple question, this 1978 celebration anthem instantly taps into nostalgia and pure joy, delivered by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Right after those words, the group’s unmistakable horn lines and irresistible groove kick in, shaping one of the most uplifting songs ever put to tape.
With just two words, listeners are invited to revisit their happiest memories, especially moments spent dancing through warm September nights.
Playing it can turn an average day into a celebration, much like opening an old photo album that brings the best times rushing back.
10. In The Day We Sweat It Out
Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 anthem captures working-class struggle and dreams of escape in its gritty opening line.
The Boss painted a vivid picture of young people desperate to break free from their small-town lives and limitations.
This raw, honest beginning set the stage for one of rock’s most powerful declarations of hope and rebellion.
Listening to this feels like standing at the edge of town with your best friend, ready to chase down every dream you’ve ever had.
11. I’m So In Love With You
Al Green’s silky 1971 soul classic opens with the simplest yet most powerful declaration of devotion imaginable.
His smooth vocals glide through these words like honey, creating an intimate moment that feels personal to every listener.
The vulnerability and sincerity in this opening line established Green as one of soul music’s greatest romantic voices.
Hearing this song is like receiving a love letter that perfectly captures those butterflies you feel when you’ve found someone truly special.
12. Sometimes In Our Lives
A gentle opening released in 1972 delivers a timeless message about friendship and support, shaped by Bill Withers.
Within those few, simple words sits a quiet wisdom, reminding everyone that needing help now and then is part of being human.
Through a warm vocal tone and deeply honest lyrics, Withers transformed the song into a universal anthem of compassion that reaches across boundaries.
Listening to it feels like offering a steady embrace on someone’s hardest day, reassuring them they are never facing the world alone.
13. Ah, Freak Out!
Chic’s 1978 disco explosion starts with an exclamation that instantly commands attention and demands movement.
Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards created a funky masterpiece that begins with pure, unfiltered energy and excitement.
Those two words became a rallying cry for disco fans everywhere, signaling that something amazing was about to happen.
Hearing this opening is like someone turning up the volume on life itself, making everything suddenly brighter, bolder, and more fun than before.
14. At First I Was Afraid
Opening in a moment of vulnerability, this 1978 empowerment anthem gradually rises into a force of unshakable strength, carried by Gloria Gaynor.
That first line connects instantly with anyone who has faced heartbreak and quietly questioned their ability to endure.
Across the song, the shift from fear toward confidence unfolds clearly, securing its place as a lasting statement on resilience and personal growth.
Hearing it feels like discovering your inner warrior after a difficult breakup, when strength appears and surprises you all at once.
15. She Packed My Bags Last Night
Elton John’s 1972 space odyssey opens with a domestic scene that quickly launches into cosmic loneliness.
Bernie Taupin’s lyrics paired with Elton’s haunting melody create a story about isolation that feels both futuristic and deeply human.
The contrast between the ordinary opening and the extraordinary journey makes this song endlessly fascinating to listeners.
Hearing this is like watching a movie where the hero leaves everything familiar behind, floating alone but somehow finding beauty in the emptiness.
16. It’s A God-Awful Small Affair
What begins with a sharp, cynical observation quickly unfolds into a surreal examination of life’s many absurdities, shaped by David Bowie in 1971.
That first blunt line immediately frames Bowie as a fearless observer, willing to confront society’s shallow fixations and hollow promises head-on.
Throughout the track, his gift for pairing biting social commentary with eerily beautiful melodies becomes impossible to ignore.
Experiencing it feels like having your perception shifted, where reality’s contradictions surface and the comforting illusions everyone leans on start to dissolve.
17. There’s A Lady Who’s Sure
Mystery sets the tone as this 1971 epic unfolds, revealing a central figure whose journey stretches across eight unforgettable minutes.
Carried softly at first, the opening lines rest on delicate acoustic guitar work from Jimmy Page before the song gradually rises toward one of rock’s most thunderous crescendos.
Layered storytelling and intricate musicianship combine here in a way that quickly secured the track’s status as a defining progressive rock classic.
Experiencing it feels like stepping into a mythical forest at the start of a long quest, unsure of the destination yet confident something extraordinary waits ahead.
18. Out Here In The Fields
The Who’s 1971 anthem opens with a declaration from youth seeking meaning beyond the mundane world around them.
Pete Townshend’s synthesizer riff creates an unforgettable backdrop for this cry of teenage angst and spiritual searching.
The raw energy and honest emotion in this opening established the song as a generational rallying cry for young people everywhere.
Playing this feels like breaking free from everything holding you back, running wild through open spaces where anything seems possible and within reach.
19. Once I Had A Love
Blondie’s 1978 disco-rock fusion begins with a wistful reflection on a relationship that seemed perfect but proved fragile.
Debbie Harry’s cool vocals deliver this line with just the right mix of regret and detachment, capturing complicated feelings perfectly.
The blend of new wave attitude and disco beats made this track a groundbreaking crossover that dominated both rock and dance clubs.
Listening is like looking back at an old flame through rose-colored glasses, remembering the magic while accepting how things really ended.
20. We Are Family
Joy and pride burst through immediately in this 1979 celebration anthem, making its message unmistakable from the very first moment.
Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, the disco classic transforms a simple statement into a lasting declaration of unity.
An irresistible groove paired with an affirming message turned the song into a shared anthem for togetherness, honoring both family by blood and family by choice.
Playing it in any group setting sparks instant connection, as if everyone has been gently reminded that what matters most are the people right next to them.
