3 Hidden Gem Classic Rock Songs From the 1970s

In many ways, the 1970s were the decade for classic rock music. If rock and roll was invented in the 1950s, it grew up in the 1960s. But it was the 1970s when it became the fast-car driving, shirt-unbuttoned adult that everyone would know and love. Thanks to acts like Heart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and more, the ’70s made classic rock into a household name.

But while there were so many marquee names in the era, there were also a lot of hidden gem songs from that time period to enjoy. Songs that may have since gotten a bit buried under the weight of so many Hall of Fame groups. Here below, we wanted to dive into three songs from the decade that may be a bit hidden today but that are no less powerful and effective. Indeed, these are three hidden gem classic rock songs from the 1970s.

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“What Do I Get?” by Buzzcocks (1977)

This song helped break out the British-born rock group, the Buzzcocks. Brash and bold, the buzzy group, which enjoyed a quick but flashy peak from 1976 to 1981, has been a standard for garage rockers and punk rockers everywhere since. On this track, which is all about what slice of the pie is in it for you, lead vocalist Pete Shelley sings,

I just want a lover like any other

What do I get?

I only want a friend who’ll stay to the end

What do I get?

What do I get, oh-oh-oh

What do I get?

What do I get, oh-oh-oh

What do I get?

“Marquee Moon,” by Television from Marquee Moon (1977)

Written by guitarist and lead vocalist Tom Verlaine, this track opens with staccato electric guitars before melodic, catchy leads take over. Then the drums drop and all of a sudden your head is bobbing and your toes are tapping. This song is a lightning strike of a dream, a stream-of-conscious story about meeting someone underneath the moon, about driving a Cadillac and about seeing the crash of the world all around you. Psychedelic and sensitive, the track is both cerebral and physically enlivening. On it, Verlaine sings,

Life in the hive puckered up my night

A kiss of death, the embrace of life

Ooh, there I stand neath the Marquee Moon

Just waiting

I spoke to a man

Down at the tracks

And I ask him

How he don’t go mad

He said, “look here, junior, don’t you be so happy

And for heaven’s sake, don’t you be so sad”

“Oye Como Va,” by Santana from Abraxas (1970)

While Santana is a well known artist today, the Bay Area lead guitar player’s song “Oye Como Va” may not be one at the top of many playlists today. The instrumental song, though, is astonishing. It was originally written by Tito Puente. But Santana made it his own for his 1970 album, Abraxas. On it, he plays shoulder-shimmying leads and the percussion makes you want to get a dance partner and hit the dance floor. For those that like this one, check out “Black Magic Woman,” which is also on Abraxas.

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