This is just a small selection of the many great story songs from the 70s with lyrics that tell a story, but there are many other great songs that could have been included on this list. The 1970s gifted us with an eclectic array of music, rich in storytelling and profound narratives.

Click here for my epic 1970’s playlist on Spotify.

1. American Pie – Don McLean
2. A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
3. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
4. Cats in the Cradle – Harry Chapin
5. Chelsea Hotel No. 2 – Leonard Cohen
6. Devil Went Down to Georgia – The Charlie Daniels Band
7. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
8. Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
9. Hotel California – Eagles
10. Hurricane – Bob Dylan
11. Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy
12. Lola – The Kinks
13. Rocky Raccoon – The Beatles
14. Shine on You Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd
15. Space Oddity – David Bowie
16. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
17. Take the Money and Run – Steve Miller Band
18. The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
19. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot
20. Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
21. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) – Don McLean
22. Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/DC
23. Who Are You – The Who
24. You Don’t Mess Around with Jim – Jim Croce
25. You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away – The Beatles
26. American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
27. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
28. Carry On Wayward Son – Kansas
29. Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
30. Hotel California – Eagles
31. I Fought the Law – The Clash
32. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
33. Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy
34. Let It Be – The Beatles
35. Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
36. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
37. Piano Man – Billy Joel
38. Renegade – Styx
39. Respect – Aretha Franklin
40. Runnin’ on Empty – Jackson Browne
41. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
42. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
43. Tequila Sunrise – The Eagles
44. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
45. Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/DC
46. Yesterday – The Beatles
47. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
48. You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King
49. YYZ – Rush
50. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen

Epic Tales and Personal Stories

• “American Pie” by Don McLean: A sprawling reflection on the changes in American culture from the 1950s to the 1970s.
• “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot: A haunting recount of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior in 1975.
• “Hurricane” by Bob Dylan: A passionate account of the wrongful imprisonment of boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.
• “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin: A poignant exploration of the cyclical nature of father-son relationships.

Characters and Vignettes

• “A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash: The humorous and heartwarming journey of a young man seeking revenge on his father for his unusual name.
• “Lola” by The Kinks: A captivating story about an encounter with a charming, mysterious character named Lola.
• “Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band: A gripping tale of a young man’s fiddle duel with the devil.

Love, Loss, and Longing

• “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass: A sailor’s love story, emphasizing the sea’s call over personal desires.
• “Chelsea Hotel No. 2” by Leonard Cohen: An intimate glimpse into a fleeting romantic encounter, famously with Janis Joplin.
• “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” by Don McLean: A touching tribute to the life and struggles of Vincent van Gogh.

Rock Anthems and Revelations

• “Hotel California” by Eagles: A metaphorical exploration of the hedonism and disillusionment of the California lifestyle.
• “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin: A mystical journey through life’s questions and pursuits.
• “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen: An anthemic celebration of escape and the search for meaning.

Reflections and Defiance

• “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor: An empowering anthem of survival and independence.
• “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King: A comforting promise of steadfast friendship and support.

This selection merely scratches the surface of the rich tapestry of story songs the 70s have to offer. Each track not only showcases the artist’s musical prowess but also their ability to weave compelling narratives that resonate with listeners even decades later. The 70s were a time of great experimentation and expression, with musicians exploring new ways to tell their stories through song.

Your Favorite Tales?

Which story songs from the 70s resonate with you? Are there any hidden gems or personal favorites that you feel should have made the list? Music is a deeply personal experience, and the stories that touch one person may differ vastly from another’s favorites. Let’s continue the conversation and explore more narrative-driven songs that defined the 70s and beyond.