Once again, let's focus on the music of the 1970s. It's full of classic songs and diverse genres, from rock to punk and new wave, with disco, soul, and pop in between.
When you hear those songs being played, they bring back many great memories. Sometimes, though, they have been played far too often. We’ve grown tired of them and, at times, irritated by them. The proverb of familiarity breeding contempt can ring very true in this respect.
Sadly that applies to some really great songs as well as some other top sellers that will perhaps come as less of a surprise. It happens to the best of rock songs and has a special subcategory for the world of disco too. Let’s look at eight examples where many listeners have grown tired of hearing them now. You are likely to disagree with some of the choices, but I am pretty sure there will be others that hit home for you.
8 Overplayed 1970s blockbuster songs
“Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
It’s an obvious rock classic. It’s perhaps over long for radio, so we perhaps hear a bit less often than some others on this list. It’s also not often covered commercially by others. Let’s skip past that Rolf Harris version for several extremely valid reasons.
Equally, it’s far less likely to pop up on the playlist at weddings and family celebrations. Despite all that, the song is still one that many people won’t seek out often and are happy to avoid hearing. Perhaps a classic for quieter contemplation from time to time.
“Hotel California” – Eagles
Another long, wandering, and overplayed rock tune. It does have that iconic guitar solo as a saving grace. Or is that another reason to avoid it for some?
In the end, it boils down to a song where at best, some people look forward to hearing that solo when the song comes on the airwaves. They’d probably press a fast-forward button if they had one. The rest of the listeners just groan and wish it would end.
“Smoke on the Water” – Deep Purple
There may be a recurring theme here. A guitar riff that indicates a particular song alone. Almost like a trademark for the band or tune. That's the case with “Smoke On The Water.” For some though the memory of this song is somewhat tainted.
Have you lived with or near someone learning to play it on their guitar? It’s a favorite for many beginners to try and master. Mainly because it’s a familiar riff others will recognise. But also for the satisfaction of getting it right, eventually. It’s a proud moment for the learner, but not even close to the end of the painful experience for nearby listeners.
“More Than a Feeling” – Boston
Another big anthem. Another huge hit. Another song though that starts to grate from the opening bars. It’s just too familiar, overplayed, heard too often. It was a fantastic debut song from a super album of its time. And amazingly it came close to not being released. But the time has passed and there are plenty of other songs to be played.
“Cold As Ice” - Foreigner
The band may well have offered themselves up to Taylor Swift and Travis x as a potential wedding band. But you have to imagine the thought of their somewhat cheesy 1970s and 1980s rock turned the newly engaged couple cold at the thought. Yeah, cold as ice, we can all do cheesy at times!
Some people do rate the song highly. The piano hook to open or the pop operatic vocals in places have their place. But it is somewhat cynical in its story and like a few others from their back catalogue, it’s a bit corporate-sounding.
“Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
It’s hard not to think about JohnTravolta, arm aloft and that white suit on a New York dance floor. Unfortunately when you hear it next the reality is that it’s Uncle Bill getting up to dance, and he should know better at his age.
A great song of its time. A super addition to the film and soundtrack back in the seventies. But let's just leave it at that now.
“Dancing Queen” - ABBA
An irresistible blockbuster to many at any party. A dancefloor filler. That's a good enough reason for any DJ to read the audience and play it when appropriate. To be fair it works that way for many. But that doesn't mean you want to hear it on your day-to-day playlists or over the radio. Best saved for the right time and place and an appropriate audience.
“YMCA” – Village People
There are quite a few reasons to groan when you hear this. Whether you favor or dislike Donald Trump, you surely have to agree that he’s taken the song as a theme and added his own take on a dad dance when it plays.
It’s either that or watching a bunch of others trying to remember how to spell YMCA and then work out how to shape their arms to spell it out. Another cheesy disco number that either fills or empties the floor based on the audience present.