Featured image: Pixabay

Liberation. Rebellion. Revolution.

Fuelled by rock n’ roll, drugs and freedom, the 1970s was an era of change. Not only did music triumph, but the decade was the catalyst for political awareness and notably, the empowerment of women.

The music of the 70s had so much to offer, with a plethora of genres from disco to punk that ignited a fire in the bellies of the youth. With a spirit of anarchy and rebellion, it is no surprise that the 70s will forever be remembered as a period of change and progression. Acts such as Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones are among the bands hailed as the driving force behind hard rock, a genre that not only defined the era but has remained impactful. 

Although rock n’ roll is what many remember of the seventies, funk and soul also became deeply influential and popular. Collectives such as Funkadelic and The Meters birthed a raw and passionate sound that provided a soundtrack to political and social issues and remains celebrated to this day. The raucous and soulful energy of such acts instilled a buzz in the young generation, and so it is no surprise that their legacies live on today.

Now in the 21st century, music is incredibly eclectic and diverse. The charts range from 80s pop ballads by Milli Vanilli to Charli XCX’s experimental pop, and whether we like it or not,  the likes of Fleetwood Mac and ABBA remain. These artists persist through their legendary status and have imprinted their timeless selves into the fabric of 21st-century music.

Bruno Mars’ Collective ‘Silk Sonic’ are a prime example of the legacy of the seventies. Mars’ 2021 album An Evening with Silk Sonic emerged with an essence of soul that has been locked away since The Isley Brothers and Bill Withers. The album exudes the 70s, from the ‘Smokin’ Out the Window’ music video which perfectly embraces a recording studio session of the era, to the classic soulful tenor of Mars’s voice and Anderson Paak’s funky edge.

The seventies revival isn’t only confined to the music charts, but has also resurged within TV and film. Licorice Pizza (2021), set in the San Fernando Valley, displayed the vibrant and retro style of the seventies, gifting us a rich and eclectic soundtrack ranging from Gordon Lightfoot to The Doors. 

Another huge influence for the revival of 70s music was Amazon’s Daisy Jones and the Six, following a rock band throughout their rise and fall, closely inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s relationships and breakdowns within their career. The show’s soundtrack was released in the form of the album Aurora, which quickly found itself at number one on the Billboards Emerging Artists’ chart and was inescapable on TikTok and radio stations across the world. Queen’s biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ had a similar effect, with the song itself becoming the most streamed of the 20th century after the film’s 2021 release. With Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin biopics soon to be released, we are far from the end of the 70s revival.

Something that the youth have craved for generations is escapism. Perhaps it’s the intense longing for freedom, or perhaps its musical diversity and revolution, but the 70s will live on forever as the decade of escapism and freedom. It is no wonder that we, in the 21st century, remain trapped with a longing to simply travel back in time.