I grew up listening to pop music from the 1980s. Then around 1995 I found a radio station in Tampa Bay that played nothing but music from the 1970s (107.3 The Coast). At first I only liked the classic rock and disco music from that era. But slowly overtime, I came to love 70s pop more than 80s pop.
A few years ago I constructed my ultimate 70s pop 2-disc mix. This mix has no classic rock, disco or funk. That would be too easy. Instead I constructed 2 distinct categories for 70s pop: Polyester and Cheese. Polyester is that smug 70s sound that reeks of shag carpet and wood panels. It’s the serious side of pop, which now sounds so wonderfully ridiculous. Cheese is the sugary pop or fun side of pop. Think roller skates and bubble gum.
Enough background. Here is the greatest 70s pop mix ever. I give you Polyester and Cheese.
[POLYESTER]
Ambrosia – How Much I Feel
Bob Welch – Sentimental Lady
Bread – Sweet Surrender
ELO – Strange Magic
Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
Gino Vanelli – I Just Wanna Stop
Jefferson Starship – Miracles
Nicolette Larson – Lotta Love
Paul Davis – I Go Crazy
Walter Egan – Magnet and Steel
Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right
Todd Rundgren – I Saw the Light
Ace – How Long
Dr. Hook – Sexy Eyes
George McCrae – Rock Your Baby
[CHEESE]
Andy Kim – Rock me Gently
Brothers Johnson – Strawberry Letter 23
Defranco Family – Heartbeat It’s a Love Beat
Edison Lighthouse – Love Grows Where My Rosemary Grows
Grassroots – Sooner or Later
Honey Cone – Want Ads
Jigsaw – Sky High
Osmonds – One Bad Apple
Partridge Family – I Think I Love You
Pilot – Magic
Raspberries – Go All the Way
Badfinger – No Matter What
Babys – Isn’t It Time
Jackson 5 – ABC
Sweet – Fox on the Run
UPDATE MAY 2011: Rupert Holmes – Escape removed for Walter Egan – Magnet and Steel. Alive Kicking – Tighter and Tighter removed for Badfinger – No Matter What