The 1970s produced some of the most iconic and memorable songs in popular music history. Many 1970s hits continue to receive airplay on classic rock radio stations and remain popular at events like weddings or parties. When examining the song titles from this iconic decade, one color that frequently appears is “blue.” There are numerous songs from the 1970s that incorporate “blue” into the title in some form. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular and enduring 70s songs with “blue” in the title.
Notable Examples
Here are some of the most well-known examples of hit 70s songs that have “blue” in the title:
– “Blue Bayou” by Linda Ronstadt – This 1977 hit single reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ronstadt’s emotional delivery and the song’s nostalgic lyrics about longing for an idyllic past helped make “Blue Bayou” one of her signature songs.
– “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle – Gayle’s breakout 1977 hit reached #2 on the Hot 100 and earned her a Grammy Award. The ballad’s lyrics tell the story of a woman who is sad to lose her lover, with her brown eyes turning blue because of her sorrow.
– “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson – The title track to Nelson’s 1975 album became one of his most famous songs. The song’s gentle, melancholy lyrics about lost love struck a chord with listeners, taking “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” to #1 on the country charts.
– “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” by The Hollies – This 1972 rock radio staple made it to #2 in the U.S. and contains the lyric “She’s got blue eyeshadow.” The song’s driving beat and bluesy feel made it a fan favorite.
– “Blue Jean” by David Bowie – The lead single from Bowie’s hugely successful 1984 album Tonight, “Blue Jean” incorporated Bowie’s knack for reinventing his persona and sound. The upbeat, catchy pop-rock tune reached #8 in both the U.K. and U.S.
Other Notable Examples
In addition to those major hits, many other popular songs from the decade also featured “blue” in the title:
– “Blue Morning, Blue Day” by Foreigner
– “Blue Sky” by The Allman Brothers Band
– “Beyond the Blue Horizon” by Lou Christie
– “Blue Sky Mine” by The Doobie Brothers
– “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond
– “Blue Collar Man” by Styx
– “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You” by Sugarloaf
– “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” by Three Dog Night
– “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” by England Dan & John Ford Coley
– “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon
– “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” by Vicki Lawrence
– “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
– “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” by Elvin Bishop
– “Hold Your Head Up” by Argent
– “867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone
– “Stuck in the Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel
– “Coconut” by Harry Nilsson
– “You Are the Woman” by Firefall
– “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille
– “Have You Never Been Mellow” by Olivia Newton-John
– “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
– “I Love the Nightlife” by Alicia Bridges
Thematic Connections
When examining all of these songs together, some interesting themes and connections emerge related to the use of the word “blue”:
– Blue often represents sadness, loneliness, or heartache. Songs like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” “Solitary Man,” and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” use “blue” to evoke those feelings.
– The color blue can suggest longing, distance, or nostalgia. This fits with “Blue Bayou” and its lyrics about wanting to return to a fondly remembered place from the past.
– Blue can be associated with hard work and everyday life, as in songs like “Blue Collar Man” and “Blue Sky Mine.”
– Upbeat songs sometimes used “blue” in playful ways, like “Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress)” and “Blue Jean.”
– “Blue” could be used in a title while having little to do with the lyrics, such as “Blue Morning, Blue Day.”
So in many classic 70s songs, the word “blue” helped set a mood, capture a theme, or make the title more vivid and memorable even if it wasn’t a central part of the lyrics. The broad emotional associations with the color blue give songwriters an effective, simple word to work into their title.
Enduring Popularity
One clear sign of how enduring these blue-themed hits have been is to examine how often they have been covered by other artists or appeared in films:
– “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” has been covered by artists like Kacey Musgraves, Billy Currington and Boyz II Men. Carrie Underwood performed the song on an American Idol tribute to Crystal Gayle.
– “Blue Bayou” has been recorded or performed by artists like Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, and Patty Loveless over the years. It appeared in the film Risky Business.
– Willie Nelson’s rendition of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” earned him a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance. The song has been covered by artists across genres like Elvis Presley and Dean Martin.
– “Blue Jean” by David Bowie appeared in the movie Desperately Seeking Susan and has been cited as an influence by later artists like The Strokes.
Beyond just these few examples, the proliferation of covers and references for these songs speaks to their lasting cultural impact. The combination of evocative lyrics and indelible melodies has helped cement these blue-themed hits into the canon of great pop/rock songs of the 20th century. Their nostalgic themes continue to resonate with younger generations in an era when 70s music enjoys renewed popularity.
Conclusion
In examining the landscape of popular 70s music, songs that incorporated the word “blue” into the title hold a special place. For songwriters, using “blue” offered an efficient way to imply certain moods, emotions, or themes. The best songs went beyond just having “blue” in the title to weave it into lyrics exploring ideas like heartache, hard work, and nostalgia. Decades later, these songs remain fixtures on radio, in film, and popular culture. Their infectious melodies and timeless lyrics have enabled them to remain relevant into the 21st century. So when people feel nostalgic for the 1970s, there’s a good chance they’ll hear an iconic song with “blue” in the title. The word’s connection to longing and memory has proven a perfect match for the enduring popularity of these hits. Looking at the full range of examples, it becomes clear why “blue” was such a ubiquitous title word in that unforgettable musical era.