1. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Vicki Lawrence’s dramatic “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” (1972/1973) unfolds like Southern noir: betrayal, murder, and a flawed justice system. The narrator’s brother returns home, learns of his wife’s affair, and ends up wrongfully executed while the sister was the real shooter all along, twist ending included. It hit No. 1 on Billboard in April 1973, and despite its soap-opera excess, listeners can’t help being drawn into the storytelling. At first it might seem overly theatrical or “cheesy,” but the clever lyrics and haunting groove give it real emotional weight, and it’s fascinating enough that you find yourself singing along to the whole dark saga.
2. You Sexy Thing
Hot Chocolate’s sultry “You Sexy Thing” (1975) pairs a funky bassline and bold brass with playful flirtation, “I believe in miracles … you sexy thing!”, turning camp into charm in one irresistible package. Originally a B‑side, the track climbed to No. 3 in the US and No. 2 in the UK, and later re-charted in the ’80s and ’90s thanks to The Full Monty and TV ads, making it the rare song to hit the UK Top 10 in three different decades. Its wink‑wink lyric and confident groove make it fun rather than serious, but the swagger and soul elevate it beyond novelty. It’s become a staple at parties and commercials alike because it feels celebratory. Some may scoff at its campiness, but the honesty in its tone and catchiness keep listeners coming back, and singing along with devil‑may‑care delight.
3. Hooked on a Feeling
“Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede explodes into your ears with its famous “Ooga‑chaka” intro, a playful addition borrowed from Jonathan King’s 1971 version. Blue Swede’s 1974 cover soared to No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, charming listeners with its campy chanting and energetic delivery. Despite being called cheesy, that chant makes it irresistible: once you start, you’re singing along in no time. Over the years, it’s gained a cult resurgence thanks to films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Reservoir Dogs, where it re‑entered charts decades later. It’s pure fun, over‑the‑top vocal hooks and a lighthearted delivery, but deep down everyone admits it sticks with you, a guilty‑pleasure earworm you secretly love.
4. I Think I Love You
This Partridge Family debut single, led by teen idol David Cassidy, was bubblegum pop heaven in 1970. It ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, sold millions, and was even named the best‑selling single of 1970 in the US. Its lush arrangement combines baroque harpsichord touches with whimsical harmonies, delivered by top LA session pros (The Wrecking Crew and Ron Hicklin Singers) alongside Cassidy’s vocals. Purists might roll their eyes at its manufactured innocence, but that’s exactly what gives it lasting charm: a perfect blend of teen‑ybopper romantic lyrics and catchy melodies.
5. Knock Three Times
Tony Orlando & Dawn’s “Knock Three Times” is a sweet little story-song that reached No. 1 in 1970, with its fun call‑and‑response about apartment‑based romance. Its charmingly literal lyrics, asking a neighbor to signal with knocks or taps, make the song feel playful and a bit silly, while its infectious chorus stays in your head long after it ends. Though critics tagged it as overly sentimental, its warmth and simplicity resonated with a wide audience. The upbeat piano and hand‑claps give it a homemade feel, almost like community theatre.
6. Rocky
Austin Roberts’s “Rocky” is a soft‑rock ballad with surprisingly tragic lyrics, a man lovingly recounting his fiancée’s early death, and yet it climbed to Top 10 in the US in 1975. Its story‑song format is reminiscent of country‑flavored storytelling, but the pop arrangement and heartfelt vocals made it radio‑friendly. Despite its sadness, people still sing along. There’s a bittersweet irony: the melody is gentle and nostalgic, so when the heartbreaking twist arrives, it hits even harder. In its time it felt like emotional over‑sharing, and yet that rawness gave it staying power.
7. Dancing Queen
ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” may’ve been dismissed as sugary disco when it debuted in 1976, but it quickly became an iconic dance anthem and remains one of the most enduring pop songs ever. Originally seen as fluffy due to its bright production and upbeat lyrics, it’s now embraced by critics and fans alike as a flawless pop gem. What feels cheesy on first listen, sparkling strings, lush harmonies, and a carefree disco groove, becomes irresistible when you’re on the dance floor. Decades later, “Dancing Queen” still unifies generations; its emotional resonance and joyous delivery have made it timeless rather than disposable.
8. Love Grows
“Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” by Edison Lighthouse (1970) is bubblegum pop at its brightest: a jaunty tribute to an irresistible girl, full of jangly guitars and breezy harmonies. Written by songwriting team Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason and performed by session singer Tony Burrows, the track topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks, becoming the first true No. 1 of the 70s in Britain. Though critics dismissed it as lightweight, its sheer positivity and melodic charm turned it into an earworm. It’s a one-hit-wonder classic, the kind of song whose lyrics stick in your head and whose chorus you can’t help but hum. Despite, or because of, its simplicity, it captured the hopeful spirit of early‑70s pop and still invites nostalgic singalongs.
9. Copacabana
Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana (At the Copa)” (1978) is peak theatrical disco, telling the story of Lola the showgirl, bartender Tony, and a disastrous love triangle at the famed nightclub. With its Latin‑flavored percussion, brassy horns, and cinematic narrative, the song turned into an instant classic, reaching the Top 10 in the US and around the world, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Barry Manilow also received his first and only Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for this song at the 1979 ceremony. The storytelling hook and dramatic chorus make it unforgettable. Critics may have rolled their eyes at its melodrama, but audiences embraced it, and decades later, it’s still performed in musical adaptations and referenced in pop culture.
10. Afternoon Delight
“Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band (1976) sounds like a harmless folk‑pop tune until you realize its cheeky innuendo wrapped in sunshine harmony. Written by Bill Danoff and produced by Phil Ramone, the upbeat melody and sweet vocal blend masked a sensual theme that flew under the radar because children mistook it for a food-related song! ItThis single was a #1 hit on July 10, 1976, spending two weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and earned a gold record. The song also contributed to the group winning Grammy for Best New Artist, and the title track earned a Song of the Year nomination at the 1977 awards. The famously cheeky lyrics with risqué innuendo masked by sunny folk‑pop, and the chorus being widely misunderstood as benign, are directly cited, including memorable media commentary calling it one of the “dirtiest number one hits” ever.
This story 10 Cheesy 1970s Songs Everyone Pretends to Hate, But Secretly Loves was first published on Daily FETCH
