10 Rock Songs From 1972 That Have Aged Well

The early 1970s marked a definitive shift in the cultural landscape, with the echoes of the ’60s giving way to a distinctly different beat. It was in 1972 that music pivoted into a new era, embracing fresh sounds that defined an entire generation. The tracks that emerged in that year weren’t just relics from a bygone era; they possessed an energy and identity all their own, setting the tempo for years to come.

10. Todd Rundgren – “Hello It’s Me”

Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me” saw a metamorphosis from its original version with the band Nazz into a solo masterpiece. It found its groove on Rundgren’s third album, “Something/Anything?”, showcasing a more soul-infused aura and peppiness. This reimagined creation didn’t just tickle the ears; it firmly established Rundgren’s place in the Top 10 hits, with a rendition that stands out as a clear favorite over the band’s earlier release.

Sweeter and more refined, the solo version of “Hello It’s Me” beats with a heart full of soul and pop sensibility. It’s a track that invites you into Rundgren’s world, polished with the genuine affection of an artist coming into his own. It’s easygoing, yet vibrant, proving to be a defining point in his solo career.

9. Steely Dan – “Do It Again”

Steely Dan struck a chord that resonated beyond the standard fare of the time with their debut single “Do It Again.” The ensemble, ripe with jazz finesse, stood apart from their peers in ’72 with a sound that was as precise as it was smooth. Smart and sophisticated, “Do It Again” wove complex musicianship with catchy rhythms that would become a trademark of the band’s style.

Unlike the prevalent psychedelic tones of the age, Steely Dan’s meticulous approach birthed a track that rolled out like silk – with enveloping harmonies and a creamy core. “Do It Again” marked the beginning of a legacy, proving that intelligent rock could also chart the waters of mainstream appeal.

8. Deep Purple – “Smoke on the Water”

When Deep Purple released “Smoke on the Water,” they unleashed not just a song but a phenomenon. The iconic guitar riff has become a rite of passage for budding guitarists, a timeless pattern that feels as compelling today as it did back then. The song narrates the actual events surrounding a fire that disrupted the recording sessions of the band’s sixth album, yet the tale somehow struck a universal chord.

“Smoke on the Water” is more than a song; it’s a piece of rock history that still thunders across airwaves and concert halls. Its straightforward yet powerful riff continues to be a staple in rock culture, making it an undeniable classic.

7. Rod Stewart – “You Wear It Well”

Following his success with “Every Picture Tells a Story,” Rod Stewart wasn’t ready to rest on his laurels. He returned with another hit album, “Never a Dull Moment,” and the song “You Wear It Well” echoes with a familiar Stewart charm. It’s a song crafted as a belated love letter, brimming with reflections of past love threaded with a hint of remorse and ample musical panache.

The song starts with a striking violin solo then sails smoothly through Stewart’s vocal prowess. It’s an ode wrapped in the wistful and the whimsical, a tune that fondly remembers an old flame while showcasing everything that made Stewart’s music irresistible – storytelling wrapped in comforting melodies.

6. Elton John – “Rocket Man”

“Rocket Man,” one of Elton John’s most beloved songs, taps into a feeling of loneliness paralleled with the vastness of space. It weaves the tale of an astronaut adrift, paralleling the emotional detachment from those on the ground. Bernie Taupin’s co-written lyrics converge with John’s warm voice delivering an authenticity that humanizes the spaceman’s story.

Performance is key here; Elton John infuses a sense of intimacy that transcends the song’s interstellar theme. Despite its melancholic undertones, “Rocket Man” doesn’t leave listeners floating in despair—it uplifts, reminding us of the connection we all seek, even in the darkest of spaces.

5. Mott the Hoople – “All the Young Dudes”

On the brink of dissolution, Mott the Hoople found salvation through David Bowie’s glam rock anthem “All the Young Dudes.” The song provided a shot of vitality to the then-struggling band, ushering in not just a rebirth but a legacy that would see them hailed as glam rock deities. It’s a track that didn’t just save a band; it redefined them.

Bowie’s influence is undeniable here, propelling Mott the Hoople from the rigidity of hard rock to the flamboyance and energy of glam. The anthem captured an era, becoming a soundtrack for youthful exuberance and the theatrics of rock at that time.

4. Alice Cooper – “School’s Out”

When Alice Cooper proclaimed, “School’s Out,” he captured the rebellious spirit of youth in a song that became an anthem for teenagers everywhere. At 24, Cooper penned a track that resonated with the longing for freedom and the wildness of summer break that appealed to young listeners. It was an instant hit, a Top 10 success that pulled no punches.

The song’s raucous charm rings loud with Cooper’s distinct brand of shock rock. With declarations of having no class or principles, Cooper encapsulates the celebration of youthful abandon in one of rock’s most memorable verses. It’s undeniably clever, irreverent, and still ignites the same thrill today.

3. David Bowie – “Ziggy Stardust”

David Bowie’s transition from pop singer to glam rock icon was solidified with “Ziggy Stardust.” This song is the heart of his concept album that not only explored the story of a rock savior from another world but also saw Bowie embodying this alter ego with an electrifying intensity. “Ziggy Stardust” stands out as a narrative and musical high point in a career full of shifts and reinventions.

With its driving guitar riffs, “Ziggy Stardust” presents a rock-and-roll messiah wrapped up in the spectacle of Bowie’s boundless imagination. It’s a track that’s both otherworldly and packed with rock’s primal energy, highlighting a year in which Bowie not only released this hit but also became an indelible part of the music scene.

2. Neil Young – “Heart of Gold”

Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” resonates as a stripped-down confession, a song that bares the soul with its simple, folksy charm. Born out of a back injury and a Nashville trip, it became Young’s sole No. 1 hit, fostering a departure from electric cacophony to the naked honesty of an acoustic set. It’s a reflection on frailty and the search for sincerity within oneself and others.

“Heart of Gold” was so influential it prodded Young into regularly shifting his musical styles. It stands as a testament to his adaptive spirit, a ballad that carries the weight of life’s wandering quest in tenderly picked strings and heartfelt verses.

1. The Rolling Stones – “Tumbling Dice”

The Rolling Stones’ enduring grace is encapsulated in “Tumbling Dice,” a track from their acclaimed album “Exile on Main St.” Loaded with a bluesy rhythm and just a hint of country twang, it’s a rolling snapshot from a turbulent era. This song, the leading single from their 1972 masterpiece, anchors a collection of sounds symbolizing the Stones’ staggering dominance in rock music.

“Tumbling Dice” is rough around the edges and smooth in its groove, a duality that defines the Stones at their peak. Among the band’s extensive hits, it persists as a standout, a song that embodies the free-spirited essence of rock and rolls forward as resiliently as the band itself.