Well, not really. I spent a significant chunk of that decade as an awkward pimply adolescent. But the radio was pretty interesting.

Lots of radio stations in the 70s played a format they called Album Oriented Rock, which meant that they played pretty much anything. You had payola getting weird (and often long) songs on the air. Radio consultants and corporate ownership of multiple stations were just starting to happen. The result was that you’d hear all kinds of stuff on the radio (often back to back) that you’d never hear today, even on satellite radio.

Shonen Knife “Top Of The World” (The Carpenters)
This is pretty much the only Carpenters song that doesn’t depress me. And the girls of Shonen Knife make it even happier.

Smashing Pumpkins “Jackie Blue” (Ozark Mountain Daredevils)
Billy Corgan has always worn his love of Classic Rock on his sleeve, and it serves him well here. This was recorded when the Pumpkins were still a relatively unknown local band in Chicago.

Robyn Hitchcock “Kung Fu Fighting” (Carl Douglas)
At last an a capella version of this song. Our long national nightmare is over.

L’Aura “Life On Mars” (David Bowie)
A nice poppy tune that doesn’t take itself as seriously as the original.

King Missile “Still The One” (Orleans)
Really fun and kinda slap-happy. I like this much better than “Detachable Penis.”