4 Rock Songs From 1974 That Give Me Instant Goosebumps

Since the early days of Little Richard and Chuck Berry, rock ‘n’ roll has possessed at least some semblance of flamboyant drama. No era of rock music personifies this flamboyance, though, quite like the 1970s. The theatrical and emotional releases that came out of this decade are some of the best the genre has ever seen, including these four rock songs from 1974 that never fail to give me goosebumps.

“Killer Queen” by Queen

Starting this list of 1974 rock songs that always give me goosebumps is a personal one: “Killer Queen” by Queen. My middle name is an uncommon family name, Antoinette, and even though Freddie Mercury is very much not talking about the long line of German women in my family who carried this name, it still tickles me to hear my name in such a popular song. Brian May’s guitar solos are the cherries on top, sending goosebumps up and down my arms every time I listen.

“Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie

David Bowie gave weirdos everywhere an anthem for the ages with his 1974 single “Rebel Rebel” (and I say that as a fellow weirdo). This empowering track for everyone who dares to push against societal expectations always gives me goosebumps for the message alone. “Rebel rebel, how could they know? Hot tramp, I love you so!” The fact that it’s also an incredibly catchy and iconic example of 1970s rock ‘n’ roll—still a little jangly, but with a harder edge—is a bonus.

“Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Listen, I play my fair share of cover gigs, so I am viscerally aware of how cliché this entry of goosebump-inducing rock songs from 1974 may seem. But if we were to ignore the countless drunkards who have yelled this song title up to a band that’s trying their best to get through a jukebox gig, the song is incredible. It’s cliché for a reason. The emotional dynamics of this song never fail to send chills up my arms, from the tender, slow parts to the rousing rock groove later in the song.

“Ready For Love” by Bad Company

Bad Company’s “Ready For Love” appears on the band’s self-titled 1974 debut, which also includes the iconic—but maybe a little cheesy, in the whole naming-a-song-after-your-band-name way—eponymous title track, “Bad Company”. Both are great rock cuts, but something about the chord progression in “Ready For Love” always gives me goosebumps. Sometimes a melody hits you in just the right way, and this is one of those musical moments.

Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images