DAILY DIRT: ‘Your Song’ might be the overall most memorable from the 1970s debut singles, but it has plenty of company

July 1, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger MRN Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Sir Elton John, in one of his less flamboyant outfits.

Daily Dirt for Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Helen Reddy is often overlooked, but not by The Daily Dirt … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,329 of The Daily Dirt.

1. In the 1970s, we were saying good-bye to much of the early rock era, bracing for the disco invasion that would ultimately arrive as the decade moved along.

This decade was also a rough period because of all the all of the political unrest the nation was facing because of the war in Vietnam. For many, the only saving grace was music, and today we try and point out some of the brightest songs and artists that were ushered in during this 10-year period. The 1970s represent the third in our four-part series looking at the best debut singles from four different decades, covering the 1960s through the 1990s.

There were many exciting musical debuts in the decade of the ’70s in each of our three categories: male and female artists, plus bands/groups. My favorite debut single for that decade, I think, will always be “Your Song” from Elton John. I was a sophomore in high school back in Ohio at Mansfield Madison (home of the Fighting Rams, thank you), and the first time I heard the relatively unknown Elton John’s breakout masterpiece came when I was riding the school bus one morning. The song was so good that I didn’t want to exit the bus when we reached the front of the high school.

Elton’s song was hardly the only pivotal breakout debut that decade. Few probably remember how big of a star the late Helen Reddy became after her “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” debut. Reddy became a household name with such follow-ups as “I Am Woman,” “Delta Dawn,” “You and Me Against the World,” “Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress),” “Angie Baby,” “Ain’t No Way to Treat A Lady” and “Somewhere in the Night”.

Another note about memorable debuts is tied to the Eagles and “Take It Easy” in 1972. While I only have the song third on my bands/groups list, that is not meant to take anything away from the incredible resume the group went on to build.

As you will likely notice, there are no weak links among today’s medal winners. I hope you enjoy the third installment of of our series examining the top debut singles covering the decades of the 1960s through the 1990s:

1970s

Male

Gold medal: “Your Song,” Elton John (1970). Interestingly, this was initially released as the “B” side to some long forgotten song titled “Take Me To The Plot”.

Silver medal:“My Sweet Lord,” George Harrison (1970)

Bronze medal: “Blinded By The Light,” Bruce Springsteen (1973)

Female

Gold medal: “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” Helen Reddy (1971). Musically speaking, this song, from the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” shot Reddy into the U.S. mainstream and set the stage for her signature hit, “I Am Woman” a year later.

Silver medal: “That’s the Way I Always Heard It Should Be,” Carly Simon (1971).

Bronze medal: “Love To Love You Baby,” Donna Summer (1975)

Groups

Gold medal: “Sultans of Swing”, Dire Straits (1978). From Mark Knopfler’s distinctive guitar work to the group’s effective mix of rock, blues and country, Dire Straits enjoyed a wide appeal at its height.

Silver medal: “More Than A Feeling,” Boston (1976).

Bronze medal: “Take It Easy,” Eagles (1972).

Next: We wrap up or most memorable debuts series with the 1960s.

2. Did you know (Part 412)

That Texas is larger than any European country, excluding Russia.
That anteaters eat roughly 35,000 ants a day.
That there are roughly 200 chickens for every person in Delaware.
That the shortest river in the world is located in Montana. It’s called the Roe River and only flows for 200 feet.
That one space suit for a NASA astronaut costs about $12 million.