Do You Know the Opening Lyrics For These '70s Songs?

By: Becky Stigall
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Do You Know the Opening Lyrics For These '70s Songs?
Image: Queen Official via YouTube

About This Quiz

"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man. No time to talk." If you're anything like the Bee Gees, you might not have time to talk, but we can assure you that you have time for this quiz. The 1970s was an iconic decade in music from the "night fever" of disco to the immersion of rock and new wave bands, the popular songs of the decade had even more popular first lines. From ABBA's "Dancing Queen" to Don McLean's "American Pie," do you know the opening lyrics to these '70s songs?

Some of the biggest acts featured solo artists like Diana Ross and Donna Summer dominated the billboards, while groups like the Bee Gees and ABBA were all over the airwaves. The decade also witnessed the fame of many popular rock bands as well as the introduction of new wave artists. The 1970s also shot English artists and bands to the forefront of music. David Bowie, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones made massive splashes in the music scene, all of whom were responsible for some of the decade's biggest hits. From "Rocket Man" to "Satisfaction," do you know the opening lyrics for these '70s songs? There's only one way to find out! Pick up your mics and let's see if you can follow the tune of this quiz.

"Oh, what a night, late December back in '63"
Stairway to Heaven
December 1963 (Oh What A Night)
Highway to Hell
Cat's in the Cradle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Oh What a Night," by The Four Seasons. Sure, this one was a gimme, but it was still a great song.

"At first, I was afraid, I was petrified"
I Will Always Love You
Dust in the Wind
I Will Survive
Eye of the Tiger
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "I Will Survive," by Gloria Gaynor. This little ditty earned her a Grammy nod for Song of the Year.

"Wake up, Maggie, I think I got something to say to you"
Cats in the Cradle
Maggie May
Stayin' Alive
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Maggie May," by Rod Stewart. The song is about being in a relationship with an older woman.

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"Yeah, there was a funky singer"
Cat's in the Cradle
The Wall
Hotel California
Play that Funky Music
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. The song appears on the 1976 self-titled album.

"Oh, that's the way, uh-huh uh-huh"
Highway to Hell
Stairway to Heaven
That's The Way (I Like It)
The Wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "That's The Way (I Like It)," by KC and the Sunshine Band. The band hails from Florida, the Sunshine State.

"Very superstitious, writings on the wall"
Superstition
Highway to Hell
Over the Rainbow
Stayin' Alive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Superstition," by Stevie Wonder. The song appears on the artist's 15th studio album, "Talking Book," and was released in 1972.

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"Have you heard about the new dance craze?"
Le Freak
Highway to Hell
Cat's in the Cradle
Bridge Over Trouble Water
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Le Freak," by Chic. The song appears on the 1978 album, "C'est Chic."

"Guess who just got back today"
Stayin' Alive
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
The Boys Are Back In Town
Hotel California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "The Boys Are Back In Town," by Thin Lizzy. The song appears on the 1976 album, "Jailbreak."

"You walked into the party"
Stayin' Alive
The Wall
Hotel California
You're So Vain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "You're So Vain," by Carly Simon. The song is rumored to have been written about Warren Beatty, whom Simon once dated.

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"When you're weary, feeling small"
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Hotel California
Cat's in the Cradle
The Wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Bridge Over Troubled Water," by Simon and Garfunkel. It's their most famous single and won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

"Big wheels keep on turning ... Carry me home to see my kin"
Sunshine On My Shoulders
Sweet Home Alabama
Layla
Hotel California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Sweet Home Alabama," by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Southern rock band was formed in 1964.

"Once I had a love and it was a gas"
Hotel California
American Pie
The Wall
Heart of Glass
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Heart of Glass," by Blondie. The song appears on the 1978 album, "Parallel Lines."

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"Ooh, my little pretty one, my pretty one"
The Wall
My Sharona
The Cobra King
Hotel California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "My Sharona," by The Knack. The song appears on their 1979 album, "Get the Knack."

"American woman gonna mess your mind"
American Band
American Pie
American Woman
American Scene
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics from "American Woman," by The Guess Who. The song appears on the 1970 album, "American Woman."

"Some people call me the space cowboy yeah"
The Wall
The Day
The Joker
The Night
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "The Joker," by the Steve Miller Band. This classic rock tune appears on the 1973 album of the same name.

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"A long, long time ago"
American Beauty
The Wall
American Pie
Hotel California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "American Pie," by Don McLean. The soulful song earned a Grammy nod in 1971.

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
Thriller
Dancin in the Dark
Bohemian Rhapsody
Stayin' Alive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics of "Bohemian Rhapsody," by Queen. The song appears on their 1975 album, "A Night at the Opera."

"Holly came from Miami F.L.A. ... Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A."
The Wall
Push It
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
American Pie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Take a Walk on the Wild Side," by Lou Reed. In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 223 in its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time

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"Jeremiah was a bullfrog"
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
Push It
The Thunder Rolls
Joy to the World
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Joy to the World," by Three Dog Night. The song continues ... "was a good friend of mine," spawning numerous modern-day internet memes.

"Strumming my pain with his fingers"
Stayin' Alive
You Make me Feel Like Dancing
Killing Me Softly
Flashdance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Killing Me Softy," by Roberta Flack. The song won Flack a Grammy.

"We all came out to Montreux ... On the Lake Geneva shoreline"
Smoke on the Water
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Cats in the Cradle
Highway to Hell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Smoke on the Water," by Deep Purple. The song appears on their 1972 album, "Machine Head."

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"You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life"
Dancing Queen
Stayin' Alive
Wake Me Up
Hotel California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Dancing Queen," by ABBA. The group remains popular as a cult favorite among fans.

"Loving you ... Isn't the right thing to do"
Go Your Own Way
Shattered
The Long Road
Highway to Hell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Go Your Own Way," by Fleetwood Mac. The song appears on the 1977 album, "Rumours."

"What'll you do when you get lonely/And nobody's waiting by your side?"
Layla
Hotel California
Highway to Hell
The Wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Layla," by Eric Clapton. The song appears on his 1970 album, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs."

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"Imagine there's no heaven"
Stayin' Alive
The Wall
Hotel California
Imagine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Imagine," by John Lennon. The song appeared on the 1971 album of the same name.

"If I leave here tomorrow ... Would you still remember me? "
Lonely Hearts Club
Highway to Hell
Over the Moon
Free Bird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Free Bird," by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song was released in 1973 and was a stepping stone to the group's Hall of Fame induction.

"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk"
Stayin' Alive
How Deep is Your Love
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'
Dancin' in the Dark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics from "Stayin' Alive," by the Bee Gees. These handsome guys from across the pond were flying high in the '70s.

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"I know your eyes in the morning sun"
Stayin' Alive
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'
Sgt. Peppers
How Deep Is Your Love
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "How Deep is Your Love," by the Bee Gees. The Bee Gees are made up of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb. Their brother, Andy Gibb, was a solo artist at the time.

"There's a lady who's sure"
Stairway to Heaven
Hotel California
The Wall
Stayin' Alive
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Stairway to Heaven," by Led Zeppelin. The song was released in 1971 and was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

"Sometimes in our lives we all have pain "
Lean on Me
The Wall
Push It
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Lean on Me," by Bill Withers. The song appears on the 1972 album, "Still Bill."

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"Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals"
Baba O'Riley
Stayin' Alive
Hotel California
Highway to Hell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Baba O'Riley," by The Who.

"Backstroke lover always hidin' 'neath the cover"
The Boys Are Back In Town
Love Story
Walk this Way
Push It
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Walk This Way," by Aerosmith. The song appears on the 1975 album, "Toys in the Attic."

"Well you're dirty and sweet, clad in black"
Highway to Hell
Stairway to Heaven
The Wall
Bang a Gong
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Bang a Gong," by T. Rex. The song appears on the 1971 album, "Electric Warrior."

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"In a little while from now ... If I'm not feeling any less sour"
Cat's in the Cradle
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Alone Again
Tears on My Pillow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Alone Again," by Gilbert O'Sullivan. The song appears on the 1971 album, "Himself."

"Living easy, living free"
Hotel California
The Wall
Killing Me Softly
Highway to Hell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are the opening lyrics to "Highway to Hell," by AC/DC. The song is prominently featured in the television show, "Supernatural."

You Got:
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Queen Official via YouTube