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These 4 Mellow Songs From Heavy 70s Bands Sound Even Better Than Their Usual Style
This American Songwriter opinion piece celebrates four occasions when heavy or hard-rocking 1970s bands set aside their usual sound for gentler, more acoustic material. The author argues that although such genre departures do not always succeed, when they do they can rank among the finest songs in a band's catalogue, offering a welcome contrast to their heavier output rather than replacing it.
The four selections are "Orchid" by Black Sabbath, an almost Baroque acoustic piece from Master of Reality that acts as a palate cleanser between the album's metal tracks; "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin, a light, airy song inspired in part by Joni Mitchell, though still marked by Robert Plant's distinctive vocals; "San Tropez" by Pink Floyd, a buoyant, sunny number from Meddle likened to The Beatles' "Octopus's Garden"; and "Hard Luck Woman" by KISS, originally written with Rod Stewart in mind and cited from the band's divisive soft-rock phase. The writer acknowledges these choices, especially the KISS track, may prove contentious among fans.
In short
- Four 1970s heavy bands shine on unexpectedly mellow, acoustic tracks.
- Picks span Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and KISS.
- Author rates some among the bands' best work.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
These softer songs represent moments of genuine artistic excellence that deserve recognition. When powerful musicians venture into gentler material with sincerity and skill, they create pieces of remarkable beauty that showcase different dimensions of their talent. Rather than diluting their legacies, these departures enhance them by demonstrating musical range and versatility, offering valuable contrast that enriches a band's overall body of work.
The case against
These bands built their identities and cultural significance on heavy, powerful music that defined progressive rock and metal. Whilst their acoustic tracks have charm, they represent departures from what made these musicians distinctive and artistically important. Fans who value these bands do so primarily for their signature sound—the raw power and innovation that made them legendary—and view softer songs as interesting oddities rather than achievements worthy of celebration above their core catalogue.
Explained simply
An American Songwriter opinion piece celebrates four instances when major 1970s rock bands recorded notably gentler or acoustic songs that contrasted with their established heavy or hard-rock sound. The author argues that when such stylistic departures succeed, they can rank among a band's most valued work, offering contrast to their heavier material.
The four bands examined are Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and KISS, each of which released at least one mellower track during their careers. These include Black Sabbath's almost Baroque instrumental "Orchid", Led Zeppelin's airy "Going to California", Pink Floyd's buoyant "San Tropez" and KISS's "Hard Luck Woman" from their softer rock era.
The piece explores how such departures can demonstrate the full range of musicians often defined by their most powerful work. The author acknowledges that some of these choices, notably the KISS selection, may divide fan opinion, yet argues they deserve recognition alongside the bands' more characteristic output.
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