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3 Remarkable Hits From 1970 That Bring 60+ Rock Fans Straight Back to Their Youth
A retrospective highlights three 1970 rock hits that may evoke memories for listeners who were young at the time: The Guess Who’s “American Woman”, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Up Around the Bend” and Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”. Their lasting popularity and contrasting styles show the range of rock music released that year.
“American Woman” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top Singles charts in the US. “Up Around the Bend” reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 4 in the US, while “Iron Man” peaked at No. 52 on the US Hot 100, becoming Black Sabbath’s highest-charting US pop single; the band later won a Grammy for its 1998 live version.
In short
- Three memorable rock hits were released in 1970.
- “American Woman” topped two US singles charts.
- “Iron Man” later earned Black Sabbath a Grammy.
Explained simply
In 1970, rock music ranged from guitar-led songs to heavier, darker sounds. The Guess Who were a Canadian band whose “American Woman” became a major US chart hit, while Creedence Clearwater Revival, an American group known for its rootsy rock, had success on both sides of the Atlantic with “Up Around the Bend”.
Black Sabbath helped shape heavy metal, a style built around thick guitar sounds and forceful rhythms. “Iron Man” reached a lower position on the US singles chart than the other two songs, but it became the band’s highest-charting US pop single. Together, the three tracks reflect the variety of rock heard in 1970 and remain familiar to many listeners.