# 3 Songs From 1973 That Even Modern Music Fans Can Get Behind

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/3-songs-from-1973-that-even-modern-music-fans-can-get-behind/
- Published: 2026-11-04T06:02:52+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/3-songs-from-1973-that-even-modern-music-fans-can-get-behind/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- “Piano Man” helped launch Billy Joel’s breakthrough.
- Jim Croce’s song reached No. 1 and received two Grammy nominations.
- Bernie Taupin’s song reflects the allure of icons who died young.

## Summary

Three songs released in 1973 are presented as enduring examples of the singer-songwriter success that marked the year, with appeal for listeners today. The article links their lasting recognition to vivid storytelling and the real or cultural figures behind them.

Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, inspired by his time playing piano in a bar, became the title track of his breakthrough album. Jim Croce’s song about a man he met at army lineman school became a US No. 1 hit and earned two Grammy nominations in 1973. The third song, written by Bernie Taupin about Marilyn Monroe, was also intended to reflect broader fascination with famous people who died young.

## Coverage

- [American Songwriter: 3 Songs From 1973 That Even Modern Music Fans Can Get Behind](https://americansongwriter.com/3-songs-from-1973-that-even-modern-music-fans-can-get-behind/)
- [American Songwriter: 4 Songs From 1974 That Even Modern Music Fans Can Get Behind](https://americansongwriter.com/4-songs-from-1974-that-even-modern-music-fans-can-get-behind/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.