10 Best Hard Rock Songs Of The '70s

It's rare to get a rock song that even reaches the 5 minute mark in this day and age. But back in the '70s musicians were writing sprawling musical numbers, with epic themes and equally epic run times. Pink Floyd were the undisputed masters of this.

Wish You Were Here was a record that dealt heavily with the remorse felt at the loss of one of the bands founding members, Syd Barrett. He had been ejected from the group in 1968 after his mental insatiability become too much for the other members to cope with. Nevertheless they honoured his memory with several tracks.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond was a prime example of Floyd's heavy integration of synthesisers into their records, but despite this, the guitar still took centre stage. If Jimmy Page was the guitar player who came up with the most recognisable riffs of the '70s, then David Gilmour was the guy who wrote the most expressive solos.

There aren't many other experiences that come close to listening to Pink Floyd, if by some cruel twist of fate you haven't checked in by now, this is where to start.