When you think about it, the 1970s weren't as bad as those of us who tend to prefer the 1960s often like to say. There was unquestionably some good entertainment and some good times, even if we didn't like the clothes we were wearing.
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When you think about it, the 1970s weren't as bad as those of us who tend to prefer the 1960s often like to say.
There was unquestionably some good entertainment and some good times, even if we didn't like the clothes we were wearing, the conversations we were making, and many of the songs we couldn't keep ourselves from humming.
Truth to tell, I wasn't really ready for the 1960s. I wasn't political enough, certainly wasn't daring enough, and I was never quite able to keep a decent curl in my never quite shoulder length hair. Not only didn't I get to Woodstock, I'm not sure I even ever saw the movie all the way through.
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But the 1970s were different.
All you needed to make your way in the 70s was an open shirt, an elemental sense of rhythm, and a friend who had a somewhat ready supply of Quaaludes. And so, reluctantly or not, we Baby Boomers left the era of shoulder length hair for the era of soldier length hair, went from flowery bell bottoms to flowery shirts, and entered the brave new world of the disco.
So, fellow Boomers, the 1960s vs. the 1970s? You decide.
60s: This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius 70s: This is the dawning in some odd person's bedroom ...
60s: One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small ... 70s: One pill makes you gutsy ...
60s: Long hair. 70s: Chest hair.
60s: Cream. 70s: Bread.
60s: Political Platforms. 70s: Platform Shoes.
60s: The New Left. 70s: "Left, right, kick, turn, left, right, kick, turn ...."
60s: Counterculture. 70s: Counter culture.
60s: The Lizard King. 70s: Lounge Lizard.
60s: Summer of Love. 70s: Lookin' for Love!
60s: Far Out! 70s: Steppin' Out
60s: Jefferson Airplane. 70s: Air Supply.
60s: Sugar Magnolia. 70s: Sugar, Sugar.*
60s: Right On! 70s: Right Away!
60s: Steal this Book. 70s: Book?
60s: "It's 1, 2, 3, what are we fighting for?" 70s: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 .... Instant Replay!"
60s: Power to the People! 70s: Village People.
60s: "What's your sign?" 70s: "What's her story?"
60s: "He ain't heavy, he's my brother ..." 70s: The Me Decade.
60s: "The answer, my friend, is Blowin' in the Wind." 70s: "The answer, my friend, is Blowin' in the Wind. And now, my friend, lemme tell you 'bout my newest friend -- Jesus!"
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*I'm fudging this one a bit, folks. Sugar, Sugar seems to me to be way 70s, but it was actually released in 1969.
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
Back To School, 70s Style
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