Hey, all you cool and swanky folks, it’s summertime and you want to relax with your sexiest friends, wearing your best polyester tight pants, and just enjoying the sounds of the decade with some of the worst looks and really cool sounds.

I was just a little runt in the 70s, but I remember the summers well, and that always meant someone’s parent or older sibling having an epic vinyl collection.This included a ton of one-hit wonders, like these:

“In the Summertime” by Mungo Jerry

When my brother bought a 45 of this song, the b-side wasn’t even Mungo Jerry. I know they did some other cool stuff, but really is it hard to top this jug band classic. I mean, those sideburns don’t lie.

“Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band

I was six when this came out, and we’d head across the street to my friend who had an older cousin who just bought this album. We’d dance around and sing about those cool “sky rockets” all those fun people must be out watching on a fine summer afternoon. Nope, they’re jonesin’ for a nooner. Must be those peasant blouses and leather vests that just can’t wait until the middle of cold dark night.

“Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest

One of the most addicting feel-good tunes for summer nights. Even my own Gen Z kids love it. If it happens to come on the car radio, don’t even try to fight it. Just sing along.

Time Travel Bonus: British indie rockers Toploader did a really nifty remake in 2009 (that I often blast on long drives):

“Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas

As mush as this one has been parodied and made into memes, this is still a great song, and Carl Douglas could not have been more peak 70s. Everybody was (listening to ) “Kung Fu Fighting,” and they still are. His hit was remade and remixed, and is still a favorite. He’s still alive and kicking today at 81. You get ’em, sir.

“Magic” by Pilot

Right in the middle of the 70s came this smooth …and overplayed…song. A couple of these guys went on to join a popular 80s band, Alan Parsons Project. Yet, we still know it. Because It’s magic!

I know there are many, many tunes that I’m leaving out. What 70s tunes, one-hit-wonders or other, do you like to groove to in the summertime?