The Best Opening Lines of ’70s Songs

The Best Opening Lines of ’70s Songs

Author: David Yas & Michael ”Milt” Wolfe April 3, 2026 Duration: 1:45:25
Dave and Milt are doing what they do best: arguing about music like it matters (because it does). This time, they’re counting down their favorite opening lines from 1970s songs — with Milt, naturally, gravitating toward lines that drop you immediately into a vibe, a scene, or a full-blown attitude problem. They go back and forth like two guys at a bar who won’t let the other finish a sentence, firing off picks like “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Renegade,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “He’s Misstra Know-It-All,” “Easy,” “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” “It’s Only Rock ’n Roll,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Kodachrome,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and “Thunder Road.” Dave lands the plane with his #1 — “Dream On” — because of course he does. Meanwhile, Milt zigged where no one zagged, crowning “Rapper’s Delight” as his top dog, because subtlety is overrated. Plus: a Playdate quiz fueled by listener suggestions, featuring killer openings like “Werewolves of London,” “Sir Duke,” and “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” — because nothing says “fun” like being put on the spot about lyrics you definitely thought you knew.   Topics 01:03 Listener Shoutout Joe 03:48 New Segment and Emails 04:47 Proud Dad: Adrian Sings 06:46 Countdown Setup Seventies Openers 07:30 How We Picked Lyrics 11:20 Number 10 Picks Eagles and Styx 19:48 Number 9 Picks The Who and Stevie 28:07 Number 8 Picks Billy Joel and Lionel 36:43 Pump It Up Meaning 38:03 Elvis Costello Lyrics 40:28 Podcast Banter Break 42:06 Elton John Epic Medley 47:07 Stones vs Critics 50:32 I Shot the Sheriff 54:00 Play Date Quiz 01:02:50 Joy to the World 01:05:36 Steely Dan Story 01:09:58 Kodachrome Kickoff 01:10:38 Nostalgia Parody Talk 01:12:20 April Fools Banter 01:13:12 Staying Alive Breakdown 01:16:28 Cheese Jokes And TikTok 01:19:10 Radar Love Rush 01:21:45 Black Dog Pure Rock 01:25:26 Forever In Blue Jeans 01:29:40 Thunder Road Scene Setting 01:35:00 Dream On Reflection 01:38:45 Rappers Delight Finale 01:42:47 Wrap Up And Listener Mail

For anyone who’s ever argued about a one-hit wonder or wondered what exactly made a chart-topper tick, there’s PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine-Music of the 70s, 80s and More. Hosts Michael “Milt” Wolfe and David Yas don’t just play the hits; they dig into the actual top ten lists from decades past, serving up a blend of nostalgia and fresh commentary. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific chart, breaking down not just the winners but the curious also-rans and genuine oddities that shared the space. You’ll hear them analyze everything from the undeniable classics to those “how did that get there?” moments, all with a sense of camaraderie and genuine curiosity. While the core of the podcast revolves around the music of the 1970s and 1980s, they happily venture into the 90s and other eras, applying the same formula to themed lists like the greatest cover songs, iconic TV themes, and memorable movie soundtracks. It’s less a lecture and more like eavesdropping on a great conversation between two knowledgeable friends who love to unpack the stories behind the songs. The result is a consistently engaging listen that might make you revisit your old playlists with a new appreciation. Tune in for a weekly dose of musical archaeology that’s as much about the cultural context as it is about the melody.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

PAST 10s: A Top 10 Time Machine - Music of the 70s, 80s and More
Podcast Episodes
Duran Duran, Fountains of Wayne: The Starter Kit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:51
On this very special episode of Past Tens, your beloved hosts — one recovering from surgery, the other recovering from life — roll out something brand new: The Starter Kit. Think of it as the musical tasting menu nobody…
70s/80s Trash TV! The Battle of the Network Stars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:13
Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to experience is nothing less than a rollicking romp through the gilded pantheon of televised tomfoolery! In this extraordinary edition of “Past Tens: The Top 10 Time Machine,” yo…
Ultimate 1980s Music Trivia! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:48
Just when you think you know the answers to 80s music trivia, we start changing the questions. Here you go, Machiners. 5 rounds. 5 questions each round. Choose wisely.
Hits of 1981: Getting Physical [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:24
Strap in, Time Travelers — Dave and Milt are firing up the chart-powered DeLorean and punching in the week of November 21, 1981, a glorious moment when MTV was still shiny and new, Hall & Oates ruled with feathered fists…
The Greatest Duets of All Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:06
There once were two hosts, Milt and Dave, Whose duets made the time charts behave. From Loggins and Nicks, To Bowie’s slick mix, They delivered the hits that we crave. They told tales of songs that still shine,Shared mem…
1990 Tunes: When Ice Was Cool [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:42
Strap in, time travelers — Dave and Milt are firing up the Time Machine and heading straight back to a world of ripped jeans, Aqua Net, and questionable rap credibility. It’s November 3, 1990, and the Billboard Top 10 is…
Remembering MTV’s Remote Control! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:46
Dave and Milt reminisce about MTV's cultural impact following the announcement of its shutdown after 44 years. They share personal stories and memories from appearing on the classic MTV game show 'Remote Control.' Dave a…
The 1973 Albums Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:32
Fire up the time machine, because Dave and Milt are cranking it to 1973—the year rock gods walked among us. Joined by fellow music geeks Scott Ziegler and David Kaufer, the crew dives headfirst into a snake draft of pure…
1980s Albums:Time to Play the Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:45
Strap in, Time Travelers—because this week on Past Tens: The Top 10 Time Machine, Dave and the Chartmeister himself, Milt, are punching the flux capacitor back to October 18, 1980. That’s right: the hair was feathered, t…