Early Electronic Pop and Rock Songs

[Glass Joe]

It is really neat that there were some electronic pop and rock songs in the late 70s that were without a doubt ahead of their time. I like how they sound and am looking for more alike suggestions to sample. I will list the ones in particular that come to mind and hoping maybe some of you know of others that sound alike or are in the same category as these.

M - "Pop Muzik" - This song is a prime example of an ahead of its time electronic pop 70s release. It is a great song for sure!

The Buggles - "Video Killed the Radio Star" - This is undoubtedly in my mind the most ahead of its time song from the 70s. Hard to believe it is from 1979. I always thought it was an 80s song and not even early 80s necessarily. This song is so good and even sounds fresh today.

Does anyone know of any other late 70s songs that sound like these 2 songs listed above? I know the Cars had about 3 hits in the late 70s and they sound close to this too. Also, are both the late 70s and the early 90s considered to be part of the general 80s era?

[jdanton2]

one of the early electronic acts to have success was the German group Kraftwerk. they charted at #25 on Billboard with this song in 1975.

[mkarns]

This 1977 disco classic helped pioneer the electronic dance sound, and would feel at home in later decades:

[gikem]

One of the first examples that comes to mind of an early rock hit to incorporate electronic elements is I’m Not In Love by 10cc from 1975. For this song, the band recorded vocals that corresponded to the notes on a keyboard, which were then transferred to a synthesizer that played those samples as loops. It was a major technological feat for the time that gives the track an unmatched ethereal ambiance.

[Glass Joe]

Thanks for the links! I checked these out and they definitely sound ahead of their time. It's neat to see how the 70s started to preview the 80s sound quite well.

[Glove Slap]

Gary Numan & Tubeway Army is what you're looking for.

[Glass Joe]

Jan 21, 2023 17:34:48 GMT -5 Glove Slap said:

Gary Numan & Tubeway Army is what you're looking for.

Thanks for the links! Those definitely sound good and ahead of their time and in the same category as Pop Muzik and VKTRS. Almost kind of Alternative before Alternative became a thing.

[leonagwen]

youtu.be/Avvh5H-EPWU

[SPRΞΞ]

Technotronic - Pump Up the Volume

[Amnesiac]

You might like this video on the history of electronic music and synthpop leading up to Gary Numan. It starts in the 60s and the earliest pop hits to use synthesizers up through the start of new wave music. It's very thorough, I think maybe the only real big omission is Yellow Magic Orchestra. This channel is great in general if you like music history stuff.

[Glass Joe]

That video does seem interesting. I will check it out since I am interested in the history of music genres.

[jdanton2]

Jan 26, 2023 23:05:15 GMT -5 Amnesiac said:

You might like this video on the history of electronic music and synthpop leading up to Gary Numan. It starts in the 60s and the earliest pop hits to use synthesizers up through the start of new wave music. It's very thorough, I think maybe the only real big omission is Yellow Magic Orchestra. This channel is great in general if you like music history stuff.

mentions a couple of #1 songs from the early 60's and a top 10 song from 1972 which are definitely early influences on what was to come.

[JukeboxJacob]

released in 1978, I think this fits the proto-80s sound you're looking for





EDIT: this one too (from their 1978 album), especially the ending

[Glass Joe]

Feb 17, 2023 3:54:10 GMT -5 JukeboxJacob said:

released in 1978, I think this fits the proto-80s sound you're looking for





EDIT: this one too (from their 1978 album), especially the ending

Great choices! They are ahead of their time and Rock Lobster even sounds like it fits with their later songs like Love Shack.