HERC's Mix: That '70s Show

"Teenage Wasteland" is often mistaken as the title of The Who's legendary classic "Baba O'Riley" more than 40 years after it's initial release.  (Younger readers may think it's simply called the "Theme from CSI: NY".)   "Teenage Wasteland" was also the working title for Fox's "That '70s Show" before it went into production.

It aired for eight seasons - and exactly 200 episodes - from 1998 until 2006.  Almost every episode features at least two songs; some even have four songs.  Another interesting nod to the music of the decade saw many episodes titled after songs with nearly entire seasons named after songs from the catalogs of Queen, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

    

Two CD compilations (Rockin' and Jammin') were released under the "That '70s Show" banner during the show's second season in 1999.  Interestingly, both discs featured songs that were never on the show itself. 

1. Get Down Tonight - K.C. & T he Sunshine Band

2. Tell Me Something Good - Rufus

3. Hot Pants (Part 1) - James Brown

4. Tear The Roof Off The Sucker (Give Up The Funk) - Parliament

5. Fire - Ohio Players

6. Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang

7. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

8. Fight The Power - The Isley Brothers

9. Dazz - Brick

10. Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band

11. Respect Yourself - The Staple Singers

12. Rock The Boat - The Hues Corporation

13. When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees

14. So Very Hard To Go - Tower Of Power

15. The Rubberband Man - The Spinners

1. That '70s Show Theme - Cheap Trick

2. I Want You To Want Me - Cheap Trick

3. Black Betty - Ram Jam

4. Radar Love - Golden Earring

5. Funk # 49 - James Gang

6. Saturday Night Special - Lynyrd Skynyrd

7. Let It Ride - Bachman Turner Overdrive

8. Hold Your Head Up - Argent

9. Rock Candy - Montrose

10. Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll - Blue Oyster Cult

11. Hey Baby - Ted Nugent

12. Under My Wheels - Alice Cooper

13. Celluloid Heroes - The Kinks

14. The Wall Streetr Shuffle - 10cc

15. September Gurls - Big Star

Quick! Name the first sitcom of the Nineties to be released on blu-ray? (Here's hoping the other seven seasons follow soon.)

They did it right, too, completely remastered and in widescreen.  Sadly, like more and more television shows released on DVD and blu-ray, the majority of the songs as originally aired were deleted or replaced by (not so) similar sounding songs.  On the other hand, like more and more television shows released on DVD and blu-ray, individual seasons are being reissued at ridiculously cheap prices like $7 a season!  Even if you don't own the discs, chances are the show is on TV right now: No fewer than seven different episodes air daily on five different channels here at the Hideaway.

Having spent some of his formative years in the Midwest during the Seventies, in a place not unlike Point Place, HERC appreciates this show on many levels: as a child, as a parent, as a husband, as a brother and as a friend.  As you know, HERC doesn't drink nor smoke but that is not what the show is about - it is about relationships: with family, friends and that special someone.  

One of the greatest love songs of all-time is featured on the show: "Thirteen" by Big Star is Eric and Donna's unofficial theme song.  HERC took it (and a couple hundred more) to assemble the following playlist featuring most of the songs from the show, which was set in the years 1976-1979, for you to enjoy exclusively through Songza.

That '70s Show [HERC's Mix]

But wait, there's more...

In 2004, the Fox Network took the obvious step of creating "That '80s Show", setting it in 1984.  It was similar to "That '70s Show" in that it featured the music, culture and fads of the decade in the title but was not a direct spin-off - none of the characters on either show were related nor were there any cross-over episodes.  The actor who played the lead character has since gone on to fame (at least here at The Hideaway) as "Dennis" on "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia".  Unfortunately, "That '80s Show" only lasted 13 episodes because no one watched.  Luckily, someone has posted all the episodes on YouTube.  

<<GO HERE TO WATCH>>

HERC has whipped up a 43 track "That '80s Show" playlist over at Songza.

That '80s Show [HERC's Mix]