Genres · Browse
Find your sound — six ways into the music of 1970–1989.
Every genre below leads to the artist collections and song stories that define it. Links open the full biography or behind-the-song story.
Disco
Mirror balls, four-on-the-floor, and nights that never ended.
Patti LaBelle — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSoul · R&B · Pop — includes “Stir It Up” and “New Attitude”Copacabana — Barry Manilow1978 · The disco-era showstopperMore disco voices in our Artists A–Z index ↗Including the site’s original disco collections
Soft Rock
Warm harmonies, acoustic guitars, and melodies that feel like home.
James Taylor — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSinger-songwriter · Soft rockCarly Simon — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSinger-songwriter · Soft rockThe Carpenters — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSoft popAnne Murray — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSoft rock · Country-popOlivia Newton-John — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSoft rock · PopChicago — Biography & Five Listening StoriesSoft rock ballads of the eighties
Soul / R&B
Testifying voices, family harmonies, and grooves that still move.
Patti LaBelle — Biography & Five Listening StoriesThe Godmother of SoulSmokey Robinson — Biography & Five Listening StoriesThe poet of MotownGladys Knight & the Pips — Biography & Five Listening StoriesThe Empress of SoulMore soul & R&B in our Artists A–Z index ↗Including the site’s original soul collections
Country-pop
From mountain cabins to Nashville stages — stories with a twang and a tear.
John Denver — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCountry · FolkKenny Rogers — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCountry · PopGlen Campbell — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCountry · PopAnne Murray — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCountry-pop crossoverOlivia Newton-John — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCountry-pop beginningsMore country voices in our Artists A–Z index ↗Including the site’s original country collections
Yacht Rock
Smooth sailing: polished production, ocean-breeze harmonies, studio perfection.
Hall & Oates — Biography & Five Listening StoriesBlue-eyed soul · Yacht rockChicago — Biography & Five Listening StoriesHorn-driven polish turned ballad machineFleetwood Mac — Biography & Five Listening StoriesCalifornia polish, tangled hearts
Classic Rock
Pianos, guitars, and the big stages of the seventies.
Elton John — Biography & Five Listening StoriesPop · Rock · PianoFleetwood Mac — Biography & Five Listening StoriesRock · PopNeil Diamond — Biography & Five Listening StoriesPop · RockDon McLean — Biography & Five Listening StoriesFolk · RockMore rock voices in our Artists A–Z index ↗Including the site’s original rock collections