Can You Name These 1970s Country Songs From Their Lyrics?
By: Heather Cahill
6 min
Image: Neha Gupta / Moment / Getty Images
About This Quiz
Hop in the time machine and take yourself back to the '70s, where artists like Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and Conway Twitty created the soundtracks to our lives. It's hard to forget the many classics that were released in the decade. They're the songs we listened to in happiness and heartbreak and the songs that described our lives. It's not easy being so classic! Do you think you have what it takes to match the lyrics to the song?
Some songs turned us into lifelong fans of an artist, while others became the artist's signature song. Even though a lot of time has passed since the initial release of these country classics, somehow they still manage to get stuck inside our heads now and again. Artists like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton really know how to craft a beautiful and unforgettable song. "Coal Miner's Daughter" is just one example of a song that has a great story, and is very catchy at the same time. Some of the best songs can have you dancing and make you feel something at the same time. What more can you ask for!
So, think you remember all of the classics of this great decade? Then let's see if you can match these unforgettable songs to their awesome lyrics!
"All my memories gather round her / miner's lady, stranger to blue water" are lyrics from which country hit?
"Take Me Home, Country Roads"
John Denver's big hit was released in 1971 and instantly cemented its place as a classic in the country music world. In fact, the song is thought of so highly by West Virginia University students that they've adopted it as their theme song.
You'd hear the lyrics "Whenever I chance to meet / Some old friends on the street" in which of the following songs?
"Guitars, Cadillac"
"Amarillo By Morning"
"Jolene"
"Kiss An Angel Good Morning"
Charley Pride released this beautiful hit in the early '70s, which quickly rose to the top. In fact, it wasn't just a hit in terms of country, but also a big hit on the pop charts. Charley was able to dominate both genres with this classic!
"My woman done left and took all the reasons / I was working for" are lyrics from which '70s hit?
"Achy, Breaky, Heart"
"Friends In Low Places"
"Take This Job And Shove It"
This is one good song name for a guy with "Paycheck" in his name! Johnny was ready for a new start in this song where he was just frustrated with his life and his job. You might have guessed, but David Allen Coe was a writer on this song.
The lyrics, "I'm weak and I'm easily discouraged / She just smiles when I want to stop" are very touching. Can you name the song they are from?
"All the Gold In California"
"Fishing In The Dark"
"My Woman, My Woman, My Wife"
This Marty Robbins classic is dedicated to one important person in his life, which is his wife. He was married to Marizona Robbins up until his unfortunate and untimely death. This song was a touching ode to the wife he so loved.
You would hear the lyrics, "Well, I really don't mind the rain / And a smile can hide all the pain" in which '70s country song?
"Good Hearted Woman"
"Ring of Fire"
"The Gambler"
"Rhinestone Cowboy"
Glen Campbell's hit is an anthem for many country music fans. Similar to many other country songs, it also charted on the pop music charts. It's been used countless times in film and covered by many other legendary artists just like Glen himself.
What song are the lyrics, "Then a man of low degree stood by her side" from?
"I Like It, I Love It"
"Amarillo By Morning"
"The Gambler"
"Delta Dawn"
Tanya Tucker sings this song of a woman by the name of Delta Dawn. The song became a popular one among artists who covered it, which included country legends Tammy Wynette and Waylon Jennings.
These lyrics from the '70s, "So baby, let's sell your diamond ring / Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away" are from which hit?
"Luckenbach, Texas"
Everyone wanted to take a trip to this famous area after this Waylon Jennings classic hit the airwaves. Despite mentioning famous feuds and riches, Waylon sings about going back to the way things used to be.
Can you name the song that the lyrics "You'd better move away / You're standin' too close to the flame" are from?
"I'm A Ramblin Man"
Though the '70s rendition of this song was performed by Waylon Jennings, the original song is from the '60s. It was performed by Ray Pennington, but it didn't perform as well as Waylon's version, which hit number one on Billboard.
The lyrics, "I'm not ever gonna worry about tomorrow / As long as he makes everything alright today" are from which song?
"He Loves Me All the Way"
Tammy Wynette was no stranger to hits, and this was just one of them. Tammy remains one of the country music greats and will always be remembered for this and her other classic country songs.
What song are the lyrics "You forgive my childish ways / You hold me close and say" from?
"Funny Face"
Donna Fargo is behind this number one country hit which has become a classic. This wasn't Donna's only hit, as she also had hits with "Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A." and "Do I Love You."
"On a warm summer's eve / On a train bound for nowhere" are lyrics from which of the following songs?
“The Gambler”
Kenny Rogers was the voice behind the iconic country hit, “The Gambler” in the ‘70s. Throughout the song, he tells a story of a man who taught him how to gamble correctly. The gambling he spoke of not only applied to games, but also to everyday life.
Which of the following songs are the lyrics, "Jonny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard" from?
"How Do I Live"
"When I Call Your Name"
"Don't Rock The Jukebox"
"The Devil Went Down To Georgia"
The Charlie Daniels Band had a hit on their hands that proved to be pretty legendary. One of their most beloved songs, it takes extreme skill with a fiddle to play this song, and it’s a treat to witness it in a live show!
Can you name the song that the lyrics, "Imagine a world where no music was playing / Then think of a church with nobody praying" are from?
"Amazed"
"Friends In Low Places"
"A Picture of Me"
This George Jones song became an instant classic when it was released in 1972. A short but sweet song lyrically, it was a very important one to George. It's also one that other artists love such as Lorrie Morgan, who did her own cover of the song.
What song are the lyrics, "Was the dark of the moon on the sixth of June / In a Kenworth pullin' logs" from?
“Convoy”
Breaker, Breaker! C.W. McCall knows how to conduct the perfect convoy. A song that is loved by many, it has also been covered and remade by artists such as Paul Brandt and even C.W. McCall himself.
"We were poor but we had love / That's the one thing that daddy made sure of" are lyrics from which song?
"Strawberry Wine"
"Take This Job And Shove It"
"Coal Miner's Daughter"
This Loretta Lynn classic is also one of her biggest hits and best known songs. The song served as her life story, where she told her tale about growing up with no money and coming back later to visit the house she once lived in.
The lyrics "I could promise you things like big diamond rings / But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover" are from which song?
"Delta Dawn"
"The Gambler"
"Rose Garden"
"Rose Garden" by Lynn Anderson was one of the biggest country hits of the decade. Since Lynn's big hit, it's been covered by many other talented artists such as Martina McBride, who put her own twist on the country classic.
Which of the following songs are the lyrics, "And I just couldn't wait to wear it / And momma blessed it with a kiss" from?
"How Do You Like Me Now?"
"Rose Colored Glasses"
"Lucille"
“Coat of Many Colors”
In this beautiful song, Dolly Parton speaks about her beloved coat made especially for her by her mother. It speaks of her poor upbringing where she wasn’t very fortunate, but she had all the love that she needed instead.
Can you name the song that the lyrics "And I wonder just how long / The rest of us can count on bein' free" are from?
"I've Got A Tiger By The Tail"
"Folsom Prison Blues"
"The Fightin' Side of Me"
Merle Haggard was behind this hit song of 1970 which reached number one in Canada and the United States. It's often thought of as a patriotic song about your average working American.
Do you know which song the lyrics, "Save your love through loneliness / Save your love through sorrow" are from?
"If I Were A Carpenter"
This song was a duet released in 1970 by one of the most famous country couples of all time, Johnny Cash and June Carter. In fact, it was not their original song, but a cover of the original by Tim Hardin.
This song uses the lyrics, "Then I fumbled in my closet through my clothes / And found my cleanest dirty shirt." Can you name it?
"Keeper of the Stars"
"I Believe In You"
"Sunday Morning Comin' Down"
Johnny Cash released his version of this song in 1970 which was a cover of the original by Ray Stevens. It is a popular song with more than just one artist, other artists who have covered the legendary song are Willie Nelson and Lynn Anderson.
Can you name the song that the lyrics, "My hand is trembling as the key unlocks the door / My legs are shaky as I walk across the floor" are from?
"Baby's Gone"
Conway Twitty released this song in 1973, which talks about his wife leaving without telling him. He talks about his loneliness without her and how everything in his home reminds him of her.
The lyrics, "I am very proud / Of my daddy's name / All though his kind of music / And mine ain't exactly the same" are very touching. Which song are they from?
"God Blessed Texas"
"Strawberry Wine"
“Family Tradition”
In this country anthem, Hank Williams, Jr. talks about the way his family does it. More specifically, he talks about the way that they think of him and question his actions. He even mentions his father, the legendary Hank Williams.
Which of the following songs are the lyrics, "How's your new love / Are you happy" from?
"Hello Darlin'"
Released in 1970 by Conway Twitty, the song was once covered by the legendary Loretta Lynn. Aside from her amazing cover, many other country legends also recorded the song. Another great example is George Jones. That's how you know you had a hit!
Do you know which song the lyrics, "Feel the thunder / As it warms your face" are from?
“Let Your Love Flow”
The Bellamy Brothers sing this beautiful song that spreads nothing but love. The song was once meant for Neil Diamond, but he refused it and it then went to The Bellamy Brothers. It worked out well as it was a huge hit for them!
"The boys are thirsty in Atlanta and there's beer in Texarkana" are lyrics from which '70s song?
"Complicated"
"A Little Less Talk"
"In A Week Or Two"
“Eastbound and Down”
This song by Jerry Reed was very famous for its use in the movie “Smokey and the Bandit,” and it hit number one on the charts. The song was specifically recorded for the movie.
"And you don't have to call me Merle Haggard anymore / Even though you're on my fighting' side" are lyrics from which of the following country songs?
"I Like It, I Love It"
"Girls Night Out"
"He Stopped Loving Her Today"
"You Never Even Called Me By My Name"
Released in 1975, David Allan Coe scored a hit with this single. In typical Coe style, the song is comedic and funny, poking at the country music industry and its expectations as a whole.
Can you name the song that the lyrics, "When the work's all done and the sun's setting low / I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow" are from?
“Thank God I’m A Country Boy”
Another John Denver classic, this song is all about the joys of being a country boy, as the lyrics suggest. There are many joys! Who wouldn’t want to ride a horse or take part in fun parties in the country side?!
The lyrics, "The lawn could stand another mowin' / Funny I don't even care" are from a true country classic. What is it?
"One Way Ticket"
"The Sweetest Thing"
"A Good Year For The Roses"
One of George Jones' most memorable songs, it was recorded in 1971. Though it never hit number one on the charts, it was still a bit hit for George, especially when he teamed up with Alan Jackson for a moving performance.
What song are the lyrics,"First I get cold then hot / Think I'm on fire I'm not" from?
"The Sweetest Thing"
"It Must Be Love"
A song all about the joys of love, Don Williams released this hit in 1979. Becoming an instant hit, the song proved itself once again after Alan Jackson released a cover that also became a hit upon release.
"Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night" are lyrics from which country song?
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys"
This iconic country anthem is by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, who are two legendary country artists. This song details the hard life that a cowboy lives and serves as a warning to all the mothers of future cowboys.
Which of the following songs are the lyrics, "Tell me no secrets, tell me some lies / Give me no reasons, give me alibis" part of?
"Don't Make My Brown Eyes Blue"
Crystal Gayle released this hit song in 1977 and it instantly saw great success on the country charts. It is one of the songs that she is most famous for, alongside her other hits like "Another World" and "You and I."
Can you name the song the lyrics, "My eyes are not blue / But mine won't leave you" are from?
"I'm Not Lisa"
Jessi Colter wants you to know exactly who she is, which is why you can't mistake her for Lisa, when the song is on an album called "I'm Jessi Colter!" Her song was a hit in both the United States and Canada upon release and remains one of her biggest.
Do you know which song the lyrics, "Sittin' on the back porch listen to the whippoorwills late in the day" are from?
"When You Say Nothing At All"
"Songs About Rain"
"Country Is"
Tom T. Hall is behind this great country song that talks about what it really means to be country. For example, he mentions that if you're country, you're always happy to help anyone who needs it if they come and ask you.
Which song are the lyrics "Your beauty is beyond compare / With flaming locks of auburn hair" from?
"Friends In Low Places"
"Hello Darlin'"
"Chattahoochee"
"Jolene"
It's hard to think of Dolly Parton without singing one of her most famous tunes, "Jolene." The song became such a huge hit that it was named one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." You don't get these titles for no reason!
The lyrics, "It's so hard to find a man / Who comes home every night" are from which '70s tune?
"Run, Woman, Run"
Tammy Wynette had a hit on her hands with this song that's all about going back to the man you love rather than running from him. Tammy speaks about how hard it can be to find a good guy who treats you right, and says that you should treat him right too when you find him!