15 Best 70s Songs to Play on Piano

If there was ever a golden age of piano in popular music, it was the 1970s. This was the decade when the piano wasn't just an accompaniment instrument—it was THE instrument that defined entire songs and careers. Elton John transformed himself into a global superstar almost entirely through the power of piano and melody. Billy Joel proved that the piano could anchor rock music just as powerfully as any electric guitar. Stevie Wonder showed that the piano could be the vehicle for sophisticated soul and funk. Queen turned the piano into a weapon of absolute bombast and beauty. The 70s were when pianists became rock stars, and rock stars recognized that mastering the piano was a genuine artistic statement.

What makes 70s piano music so compelling is the sheer diversity of approaches. You had elegant, understated ballads sitting comfortably alongside theatrical, over-the-top arrangements. You had piano-driven soul and funk coexisting with prog-rock epics. You had chart-topping pop hits and deep album cuts that revealed themselves slowly over repeated listening. Whether your taste runs toward Elton's flamboyance, Billy's narrative songs, Stevie's harmonic sophistication, or Queen's operatic drama, the 70s delivered piano music for every mood and occasion.

For pianists of all levels, the 70s catalog offers an embarrassment of riches. If you're just starting out, there are gentle ballads and sing-along hits that fit your hands perfectly. If you're intermediate, there are songs with interesting chord progressions and rhythmic accompaniment patterns that teach real musicianship. If you're advanced, there are pieces that challenge your technique, musicality, and interpretive skills in equal measure. The 70s understood that the best popular music appeals across technical boundaries—it's emotionally powerful whether you're playing it simply or substantially.

The Songs

1. Piano Man — Billy Joel (Medium)

Billy Joel's signature masterpiece is the ultimate piano song—it's about the piano, written on the piano, and defined entirely by piano. The structure is straightforward enough for intermediate players, but Joel's sophisticated harmonic sense means there's always more to discover. The song's nostalgic narrative unfolds beautifully when you understand the chord changes and can support the melody with intelligent accompaniment. Learning "Piano Man" is like taking a masterclass in how a great pop song is constructed.

2. Rocket Man — Elton John (Medium)

Elton John's cosmic journey is a moderate challenge that rewards careful practice. The melody is memorable and sits well on the keys, but the phrasing requires understanding of rubato and expression. The song moves through different moods and tempos, teaching you how to transition between sections smoothly. "Rocket Man" is quintessential Elton—elegant, a bit theatrical, and deeply human all at once. It's the kind of song that sounds simple until you try to capture its actual spirit.

3. Tiny Dancer — Elton John (Hard)

Elton's most romantic composition is also one of his most challenging for pianists. The flowing melody requires good hand coordination and musical maturity to phrase correctly. The accompaniment patterns are intricate without being showy, and the emotional weight demands total commitment. "Tiny Dancer" is a song that reveals new layers with each performance—the more you understand music, the more you discover about how Elton constructed this absolute masterpiece of melody and harmony.

4. Your Song — Elton John (Medium)

Perhaps Elton's most beloved composition, "Your Song" is the kind of simple-but-perfect melody that anyone can play but few can play with real meaning. The basic structure is accessible to intermediate players, but capturing the tenderness and sincerity of the original requires years of musical growth. This is a song that teaches you about the most important skill in music: connecting emotionally with a listener. Elton's initial recording is perfect; your task is understanding why, and adding your own heart to it.

5. Bennie And The Jets — Elton John (Medium)

"Bennie And The Jets" brings more rhythmic drive to Elton's catalog, with a pulsing accompaniment pattern that defines the song. The melody is bold and angular, requiring confident playing and good rhythm. The funk-influenced groove teaches you how to keep steady time while playing sophisticated harmony. This song proves that Elton could rock just as effectively as his mellower contemporaries, and it's surprisingly enjoyable to play once you nail the rhythm.

6. Bohemian Rhapsody — Queen (Easy)

Freddie Mercury's operatic masterpiece is surprisingly approachable on the piano, at least in its most basic form. The pure melody is beautiful and mostly accessible to intermediate beginners. The real challenge is capturing the emotional arc of this six-minute epic—understanding its structure as a song composed of distinct movements. Simple versions teach beginners, while more advanced interpretations can incorporate the orchestral scope of the original.

7. Hotel California — Eagles (Easy)

The Eagles' mysteriously beautiful ballad translates well to solo piano, especially if you're comfortable with fingerstyle patterns or can adapt them to keyboard. The melody is haunting and memorable, the lyrics are endlessly fascinating, and the song's structure teaches you about building tension and release. While not exclusively a piano song, the piano arrangement reveals new dimensions of this desert masterpiece.

8. Stairway To Heaven — Led Zeppelin (Medium)

Jimmy Page's masterpiece, while famously arranged for guitar, translates beautifully to piano in its acoustic guitar sections. The melody is one of rock's finest, and the progression from delicate beginnings to triumphant endings teaches you about dynamic contrast and emotional storytelling. Learning the piano arrangement builds your understanding of how the song actually works—many players discover new appreciation for its genius through the piano version.

9. Close To You — The Carpenters (Easy)

Richard Carpenter's elegant arrangement of "Close To You" is perfection on the piano. The melody is lyrical and warm, and the harmonies are sophisticated without being difficult. Karen Carpenter's voice is so perfectly matched with the arrangement that learning the piano part means understanding every nuance of her phrasing. This is a song that teaches you about space, restraint, and letting the melody breathe.

10. Isn't She Lovely — Stevie Wonder (Easy)

Stevie Wonder's joyful celebration of his daughter is deceptively simple on the surface but reveals harmonic depths when you dig deeper. The melody is infectious and singable, making it approachable for intermediate beginners. Wonder's sense of joy and love for life shines through in every note. Learning this song means understanding how to bring warmth and genuine happiness to a performance.

11. Superstition — Stevie Wonder (Hard)

Wonder's funk masterpiece is a legitimate challenge for any pianist. The rhythmic foundation is complex, the right-hand melody requires precision, and the harmonic sophistication demands real understanding of chord function. This song teaches you groove, rhythm, and how to play funk convincingly on an instrument not traditionally associated with the genre. It's worth the effort—few things are as satisfying as mastering Stevie's funky perfection.

12. How Deep Is Your Love — Bee Gees (Medium)

The Bee Gees' sophisticated pop masterpiece translates beautifully to solo piano. The melody is gorgeous and flowing, and Barry Gibb's harmonic choices are worth studying. The song teaches you about the subtlety of the 70s disco aesthetic—it's far more sophisticated than its reputation suggests. Learning this song means understanding one of the most successful musical formulas ever created.

13. Dancing Queen — ABBA (Easy)

ABBA's pure pop joy is surprisingly accessible on the piano, and therein lies part of its genius. The melody is infectiously simple, the harmony is clever without being obvious, and the overall effect is instantly uplifting. This song teaches you about the universal appeal of great melody and production. Many pianists rediscover joy in their playing through ABBA's utter confidence and craftsmanship.

14. Bridge Over Troubled Water — Simon & Garfunkel (Medium)

Paul Simon's and Art Garfunkel's masterpiece is all about the piano arrangement that underscores this meditation on loyalty and support. The cascading accompaniment pattern is the heart of the song, and learning it teaches you about the relationship between harmony and emotion. The melody is simple but profound, and when you understand the chord progression, the whole song opens up.

15. Let It Be — The Beatles (Easy)

Paul McCartney's piano ballad became one of The Beatles' signature songs, and for good reason. The melody is iconic and accessible, the chord progression is beautiful without being complicated, and the overall arrangement is elegant and direct. While we included this on the 50s/60s list as well, it belongs equally in the 70s conversation as it defined their later period and influenced countless 70s artists.

The Decade Piano Became the Superstar

The 1970s showed the world that the piano could compete with electric guitars for dominance in popular music. The artists on this list proved that melodic sophistication, harmonic intelligence, and emotional authenticity could connect with millions of listeners. Whether you're drawn to Elton's operatic flair, Billy's narrative poetry, Stevie's harmonic sophistication, or Queen's theatrical brilliance, learning these songs means studying the masters of modern songwriting. The 70s taught us that the piano wasn't a relic of the past—it was the future, and these songs continue to prove that every single day.