The 1970s were a time many people in Northern Ireland have mixed memories of.
There were dark periods throughout the decade as the Troubles raged through our small corner of the world. It was a frightening time full of loss for many, regardless of the community or area you grew up in.
On top of the violence and unrest the Troubles brought, a variety of social issues made life more difficult than it is now. Still, the '70s showed more social progress than the decades that came before.
Read more: Things you could do in 1960s-70s Northern Ireland
The world was beginning to feel more connected and society was starting to feel less conservative. Self-expression was becoming more and more daring through the likes of fashion, music and dance.
It's therefore unsurprising that many who were kids, teens or young adults at the time remember it as an era of fun, freedom and great music. Though unlike those of other parts of the world, the youth of 1970s Northern Ireland didn't have as much of a chance to fully embrace these elements of the decade as nightlife was close to non-existent here.
While the Troubles may have impacted numbers on disco dancefloors, the '70s remained a golden age of music. Northern Ireland's youth just found other ways to enjoy it, be it record shopping for their own collection, live gigs or travelling to Dublin for the likes of Zhivago.
We decided to take a look back at some of the many iconic songs the 1970s produced that brought a wee bit of joy to a dark time. From upbeat disco, funk, soul, rock and pop to more relaxed folk, alternative and country, these are the bops that made history and inspired the generations of musicians to come.
Donna Summer - I Feel Love (1977)
Eagles - Hotel California (1976)
Sister Sledge - He's the Greatest Dancer (1979)
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
The Bee Gees - Night Fever (1977)
CHIC - Le Freak (1978)
Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting (1974)
The Whispers - And The Beat Goes On (1979)
Cheryl Lynn - Got To Be Real (1978)
Don McLean - American Pie (1971)
ABBA - Dancing Queen (1976)
Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat (1973)
Vicki Sue Robinson - Turn the Beat Around (1976)
Earth, Wind & Fire - September (1978)
Andrea True Connection - More, More, More (1975)
The Weather Girls - It's Raining Men (1979)
The Trammps - Disco Inferno (1976)
Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (1977)
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood (1979)
Stevie Wonder - Superstition (1972)
Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy (1975)
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams (1977)
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (1978)
The Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (1977)
Rose Royce - Car Wash (1976)
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine (1971)
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street (1978)
Boney M. - Daddy Cool (1976)
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) (1975)
Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1976)
Frankie Valli - Grease (1978)
Kiss - I Was Made For Lovin' You (1979)
Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime (1970)
Dolly Parton - Jolene (1974)
Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow (1976)
The Police - Roxanne (1978)
Van McCoy - The Hustle (1975)
Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town (1976)
Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (1978)
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds (1977)
Blondie - Heart Of Glass (1978)
What are your favourite '70s hits? Let us know in the comments below.
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