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This Song is So Badass-Every Time it Comes On-I Have to HEAR it At Least 10 Times!-Professor of Rock

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Overview

Professor Rock celebrates seven of the catchiest ’70s songs, framing each with a story about how they were made (or how chaos struck during recording) and why they’re impossible to resist—even decades later.

A recurring theme across the picks is: the groove beats the lyrics—along with a parade of recording mishaps (including the weirdly specific) and the host’s hyperbolic devotion (like being unable to stop replaying them).

#7 “September” — Earth, Wind & Fire

A near-destitute songwriter, Allee Willis, receives a life-changing call from Maurice White to co-write their next album. The song’s joy is real, but Willis clashes with Maurice over the seemingly nonsensical lyric “ba-dee-ya”—until she learns the lesson: never let words interrupt the groove.

The video also leans on “21st night of September,” portraying it as not deep mystery—more like a calendar metaphor—yet it still becomes culturally huge, showing up in lore about weddings and even stock markets.

#6 “Don’t Stop Me Now” — Queen

The video contrasts the song’s initial US flop with its later dominance. It’s presented as a high-speed adrenaline fantasy packed with Freddie Mercury’s wild imagery, and it’s implied to mirror the band’s intense excess during the sessions.

Key studio moment: Freddie insisted on a lean, piano-only approach, shutting down Brian May’s guitar ideas—until May pushes back and adds a single verse chance. The result becomes a legendary rock singalong.

#5 “Carry On Wayward Son” — Kansas

Kansas nearly finishes a dense prog record when guitarist Kerry Livgren arrives with “one more” song at the last minute. They learn it fast, record it, and the track ends up saving the band financially.

The recap emphasizes how “rules-breaking” the structure is—big, complex, and too demanding for typical radio—yet that complexity is exactly what makes it grab listeners immediately.

#4 “Black Betty” — Ram Jam

This one becomes a multi-generation chain:

  • It begins as an old work/prison chant tied to suffering
  • It’s captured on tape in the 1930s by the Lomaxes
  • It gets reshaped into folk-blues
  • It’s reconstructed into a hard-rock hit by Bill Bartlett
  • Finally, Ram Jam remakes it

The video adds cultural controversy (including boycott calls), but argues the song’s momentum couldn’t be stopped—“cancel-proof,” in spirit.

#3 “Come and Get Your Love” — Redbone

The Vegas brothers (Pat and Lolly, a.k.a. Pat/Lolly Vegas) are urged to stop hiding their identity and build something truly authentic, spurred by advice from Jimi Hendrix.

The recording drama is chaotic: Lolly is reportedly so drunk he can barely keep it together for the vocals, and during tracking the drummer’s wife walks in with divorce papers—yet the drummer keeps the groove and delivers.

The feel-good track later explodes with a new audience through Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).

#2 “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)” — The Hollies

The writing is fueled by alcohol and old-movie inspiration (gangster films). The video spotlights a crucial studio accident: producer Ron Richards calls in sick.

Without his strict control, Allan Clarke ditches the signature polished harmonies for a grittier, guitar-forward sound. The song becomes a smash—but Clarke isn’t there to celebrate. He watches chart success from home while touring continues with someone else singing his parts. He eventually rejoins.

#1 “Let’s Go” — The Cars

The video calls it the ultimate ’70s earworm: you’re sold within seconds. It features wah-wah keyboards, a driving groove, and a clapping rhythm so addictive the host jokes it could get you into trouble.

The story traces the clapped pattern back to 1962’s “Let’s Go Pony”, crediting Ric Ocasek for adapting it with a new-wave/punk lean and minimalism. Then producer Roy Thomas Baker (again!) adds dramatic contrast: sparse verses that explode into a full, multi-tracked wall-of-sound chorus—briefly, intensely, and memorably.

Standout Recurring Comedic/Story Elements

  • The repeated idea that “groove > lyrics”
  • Absurd recording mishaps (including divorce papers mid-session)
  • The host’s hyperbolic devotion, including an inability to resist replaying songs

Personalities Featured

  • Professor Rock (host/narrator)
  • Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
  • Allee Willis (songwriter)
  • Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor (Queen)
  • Steve Walsh, Kerry Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Dave Hope, Phil Ehart, Rich Williams (Kansas)
  • Bill Bartlett (Lead Belly/Starstruck connections; creator of the rock reconstruction)
  • Bill/Guy behind Ram Jam (described through Bartlett + promoters)
  • Jimi Hendrix (advice to Redbone)
  • Pat Vegas (Vasquez) and Lolly Vegas (Vasquez) (Redbone)
  • Allan Clarke, Ron Richards (The Hollies)
  • Ric Ocasek, Benjamin Orr, David Robinson, Roy Thomas Baker (The Cars “Let’s Go”)

Original video