# High Schoolers in 1973 Knew These Songs

> High schoolers in 1973 knew every word to these three songs.
- Title: High Schoolers in 1973 Knew These Songs · American Songwriter
- Summary: High schoolers in 1973 knew every word to these three songs. elton john, lynyrd skynyrd, billy joel · reported by American Songwriter.
- Keywords: elton john, lynyrd skynyrd, billy joel, piano man, free bird, saturday nights alright for fighting, 1973, high schoolers, music, culture, High, Schoolers
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/3-songs-that-high-schoolers-in-1973-knew-every-word-to
- Author: Kat Caudill
- Published: 2026-10-07T23:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: elton john, lynyrd skynyrd, billy joel, piano man, free bird, saturday nights alright for fighting, 1973, high schoolers, music, culture
## High schoolers in 1973 knew these songs
High schoolers in 1973 knew every word to these songs, even if they didn't go to school that year.
## Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting'
Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' was partially inspired by a pub near where Bernie Taupin grew up.
## Bernie Taupin on the pub
Taupin said the song was based on a pub in Market Rasen called the Aston Arms where fights happened on Saturday nights.
## Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird'
Lynyrd Skynyrd released 'Free Bird' on their 1973 album, which later became a single.
## The song's guitar solo
The song is famous for its long guitar solo, though the lyrics express a desire to move on from a past love.
## Billy Joel's 'Piano Man'
Billy Joel got his nickname from 'Piano Man', which he sang about being a 'piano man' at a bar between 1972 and 1973.
## Key takeaway

High schoolers in 1973 knew every word to Elton John's 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting', Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird', and Billy Joel's 'Piano Man'.