Spinning the Groovy Wheel—Mix Tapes for Everyone You Love (and Maybe Don’t!)
The 1970s were a golden era for mixtapes—whether you were wooing a crush, teasing your sibling, or trying to win back your ex with a little musical guilt trip. In a world before playlists, the perfect 10-track cassette was a statement of love, friendship, or sometimes thinly disguised revenge.
Here’s the ultimate ’70s-inspired mixtape list for everyone in your life—because nothing says “I get you” like the right track order and just the right Bee Gees song.
Mixtape for Wife
Knows every lyric, corrects you when you mess them up, and still sings louder than you.
1. Your Song (Elton John)
2. Let’s Stay Together (Al Green)
3. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
4. Best of My Love (The Emotions)
5. You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker)
6. Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
7. How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees)
8. I Honestly Love You (Olivia Newton-John)
9. Always and Forever (Heatwave)
10. We’ve Only Just Begun (The Carpenters)
Elton John - Your Song (Top Of The Pops 1971), Elton John
Mixtape for Husband
Cranks the stereo to “test the speakers” and calls every road trip a “concert on wheels.”
1. Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
2. Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
3. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
4. Your Smiling Face (James Taylor)
5. Old Time Rock and Roll (Bob Seger)
6. Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney)
7. Taking Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
8. You’re My Best Friend (Queen)
9. Easy (Commodores)
10. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You (Rod Stewart)
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight [Official Live In San Diego], Eric Clapton
Mixtape for Brother
“Borrows” your stuff without asking, and blasts it loud enough to rattle the neighbors’ windows.
1. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
2. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
3. Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith)
4. Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
5. Paranoid (Black Sabbath)
6. Reelin’ in the Years (Steely Dan)
7. Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
8. Slow Ride (Foghat)
9. American Woman (Guess Who)
10. School’s Out (Alice Cooper)
Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith
Mixtape for Sister
Has better taste in music than you, and won’t let you forget it.
1. Dancing Queen (ABBA)
2. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
3. Heart of Glass (Blondie)
4. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
5. Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac)
6. Love to Love You Baby (Donna Summer)
7. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
8. The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Le Freak (Chic)
10. Turn the Beat Around (Vicki Sue Robinson)
ABBA - Dancing Queen (Official Music Video), ABBA
Mixtape for Girlfriend
Whether she’s a free spirit, a disco queen, or the girl-next-door, this list covers all the bases—just like your love story.
1. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
2. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
3. I Honestly Love You (Olivia Newton-John)
4. You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
5. Baby I Love Your Way (Peter Frampton)
6. I’m Not in Love (10cc)
7. Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille)
8. Hello It’s Me (Todd Rundgren)
9. Sweet Thing (Rufus & Chaka Khan)
10. Three Times a Lady (Commodores)
Olivia Newton-John - I Honestly Love You (Only Olivia, September 23rd 1977), Olivia Newton-John
Mixtape for Boyfriend
This one’s all about swagger, guitar riffs, and the occasional slow jam to keep him guessing.
1. Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
2. My Sharona (The Knack)
3. Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
4. Love and Happiness (Al Green)
5. Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop)
6. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? (Rod Stewart)
7. You Make Loving Fun (Fleetwood Mac)
8. Still the One (Orleans)
9. Crazy Love (Van Morrison)
10. Easy (Commodores)
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (1976) AI 4K Enhanced Stabilized, ༺☆𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗦☆༻
Mixtape for Mom
Runs the house like a CEO and knows every verse to every song.
1. You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)
2. You Light Up My Life (Debby Boone)
3. Killing Me Softly with His Song (Roberta Flack)
4. The Way We Were (Barbra Streisand)
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
6. I Am Woman (Helen Reddy)
7. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue (Crystal Gayle)
8. Annie’s Song (John Denver)
9. Rhinestone Cowboy (Glen Campbell)
10. It’s Too Late (Carole King)
Carly Simon - You're So Vain (Live On The Queen Mary 2), Carly Simon
Mixtape for Dad
Claims he “saw them live in ’77” whether he actually did or not.
1. Hotel California (Eagles)
2. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
3. Layla (Derek and the Dominos)
4. Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
5. American Pie (Don McLean)
6. Radar Love (Golden Earring)
7. Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
8. The Joker (Steve Miller Band)
9. Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers)
10. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
Eagles - Hotel California (Live 1977) (Official Video) [HD], Eagles
Mixtape for College Roommate
Your partner in crime for late-night pizza runs, bad decisions, and worse hangovers.
1. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
2. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
3. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
4. Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
5. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
6. Night Fever (Bee Gees)
7. Brick House (Commodores)
8. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Le Freak (Chic)
10. You Should Be Dancing (Bee Gees)
Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (Official Video), beegees
Mixtape for Boss
Knows how to work hard, but plays the “cool boss” card every chance they get.
1. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
2. Taking Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
3. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
4. Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers)
5. Money (Pink Floyd)
6. Workin’ for a Livin’ (Clover)
7. Easy (Commodores)
8. Dream On (Aerosmith)
9. September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
10. Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh)
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way (Official Music Video) [HD], Fleetwood Mac
Mixtape for Coworker
Survives Monday mornings solely on coffee and a carefully curated playlist.
1. Lovely Day (Bill Withers)
2. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
3. Rock the Boat (Hues Corporation)
4. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
5. My Life (Billy Joel)
6. Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire)
7. Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
8. Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers)
9. Escape (The Piña Colada Song) (Rupert Holmes)
10. Still the One (Orleans)
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (Official Music Video) [4K], Fleetwood Mac
Mixtape for Frenemy
That person you secretly like but also kind of want to defeat in karaoke.
1. You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)
2. Dream On (Aerosmith)
3. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
4. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
5. Evil Ways (Santana)
6. The Bitch Is Back (Elton John)
7. It’s Too Late (Carole King)
8. Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
10. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Diana Ross)
Aerosmith - Dream On (Official HD Video), HQVideoClassics
Mixtape for Ex-Girlfriend
A mix of bittersweet memories and “I’m totally fine” anthems.
1. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
2. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
3. Without You (Harry Nilsson)
4. Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
5. You’re No Good (Linda Ronstadt)
6. It’s Too Late (Carole King)
7. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John & Kiki Dee)
8. The Winner Takes It All (ABBA)
9. Baby Come Back (Player)
10. If You Don’t Know Me by Now (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (Bambi Awards, 20.12.1984), Gloria Gaynor
Mixtape for Ex-Boyfriend
A careful balance of “miss you” ballads and “good riddance” rockers.
1. You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)
2. Dream On (Aerosmith)
3. Since You Been Gone (Rainbow)
4. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
5. It’s Over (Electric Light Orchestra)
6. Without You (Harry Nilsson)
7. Baby Come Back (Player)
8. If You Leave Me Now (Chicago)
9. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
10. The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)
Rainbow - Since You've Been Gone (Official Music Video), Richmond Reanzares
Mixtape for Cool Aunt
Always had the best records, the best stories, and zero bedtime rules.
1. Le Freak (Chic)
2. You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
3. Let’s Groove (Earth, Wind & Fire)
4. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
5. Rock With You (Michael Jackson)
6. Best of My Love (The Emotions)
7. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
8. Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
9. I Love the Nightlife (Alicia Bridges)
10. Got to Be Real (Cheryl Lynn)
Michael Jackson - Rock With You (Official Video - Upscaled), Michael Jackson
Mixtape for Uncle
Has a story for every song, whether you asked for it or not.
1. Radar Love (Golden Earring)
2. Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
3. Old Time Rock and Roll (Bob Seger)
4. China Grove (The Doobie Brothers)
5. Takin’ Care of Business (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
6. Layla (Derek and the Dominos)
7. American Woman (Guess Who)
8. The Joker (Steve Miller Band)
9. Reelin’ in the Years (Steely Dan)
10. Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
Golden Earring - Radar Love (Official Music Video [HD]), redbullet
Mixtape for Grandparents
Remembers when “the good old days” didn’t need auto-tune.
1. Annie’s Song (John Denver)
2. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree (Tony Orlando & Dawn)
3. You Needed Me (Anne Murray)
4. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
5. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head (B.J. Thomas)
6. Yesterday Once More (The Carpenters)
7. Let It Be (The Beatles)
8. The Most Beautiful Girl (Charlie Rich)
9. Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille)
10. Knock Three Times (Tony Orlando & Dawn)
John Denver - Annie's Song (from The Wildlife Concert), John Denver
Mixtape for Neighbor
Keeps an eye on your house—and your music choices—through the blinds.
1. Bennie and the Jets (Elton John)
2. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
3. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
4. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
5. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting (Elton John)
6. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
7. Superstition (Stevie Wonder)
8. Let’s Groove (Earth, Wind & Fire)
9. American Pie (Don McLean)
10. Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh)
Elton John - Bennie And The Jets (Red Piano Show - Live in Las Vegas), Elton John
Mixtape for Gym Buddy
Motivates you with a mix of power chords and disco beats.
1. Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
2. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
3. Highway to Hell (AC/DC)
4. Le Freak (Chic)
5. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
6. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
7. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
8. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
9. Get Up and Boogie (Silver Convention)
10. Let’s Groove (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (Official Video) [4K Remastered], MASTER RJ
Mixtape for Bar Regular
Knows the jukebox code numbers for every song by heart.
1. Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffett)
2. Piano Man (Billy Joel)
3. American Pie (Don McLean)
4. Old Time Rock and Roll (Bob Seger)
5. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
6. Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
7. Take It Easy (Eagles)
8. Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin)
9. Drift Away (Dobie Gray)
10. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) (Looking Glass)
Margaritaville - Live from Minneapolis 1993, Jimmy Buffett Official
Mixtape for Travel Buddy
Your co-pilot for long drives, snack stops, and questionable shortcuts.
1. Take It Easy (Eagles)
2. Radar Love (Golden Earring)
3. Runnin’ on Empty (Jackson Browne)
4. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
5. Ventura Highway (America)
6. On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)
7. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
8. Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles)
9. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
10. Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers Band)
Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane (Live on MTV 1994) (Official Video) [4K], Eagles
Mixtape for High School Crush
The soundtrack to every note passed in class and awkward hallway “hey.”
1. Baby Come Back (Player)
2. How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees)
3. If You Leave Me Now (Chicago)
4. Your Song (Elton John)
5. Without You (Harry Nilsson)
6. I’d Really Love to See You Tonight (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
7. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
8. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
9. Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
10. Let’s Stay Together (Al Green)
Billy Joel - Just The Way You Are (from Old Grey Whistle Test), Billy Joel
Mixtape for Teacher
Taught you more than just what was in the textbook.
1. Kodachrome (Paul Simon)
2. Teach Your Children (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
3. School’s Out (Alice Cooper)
4. Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) (Pink Floyd)
5. To Sir With Love (Lulu)
6. We’re All Alone (Boz Scaggs)
7. Dream On (Aerosmith)
8. Listen to the Music (The Doobie Brothers)
9. Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
10. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
Lean on Me - Bill Withers | The Midnight Special, The Midnight Special
Mixtape for Hairdresser
Keeps your secrets and your bangs in shape.
1. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
2. Funky Town (Lipps Inc.)
3. I Love the Nightlife (Alicia Bridges)
4. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
5. You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
6. Disco Inferno (The Trammps)
7. Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire)
8. Le Freak (Chic)
9. Got to Be Real (Cheryl Lynn)
10. Best of My Love (The Emotions)
Hot Stuff - Donna Summer - HQ/HD, Juan Classic Disco
Mixtape for Mechanic
Can fix your car, your stereo, and your mood with the right track.
1. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
2. Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles)
3. Radar Love (Golden Earring)
4. Highway Star (Deep Purple)
5. Slow Ride (Foghat)
6. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
7. Greased Lightnin’ (John Travolta)
8. Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith)
9. Drive My Car (The Beatles)
10. Runnin’ with the Devil (Van Halen)
Deep Purple - Highway Star (Official Video), Deep Purple Official
Mixtape for Family Dog
Doesn’t care about lyrics, just loves a good beat for tail-wagging.
1. Me and You and a Dog Named Boo (Lobo)
2. Black Dog (Led Zeppelin)
3. Walkin’ the Dog (Aerosmith)
4. Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)
5. Dog Eat Dog (AC/DC)
6. Every Dog Has His Day (Eddie Floyd)
7. Old Shep (Elvis Presley)
8. How Much Is That Doggie in the Window (Patti Page)
9. Dogs (Pink Floyd)
10. Puppy Love (Donny Osmond)
Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (Live at Celebration Day) [Official Video], Led Zeppelin
Mixtape for Cousin
Your built-in partner for family reunions and bad dance floor moves.
1. We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
2. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
3. Le Freak (Chic)
4. Brick House (Commodores)
5. Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
6. Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire)
7. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
8. Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
9. Got to Be Real (Cheryl Lynn)
10. Best of My Love (The Emotions)
Commodores - Brickhouse (Live), The Commodores
Mixtape for Gamer Friend
Knows every cheat code and insists their high score is unbeatable.
1. Space Oddity (David Bowie)
2. Baba O’Riley (The Who)
3. Dream On (Aerosmith)
4. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
5. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
6. Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh)
7. Money (Pink Floyd)
8. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
9. Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
10. Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) (Pink Floyd)
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody [High Definition], Helder Palma
Mixtape for Bandmate
Always late to rehearsal, but somehow nails the solo.
1. Smoke on the Water (Deep Purple)
2. Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith)
3. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
4. More Than a Feeling (Boston)
5. Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
6. Hotel California (Eagles)
7. Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits)
8. Dream On (Aerosmith)
9. Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
10. We Will Rock You (Queen)
Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing (Live at Wembley 1985), Dire Straits
Mixtape for Babysitter
Keeps you alive, feeds you snacks, and lets you watch TV past bedtime.
1. Dancing Queen (ABBA)
2. Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
3. Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
4. Le Freak (Chic)
5. Rock With You (Michael Jackson)
6. Best of My Love (The Emotions)
7. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
8. You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
9. Boogie Wonderland (Earth, Wind & Fire)
10. Got to Be Real (Cheryl Lynn)
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop (Official Music Video) [4K], Fleetwood Mac
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