Top Songs of 1971


Rank All Time Rank Artist Song Genres
1
8
Marvin Gaye What's Going On Soul
2
25
Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock
3
28
John Lennon Imagine Pop, Singer/Songwriter
4
76
Al Green Let's Stay Together Southern Soul
5
96
David Bowie Life on Mars? Art Rock, Glam Rock, Piano Rock
6
140
Rod Stewart Maggie May Folk Rock, Pop Rock
7
155
The Rolling Stones Brown Sugar Blues Rock
8
180
Sly and the Family Stone Family Affair Funk, Psychedelic Soul
9
187
T. Rex Get It On [Bang a Gong (Get It On)] Glam Rock
10
193
The Who Won't Get Fooled Again Hard Rock
11
215
The Who Baba O'Riley Hard Rock
12
226
David Bowie Changes Glam Rock, Pop Rock
13
294
Isaac Hayes Theme from Shaft Film Soundtrack, Funk, Soul
14
380
Don McLean American Pie Folk Rock, Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
15
406
The Rolling Stones Wild Horses Country Rock
16
465
Janis Joplin Me and Bobby McGee Blues Rock, Country Rock
17
494
Al Green Tired of Being Alone Southern Soul
18
512
Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine Deep Soul, Smooth Soul
19
539
Leonard Cohen Famous Blue Raincoat Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
20
545
Carole King It's Too Late Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
21
553
The Doors Riders on the Storm Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
22
693
Marvin Gaye Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) Smooth Soul
23
732
John Lennon Jealous Guy Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
24
738
The Temptations Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) Pop Soul, Smooth Soul
25
755
The Beach Boys Surf's Up Art Pop, Baroque Pop, Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Pop
26
757
Gil Scott-Heron The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Funk, Jazz Poetry
27
768
Joni Mitchell A Case of You Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
28
794
Elton John Tiny Dancer Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
29
867
Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Smooth Soul
30
870
Led Zeppelin Rock and Roll Hard Rock
31
878
The Doors L.A. Woman Blues Rock
32
926
Jethro Tull Aqualung Progressive Rock
33
927
Led Zeppelin When the Levee Breaks Blues Rock, Hard Rock
34
938
Carpenters Superstar Baroque Pop
35
986
Faces Stay with Me Blues Rock
36
1115
Led Zeppelin Black Dog Hard Rock
37
1128
Nilsson Without You Baroque Pop
38
1210
The Staple Singers Respect Yourself Southern Soul
39
1211
Carole King You've Got a Friend Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
40
1359
The Chi-Lites Have You Seen Her Chicago Soul, Smooth Soul
41
1387
America A Horse with No Name Folk Pop, Folk Rock
42
1449
Funkadelic Maggot Brain Psychedelic Rock
43
1451
T. Rex Jeepster Glam Rock
44
1680
Dolly Parton Coat of Many Colors Country, Singer/Songwriter
45
1701
The Rolling Stones Can't You Hear Me Knocking Blues Rock
46
1727
Nick Drake Northern Sky Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
47
1807
The Undisputed Truth Smiling Faces Sometimes Psychedelic Soul
48
1914
Léo Ferré Avec le temps Chanson à texte
49
1934
Yes I've Seen All Good People / Your Move Progressive Rock
50
1950
Betty Wright Clean Up Woman Southern Soul
51
1958
John Prine Sam Stone Contemporary Folk, Country, Singer/Songwriter
52
2093
Yes Roundabout Progressive Rock
53
2095
The Rolling Stones Moonlight Mile Roots Rock
54
2179
Joni Mitchell River Christmas Music, Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
55
2198
Shuggie Otis Strawberry Letter 23 Psychedelic Soul
56
2243
The Rolling Stones Dead Flowers Country Rock
57
2261
John Denver Take Me Home, Country Roads Country Pop
58
2308
Don McLean Vincent Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
59
2388
War Slippin' into Darkness Funk, Soul
60
2584
Carole King I Feel the Earth Move Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
61
2693
The Who Behind Blue Eyes Art Rock, Hard Rock
62
2814
The Abyssinians Satta Massa Gana Roots Reggae
63
2854
Bob Marley and The Wailers Trench Town Rock Roots Reggae
64
2874
Jean Knight Mr. Big Stuff Funk, Southern Soul
65
2881
Bob Dylan & The Band I Shall Be Released Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter
66
2884
Can Halleluhwah Krautrock
67
2894
Slade Coz I Luv You Glam Rock
68
2931
James Brown Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants) Funk
69
2934
The Dramatics Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get Funk, Soul
70
2964
David Bowie Oh! You Pretty Things Glam Rock, Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
71
2981
Paul and Linda McCartney Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey Pop Rock, Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Pop
72
3012
Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin Ballade de Melody Nelson Baroque Pop, French Pop
73
3023
Aretha Franklin Rock Steady Funk, Southern Soul
74
3036
Ringo Starr It Don't Come Easy Pop Rock
75
3143
Chico Buarque Construção MPB, Singer/Songwriter
76
3247
Van Morrison Wild Night Pop Rock, Rhythm & Blues
77
3330
Traffic The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys Progressive Rock
78
3363
Pink Floyd Echoes Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Progressive Rock
79
3389
Joni Mitchell Blue Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
80
3398
Jethro Tull Locomotive Breath Progressive Rock
81
3447
John Lennon Gimme Some Truth Pop Rock
82
3452
Janis Joplin Mercedes Benz A cappella
83
3468
The Rolling Stones Sister Morphine Blues Rock, Folk Rock
84
3497
Bob Marley and The Wailers Lively Up Yourself Roots Reggae
85
3645
Can Oh Yeah Krautrock
86
3657
The Stylistics Betcha By Golly, Wow Philly Soul, Pop Soul
87
3726
Freda Payne Bring the Boys Home Soul
88
3777
David Bowie Queen Bitch Glam Rock, Proto-Punk
89
3808
James Taylor You've Got a Friend Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
90
3844
Anne Briggs Blackwater Side English Folk Music
91
3906
Can Spoon Krautrock
92
4121
Joe Simon Drowning in the Sea of Love Philly Soul
93
4273
The Rolling Stones Bitch Hard Rock
94
4328
The Jackson 5 Never Can Say Goodbye Pop Soul
95
4335
Bill Withers Grandma's Hands Rhythm & Blues, Soul
96
4422
Led Zeppelin Going to California Contemporary Folk
97
4432
Led Zeppelin The Battle of Evermore Contemporary Folk, Folk Rock
98
4448
Cat Stevens Peace Train Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
99
4512
Bee Gees How Can You Mend a Broken Heart Baroque Pop
100
4688
John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Christmas Music, Pop Rock
101
4722
Paul and Linda McCartney Another Day Pop Rock
102
4726
The Rolling Stones Sway Blues Rock
103
4730
Judee Sill Jesus Was a Cross Maker Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
104
4771
Carole King (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Pop Soul, Singer/Songwriter
105
4846
Focus Hocus Pocus Hard Rock, Progressive Rock
106
4880
Faces Debris Blues Rock
107
4912
Alice Cooper Halo of Flies Garage Rock, Glam Rock, Hard Rock
108
4991
Led Zeppelin Misty Mountain Hop Hard Rock
109
5094
The Beach Boys 'Til I Die Art Pop, Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Pop
110
5175
Alice Cooper Under My Wheels Glam Rock, Hard Rock
111
5190
T. Rex Hot Love Glam Rock, Pop Rock
112
5254
Carole King So Far Away Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
113
5261
David Crosby Laughing Folk Pop, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
114
5355
Denise LaSalle Trapped By a Thing Called Love Southern Soul
115
5402
Nick Drake Hazey Jane II British Folk Rock, Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
116
5466
Van Morrison Tupelo Honey Blue Eyed Soul, Soul
117
5540
Loudon Wainwright III Motel Blues Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
118
5707
Dr. Hook Sylvia's Mother Soft Rock
119
5719
Eric Donaldson Cherry Oh Baby Reggae, Rocksteady
120
5766
Rod Stewart Mandolin Wind Pop Rock, Roots Rock
121
5787
Daddy Cool Eagle Rock Boogie Rock
122
5926
The Persuaders Thin Line Between Love and Hate Soul
123
5942
Loretta Lynn One's on the Way Country
124
5984
The Allman Brothers Band Statesboro Blues Blues Rock
125
6001
Neil Diamond I Am... I Said Baroque Pop, Pop Rock
126
6007
Maxime Le Forestier San Francisco Chanson, Contemporary Folk
127
6017
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band Power to the People Pop Rock
128
6060
Badfinger Day After Day Power Pop
129
6122
Crazy Horse I Don't Want to Talk About It Roots Rock
130
6177
David Bowie Kooks Folk Rock, Glam Rock, Pop Rock
131
6242
Waylon Jennings Good Hearted Woman Outlaw Country
132
6364
Joni Mitchell This Flight Tonight Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
133
6374
Carly Simon That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be Pop, Singer/Songwriter
134
6406
Pink Floyd One of These Days Art Rock, Progressive Rock, Space Rock
135
6423
Cat Stevens Morning Has Broken Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
136
6424
John Prine Hello in There Contemporary Folk, Country, Singer/Songwriter
137
6427
Cher Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves Baroque Pop, Folk Pop
138
6445
Melanie Brand New Key Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
139
6600
Bill Withers Harlem Soul
140
6660
Yes Heart of the Sunrise Progressive Rock
141
6749
Alice Coltrane feat. Pharoah Sanders Journey in Satchidananda Spiritual Jazz
142
6759
The Stylistics You Are Everything Philly Soul, Smooth Soul
143
6877
Bread If Baroque Pop, Soft Rock
144
6882
Rod Stewart Every Picture Tells a Story Roots Rock
145
7063
Michael Jackson Got to Be There Pop Soul
146
7074
Nick Drake At the Chime of a City Clock Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
147
7080
Serge Gainsbourg Melody Art Rock, French Pop, Progressive Pop, Spoken Word
148
7184
Honey Cone Want Ads Motown Sound
149
7221
Johnnie Allan Promised Land Country Rock, Folk Rock, Swamp Blues
150
7266
Donny Hathaway A Song for You Soul
151
7269
The Raiders [Paul Revere & The Raiders] Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian) Hard Rock, Pop Rock
152
7289
Premiata Forneria Marconi Impressioni di settembre Symphonic Prog
153
7294
Genesis The Musical Box Symphonic Prog
154
7306
Tom T. Hall The Year That Clayton Delaney Died Progressive Country, Singer/Songwriter
155
7342
O.V. Wright A Nickel and a Nail Southern Soul
156
7348
Aretha Franklin Spanish Harlem Soul
157
7406
Argent Hold Your Head Up Hard Rock, Progressive Rock
158
7423
Alice Coltrane Universal Consciousness Free Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
159
7457
Nilsson Jump Into the Fire Acid Rock
160
7501
Charley Pride Kiss An Angel Good Mornin' Nashville Sound
161
7509
Joni Mitchell California Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
162
7562
Stampeders Sweet City Woman Pop Rock
163
7671
Black Sabbath Sweet Leaf Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal
164
7745
Joni Mitchell The Last Time I Saw Richard Piano Rock, Singer/Songwriter
165
7779
Leonard Cohen Dress Rehearsal Rag Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
166
7842
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen Hot Rod Lincoln Novelty
167
7851
Bob Marley and The Wailers Kaya Reggae
168
7884
The New Seekers I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony) Sunshine Pop
169
8029
Stevie Wonder If You Really Love Me Pop Soul
170
8076
MC5 Sister Anne Proto-Punk
171
8209
The Beach Boys Feel Flows Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Pop
172
8329
The Rolling Stones I Got the Blues Blues Rock, Soul
173
8580
David Bowie Andy Warhol Art Rock, Folk Rock
174
8590
Bob Marley and The Wailers Put It On Reggae
175
8706
Danny O'Keefe Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues Country
176
8759
Dennis Coffey and The Detroit Guitar Band Scorpio Deep Funk
177
8767
Wilson Pickett Don't Knock My Love Southern Soul
178
8780
Sly and the Family Stone (You Caught Me) Smilin' Funk, Psychedelic Soul
179
8931
David Bowie The Bewlay Brothers Art Rock, Folk Rock, Glam Rock, Singer/Songwriter
180
8978
Janis Joplin Move Over Blues Rock
181
9014
The Chakachas Jungle Fever Latin Funk
182
9139
Pink Floyd Fearless Art Rock, Folk Rock
183
9198
Joni Mitchell Carey Folk Pop, Singer/Songwriter
184
9212
Steve Goodman City of New Orleans Contemporary Folk, Country, Singer/Songwriter
185
9276
Joan Manuel Serrat Mediterráneo Nueva canción española
186
9288
Roberto Vecchioni Luci a San Siro Canzone d'autore
187
9304
Cat Stevens The Wind Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
188
9479
Nina Simone Mr. Bojangles Vocal Jazz
189
9538
Laura Nyro & Labelle The Bells Pop Soul, Rhythm & Blues
190
9570
Jean Ferrat Aimer à perdre la raison Chanson à texte
191
9597
Bob Dylan When I Paint My Masterpiece Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
192
9765
The Doors Love Her Madly Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
193
9783
Carpenters For All We Know Pop
194
9876
Miles Davis Right Off Film Score, Jazz Fusion, Jazz-Rock

Songs "bubbling under" the all-time top 10,000:
Maxime Le Forestier Mon frère Chanson, Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
T. Rex Cosmic Dancer Baroque Pop, Glam Rock
The Allman Brothers Band Hot 'Lanta Blues Rock, Jam Band, Southern Rock
Nino Ferrer La Maison près de la fontaine Progressive Pop
Aretha Franklin Bridge Over Troubled Water Deep Soul, Gospel
Serge Gainsbourg Valse de Melody Chanson, French Pop
The Who Bargain Hard Rock
James Brown Soul Power Funk
Ten Years After I'd Love to Change the World Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Shirley Bassey Diamonds Are Forever Film Soundtrack, Pop
Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds Don't Pull Your Love Soft Rock
Detroit Emeralds Feel the Need in Me Soul
Black Sabbath Children of the Grave Heavy Metal
Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn After the Fire Is Gone Country Pop
Elton John Levon Piano Rock
José Alfredo Jiménez El Rey Mariachi, Ranchera
Milton Nascimento & Lô Borges Cravo e canela MPB
Creedence Clearwater Revival Sweet Hitch-Hiker Country Rock, Swamp Rock
David Crosby Music Is Love Folk Pop, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Joni Mitchell All I Want Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
The Hollies Long Cool Woman (In a Black Dress) Swamp Rock
Nick Drake Fly Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Rotary Connection I Am the Blackgold of the Sun Psychedelic Soul
Mountain Nantucket Sleighride (For Owen Coffin) Blues Rock, Heavy Psych
John Lennon Oh Yoko! Folk Pop, Pop Rock
Spectrum I'll Be Gone Progressive Rock
Osibisa Music for Gong Gong Afro-Funk, Jazz-Rock
Rod Stewart Reason to Believe Folk Rock, Pop Rock
Carly Simon Anticipation Folk Pop, Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Stephen Stills Change Partners Folk Rock
Colin Blunstone Say You Don't Mind Baroque Pop
John Kongos He's Gonna Step on You Again Glam Rock, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Pop
Dashiell Hedayat Chrysler (Rose) Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock
The Who Getting in Tune Art Rock
Julien Clerc Ce n'est rien Chanson
Delroy Wilson Better Must Come Reggae
John Lennon How Do You Sleep? Pop Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Aretha Franklin Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You) Southern Soul
Carole King Home Again Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
Humble Pie I Don't Need No Doctor Hard Rock
Led Zeppelin Four Sticks Blues Rock, Hard Rock
Françoise Hardy La question Chanson, French Pop
The Beginning of the End Funky Nassau Funk
Johnny Paycheck She’s All I Got Country
The Beach Boys Long Promised Road Blue Eyed Soul, Progressive Pop, Psychedelic Soul
Chick Corea Sometime Ago ECM Style Jazz
Jr. Walker & The All Stars Way Back Home Soul
Janis Joplin Cry Baby Blues Rock
Arco Iris Mañana Campestre Folk Rock, Psychedelic Folk
Booker T. & The MG's Melting Pot Psychedelic Soul
Bob Dylan You Ain't Going Nowhere Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Grateful Dead Wharf Rat Jam Band, Psychedelic Rock
Niney Blood & Fire Roots Reggae
The Chi-Lites (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People Funk, Smooth Soul
Lucio Battisti La Canzone Del Sole Singer/Songwriter
Jethro Tull Hymn 43 Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Progressive Rock
Paul and Linda McCartney Monkberry Moon Delight Pop Rock
Laura Lee Women's Love Rights Soul
Serge Reggiani L'Italien Chanson
Yes Long Distance Runaround Progressive Rock
Badfinger Baby Blue Power Pop
Carole King Will You Love Me Tomorrow Singer/Songwriter, Soft Rock
Graham Nash Chicago Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Paul and Linda McCartney The Back Seat of My Car Baroque Pop, Pop Rock, Progressive Pop
Gil Scott-Heron Home Is Where the Hatred Is Soul
Jimi Hendrix Dolly Dagger Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Santana Everybody's Everything Latin Rock
Carpenters Rainy Days and Mondays Pop
The Band Life Is a Carnival Country Rock, Folk Rock, Funk Rock, Roots Rock
Uriah Heep July Morning Progressive Rock
Serge Gainsbourg Cargo culte Art Rock, French Pop, Progressive Pop
David Bowie Quicksand Art Rock, Glam Rock
The Kinks Muswell Hillbilly Pop Rock
Crowbar Oh What a Feeling Blues Rock
Bob Marley and The Wailers Guava Jelly Reggae
Jethro Tull Wond'ring Aloud Chamber Folk
The Who Going Mobile Pop Rock
Scotty Draw Your Breakes Deejay, Rocksteady
Aretha Franklin Brand New Me Deep Soul, Gospel
Roy Harper Me and My Woman Chamber Folk, Progressive Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Michel Delpech Pour un flirt Chanson
Al Green I'm a Ram Southern Soul
Karen Dalton Something on Your Mind Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Yes Yours Is No Disgrace Symphonic Prog
Detroit Rock'n Roll Hard Rock
Graham Nash Simple Man Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Roy Harper The Same Old Rock Progressive Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Deep Purple Strange Kind of Woman Hard Rock
Funkadelic Can You Get to That Funk Rock, Psychedelic Soul
Nick Drake Poor Boy Jazz Pop, Singer/Songwriter
Free My Brother Jake Pop Rock
Milton Nascimento Tudo que você podia ser MPB, Sunshine Pop
John Martyn May You Never Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Bob Marley and The Wailers Mr. Brown Reggae
Nick Drake One of These Things First Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Mahavishnu Orchestra The Noonward Race Jazz Fusion, Jazz-Rock
Sly and the Family Stone Runnin' Away Funk, Pop Soul, Psychedelic Soul
Nilsson Gotta Get Up Baroque Pop
The Kinks The Way Love Used to Be Film Soundtrack, Pop Rock
Loudon Wainwright III Be Careful, There's a Baby in the House Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
James Gang Walk Away Hard Rock
Mickey Newbury An American Trilogy Progressive Country
Janis Joplin A Woman Left Lonely Blues Rock
John Martyn Bless the Weather Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
John Martyn Just Now Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Curved Air Back Street Luv Progressive Rock
Jethro Tull Cross-Eyed Mary Progressive Rock
Grateful Dead Playing in the Band Jam Band, Psychedelic Rock
J.J. Cale Crazy Mama Blues Rock
Elton John Madman Across the Water Art Pop, Piano Rock
The J. Geils Band Looking for a Love Boogie Rock
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Tarkus Progressive Rock
The J. Geils Band Whammer Jammer Boogie Rock
Mahavishnu Orchestra Meeting of the Spirits Jazz Fusion, Jazz-Rock, Progressive Rock
Van Der Graaf Generator Man-Erg Progressive Rock
The Supremes Nathan Jones Pop Soul
Paul and Linda McCartney Too Many People Pop Rock
Slade Get Down and Get With It Glam Rock
Van Morrison Blue Money Singer/Songwriter
Electric Light Orchestra 10538 Overture Symphonic Rock
The Partridge Family I Woke Up in Love This Morning Pop Rock
Kevin Ayers Stranger in Blue Shoes Art Rock, Canterbury Scene, Pop Rock
George Harrison Bangla-Desh Pop Rock
Johnny Hallyday Oh ! ma jolie Sarah Rock
Alice Cooper Ballad of Dwight Frye Glam Rock, Hard Rock
Willie Nelson Me and Paul Outlaw Country
Can Mushroom Krautrock, Psychedelic Rock
Joe Cocker High Time We Went Blue Eyed Soul, Blues Rock
Leonard Cohen Last Year's Man Contemporary Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Flamin' Groovies Teenage Head Blues Rock, Garage Rock, Proto-Punk
Deep Purple Fireball Hard Rock
Can Paperhouse Krautrock, Psychedelic Rock
Janis Joplin Half Moon Blues Rock
Yes Starship Trooper Progressive Rock
Joan Baez with Ennio Morricone and His Orchestra Here's to You Contemporary Folk
Bobby Byrd I Know You Got Soul Funk
Esther Phillips Home Is Where the Hatred Is Jazz-Funk, Soul
Alice Cooper Black Juju Acid Rock
The Who My Wife Hard Rock
Bobby Womack That's the Way I Feel about 'Cha Soul
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles I Don't Blame You At All Soul
Van Der Graaf Generator A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers Progressive Rock