25 Best Songs From 1971

The year was 1971. The U.S. lowered the voting age to 18, Apollo 14 launched the third human-crewed mission to the moon, Disney World opened in Florida, and Snoop Dog was born.

Whether 1971 was your time or way before your time, many excellent songs were released that year. Some topped the charts, and others just topped the hearts of critics and fans.

Here are some top songs from 1971.

“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin

Song Year: 1971

There's nothing like a ‘good love gone wrong’ song, and “Me and Bobby McGee” is one of the best of the genre. Written by Kris Kristofferson and recorded by Janis Joplin for her album Pearl, this song is full of nostalgia for a love that went off the rails.

Unfortunately, Joplin died before she could see the album's release, and it's #1 place on the charts.

“Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers

Song Year: 1971

A Grammy win for Best R&B song, “Ain't No Sunshine,” is a smooth and resonant lament for a lover who has left, but it's also a lament for a love that you crave even though it always ends up hurting. We know we shouldn't miss something terrible for us, but we still do it all the time.

“Life on Mars?” by David Bowie

Song Year: 1971

We could have a list of good music from 1971 without mentioning David Bowie at the top. “Life On Mars?” was released on Bowie's Hunky Dory album.

In the video, Bowie has his gorgeous ginger mullet and matching teal jacket and eyeshadow. Bowie didn't dare to be different. He just was different.

The song's lyrics are much like his outfit, bright and surreal but a little nonsensical. On the surface, the song is about a girl who fights with her parents and then catches a film, and Bowie has described it as a girl and her overwhelmed disappointment with reality.

“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart

Song Year: 1971

With sunny, strumming guitars, Rod Stewart has admitted “Maggie May” is a song about his first lover. Who knows how many of the lyrics are true and how much is fiction, but this song is about a young man with a seemingly older woman lover who becomes quite possessive and keeps him from what he wants to be doing.

Stewart took the song title from “Maggie Mae,” a Liverpool folk song about a prostitute.

“Tiny Dancer” by Elton John

Song Year: 1971

Appearing on the album, Madman Across the Water, Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics for “Tiny Dancer” after his and Elton John's first trip to the U.S. There has been some speculation that the song was written about his girlfriend of the time, which is something he's denied, saying it was inspired by the women they'd see on the streets.

At its heart, this feels like a song about groupies, and it was used to that effect during an iconic scene in the 2000 movie, Almost Famous.

“It’s Too Late” by Carole King

Song Year: 1971

The album Tapestry helped to launch Carole King's performing career and cement the singer-songwriter genre. “It's Too Late” is a song about realizing that a relationship has fallen apart and is beyond saving. The song is sad and apologetic but firm. This relationship is over.

“I Am…I Said” by Neil Diamond

Song Year: 1971

Neil Diamond's “I Am…I Said,” is an emotional masterpiece. This song describes an existential crisis Diamond went through at one point in his career.

It is a song about being at a crossroads. Not liking where you are but not wanting to return to where you were. Nothing's working the way you want it to, and you don't even know what you're doing or who you are anymore.

“Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night

Song Year: 1971

If you want to add joy to your world, listen to Three Dog Night's “Joy to the World.” It's a little bit silly and a little bit sweet. More than anything else, this song is about enjoying yourself and spreading that joy to the whole world around you.

“Riders on the Storm” by The Doors

Song Year: 1971

“Riders on the Storm” ended up being the last song Jim Morrison recorded before his death. This haunting, atmospheric song is perfect for listening to during rainy days or stormy nights.

This song is typical of Jim Morrison's lyrics and is full of poetic imagery. This song is about the beauty and chaos of life and grabbing what you can when it's in front of you.

“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

Song Year: 1971

Social commentary and political statements weren't exactly the prime subjects for Motown hits, but Marvin Gaye was one of the first to change that with “What's Going On.” The Vietnam War inspired this song about the dangers, unrest, and divisiveness of the time.

“Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver

Song Year: 1971

John Denver's “Take Me Home Country Roads” was written in collaboration with Bill and Taffy Danoff. The funny thing is that none of the three had ever been to West Virginia by that point!

This song is about going back to the place where you were raised, that place you will always feel nostalgic for, the place that will always feel like home.