25 Best Songs From 1971

“Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner

Song Year: 1971

“Proud Mary” was written by John Fogerty and originally recorded and released with his band, Credence Clearwater Revival. Ike and Tina Turner changed the song, starting it with a spiritual feeling and turning it into a high-energy jam.

“Proud Mary” features a working woman with no shame or regrets about her actions or who she is, and she expands her horizons after she takes a ride on a riverboat.

“It Don’t Come Easy” by Ringo Starr

Song Year: 1971

Ringo Starr’s “It Don’t Come Easy” was written with former Beatles-mate George Harrison, and the lyrics are pretty self-explanatory. Whatever you want in life, whether stardom, peace, or love, must be worked hard for.

“Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones

Song Year: 1971

“Wild Horses,” an emotional rocker from the Rolling Stones, is a song about not wanting to give up on a falling apart relationship and still honoring that relationship, and that person, even when it has fallen apart.

The song began with Keith Richards and his inspiration from his son, Mick Jagger, but he changed most of the lyrics to reflect his crumbling relationship with Marianne Faithfull.

“If You Really Love Me” by Stevie Wonder

Song Year: 1971

Usually, men get a bad rap for avoiding commitment and feelings. Still, Stevie Wonder’s “If You Really Love Me,” is a song about a woman having difficulty putting her words where her heart is. Stevie Wonder wrote this single about his wife at the time.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who

Song Year: 1971

While The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” hits hard with its music and its anti-establishmentarianism message, it is a song about how pointless revolution is. The song’s feelings are that after one regime falls, another takes its place, and it’s never a better situation for the citizens.  

“I Just Want to Celebrate” by Rare Earth

Song Year: 1971

Rare Earth was the first all-white pop group signed to Motown records in their effort to expand the radio play of their albums. This upbeat, optimistic song is about being happy to be alive and having a positive attitude, no matter what misfortunes befall you.

“Bang a Gong (Get It On)” by T. Rex

Song Year: 1971

This T. Rex song is their most recognizable, if not their most famous. It is about getting it on, but the lyrics use surreal and unlikely metaphors that bury the innuendo. It is a fun song, infectious, and delightful to sing along with.

“Famous Blue Raincoat” by Leonard Cohen

Song Year: 1971

Leonard Cohen’s “Famous Blue Raincoat” is a sad and solemn story song about a love triangle. This song speaks to how complicated emotions and relationships can be. In it, a man forgives either his brother or his very good friend for sleeping with his wife because the affair healed her in a way he couldn’t.

Like Leonard Cohen’s most lyrically intricate songs, this one is chock full of images and metaphors that could be up for interpretation.

“Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight

Song Year: 1971

Jean Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff” is the song to play for someone who thinks they’re better than you. The speaker of this song is a woman with her feet on the ground and her head on her shoulders. She’s not about to fall for a man just because he has money and can dazzle her. No. She can see right through that, and she knows she deserves better.

“Theme From Shaft” by Isaac Hayes

Song Year: 1971

If you don’t know the “Theme From Shaft,” you might think a movie’s theme song would be a weird choice to end a list of good music from 1971. However, this is an iconic song of the 70s, and if you think you haven’t heard it, put it on. And even if you haven’t heard it, you’ll be dancing and strutting around in about three seconds.

Because it was written as a theme for a movie about a Harlem detective working to find a mob boss’s daughter, the lyrics reflect that, making sure you know everything you need to know about Shaft’s character, namely he’s sexy and don’t mess with him.

Top Songs From 1971, Final Thoughts

Whether you’re into rock, Motown, singer-songwriter, folk, or glam, 1971 had some of the best songs released during a year of change for the country. While you can still hear some of the top songs from 1971 during commercials or in the department and grocery store, other hit singles from this year are waiting for you to push play, sit back, and enjoy classic tunes from the iconic year.