From rock to folk to singer-songwriter anthems, 1971 was full of great songs. Here are some hits that I think are unanimous favorites, whether you listen to older tunes or not.
“Coat Of Many Colors” by Dolly Parton
It’s hard not to get behind a Dolly Parton song, but this one in particular tugs at our heartstrings. “Coat Of Many Colors” details Parton’s life growing up in the mountains in East Tennessee as a little girl, where her large family crowded into a little cabin. Her mom made her a coat of many colors out of rags, and although it wasn’t fancy, Parton shares that it was special because it was made with love.
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“Now I know we had no money / But I was rich as I could be / In my coat of many colors / My mama made for me / Made just for me.”
“B*tch” by The Rolling Stones
There are quite a few songs in popular culture that use that word in the title. Who doesn’t love “The B*tch Is Back” by Elton John? This particular song, though, was released as the B-side to another slightly controversial Stones song, “Brown Sugar”. The provocative formula seemed to work for the Stones, however. Both “B*tch” and “Brown Sugar” were popular hits for the group.
“California” by Joni Mitchell
I mean, how can you not fall in love with folk singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell? “California” is one of the singer’s less lyrically complex tracks, but it’s still valuable to her discography. While writing her Blue album, Mitchell was travelling across Europe following her breakup from Graham Nash. This song pays homage to her home in the Sunshine State.
Oh, but California
California, I’m coming home
I’m going to see the folks I dig
I’ll even kiss a Sunset pig
California, I’m coming home.
“Imagine” by John Lennon
Say what you want about the former Beatle, but John Lennon’s “Imagine” is a classic and one of the most famous songs of 1971. Even though he felt like this song was misunderstood in the context of religion, one thing is clear. “Imagine” encourages people to picture a world with more unity and peace, where there’s less discourse over which way is the right way.
Photo by: Don Smith/Radio Times via Getty Images
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circa 1975: Freddie Mercury (1946 – 1991), lead singer of 70s hard rock quartet Queen, in concert during the group's British tour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) -
Warner Bros. Records publicity still photo of Black Sabbath circa 1970. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
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NASHVILLE -August 16: Country Music Singer Songwriter Reba McEntire Performs on August 16, 1988 in Nashville, Tennessee (photo by Beth Gwinn/Getty Images) -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Ebet Roberts/Getty Images) American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chrissie Hynde performing with rock group The Pretenders, USA, 1994. (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – 1966: Singer and mastermind Brian Wilson of the rock and roll band "The Beach Boys" directs from the control room while recording the album "Pet Sounds" in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
MINNEAPOLIS – AUGUST 3: Prince performs a benefit concert for the Minnesota Dance Theatre at First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 3, 1983. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
