We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago….today we look back at some of the groovy hit singles from 1971….
Mr. Big Stuff-Jean Knight
The New Orleans born Jean Knight had a moment in 1971 when this slice of take no crap from a man soul went double-platnium and made it to #2 on the charts. It also garnered a Grammy nomination. It lost to Aretha’s version of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Here’s a lip synched version from Soul Train!
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart-Bee Gees
The Brothers Gibb released their ninth LP “Trafalger” in 1971 that included this glistening pop ballad that showcased those harmonies the guys were so known for. It became the group’s first #1 hit in America…
Witch Queen of New Orleans-Redbone
How many Native American rock bands to you know? Maybe just Redbone who’s 3rd LP “Message From A Drum” included this catchy little number. It was released around Halloween which probably helped it’s popularity.
One Fine Morning-Lighthouse
At a time when horns bands were very popular came Lighthouse from the Great White North. It originally had 13 members including a string section. This hard driving tune went to #1 in Canada and cracked the Top 30 in America.
She’s A Lady-Tom Jones
There were few singers hotter at the time than Tom Jones. This tune was written by Paul Anka and I suppose you need to ignore the inherent sexism in the lyric if you’re going to enjoy it now. It made it to # 2 on the charts stalling behind Me & Bobby McGee.
Jones had a popular tv show for awhile where he would sing together with lots of hip artists like Janis Joplin, Wilson Pickett, Stevie Wonder and this performance with CSNY that I had to include here. Check out the expressions of Crosby and Young …they had to be high.
Hot Pants-James Brown
It was released as a three-part single and hit #1 on the R&B chart and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. When you listen to Eddie Murphy parody Brown…a bunch of that came from here. The album version is almost nine minutes long. The JBs lay down the groove and Brown sells it like he usually did.
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