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The 100 greatest songs of 1971 #1 “When the Levee Breaks” Led Zeppelin (2 Viewers)

timschochet said:
95. Paul and Linda McCartney “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” (from Ram) 

https://youtu.be/DupyAkOZLYA

Beginning with the second side of Abbey Road, Paul McCartney for a few years enjoyed taking song fragments he had been working on and mashing them together. This is one of those efforts, “Band on the Run”, which came out a couple of years later, was another. Of the three “multi-songs” I just mentioned, “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” is the weakest, but it’s still quite good, still vintage McCartney that some find annoying but most adore. 

Despite the artist name, Linda had very little to do with it. I think she played some keyboards. Later that year, Paul changed the name of his band to “Paul McCartney & Wings”. 
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Some nice childhood memories around this one.  "We're so sorry... uncle Albert... but we haven't done a bloody thing all day...  we're so sorry... uncle Albert.. but the kettle's on the boil... and we're so easy called away..."  

 
94. David Bowie “Quicksand” (from Hunky Dory)

https://youtu.be/oP2SS8ggLtU

@Anarchy99 has this song rated #14 overall and  3rd, I believe on his ranking of songs from this album. That’s a bit higher than me I think but still pretty close. It’s an incredible piece of work. Lyrics are a bit obscure- why is talking about Himmler?? Oh well. Still a great piece of art. 

 
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timschochet said:
94. David Bowie “Quicksand” (from Hunky Dory)

https://youtu.be/oP2SS8ggLtU

@Anarchy99 has this song rated #14 overall and  3rd, I believe on his ranking of songs from this album. That’s a bit higher than me I think but still pretty close. It’s an incredible piece of work. Lyrics are a bit obscure- why is talking about Himmler?? Oh well. Still a great piece of art. 
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Definitely a lot crammed in there and even harder to decipher. Lots more on the song HERE (although I readily admit much of it is over my head).

 
93. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds “Don’t Pull Your Love” (from Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds) 

https://youtu.be/9vkdzBSuyUg

I hesitated having this song on the list because it’s soooo cheesy. But it’s also soooo awesome. In the end I had to do it. 

For years I was sure this was Elvis Presley because the lead sounds so much like him. 

Don’t pull your love out on me honey, take my heart my soul my money 

So good. 

 
timschochet said:
93. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds “Don’t Pull Your Love” (from Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds) 

https://youtu.be/9vkdzBSuyUg

I hesitated having this song on the list because it’s soooo cheesy. But it’s also soooo awesome. In the end I had to do it. 

For years I was sure this was Elvis Presley because the lead sounds so much like him. 

Don’t pull your love out on me honey, take my heart my soul my money 

So good. 
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This is a great record. The Yes song you chose is way cheesier than this. 

 
91. Janis Joplin  “Mercedes Benz” (from Pearl)

https://youtu.be/Qev-i9-VKlY

Pearl was recorded in October of 1970 but wasn’t released until early 1971, by which time Janis was dead, having taken heroin one too many times. “Mercedes Benz” was an acapella joke added as an afterthought, though the lyrics were actually from a poem by beatnick Bob Neuwirth. But despite the fact that she didn’t take it seriously, it’s actually haunting. She sings it at the top of her lungs with that voice unlike any other in the history of popular music; it may be her best ever vocal performance. 

 
timschochet said:
91. Janis Joplin  “Mercedes Benz” (from Pearl)

https://youtu.be/Qev-i9-VKlY

Pearl was recorded in October of 1970 but wasn’t released until early 1971, by which time Janis was dead, having taken heroin one too many times. “Mercedes Benz” was an acapella joke added as an afterthought, though the lyrics were actually from a poem by beatnick Bob Neuwirth. But despite the fact that she didn’t take it seriously, it’s actually haunting. She sings it at the top of her lungs with that voice unlike any other in the history of popular music; it may be her best ever vocal performance. 
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The original poem was by Michael McClure......who just died.

 
90. James Gang “Walk Away” (From Thirds) 

https://youtu.be/34abRUUeslw

Having scored a huge hit the year before with “Funk#49”, Joe Walsh continued the success with “Walk Away”. Here’s one guy whose sound stayed pretty consistent throughout much of his career with James Gang, as a solo artist, and with Eagles: that distinctive, bluesy, funky guitar, combined with a good pop sense. Works for me; always did. 

 
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timschochet said:
90. James Gang “Walk Away” (From Thirds) 

https://youtu.be/34abRUUeslw

Having scored a huge hit the year before with “Funk#49”, Joe Walsh continued the success with “Walk Away”. Here’s one guy whose sound stayed pretty consistent throughout much of his career with James Gang, as a solo artist, and with Eagles: that distinctive, bluesy, funky guitar, combined with a good pop sense. Works for me; always did. 
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Great riff on Walk Away.

 
timschochet said:
90. James Gang “Walk Away” (From Thirds) 

https://youtu.be/34abRUUeslw

Having scored a huge hit the year before with “Funk#49”, Joe Walsh continued the success with “Walk Away”. Here’s one guy whose sound stayed pretty consistent throughout much of his career with James Gang, as a solo artist, and with Eagles: that distinctive, bluesy, funky guitar, combined with a good pop sense. Works for me; always did. 
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i always thought of this one (as well F49) as kinda like how Neil Young woulda sounded if he were less Canadian 

🇨🇦

 
timschochet said:
92. Badfinger “Day After Day” (from Straight Up)

https://youtu.be/-btv-7GkVk0

Did I mention what an amazing year this was for music? Almost any other year and this would be a top ten song and deservedly so. Here it doesn’t get out of the 90s. 

This album was produced by George Harrison and you can hear it. 
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Only 92 - are you kidding?  :confused:

I would rate it top 10 for the entire decade of the 1970s!  :rant:

 
89. Nick Drake “Northern Sky” (from Bryter Layter)

https://youtu.be/S3jCFeCtSjk

I had never heard of Nick Drake until @krista4 mentioned him several years ago in this forum, which caused me to listen to the album Pink Moon, and that’s made me a fan for life. Bryter Layter, an earlier effort, is not as good as Pink Moon but “Northern Sky” shines as one of his best songs. 

This music soothes me. 

 
timschochet said:
89. Nick Drake “Northern Sky” (from Bryter Layter)

https://youtu.be/S3jCFeCtSjk

I had never heard of Nick Drake until @krista4 mentioned him several years ago in this forum, which caused me to listen to the album Pink Moon, and that’s made me a fan for life. Bryter Layter, an earlier effort, is not as good as Pink Moon but “Northern Sky” shines as one of his best songs. 

This music soothes me. 
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I agree that Bryter Later is a bit weaker than the other two - strangely almost a bit too peppy. Nonetheless, Drake was the John Cazale of pop music - just about the best bang for the buck based on his limited output.

 
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timschochet said:
90. James Gang “Walk Away” (From Thirds) 

https://youtu.be/34abRUUeslw

Having scored a huge hit the year before with “Funk#49”, Joe Walsh continued the success with “Walk Away”. Here’s one guy whose sound stayed pretty consistent throughout much of his career with James Gang, as a solo artist, and with Eagles: that distinctive, bluesy, funky guitar, combined with a good pop sense. Works for me; always did. 
Click to expand...
God bless Joe Walsh. Unlike just about every other rocker of his generation, he never took himself too seriously. And - horrors! - he actually seemed to be having fun.

Of course, then he turned around and joined the least we're-having-fun band in human history. His good humor was like the Polish Army on horseback trying to hold back a line of especially unhappy Panzers - he got overrun. Cashed a crap load of large, large checks, though.

 
timschochet said:
89. Nick Drake “Northern Sky” (from Bryter Layter)

https://youtu.be/S3jCFeCtSjk

I had never heard of Nick Drake until @krista4 mentioned him several years ago in this forum, which caused me to listen to the album Pink Moon, and that’s made me a fan for life. Bryter Layter, an earlier effort, is not as good as Pink Moon but “Northern Sky” shines as one of his best songs. 

This music soothes me. 
Click to expand...
Sneaky.

The reason why most had never heard of him is because he died in 74 before he hit it big but you know his voice due to use of his work being used on commercials so he's been 're-discovered'.

I only recently heard of him and his story.

----------------------------------------------------------------

How four Boston ad professionals and a Volkswagen shed light on an almost-forgotten music career After a commercial launched in 2000 with his music, Nick Drake went from hidden gem to cult hero.

...British songwriter Nick Drake passed away in 1974 at the age of 26. 25 years later, his three-album catalog was a mystery to many, save for small groups of record-store junkies who not only knew about the artist, but reveled in his “hidden gem” secrecy.

...Nick Drake was not a household name, even when he was making music in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. A quarter-century later, the only people who were listening to his songs were loyal music nerds who had stumbled upon his albums in their networks of record-store clerks and fellow collectors. 

...And while one small community was critical, a much larger one was put onto Drake’s music for the first time.

In her 33 ⅓ book about Drake’s album Pink Moon, author Amanda Petrusich cites Nielsen Soundscan data when saying, “Sales of Drake’s album increased nearly 500 percent during the first ten weeks of 2000, when Drake shifted more than 4700 copies of Pink Moon, compared to 815 in the same period in 1999. With album sales further bolstered by the addition of tiny ‘AS FEATURED IN THE VW AD’ stickers to the front of CDs, annual sales (as reported by The New York Times in 2001) jumped from about 6,000 copies a year to over 74,000.”
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Uruk-Hai said:
God bless Joe Walsh.
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Among the stories written about Bill Withers after his passing was one about him and Joe Walsh having a late life friendship that ran pretty deep. 

They met because their children went to school together. Withers wasn't in the happiest of places at the end of his life, yet he looked forward to visiting with Joe because Joe could always make him laugh. 

 
Encyclopedia Brown said:
Among the stories written about Bill Withers after his passing was one about him and Joe Walsh having a late life friendship that ran pretty deep. 

They met because their children went to school together. Withers wasn't in the happiest of places at the end of his life, yet he looked forward to visiting with Joe because Joe could always make him laugh. 
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Seriously a great story. Big fan of both guys but I had no idea they were actually friends.

 
88. Judee Sill “Crayon Angels (from Judee Sill)

https://youtu.be/SvtjRarucTc

Troubled singer/songwriter Judee Sill was one of David Geffen’s earliest discoveries. He thought he had another Carole King or Carly Simon. Sill was extremely talented but failed to reach that level of success. After a couple of albums that failed to sell the label dropped her and she descended into drugs and depression. She ended up committing suicide a few years later. Much like Nick Drake, many future artists found her influential. “Crayon Angels” from her first album is largely considered her masterpiece. 

 
87. John Prine “Angel from Montgomery” (from John Prine) 

https://youtu.be/VtFCUIsl4Yc

The late John Prine, who just died from COVID-19, was a tremendous songwriter, and his very best song ever was arguably this one from his debut album. Many songwriters take roles in their tunes, but how many men have the bravery to begin a song with “I am an old woman”? Thus begins a sad poignant tale that Prine relates in true poetic fashion. 

The only thing that keeps “Angel from Montgomery” from being ranked even higher- in terms of songwriting it rivals the very best on this list- is that this isn’t nearly the best version. Prine wasn’t a great performer. It would take more soulful vocalists like Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi in later years to demonstrate what could be done with this masterful song. 

 
timschochet said:
89. Nick Drake “Northern Sky” (from Bryter Layter)

https://youtu.be/S3jCFeCtSjk

I had never heard of Nick Drake until @krista4 mentioned him several years ago in this forum, which caused me to listen to the album Pink Moon, and that’s made me a fan for life. Bryter Layter, an earlier effort, is not as good as Pink Moon but “Northern Sky” shines as one of his best songs. 

This music soothes me. 
Click to expand...
Wow, I know we've talked of Nick Drake before, but I didn't recall that I introduced you to him.  That makes me unreasonably happy!  

timschochet said:
87. John Prine “Angel from Montgomery” (from John Prine) 

https://youtu.be/VtFCUIsl4Yc

The late John Prine, who just died from COVID-19, was a tremendous songwriter, and his very best song ever was arguably this one from his debut album. Many songwriters take roles in their tunes, but how many men have the bravery to begin a song with “I am an old woman”? Thus begins a sad poignant tale that Prine relates in true poetic fashion. 

The only thing that keeps “Angel from Montgomery” from being ranked even higher- in terms of songwriting it rivals the very best on this list- is that this isn’t nearly the best version. Prine wasn’t a great performer. It would take more soulful vocalists like Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi in later years to demonstrate what could be done with this masterful song. 
Click to expand...
:heart:    There's just so much going on right now that I haven't been able to focus on this thread, which is a shame when I see all the amazing stuff you're posting.  Great selection here.  His songwriting is nearly unparalleled.

 
timschochet said:
88. Judee Sill “Crayon Angels (from Judee Sill)

https://youtu.be/SvtjRarucTc

Troubled singer/songwriter Judee Sill was one of David Geffen’s earliest discoveries. He thought he had another Carole King or Carly Simon. Sill was extremely talented but failed to reach that level of success. After a couple of albums that failed to sell the label dropped her and she descended into drugs and depression. She ended up committing suicide a few years later. Much like Nick Drake, many future artists found her influential. “Crayon Angels” from her first album is largely considered her masterpiece. 
Click to expand...
No.

 
krista4 said:
Wow, I know we've talked of Nick Drake before, but I didn't recall that I introduced you to him.  That makes me unreasonably happy!  

:heart:    There's just so much going on right now that I haven't been able to focus on this thread, which is a shame when I see all the amazing stuff you're posting.  Great selection here.  His songwriting is nearly unparalleled.
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It's pretty amazing that for the 1001 covers of this song, Prine's is still the essential version.

 
krista4 said:
Maybe CIA isn’t, but I’m distinguishing “most essential” from “most enjoyable.”  It’s the same with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which is essential to understanding and listening but isn’t my favorite version.
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Yeah, I think Prine's (from his debut album) is the most essential or the definitive version of the song, but I love Bonnie's version. Her vocals are perfect for the song.

 
85. Rod Stewart and the Faces “(I Know) I’m Losing You” (from Every Picture Tells a Story) 

https://youtu.be/1p-WDv2sLTw

Rod’s version of the Temptation’s classic includes Ron Wood on lead guitar, Ronnie Lane on bass, and Kenney Jones on drums, which was the main lineup for the Faces in 1971. Everyone is terrific here but it’s Stewart’s vocals which give this hard rock/blues song such incredible depth: you feel his pain at losing her. 

 
timschochet said:
85. Rod Stewart and the Faces “(I Know) I’m Losing You” (from Every Picture Tells a Story) 

https://youtu.be/1p-WDv2sLTw

Rod’s version of the Temptation’s classic includes Ron Wood on lead guitar, Ronnie Lane on bass, and Kenney Jones on drums, which was the main lineup for the Faces in 1971. Everyone is terrific here but it’s Stewart’s vocals which give this hard rock/blues song such incredible depth: you feel his pain at losing her. 
Click to expand...
In a year of great albums this was one of the best.

 
timschochet said:
85. Rod Stewart and the Faces “(I Know) I’m Losing You” (from Every Picture Tells a Story) 

https://youtu.be/1p-WDv2sLTw

Rod’s version of the Temptation’s classic includes Ron Wood on lead guitar, Ronnie Lane on bass, and Kenney Jones on drums, which was the main lineup for the Faces in 1971. Everyone is terrific here but it’s Stewart’s vocals which give this hard rock/blues song such incredible depth: you feel his pain at losing her. 
Click to expand...
kicks ####in' ###!! it was so funny when this would come on at a party cuz every dood wanted to airdrum that solo but didnt wanna look a fool. but it was like lighting a cigarette - once one guy said wtf & started, you'd have nine guys soloing together. a hoot!

 
Uruk-Hai said:
God bless Joe Walsh. Unlike just about every other rocker of his generation, he never took himself too seriously. And - horrors! - he actually seemed to be having fun.

Of course, then he turned around and joined the least we're-having-fun band in human history. His good humor was like the Polish Army on horseback trying to hold back a line of especially unhappy Panzers - he got overrun. Cashed a crap load of large, large checks, though.
Click to expand...
He did a radio show on Friday Nights in NY on KROCK - maybe it was syndicated - it was hysterical. 

 
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