What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

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

timschochet said:
zamboni said:
This should be wayyyyy higher IMO even in a monstrous year.
Click to expand...
Let’s have this discussion at the end shall we?
Click to expand...
in a thread that is supposed to generate discussion:

"that's a great suggestion zam, let's move that to the parking lot and visit it later shall we?" - every consultant that doesn't want to hear anything that may disagree with their POV   :lmao:

well know secret:  the parking lot never gets visited (and those ideas get hit in the back of the head with a shovel and buried underneath the 97th street bridge)

 
Binky The Doormat said:
in a thread that is supposed to generate discussion:

"that's a great suggestion zam, let's move that to the parking lot and visit it later shall we?" - every consultant that doesn't want to hear anything that may disagree with their POV   :lmao:

well know secret:  the parking lot never gets visited (and those ideas get hit in the back of the head with a shovel and buried underneath the 97th street bridge)
Click to expand...
No I get it. And I don’t mind the complaint, but I can’t answer it at the moment without spotlighting the rest of my rankings. That’s why I wrote let’s have that argument later. 

 
zamboni said:
Fair enough - but I can’t imagine a universe where there are close to 74 better songs from 1971. I get it though - it’s all subjective.
Click to expand...
Absolute Top 5 presence in society that year. I was on the road for the entirety of 1971, hitching back and forth across the country, campus-to-campus, commune-to-commune, hotspot-to-hotspot, car radio-to-car radio. Only two songs were more ubiquitous.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
74. The Rolling Stones “Sister Morphine” (from Sticky Fingers)

https://youtu.be/C39kQoprfP0

So this song has an interesting history: it was actually recorded in 1968 during the Beggars Banquet sessions and then not released until 1971. The slide guitarist is Ry Cooder (Brian Jones was too drugged out and the band hadn’t yet replaced him. The lyrics were written by Marianne Faithfull who recorded her own version with the same musicians, including Mick, and released it in 1969. Faithfull was influenced by the Velvet Underground; she wasn’t listed for decades as a writer on the song and eventually won a lawsuit.  

 
timschochet said:
74. The Rolling Stones “Sister Morphine” (from Sticky Fingers)

https://youtu.be/C39kQoprfP0

So this song has an interesting history: it was actually recorded in 1968 during the Beggars Banquet sessions and then not released until 1971. The slide guitarist is Ry Cooder (Brian Jones was too drugged out and the band hadn’t yet replaced him. The lyrics were written by Marianne Faithfull who recorded her own version with the same musicians, including Mick, and released it in 1969. Faithfull was influenced by the Velvet Underground; she wasn’t listed for decades as a writer on the song and eventually won a lawsuit.  
Click to expand...
Obligatory “this should be much higher”.

 
73. T-Rex “Jeepster” (from Electric Warrior) 

https://youtu.be/G3PznrYmWzc

Even more than David Bowie, Marc Bolan is credited with creating  glam rock with this fine album. But a lot of that was just his look and presentation. His sound had an even greater influence: his vocals previewed the New Wave era that blossomed nearly a decade later. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
timschochet said:
75. Traffic “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” (from The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys)

https://youtu.be/vDGorIWYz-A

Steve Winwood was certainly in some great bands during this era: Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic. This epic song consists of the usual Traffic lineup (mainly Winwood and Jim Capaldi) along with a special appearance by drummer Jim Gordon, who only a year earlier was part of Dereck and the Dominoes and wrote the famous piano line for “Layla”. A few years later Gordon went insane and decapitated his mother. That has nothing to do with this song but I thought it was interesting. 
Click to expand...


wikkidpissah said:
Absolute Top 5 presence in society that year. I was on the road for the entirety of 1971, hitching back and forth across the country, campus-to-campus, commune-to-commune, hotspot-to-hotspot, car radio-to-car radio. Only two songs were more ubiquitous.
Click to expand...
It was still immensely popular in certain circles winter 1973-74 when I took my first bong hit.

 
timschochet said:
75. Traffic “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” (from The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys)

https://youtu.be/vDGorIWYz-A

Steve Winwood was certainly in some great bands during this era: Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic. This epic song consists of the usual Traffic lineup (mainly Winwood and Jim Capaldi) along with a special appearance by drummer Jim Gordon, who only a year earlier was part of Dereck and the Dominoes and wrote the famous piano line for “Layla”. A few years later Gordon went insane and decapitated his mother. That has nothing to do with this song but I thought it was interesting. 
Click to expand...
Low Spark has  many songs worthy so hoping we'll see more.

 
I meant to post this earlier but I forgot and was reminded when I saw the Allman Brothers album drafted in the desert island draft: this list has no live songs on it. That saves me a little space. 

 
70. Bob Dylan “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” (from Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2) 

https://youtu.be/DQK6nBnZHLE

Originally written and recorded in 1967; that version was eventually released on The Basement Tapes In 1975. In the meantime The Byrds recorded a cover that was a minor hit, and  then this version was recorded for the 2nd greatest hits album with new lyrics that mocked Roger McGuinn. This is probably the best version of a wonderful song. 

 
Catching up a little...

Despite my earlier post about Who's Next, I love The Song Is Over.  My 2nd favorite song from Who's Next (behind only Baba O'Riley).  The production works in this song's favor in a big way.

Sister Morphine is one of the best songs from an album full of nothing but winners.  I am not a big Stones fan, but Sticky Fingers is aces.

The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys is a killer song.  Great song to kick back and relax to if you know what I mean. ;)  

 
69. Led Zeppelin “Rock and Roll” (from Led Zeppelin IV) 

https://youtu.be/lncr2g9XJHU

Reading all the accolades this song has received over the years (appears on lots of all time lists) perhaps I should have ranked it even higher. But it was a throwaway; they were working on “Four Sticks” and Bonham just kept playing, Page started a Chuck Berry chord progression and that was it. 

Its your basic 3 chord rock and roll song, but they play it really loud and fast and well. 

 
timschochet said:
69. Led Zeppelin “Rock and Roll” (from Led Zeppelin IV) 

https://youtu.be/lncr2g9XJHU

Reading all the accolades this song has received over the years (appears on lots of all time lists) perhaps I should have ranked it even higher. But it was a throwaway; they were working on “Four Sticks” and Bonham just kept playing, Page started a Chuck Berry chord progression and that was it. 

Its your basic 3 chord rock and roll song, but they play it really loud and fast and well. 
Click to expand...
I don't get the love.  This is probably bottom 10 Zeppelin song for me.

 
shuke said:
I don't get the love.  This is probably bottom 10 Zeppelin song for me.
Click to expand...
I won't go that far, but while it is a fun little rock song, it isn't much than that for me.  Even back before it was overplayed (for me), I never went out of my to hear it, and while I love listening to full albums, I love getting in the mood to listen to a specific band and bouncing all around from album to album.  Rock and Roll only ever gets play me when I play all of IV, and that is like every four years nowadays.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
shuke said:
I don't get the love.  This is probably bottom 10 Zeppelin song for me.
Click to expand...
im'ma have to vehemently disagree, ol' chap - any time they sped the tempo up it was phenomenal - lotta balls up in this one ... pure rock n' roll, just as advertised. 

 
Dr. Octopus said:
I don’t hate on Rush like most do but you can’t be a Rush fan and be critical of any other vocalist. Geddy is the worst singer ever for a band/artist that has achieved any level of success.
Click to expand...
I don’t personally have a problem with Geddy’s vocals. But it’s certainty true that a lot of people do, just  as its true that there are many folks out there like @Ghost Rider that can’t stand a lot of Dylan’s singing style. It just seems a little amusing to me that a fan of one should pick on the other, that’s all. 

 
Ghost Rider said:
I won't go that far, but while it is a fun little rock song, it isn't much than that for me.  Even back before it was overplayed (for me), I never went out of my to hear it, and while I love listening to full albums, I love getting in the mood to listen to a specific band and bouncing all around from album to album.  Rock and Roll only ever gets play me when I play all of IV, and that is like every four years nowadays.
Click to expand...
I concur. 

 
timschochet said:
73. T-Rex “Jeepster” (from Electric Warrior) 

https://youtu.be/G3PznrYmWzc

Even more than David Bowie, Marc Bolan is credited with creating  glam rock with this fine album. But a lot of that was just his look and presentation. His sound had an even greater influence: his vocals previewed the New Wave era that blossomed nearly a decade later. 
Click to expand...
Weirdly, "Cosmic Dancer" has become my favorite off of this album. I just love T. Rex, which is hardly controversial, but I go the extra mile for Marc Bolan. 

 
67. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (from Poems, Prayers, and Promises) 

https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo

I can attest with great certainty, though I was only 6 years old at the time, that I regarded this song as the greatest song of 1971 during the year of 1971. 

Since then I’ve had to lower it some (even below another Denver tune I’ll get to later) but I still hold it in pretty high regard. What reasonable, civilized person does not? And who above the age of 30 doesn’t know the lyrics (all the lyrics, even the bridge?) 

I’ve still never been to the Blue Ridge mountains or the Shenandoah River so I don’t know if it truly is almost heaven. But I’ll take John’s word for it. 

 
timschochet said:
67. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (from Poems, Prayers, and Promises) 

https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo

I can attest with great certainty, though I was only 6 years old at the time, that I regarded this song as the greatest song of 1971 during the year of 1971. 

Since then I’ve had to lower it some (even below another Denver tune I’ll get to later) but I still hold it in pretty high regard. What reasonable, civilized person does not? And who above the age of 30 doesn’t know the lyrics (all the lyrics, even the bridge?) 

I’ve still never been to the Blue Ridge mountains or the Shenandoah River so I don’t know if it truly is almost heaven. But I’ll take John’s word for it. 
Click to expand...
The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River are mostly in Virginia. But the song's primary writer (Bill Danoff) didn't know it at the time.

I like the harmonies from Taffy Danoff on the song.

BTW, Bill and Taffy Danoff were also responsible for "Afternoon Delight".

 
timschochet said:
67. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (from Poems, Prayers, and Promises) 

https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo

I can attest with great certainty, though I was only 6 years old at the time, that I regarded this song as the greatest song of 1971 during the year of 1971. 

Since then I’ve had to lower it some (even below another Denver tune I’ll get to later) but I still hold it in pretty high regard. What reasonable, civilized person does not? And who above the age of 30 doesn’t know the lyrics (all the lyrics, even the bridge?) 

I’ve still never been to the Blue Ridge mountains or the Shenandoah River so I don’t know if it truly is almost heaven. But I’ll take John’s word for it. 
Click to expand...
1.  @Oliver Humanzee will be here later to complain that this should be higher.

2.  As to knowing the words...I’ve heard this song on six continents, and it’s always a singalong for the whole crowd.  We were on the Orient Express somewhere between Bangkok and Singapore, with a train car full of people from all over the world, most of whom didn’t speak English, yet when the piano player started on this one, everyone sang and clapped along.  It was amazing!

 
timschochet said:
67. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (from Poems, Prayers, and Promises) 

https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo

I can attest with great certainty, though I was only 6 years old at the time, that I regarded this song as the greatest song of 1971 during the year of 1971. 

Since then I’ve had to lower it some (even below another Denver tune I’ll get to later) but I still hold it in pretty high regard. What reasonable, civilized person does not? And who above the age of 30 doesn’t know the lyrics (all the lyrics, even the bridge?) 

I’ve still never been to the Blue Ridge mountains or the Shenandoah River so I don’t know if it truly is almost heaven. But I’ll take John’s word for it. 
Click to expand...
I live there, and it's pretty damned nice.

Good pick. Some of Denver's songs irritate the hell out of me, but not this one.

 
I don't listen to Elton John often, but Madman Across the Water is one of a dozen or so songs by the man that I will go out of my way to hear.  Really good tune.

 
timschochet said:
66. Elton John “Madman Across the Water” (from Madman Across the Water) 

https://youtu.be/aWrzhWnzhAs

The title song to this album is one of Elton’s most underrated songs ever IMO. Great lyrics (by Bernie Taupin of course) and rock melody. Featuring Davey Johnstone on guitar and Yes’s Rick Wakeman on Hammond organ. 
Click to expand...
And there's sumn about the fusion of Taupin's words and Elton's greasy-but-percussive syllables that make their songs, esp the early ones, almost impossible for others to render well. In my time, i've seen a lot of very talented singers totally faceplant trying to do so.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

timschochet
The 100 Greatest Songs of 1974 #1. Lady Marmalade
11 12 13
Replies
613
Views
99K
Lehigh98
Lehigh98
timschochet
The 100 Greatest Songs of 1976 #1. Foreplay/Long Time
10 11 12
Replies
580
Views
88K
DocHolliday
DocHolliday
timschochet
The 100 Greatest Classic Rock Albums of All Time: #1. Sticky Fingers
40 41 42
Replies
2K
Views
171K
Pip's Invitation
Pip's Invitation

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top