Carole King ‎- It’s Too Late (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

A late start this morning… too late. In 1971, Carole King helped popularise a particular female singer/songwriter sound with the extraordinary success of her album Tapestry and the permanent airplay of chart-topping ‘It’s Too Late’. King wrote the song with Toni Stern, a painter and lyricist from Laurel Canyon. Despite the collaboration, it is believed that the sentiment of the song was directed at James Taylor, who was ‘good friends’ with King and played on Tapestry. King never confirmed the rumours and Taylor later dated and married Carly Simon who had a similar heart-of-the-sleeve moment with ‘You’re So Vain’.

George Harrison – What Is Life (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

I can’t mention George Harrison in a week and not revisit the treasure trove that is his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Harrison originally wrote this for Billy Preston who was one the early artists on the Beatles’ Apple label. But the song was clearly more rock than gospel and he kept it to himself. Insanely though, ‘What Is Life’ was released as the B-side to ‘My Sweet Lord’ in the UK. Have a great weekend.

Harry Nilsson – Gotta Get Up (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

“Gotta get up, gotta get out, gotta get home before the morning comes”. When selecting a theme tune for her semi-autobiographical TV series Russian Doll, Natasha Lyonne was struck by the “buoyant doomsday quality” of Harry Nilsson’s famously troubled life – and more specifically the opening track off his 1971 album Nilsson Schmilsson. Have a great week.

The Who – Behind Blue Eyes (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

From one pair of blue eyes to another. Pete Townshend wrote ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ in 1971 to help explain how lonely it can be in the limelight. The song is Roger Daltrey’s favourite track by the band; and in a large part, I think that’s because he does such a good job on lead vocals, perfectly complementing the acoustic guitar. Like their other tracks I’ve posted on this blog, this song also featured on The Who‘s 1971 classic album Who’s Next.

Steve Kuhn – The Meaning Of Love (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

‘The Meaning Of Love’ features on Steve Kuhn’s self-titled 1971 long player. While the album is a little experimental, the tempo of this song is simply beautiful. Have a great weekend.

 

The Rolling Stones – Moonlight Mile (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Finishing the week on a very high note, ‘Moonlight Mile’ is an astonishing song. It closes The Rolling Stones’s definitive 1971 album Sticky Fingers on a sombre yet euphoric note. Listen to the those gorgeous string and piano arrangements in the second half. The Stones’ next record Exile On Main St. would continue and expand the sound established here. Have a great weekend.

Leonard Cohen – Famous Blue Raincoat (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

After over 6 years of daily blogging, you don’t get many more opportunities to post your favourite songs of all time. ‘Famous Blue Raincoat’ is from Leonard Cohen’s third album, Songs of Love and Hate, released in 1971. It’s a about a love triangle between Jane, Leonard, his “brother”/his “killer”. The famous blue raincoat in question is a Burberry that Cohen bought in London in the late 1950s. A slightly less cool fact is about that hook line that accompanies the lyric “Jane came by with a lock of your hair, she said…”. It is identical to the one used by writers Hammond and Bayer Sager for the chorus on Leo Sayer’s ‘When I Need You’. It still makes me mad.

Marvin Gaye – Inner City Blues (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ off 1971’s What’s Going On.

The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

For me, the climactic finish to The Who’s classic album Who’s Next is all about Pete Townsend. Firstly, there’s his decision to use the synthesizer throughout, and then, his delivery of the most awesome power chords… sweeeet. Even Roger Daltrey could only scream. In 1971, these guys were on fire. Have a great weekend.

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Don’t Rock My Boat (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Rather later than normal, I bring you Bob Marley & The Wailers. The sounds helps soothe the sickness that’s pestered me for the last couple of days. “I Like It Like, I Like It Like.” ‘Don’t Rock My Boat’ was originally released in 1968 in a rocksteady style. By 1971, the group had hooked up with Lee Perry and resurrected the track with a stripped back sound and Marley’s new-found soul. This version of the track first appeared on their Soul Revolution album.

Serge Gainsbourg – Ballade de Melody Nelson (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

22-year old English actress Jane Birkin wafts in and out of this classic song, like a refrain. She whispers “Melody Nelson” to her lover. Serge Gainsbourg listens. ‘Ballade De Melody Nelson’ features on his 1971 album Histoire De Melody Nelson.

The Coasters – Love Potion Number Nine (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Now for the sound of some old school soul. In 1971, the Coasters had a minor hit with Leiber and Stoller’s ‘Love Potion No. 9’, a song about an aphrodisiac bought from a gypsy with a gold-capped tooth. The cheeky lyrics must have caused a bit of a stir back in 1959 when the song originally penned. Have a great weekend and don’t kiss everything you see.

Baby Huey – Hard Times (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Better known as Baby Huey, James Ramey was the front man to The Babysitters. He was just 26 years old when he died in 1970. The long player The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend was released posthumously on Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Records in 1971. Produced by Mayfield, the album featured ‘Hard Times’ – a track that’s up there with the Superfly’s best as one of the most influential and sampled slices of deep funk. Have a great weekend.

 

David Bowie ‎- Life On Mars? (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

R.I.P. You will be greatly missed.

Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine (1971)

YouTube – Amazon – iTunes – Discogs

Back from my hols. ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ is a song off Bill Withers’ 1971 album Just As I Am. Booker T. Jones had produced what must be one of the best soul debuts ever. Have a great weekend.