2021 marks an eventful year in music as it now marks 50 years since the year 1971 and all the music that was released that year. The hippie type stuff had just been put out of vogue and we had yet to hear the likes of rap or glam rock. Instead of KISS, Queen, or Twisted Sister on stage and the popular bands of 1971 included Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Faces, or a strummer like Jerry Reed. 50 years later, people like us look back and smile at the good old tunes. Join us now as we look back at these 5 Top Songs from 50 years ago in 1971!
She’s A Lady – Tom Jones
This song is empowering as it talks about a woman who can handle herself as well as Tom’s character as the man in her life. Tom sings of this lady as the main part of his life and she can handle anything that comes her way. It is said that the lead guitar of this song was actually performed by future LED Zeppelin Lead guitarist Jimmy Page. So there was a future to be had in the strings that can be heard in this song
Jesus Christ Superstar – Murray Head
This was a Broadway song sung by future singer of the momentary hit “One Night in Bangkok” from the play “Chess” in 1984, Murray Head. Merry had starred in the play, “Jesus Christ Superstar” as the role of Judas Iscariot. Murray not only topped the charts, he did it twice, both times using show tunes! They may not work for everyone, but they did here.
Amos Moses – Jerry Reed
This is an unusual song that tells the story of big Amos Moses who hunts alligators on the Louisiana Swamp and gets his gators with a swift stomp. It says that he could eat his weight in groceries and that he was used as bait for alligators, mostly by his father and that is why Amos is so mean. Sounds like something you would hear in the professional wrestling world. Having a big Cajun wrestler making his entrance to that song would make a pretty successful bad guy, especially down in Louisiana. The song talks of big Amos actually losing one hand to alligators and still does pretty well for himself. Heck of a guy Amos is described and named after a man of the cloth.
Have You Ever Seen The Rain? – Creedence Clearwater Revival
This song is brought to us by the foursome known as Creedence Clearwater Revival. This song asks the question “Have you ever seen the Rain?” It is said that this song was written as band member Tom Fogerty was about to leave the band and songwriter John Fogerty felt the split happening in front of him. Tom eventually released a few albums on his own and did pretty well for himself. Whether John was there or not, the band’s music would live on during the next 50 years and beyond.
Maggie May – Rob Stewart
A springy and light song talking about a crush between two college students. Not only has a new school year begun but the man is feeling used during the relationship, even though he still loves the girl, Maggie. He tells of how Maggie wore him out in the relationship but the guy still thinks the world of her, even if he wants to end it and get back to school. This song was sung by Ron Stewart and the music was performed by his fellow bandmates The Faces. Interesting to note, one of the guitar players in this song was future member of the Rolling Stones, Ron Wood. Wood was a member of Rod Stewart’s band The Faces back in 1971 before he joined Mick Jagger and his gang.
