The Who: My Wife (1971)

"My Wife" was the b-side to "Baba O'Riley" and is about a man that lands in the drunk tank. His wife is pissed off because she believes he was with another woman. It then recounts the efforts the man is thinking of taking to save his life. The song features horns rather than the usual guitar solo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0iA_rOcn9Y

Isaac Hayes: Shaft (1971)

Shaft is a defining song of the seventies. The song dramatically influenced funk and soul throughout the decade as well as black culture. Hayes won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, which was a first for a black artist. The film also influenced the decade and filmmakers beyond the seventies. It opened the door for the black action hero and blacksploitation flicks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFvRvSxsW-I

The Doors: Riders on the Storm (1971)

Robby Krieger claims “Riders on the Storm” was inspired by “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” The song employs thunder and rain effects to create a dark ambiance. According to legend, the song was performed live only once.  Also, it was the last song recorded by the band before Jim Morrison’s death. Leave it to Morrison to go out with a song about a serial killer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9o78-f2mIM

858. One of These Days by Pink Floyd (1971)

"One of These Days" features double-tracked bass and is completely instrumental with the exception of the distorted line "One of these days I'm going to cut you into little pieces". The song was meant as a commentary on the contemporary world. It appears on a 1973 Bruce Lee documentary as well in a Sopranos episode. David Gilmour considers "One of These Days" the most collaborative work Floyd ever produced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgvAwBDbuIo

Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon (1971)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb2YSAVHmIE

880. Levon by Elton John (1971)

The character for this song was named after Levon Helm of the Band. The song contains some of my favorite lyrics. "He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day when the New York Times said God is dead and the war's begun Alvin Tostig has a son today." That's gold.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vke6sYTxgJA

905. Aqualung by Jethro Tull (1971)

Jethro Tull took their name from an eighteenth century agricultural pioneer. The band's most famous song, "Aqualung" tells the story of a dirty, filthy, disgusting, homeless pedophile. Despite being their most popular song, it was never released as a single. That was not unusual for a time when audiences were more knowledgeable about music and the music scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xY7Heaqg8

933. It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr (1971)

"It Don't Come Easy" was not Ringo's first post-Beatles single. He released "Beaucoups of Blues" in September, 1970. "It Don't Come Easy" came seven months later and reached #4 on the charts. George Harrison cowrote the hit and played guitar. Badfinger members Pete Ham and Tom Evans sang backup.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpxGD1YAUi8