1
record label: Enterprise 9038
chart position: RandB #2, US #1, UK #4, US AC #6
written by: Isaac Hayes
album: Shaft: Music from the movie / Stax Greatest Hits
Isaac Hayes
Theme from Shaft
1971
Enterprise
2
record label: Gordy 7105
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #8, US AC #33
written by: Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
album: Sky's the Limit / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
The Temptations
Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
1971
Gordy
3
record label: Epic 5 10805
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #15
written by: Sly Stone (as Sylvester Stewart)
album: There's A Riot Goin' On
comments: [funk]
Sly & the Family Stone
Family Affair
1971
Epic
4
record label: Brunswick 55462
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #3
written by: Barbara Acklin & Eugene Record
album: (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People / The Chi-Lites Greatest Hits
comments: [sweet soul ballad]
The Chi-Lites
Have You Seen Her
1971
Brunswick
5
record label: MGM 14193
chart position: RandB #6, US #1, UK #51, US AC #37
written by: George Jackson
album: Osmonds
comments: [pop soul]
The Osmonds
One Bad Apple
1971
MGM
6
record label: Motown 1191
chart position: RandB #4, US #4, UK #5, US AC #14
written by: Elliot Willensky
album: Got to Be There / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 7
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
Michael Jackson
Got to Be There
1971
Motown
7
record label: Atlantic 2817
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #14, US AC #6
written by: Jerry Leiber & Phil Spector
Aretha Franklin
Spanish Harlem
1971
Atlantic
8
record label: Techniques 901 (UK)
chart position: UK #1, US #22
written by: Ansil Collins (as Ansell Collins)
album: Double Barrel
comments: [reggae]
Dave & Ansel Collins
Double Barrel
1971
Techniques
9
record label: Hot Wax 7011
chart position: RandB #1, US #1
written by: Greg Perry, Barney Perkins & General Johnson
album: Sweet Replies
The Honey Cone
Want Ads
1971
Hot Wax
10
record label: Motown 1179
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #33
written by: Clifton Davis
album: Maybe Tommorow / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Jackson 5
Never Can Say Goodbye
1971
Motown
11
record label: Stax 0088
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
written by: Joseph Broussard, Ralph Williams & Carrol Washington
album: Mr. Big Stuff / Stax Greatest Hits
comments: [southern soul funk]
Jean Knight
Mr. Big Stuff
1971
Stax
12
record label: Tamla 54201
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
written by: Al Cleveland, Renaldo Benson & Marvin Gaye
album: What's Going On
comments: [Motown Sound]
Marvin Gaye
What's Going On
1971
Tamla
13
record label: Motown 1177
chart position: RandB #2, UK #25, US #2
written by: Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards & Fonce Mizell
album: Third Album / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Jackson 5
Mama's Pearl
1971
Motown
14
record label: Probe 532 (UK)
chart position: UK #1
written by: Ray Whitley
album: The Best Of The Tams
comments: (re release) [southern soul]
The Tams
Hey Girl Don't Bother Me
1971
Probe
15
record label: Sussex 219
chart position: RandB #6, US #3, US AC #2
written by: Bill Withers
album: Just As I Am
comments: [ballad]
Bill Withers
Ain't No Sunshine
1971
Sussex
16
record label: Gordy 7108
chart position: RandB #2, US #3, US AC #34
written by: Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
album: The Undisputed Truth
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Undisputed Truth
Smiling Faces Sometimes
1971
Gordy
17
record label: Hi 2194
chart position: RandB #7, US #11, UK #4
written by: Al Green
album: Al Green Gets Next To You
comments: (southern soul)
Al Green
Tired of Being Alone
1971
Hi
18
record label: Tamla 54207
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, UK #51, US AC #34
written by: Marvin Gaye
album: What's Going On
comments: [Motown Sound]
Marvin Gaye
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
1971
Tamla
19
record label: United Artists 50721
chart position: RandB #20, US #3
written by: Eddie Cornelius
album: Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose
comments: [northern soul]
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
Treat Her Like a Lady
1971
United Artists
20
record label: Liberty 56216
chart position: RandB #5, US #4
written by: John Fogerty
album: Workin' Together
Ike & Tina Turner
Proud Mary
1971
Liberty
21
record label: Tamla 54208
chart position: RandB #4, US #8, UK #20, US AC #10
written by: Stevie Wonder & Syreeta
album: Where I'm Coming From / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 7
comments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder
If You Really Love Me
1971
Tamla
22
record label: Atlantic 2796
chart position: RandB #1, US #6, US AC #40
written by: Paul Simon
album: Live At Fillmore West
comments: [ballad]
Aretha Franklin
Bridge Over Troubled Water
1971
Atlantic
23
record label: Epic 7351
chart position: UK #2, US #21
written by: P. Vegas, L. Vegas
album: Message from a Drum
comments: [pop soul rock]
Redbone
The Witch Queen of New Orleans
1971
Epic
24
record label: Sussex 226
chart position: RandB #9, US #6, US AC #24
written by: Dennis Coffey
album: Evolution
comments: Instrumental
Dennis Coffey
Scorpio
1971
Sussex
25
record label: Decca 32818
chart position: RandB #20, US #5, US AC #7
written by: Frank Robinson
album: I've Found Someone Of My Own
The Free Movement
I've Found Someone of My Own
1971
Decca
26
record label: Tamla Motown 781
chart position: UK #1, RandB #40, US #63
written by: Deke Richards
album: Everything Is Everything / I'm Still Waiting - Surrender / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
Diana Ross
I'm Still Waiting
1971
Tamla Motown
27
record label: Motown 1182
chart position: UK #5, RandB #8, US #16, US AC #29
written by: Leonard Caston & Kathy Wakefield
album: Touch / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Supremes
Nathan Jones
1971
Motown
28
record label: Alston 4601
chart position: RandB #2, US #6
written by: Clarence Reid & Willie Clarke
album: I Love the Way You Love
comments: (southern soul)
Betty Wright
Clean Up Woman
1971
Alston
29
record label: All Platinum 2330
chart position: RandB #6, US #15, UK #8
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Where Did Our Love Go / The Best of All Platinum
comments: [northern soul]
Donnie Elbert
Where Did Our Love Go
1971
All Platinum
30
record label: Tamla 54205
chart position: RandB #7, US #18, UK #11
written by: Smokey Robinson
album: One Dozen Roses / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I Don't Blame You At All
1971
Tamla
31
record label: Avco 4581
chart position: RandB #10, US #9, US AC #24
written by: Thom Bell & Linda Creed
album: The Stylistics
comments: [philly sound sweet soul]
The Stylistics
You Are Everything
1971
Avco
32
record label: Volt 4058
chart position: RandB #3, US #9
written by: Tony Hester
album: Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get / The Best of The Dramatics / Stax Greatest Hits
The Dramatics
Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get
1971
Volt
33
record label: Tamla 54209
chart position: RandB #1, US #9
written by: Marvin Gaye & James Nyx
album: What's Going ON
comments: [Motown Sound]
Marvin Gaye
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
1971
Tamla
34
record label: Atlantic 2838
chart position: RandB #2, US #9
written by: Aretha Franklin
album: Young Gifted And Black
Aretha Franklin
Rock Steady
1971
Atlantic
35
record label: Tamla 54202
chart position: RandB #3, US 13, UK #27
written by: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
album: Signed, Sealed & Delivered / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
Stevie Wonder
We Can Work It Out
1971
Tamla
36
record label: Hot Wax 7106
chart position: RandB #1, US #11
written by: General Johnson (as Norman Johnson), Greg Perry (as Greg S. Perry) & Angelo Bond
album: Soulful Tapestry
The Honey Cone
Stick-Up
1971
Hot Wax
37
record label: Alston 4595
chart position: RandB #7, US #15
written by: Raphael Munnings & Tyrone Fitzgerald
album: Funky Nassau
comments: [disco funk]
The Beginning of the End
Funky Nassau
1971
Alston
38
record label: Motown 1194
chart position: RandB #3, US #10
written by: Berry Gordy, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards & Fonce Mizell
album: The Greatest Hits
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Jackson 5
Sugar Daddy
1971
Motown
39
record label: MoWest 5002
chart position: RandB #32, US #8
written by: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
album: What the World Needs Now Is Love
Tom Clay
What the World Needs Now Is Love--Abraham, Martin and John
1971
MoWest
40
record label: People 2501
chart position: RandB #1, US #15, UK #51
written by: James Brown & Fred Wesley
album: Hot Pants
comments: [funk]
James Brown
Hot Pants (Pt. 1) (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)
1971
People
41
record label: Spring 120
chart position: RandB #3, US #11
written by: Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
album: Drowning in the Sea of Love / The Power of Joe Simon
comments: [philly sound]
Joe Simon
Drowning in the Sea of Love
1971
Spring
42
record label: Stax 0104
chart position: RandB #2, US #12
written by: Luther Ingram & Mack Rice
album: Be Altitude: Respect Yourself / Stax Greatest Hits / The Best of The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
Respect Yourself
1971
Stax
43
record label: Westbound 182
chart position: RandB #1, US #13
written by: Denise LaSalle
album: Trapped By A Thing Called Love / Doin' It Right
comments: [southern soul]
Denise LaSalle
Trapped by a Thing Called Love
1971
Westbound
44
record label: Bell 45134
chart position: RandB #45, US #12, US AC #1
written by: Dick Addrisi & Don Addrisi
album: The 5th Dimension Live!
comments: [pop soul ballad]
The 5th Dimension
Never My Love
1971
Bell
45
record label: Invictus 9087
chart position: RandB #3, US #11
written by: Ronald Dunbar & Clyde Wilson
album: 8th Day
The 8th Day
She's Not Just Another Woman
1971
Invictus
46
record label: Motown 1196
chart position: UK #3, RandB #34, US #90
written by: Mike Pinder
album: Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
Four Tops
A Simple Game
1971
Motown
47
record label: Atlantic 452797
chart position: RandB #1, US #13
written by: Wilson Pickett & Brad Shapiro
album: Don't Knock My Love
Wilson Pickett
Don't Knock My Love
1971
Atlantic
48
record label: Invictus 9092
chart position: RandB #3, US #12
written by: General Johnson (as Norman Johnson), Greg Perry & Angelo Bond
album: Contact
Freda Payne
Bring the Boys Home
1971
Invictus
49
record label: Atco 6822
chart position: RandB #1, US #15
written by: Richard Poindexter, Robert Poindexter & Jackie Members
album: Thin Line Between Love and Hate
comments: [deep soul ballad]
The Persuaders
Thin Line Between Love and Hate
1971
Atco
50
record label: Tamla Motown 800
chart position: RandB #8, US #18, UK #32
written by: Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong
album: Solid Rock / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 7
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Temptations
Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)
1971
Tamla Motown
51
record label: MGM 14262
chart position: RandB #17, US #17, US AC #14
written by: Bobby Hebb & Sandy Baron
album: Natural Man
Lou Rawls
A Natural Man
1971
MGM
52
record label: Soul 35083
chart position: RandB #2, US #17
written by: J. Bristol, G. Knight, W. Guest, M. Knight, C. Schaffner
album: If I Were Your Woman
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
Gladys Knight & the Pips
I Don't Want to Do Wrong
1971
Soul
53
record label: Atlantic 2781
chart position: RandB #2, US #17
written by: Jerry Akines, Johnny Bellmon, Victor Drayton & Buddy Turner
album: Wilson Pickett in Philadelphia
comments: [philly sound]
Wilson Pickett
Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You
1971
Atlantic
54
record label: Hot Wax 7110
chart position: RandB #5, US #15
written by: General Johnson & Greg Perry
album: Soulful Tapestry
The Honey Cone
One Monkey Don't Stop No Show
1971
Hot Wax
55
record label: Cotillion 44123
chart position: UK #4
written by: Bert Russell (as Bert Berns)
comments: [northern soul]
Tami Lynn
I'm Gonna Run Away from You
1971
Cotillion
56
record label: Mercury 73255
chart position: RandB #3, US #21
written by: Homer Talbert & Herscholt Polk
album: The Saggitarius Movement
comments: [ballad]
Jerry Butler featuring Brenda Lee Eager
Ain't Understanding Mellow
1971
Mercury
57
record label: Columbia 45330
chart position: RandB #32, US #13, US AC #11
written by: Tito Puente
album: Abraxas
Santana
Oye Como Va
1971
Columbia
58
record label: Motown 1188
chart position: UK #10, RandB #16, US #38
written by: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
album: I'm Still Waiting - Surrender / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 7
comments: [Motown Sound]
Diana Ross
Surrender
1971
Motown
59
record label: Trojan 7825 (UK)
written by: Jimmy Cliff
album: Yeah!
comments: [reggae]
The Pioneers
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
1971
Trojan
60
record label: T Neck 930
chart position: RandB #3, US #18
written by: Stephen Stills
album: Givin' It Back
The Isley Brothers
Love the One You're With
1971
T Neck
61
record label: Brunswick 55450
chart position: RandB #4, US #26, UK #32
written by: Eugene Record
album: (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People / The Chi-Lites Greatest Hits
The Chi-Lites
(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People
1971
Brunswick
62
record label: Tamla Motown 771 (UK)
chart position: UK #3
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Darling Baby / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Elgins
Heaven Must Have Sent You
1971
Tamla Motown
63
record label: Bell 965
chart position: RandB #28, US #19, US AC #6
written by: Dorothea Joyce
album: Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes
comments: [ballad]
The 5th Dimension
Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes
1971
Bell
64
record label: Atlantic 2787
chart position: RandB #3, US #19
written by: Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
album: Aretha's Greatest Hits
Aretha Franklin
You're All I Need to Get By
1971
Atlantic
65
record label: Polydor 14088
chart position: RandB #1, US #22
written by: James Brown & Charles Bobbit
album: Revolution of the Mind Live at the Apollo, Volume III
comments: [funk]
James Brown
Make It Funky
1971
Polydor
66
record label: Atlantic 452852
chart position: RandB #2, US #24
written by: Andy Fraser & Paul Rodgers
album: Don't Knock My Love
Wilson Pickett
Fire and Water
1971
Atlantic
67
record label: Calla 174
chart position: RandB #10, US #21
written by: Sheila Young
album: The Fuzz
comments: [sweet soul love ballad]
The Fuzz
I Love You for All Seasons
1971
Calla
68
record label: Motown 1186
chart position: RandB #3, US #20
written by: Berry Gordy , Freddie Perren, Dake Richards & The Fonce Mizell
album: Maybe Tomorrow
comments: [love ballad] [Motown Sound]
The Jackson 5
Maybe Tomorrow
1971
Motown
69
record label: United Artists 50847
chart position: RandB #2, US #27
written by: Jimmy Grisby, Joe Hicks & Bobby Womack
album: Communication...
comments: [southern soul ballad]
Bobby Womack
That's the Way I Feel About 'Cha
1971
United Artists
70
record label: Trojan 7820 (UK)
chart position: UK #6
written by: David Arkin, Earl Robinson
album: Black and White
comments: [reggae]
Greyhound
Black and White
1971
Trojan
71
record label: Enterprise 9031
chart position: RandB #5, US #22, US AC #19
written by: Clifton Davis
album: Black Moses
comments: [ballad]
Isaac Hayes
Never Can Say Goodbye
1971
Enterprise
72
record label: Top & Bottom 407
chart position: RandB #10, US #23
written by: Van McCoy & Joe Cobb
comments: [philly sound sweet soul]
Brenda & the Tabulations
Right on the Tip of My Tongue
1971
Top & Bottom
73
record label: Stax 0085
chart position: RandB #1, US #28
written by: Kay Barker, Don Davis & James Wilson
album: One Step Beyond
comments: [southern soul]
Johnnie Taylor
Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone
1971
Stax
74
record label: Tamla Motown 840
chart position: RandB #18, US #50, UK #16
written by: Gloria Jones, Johnny Bristol & Pam Sawyer
album: Rainbow Funk / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
Jr. Walker & the All Stars
Take Me Girl, I'm Ready
1971
Tamla Motown
75
record label: Atlantic 2808
chart position: RandB #8, US #29, US AC #36
written by: Carole King
album: Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway / The Best of Donny Hathaway
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
You've Got a Friend
1971
Atlantic
76
record label: Invictus 9098
chart position: RandB #3, US #28
written by: A. Bond, G. Perry, G. Johnson, R. Dunbar
album: 8th Day
The 8th Day
You've Got to Crawl (Before You Walk)
1971
Invictus
77
record label: Soul 35091
chart position: RandB #3, US #27
written by: Clay McMurray
album: Standing Ovation
comments: [ballad] [Motown Sound]
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Make Me the Woman That You Go Home To
1971
Soul
78
record label: Tamla Motown 762(UK)
chart position: UK #11
written by: Richard Morris and Sylvia Moy
album: Ridin' High / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 5
comments: [Motown Sound] [re release]
Martha (Reeves) & the Vandellas
Forget Me Not
1971
Tamla Motown
79
record label: Bell 1141(UK)
chart position: UK #9, US #102
written by: Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway and Tony Macaulay
album: The Fantastics
comments: [pop soul]
The Fantastics
Something Old, Something New
1971
Bell
80
record label: Chimneyville 437
chart position: RandB #5, US #29
written by: King Floyd
album: King Floyd
comments: [southern soul funk]
King Floyd
Baby Let Me Kiss You
1971
Chimneyville
81
record label: King 6368
chart position: RandB #3, US 29
written by: James Brown
album: Revolution of the Mind Live at the Apollo, Volume III
comments: [funk]
James Brown
Soul Power
1971
King
82
record label: Stax 0083
chart position: RandB #6, US #27
written by: Jeff Barry & Robert Bloom
album: The Staple Swingers / The Best of The Staple Singers
The Staple Singers
Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom Boom)
1971
Stax
83
record label: Stax 0098
chart position: RandB #2, US #31
written by: Eddie Floyd, Mack Rice & Rufus Thomas
album: Did You Heard Me?
comments: [funk]
Rufus Thomas
The Breakdown (Part 1)
1971
Stax
84
record label: Curtom 1974
chart position: UK #12
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: Curtis
Curtis Mayfield
Move On Up
1971
Curtom
85
record label: Tamla Motown 761(UK)
chart position: UK #13
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland Jr.
album: Away We A Go Go
comments: [Motown Sound] [re release]
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
(Come Round Here) I'm the One You Need
1971
Tamla Motown
86
record label: Cadet 5683
chart position: RandB #8, US #30
written by: Terry Callier & Larry Wade
album: Freedom Means / The Best of The Dells
comments: [ballad]
The Dells
The Love We Had (Stays on My Mind)
1971
Cadet
87
record label: Motown 1184
chart position: RandB #17, US #29, US AC #16
written by: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland Jr.
album: I'm Still Waiting - Surrender
comments: [Motown Sound]
Diana Ross
Reach Out (I'll Be There)
1971
Motown
88
record label: King 6347
chart position: RandB #4, US #34
written by: James Brown, Bobby Byrd & Ron Lenhoff
album: Revolution of the Mind Live at the Apollo, Volume III
comments: [funk]
James Brown
Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved
1971
King
89
record label: Motown 1175
chart position: RandB #9, US #40, UK #36
written by: Pam Sawyer & Leon Ware
album: Changing Times / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 6
comments: [Motown Sound]
Four Tops
Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)
1971
Motown
90
record label: ABC/TRC 11291
chart position: RandB #13, US #36, US AC #22
written by: Jimmy Holiday & Eddie Reeves
album: Love Country Style
Ray Charles
Don't Change on Me
1971
ABC/TRC
91
record label: United Artists 50815
chart position: RandB #18, US #35, US AC #12
written by: Jerry Goldstein, Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. Dickerson, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller
album: All Day Music
War
All Day Music
1971
United Artists
92
record label: Avco Embassy 4572
chart position: RandB #6, US #39
written by: Thom Bell & Linda Creed
album: The Stylistics
comments: [philly sound sweet soul ballad]
The Stylistics
Stop, Look, Listen (to Your Heart)
1971
Avco Embassy
93
record label: Tamla Motown 971 (UK)
chart position: UK #25, RandB #41, US #55
written by: Dino Fekaris & Nick Zesses
album: The Return of the Magnificent Seven / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 7
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Supremes & Four Tops
You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart
1971
Tamla Motown
94
record label: Hot Wax 7105
chart position: RandB #11, US #36
written by: William Weatherspoon & Angelo Bond
album: Women's Love Rights / The Best of Laura Lee
Laura Lee
Women's Love Rights
1971
Hot Wax
95
record label: Polydor 14100
chart position: RandB #7, US #35
written by: James Brown & Charles Bobbit
album: There It Is
comments: [funk]
James Brown
I'm a Greedy Man
1971
Polydor
96
record label: People 2500
chart position: RandB #6, US #35
written by: James Brown
album: Hot Pants
comments: [funk]
James Brown
Escape-ism (Part 1)
1971
People
97
record label: Tamla Motown 857
chart position: RandB #24, US #52, UK #35
written by: Wilton Felder, Gladys Knight & Johnny Bristol
album: Rainbow Funk / Motown Chartbusters Vol. 8
comments: [Motown Sound]
Jr. Walker & the All Stars
Way Back Home
1971
Tamla Motown
98
record label: Invictus 9086
chart position: RandB #10, US #42, UK #48
written by: Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier
album: In Session / C.O.T.B. Greatest Hits
Chairmen of the Board
Chairman of the Board
1971
Invictus
99
record label: Phil L.A. Of Soul 349
chart position: RandB #9, US #38
written by: Frankie Brunson
comments: [instrumental]
The People's Choice
I Likes To Do It
1971
Phil L.A. Of Soul
100
record label: Westbound 172
chart position: RandB #7, US #43
written by: Abrim Tilmon & James Mitchell
album: Do Me Right / Abe, James and Ivory
The Detroit Emeralds
Do Me Right
1971
Westbound