Music Memories of the Class of 1971
These lists are based on classmate suggestions of specific song titles or artists from our college years that created lasting memories. Many thanks! Some songs created strong memories but were not big commercial hits. A few songs were released before 1967, but still popular during college.
Suggestions were received between December 2019 and February 2021. If your own vivid musical memories are not here, please scroll down to see how to add Bonus Tracks!
The “top 100” list is in alphabetical order by artist.
The 100 Popular Songs We Remember Most Vividly!
The Band: The Weight
Joan Baez: We Shall Overcome
The Beatles: Hey Jude
The Beatles: Let It Be
The Beatles: The Long and Winding Road
Blood, Sweat & Tears: And When I Die
Blood, Sweat & Tears: God Bless the Child
Blood, Sweat & Tears: You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
The Box Tops: The Letter
James Brown: Say It Loud
The Byrds: You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere (written by Bob Dylan)
The Carpenters: Close to You
Vikki Carr: It Must Be Him
Chicago: Beginnings
Chicago: Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is
Chicago: Make Me Smile
Chicago: 25 or 6 to 4
Chicago: Wake Up Sunshine
Judy Collins: Both Sides Now
Judy Collins: Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
Judy Collins: Since You Asked
Judy Collins: Who Knows Where the Time Goes
Cream: Sunshine of Your Love
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Lookin’ Out My Back Door
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Carry On
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Ohio
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Our House
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Neil Diamond: Cracklin’ Rosie
Donovan: Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan: Mellow Yellow
The Doors: Light My Fire
Bob Dylan: Lay Lady Lay
The 5th Dimension: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (medley)
The 5th Dimension: Stoned Soul Picnic
The 5th Dimension: Wedding Bell Blues
The Foundations: Build Me Up Buttercup
The Four Tops: Walk Away Renee
Aretha Franklin: Respect
Marvin Gaye: I Heard it Through the Grapevine
The Grateful Dead: Ripple
The Grateful Dead: Truckin’
The Grateful Dead: Uncle John’s Band
Arlo Guthrie: Alice’s Restaurant
Arlo Guthrie: Comin’ Into Los Angeles
Richie Havens: Freedom
Jimi Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower
Jefferson Airplane: White Rabbit
Elton John: This Song’s for You
Janis Joplin: Me and Bobby McGee
Carole King: It’s Too Late
Carole King: So Far Away
Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind
Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven
Don McLean: American Pie
Don McLean: And I Love You So
Don McLean: Castles in the Air
Don McLean: Vincent
The Mamas and Papas: Dream a Little Dream of Me
Joni Mitchell: Chelsea Morning
Joni Mitchell: Michael from Mountains
Joni Mitchell: Song to a Seagull
Van Morrison: Brown-Eyed Girl
Peter, Paul & Mary: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Otis Redding: Dock of the Bay
Johnny Rivers: Summer Rain
The Rolling Stones: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Linda Ronstadt (with the Stone Poneys): A Different Drum
Carlos Santana: Black Magic Woman
Carlos Santana: Evil Ways
John Sebastian: I Had a Dream
Carly Simon: That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be
Simon & Garfunkel: America
Simon & Garfunkel: At the Zoo
Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel: Old Friends
Sly & the Family Stone: Dance to the Music
Sly & the Family Stone: Everyday People
Edwin Starr: Twenty-Five Miles
Edwin Starr: War
Steppenwolf: Born to Be Wild
Steppenwolf: Magic Carpet Ride
Rod Stewart: Maggie May
The Supremes: Stop in the Name of Love
The Supremes: You Can’t Hurry Love
The Supremes & The Temptations: I’m Gonna Make You Love Me
James Taylor: Fire & Rain
James Taylor: Something in the Way She Moves
James Taylor: Sweet Baby James
James Taylor: You’ve Got a Friend
The Temptations: Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
B.J. Thomas: Raindrops are Falling on My Head
Dionne Warwick: Do You Know the Way to San Jose
Dionne Warwick: I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Superstar (from Jesus Christ Superstar)
The Who: Tommy
Stevie Wonder: My Cherie Amour
The Young Rascals: Groovin’
Special Classical Memories (Played by a classmate in a dorm living room):
Chopin’s third scherzo in b flat minor
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 7, No. (Sonata quasi una fantasia, aka “Moonlight Sonata”)
Favorite Albums (Released while we were in college):
Abbey Road (The Beatles, 1969)
Bookends (Simon & Garfunkel, 1968)
Hair (1968 cast recording)
Jesus Christ Superstar (1970 album musical)
Let it Bleed (Rolling Stones) (1969)
Light My Fire (The Doors) (1967)
Steppenwolf (Steppenwolf, 1968)
Tapestry (Carole King, 1971)
Woodstock (compilation of selected performances, 1970)
Favorite Movie Soundtracks (Later compilations of favorite songs):
Big Chill (1983)
Forrest Gump (1994)
Bonus Tracks:
The Association: Cherish
Judy Collins: Bird on a Wire
Dion: Abraham, Martin & John
Francis Lai: Theme From a Man and a Woman
Paul Mauriat: Love Is Blue
Simon & Garfunkel: For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her
Surfaris: Wipe Out
Please email mhc1971web@gmail.com if you’d like to add Bonus Tracks.