4 Songs From 1971 That Give Me Instant Goosebumps Every Time

The 1970s were a treasure trove of musical excellence, when mainstream charts were full of the best tracks in a wide array of genres, talent was raw and real, and there was a greater prioritization of artistic aptitude than aesthetic appeal. Simply put, some of the most iconic music of all time came from the 70s. And while there was great music coming out throughout the entire decade, there was something particularly special about 1971.

If I had to distill that special feeling into four goosebump-inducing songs from 1971, it would be these four.

“My Old Man” by Joni Mitchell

To be fair, I believe the entirety of Joni Mitchell’s Blue deserves a spot on this list. However, for brevity, fairness, and sentimentality’s sake, I’ve narrowed it down to “My Old Man”, a particularly special song in my own life. The piano-led ballad is a sweet, somewhat rebellious snapshot of blissful domestic life with another person. When Mitchell offers the converse in minor, “but when he’s gone, me and them lonesome blues collide,” it immediately sends goosebumps down my arm. Getting to relate to that lovesick feeling is a blessing.

“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” on the album of the same name in January 1971. Decades later, the title track remains as startlingly relevant as ever. One of the most impressive features of this song was Gaye’s ability to make such an infectious groove while delivering such a powerful and pained message. “Father, father / We don’t need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / for only love can conquer hate / You know we’ve got to find a way / to bring some loving here today.”

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

Perhaps this will out me as an Appalachian at heart, but it’s hard not to get goosebumps when listening to the classic John Denver tune, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Sure, one could argue that it’s a little overplayed at this point. That’s fair. But there’s something viscerally moving about the lines “dark and dusty, painted on the sky / misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye” that makes me feel inclined to run up to the hills and hide away in a holler for a while.

“The WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)” by The Doors 

I came across Jim Morrison’s poetry at a particularly nihilistic time in my life, which, as one might imagine, was the perfect time to come across the Lizard King’s prose. The Doors included a bit of this in “The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)” off L.A. Woman. The pseudo-theatrical piece is tucked away as the penultimate B-side track. But there are some great liners. “I tell you this, no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.”

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