I don’t think a single baby boomer out there managed to miss these classic rock ballads in 1971. Even if you weren’t much of a rock or ballad fan, these songs were virtually inescapable on the radio. And I doubt you’re complaining, either; these ballads are absolute gems. Let’s take a look!
“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” by Bee Gees from ‘Trafalgar’
This has to be one of the most quintessential broken-hearted ballads of the 1970s. Bee Gees’ “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” has a touch of everything, from pop to folk to rock to country to soul. Written by the Gibb brothers, this hit song made it all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the band’s first single to top the coveted chart.
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“If” by Bread from ‘Manna’
This Bread classic has a soft and very intimate vibe to it. It makes sense why this soft rock tune became such a hit. “If” made it to No. 4 on the Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart, and it was a go-to on rock radio for months afterward.
“Rainy Days And Mondays” by The Carpenters from ‘Carpenters’
The Carpenters dished out this tender, melancholic ballad in 1971. It’s still one of their most favored songs on classic rock radio. “Rainy Days And Mondays” was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols and turned into a hit by The Carpenters and the instrumental legends known as The Wrecking Crew. This soft pop tune made it all the way to No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart. It was kept from the No. 1 spot by none other than our final entry on this list.
“It’s Too Late” by Carole King from ‘Tapestry’
Carole King has always known her way around a ballad. The AOR classic “It’s Too Late” makes it to our list of rock ballads from 1971 that no baby boomer could forget. And I bet you still know this one well. This jazzy soft rock song from one of the greatest singer-songwriters of her generation was a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 chart, as well as the Cash Box Top 100 and the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts.
(Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
More The List
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Joe Walsh of The Eagles performs on stage wearing a vintage military jacket at Wembley Stadium, London, 14th September 1974. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
(MANDATORY CREDIT Ebet Roberts/Getty Images) Cyndi Lauper performing at a WNEW Christmas Concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 19, 1986. (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns) -
Steely Dan, 1976. Walter Becker en Donald Fagan. Albums Aja, Pretzel Logic, Royal Scam. Singers, songwriters, composers. -
CIRCA 1977: Dennis DeYoung, Chuck Panozzo, James Young Tommy Shaw, John Panozzo of the rock quintet "Styx" pose for a portrait in circa 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo by Doug Griffin/Toronto Star via Getty Images -
(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
