History's Best Selling Music of 1971

Revisiting 1971 presents a grand parade of music history, marked by retro grooves and analog innovation and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including The Yes Album, Sticky Fingers, and Every Picture Tells a Story took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Yes and The Rolling Stones led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. The Yes Album

   Released in 1971 by Yes, Atlantic Records

   Released on February 19, 1971, 'The Yes Album' marks a pivotal moment in the history of progressive rock. It was the third studio album by the English band Yes, but it represented a quantum leap forward in their musical identity and commercial fortunes. The album's release day signifies the true birth of the classic Yes sound, a complex and ambitious style that would define the genre. Prior to this, the band was on the verge of being dropped by their label, Atlantic Records. This album not only saved their career but also set them on a course to become one of the most successful and influential rock bands of the 1970s, solidifying a lineup that fans would come to cherish.

2. Sticky Fingers

   Released in 1971 by The Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones Records

   On April 23, 1971, The Rolling Stones unleashed "Sticky Fingers," an album that not only defined their sound for a new decade but also marked a pivotal business move. It was the first record released on their own newly formed label, Rolling Stones Records, symbolized by the iconic 'tongue and lips' logo which made its debut here. Coming off the heels of the turbulent end of the 1960s, which culminated for the band in the tragedy of the Altamont Free Concert, "Sticky Fingers" presented a group that was world-weary yet defiant, doubling down on a gritty, blues-soaked sound that would become their trademark for years to come. The release date cemented a new era for the self-proclaimed 'Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World.'

3. Every Picture Tells a Story

   Released in 1971 by Rod Stewart, Mercury Records

   On May 28, 1971, Rod Stewart released his third solo album, "Every Picture Tells a Story." This date marks a pivotal moment in rock history, as the album would catapult Stewart from a respected singer in bands like the Jeff Beck Group and Faces to a global superstar in his own right. Released at a time when rock music was diversifying, the album masterfully blended folk, rock, blues, and even a touch of soul, creating a sound that was both raw and commercially appealing. It topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic simultaneously, a rare feat, cementing its place as a landmark release of the early 1970s and one of the defining albums of the decade.

4. Who's Next

   Released in 1971 by The Who, Decca Records, Track Records

   Released on August 14, 1971, in the United States, The Who's fifth studio album, "Who's Next," emerged from the ashes of a complex, abandoned rock opera project. Following the monumental success of "Tommy," guitarist and principal songwriter Pete Townshend conceived an ambitious multimedia project called "Lifehouse." When the concept proved too convoluted to realize, the band, with producer Glyn Johns, salvaged the project's strongest songs. The result was not another sprawling narrative but a collection of powerful, concise, and sonically innovative rock anthems that would redefine the band's sound and cement their status as rock gods, capturing the disillusionment and energy of the era in a direct, visceral way.

5. Imagine

   Released in 1971 by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector, Apple Records, EMI

   Released in the United States on September 9, 1971, John Lennon's second solo studio album, "Imagine," arrived as a defining moment in his post-Beatles career. Following the raw, cathartic primal-scream therapy of his debut, "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band," this album presented a more polished and universally accessible message. Released into a world grappling with the Vietnam War and social upheaval, the album's title track, in particular, became an instant anthem for peace and a cornerstone of the counter-culture movement. Its release on this day cemented Lennon's status not just as a rock star, but as a crucial voice for a generation yearning for hope and change, making it one of the most significant musical statements of the era.

6. Led Zeppelin IV

   Released in 1971 by Led Zeppelin, Atlantic Records

   On November 8, 1971, the landscape of rock music was irrevocably altered with the release of Led Zeppelin's fourth studio album. Following the acoustically-driven and somewhat polarizing "Led Zeppelin III," fans and critics were uncertain of the band's next direction. The group responded not with words, but with a monumental work of art that was officially untitled, identified only by four esoteric symbols. Released without the band's name or a title on the cover, the album was a defiant statement of artistic integrity, forcing the music to stand entirely on its own. This mysterious marketing, combined with the sheer power of the music within, ensured that "Led Zeppelin IV" became an instant phenomenon and a cornerstone of rock history.

7. Hunky Dory

   Released in 1971 by David Bowie, RCA Records

   Released on December 17, 1971, David Bowie's "Hunky Dory" arrived at a pivotal moment, just before he would explode into global superstardom as his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. The album served as a brilliant transition, showcasing the full breadth of his songwriting prowess and musical ambition. It moved away from the harder rock of its predecessor, "The Man Who Sold the World," and embraced a more eclectic, piano-driven, and art-pop sound. Its release on this date marked the public's first encounter with a more confident and stylistically diverse Bowie, one who was on the cusp of defining the sound and look of the 1970s, making it a crucial entry in his legendary discography.

8. Jade Warrior

   Released in 1971 by Jade Warrior, Vertigo Records

   On December 26, 1971, amidst a music scene dominated by bombastic rock and folk troubadours, the British band Jade Warrior released their self-titled debut album. Dropping on Boxing Day, a traditionally quiet period for new releases, the album's arrival was unconventional, much like the music it contained. This release marked the formal introduction of a band that defied easy categorization, blending progressive rock with elements of world music, ambient soundscapes, and jazz-influenced instrumentation. It was a bold statement from a group formed from the ashes of a psychedelic pop band, signaling a deliberate turn towards more experimental and artistically ambitious territory, setting the stage for a career that would consistently push musical boundaries.

9. America

   Released in 1971 by America, Warner Bros. Records

   On December 29, 1971, the musical landscape was gently reshaped with the UK release of the self-titled debut album from the band America. This date marks the first time the public heard the harmonious, acoustic-driven sound that would soon make them international stars. Formed in London by the sons of US Air Force personnel, the band presented a unique, transatlantic take on American folk-rock. The initial release didn't even include their career-defining hit, 'A Horse with No Name,' which would be added for its subsequent, chart-topping US release, making this original version a fascinating snapshot of the band's genesis.