NPR's 50 Favorite Songs Of 1971
Monday, May 3, 2021
Marvin Gaye's hit record "What's Going On" encapsulates the political turmoil of 1971 while also inspiring hope for change.
Soul Train
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Today, NPR celebrates the 50-year anniversary of our first on-air original show. For five decades, NPR and our member stations have shared the responsibility — and privilege — to serve the individual listener and promote their personal growth. To honor our time spent together, we turned back the clock and reflected on the impeccable sounds of our genesis year. From the timeless expression of social unrest in Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" to the transportive, community building experience of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," 1971's wide-spanning sonic achievements are featured below.