Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

The top 20 albums of 1971, ... Containing some of their most celebrated songs – “When the Levee Breaks” with John Bonham’s thunderous drumming, “Black Dog”, ...

This week 45 years ago, the U.S. Postal Service raised its special delivery rates from 45 cents to 60 cents and first-class postage from 6 cents to 8 cents; Canonero II won the 96th Preakness Stake… ...

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

That said, in our opinions, these are the Top 10 Albums of 1971: 10 '11-17-70' Elton ... Top 30 Album-Closing Songs. Top 30 Album-Closing Songs. Rock’s 20 Best Four-Album Runs.

They simply rocked out to the wonderful songs as they were. Let’s have some fun and rank the top five from this masterpiece. Ranking the Top 5 Songs on The Who's 1971 Masterpiece 'Who's Next ...

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

Critics widely consider 1971 one of the best years in music history. For NPR's 50th anniversary, public radio stations turn back the clock and reflect on the year's best tracks.

These are NPR's 50 favorite songs of 1971, as selected by our member stations. All of our station picks are available to stream on the NPR50 Spotify and Apple Music playlists. And you can discover ...