List of Best Selling Soul Singles number ones of 1971 explained

Billboard published a weekly chart in 1971 ranking the top-performing singles in the United States in soul music and related African American-oriented music genres; the chart has undergone various name changes over the decades to reflect the evolution of such genres and since 2005 has been published as Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[1] In 1971, it was published under the title Best Selling Soul Singles, and 21 different singles topped the chart.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 2, King Floyd reached number one with "Groove Me", displacing the final number one of 1970, "Stoned Love" by the Supremes. It held the top spot for three weeks, was replaced for a single week by "If I Were Your Woman" by Gladys Knight & the Pips, and then returned to number one for one further week. "Groove Me" was Floyd's first number one but proved to be his only single to reach the top spot. It was replaced at number one by "(Do The) Push and Pull (Part 1)" by Rufus Thomas, another first-time chart-topper. Thomas had first recorded in 1941, but did not achieve his greatest success until the early 1970s, when he was well into his 50s;[2] as with Floyd, his 1971 number one was his only chart-topping single. Honey Cone, Jean Knight, Denise LaSalle, the Persuaders, and the Chi-Lites also reached number one in 1971 for the first time in their respective careers.

Two singles tied for the year's longest-running number one, both spending five weeks atop the chart. In March and April, Marvin Gaye spent five weeks at number one with "What's Going On" and Jean Knight achieved the same feat in with "Mr. Big Stuff" beginning with the issue dated July 3. Gaye had the highest cumulative total number of weeks atop the chart of any act in 1971, spending a total of nine weeks in the top spot with "What's Going On", "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" and "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)". All three tracks were taken from the album What's Going On, a politically-charged concept album which has been regarded by many critics as one of the greatest albums of all time.[3] [4] [5] [6] Three other acts achieved more than one number one in 1971: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Honey Cone. The year's final soul number one was "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone, which reached number one in the issue of Billboard dated December 4 and stayed there for the remainder of the year. It also topped the all-genre[7] Hot 100 chart, as did "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" by the Temptations and Honey Cone's "Want Ads".[8]

Chart history

style="background-color:#FFFF99"
Indicates number 1 on Billboards year-end soul chart of 1971[9]
Issue date! scope="col"
TitleArtist(s)
scope=row"Groove Me" King Floyd[10]
scope=row[11]
scope=row[12]
scope=row"If I Were Your Woman" [13]
scope=row"Groove Me" King Floyd[14]
scope=row"" [15]
scope=row[16]
scope=row"Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone" [17]
scope=row[18]
scope=row"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" [19]
scope=row[20]
scope=row[21]
scope=row"What's Going On" [22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row[24]
scope=row[25]
scope=row[26]
scope=row"Never Can Say Goodbye" [27]
scope=row[28]
scope=row[29]
scope=row"Bridge Over Troubled Water" [30]
scope=row"Want Ads" Honey Cone[31]
scope=row[32]
scope=row[33]
scope=row"Bridge Over Troubled Water" [34]
scope=row"Don't Knock My Love (Part 1)" [35]
scope=rowbgcolor=#FFFF99 rowspan="5" "Mr. Big Stuff" [36]
scope=row[37]
scope=row[38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row[40]
scope=row"Hot Pants Part 1 (She Got To Use What She Got, To Get What She Want)"[41]
scope=row"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" [42]
scope=row[43]
scope=row"Spanish Harlem" [44]
scope=row[45]
scope=row[46]
scope=row"Stick-Up" Honey Cone[47]
scope=row[48]
scope=row"Make It Funky (Part 1)" [49]
scope=row[50]
scope=row"Thin Line Between Love and Hate" [51]
scope=row[52]
scope=row"Trapped by a Thing Called Love" [53]
scope=row"Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" [54]
scope=row[55]
scope=row"Have You Seen Her" [56]
scope=row[57]
scope=row"Family Affair" Sly and the Family Stone[58]
scope=row[59]
scope=row[60]
scope=row[61]

References

Works cited

. Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942 - 1988. Joel Whitburn. Record Research Incorporated. 1988. 978-0-89820-069-0.

. Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942 - 1995. Joel Whitburn. Record Research Incorporated. 1996. 978-0-89820-115-4.

. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942 - 2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research Incorporated. 978-0-89820-160-4.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Chart. Pitchfork. December 19, 2021. Chris. Molanphy. April 14, 2014. January 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190121143650/https://pitchfork.com/features/article/9378-i-know-you-got-soul-the-trouble-with-billboards-rbhip-hop-chart/. live.
  2. Web site: Rufus Thomas Biography & History. AllMusic. Richie. Unterberger. Ritchie Unterberger. July 8, 2020. August 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190822044029/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rufus-thomas-mn0000303050/biography. live.
  3. Web site: What's Going On  - Marvin Gaye. AllMusic. July 8, 2020. John. Bush. September 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929190616/https://www.allmusic.com/album/whats-going-on-mw0000651085. live.
  4. Web site: The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: 100-1. Emily. Barker. NME. October 25, 2013. July 8, 2020. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502124345/https://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-100-1-1426116. live.
  5. Web site: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. September 22, 2020. Rolling Stone. July 26, 2023. May 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210523193918/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/marvin-gaye-whats-going-on-4-1063232/. live.
  6. Web site: Marvin Gaye What’s Going On – 40th Anniversary Edition Review. David. Katz. David Katz (author). 2011. BBC. July 8, 2020. November 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113071607/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/pq9p/. live.
  7. Web site: Only 68 songs have debuted at No. 1 in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 — here they all are. Insider.com. Callie. Ahlgrim . July 25, 2023. July 26, 2023.
  8. Web site: Hot 100  - 1971 Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20190705031428/https://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1971/hot-100. dead. July 5, 2019. Billboard. July 8, 2020.
  9. Web site: Billboard.com - Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. https://web.archive.org/web/20071211040756/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=Hot+R&B%2FHip-Hop+Songs&g=Year-end+Singles&year=1971. dead. December 11, 2007. June 21, 2020. Billboard.
  10. Web site: R & B Chart for January 2, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. June 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200629160948/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-01-02. live.
  11. Web site: R & B Chart for January 9, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. August 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190808020743/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-01-09. live.
  12. Web site: R & B Chart for January 16, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708064807/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-01-16. live.
  13. Web site: R & B Chart for January 23, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071545/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-01-23. live.
  14. Web site: R & B Chart for January 30, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708101659/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-01-30. live.
  15. Web site: R & B Chart for February 6, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708064809/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-02-06. live.
  16. Web site: R & B Chart for February 13, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708093543/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-02-13. live.
  17. Web site: R & B Chart for February 20, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330043758/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-02-20. live.
  18. Web site: R & B Chart for February 27, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. June 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620072843/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-02-27. live.
  19. Web site: R & B Chart for March 6, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200338/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-03-06/. live.
  20. Web site: R & B Chart for March 13, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710174800/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-03-13. live.
  21. Web site: R & B Chart for March 20, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709022050/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-03-20. live.
  22. Web site: R & B Chart for March 27, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040247/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-03-27. live.
  23. Web site: R & B Chart for April 3, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200707220615/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-04-03. live.
  24. Web site: R & B Chart for April 10, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709101845/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-04-10. live.
  25. Web site: R & B Chart for April 17, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710174805/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-04-17. live.
  26. Web site: R & B Chart for April 24, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040212/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-04-24. live.
  27. Web site: R & B Chart for May 1, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. August 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190808084511/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-05-01. live.
  28. Web site: R & B Chart for May 8, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071554/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-05-08. live.
  29. Web site: R & B Chart for May 15, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709050151/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-05-15. live.
  30. Web site: R & B Chart for May 22, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708101653/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-05-22. live.
  31. Web site: R & B Chart for May 29, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708103632/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-05-29. live.
  32. Web site: R & B Chart for June 5, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708044757/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-06-05. live.
  33. Web site: R & B Chart for June 12, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709021958/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-06-12. live.
  34. Web site: R & B Chart for June 19, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040245/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-06-19. live.
  35. Web site: R & B Chart for June 26, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. September 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190927052619/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-06-26. live.
  36. Web site: R & B Chart for July 3, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040209/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-07-03. live.
  37. Web site: R & B Chart for July 10, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. May 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220528044426/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-07-10/. live.
  38. Web site: R & B Chart for July 17, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. June 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621152621/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-07-17. live.
  39. Web site: R & B Chart for July 24, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. May 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220528044402/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-07-24/. live.
  40. Web site: R & B Chart for July 31, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. February 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205230757/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-07-31. live.
  41. Web site: R & B Chart for August 7, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710165853/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-08-07. live.
  42. Web site: R & B Chart for August 14, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708083511/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-08-14. live.
  43. Web site: R & B Chart for August 21, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040217/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-08-21. live.
  44. Web site: R & B Chart for August 28, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200707220612/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-08-28. live.
  45. Web site: R & B Chart for September 4, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708062702/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-09-04. live.
  46. Web site: R & B Chart for September 11, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200711104243/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-09-11. live.
  47. Web site: R & B Chart for September 18, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071547/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-09-18. live.
  48. Web site: R & B Chart for September 25, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. November 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211128191959/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-09-25/. live.
  49. Web site: R & B Chart for October 2, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710165859/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-10-02. live.
  50. Web site: R & B Chart for October 9, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708055314/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-10-09. live.
  51. Web site: R & B Chart for October 16, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040205/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-10-16. live.
  52. Web site: R & B Chart for October 23, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330044042/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-10-23. live.
  53. Web site: R & B Chart for October 30, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. June 22, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190622094148/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-10-30. live.
  54. Web site: R & B Chart for November 6, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. February 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220224164653/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-11-06/. live.
  55. Web site: R & B Chart for November 13, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709175558/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-11-13. live.
  56. Web site: R & B Chart for November 20, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708040230/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-11-20. live.
  57. Web site: R & B Chart for November 27, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. August 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190808011937/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-11-27. live.
  58. Web site: R & B Chart for December 4, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709214602/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-12-04. live.
  59. Web site: R & B Chart for December 11, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. April 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200412202228/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-12-11. live.
  60. Web site: R & B Chart for December 18, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071551/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-12-18. live.
  61. Web site: R & B Chart for December 25, 1971. Billboard. July 5, 2020. July 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200707220619/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1971-12-25. live.

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