The Gist: 1971 Billboard hits with Chris Molanphy and the Lobstar of the Antentwig.

Billboard Hits From 1971: Proto-Disco, Teen Idols and the Summer of the Singer-Songwriter

Billboard Hits From 1971: Proto-Disco, Teen Idols and the Summer of the Singer-Songwriter

A daily news and culture podcast with Mike Pesca.
Oct. 16 2015 6:50 PM

1971: When the ’70s Started Sounding Like the ’70s

Chris Molanphy shares the hits of 1971, including proto-disco, funk, teen idols, and some great singer-songwriters.

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You’ve got a friend in Carole King, especially if you’re James Taylor.

Cover art from Carole King's Tapestry

Listen to Episode 358 of Slate’s The Gist:

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On The Gist, we travel back to the year Mike Pesca and music writer Chris Molanphy were born. Learn why the Billboard Hits from 1971 stand the test of time, winter, spring, summer, or fall. Chris writes Slate’s Why Is That Song No. 1 column.

Listen back to the 1971 hits mentioned in today’s show in this Spotify playlist. (And feel free to skip the Osmonds.)

For The Spiel, we name a new Lobstar of the Antentwig.

Today’s sponsor:

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Email: thegist@slate.com
Twitter: @slategist

Mike Pesca is the host of the Slate daily podcast The Gist. He also contributes reports and commentary to NPR.