Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

May 6, 1972 Elton John releases "Rocket Man."

April 24, 1972 John Lennon releases the controversial song "Woman Is The Ni--er Of The World." It was his wife, Yoko Ono, who came up with the title. The song is about how women aren't valued like the should be.

March 23, 1972 The film version of George Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh is released in America, helping raise additional money for aid that goes to UNICEF.

February 5, 1972 Paul Simon releases "Mother and Child Reunion."

January 14, 1972 Paul Simon releases his second solo album, Paul Simon. It contains his first Garfunkel-less hits, "Mother and Child Reunion" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard."

January 4, 1972 Yes releases "Roundabout."

December 20, 1971 The Rolling Stones release their compilation Hot Rocks 1964–1971.

December 6, 1971 Paul McCartney & Wings release their debut album, Wild Life.

December 1, 1971 John Lennon releases "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" in the US. An anti-war Christmas song with the chorus "War is over, if you want it," the song endures as a holiday favorite.

November 17, 1971 The Faces release A Nod Is As Good As A Wink... To A Blind Horse.

November 17, 1971 Laura Nyro releases Gonna Take A Miracle, a tribute to '50s and '60s soul music, with Labelle as her backup singers. The R&B trio, formerly known as Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, will release their defining hit a few years later: "Lady Marmalade."

November 13, 1971 Three Dog Night's "An Old Fashioned Love Song" enters the Hot 100 at #77. The song was written by Paul Williams, who was a popular actor in the '70s and '80s as well as a songwriter.

November 11, 1971 Alice Cooper releases "I'm Eighteen," the shock rocker's first hit. The song connects with young people in America who could be drafted to fight in Vietnam but are too young to drink or vote.

November 9, 1971 Elvis Presley releases "Merry Christmas, Baby."

October 30, 1971 Pink Floyd release their sixth album, Meddle, in the US.

October 24, 1971 Don McLean's second album, American Pie, is released. Thanks to the title track, it goes to #1 and sends him from folk obscurity to pop stardom, a transition that proves challenging.

October 9, 1971 Van Morrison releases "Wild Night."

October 7, 1971 Michael Jackson releases "Got To Be There."

September 30, 1971 Isaac Hayes releases "Theme From Shaft."

September 9, 1971 John Lennon releases Imagine in the US.

August 30, 1971 The Beach Boys release Surf's Up.

June 16, 1971 Elvis Presley releases Love Letters From Elvis.

June 5, 1971 James Taylor releases "You've Got a Friend."

April 19, 1971 The Doors release their sixth album, L.A. Woman. It's their last with lead singer Jim Morrison, who dies a few months later.

April 16, 1971 Ringo Starr releases his second solo single in the US, "It Don't Come Easy," which will peak at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

March 22, 1971 John Lennon releases "Power to the People" in the US.

March 9, 1971 Alice Cooper (still considered a band) release their third album, Love It To Death, their first since moving from Los Angeles to Detroit. With the hit "I'm Eighteen," it's a breakthrough, drawing lots of fans to their macabre stage shows where there's an execution every night.

January 15, 1971 George Harrison releases "My Sweet Lord" in the UK.

December 28, 1970 John Lennon releases "Mother."

December 11, 1970 John Lennon releases his debut solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.