7 of the 70s: 5/8/14 (1971)

Hey gang, it's throwback Thursday 70s style, and this week I'm back to 1971, the year Amtrak started intercity commuter rail service.

The Jackson Five - "Mama's Pearl"
from the album Third Album (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #2
Songwriters: Berry Gordy, Fonce Mizelli, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards

After four consecutive #1's for their first four singles, the brothers stopped at the runner-up spot with this sweet innocent song...

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Lobo - "Me And You And A Dog Named Boo"
from the album Introducing Lobo (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5
Songwriter: Lobo (Kent Lavoie)

The soft rock singer/songwriter had his debut single hit big, no doubt aided by dog lovers across the country.

Chicago - "Beginnings"
from the album Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
Songwriter: Robert Lamm

One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands, there's no way to feel unhappy after listening to this breezy slice of heaven.

The Supremes and the Four Tops - "River Deep - Mountain High"
from the album The Magnificent 7 (1970)
Billboard Hot 100 peak; #14
Songwriters: Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector

The two formidable Motown powerhouses team up to tackle Phil Spector's favorite song and possibly the record that was the start of his mental destruction after the original Tina Turner version "flopped".

Cymarron - "Rings"
from the album Rings (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #17
Songwriters: Alex Harvey, Eddie Reeves

This one-hit-wonder by the soft-rock group was also covered by....Lobo.

Olivia Newton-John - "If Not For You"
from the album If Not For You (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #25
Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Before she would become a pop superstar the Australian singer had her first taste of success covering a Dylan song from his 1970 New Morning album.

The Mike Curb Congregation - "Burning Bridges"
from the album Kelly's Heroes (Original Soundtrack) (1971) and Burning Bridges and other Motion Picture Themes (1971)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #34
Songwriters: Mike Curb, Lalo Schifrin

The collective assembled by the future Lieutenant Governor of California recorded this theme to a forgotten Clint Eastwood movie, and later provide an anthem for past governor Reagan's 1980 presidential election.

I'll return later with eight more from 1981...