Candles in the rain - Melanie (1971)

I used to hang out near the radio waiting for this song. I was not sure what it was about and there was no Google to find out what the words read. No matter because Melanie's voice and sincerity was enough and the choral voices of the Hawking singers lent the song something bigger than life. And when she sings: and raise them (candles) higher again it sent shivers up my spine.

Hello in there - John Prine (1971)

Without a doubt this is John Prine's best song, though I prefer Joan Baez's version, she sings it more matter of fact without added pathos in her voice which is totally unnecessary in this instance. Bette Midler adds all that drama to it, quite uncalled for.

Nothing Rhymed - Gilbert O'Sullivan (1971)

Lyricist extraordinaire Gilbert sculptures the melodies to fit the words and usually succeeds. 'If I give up the seat I've been saving to some elderly lady or man, am I being a good boy, am I your pride and joy uncle please say I am'. Saccharine sweet this song is still good.

Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones (1971)

I'm not sure exactly what Jagger wanted to say with this song apart from the obvious bits about Brown sugar dancing so good...around midnight. But then again he is no word-smith and I'll just ignore the Slavery theme. Great guitar riff and Jagger's irreverent singing is totally appropriate. I have great memories of late night dance bars in the seventies in the Greek Islands listening to this on the juke box with inebriated tourists behaving ...badly. You do that in your youth.