Music Years of My Life: 1971

In the Summer of '71, my Dad got stationed in Mannheim, Germany.  There's not much from the latter part of that year that musically stuck out, outside of the hits from Carole King's Tapestry.  But the first half of the year was very similar to what occurred in 1970.  Suddenly, songs were sticking with me longer, and those that did are still with me today.

The three that bring back my young school days in North Carolina were all car ride staples:  Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World", Donny Osmond's "Sweet and Innocent", and Brewer & Shipley's "One Toke Over The Line".  No, I had no idea what that latter song was about at the age of 7, but it was catchy.  Donny Osmond was part of the early 70's teen idol boom that my sister embraced.  And the Three Dog Night were already one of the early 70's best singles bands.

People say time flies as you get older, and I can attest to that.  When you're a child the days appear to last longer, memories start forming and friendships come and go.  All of this is true, and the best part was that my ensuing infatuation with music was sown in years like 1970 & 1971.

The move to Germany, and leaving friends behind, had one musical silver lining.  In Germany is where I heard my first American Top 40 countdown.  A life turning point at 7 years old!