Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

June 12, 1972 John Lennon and Yoko Ono release the politically charged album Some Time In New York City, inspired in part by their move to New York a year earlier. It's poorly received, especially in America where it peaks at #48.

June 3, 1972 The Eagles release "Take It Easy."

June 2, 1972 Pink Floyd release their seventh album, Obscured By Clouds, in the UK. It is released in America on June 17.

May 29, 1972 Paul McCartney releases "Mary Had A Little Lamb."

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 7, 1971 Paul McCartney & Wings release their debut album, Wild Life (UK).

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 Bob Dylan releases Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Volume 2.

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.

July 10, 1971 Three Dog Night releases "Liar."

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.