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Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades. This show reflects Radio 2's 1971 theme.

Paul Gambaccini presents tracks from this week's US charts and hits from the last six decades. Tonight's show reflects Radio 2's 1971 theme.

In the feature Baby What a Big Surprise [They Really Were Number One Albums] we hear So Far Away from Tapestry by Carole King, which was released in 1971. And in the regular feature The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, songs are featured from the debut hit LPs by Cat Stevens (Tea for the Tillerman) and Graham Nash (Songs for Beginners), which both entered the American album chart during 1971.

It's Not the Same Old Song, meanwhile, highlights Superstar by the Carpenters and a different song with the same title by the Temptations. They were both hits in the States in 1971.

There is an R'n'B Number One from this date in 1971 - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) by Marvin Gaye and a past Country Number One from this week in 1971 - Charley Pride's I'm Just Me. And one of the two pop number ones from this date in history is How Can We Mend a Broken Heart, the 1971 chart topper by the Bee Gees.

In A Matter of Life and Death, Paul celebrates the birth of John Hiatt in 1952 and pays tribute to the recently deceased Gene McDaniels by playing his Top Five US hit from 1961 - Tower of Strength. Turn On Your Love Light by Bobby Blue Band and Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) by The Byrds are featured in the weekly presentation of two songs from the Grammy Hall of Fame Singles.

There are Rock Number Ones from 1989 and now by Tom Petty and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Adele returns to the top of the US album chart for a twelfth week - the highest total at Number One since Supernatural by Santana in 1999/2000. On the singles side, LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock is still Number One with Party Rock Anthem.

Also in Radio 2's 1971 Week, Johnnie Walker talks to Bob Harris about Whistle Test 40, a new 16-part series celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Old Grey Whistle Test; Smokey Robinson marks 40 years since the release of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, and Sounds of the 20th Century reaches 1971.

2 hours

Last on

Sat 20 Aug 2011 20:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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13/08/2011

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27/08/2011

See all episodes from Paul Gambaccini with America's Greatest Hits

Music Played

  • Mel & Tim

    Backfield In Motion

    This day in 1920: The NFL - National Football League - was founded

  • Maroon 5

    Moves Like Jagger (feat. Christina Aguilera)

    Return to the Top Three after major TV appearances

  • O.A.R.

    Heaven

    New Entry in the Album Chart: King

  • Carole King

    So Far Away

    Baby What A Big Surprise [they really were Number One albums] Tapestry - Carole King (1971)

  • Ellie Goulding - LIGHTS (Bassnectar Remix)

    New Entry in the Single Chart and Album Chart: Divergent Spectrum

  • John Hiatt

    Have A Little Faith In Me

    Born 1952: John Hiatt

  • Eugene McDaniels

    Tower Of Strength

    Gene McDaniels - born 12th February 1935; died 29th July 2011

  • Trace Adkins

    Proud To Be Here

    New Entry in the Top Three of the Album Chart: Proud To Be Here

  • Marvin Gaye

    MERCY MERCY ME (The Ecology)

    R&B Number One this date in 1971

  • Jill Scott

    SO IN LOVE (featuring Anthony Hamilton)

    Adult R&B Number One: eighth week

  • Carpenters

    Superstar

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Terrific Two in 1971

  • The Temptations Original Lead Singers

    Superstar

    It’s Not The Same Old Song: Number Eighteen in 1971

  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd

    Never Lookin' Back

    In the Album Chart: How I Go

  • Cat Stevens

    Matthew & Son

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) (6 February 1971) Tea For The Tillerman - Cat Stevens

  • Foster the People - Houdini

    Top Twenty Album: Torches

  • Bobby β€œBlue” Bland

    Turn On Your Love Light

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: released in 1961 - reached Number Two R&B & Number 28 Pop

  • The Byrds

    Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)

    Grammy Hall Of Fame Single: Number One in 1965

  • Mat Kearney

    Ships In The Night

    New Entry in the Album Chart: Young Love

  • The Beatles

    You Can't Do That

    Baby What A Big Surprise [they really were Number One albums] The Beatles’ Second Album - The Beatles (1964)

  • Keb’ Mo’

    The Whole Enchilada

    New Entry in the Album Chart: The Reflection

  • Charley Pride

    I'm Just Me

    Country Number One this date in 1971

  • Jason Aldean

    Dirt Road Anthem

    Current Country Number One - tenth week

  • Tom Petty

    Free Fallin'

    Rock Number One this date in 1989

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

    The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie

    Current Rock Number One - NEW

  • Graham Nash

    Simple Man

    The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (debut hit albums) Songs For Beginners - Graham Nash (19 June 1971)

  • Adele

    Rumour Has It

    Number One in the Album Chart: 21 - twelfth week

  • Little Eva

    The Loco Motion

    Number One this date in 1962

  • The Vee Gees

    How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

    Number One this date in 1971

  • LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & Goon Rock

    Party Rock Anthem

    Current Number One: sixth week

Broadcast

  • Sat 20 Aug 2011 20:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2