October 2, 1971—this day would change the face of Black—and American—pop culture, setting the stage for trends in fashion, music and dance. Hosted by Don Cornelius, the show gave a slew of artists from Gladys Knight to The Jackson 5 a national platform that spoke directly to the urban youth.

2011 marks 40 years of the Soul Train brand and in celebration of their landmark anniversary, The Hot 10’s Chuck Nice has compiled a list of the biggest R&B hits of 1971.  

1. “If I Were Your Woman”- Gladys Knight & The Pips
2. “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye
3. “Never Can Say Goodby”- The Jackson 5
4. “Bridge Over Troubled Water”- Aretha Franklin
5. “Mr. Big Stuff” – Jean Knight
6. “Stick Up”- The Honey Cone
7. “Spanish Harlem”- Aretha Franklin
8. “Have You Seen Her”- The Chi-Lites
9. “Trapped By A Thing Called Love” – Denise Laselle
10. “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” – The Persuaders

“The Hot 10″ airs every Saturday at 10a/9c.  

Coming Soon// Soul Train Awards 2011 airs November 27th on Centric and BET on 9p/8c.

TAGS: Aretha Franklin, Chuck Nice, Denise Laselle, Don Cornelius, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Jean Knight, Marvini Gaye, Soul Train, Soul Train Awards 2011, The Chi-Lites, The Honey Cone, The Jackson 5, The Persuaders