1971

The following is a list of the number-one singles (main sides only) in the U.S. in 1971, based on a comparison between its three main charts at the time, from Billboard, Cash Box and Record World magazines. 
Issue date 	Song 	Artist(s)
January 2 	"My Sweet Lord" 	George Harrison
January 9 	"My Sweet Lord" 	George Harrison
January 16 	"Knock Three Times" 	Tony Orlando & Dawn
January 23 	"Knock Three Times" 	Tony Orlando & Dawn
January 30 	"Knock Three Times" 	Tony Orlando & Dawn
February 6 	"Knock Three Times" 	Tony Orlando & Dawn
February 13 	"One Bad Apple" 	The Osmonds
February 20 	"One Bad Apple" 	The Osmonds
February 27 	"One Bad Apple" 	The Osmonds
March 6 	"One Bad Apple" 	The Osmonds
March 13 	"One Bad Apple" 	The Osmonds
March 20 	"Me and Bobby McGee" 	Janis Joplin
March 27 	"She's a Lady" 	Tom Jones
April 3 	"She's a Lady" 	Tom Jones
April 10 	"What's Going On" 	Marvin Gaye
April 17 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
April 24 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
May 1 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
May 8 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
May 15 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
May 22 	"Joy to the World" 	Three Dog Night
May 29 	"Brown Sugar" 	The Rolling Stones
June 5 	"Brown Sugar" 	The Rolling Stones
June 12 	"Want Ads" 	Honey Cone
June 19 	"Want Ads" 	Honey Cone
June 26 	"It's Too Late" 	Carole King
July 3 	"It's Too Late" 	Carole King
July 10 	"It's Too Late" 	Carole King
July 17 	"It's Too Late" 	Carole King
July 24 	"Indian Reservation" 	Paul Revere & The Raiders
July 31 	"Indian Reservation" 	Paul Revere & The Raiders
August 7 	"You've Got a Friend" 	James Taylor
August 14 	"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"	Bee Gees
August 21 	"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"	Bee Gees
August 28 	"Take Me Home, Country Roads" 	John Denver
September 4 	"Take Me Home, Country Roads" 	John Denver
September 11	"Spanish Harlem" 	Aretha Franklin
September 18	"Go Away Little Girl" 	Donny Osmond
September 25	"Go Away Little Girl" 	Donny Osmond
October 2 	"Maggie May" 	Rod Stewart
October 9 	"Maggie May" 	Rod Stewart
October 16 	"Maggie May" 	Rod Stewart
October 23 	"Maggie May" 	Rod Stewart
October 30 	"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" 	Chér
November 6 	"Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves" 	Chér
November 13 	"Theme from Shaft" 	Isaac Hayes
November 20 	"Theme from Shaft" 	Isaac Hayes
November 27 	"Family Affair" 	Sly & The Family Stone
December 4 	"Family Affair" 	Sly & The Family Stone
December 11 	"Family Affair" 	Sly & The Family Stone
December 18 	"Family Affair" 	Sly & The Family Stone
December 25 	"Brand New Key" 	Melanie