Best 1960s Songs Ranked
The rock ‘n’ roll movement of the 1950s quickly came to an end in 1959 with the Day the Music Died (as explained in the song “American Pie”), the scandal of Jerry Lee Lewis’ marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, and the induction of Elvis Presley into the United States Army. As the 1960s began, the major rock ‘n’ roll stars of the ’50s such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard had dropped off the charts and popular music in the U.S. came to be dominated by girl groups, surf music, novelty pop songs, clean-cut teen idols, and Motown music. Another important change in music during the early 1960s was the American folk music revival which introduced Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, The Kingston Trio, Harry Belafonte, Odetta, Phil Ochs, and many other singer-songwriters to the public. Girl groups and female singers, such as the Shirelles, Betty Everett, Little Eva, the Dixie Cups, the Ronettes, Martha and the Vandellas and the Supremes dominated the charts in the early 1960s. This style consisted typically of light pop themes about teenage romance and lifestyles, backed by vocal harmonies and a strong rhythm. Most girl groups were African-American, but white girl groups and singers, such as Lesley Gore, the Angels, and the Shangri-Las also emerged during this period. Here are the best 1960s songs ranked.
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15. My Generation – The Who
“Taking in a timeless sense of youthful disaffection via a countercultural, Mod lens, Pete Townshend’s age-defying ditty distilled what it feels like to be young, energised and in the prime of life into 3:18 minutes of bristling hedonism. According to legend, Who manager Kit Lambert suggested that Roger Daltrey stuttered in order to sound “like a kid on speed.” Either way, it’s still a clarion call for a youth in revolt.”
14. Dazed and Confused – Led Zeppelin
“Led Zep’s debut album belter has a murky history. The writing credit might be axeman Jimmy Page’s, but it’s widely accepted that it was “inspired” by folk singer Jake Holmes’s song of the same name, that The Yardbirds – featuring one, um, Jimmy Page – used to play. Provenance aside, this intense brooder sees Page bowing his guitar as Robert Plant simmers with Black Country lust.”
13. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
“This legendary duet ranks among the best of all time—Motown or otherwise—and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of songwriter Nick Ashford. It’s inspired countless “singing into a hairbrush” moments, in film and real life alike.”
12. Space Oddity – David Bowie
“David Bowie sang out the 60s with this oddity, and it solidified his place in rock and roll history. With his Ziggy Stardust persona, he became one of the most interesting people in music.”
11. Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
“Is there a track in the world as gloriously filthy as this? The writhing and riff heavy opener to Led Zeppelin’s best album (‘Led Zeppelin II’) never received a UK single release but shifted millions of copies in the US. Theremins, drum solos, saucy sex-obsessed gasps – on paper in shouldn’t work. But this is Led Zep, so of course it does.”
10. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
“Released at the butt end of the 60s, Jagger and Richards captured the changing moods of the time, as race riots, Charles Manson and Vietnam had soured the hippie dream. A stabbing at their infamous Altamont gig added an extra dimension of bitter twang as the soulful crisis of the track signaled the end of an innocent era.”
9. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
“Hello, darkness, my old friend / I’ve come to talk with you again.” Arrested Development jokes aside, this lyric from “The Sound of Silence” is one of the most iconic song openers in music. Though Simon admitted later to being inspired to write that lyric after turning off the bathroom light during a songwriting session (for the bathroom often has the best acoustics), the song is a perceptive commentary on people’s inability to communicate.”
8. Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones
“On which pounding drums, Jagger drawl and the first sitar to feature on a Number One record combine for an indie disco favourite for now and all time. One of the few tracks composed by Nanker – Phelge, which was the collective pseudonym the Stones used when all five of them – Jagger, Jones, Richards, Watts and Wyman – contributed to the writing (and more importantly shared the royalties).”
7. All Along the Watchtower – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
“It’s no secret that a ton of hits from the 60s were written by Bob Dylan. This is one example. Jimi Hendrix gave one of his most impressive performances with this trippy rock song that let The Jimi Hendrix Experience show off some smooth guitar moves.”
6. Light My Fire – The Doors
“With its unmistakable opening keyboard riff, “Light My Fire” became synonymous with the sound of The Doors. This band explored Jim Morrison’s poetry in its lyrics, and it also embraced the psychedelic rock scene that was happening at the time.”
5. A Day in the Life – The Beatles
“If there’s one year that sums up the sixties the best, it’s 1967. And if there’s one, prolonged moment that epitomizes the spirit and feeling of the decade, it’s the summer of ’67. And if you had to distill the entire ten years’ worth of musical endeavor into one album, it would be The Beatles’ ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.”
4. Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
“In 1965, Bob Dylan was about to pack it in. Having finished an exhaustive tour of England he’d lost interest in the music game, but the creation of this track – one of his finest moments made even better with Al Kooper’s signature organ line – reinvigorated his love for music. Of course the six minute monster went on to become a worldwide hit and one of the most influential pieces of music of all time.”
3. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
“That towering riff – for one thing, it came to Keith Richards in a moment of clarity after briefly coming round from an alcoholic stupor; for another, Richards always planned to replace it with a horn section. In the meantime he happed up his riff with a fuzzbox to keep it warm until the real players came along. Well, thank goodness they never did.”
2. Goldfinger – Shirley Bassey
“The Best James Bond Theme of them all! Besides being such a unique song that has interested people of all generations for all these years, it’s Shirley Bassey’s powerful vocal ability that still brings the song to life! Others have attempted this song, but Bassey’s renditions, both studio and LIVE, are still the best!”
1. Hey Jude – The Beatles
“Paul McCartney wrote this song for John Lennon’s son. Julian Lennon was feeling alone after his father left his mother for Yoko Ono. The original title was “Hey Jules,” but McCartney changed the name because he thought it would sound better in the song.”