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Aug 17, 2006 · These are the 200 songs that most resonate with a generation too young to have experienced the decade firsthand, but old enough to know it had more to offer than “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
- Pitchfork
- Counting Down The Greatest Hits of The 60s
- The Twist – Chubby Checker
- Everybody’s Talkin’ – Harry Nilsson
- A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
- Green Onions – Booker T. & The M.G.’s
- Like A Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
- Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
- Space Oddity – David Bowie
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- House of The Rising Sun – The Animals
Launching into a new world, the 60s not only saw the first man on the moon but a series of waves that implored musicians to question the ways of the world. From this questioning, came the magic of psychedelic rock, sweet soul, progressive folk, and more. The cultural clash of old and new philosophies created a music scene in an explosive decade tha...
Why it’s the 43rd Top song of the 60s
Covering Hank Ballard and the Midnighters 1958 track “The Twist,” Chubby Checker’s very own “twist” created a whole new lease of life for the song. Using his signature sound and explosive sax gave the original a new and vibrant lift. The Twist with Chubby Checker(1960) set in motion a dance craze across the US and is still noted as one of the most iconic songs of the 60s.
“I’m going where the sun keeps shining, through the pouring rain, going where the weather suits my clothes.”
“It’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die, ‘cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky.”
Why it’s the 29th Greatest song of the 60s
The only instrumental track in this list, “Green Onions” has made a name for itself since its release in 1962. In what sounds like an impromptu jam session, the track builds into a fantastic fusion of keyboard, bass, and a peppery guitar riff. Capturing a classic soul sound true to the 60s, this song has become a staple in midcentury instrumentals.
“Nobody’s ever taught you how to live out on the street and now you’re gonna have to get used to it.”
“I like smoke and lightnin’, heavy metal thunder, racing with the wind and the feeling that I’m under.”
“This is Major Tom to Ground Control, I’m stepping through the door and I’m floating in the most peculiar way, and the stars look very different today.”
“Standing in the sunlight laughing, hiding ‘hind a rainbow’s wall, slipping and sliding all along the waterfall with you.”
“My mother was a tailor, she sewed my new blue jeans. My father was a gamblin’ man, down in New Orleans.”
- 100 Send Me A Postcard. Dutch psych rockers Shocking Blue would score a US Billboard Hot 100 No.1 with 1970’s ‘Venus’ (covered so memorably by Bananarama 16 years later), but ‘Send Me A Postcard’ is a darker proposition altogether, singer Mariska Veres evoking Julie Driscoll or Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick as she hollers over fuzzed guitar and the obligatory swirling organ.
- 99 Ring Of Fire. This paean to the grisly aftermath of an unforgiving curry – or tribute to love’s steamy embrace, whatever you fancy – was written by Johnny Cash’s future wife June Carter with Merle Kilgore, and originally recorded by June’s sister Anita.
- 98 I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) The opening track on Lenny Kaye’s ‘Nuggets’, his essential compilation of late-60s garage and psych rock, ‘I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)’ was written by professional songwriting team Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz but musses up its classic structure with needling, distorted guitar from Ken Williams – recorded backwards – and a growling lead vocal from James Lowe.
- 97 My Girl. They might have done the gritty thing with ‘Ball Of Confusion’ and ‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’ or tried overwrought testifying on ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’, but the Temptations song that gets reeled out most these days is this soppy, doo-wopping poem to a girl who makes everything all right.
- 3 min
- Nina Simone – Sinnerman (1962) The skittering hi-hats, the deeply haunted piano line, the galloping guitar line; all set the stage for Nina Simone on “Sinnerman,” a song that sees the icon turn in one of her most powerful vocal performances.
- The Beatles – Come Together (1969) Between the classic drum fill introduction, crunchy guitars, and iconic vocals, it’s hard to top “Come Together.”
- The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations (1966) Originally thought of as a Jan & Dean-style group obsessed with surfing, cars, and girls, The Beach Boys proved there was much more to their artistry with Pet Sounds and songs like “God Only Knows.”
- The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1965) Picking one Rolling Stones song to represent the band on this 60s list is impossible, but since we’re limiting ourselves to one, “Satisfaction” feels like the best bet due to its story, impact, and cultural legacy.
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- “The Twist” – Chubby Checker. Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: September 24, 1960.
- Hey Jude” – The Beatles. Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: September 28, 1968.
- The Theme From ‘A Summer Place'” – Percy Faith And His Orchestra. Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: February 27, 1960.
- Tossin’ And Turnin'” – Bobby Lewis. Hot 100 Peak Position: 1, Peak Date: July 15, 1961.
Relive the magic of an era with unforgettable classics that defined a generation. From The Beatles to Motown, experience the grooves and vibes that still resonate today. Tune in an". 100 tracks - 4 h 59 min. 01. Respect. Aretha Franklin. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You.
60s Hits - Sixties Greatest Music Hits (Best 60's Songs Playlist) · Playlist · 100 songs · 101.9K likes.
