200 MOST ESSENTIAL 60s SONGS: 150- 141. Continues next week.

Caffé Latté looks back at…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

SONGS OF THE

1960s

No decade was as turbulent as the 1960s. Politically and socially, there was turmoil. Musically too, the rules were changing at breakneck speed. This was the decade of Flower Power, Motown, Woodstock, girl groups, Beatlemania, psychedelia and The British Invasion. Here are 200 songs that matter most from the period. These recordings had an impact on music and provided the soundtrack to the 10 years that made up the Sixties.

#150

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Louis Armstrong

Originally issued in 1967 by the inimitable Satchmo, "What A Wonderful World" still pulls at the heartstrings decades later. First time around, the single topped the British chart. Louis Armstrong's vocals and the song are so timeless that it became an even bigger success when re-released in 1988.

#149

BAD MOON RISING

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Released in 1969, amid the turbulent closing years of the decade, many listeners would have no doubt related to the dark foreboding imagery of lead vocalist John Fogerty's lyrics. Despite its pessimistic tone, "Bad Moon Rising" bounces along with a snappy rockabilly feel that was meshed with CCR's unique blend of country and swamp rock.

#148

WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN

Percy Sledge

Atlantic Records had a roster that boasted many outstanding R&B artists. Percy Sledge unleashed this heartfelt love song in 1966. "When A Man Loves A Woman" topped both the Pop and Soul charts in the U.S.A.

#147

MASSACHUSETTS

Bee Gees

Issued in 1967, "Massachusetts" became the first Bee Gees single to top the UK chart. It marked a progression in the Gibb brothers' songcraft and production.

#146

I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO BE FREE

Nina Simone

Nina Simone applied her jazz and crossover skills when she recorded "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free". Released in 1967, the song soon became a civil rights anthem.

#145

GIMME SHELTER

Rolling Stones

With all the upheaval going on in the later years of the 1960s, The Rolling Stones summed up the anxiety in "Gimme Shelter". This remains one of the most lauded tracks off one of the band's most pivotal albums, 1969's 'Let It Bleed'.

#144

EVE OF DESTRUCTION

Barry McGuire

Barry McGuire's "Eve Of A Destruction" came out in 1965 and soon became one of the most successful protest songs of the period. It reached #1 in America and peaked at #3 in Britain.

#143

SOLITARY MAN

Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond established his credentials penning hits for acts such as The Monkees. At the same time, he was recording his own material. "Solitary Man" was released in 1966. His career really took off in the 1970s when the time was perfect for singer/songwriters.

#142

GIMME SOME LOVIN'

The Spencer Davis Group

In 1966, The Spencer Davis Group unleashed one of blue-eyed soul's most thrilling songs. "Gimme Some Lovin'" was a tight and upbeat track powered by Steve Winwood's vocal and organ work. The single made the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.

#141

BROWN EYED GIRL

Van Morrison

Van Morrison launched his solo career with "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967 from his 'Blowin' Your Mind!' album. 

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