200 MOST ESSENTIAL 60s SONGS: 160- 151. Continues tomorrow.

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.

#160

I GET AROUND

The Beach Boys

This 1964 single was a North American #1 hit featuring the ethereal harmonies of The Beach Boys.

#159

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE

Roberta Flack

While it didn't become a global smash until the 1970s, Roberta Flack's reading of Ewan McColl's composition "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was included on her 'First Take' album. The LP was issued in 1969 and helped launch the singer/songwriter era. Flack's success eclipsed the chart streak achieved by the likes of her contemporaries Carly Simon, Carole King and Joni Mitchell.

#158

UNCHAINED MELODY

The Righteous Brothers

In 1965, The Righteous Brothers unleashed the definitive version of "Unchained Melody". While it became an even bigger success in 1990, the recording was produced by Phil Spector and featured his thrilling Wall Of Sound. Back then, it reached #4 in the U.S. and #14 in Britain.

#157

REFLECTIONS

Diana Ross & The Supremes

This was the first single credited to Diana Ross and The Supremes, paving the way for the launch of the lead singer's solo career in a few years' time. "Reflections" demonstrates the skill of producer/ songwriters Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. In 1967, the disc made the Top 5 in the UK and America.

#156

DUKE OF EARL

Gene Chandler

Gene Chandler's "Duke Of Earl" was an American #1 single in 1962. It bridges the doo wop era and the emerging sound of 1960s R&B. 

#155

ONLY THE LONELY

Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison's first taste of major chart success was with the 1960 single "Only The Lonely". He co-wrote the hit with regular collaborator Joe Melson. The single topped the British chart and peaked at #2 in America.

#154

HE’S A REBEL

The Crystals

Featuring the (uncredited) Darlene Love on lead vocals, "He's A Rebel" established Phil Spector's reputation as a legendary producer. The song was issued in 1962 in late August and topped the U.S. Hot 100 just 3 months later.

#153

 

THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING

King Crimson

As the title track from one of the most unique and influential debut albums in rock history, "The Court Of The Crimson King" was issued as a single in 1969. King Crimson was soon leading the prog rock genre.

#152

SAN FRANCISCO

(BE SURE TO WEAR FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR)

Scott McKenzie

As psychedelia began to impact on the sound of rock music, San Francisco became a new hub just as cities such as Detroit, New York and Memphis had been. Scott McKenzie's single peaked at #4 in America and topped the chart in Britain. It became an anthem for flower power.

#151

CRIMSON AND CLOVER

Tommy James & The Shondells

In 1968, "Crimson And Clover" was a massive hit in many countries, including America where it reached the chart summit. The track remains a standout psychedelic pop release.

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