60 SONGS FROM 1960. 
This post: The Top 10.

Caffe´Latte´presents…

1960

THE 60 GREATEST SONGS

MCMLX

The first year of the new decade saw John F. Kennedy elected US President. In South Africa, the Sharpeville Massacre took place. America announced it was sending troops to Vietnam. Rome hosted the Olympic Games. Innovations included: the laser, photocopier and aluminium cans. The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” was published. “The Twist” kick-started a dance craze. At the cinema, ‘Psycho’ premiered.

Here are 60 examples of the music that was the soundtrack for the year 1960:

1

I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU

Etta James

Before Aretha, Etta James was a fierce vocalist who could pack power into songs spanning the blues, soul and rock.

2

WONDERFUL WORLD

Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke is arguably the most influential soul vocalist. This single reached #12 and #2 R&B in America.

3

AT LAST

Etta James

Etta James could belt out mighty vocals, but on this ballad, she reveals her tender and romantic side.

4

WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW?

The Shirelles

One of the enduring classics from the girl group era, written by Carole King and her partner Gerry Goffin.

5

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME

The Drifters

Inspired by a real life situation where a groom could not dance with his new bride at a wedding, this quickly became one of the best produced R&B singles. Ben E. King shines on lead vocals.

6

GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Ray Charles

Uncle Ray’s catalogue brought together many genres in a radical new way. Here, his remake infuses gospel, blues and soul into the song.

7

CATHY’S CLOWN

The Everly Brothers

Penned by brothers Don and Phil Everly, the track features the duo’s trademark harmonies.

8

ONLY THE LONELY

Roy Orbison

The Big O skilfully added drama to his recordings, as evidenced on this track which peaked at #2 and topped the UK chart.

9

I COUNT THE TEARS

The Drifters

A break – up song by one of the key vocal groups from the early years of soul music.

10

SHE’S MY BABY

Johnny O’Keefe

An early rock pioneer in Australian music who released some of the catchiest singles of the genre.

11 CHAIN GANG Sam Cooke

12 THE TWIST Chubby Checker

13 WALK- DON’T RUN The Ventures

14 RAWHIDE Frankie Laine

15 IT’S NOW OR NEVER Elvis Presley

16 APACHE The Shadows

17 SHAKIN’ ALL OVER Johnny Kidd & The Pirates

18 ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI

Brian Hyland

19 ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT Elvis Presley

20 I’M HURTIN’ Roy Orbison

21 A FOOL IN LOVE Ike & Tina Turner

22 DING- A -LING Bobby Rydell

23 COME ON AND TAKE MY HAND Johnny O’Keefe

24 BOYS The Shirelles

25 THE BIG HURT Toni Fisher

26 BLUE ANGEL Roy Orbison

27 DON’T YOU KNOW (PRETTY BABY) Johnny O’Keefe

28 SWINGIN’ SCHOOL Bobby Rydell

29 MY DEAREST DARLING Etta James

30 LET IT BE ME The Everly Brothers

31 STUCK ON YOU Elvis Presley

32 STAY Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs

33 I LOVE YOU Cliff Richard

34 IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU Etta James with Harvey Fuqua

35 NIGHT Jackie Wilson

36 BEATNIK FLY Johnny & The Hurricanes

37 THEME FROM ‘A SUMMER PLACE’ Percy Faith

38 BOOM BOOM BABY Billy “Crash” Craddock

39 I WANT TO BE WANTED Brenda Lee

40 WHEN WILL I BE LOVED The Everly Brothers

41 ALL I COULD DO IS CRY Etta James

42 CLAP YOUR HANDS Beau Marks

43 SAD MOOD Sam Cooke

44 TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT The Shirelles

45 RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET The Platters

46 I’M SORRY Brenda Lee

47 RUBBER BALL Bobby Vee

48 WALKING TO NEW ORLEANS Fats Domino

49 THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN Eddie Cochran

50 GOOD TIMIN’ Jimmy Jones

51 EVERYBODY’S SOMEBODY’S FOOL Connie Francis

52 ALLEY OOP The Hollywood Argyles

53 MISTY Johnny Mathis

54 MACK THE KNIFE Ella Fitzgerald   

55 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THOSE EYES AT ME FOR?

Emile Ford

56 PLEASE DON’T TEASE Cliff Richard

57 TELL LAURA I LOVE HER Ricky Valance

58 WHY Frankie Avalon   

59 DO YOU MIND Anthony Newley   

    60 EL PASO Marty Robbins