THE 100 GREATEST SONGS of 1964. 

This post: (#100-1) concludes this countdown. 

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1964

THE 100 GREATEST SONGS

MCMLXIV

 

In 1964, Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in South Africa. Dr. Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize. The PLO was founded. Jack Ruby was convicted of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics. President Johnson, who triumphed in the US election that year, signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ‘My Fair Lady’ was a box office hit and won the Best Picture Oscar.

 Here are 100 songs representing the best of the music released during that year.  Twelve months that saw The Beatles conquer America, launching the British Invasion while Berry Gordy Jr.’s Motown label started its major impact on the globe.

Listen to all the songs on the Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/48LzPehmvusdhADt2UXViv?si=b7d7db240d174d55

1

 

WALK ON BY

Dionne Warwick

In 2023, Doja Cat scored a global smash with “Paint The Town Red”. The song samples this poignant composition created by songsmiths Burt Bacharach and Hal David. When they discovered what Dionne Warwick could do with their songs, the team served her up a string of hit singles. “Walk On By” would have to be the best, expressing a deep heartache in its verses. The single was a Top 10 success on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

2

 

DANCING IN THE STREET

Martha & The Vandellas

 

Suddenly, in 1964, the conditions were right for the worldwide breakthrough of an exciting new label based in Detroit. Berry Gordy Jr.’s label began to deliver a steady stream of pop hits that helped bring soul music into the mainstream. One of its most thrilling moments was this Motown classic. Amidst the civil rights movement and race riots, “Dancing In The Street” featured Martha Reeves and her Vandellas  pleading with Americans – both black and white- to come together and… just dance! Marvin Gaye co-wrote this dance classic with William “Mickey” Stevenson. The disc peaked at #2 in the U.S.A.  

 

3

 

MY GIRL

The Temptations

 

In Motown’s fledgling years, Smokey Robinson’s songwriting skill soon proved to be indispensable. His compositions provided hits for many acts on the label’s roster, including this staple. “My Guy” showcased the rich harmonies of Motown’s premier vocal group, The Temptations. Session musicians The Funk Brothers (Motown's in-house band) helped transform Smokey’s song into a classic, starting with that unforgettable guitar intro courtesy of Robert White. The hit marked a change, being the first single by The Temptations to feature David Ruffin on lead vocals. In America, the disc topped both the R&B and Pop charts.

 

4

 

CAN’T BUY ME LOVE

The Beatles

 

The Beatles broke through in 1963, but the group was ubiquitous the following year. Upon landing in America and then appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, the world became aware of who John, Paul, George and Ringo were. Instantly, The Fab Four began a stranglehold on the upper rungs of pop charts all over the planet. “Can’t Buy Me Love” began as a composition by Paul McCartney, including in the band’s film ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and the album of the same name.

 

5

 

GOLDFINGER

Shirley Bassey

 

In September 1964, the third instalment of the James Bond franchise premiered. Title song “Goldfinger” remains the definitive 007 track. Shirley Bassey’s archetypal execution of the hit is both foreboding and sexual. No wonder she was invited back for 2 subsequent Bond film tunes: ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ and ‘Moonraker’. In Britain, the single reached #21 and it peaked at #8 Stateside.

 

6

 

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke’s days on the gospel circuit were very much in the past by 1964. The influential soul singer had crossed over to the secular. With “A Change Is Gonna Come”, Cooke’s message is as potent as Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. The singer foresees a change in America, which at the time was dealing with racism and segregation. His composition became a civil rights anthem as the country grappled with the assassination of JFK in late 1963 and the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964.

 

7

 

ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART

Cilla Black

Dionne Warwick recorded the original version of “Anyone Who Had A Heart” in 1963. The song was another classic penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Cilla Black recorded a British remake. Produced by George Martin, her cover reached #1 in the UK.  

 

8

 

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Elvis Presley

Premiering in 1964, the film ‘Viva Las Vegas’ starred Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. The title song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. In Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the single was a Top 10 smash. The recording remains one of Presley’s best.

 

9

 

ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE TO REMIND ME

Sandie Shaw

 

The 1960s ushered in several popular British female soloists, including Petula Clark, Lulu, Cilla Black, Helen Shapiro and Sandie Shaw. The latter first made the UK chart with her remake of “Always Something There To Remind Me”, ascending all the way to #1. This was yet another timeless classic from the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

 

10

 

MY GUY

Mary Wells

Mary Wells was one of the first major artists on the Motown label. In 1964, her success would be eclipsed by The Supremes, but not before she had topped the US chart with “My Guy”, giving the legendary label its first number one hit. The enduring love song was composed by Smokey Robinson. He later wrote an answer song of sorts – “My Girl”- recorded by The Temptations (and another #1 hit single for Motown).

 

 

11 SHE’S A WOMAN The Beatles

12 DOWNTOWN Petula Clark

13 YOU DON’T OWN ME Lesley Gore

14 SHE’S NOT THERE The Zombies

15 HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN The Animals

16 DAWN (GO AWAY) The Four Seasons

17 YOU’RE MY WORLD Cilla Black

18 BABY LOVE The Supremes

19 RAG DOLL The Four Seasons

20 THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO

The Temptations

 

21 I’M INTO SOMETHING GOOD Herman’s Hermits

22 WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO The Supremes

23 UNDER THE BOARDWALK The Drifters

24 MR. PITIFUL Otis Redding

25 AND I LOVE HER The Beatles

26 REACH OUT FOR ME Dionne Warwick

27 FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY Gerry & The Pacemakers

28 YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’

The Righteous Brothers

29 WHEN IN ROME (I DO AS THE ROMANS DO)

Barbra Streisand

30 ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC The Beatles

 

31 TOO MANY FISH IN THE SEA The Marvelettes

32 THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT Frank Sinatra

33 IT’S IN HIS KISS (THE SHOOP SHOOP SONG) Betty Everett   

34 COME SEE ABOUT ME The Supremes

35 IT’S OVER Roy Orbison

36 EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE Solomon Burke

37 IF I FELL The Beatles

38 LEADER OF THE PACK The Shangri-Las

39 DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY Manfred Mann

40 PEOPLE Barbra Streisand

 

41 SUSPICION Elvis Presley

42 MY BOY LOLLIPOP Millie Small

43 A HARD DAY’S NIGHT The Beatles

44 DON’T WORRY BABY The Beach Boys

45 HOW SWEET IT IS (TO BE LOVED BY YOU) Marvin Gaye

46 WISHIN’ AND HOPIN’ Dusty Springfield

47 WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM The Searchers

48 OH, PRETTY WOMAN Roy Orbison     

49 I FEEL FINE The Beatles

50 I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF

Dusty Springfield

 

51 BABY I LOVE YOU The Ronettes

52 THINGS WE SAID TODAY The Beatles

53 AS TEARS GO BY Marianne Faithfull   

54 FUN, FUN, FUN The Beach Boys

55 A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE Peter & Gordon

56 I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER The Beatles

57 I GET AROUND The Beach Boys   

58 WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS Irma Thomas

59 YOU’RE A WONDERFUL ONE Marvin Gaye

    60 HE WAS REALLY SAYIN’ SOMETHIN’ The Velvelettes

 

61 BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING The Four Tops

    62 WALKING IN THE RAIN The Ronettes

63 YOU REALLY GOT ME The Kinks

64 NEEDLES AND PINS The Searchers

65 LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA

Jan & Dean

66 C’MON AND SWIM Bobby Freeman

    67 GLORIA Them   

68 EIGHT DAYS A WEEK The Beatles

69 YOU’LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN

(IF YOU BREAK MY HEART) Dionne Warwick

70 ALL DAY AND ALL OF THE NIGHT The Kinks

 

71 STAY AWHILE Dusty Springfield

72 THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ Bob Dylan

73 YOU CAN’T DO THAT The Beatles

74 CHAPEL OF LOVE The Dixie Cups

75 DO I LOVE YOU? The Ronettes

   76 HAVE I THE RIGHT The Honeycombs

     77 NO REPLY The Beatles

    78 UM, UM, UM, UM, UM, UM Major Lance 

79 SHE’S A MOD Ray Columbus & The Invaders

80 SILENCE IS GOLDEN The Four Seasons

 

81 IT HURTS TO BE IN LOVE Gene Pitney

     82 I’LL BE BACK The Beatles

83 CAN’T YOU HEAR MY HEART BEAT Herman’s Hermits

84 DON’T THROW YOUR LOVE AWAY The Searchers

    85 I’LL FOLLOW THE SUN The Beatles

86 JUST ONE LOOK The Hollies

87 IT’S ALL OVER NOW The Rolling Stones

88 BIG MAN IN TOWN The Four Seasons

89 BAD TO ME Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas

90 ANY TIME AT ALL The Beatles

 

91 BAMA LAMA, BAMA LOO Little Richard

92 SUCH A NIGHT Elvis Presley

93 WHEN I GROW UP (TO BE A MAN) The Beach Boys

94 THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA Stan Getz & astrud Gilberto

95 REMEMBER (WALKING IN THE SAND) The Shangri-Las

96 I’LL CRY INSTEAD The Beatles

 97 LET IT BE ME Jerry Butler & Betty Everett

98 HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE The Swinging Blue Jeans

99 HELLO DOLLY Louis Armstrong

100 I’M A LOSER The Beatles