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.
#40
GOD ONLY KNOWS
The Beach Boys
Few recordings pack heavenly sweetness as masterfully as The Beach Boys did on "God Only Knows", a track from its classic album 'Pet Sounds'. In 1966, this revered song sailed to #2 in Britain. It remains one of the finest singles of the decade.
#39
YOU REALLY GOT ME
The Kinks
Lead singer Ray Davies created a rock anthem with "You Really Got Me", but it's his brother Dave's guitar skills that make the disc unforgettable. Powered by his riff, the 1964 single topped the UK chart and reached #7 in America.
#38
FINGERTIPS (Part I & II)
Stevie Wonder
What better way to introduce a new star than with a thrilling live performance such as "Fingertips". Little Stevie Wonder gave Motown its second US #1. It was the first live recording to reach the chart summit during the Rock Era. The original version was included on his 1963 album 'Little Stevie Wonder- The 12-Year Old Genius'. That was a big call to make so early in his career, but Wonder proved it was prophetic and accurate.
#37
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW
The Shirelles
Songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin started making serious money at the Brill Building once they presented their demo of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" to Don Kirshner. The song was given to The Shirelles to record. Its chart performance provided the girl group genre with its first #1.
#36
ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Bob Dylan wrote "All Along The Watchtower" and included his version on the 1968 album 'John Wesley Harding'. The Jimi Hendrix Experience covered the song for its 'Electric Ladyland' album that same year. In Britain, the remake climbed to #5 and the single made the Top 20 in America. Its popularity brought Dylan even greater glory as well as taking respect for Hendrix as an axeman to loftier heights.
#35
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER
The Beatles
The Beatles continued challenging its contemporaries with each new release. "Strawberry Fields Forever" had a distinct psychedelic approach. It was issued in 1967 as a non-album double A-sided single with "Penny Lane" and made the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.
#34
SAY IT LOUD - I'M BLACK AND I'M PROUD
James Brown
As if the track wasn't funky enough, James Brown injected "Say It Loud- I'm Black And I'm Proud" with a driving message of empowerment. He co-wrote the song with his alto saxist / bandleader Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis. The single topped the Soul Chart for 6 weeks and made the Top 10 on the US Hot 100 in 1968.
#33
I WANNA BE YOUR DOG
The Stooges
American rock group The Stooges was led by Iggy Pop, remembered as the 'Godfather Of Punk'. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" emerged in 1969 and is regarded as a key proto-punk and new wave track.
#32
I'M WAITING FOR THE MAN
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground influenced many rock acts, especially in the genres of punk rock and new wave. "I'm Waiting For The Man" remains a seminal recording for those scenes. Lou Reed penned the song and Andy Warhol produced the track. Unleashed in 1967, the track also appeared on the group's debut album with Nico.
#31
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
Cream
With a line-up that boasted Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, Cream cut several outstanding rock tracks. "Sunshine Of Your Love" was issued in 1967 and lifted off the band's 'Disreali Gears' LP. The track fused British blues, hard rock music and psychedelia. In the UK, the single climbed to #7.
1960
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