Some were released decades after they were first written
From soul to rock, these tunes marked the decade
The Swinging Sixties happened decades ago, but their revolutionary impact on music and culture in general still remains to this day. Whether you dig psychedelic rock, soul, or folk, this special decade provided plenty of thrilling jams we all still love. And thanks to all the exploration and experimentation, it laid the path for other musicians and artists for years to come.
Want to head back into the groovy '60s? Then check out this gallery.
A classic Motown song by The Supremes, this 1966 hit is a pop perfection. It topped the US Billboard pop singles chart and made the UK top five when released.
Aretha Franklin famously rejected this song, only deciding to record it when she heard Springfield’s version. It became Springfield's signature tune.
Originally released by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1967, Marvin Gaye's version came out a year later and went to the top of the Billboard pop singles chart for seven weeks.
The first single by The Jackson 5, it was released by Motown in 1969 and became the first no. 1 hit for the band. It was also performed on the band's first television appearances.
With many covers having been released for decades, the 1965 original by Nancy Sinatra is still unforgettable. It reached no. 1 both in the US and the UK when it came out.
Released in 1965, the song became the ultimate signpost for California and the at-the-time counterculture movement. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.
A soul classic, this powerful tune was written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome, and was released in 1966. It reached no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Aretha Franklin brought the funk with gospel flavor with this 1968 single. The song became her seventh top 10 hit in the US, having reached no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Released in 1967 as a single, it topped the charts in the UK, but performed poorly in the US, as the president of the record label disliked the song and refused to promote it.
Written originally by American singer-songwriter Jake Holmes in 1967, Led Zeppelin gave the song a new version on their 1969 debut album. It became one of their biggest hits.
The 1966 hit 'River Deep - Mountain High' is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
First recorded in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael, this tune has been most often associated with soul singer Ray Charles. He recorded it for his 1960 album 'The Genius Hits the Road.'
'Be My Baby' was the girl group's biggest hit, reaching no. 2 in the US and no. 4 in the UK. It's regarded as one of the greatest pop songs of all time.
Released in 1965, 'The Sound of Silence' reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 1967 film 'The Graduate,' together with their famous song 'Mrs. Robinson.'
From their 1966 album 'Pet Sounds,' this song stood out at the time for it harmonic innovation and its subversion of typical pop music. It's often praised as one of the greatest songs ever written by the band.
Included in his album ''68 Comeback Special,' 'Suspicious Minds' was one of the singles that revived Presley's chart success, making it one of his most memorable tracks.
First recorded in 1955, Cash performed the song live to a crowd of inmates at Folsom State Prison in 1968 for his live album 'At Folsom Prison.' This live version reached none. 1 on the country music charts.
Released in 1969, the song quickly became an anti-war movement anthem and a symbol of the counterculture who opposed the US involvement in the Vietnam War.
David Bowie's first mega hit, the psychedelic folk song 'Space Oddity' was released in 1969 and remains to this day one of his most popular songs.
Originally performed in 1961 by Ben E. King, this romantic song has had over 400 recorded versions by many artists, notably Otis Redding and John Lennon.
Released as the opening track from the band's 1969 album 'Let it Bleed,' the song covers topics such as war, murder, violence, and fear.
Described as revolutionary in its combination of musical elements and the cynical sound of Bob Dylan's voice, this song made the artist go from folk singer to the ultimate rock star.
Part of their 1967 album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' this song remains one of the most celebrated songs to come out of the decade.
Written and recorded by Jimi Hendrix in 1967, 'Manic Depression' perfectly showcases Hendrix's unique guitar techniques and cyclical melody.
Recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, this soul song peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart when it came out. It was also no.1 on the hot rhythm & blues singles chart.
Written by front man Lou Reed, this all-time classic rock song describes a man's efforts to obtain heroin in Harlem, New York.
Released in 1965, it was the band's second single release and first under the name The Who. The song has been covered by many artists, including David Bowie.
This French-language song, written by Serge Gainsbourg, tells the story of the famous outlaw couple. It's based on a poem written by Bonnie Parker a few weeks before she and Clyde Barrow were shot.
Sources: (Pitchfork) (Rolling Stone)
See also: The biggest hit songs from the '70s
The biggest hit songs from the ‘60s
From soul to rock, these tunes marked the decade
MUSIC Tunes
The Swinging Sixties happened decades ago, but their revolutionary impact on music and culture in general still remains to this day. Whether you dig psychedelic rock, soul, or folk, this special decade provided plenty of thrilling jams we all still love. And thanks to all the exploration and experimentation, it laid the path for other musicians and artists for years to come.
Want to head back into the groovy '60s? Then check out this gallery.