Favorite Songs of the 1960's!

[nolemmings]

Dan nailed it-- Gimme Shelter is my favorite Stones song and is my cell phone ringtone. I also concur with For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield.

Others on my top ten are probably no surprise.

Born to be Wild--Steppenwolf
House of the Rising Sun-- the Animals (also done well by Frijid Pink)
Dear Mr. Fantasy--Traffic
Summer in the City-- Lovin' Spoonful
Positively 4th Street-- coldest line ever-- "Yeah I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes--you'd know what a drag it is to see you"
Cross-town Traffic--Jimi
The Weight-- The Band
Whipping Post--Allman Bros. Band

I also think nearly anything Beatles qualifies-- I personally think Beatles for Hire (Beatles '65) doesn't get enough love, with I'll Follow the Sun and No Reply.

I also like virtually all types of music from that era, even Wichita Lineman and Desmond Dekker's Isrealites. I liked Ma Belle Amie by the Tee Set, Hurdy Gurdy Man, Monday. Monday and You Keep Me Hangin On by Vanilla Fudge.

I was lucky enough to be growing up in the five-year period 1969-1973, when some of the best albums were released: Pink Floyd-Dark Side, Traffic-Low Spark, Santana-Abraxas, Allman Bros.-Fillmore East, Jethro Tull-Aqualung, ELP-Brain Salad Surgery. Yes--Fragile, Guess Who-American Woman, The Who--Who's Next, CSNY-Deja Vu, CCR-Willy and the Poor Boys, and Grateful Dead--Workingman's Dead. I'm sure I'm leaving out others, like Moody Blues Seventh Sojourn, Eagles-Eagles, Little Feat and Poco, for example. Man those were good times.

[steve B]

What amazes me about the mid 60's-early 70's music is how much of it has aged well. I was pretty young, so I wasn't really into it then but got interested in the mid-late 70's Jr high-high school. And hearing much of it now It still sounds good.

But the stuff I should like based on age - the late 70's - mid 80's stuff? Most of it falls into the "what the _ was I thinking" category.

Steve B

[Robextend]

I just heard on Sirius 60's Bobby Fuller Four "I Fought The Law"...what a great song!

How about the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death!?!?! Crazy

[barrysloate]

Todd's list is terrific- my favorites would be House of the Rising Sun, and unquestionably Dear Mr. Fantasy (one of the best songs of the era).

And I agree with Steve B.- the music from 1964-70 has aged well and remains resonant. Much of the music of the 70's and 80's, however, already sounds dated.

[judsonhamlin]

There are so many that you all have already thrown out - let me add:

Quinn the Eskimo (Manfred Mann's version)
Circle of Friends - Phil Ochs (and most of his other songs, as well)
Peace Frog - Doors
Free Four - Pink Floyd
Victoria - Kinks
Concrete & Clay - Unit 4 + 2

[Robextend]

Originally Posted by judsonhamlin

Concrete & Clay - Unit 4 + 2

That's a great song. I made myself a compilation CD of one hit wonder British Invasion songs and that song is on it. Also on it are The Honeycombs - Have I the Right? and Walker Brothers - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

[barrysloate]

Concrete and Clay is one of the best songs for a group that never had another hit.

[Davalillo]

Unit Four Plus Two not really a one hit wonder. Concrete and Clay peaked at #28 in 1965 but this was because there were two competing versions of the song(the other by Eddie Rombeau). I hit #12 in Cash Box. Interestingly, it was a #1 hit in England.

Unit Four Plus Two followed this up with You've Never Been in Love Like This Before which peaked at #95--so technically band not a one hit wonder.

The Honeycombs followed up their#5 hit Have I the Right? with I Can't Stop which peaked at #48.

The Walker Brothers other hit was Make It Easy on Yourself which peaked at #16 with 10 weeks on the chart. They also scored with My Ship is Comin' In which peaked at #63.