Top 10 Greatest Songs of the '60s

The Top Ten
1 Hey Jude - The Beatles

Hey Jude is up there with some of the best songs The Beatles did. This always warms my heart every time I hear it. To sum it up, good stuff.

A landmark Beatles song, and since it is the best song by the best band, it should be No. 1. Satisfaction, Like a Rolling Stone, Good Vibrations, and Respect are all-time classics of the highest quality, but they still can't compare with this song.

My version of this list is the same as my top 10 Beatles songs, with Pinball Wizard and Good Times Bad Times - which I'm not sure if it was in the '60s but I was born in 2001, so cut me some slack. Hey Jude, Something, and Across The Universe should top the list.

2 Goldfinger - Shirley Bassey

The best James Bond theme of them all! Besides being such a unique song that has interested people of all generations for all these years, it's Shirley Bassey's powerful vocal ability that still brings the song to life! Others have attempted this song, but Bassey's renditions, both studio and live, are still the best!

The best theme song of the perennial James Bond series. A famous veteran who actually recorded a James Bond theme herself said that no one can top Shirley when it comes to a Bond song. Bassey is the only vocalist who has recorded more than one (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker).

3 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

One of the greatest hooks of all time. Some of the greatest vocals of all time. Literally in the National Recording Registry. Satisfactory.

4 Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was and is a great poet and one of the best singer/songwriters to ever live. "Like a Rolling Stone" was on top of the charts when it came out, and it should be at the top of this list, honestly. [In my opinion.] Bob originally made the song that was over 10 minutes, and then the producer(s) cut it down to around 7 minutes. When you can write a song that isn't repetitive, over 10 minutes... That's when you know you're a great poet and songwriter. Bob should be at the top of this list with no doubt.

Yes! There is a list on this site that gives Dylan some respect. This song changed the world, not just music. Any music that came after this was affected by it.

5 A Day in the Life - The Beatles

Lennon and McCartney hadn't really written a song together since they started composing separately around the time of the 'Help!' sessions. 'A Day in the Life' was the closest they got during their final stages. Lennon penned the frame of the song. McCartney added the middle interlude. These two separate pieces add up to one glorious whole, a grand masterpiece that closes with a striking and definitive single piano chord, their best album. It's about life, death, and everything in between. And it's the Beatles at their most monumental.

6 All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Not only is it the best '60s song, but it's also the best song ever!

Oh my gosh. It's the best. It's my life's heartbeat.

7 Light My Fire - The Doors

The Beatles said "All you need is love". Morrison said "Come on baby, light my fire." Best songs of all time... love The Doors... love you Jim! Long live the Lizard King!

Even if this song is before my time, it's still a masterpiece.

8 Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones

Yes. This deserves to be in the top 10.

9 The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel

I wish this song had not become a meme. The harmonies are excellent, and it's overall just an amazing song.

The best harmonies humanity has ever produced.

Highly influential folk rock song. Still known in the public eye, for better or for worse.

10 Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones

Best Stones song ever. Guitars are totally awesome and the music is absolutely right. Saw them do it live and it was even better than the record.

Best example of The Stones at their best. Opening guitar riff blows you away.

So good it's almost beyond human comprehension.

The Newcomers

? I'm Waiting for the Man - The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Contenders
11 Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin

It's kinda weird, to be honest, but I still like it.

12 Space Oddity - David Bowie
13 Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

I love the music and lyrics of this song.

14 Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin
15 Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys

Easily the best song of the '60s and perhaps the best pop song ever recorded.

Jesus, this song should be at least in the top 5, not 19th.

Recently, I've been getting into the old stuff from the '60s. I never realized I listened to '60s music when I was a baby! This band was my favorite!

16 Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
17 I'm a Believer - The Monkees

And to think that The Monkees were originally just made for a sitcom and not supposed to be an actual band. "I'm a Believer" is some of the best pop rock of the '60s.

The song was No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in January and February 1967, as well as a Number 1 in numerous countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

18 Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
19 The House of the Rising Sun - The Animals

The electric guitar hook is one of the best in music. Period. The singing has the absolute definition of soul. Despite not first belonging to The Animals, the story really moves under them. The first folk rock hit. All reasons for this song being one of the best of the '60s.

A classic blues rock anthem. Eric Burdon & Chas Chandler at their best!

I like it, I love it, and I want some more of it.

20 Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

I love country music, and that song is one of my top favorites! I performed it at my school, and everyone said it was very nice.

21 California Dreamin - The Mamas and the Papas

It doesn't get any better than this.

22 Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

Mother of George Martin, this is the second Beach Boys song on the list and still no God Only Knows!

23 Twist and Shout - The Beatles

Great song. The Beatles did the best version.

24 Sugar, Sugar - The Archies

Under the nauseating bubble gum music craze of the late '60s is the one that started it all. An absolute earworm. How a cartoon got to No. 1 on the Billboard charts is beyond me, but who cares! It's good.

25 My Generation - The Who

This is it. The ultimate song of rebellion.

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