Top 10 Greatest Songs of the '60s

1. Hey Jude - The Beatles

   

   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.

   Most of The Beatles' songs on this list need to be ranked higher. The impact The Beatles had on the '60s and popular music from then on is undeniable. Most of the other songs after 1964 wouldn't exist without them!

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. 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.

   It's about life, death, and everything in between. And it's the Beatles at their most monumental.

   A Day in the Life tells a story, one with deeper meaning. The John Lennon parts are a dream while Paul's part is the wakeful state. Or the other way around? It's up to you.

   That's what is so great about A Day in the Life, the song that defined the '60s from the band that defined the '60s.

4. (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.

   Timeless song. Could be a hit today.

5. 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.

   Bob originally made the song that was over 10 minutes, and then the producers 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.

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. 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.

9. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys

   

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

   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!

10. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones

    

    Yes. This deserves to be in the top 10.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Sloop John B - The Beach Boys

    
12. ?

    After Laughter (Comes Tears) - Wendy Rene

    
The Contenders

13. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin

    

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

14. 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.

15. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

    

    I love the music and lyrics of this song.

16. Space Oddity - David Bowie

    

17. 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 and Chas Chandler at their best!

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

18. Dazed and Confused - Led Zeppelin

    

19. My Generation - The Who

    

    This is it. The ultimate song of rebellion.

20. I'm a Believer - The Monkees

    

    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.

    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.

21. Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

    

22. 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.

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. Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

    

26. Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones

    

    This should be in second place, right below Gimme Shelter.

27. California Dreamin - The Mamas and the Papas

    

    It doesn't get any better than this.