The 10 Best Psychedelic Rock Songs of the 1970s

The 10 best psychedelic rock songs of the 1970s according to Rocksmiths.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, often called simply psy rock or in the United States acid rock, is a style of rock music that emerged in the mid-1960s. The style is characterized by distorted guitars, mind-altering lyrics, and trippy sound effects. Psychedelic rock often employs one or more of the following musical elements: feedback, extended guitar solos, unusual time signatures, and heavy use of effects such as echo and reverb.

If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, then you’ll love this list of the 10 best psychedelic rock songs of the 1970s. From Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” to Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir,” these songs are sure to take you on a journey. So sit back, turn up the volume, and enjoy!

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a psychedelic rock song released in 1968 by the American band Iron Butterfly. The song was written by Doug Ingle and is included on the band’s second studio album of the same name. The song is notable for its length, particularly for its extended drum solo which occupies almost the entire second half of the song.

The song was a commercial success, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968 and selling over one million copies. In 2004, it was ranked #43 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum is a song that epitomizes the psychedelic rock genre. The song was released in 1967 and became an instant classic. It has been covered by many artists over the years, but the original version by Procol Harum is the one that is most commonly associated with the psychedelic rock genre. The song features a prominent organ solo and its lyrics are filled with imagery that is evocative of the psychedelic experience.

“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” is a classic example of psychedelic rock. The song was originally released in 1967, but it became a hit in 1972 when it was re-released. The song features a hypnotic, dreamlike quality that is typical of psychedelic rock. The lyrics describe a person’s emotions during a time of change and upheaval, and the music reflected the turbulent mood of the 1970s.

“The Story in Your Eyes” by The Moody Blues

“The Story in Your Eyes” is a 1971 psychedelic rock song by The Moody Blues. It was written by Justin Hayward and was included on the band’s 1971 album, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. The song peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart in 1972.

The lyrics of “The Story in Your Eyes” tell the story of a relationship between two people, from the moment they meet until the time they part ways. The song is narrated by the man in the relationship, who looks back on his time with the woman fondly.

The song’s music video was directed by Mike Mansfield and features the band performing the song in a studio. The video was released in 1971 and received heavy rotation on MTV in the 1980s.

“The Story in Your Eyes” is considered to be one of The Moody Blues’ best songs, and is often cited as an example of their psychedelic sound. It has been covered by numerous artists, including George Harrison, R.E.M., and Deep Purple.

“Goin’ Back” by The Byrds

“Goin’ Back” is a song by The Byrds, written by Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and Michael Clarke. It was first released as a single in 1967 and later appeared on the band’s album Younger Than Yesterday in 1967. The song was inspired by the 1966 film The Philadelphia Story, which featured a similar storyline to the song. “Goin’ Back” became a minor hit single for the Byrds, peaking at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In recent years, the song has been praised by music critics as one of the best psychedelic rock songs of the 1960s.

“Psychotic Reaction” by Count Five

One of the biggest garage rock hits of the 1960s, “Psychotic Reaction” was re-released in the 1970s and became a classic of the genre. The song’s driving guitar riff and psychedelic melody made it an instant hit with psychedelic rock fans.

“She’s a Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones

“She’s a Rainbow” is a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released as a single in 1967. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and featured on the band’s album Their Satanic Majesties Request.

The song peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2004, it was ranked number 488 onRolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

“She’s a Rainbow” is a psychedelic pop song with Baroque and Eastern influences. It features an orchestral arrangement with strings, flutes, mellotron, tabla, sitar, and tambura. The lyrics describe various colours associated with a woman’s smile.

“White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane

The original psychedelic rock song, “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane is about Alice in Wonderland and the effects of drugs. The opening line, “One pill makes you larger/And one pill makes you small” is a clear reference to drug use, and the rest of the song follows Alice as she goes further down the rabbit hole. The song was released in 1967 and reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“I’m So Tired” by The Beatles

The Beatles were one of the most influential bands of the 20th century, and their impact is still being felt today. One of the band’s most iconic songs is “I’m So Tired,” a dark and depressing track that perfectly capture the frustration and exhaustion of The Beatles’ later years. The song is widely considered to be one of the best psychedelic rock songs of all time.