The Best Pop Music of the 1960s
What were the best pop songs of the 1960s? This blog post looks at some of the most popular and iconic tunes from that decade.
Introduction
The 1960s were a time of great change in the pop music landscape. The British Invasion, led by the Beatles, changed the sound of pop music and brought it to new heights of popularity. Motown’s soulful sounds dominated the charts, while psychedelic rock and folk music also made their mark. This was a decade of incredible diversity in pop music, and it produced some of the most iconic and influential songs of all time. Here are just a few of the best pop songs from the 1960s.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band of the 20th century. They were also leaders of the British Invasion of the US pop market. The Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with sales of over 600 million records worldwide.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys were an American rock band formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961. The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. The band’s early music gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a Southern California youth culture of surfing, cars, and romance. As the decade progressed, the band increasingly incorporated elements of pop, experimental music, and classical themes in their music.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London, England, in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), and Charlie Watts (drums). Jones was removed from the band less than a month prior to his death in 1969, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974. After Taylor’s departure, Ronnie Wood took his place in 1975 and has remained a member ever since.
The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964. The band identified with the rebellious counterculture of the 1960s. They were instrumental in making blues a major part of rock and roll, and of developing the characteristic sound of rock and roll guitar. Jones left the band less than a month before his death in 1969; musician Mick Taylor took his place soon afterwards. The Stones have not had a guitarist play on every album since Taylor’s departure; Ron Wood joined them permanently in 1975. One of the world’s best-selling music artists of all time, they have sold more than 200 million records worldwide.
Motown
The 1960s were a time of great change in the music industry, and Motown was at the forefront of that change. Founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, Motown was the first record label to be owned and operated by an African American. The company made a huge impact on the pop music scene, with hits like “My Girl” by The Temptations, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5. Motown was also known for its strong commitment to social justice, using its platform to promote racial equality. In the 1970s, the label continued to produce hits with artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Smokey Robinson. Motown is still active today, with a roster of contemporary artists that includes Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Lorde.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 1960s was a decade that saw the birth of pop music as we know it today. A wide variety of artists emerged during this time, experimenting with different sounds and styles that would influence the music scene for years to come. While there are too many great songs to list them all here, these 10 tracks are a good representation of the best pop music the 1960s had to offer.
