Psychedelic Rock One Hit Wonders You Need to Know About
Contents
Psychedelic rock is a genre that is often misunderstood. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the best psychedelic rock one hit wonders that you need to know about!
The Psychedelic Movement
Psychedelic music first came to prominence in the mid 1960s with bands such as The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones creating what would become known as psychedelic rock. This style of music was characterised by its use of extended solos, unusual sounds, distorted vocals and colourful stage shows. The popularity of psychedelic rock continued into the early 1970s with bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath creating some of the most iconic rock songs of all time.
Origins of Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The term “psychedelic” refers to the experience of altered consciousness that can be caused by drugs such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin. Psychedelic rock music often includes elements of acid rock, website
The British Invasion
The Psychedelic Movement began in the early 1960s, and was characterized by the use of mind-altering drugs like LSD and mushrooms, as well as by a rejection of traditional values and social norms. The music of the time reflect this rebelliousness, with artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable. This list features some of the most successful psychedelic one-hit wonders from Britain, who managed to make a lasting impact despite their short-lived careers.
1. The Rolling Stones – “Paint It Black” (1966)
2. The Animals – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” (1965)
3. Cream – “Sunshine of Your Love” (1967)
4. Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze” (1967)
5. The Doors – “Light My Fire” (1967)
Psychedelic Rock One Hit Wonders
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired, or influenced by, psychedelic culture, which is itself inspired by the experience of altered states of consciousness, including (but not limited to) drug-induced states.
The 13th Floor Elevators – “You’re Gonna Miss Me”
The 13th Floor Elevators are often cited as the first Psychedelic Rock band, and “You’re Gonna Miss Me” is their most recognizable song. The track was released as a single in 1966 and peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Despite its commercial success, the song is best known for its influence on subsequent Psychedelic Rock bands.
Love – “Alone Again Or”
Love was one of the most successful and influential American psychedelic rock bands of the 1960s. They produced a string of hits, including “Alone Again Or”, which peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. The band’s roster changed frequently, but the core lineup always included frontman Arthur Lee. Love disbanded in 1974, but Lee continued to perform and release new music under the Love name until his death in 2006.
The Zombies – “She’s Not There”
The Zombies are a British Invasion-era rock band, best known for their hit single “She’s Not There”. The song was written by band members Rod Argent and Chris White and released as a single in 1964. It peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. “She’s Not There” was originally recorded in a slow, shuffling style similar to that of Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me”, but the band’s label, Decca Records, insisted that the song be re-recorded as a faster, more commercial-sounding track.
The Zombies are considered one of the pioneer bands of the psychedelic rock genre, and were an important influence on later groups such as the Grateful Dead and Cream. The band’s final album, Odessey and Oracle (1968), is ranked #80 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The End of an Era
With the sixties came a new age of music. Psychedelic rock One Hit Wonders You Need to Know About were at the forefront of this change, bringing with them a new sound and a new attitude. These bands changed the course of music history, and their influence can still be felt today. Let’s take a look at some of the most influential psychedelic rock One Hit Wonders You Need to Know About of all time.
The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. They also pioneered the incorporation of feedback and live sound manipulation into rock music with their 1966 album Revolver.
The Doors – “The End”
The End is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It was recorded in August 1966 and released as a single B-side in January 1967. It appeared on their debut album, The Doors, and was included on the compilation albums Strange Days and Weird Scenes Vol. 2.
The song is written and sung by Jim Morrison. It is one of the longest tracks the band ever recorded, at 11:43, and features extended solos by each member of the band. The lyrics are about Morrison’s impending death, which he would achieve just three years later at age 27.
Despite its length and dark subject matter, “The End” was a commercial success for the band, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967. It has since been included on numerous Doors compilations and live albums, and remains one of their most popular songs.
