Best Psychedelic Pop Rock Bands of All Time

Looking for some new music to check out? Why not go for something a little different and explore the best psychedelic pop rock bands of all time? From classic acts like The Beatles and The Beach Boys to more modern groups like Tame Impala and MGMT, there’s something for everyone on this list. So sit back, relax, and let the good vibes flow.

The Beatles

The Beatles’ psychedelic phase

The Beatles’ psychedelic phase began in late 1966 and continued until the group’s break-up in 1970. It marked the first time the band incorporated experimental techniques from rock music’s . . .

The Beatles’ best psychedelic songs

Psychedelic music became widely popular in the 1960s, and The Beatles were at the forefront of the genre. From “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” to “I Am the Walrus,” the band produced some of the most iconic psychedelic pop songs of all time. Here are 10 of The Beatles’ best psychedelic songs, ranked.

10. “Getting Better”

Released on 1967’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” this track is a perfect example of The Beatles’ knack for creating catchy, upbeat melodies laced with psychedelia. The song features a great vocal performance from Paul McCartney, as well as some stellar guitar work from George Harrison.

9. “She Said She Said”

This track, which was written about an acid trip that John Lennon took with actor Peter Fonda, perfectly captures the disorienting and confusing feeling of being under the influence of LSD. Lennon’s jumbled vocals and Harrison’s atmospheric guitar playing create a truly unsettling vibe that is both unnerving and captivating.

8. “Within You Without You”

One of The Beatles’ most overtly spiritual tracks, “Within You Without You” features Indian instrumentation and philosophical lyrics about the importance of love and unity. Harrison’s sitar playing is beautifully haunting, and his stripped-down vocal performance is both vulnerable and wise beyond his years.

7. “I Am the Walrus”

A trippy, mind-bending track from 1967’s “Magical Mystery Tour,” “I Am the Walrus” is one of The Beatles’ most experimental and avant-garde songs. Featuring distorted vocals, chaotic sound effects, and nonsensical lyrics, the song feels like a journey into another realm entirely. It’s both unsettling and strangely beautiful.

6. “Tomorrow Never Knows”

The final track on 1966’s “Revolver,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” is a hazy, ethereal tune that feels like it’s constantly shifting and evolving. Featuring backwards tapes, looped percussion, and George Harrison’s sitar playing, the song is a masterclass in psychedelic production techniques. Lennon’s detached vocal performance only adds to the track’s enigmatic appeal.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American pop 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 their friend Alan Jardine. The Beach Boys are one of the most influential bands of all time, and their 1964 album “Pet Sounds” is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums ever made. The band’s treatment of topics such as teenage romance, cars, and surfing set them apart from their contemporaries, and their innovative use of sound and studio techniques had a profound effect on popular music.

The Beach Boys’ psychedelic phase

The Beach Boys’ psychedelia is generally seen as confined to their album Smile, which was ultimately abandoned, and the single “Good Vibrations”. However, the band’s critical and popular comeback in 1966 with “Barbara Ann”/”Girl Don’t Tell Me” saw them briefly return to the surf sound which had initially made them famous. The following two years saw Brian Wilson recording songs which would eventually appear on Smile, including “Heroes and Villains”, while the rest of the band continued to tour. In these years, The Beach Boys’ sound increasingly incorporated elements of pop and psychedelic music.

The Beach Boys’ best psychedelic songs

While the Beach Boys are most commonly known for their sun-kissed melodies and carefree way of life, the band actually experimented with psychedelic sounds on several occasions throughout their career. Here are some of their best psychedelic songs.

1) “Good Vibrations” (1966) – The Beach Boys’ signature song is also one of their most psychedelic. It features a range of studio effects, including backwards tape loops and oscillating electronics, that give the track an otherworldly feel.

2) “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (1966) – This track from the Beach Boys’ classic album Pet Sounds employs a number of innovative production techniques, including the use of multiple tracks to create a “wall of sound” effect. The result is a dream-like atmosphere that amplifies the song’s wistful lyrics.

3) “She’s Goin’ Bald” (1967) – This previously unreleased track was recorded during the sessions for the Beach Boys’ album Smile, which was ultimately shelved due to creative differences. The song features chaotic sound effects and instrumentation, giving it a distinctly psychedelic edge.

4) “Hang On to Your Ego” (1967) – This Brian Wilson solo composition was originally intended for inclusion on Smile but was ultimately left off the album. It’s a complex and trippy track that makes heavy use of studio effects, including reverse tape loops and echoey vocals.

5) “Do It Again” (1968) – This upbeat pop song from the Beach Boys’ album 20/20 features one of the band’s most overtly psychedelic moments: a brief but trippy instrumental section towards the end of the track.

The Kinks

The Kinks are often considered one of the best psychedelic pop rock bands of all time. They were one of the first bands to experiment with psychedelic sounds and themes in their music. The Kinks were also one of the first British Invasion bands to have a major impact on the American music scene.

The Kinks’ psychedelic phase

Between 1967 and 1969, the Kinks moved away from their earlier, more basic sound towards a more experimental style; in particular, they began to incorporate elements of British music hall, and later, Indian and Middle Eastern influences. The result was some of the most distinctive music of their career, and includes such well-known tracks as “Waterloo Sunset”, “Days”, and “Victoria”.

The Kinks’ best psychedelic songs

1. “Sunny Afternoon”
2. “Waterloo Sunset”
3. “Tired of Waiting for You”
4. “See My Friends”
5. “All Day and All of the Night”
6. “You Really Got Me”
7. “A Well Respected Man”
8. “Love Me Till the Sun Shines”
9. “Autumn Almanac”
10. “Death of a Clown”

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are one of the most influential bands of all time. They are often credited as the pioneers of psychedelic pop rock. The Rolling Stones were formed in 1962 and they released their debut album in 1964. The album was a commercial and critical success. It peaked at number one on the UK charts and number three on the US Billboard 200 chart.

The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic phase

The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic phase began with their album Their Satanic Majesties Request, released in December 1967. The album is a pastiche of psychedelic rock, with the Stones imitating the style of their contemporaries such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd. Their Satanic Majesties is widely considered to be one of the worst albums by the Stones, and it was a commercial disappointment, peaking at number three in the UK and number two in the US.

The Stones’ experimented with psychedelia on their subsequent albums, Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let it Bleed (1969), with songs such as “Sympathy for the Devil”, “Street Fighting Man”, and “Gimme Shelter”. The band also began to include elements of Indian music on these albums, with sitar on “Street Fighting Man” and tabla on “Beggars Banquet”. The Stones’ embrace of psychedelia was short-lived; by 1970, they had returned to their blues roots.

The Rolling Stones’ best psychedelic songs

1. “She’s a Rainbow” (Their Satanic Majesties Request, 1967)
2. “2000 Light Years from Home” (Their Satanic Majesties Request, 1967)
3. “Citadel” (Beggars Banquet, 1968)
4. “Street Fighting Man” (Beggars Banquet, 1968)
5. “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (Beggars Banquet, 1968)
6. “Sympathy for the Devil” (Beggars Banquet, 1968)
7. “Gimme Shelter” (Let it Bleed, 1969)
8. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (Let it Bleed, 1969)
9. “Midnight Rambler” (Let it Bleed, 1969)
10. “Honky Tonk Women” (Single, 1969)

The Who

Few bands synthesized the energy and exuberance of pop, the heft and power of rock, and the hair-raising experimentalism of psychedelia better than The Who. They were a generational force – the ultimate Mods, and the perfect embodiment of the Swinging Sixties – and continue to influence anyone who straps on a guitar and plugs into an amp.

The Who’s psychedelic phase

The Who’s psychedelic phase began in 1965 with the release of their third single, “I Can’t Explain”. The song was quickly followed by their debut album, My Generation, which featured the track “My Generation”, a song that would become one of their signature tunes. The album also included “I Can See for Miles”, which would become one of their biggest hits.

The Who’s next album, A Quick One, was released in 1966 and featured the track “Happy Jack”. The album was less successful than their debut, but did contain the single “Substitute”, which became a minor hit.

In 1967, The Who released their third album, The Who Sell Out. The album was a concept album based around a pirate radio station. It included the singles “I Can See for Miles” and “Pictures of Lily”. The album was not initially successful, but has since been hailed as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

In 1968, The Who released their fourth album, Magic Bus. The album was less successful than its predecessor, but did contain the singles “I Can’t Reach You” and “Call Me Lightning”.

The Who’s fifth album, Tommy, was released in 1969 and is considered by many to be their masterpiece. The double-album tells the story of a “deaf, dumb and blind boy” who becomes a messiah figure. It includes such classic tracks as “Pinball Wizard”, “I’m Free” and “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. Tommy was an instant success and remains one of the most popular rock operas of all time.

The Who’s best psychedelic songs

The Who’s best psychedelic songs are “I Can See for Miles,” “Pictures of Lily,” “Magic Bus,” and “Pinball Wizard.”