The 10 Best Psychedelic Rock Instrumental Songs

If you’re a fan of psychedelic rock, then you’ll definitely want to check out our list of the 10 best psychedelic rock instrumental songs. These songs are perfect for getting lost in your own thoughts and exploring your own mind.

Introduction

Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s. This genre is characterized by its use of extended instrumentation, unusual sounds, and multi-layered arrangements. Psychedelic rock often contains elements of other genres, such as folk, blues, and world music.

Instrumental psychedelic rock songs are rarer than vocal tracks, but they do exist. Here are ten of the best psychedelic rock instrumental songs:

1. “Interstellar Overdrive” by Pink Floyd
2. “A Saucerful of Secrets” by Pink Floyd
3. “Careful with That Axe, Eugene” by Pink Floyd
4. “Atom Heart Mother” by Pink Floyd
5. “Echoes” by Pink Floyd
6. “One of These Days” by Pink Floyd
7. “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” by Pink Floyd
8. “Crystal Ship” by The Doors
9.”Light My Fire” by The Doors
10.”The End” by The Doors

“A Day in the Life” by The Beatles

The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is often cited as the greatest album of all time, and “A Day in the Life” is one of its most iconic tracks. The song is remarkable for its expansive instrumentation, which includes a 42-piece orchestra, as well as its use of studio effects to create an otherworldly soundscape. Lyrically, the song reflects on the monotony and mundanity of everyday life, with the famous line “I’d love to turn you on.”

“I Am the Walrus” by The Beatles

This song was written by John Lennon and released by The Beatles in 1967 on their album Magical Mystery Tour. The song is an example of the psychedelic rock genre and is considered one of the best psychedelic rock songs ever made. The lyrics are based on a poem by Lewis Carroll and the song’s iconic sound is created by the use of feedback, Mellotron, and reverse tape effects.

“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles

“Eleanor Rigby” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released on their 1966 album Revolver. The song was written by Paul McCartney, and credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1967, and has been included in several publications’ lists of the greatest songs of all time.

The instrumental track for “Eleanor Rigby” was recorded on 6 June 1966, during a session for Revolver that produced six other songs, including “Yellow Submarine” and “Good Day Sunshine”. McCartney completed the melody with a Piano solo.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album The Beatles (also known as “the White Album”). It was written by Harrison, the band’s lead guitarist. Inspired by the I Ching, he used an acoustic guitar tuned to an open E7 chord and wove together various psychedelic motifs. The Beatles recorded the track in early October 1968; it was one of the last songs they completed for the album.

In addition to Harrison’s slide guitar playing, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” features contributions from all four Beatles. Ringo Starr played drums using timpani mallets instead of his usual sticks; Paul McCartney added a bass part he later said was inspired by James Brown; and John Lennon, who had originally wanted to play Harrison’s guitar solo, instead played percussion. Although released as a Harrison solo composition, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” has been credited to Lennon–McCartney because of legal wrangling over songwriting credits during the group’s break-up.

The song is considered one of Harrison’s best compositions from his time with the Beatles. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 29 on its list of “The 100 Greatest Beatles Songs”. In 2010, Mojo ranked it number 22 on its list of “The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

“Stairway to Heaven” is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and its iconic opening riff is instantly recognizable to fans of classic rock. The song is also notable for its lengthy, meandering structure and for its use of surrealist imagery. Though the song is primarily instrumental, it does feature some vocals from Robert Plant during the final minute.

“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin

“Kashmir” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, off their eighth and final studio album, In Through the Out Door (1979). The song was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over a period of several years with contributions from John Bonham, John Paul Jones, and Jason Bonham. It is Led Zeppelin’s longest studio recording, at nearly eight minutes.

The song’s length, musical complexity,and Page’s signature guitar riff made it one of the band’s most popular tracks. It has been praised by critics as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

“Conquistador” by Procol Harum

“Conquistador” is a song by the English rock band Procol Harum, written by the group’s lead singer and pianist Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid. It was released as a single in 1967, reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song also appeared on the band’s debut album, Procol Harum (1967).

The song is an example of Psychedelic Rock, with its use of a theremin (played by guest musician Hughie Flint), and has been described as “a fine example of British Psychedelicia”. Brooker has stated that he wrote the song while taking a Spanish class, and that Reid’s lyrics were inspired by a poem by 17th-century Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ween, and Primus.

“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues

“Nights in White Satin” is a 1967 single by the Moody Blues. The song was written by Justin Hayward, the group’s lead guitarist and singer. It is included on their seventh studio album, Days of Future Passed. The song’s lyrics are about the beauty of love and include the memorable lines “Nights in white satin, never reaching the end/ Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send”.

The song was innovative for its time in its use of classical influences and keyboards, and it became a huge hit, reaching #2 in the UK and #1 in Canada. It has since been included on numerous compilation albums and is widely regarded as one of the best psychedelic rock songs ever recorded.

“The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

“The House of the Rising Sun” is a traditional folk song, thought to have originated in England in the 16th century. The song tells the story of a young man who is led astray by gambling and alcohol and ends up in jail. In 1964, the English rock band The Animals recorded a version of the song that became a worldwide hit. The Animals’ version of “The House of the Rising Sun” is a slow, bluesy arrangement that features lead singer Eric Burdon’s distinctive growl. The song’s simple, repetitive chord progression and dark lyrics create a haunting and atmospheric feeling that perfect for psychedelic rock.