The Top 10 Psychedelic Rock Songs of All Time

Looking for some mind-bending psychedelic rock? Then check out our list of the top 10 psychedelic rock songs of all time! From classic hits to more obscure tracks, these tunes are sure to trip you out.

The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”

“A Day in the Life” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as the final track of their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The song is credited to Lennon–McCartney, but was primarily written by John Lennon with contributions from Paul McCartney. It is ranked the 28th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”

The Beach Boys’ Smile was Brian Wilson’s Synthesis of a Pop Masterpiece – an epic work that took years to complete, at the cost of the band’s creative momentum, and was ultimately scrapped. Some of its most fetching fragments were salvaged for 1966’s Pet Sounds – including “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B,” “God Only Knows” and “Caroline No.” But the song that finally surfaced as a single from that album – “Good Vibrations,” released in October 1966 – was an atomic blast of avant-garde pop unlike anything anyone had ever heard. It sounded like the future.

Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”

Psychedelic rock, often called simply “psychedelia,” is a style of music that was popularized in the late 1960s and early 1970s. While the musical style has its roots in blues-rock and British Invasion bands like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, psychedelic rock is characterized by distorted guitars, mind-altering lyrics, and extended improvisational jams. The best psychedelic rock songs are mind-bending trips unto themselves, and they’re often some of the most exciting and influential songs in popular music history. Here are ten of the best.

1. Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
2. The Doors – “Light My Fire”
3. Pink Floyd – “Interstellar Overdrive”
4. The Rolling Stones – “Paint It Black”
5. The Beatles – “A Day in the Life”
6. Jefferson Airplane – “Somebody to Love”
7. The Grateful Dead – “Dark Star”
8. Syd Barrett-led Pink Floyd – “See Emily Play”
9. Cream – “Crossroads”
10. 1535 4th Street Explosion – “Psychedelic Symphony #2 (Mark One)”

The Doors – “Light My Fire”

The Doors’ debut album, ‘The Doors’, released in early 1967, contained this timeless classic which would become one of the most enduring anthems of the psychedelic era. Penned by the group’s singer and lyricist Jim Morrison, ‘Light My Fire’ was a slow burning, seven-minute opus which gradually built in intensity to a climax of searing guitars and keyboards. The song was originally released as a single in July 1967 with a shorter, more radio-friendly edit but it was the full length album version which would later become eternalised in the public consciousness.

Pink Floyd – “Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2”

Waters’s seething attack on the education system is as relevant as ever, and its unbridled rage is equaled only by its pop savvy. “Hey! Teacher! Leave those kids alone!” goes the indelible chorus, one of the most unlikely anthems of all time.

The Grateful Dead – “Truckin'”

“Truckin'” is a song by the American rock band the Grateful Dead, which first appeared on their 1970 album American Beauty. The song was co-written by all four members of the band – Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and Ron McKernan.

The song is recognized as one of the band’s most well-known and popular songs, and has been anthologized on numerous compilation albums. In 2004, it was ranked number 288 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

Led Zeppelin – “Whole Lotta Love”

Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” is one of the most iconic psychedelic rock songs of all time. The song was released in 1969 on the band’s second album, Led Zeppelin II. The song features a heavy blues-rock sound with elements of sociology, with Jimmy Page’s guitar work being particularly notable. Robert Plant’s vocals are also particularly psychedelic, which is fitting given the subject matter of the song. The lyrics deal with love and its various forms, including physical love, spiritual love, and unconditional love. The song is an ode to the power of love and its ability to transcend all barriers.

The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”

The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”

The Top 10 Psychedelic Rock Songs of All Time Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a wide-ranging style of rock music influenced by the mind-altering properties of certain drugs. These drugs include LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and mescaline. Psychedelic rock emerged in the mid-1960s and quickly gained popularity with young people around the world. The style is characterized by its use of extended improvisation, unusual sound effects, and distorted guitars.

While the Rolling Stones are not typically associated withpsychedelic rock, their 1969 song “Gimme Shelter” is considered by many to be one of the genre’s finest moments. The song begins with a dark and atmospheric intro that sets the stage for the chaotic and violent lyrical themes that follow. The song then builds to a crescendo with Mick Jagger’s powerhouse vocal performance and Keith Richards’ searing guitar work. “Gimme Shelter” is a perfect example of how the Rolling Stones were able to take psychedelic rock and make it their own.

The Velvet Underground – “Sweet Jane”

When it comes to the history of rock and roll, the Velvet Underground is often cited as one of the most influential bands of all time. Though they only released four studio albums during their brief career, the band left an indelible mark on the music world with their experimental blend of rock, pop, art and noise. “Sweet Jane” is one of their most well-known songs, and its psychedelic edge perfectly encapsulates the group’s unique sound.

The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”

The Who – “Won’t Get Fooled Again”
The perfect marriage of Pete Townshend’s cynical lyrics and Keith Moon’s explosive drumming, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” is the song that punctuates The Who’s rock opera, “Tommy.” The ultimate anthem for anyone who’s ever been jaded by politics or religion, it sums up the frustration of an entire generation in three perfect minutes.