Psychedelic Rock of 1967: The Best of the Best

Psychedelic rock reached its peak in 1967, with many of the genre’s best and most influential songs being released that year. This blog looks at some of the best of the best from 1967.

The Best Psychedelic Songs of 1967

1967 was a banner year for Psychedelic Rock, with groundbreaking albums being released by The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and more. In this article, we’ll be countdown the best Psychedelic songs of 1967.

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” – Procol Harum

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” is a song by the British rock band Procol Harum, released 12 May 1967. The single reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart on 8 June 1967 and stayed there for six weeks, and was also a hit in many other countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” became one of the anthems of the Summer of Love.

The song was written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, and is sung in first-person narrative. The lyrics describe an event seen through the eyes of someone who is not really sure what he has witnessed or how to react to it. The singer sees a girl he knows, who appears to be somebody else: “She look[ed] so perfect standing there in her diamond shoes”. He tries to keep his cool and not make a scene: “I’m never sure if I am wrong or right”. They have been drinking champagne, which has made him dizzy: “And then I had a drink, I don’t know why”. He becomes entranced by her beauty: “Seems she vanished in thin air”.

The song was recorded in March 1967 at Advision Studios in London with producer Denny Cordell. The band members were unhappy with Cordell’sMI5-style surveillance during recording sessions and his insistence on multiple takes. They felt that he did not understand their music or what they were trying to achieve. Engineer Hugh Jones was able to capture the spontaneous feeling of the performance by using a four-track recorder instead of the usual eight-track machine.

The song features Matthew Fisher’s Hammond organ solo, which according to Brooker was improvised in one take. Reid’s lyrics were inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” and anxiety caused by psychedelic drugs; he has said that the lyrics are about “a guy being jilted”, but some commentators have interpreted them as referencing an encounter with a prostitute or dealing with the death of aristocracy.

“All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles

This song was written by John Lennon and released on the Beatles’ album Magical Mystery Tour. The song is a simple ode to love, with the repeated chorus of “All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.” The lyrics were inspired by Lennon’s experience attending the Human Be-In, a gathering of hippies in San Francisco in January 1967. The song was released as a single in July 1967 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

“I Can See for Miles” – The Who

I Can See for Miles is a song by the English rock band The Who. It was written by Pete Townshend and released as a single in October 1967, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart and number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song appeared on the band’s fourth studio album, The Who Sell Out (1967).

The song is about Townshend’s failed relationship with his then-girlfriend, model Karen Astley. Townshend wrote the song while he was in London and longing for Astley, who was in Australia at the time. The lyrics contain many references to long-distance communication, including radio, television, and telegraphy.

Musically, I Can See for Miles is powered by a distinctive bassline from John Entwistle and features a classical-inspired guitar solo from Townshend. It is one of the first pop songs to feature feedback prominently in the mix. The Who recorded the song at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London, in May 1967. Audio engineer Glyn Johns achieved the feedback sound by feeding an amplified guitar signal back through an empty tape deck.

The single was released in October 1967 and became a top 10 hit in both the UK and US. In 1968, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 99 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. In 2004, it was voted number 559 in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time poll.

“Light My Fire” – The Doors

One of the most iconic songs of the psychedelic era, “Light My Fire” was the opening track and first single from The Doors’ self-titled debut album. Penned by guitarist Robby Krieger, the song was originally conceived as a bluesy, jazzy number inspired by music of the time. However, after frontman Jim Morrison added his own lyrics and vocal style to the mix, the song became a veritable psychedelic classic.

“Somebody to Love” – Jefferson Airplane

Recorded in just two days in early October of 1967, “Somebody to Love” quickly became a favorite of both fans and the band themselves. It was released as a single in November and became a huge hit, eventually reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While many consider it to be one of the defining songs of the psychedelic era, Grace Slick has said that it’s really just a simple love song.

The Best Psychedelic Albums of 1967

Psychedelic rock reached its peak in 1967, with bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Doors experimenting with mind-altering drugs and sounds. The result was some of the most trippy, mind-bending music ever made. Here are the 10 best psychedelic albums of 1967.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles

Considered by many to be the best album of all time, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band changed the way people thought about music. The album was a concept album that told the story of a group of fictional characters, and it included some of the Beatles’ most experimental and innovative music. With its beautiful melodies, complex arrangements, and stunning production, Sgt. Pepper’s is an essential part of any psychedelic collection.

The Piper at the Gates of Dawn – Pink Floyd

In 1967, Pink Floyd released their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. While the band’s subsequent output would see them move away from the psychedelic sound of their debut, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is still regarded as one of the best psychedelic albums ever made.

musical experimentation and Syd Barrett’s lyrics, which were often inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. The album also features some of Pink Floyd’s most iconic tracks, such as “Astronomy Domine” and “Lucifer Sam”.

Are You Experienced – Jimi Hendrix

Are You Experienced is the debut album from legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, released in 1967. The album features some of Hendrix’s best-known songs, including “Purple Haze,” “Fire,” and “The Wind Cries Mary.” Are You Experienced is widely considered one of the greatest debut albums of all time, and it cemented Hendrix’s status as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of his generation.

Axis: Bold as Love – Jimi Hendrix

Released in 1967, Axis: Bold as Love is the second studio album by rock legend Jimi Hendrix. The album saw Hendrix expanding his sound beyond the blues-based foundation of his debut, incorporating elements of soul, pop, and psychedelic rock. The result was an ambitious and experimental work that showcased Hendrix’s extraordinary skills as a musician and songwriter.

While Axis: Bold as Love was not an immediate commercial success, it has since come to be regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at number five on their list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time,” while Loudersound named it the best psychedelic album of 1967.

Strange Days – The Doors

One of the most important and influential rock albums of all time, The Doors’ Strange Days was released in September 1967. It was the band’s second album, following their self-titled debut album which was released in January of the same year. Strange Days peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and includes the classic singles “People Are Strange” and “Love Me Two Times”. The album is considered one of the greatest psychedelic albums ever made, and it’s certainly one of the most essential releases from 1967.

The Best Psychedelic Movies of 1967

1967 was a banner year for psychedelic rock, and many great bands released albums that are now considered classics. The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Doors released Strange Days, and The Grateful Dead released Anthem of the Sun. All of these albums were influential in the development of psychedelic rock, and each band would go on to have a lasting impact on the genre.

The Trip – Roger Corman

The Trip is a 1967 American counterculture film directed by Roger Corman, written by Jack Nicholson, and produced by Corman’s American International Pictures. The film stars Peter Fonda as Paul Groves, a television commercial director who takes LSD for the first time. Dennis Hopper co-stars as John Blake, an attorney and old friend of Groves who also takes the drug. Bruce Dern appears in a supporting role as Lawrence Werbell III, Groves’ business associate.

Corman was inspired to make The Trip after attending a screening of Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries (1957), which had LSD-inspired dream sequences. He began working on the film with Nicholson in early 1967, shortly before the Summer of Love began. Principal photography took place in Los Angeles between March and April 1967.

The Trip was released in August 1967 to mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, grossing $8 million at the box office. Over the years, the film has developed a cult following among fans of psychedelic cinema.

Head – Bob Rafelson

Bob Rafelson’s Head is one of the most psychedelic movies of 1967. It stars the Monkees and features cameos from Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, and Peter Tork. The movie is a series of skits and vignettes that are pieced together to form a story. The film is surreal and often nonsensical, but that’s part of its charm.

Easy Rider – Dennis Hopper

Considered one of the most influential films of the late 20th century, Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider” follows two motorcycle hippies (played by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper) as they travel across America. Along the way, they pick up a hitchhiking hitchhiker named George (played by Jack Nicholson), who joins them on their journey. The film is noted for its criticism of American society, as well as its positive portrayal of drug use and counterculture values.

Psych-Out – Richard Rush

This American film was released in 1968 and stars Susan Strasberg, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nicholson, and Bruce Dern. The movie follows a young woman who goes to San Francisco in search of her missing brother. Along the way, she meets a number of colorful characters and ends up getting caught up in the city’s psychedelic rock scene.

The Wild Angels – Roger Corman

One of the most popular films of its time, The Wild Angels starred Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, and Bruce Dern. The plot follows a group of Angel bikers who get into trouble with the law. This film is credited with helping to start the “outlaw” biker genre.