The Best of 60s Psychedelic Rock
Contents
- The Beatles – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
- The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”
- Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
- The Doors – “Light My Fire”
- The Grateful Dead – “Touch of Grey”
- Jefferson Airplane – “Somebody to Love”
- The Kinks – “You Really Got Me”
- The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black”
- The Who – “My Generation”
- Cream – “Crossroads”
A blog dedicated to the best of 60s Psychedelic Rock. Featuring interviews, album reviews, and more.
The Beatles – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, released as the title track of their eighth studio album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and produced by George Martin. Recorded in October 1966, it was the last track to be completed for the album.
The Beach Boys – “Good Vibrations”
The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” is one of the most iconic psychedelic songs of all time. Released in 1966, the song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love and produced by Wilson. It was an instant hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the Beach Boys’ most well-known songs. The song is known for its innovative production, which made use of multiple instruments and sound effects to create an otherworldly sound. The Beach Boys were one of the first bands to experiment with psychedelic soundscapes, and “Good Vibrations” remains a prime example of their innovative style.
Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
“Purple Haze” is one of the most iconic songs of the psychedelic era, and with good reason. The guitars are effects-laden, the lyrics are enigmatic, and the overall tone is just slightly menacing. Jimi Hendrix was a master of creating an otherworldly atmosphere with his music, and “Purple Haze” is one of his finest examples.
The Doors – “Light My Fire”
“Light My Fire” is one of The Doors’ most popular and well-known songs. It was released in 1967 on their self-titled debut album and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by band member Robby Krieger and sung by lead singer Jim Morrison. It is a classic example of the psychedelic rock sound that was popular in the late 1960s.
The Grateful Dead – “Touch of Grey”
The Grateful Dead were an American rock band formed in 1965 in San Francisco. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock. They are considered one of the most influential bands of their era.
“Touch of Grey” is a song by the Grateful Dead, off their 1987 album In the Dark. The song was written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. It was released as a single in 1987 and reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Jefferson Airplane – “Somebody to Love”
“Somebody to Love” is a song written by Darby Slick. It was first recorded by The Great Society, and later by Jefferson Airplane. The Jefferson Airplane version, recorded in 1966, was issued as a single in 1967, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #11 on the UK Singles Chart. It is included on the 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it #274 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In October 1966, “Somebody to Love” became the first psychedelic rock song to hit the Top 10.[citation needed] On December 1, 1966, Jerry Garcia performed the song as an opening act for The Lovin’ Spoonful at Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium.
The Kinks – “You Really Got Me”
“You Really Got Me” is a song written by Ray Davies and performed by The Kinks. It was released in 1964 on their debut album, Kinks, and reached #1 on the UK singles chart that year. The song was also a hit in the United States, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Kinks were one of the first British Invasion bands to achieve success in America, and “You Really Got Me” was a big part of that. The song’s signature riff was played on a Fender Telecaster by guitarist Dave Davies, and its catchy pop hooks made it an instant classic.
While The Kinks would go on to have many other hits, “You Really Got Me” remains their most iconic song, and is considered one of the best examples of 60s psychedelic rock.
The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black”
The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black”
The Rolling Stones – “Paint It, Black” is a song by The Rolling Stones, released as a single in 1966. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it reached #1 in the US and #3 in the UK. The song is considered one of the stones’ best and most popular songs.
The Who – “My Generation”
The Who released “My Generation” in December of 1965, and it quickly became an anthem for the disaffected youth of the time. It’s a song that is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago, with its lyrical references to growing up too fast and not having enough time. The song is propelled by one of the most iconic basslines in rock history, and the guitars are both searing and melodic. This is a song that defined a generation, and it remains one of the most powerful anthems of all time.
Cream – “Crossroads”
“Crossroads” is a song by the British rock band Cream. It was written by Cream bassist and singer Jack Bruce with lyricist Pete Brown, originally titled “Life in the Air”. It was recorded and released as a single in 1968, backed with “Passing the Time”, on Reaction Records in the UK and Atco Records in the US. The song reached number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968 and number four on the UK Singles Chart.
“Crossroads” is one of Cream’s most popular songs. It has been described as a “psych-blues tour de force” and “one of the most influential blues-rock recordings of all time”. The song is also known for its lengthy guitar solo by Eric Clapton.
