Top 10 American Psychedelic Rock Songs

Looking for some great psychedelic rock songs to add to your playlist? Check out our top 10 picks for the best American psychedelic rock songs of all time!

Introduction

Psychedelic rock, also referred to as psychedelia, is a diverse style of rock music that was inspired, influenced, or created by psychedelic experiences. It is generally characterized by trippy sound effects, extended electric guitar solos, and cosmic themes.

Psychedelic rock reached the peak of its popularity in the mid- to late 1960s, with bands such as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and The Doors achieving mainstream success. The genre also had a significant impact on early heavy metal music, particularly through Jimi Hendrix’s incorporation of feedback and distorted guitars.

Despite its brief moment in the sun, psychedelic rock has left a lasting impression on American music. Here are ten of the best American psychedelic rock songs of all time.

“She’s a Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones

She’s a Rainbow is a song by The Rolling Stones, released on their 1967 album Their Satanic Majesties Request. According to Keith Richards, it was inspired by Brian Jones’ girlfriend Anita Pallenberg. The song features keyboard and Mellotron from guest musician Nicky Hopkins, as well as recorder playing from Brian Jones.

“White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane

“White Rabbit” is a song written by Grace Slick and recorded by the American rock band Jefferson Airplane. The song was released as a single in 1967, peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and was included on their second album, Surrealistic Pillow.

The song is considered to be one of the defining works of the psychedelic rock genre and has been covered by numerous artists, including Lana Del Rey, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, and Ellie Goulding.

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” is a song by the British rock band Procol Harum. It was released as their debut single on 12 May 1967 and included on their first album, Procol Harum. The single reached number 1 in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, and South Africa.

The song was written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid. The organist Matthew Fisher claimed in a High Court action in 2009 that he contributed to the melody, but his claim was rejected by the court.

The single’s success propelled its parent album to number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and number 39 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States. In 2018, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 57 on its list of “The 100 Greatest Debut Singles of All Time”.

“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues are an English rock band that formed in Birmingham in 1964. The group is best known for their 1967 hit “Nights in White Satin” which was included on their album Days of Future Passed. The song peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

“The House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

“The House of the Rising Sun” is a traditional folk song, said to have been collected by folklorist Alan Lomax in the early 1940s from an African-American singer in the New Orleans area. The song became widely known after it was recorded and released by The Animals in 1964. The band’s version, which was influenced by rock and roll, blues, and gospel music, became a transatlantic hit later that year and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

“Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

“Purple Haze” is a song written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second single by the Jimi Hendrix Experience on March 17, 1967. The song features his distinctive blues-influenced guitar playing, which includes the use of feedback and distorted amplifiers. It also features military-style drumming by Mitch Mitchell.

The single was backed with “51st Anniversary”, which was recorded during the same sessions. The song peaked at number three in the UK, number two in Canada, and number sixty-two in the US.

“Purple Haze” has been described as one of Hendrix’s most memorable songs and is often seen as an anthem for the psychedelic experience.

“All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan

All Along the Watchtower” is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding, and it has been included on most of Dylan’s subsequent greatest hits compilations. Since the late 1970s, he has performed it in concert more than any of his other songs. Different versions appear on live albums by bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

The song is anchored by an urgent, simple electric guitar riff that repeats throughout the entire composition. The lyrics are written in a concise, open-ended style that allows multiple interpretations of the speaker’s observations while he “stands on the watchtower.” According to Beatles biographer Jonathan Gould, the lyrics refer to either the Book of Isaiah or the Book of Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible, or possibly to both.

“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones

“Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones is a Psychedelic Rock song that was released in 1966. The song is about the Vietnam War and the loss of innocence that came with it. The lyrics are written in a dark and despairing tone, and the music reflects this with its heavy use of reverb and feedback.

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by Iron Butterfly

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is a psychedelic rock song originally performed by the American band Iron Butterfly, released on their 1968 album of the same name. The 17-minute track was edited down to 2 minutes and 54 seconds for a single release. Despite heavy radio airplay, the single only reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. It became a gold record, selling over one million copies in the United States.