Top 10 Psychedelic Rock Songs of All Time

In celebration of the genre, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 psychedelic rock songs of all time.

The Doors- “Light My Fire”

The Doors’ “Light My Fire” is one of the most iconic psychedelic rock songs of all time. The song was released as a single in 1967 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, eventually reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song features a simple, yet catchy, riff played on a keyboard which is accompanied by the band’s signature bluesy guitar sound. Lyrically, the song is about a man who is trying to woo a woman with promises of arson and destruction. Despite its dark subject matter, the song was a huge commercial success and remains one of the most popular songs by The Doors.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience- “Purple Haze”

“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 inventive guitar playing, which combines blues elements with feedback and distortion. The single charted at number three in the United Kingdom and number six in the United States. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it the seventh greatest guitar song of all time.

Jefferson Airplane- “Somebody to Love”

Released in 1966, “Somebody to Love” is a song written by Darby Slick. The song was originally performed by The Great Society, and later by Jefferson Airplane. The song is considered one of the defining works of the psychedelic rock genre.

“Somebody to Love” is written in the key of C major, and features a call and response vocal harmony between Grace Slick and Paul Kantner. The song’s lyrics are based on the question “How can you love somebody when there’s nobody to love?”

The song was first recorded by The Great Society, and was included on their album, Conspicuous Only in Its Absence. The album was not a commercial success, and the band broke up shortly after its release.

Jefferson Airplane were regulars at the Fillmore West, and became friends with The Great Society. When The Great Society broke up, Grace Slick joined Jefferson Airplane, and “Somebody to Love” became one of their signature songs.

The Jefferson Airplane version of “Somebody to Love” was included on their 1967 album Surrealistic Pillow, which was a commercial and critical success. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200, and helped to establish Jefferson Airplane as one of the leading bands of the psychedelic rock genre.

In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked “Somebody to Love” #338 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs 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 music was written by bassist Phil Lesh and lyricist Robert Hunter. Drummer Mickey Hart and guitarist Bob WeirAdded section on how each type of roast differs in appearance, taste, and caffeine levels. expanded on the tasting notes for each type of roast. also contributed to the song. “Truckin'” quickly became a signature song for the Grateful Dead and remains one of their most-loved songs to this day.

The song’s verses follow the adventures of a trucker named Roscoe as he makes his way across America. The trucker’s life is full of challenges, but he remains optimistic throughout, singing “I’m just truckin’, like I’ve always done.” In the end, Roscoe finds himself at a crossroads, not sure which way to go. But he concludes with the resolve that “what a long, strange trip it’s been.”

“Truckin'” was adapted into a number of other media over the years, including a 1973 film of the same name starring director John Milius. The song has also been covered by a number of other artists, including country singer Willie Nelson and rock band Phish.

Cream- “Sunshine of Your Love”

When it comes to psychedlic rock, Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” is often cited as one of the best. The song was released in 1967 and quickly became a hit, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features a memorable guitar riff from Eric Clapton and is considered one of the most influential psych rock songs of all time.

The Rolling Stones- “Gimme Shelter”

The Rolling Stones are considered one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and “Gimme Shelter” is one of their most iconic songs. The song was released in 1969 on the album Let It Bleed, and it quickly became a staple of the band’s live performances. The lyrics, which were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, are about the dark side of humanity, and the song features some of the band’s most impressive musicianship. “Gimme Shelter” is a classic example of psychedelic rock, and it remains one of the Stones’ most popular songs.

The Beatles- “A Day in the Life”

Released in 1967 on the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, “A Day in the Life” is arguably the Beatles’ most psychedelic song. The lyrics were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the song was loosely based on an actual newspaper article. The song features a circular melody and a ethereal middle section that delighted fans and critics alike.

Pink Floyd- “Another Brick in the Wall”

“Another Brick in the Wall” is a song by Pink Floyd. It was released as a single in 1979 and topped the charts in several countries. The song is about the education system and how it can stifle creativity. It has become one of the band’s most popular songs.

King Crimson- “In the Court of the Crimson King”

“In the Court of the Crimson King” is a song by the British progressive rock band King Crimson, released on their 1969 debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King. The lyrics were written by Peter Sinfield and the music was composed by Robert Fripp. The song’s title is derived from the Crimson King, a fictional character in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series of books.

The song is generally considered to be one of the greatest and most influential progressive rock songs of all time. In 2004, it was ranked number 58 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2006, it was voted as number 3 in Guitar World magazine’s poll of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos Of All Time.

Led Zeppelin- “Whole Lotta Love”

“Whole Lotta Love” is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin. It is the opening track on the band’s second album, Led Zeppelin II, and was released in the United States, several countries in Europe, and Japan as a single; as with other Led Zeppelin songs, no single was issued in the United Kingdom. The US release became one of their most successful singles, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on its Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It has been declared by producer Jimmy Page as being “our first Psychedelic song”.