200 MOST ESSENTIAL 60s SONGS: 180- 171. Continue tomorrow.

Caffé Latté looks back at…

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL

SONGS OF THE

1960s

No decade was as turbulent as the 1960s. Politically and socially, there was turmoil. Musically too, the rules were changing at breakneck speed. This was the decade of Flower Power, Motown, Woodstock, girl groups, Beatlemania, psychedelia and The British Invasion. Here are 200 songs that matter most from the period. These recordings had an impact on music and provided the soundtrack to the 10 years that made up the Sixties.

#180

KING OF THE ROAD

Roger Miller

In 1965, Roger Miller unleashed his composition "King Of The Road" as a single. It soon grew into an international crossover hit, reaching #1 on the US Country and Easy Listening charts, #4 on the Hot 100 and even going to #1 in Britain.

#179

SHE'S NOT THERE

The Zombies

The debut single from British group The Zombies was the thrilling "She's Not There". It has since been covered by the likes of Santana and Crowded House. The original peaked at #2 in America.

#178

DA DOO RON RON

The Crystals

Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry created many pop gems like the timeless "Da Doo Ron Ron". It is regarded as a highlight of the golden girl group era. Phil Spector produced and co-wrote the 1963 hit which made the Top 5 on both sides of the Atlantic.

#177

CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU

Frankie Valli

In 1967, few discs matched the production standard of this solo release from the Four Seasons' frontman, Frankie Valli.

#176

 

SOME VELVET MORNING

Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

Until 1967, Nancy Sinatra's recorded output was closely linked to country and western. "Some Velvet Morning" marked a change. It was written and produced by her singing partner Lee Hazlewood. It sound continues to inspire recordings to this day.

#175

TIN SOLDIER

Small Faces

Britain seemed the cradle of innovative rock and one of its best hits was "Tin Soldier". This 1967 Top 10 UK single by The Small Faces represents the exciting attitude of British rock and why it led the world.

#174

WICHITA LINEMAN

Glen Campbell

Few discs from the 1960s match the beauty of this country crossover hit by Glen Campbell. Penned by Jimmy Webb, it features strings and clever production, the 1968 disc peaked at #3 Pop and topped the American Country and Adult Contemporary charts. It also made the British Top 10.

#173

YOU'RE MY WORLD

Cilla Black

Adapted from an Italian song entitled "Il Mio Mondo" (my world), the dramatic rendition by Cilla Black was an early production hit credited to George Martin. This version reached #1 in Britain and Australia in 1964.

#172

PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

Peter, Paul & Mary

Peter, Paul & Mary was a high profile folk trio that recorded seminal 60s hits such as 1963's "Puff The Magic Dragon". It has lived on as a children's song despite being cited as containing references to drugs.

#171

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka was a Brill Building alumni, having penned numerous hits. In 1962, he scored a US #1 with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". He slowed down the bouncy original for a re-recording that made the Top 10 in 1975.

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