200 MOST ESSENTIAL 60s SONGS: 190- 181. Continues next week.

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.

#190

THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT

The Tokens

This 1961 single was a doo wop adaptation of a Zulu song entitled “Wimoweh” which topped the U.S. chart.

#189

TO SIR WITH LOVE

Lulu

Lulu was one of the leading British female pop stars of the 1960s. She scored a U.S. #1 hit in 1967 with the title song from the film in which she co-starred with Sidney Poitier. The track was produced by Mickie Most.

#188

THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU

Herb Alpert

Herb Alpert usually fronted recordings with The Tijuana Brass. In 1968, this American #1 single featured a rare vocal from the man who – along with Jerry Moss- founded A&M Records. It was written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David.

#187

ITCHYCOO PARK

The Small Faces

The fusion of rock music and psychedelia was given a British treatment on this 1967 hit single. It leaves no doubt what was purchased in this East End garden in London.

#186

DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY

Manfred Mann

In 1964, this song reached #1 on both sides of the Atlantic as the British Invasion kicked in. It was a timeless track penned by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.

#185

UNDER THE BOARDWALK

The Drifters

Soul music was given a Latin American flavour on influential Drifters singles such as 1964's "Under The Boardwalk". Johnny Moore shines on lead vocals, wrapped snugly around an orchestral setting.

#184

EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE

Solomon Burke

One of the underrated soul vocalists, Solomon Burke had a profound impact on R&B. His Atlantic recordings featured a country approach. "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love" was issued in 1964.

#183

 

ALBATROSS

Fleetwood Mac

Years before 'Rumours', and the addition of key songwriters Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac enjoyed a British #1 single in 1968 with the instrumental "Albatross". The track blended blues with calypso. 

#182

DOWNTOWN

Petula Clark

After scoring hits in Europe and the U.K., Petula Clark rode the British Invasion wave and placed several singles on the American charts. "Downtown" was one of her biggest hits, reaching #1 in the U.S.A. and #2 domestically.

#181

MELTING POT

Blue Mink

As the tumultuous decade drew to a close, British group Blue Mink issued this plea for racial cohesion.

     1960     

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969