Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the '60s
The era when the foundations of rock music were forged: the 1960s.
Today’s rock music includes many subgenres that blend a variety of musical styles.
Of course, every genre is rooted in rock, but if you trace many of them back to their origins, you end up in the 1960s.
This time, we’ve selected classic songs that had a tremendous impact on the rock scene of the 1960s.
Many famous artists and bands appear, so even if you’re not well-versed in rock, be sure to check them out!
- Explore the innovative sounds and iconic songs that shaped the history of 60s bands
- Back to those nostalgic days… Classic and hit Western songs of the 1960s
- [50s–60s] A Collection of Rock ’n’ Roll Classics
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- [Masterpiece Selection] A Compilation of Classic Western Rock Songs
- [A Collection of Classics] Nostalgic 70s Western Hit Songs
- Top Western Music Rankings Popular with People in Their 60s (By Generation)
- Legendary Japanese rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 1960s
- The Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll! Must-Listen Rockabilly Classics and Fan Favorites
- Timeless Western pop ballads that colored the 1960s—masterpieces whose brilliance never fades.
- Recommended Western music for women in their 60s: world classics and popular songs
- A classic Group Sounds song. A nostalgic GS hit.
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the 60s (’61–’70)
SummertimeJanis Joplin
This is “Summertime,” a famous song by Janis Joplin, who epitomizes female rock singers of the ’60s.
In fact, this isn’t an original song; it’s a jazz standard that she boldly rearranged and made her own with a bluesy feel—a track that fully conveys Janis’s charm.
A Day In The LifeThe Beatles
“A Day in the Life” was included as the final track on The Beatles’ landmark album “Sgt.
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” It’s said that John Lennon began writing the song after learning of the death of his friend Tara Browne.
The piece is divided between a dreamy, melancholy opening and a poppy middle section, and its arrangement highlights the distinct charms of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who each handled their respective parts, making it a particularly captivating work.
Monday MondayThe Mamas & The Papas
This is the celebrated hit by America’s The Mamas & the Papas, known for their innovative folk-rock harmonies—their only song to reach No.
1 on the Billboard charts.
Spinning a tale of a lover leaving on Monday through intricate vocal work, the track features an irresistibly catchy melody and striking choral arrangements.
Released in March 1966 and included on the album “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears,” it has continued to resonate across generations, appearing in the 2010 film “The Other Guys” and on ESPN’s Monday Night Football in 2017.
It’s a recommended listen when you want to lift your spirits at the start of the work or school week, or when you’re trying to get through a parting with someone special.
In conclusion
This time, we introduced rock music from the 1960s, and what’s striking about rock from this era—unlike today’s—is how strongly it reflects the characteristics of folk and blues. RagMusic also has other articles featuring Western music from the 1960s, so if you’re eager to learn more, be sure to check them out!