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!
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- [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)
- Timeless Western pop ballads that colored the 1960s—masterpieces whose brilliance never fades.
- [Revival among the youth?] Rockabilly classics and recommended popular songs
- Recommended Western music for women in their 60s: world classics and popular songs
- [Oldies] A collection of nostalgic hit songs from Western music of the 1950s
- A roundup of popular Western blues bands—also recommended for rock fans!
- A classic blues rock masterpiece. A highly recommended album you should listen to at least once.
Great Western Rock Classics and Hit Songs of the 60s (51–60)
Sunshine of your loveCream
Like waiting for the break of dawn, this classic song gives voice to the yearning to be reunited with a loved one, and it came from the British rock band Cream.
Included on the album Disraeli Gears, released in November 1967, the track began with a bassline inspired by a Jimi Hendrix live performance.
Eric Clapton’s smooth guitar solo intertwines with Ginger Baker’s drums, which incorporate an Indian beat, creating a uniquely warm sonic world.
Released as a single in January 1968, the song reached No.
5 on the U.
S.
Billboard chart.
Frequently used in films and on television, it continues to be cherished as a gem of a love song that stays close to the feelings of being in love.
Suspicious MindsElvis Presley
A masterpiece that fuses an unforgettable, catchy melody with a soul-stirring, dramatic narrative shines as one of the signature works of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.
Released in August 1969, it became his first U.
S.
No.
1 in seven years.
Recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, its sound—deftly blending country and rock—remains as vibrant as ever, continuing to captivate listeners.
Conveying the universal themes of love and doubt through Presley’s uniquely powerful vocals, this epic number offers solace and support in times of heartbreak or at life’s crossroads.
A Horse With No NameAmerica
America, a folk rock band formed in the UK in 1971.
Known as one of their signature songs, this piece was released in 1972 and became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The lyrics, depicting a journey through the desert, are striking, and the theme centers on a voyage of self-reflection amid vast nature.
With its simple yet memorable melody and refreshing harmonies, it’s perfect for moments when you want to step away from everyday life and calm your mind.
Bad Moon RisingCreedence Clearwater Revival
This is a signature song from the 1960s by Creedence Clearwater Revival, known as pioneers of the Southern rock genre in the American South.
It’s truly a Southern rock track—rock that emphasizes the gritty blues and boogie styles rooted in the American South.
Great Western rock classics and hit songs of the 60s (’61–’70)
On The Road AgainCanned Heat
A classic that had a major impact on the blues-rock scene of the 1960s: Canned Heat’s “On the Road Again.” Beloved among devoted fans, this track captivates with its unique blend of blues and rock.
Released in 1968, it’s a driving blues-rock number with psychedelic elements and striking high-pitched vocals.
It achieved high positions on charts around the world, cementing Canned Heat’s musical influence.
Its lyrics, symbolizing travel and freedom, resonated deeply with the youth of the time.
It’s highly recommended for listening while driving or traveling.
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.