A sister thread to the one on the '80s, but let’s go back to a decade that’s far closer to my heart, the 1960s. The rules are the same - we’re not after the greatest song of the decade, but that one that has more ‘60s-ness’, a metric being if you played it to 1000 people most of them would get that it was from the '60s.
Last time I was roundly mocked for my choice of Tiffany (shut up) for the '80s, but this time I think I have a real contended for the '60s. From 1963, for your consideration I present The Beatles with She Loves You.
Good one. In a similar vein, San Francisco by the late Scott McKenzie which I’d hope even a foetus could identify was from the '60s, with its love-ins and flowers in your hair.
Almost any Beach Boys song instantly screams"Sixties."
But I’ll nominate “Good Vibrations” because it features the requisite psychedelic vibe.
The Stones’ “Paint It Black” deserves consideration just for the sitar!
That’s not a bad choice, but it’s from the beginning of the British Invasion and subsequent Sixties Rock Era, and I’m not sure whether that’s a point for or against. If you want something closer to the heart of the decade, maybe “All You Need Is Love”? Although the Beatles in general are pretty closely identified with the 60s, so there’s a lot to choose from.
Actually, I think “My Generation” is a good candidate for “the most 60s song”; but so are some of the others people have mentioned.
I think I’ve mentioned this in one of the yearly poll threads, but I think “Incense and Peppermint” by Strawberry Alarm Clock is the song that ticks off more boxes than any other, including band name.
To my way of thinking, we have the pre-psychedelic early '60s; I’m of the opinion that Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” is extremely emblematic of this period in American music.
Then you have the overt flower-power psychedelia of the mid- to late '60s; and to my mind, there are no songs that represent everything about that era better than two (John Lennon-penned) Beatles tunes: “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “I Am the Walrus”.
The first four that came to mind are The Who’s “My Generation,” The Youngbloods’ “Get Together,” Bob Zimmerman’s “The Times They Are a’Changin’,” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” Corny and obvious, I know.
The 60s were almost two different decades musically. For the first part I’d pick something like “Louie Louie” or “She Loves You.” For the latter half, I think “My Generation” or “All Along the Watchtower” are good picks.
I was born in 1949, so the 60’s was my awakening to music. After reading the OP, the tune that came to my mind was “I wanna hold your hand”. But after reading the previous posts, a lot of the suggestions rang my bell. Great thread! I am enjoying the re-awakening!
