[Results] The Best Songs of the 1960s
Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 3:45 am
[150] The Tornados | Telstar | 496.7 pts
AM rank : 624
AM 1960s rank : 170
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 12
Highest rank: DaveC(66)
Not Fans: bonnielaurel(140), Dan(150), Henrik(145), Honorio(136), Listyguy(149), MaschineMan(139/139), Miguel(149)
MaschineMan: Something had to get last place.
Rob: Of all the instrumentals in this list (but not counting the movie tracks or the jazz numbers), this sounds like the most individualistic piece. Perhaps because it has the most original instrumentation and a slightly futuristic sound to it. Not wholly modern anymore perhaps, but still with the power to capture the imagination that creates space travels in your head.
[imgsize 250x250]http://mlb-s2-p.mlstatic.com/lp-vinil-r ... 2012-F.jpg[/imgsize]
[149] Ray Charles | I Can't Stop Loving You | 503.2 pts
AM rank : 1001
AM 1960s rank : 251
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 13
Highest rank: Rob(48)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(146), Brad(149), Craig(107/117), DaveC(141), Harold(138), Honorio(148), sonofsamiam(142)
Rob: One of those songs that shouldn’t work for me, but does. It is overwrought, it has an unsubtle use of child background singers and is incredibly sentimental. Yet it is actually my favourite Ray Charles song. It moves me. Somehow Charles’ voice and even the kids sell the sentiment to me. Also, the use of this song in the otherwise unremarkable anime film Metropolis is truly great.
[imgsize 250x299]http://www.b-l-u-e-s.com/_/rsrc/1423048 ... on%201.jpg[/imgsize]
[148] Sonny Boy Williamson | Help Me | 505.2 pts
AM rank : 2524
AM 1960s rank : 506
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 17
Highest rank: CharlieDriggs(52)
Not Fans: BangJan(148), BleuPanda(147), bonnielaurel(137), Brad(145), Bruno(148), Henry(140), Honorio(140), luney6(146), RedAnt(137), Rob(136)
Rob: Help me, I never really felt the blues. It is not the fault of Sonny Boy Williamson II or anyone else. It’s just me. Help Me is probably a fine example of the genre and I’m glad to see something like this have representation on the list. But it just isn’t for me, no matter how fine the performance is.
[147] Otis Redding | These Arms of Mine | 508.4 pts
AM rank : 5603
AM 1960s rank : 984
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 9
Highest rank: Bruno(45)
Not Fans: BangJan(139), BleuPanda(142), Harold(144), Henry(136), luney6(136)
Rob: Although These Arms of Mine wouldn’t be my choice for best Otis Redding song it is still a good love song that benefits from perhaps my favourite voice of the genre. Redding’s voice is rougher, more characteristic than anyone else in the genre and he seemed to be able to make anything interesting. Musically it is perhaps too conventional to really impress me, but Redding himself is always worth your time.
[imgsize 250x250]http://cdn.discogs.com/2mGS2MF_K0mIz_0b ... 6.jpeg.jpg[/imgsize]
[146] Little Eva | The Loco-Motion | 514.6 pts
AM rank : 521
AM 1960s rank : 150
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 96
Position in 1962 poll : 10
Highest rank: Miguel(60)
Not Fans: Craig(106/117), Dan(136), luney6(142), Rob(149), sonofsamiam(144), Zombeels(113/122)
MaschineMan: I think this song needs to make a comeback, in the form of a cover by an upcoming pop sensation, it's long over-due.
Rob: One of my least favourite songs of this list. It’s a good pop song that just begs to be done better. Eva herself has a wacky voice that has some appeal, but seems wrongly used here. Worse are the background singers that somehow just don’t seem to be into it all that much and they force their voice to go higher than desirable. The whole things feels a bit stilted which holds the desire to dance back.
[145] Sam Cooke | Cupid | 515.8 pts
AM rank : 1347
AM 1960s rank : 315
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1961 poll : 10
Highest rank: Miguel(54)
Not Fans: BangJan(136), Craig(117/117), Harold(140), Honorio(143), MaschineMan(135/139)
Rob: Cupid is a small miracle in that it is the type of song I usually probably wouldn’t be able to stand. It takes a mayor talent to make it work and although I wouldn’t call it my favourite song of Cooke, it shows his strengths the best. The song is silly on paper, but Cooke has a subtlety and an honesty in his voice that sells the whole deal.
[144] Jacques Brel | Les Paumés du petit matin | 520.5 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 14
Fans: Honorio(14)
Not Fans: BangJan(150), BleuPanda(149), Bruno(145), Harold(150), Henrik(149), JamieW(147), Listyguy(139), RedAnt(148)
Honorio: Jacques' portrait of the early-morning lost souls filled by tendresse (tenderness), the ones with livers ripped up by love.
[imgsize 250x250]http://www.planktones.com/WDRUK.jpg[/imgsize]
[143] The Ventures | Walk - Don't Run | 537.2 pts
AM rank : 1138
AM 1960s rank : 279
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 100
Position in 1960 poll : 16
Highest rank: CharlieDriggs(33)
Not Fans: Craig(108/117), Honorio(146), MaschineMan(136/139)
Rob: So yeah, here is Walk – Don’t Run. Good on The Ventures I guess. Don’t get me wrong, I like this song. It’s definitely not the worst song on this list, but it feels as the least essential, profiting from the wild card position and the spread love on many 1969 classics that now miss the boat. It’s a fine instrumental, but does it anywhere feel as vital as Apache, Miserlou, The James Bond Theme, Telstar or even Pipeline? I think it doesn’t and I predict it will end up on spot 150 on the final list. When you read this you’ll know if I’m right.
[142] The Beatles | Love Me Do | 547.4 pts
AM rank : 2114
AM 1960s rank : 430
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 97
Position in 1962 poll : 6
Highest rank: Dan(48)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(143), CharlieDriggs(137/146), Rob(139), sonofsamiam(150), Zombeels(121/122)
Rob: Like most early Beatle songs I don’t feel myself caring too much about Love Me Do, but I think the use of the harmonica makes it stand out favourably, so there is that.
[imgsize 250x250]http://hiphophundred.com/wp-content/upl ... ngGang.jpg[/imgsize]
[141] Sam Cooke | Chain Gang | 549 pts
AM rank : 2051
AM 1960s rank : 418
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 13
Highest rank: bonnielaurel(48)
Not Fans: BangJan(137), Dan(137), JamieW(141)
Rob: One of Cooke’s most enjoyable songs is also one of his most clever. Using the sound of men working on the chain gang to set the rhythm is a great find. Surely it is actually a sad subject and Cooke notices this, but it doesn’t get in the way of an almost funky song.
[imgsize 250x250]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_40 ... 540149.jpg[/imgsize]
[140] The Drifters | Save The Last Dance For Me | 551.1 pts
AM rank : 627
AM 1960s rank : 171
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 10
Highest rank: JamieW(37)
Not Fans: CharlieDriggs(138/146), Craig(115/117), Dan(149)
Rob: The Drifters at their best had a run of songs that weren’t original so much, but somehow had a great flow to them, as well as very good singing by Ben E. King. Save the Last Dance is one of the best examples of this and therefore a welcome addition to this list.
[139] The Everly Brothers | Cathy's Clown | 564.3 pts
AM rank : 354
AM 1960s rank : 117
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 93
Position in 1960 poll : 9
Highest rank: BleuPanda(43)
Not Fans: Craig(112/117), Harold(149), Henrik(137), Rob(145)
Rob: The Everly Brothers have influenced many of my favourite acts, including but not limited to Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys and The Beatles. So why don’t I particular care for the Everlies themselves? I think that it’s not just that those later groups had better voices, but also more feeling and soul. I like the stomping sound of Cathy’s Clown somewhat, but the voices of the brothers just don’t do anything for me and they can’t really sell this song to me.
[138] Henry Mancini | The Pink Panther Theme | 565.1 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 15
Highest rank: Miguel(37)
Not Fans: DaveC(137), Honorio(141), Zombeels(115/122)
Rob: One of the most easily recognizable movie themes ever. It’s not just very catchy, but it also captures the jazz era as well as the tone of the movie (comedy mixed with crime). I love how it sounds sneaky, suspicious and playful all at once.
[imgsize 250x250]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5 ... AA280_.jpg[/imgsize]
[137] Howlin' Wolf | Spoonful | 566.2 pts
AM rank : 1188
AM 1960s rank : 287
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 8
Highest rank: DaveC(43)
Not Fans: Craig(114/117), Henry(147), luney6(144)
Rob: Yes, he sounds like how you’d imagine a wolf to sound: greedy, hungry and hoarse from howling at the Moon. He also brings his songs with the sense of fun that you’d imagine more from something like a fox. Howlin’ Wolf was really a one-of-a-kind artist and I doubt anyone else could have made Spoonful into something quite as memorable and captivating.
[imgsize 250x257]https://i.embed.ly/1/display?key=fc778e ... ltrane.jpg[/imgsize]
[136] John Coltrane | Giant Steps | 569 pts
AM rank : 2307
AM 1960s rank : 463
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 15
Highest rank: sonofsamiam(25)
Not Fans: DaveC(147), Henrik(144), Honorio(139), Miguel(144), RedAnt(140)
Rob: No, I don’t know jazz, but I know that Giant Steps is great. I don’t know where the title came from. Not from The Sound of Music at least. To me it sounds like smaller steps. Small steps, taken quickly in a wild, uninhibited dance. Every note by these musicians is so full of life that it’s hard to control your body enough to take giant steps. The title is the only fault here, though.
[135] The Chantays | Pipeline | 570.5 pts
AM rank : 1297
AM 1960s rank : 305
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 8
Highest rank: JamieW(21)
Not Fans: bonnielaurel(141), Dan(144), Honorio(150), Listyguy(144), Miguel(146)
Rob: Another one of those sixties instrumentals. I wouldn’t call this one a standout if you compare it with most others in this list, but it still very good and essential if you like this sort of music. And I do.
[imgsize 250x294]https://rone92q.files.wordpress.com/201 ... ltrane.jpg[/imgsize]
[134] John Coltrane | Olé | 570.9 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1961 poll : 12
Highest rank: sonofsamiam(45)
Not Fans: Brad(140), Miguel(136), RedAnt(146)
Rob: Maybe a bit long for the untrained jazz listener (me for example), but I like the wild improvised feeling. The whole thing sometimes seems on the verge of turning into a mess, but it never does. Instead it feels like Coltrane and his team are overtaken by some sudden force that almost compels them to play. Perhaps I’m just sprouting nonsense, but somehow Olé sounds slightly dangerous to me. It has grown on me over multiple listens and who knows, I might grasp it fully in the future.
[imgsize 300x250]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_40 ... 937891.jpg[/imgsize]
[133] Gerry and the Pacemakers | You'll Never Walk Alone | 571.6 pts
AM rank : 4302
AM 1960s rank : 786
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 207
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 16
Fans: DaveC(1)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(141), Brad(148), Bruno(144), Harold(147), Henrik(148), Henry(139), Honorio(149), JamieW(137), Listyguy(143), MaschineMan(130/139), Miguel(147), sonofsamiam(137)
DaveC: Recorded by scores of famous artists, yet this is surely the definitive version thanks to Gerry Marsden's magnificent vocal.
Rob: From football stadiums to Pink Floyd albums, this song is everywhere. If you are Dutch like me, you probably have heard a guy named Lee Towers sing it one time too many. Yet, this recording still works. It is perhaps a song that is a bit obvious, but it hasn’t lost its power to lift you up.
[imgsize 333x250]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_xulko6p5BI/maxresdefault.jpg[/imgsize]
[132] The Contours | Do You Love Me | 577.9 pts
AM rank : 1117
AM 1960s rank : 276
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 7
Highest rank: Dan(28)
Not Fans: Honorio(142)
Rob: Forever confused by me with the rather similar Twist & Shout by The Isley Brothers (and later of course The Beatles), but I slightly prefer this song by The Contours. Not only is it one of the last great examples of old time rock ‘n roll, it also scores extra points for the spoken word intro, which makes the following music sound even more exploding.
[131] Bob Dylan | It Ain't Me Babe | 578.6 pts
AM rank : 3265
AM 1960s rank : 612
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 215
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1964 poll : 16
Highest rank: bonnielaurel(16)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(138), Honorio(138), JamieW(142), sonofsamiam(145)
Rob: Songs about losing love or actually not even attaining love are everywhere, but how many times do we hear a song from the perspective of someone putting a potential lover down? Here we have one. The song is harsh, but it is still beautifully sung and never manages to feel as cruel as it is. I wouldn’t advise anyone to use these words for turning someone down, but still we need songs that can capture the experience in poetic words.
[imgsize 250x250]http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_40 ... 616361.jpg[/imgsize]
[130] The Miracles | You've Really Got a Hold on Me | 591.5 pts
AM rank : 581
AM 1960s rank : 164
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1962 poll : 2
Highest rank: BleuPanda(20)
Not Fans: CharlieDriggs(140/146), Henrik(141), Rob(150)
Rob: I don’t really dislike any song on this list, but something has to be last and this one truly deserves it in my opinion. I’ve already once controversially said that Smokey Robinson is overrated as a songwriter and I stand by my word. You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me is proof for me. His lyrics are as standard as they come. As a singer he is completely out of his league, especially in a genre that at the time produced among others Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye or the Temptations (who delivered much better versions of his songs). Even The Miracles aren’t really all that great a background group. To my ears, this song is one among million similar ones and is instantly forgettable, even if it isn’t particularly bad.
[imgsize 250x251]http://www.zicabloc.com/wp-content/uplo ... /brel.jpeg[/imgsize]
[129] Jacques Brel | Ces gens-là | 596.6 pts
AM rank : Bubbling Under
AM 1960s rank : Bubbling Under
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1965 poll : 15
Highest rank: Henrik(29)
Not Fans: BangJan(138), Brad(147), Bruno(143), DaveC(144), RedAnt(139)
Rob: Outside of Bob Dylan, is anyone in music as natural a story-teller as Jacques Brel? I may not understand the words of Ces gens-la, but I feel drawn towards the speaker as is if he is telling a remarkable, personal story that simply needs to be heard. Translations have taught me that indeed the lyrics are great, but I don’t need to understand them to love this song. It’s the meaning that Brel has in his voice that is the biggest attraction.
[imgsize 250x253]http://cdn.discogs.com/71Zv8-BTBXCzXvwj ... 6.jpeg.jpg[/imgsize]
[128] Jorge Ben | Mas, Que Nada! | 597.9 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 18
Fans: Henrik(15)
Not Fans: BangJan(149), BleuPanda(137), DaveC(143), Harold(141), RedAnt(142)
Rob: Before this poll I actually only knew this song from its hit cover by Sergio Mendez and The Black Eyed Peas some years back. Jorge Ben Jor’s version is quite calmer (and doesn’t future any rapping, or Black Eyed Peas). It is an elegant and catchy song with a sweet sound that requires a slow dance.
[imgsize 252x250]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... sed_Me.jpg[/imgsize]
[127] The Crystals | Then He Kissed Me | 602.2 pts
AM rank : 819
AM 1960s rank : 210
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 14
Highest rank: sonofsamiam(17)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(144), Honorio(145)
Rob: Among my favourite discoveries of this poll. There seem to be a few versions around and I don’t know which the original is, but the one I found first gave something of a big beat (through the drums) that makes it an irresistible, hip shaking piece of love pop perfection.
[imgsize 250x250]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5 ... AA280_.jpg[/imgsize]
[126] Ray Charles | Georgia On My Mind | 606.8 pts
AM rank : 324
AM 1960s rank : 113
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 183
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 87
Position in 1960 poll : 4
Fans: bonnielaurel(6)
Not Fans: DaveC(149), Henrik(136), luney6(140), Rob(143), Zombeels(112/122)
Rob: I love Ray Charles, but not really this song. It’s a solid showcase for Charles’ great voice, but somehow the thing as a whole strikes me as somewhat dull. It’s an uncontested classic in the soul master’s discography, but he never particularly wants to make me visit Georgia (not a knock on Georgia, by the way).
[imgsize 250x250]http://i.rymimg.com/lk/f/l/b45ad2daf001 ... 581587.jpg[/imgsize]
[125] The Marcels | Blue Moon | 612.6 pts
AM rank : 1460
AM 1960s rank : 332
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 94
Position in 1961 poll : 12
Highest rank: Dan(19)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(148), CharlieDriggs(134/146), Craig(110/117), Listyguy(146)
Honorio: Probably the best bass (voice) line on doo-wop ever (along with "Surfin' Bird"). Bomp baba bomp bop dang dang a dang…
Rob: Based on an existing lovesick song, The Marcels changed it into something that mostly ditches the emotion and replace it with wacky singing. It’s the type of silliness that would soon be out of fashion, but there is no denying that Blue Moon is still good fun.
[imgsize 250x250]http://www.missumgs.dk/SirCliffShadows/ ... 172236.jpg[/imgsize]
[124] The Shadows | Apache | 616.5 pts
AM rank : 579
AM 1960s rank : 163
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 90
Position in 1960 poll : 11
Highest rank: bonnielaurel(35)
Not Fans: Brad(142), Craig(109/117), Harold(142)
Rob: I don’t know if Apache has ever been used in a western, but it deserves to be, even if it is perhaps too obvious a choice. It stands out among many instrumental, guitar led tracks of this period by its sense of tension and movements. It’s not quite Morricone in its feel perhaps, but he might have had a song like this in mind when composing the Main Theme of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. As it is, Apache still stands firmly on its own feet.
[123] Elvis Presley | Can't Help Falling in Love | 616.6 pts
AM rank : 1073
AM 1960s rank : 263
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 164
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 88
Position in 1961 poll : 5
Highest rank: JamieW(22)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(140), CharlieDriggs(146/146), Zombeels(116/122)
MaschineMan: I don't love Elvis, but I don't actively seek out his music. It's something even worse than hate: I nothing Elvis.
Rob: Wait, this is the only Elvis song on the list? What happened? Whatever, at least it is a good choice, because Elvis’ voice was very well suited to love ballads like this and this is one of his most earnest and best efforts. The warmth in Elvis voice hardly ever found better use.
[imgsize 400x250]http://www.philosophers-stone.co.uk/wp- ... mage13.jpg[/imgsize]
[122] Bob Dylan | Masters Of War | 617.6 pts
AM rank : 1088
AM 1960s rank : 266
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 12
Fans: JamieW(7)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(139), Dan(142), Henry(150)
[imgsize 250x250]https://ukutabs.com/uploads/2014/02/Bri ... Single.jpg[/imgsize]
[121] Sam Cooke | Bring It On Home To Me | 619.4 pts
AM rank : 1287
AM 1960s rank : 304
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 71
Position in 1962 poll : 5
Highest rank: sonofsamiam(23)
Not Fans: Craig(111/117), MaschineMan(134/139)
[120] The Tokens | The Lion Sleeps Tonight | 627.1 pts
AM rank : 4047
AM 1960s rank : 744
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 82
Position in 1961 poll : 9
Fans: Miguel(4)
Not Fans: BangJan(144), BleuPanda(145), CharlieDriggs(142/146), Honorio(147), sonofsamiam(140)
MaschineMan: I love how goofy this song is.
Rob: I learned to know this one because of The Lion King, where the character Timon sings it for a short while. It took many years before I found out it is an actual song. And only now I found out that The Tokens are a white band. You learn something new every day. Like that this is actual a very good song. I always thought of it is a curiosity track, before I listened to it more closely for this poll. Sure, the lyrics and the concept are extremely sill, but musically it has a lot of magic, not in the least because of the work of the background singers.
[imgsize 250x250]http://www.historylink.org/db_images/Qu ... a_2011.JPG[/imgsize]
[119] Quincy Jones | Soul Bossa Nova | 631 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 86
Position in 1962 poll : 11
Fans: CharlieDriggs(12)
Not Fans: BangJan(141), Brad(136), DaveC(150), Harold(148), JamieW(139), Listyguy(137), luney6(139)
DaveC: The only song on this list for which I could be called a 'Hater'. It's horrid.
MaschineMan: This song makes me hungry. Was it used for some cooking show?
Rob: A bouncing piece of high energy. I don’t know much about the bossa nova, but this wacky party music will probably never lose the power to keep people moving. Even overuse in commercials can’t kill its sense of fun.
[imgsize 250x250]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... verart.jpg[/imgsize]
[118] Them | Gloria | 635.8 pts
AM rank : 158
AM 1960s rank : 61
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 137
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1964 poll : 13
Highest rank: Craig(29)
Not Fans: Dan(138), DaveC(140)
Rob: Van Morrison would become more ambitious than he was when he made Gloria with Them. Yet even a simple song like this could already showcase his amazing vocals. As a rock song I never thought too much of it, but the chorus is a deserved crowd pleaser.
[117] Dion | Runaround Sue | 637.3 pts
AM rank : 525
AM 1960s rank : 151
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1961 poll : 11
Fans: Dan(11)
Not Fans: Harold(137), Listyguy(145)
Rob: A passionate cry from the slighted Dion gets muffled by background singers making nonsensical sounds. And thank God for that. The problems of Dion are just a bit too absurd to take seriously, but luckily he didn’t take it seriously himself and made it into an irresistibly fun song that’s great to sing along to. Also, it forms an interesting contrast to Dion’s other most well-known song, The Wanderer. Is that a sequel, where Dion has drawn a lesson from his affair with Sue and changed his attitude to love and women completely?
[imgsize 372x250]https://jazzizzin.files.wordpress.com/2 ... ments1.jpg[/imgsize]
[116] Miles Davis | Concierto de Aranjuez | 638.9 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 6
Fans: DaveC(12)
Not Fans: BangJan(142), BleuPanda(136), bonnielaurel(144), Bruno(147), Dan(146), Henrik(139), RedAnt(136)
Rob: Miles Davis himself admitted that Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio (or Sketches in Spain in full) isn’t really jazz, but he didn’t care. He just focussed on the music. Who can blame him if you get to play something like this? It is very Spanish (at least to these non-Spanish ears) and very exotic. Quiet and collected, but also simmering with passion. Also it is both strangely cool and hot. It is a masterpiece and a welcome outsider to Miles Davis’ usual output.
[imgsize 250x250]http://ring.cdandlp.com/basic/photo_gra ... 056031.jpg[/imgsize]
[115] The Righteous Brothers | Unchained Melody | 640.4 pts
AM rank : 447
AM 1960s rank : 138
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 104
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1965 poll : 14
Highest rank: Bruno(31)
Not Fans: CharlieDriggs(141/146), Listyguy(136), Zombeels(120/122)
MaschineMan: My interest in this song drops considerably after the first 10 seconds. It's generally at this point it's over-use in film and TV adverts has me rolling my eyes.
Rob: It seems that the best tracks by The Righteous Brothers seem to skirt very close along the edges of taste. Is Unchained Melody too much? Too saccharine? Too sentimental? Perhaps. But can you resist it? Isn’t it still very beautiful? Can the great voices by the Brothers elevate the material and sell the sentiments? To me the answer is a very definite “yes”! Also, have you ever attended a wedding where this song played? Yes.
[imgsize 250x250]http://st-listas.20minutos.es/images/20 ... _640px.jpg[/imgsize]
[114] Percy Sledge | When a Man Loves a Woman | 645.7 pts
AM rank : 118
AM 1960s rank : 45
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 108
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1966 poll : 14
Highest rank: Bruno(29)
Not Fans: BleuPanda(150), JamieW(140)
Rob: Percy Sledge should probably have a word with Dion. Together they can lament untrustworthy women. Sledge generalizes male behaviour around women, but it has to be said that he sells the song. He is a great singer and When a Man Loves a Woman has a fine tune. I don’t quite get the giant status this song has, but it is still easily above average.
[imgsize 364x250]http://images.rapgenius.com/0cba39ea22d ... x445x1.jpg[/imgsize]
[113] Bob Dylan | Don't Think Twice, It's All Right | 654.3 pts
AM rank : 1165
AM 1960s rank : 282
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 174
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 72
Position in 1963 poll : 9
Fans: Listyguy(9)
Not Fans: JamieW(136), MaschineMan(137/139)
Rob: A quiet ballad that sounds tender, but seems vile when you listen more closely to the lyrics. But when you listen even closer you’ll hear real hurt and sadness. It is one of Dylan’s most emotionally complex songs, which explains its appeal and its power. Also, this is the Dylan song I hear the most in movies for some reason.
[imgsize 333x250]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0Cu0yWfkWX0/hqdefault.jpg[/imgsize]
[112] Jackson C. Frank | I Want To Be Alone (Dialogue) | 655.2 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 203
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1965 poll : 13
Fans: Henrik(6), JamieW(11)
Not Fans: Brad(144), Dan(141), Harold(139), Henry(137), Miguel(137), RedAnt(150)
Listyguy: Another great discovery from this poll. Reminds me a lot of "The Sounds of Silence"
Rob: I had never heard of this guy before he suddenly made this list. Frank turns out to have point the way to Nick Drake. He has the same quiet, whispering quality. Its music that works the best in a quiet setting, preferably alone, where every calm line can send chills down your spine.
[111] Ray Charles | Hit The Road Jack | 656.8 pts
AM rank : 671
AM 1960s rank : 185
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1961 poll : 6
Highest rank: Dan(23)
Not Fans: luney6(138), sonofsamiam(136)
Rob: The strange thing about Hit the Road Jack is that it is one of Charles’ signature tunes, but he doesn’t sing in it much. The background singers The Realettes take centre stage. Not that it matters, because it is very funky, funny and the times Charles sings are always funny. And he of course was responsible for the awesome rhythm that truly made the song a classic.
[110] Dionne Warwick | Anyone Who Had a Heart | 657.5 pts
AM rank : 5367
AM 1960s rank : 945
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 10
Highest rank: bonnielaurel(17)
Not Fans: BangJan(140), Brad(146)
Rob: A mayor black singer in the sixties that wasn’t really soul, funk, jazz or even rock ‘n roll? Instead based on sound that came more from the Broadway musical? And who was also one of the best of her time? Enter Dionne Warwick and what I consider her greatest song, Anyone Who Had a Heart. The track is great on itself, because the music sounds like it is floating in the clouds. And so does Dionne Warwick’s voice, but those moments she sings a little louder she delivers some real powerful emotions. It’s a song for which they invented the word “gorgeous”.
[109] Henry Mancini | Moon River | 658.9 pts
AM rank : 1208
AM 1960s rank : 291
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 81
Position in 1961 poll : 8
Fans: Honorio(5)
Not Fans: Harold(146), Listyguy(150)
Honorio: An unrepeatable conjunction. Truman Capote as the novel writer. Blake Edwards as the efficient director. Hubert de Givenchy as the history-making costume designer. Henry Mancini as the composer of a score straight to eternity. Johnny Mercer as the writer of the dreamy lyrics. And, of course, Audrey Hepburn creating a pop icon of her Holly Golightly. And singing sitting on her windowsill (while George Peppard is peeping) the most beautiful song ever, "Moon River."
Rob: Ah, here is romantic ballad to dream away by. It is on the verge on being too much or just very cheesy. It also doesn’t sound particularly sixties, but much older (and that coming from a composer who pretty much defined Hollywood soundtracks of the early decade). Yet all of this doesn’t matter, because Mancini created an Over the Rainbow for a new generation. All right, maybe the song isn’t quite as big as that one, but I personally like it just a little bit more.
[108] The Beatles | I Saw Her Standing There | 659 pts
AM rank : 811
AM 1960s rank : 208
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1963 poll : 13
Fans: Miguel(7)
Not Fans: Rob(142)
Rob: A tough question that probably most here are going to answer with “yes!”, but I have to ask it: would this song have been remembered if it wasn’t by The Beatles or if the band had not gone on to bigger things? Maybe, but I can’t see it. It rocks nicely, but not exceptionally. It’s not my least favourite song on the list or even my least favourite by The Beatles, but considering I think the band is somewhat overrepresented here I think this is the one we could most easily have ditched.
[107] The John Barry Seven and Orchestra | James Bond Theme | 661.8 pts
AM rank : 2229
AM 1960s rank : 447
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 85
Position in 1962 poll : 4
Fans: Henrik(12)
Not Fans: Harold(143), Listyguy(138)
MaschineMan: One of the few sountrack songs that worked out of context in this Poll.
Rob: When John Barry decided to use surf guitar music for the main theme from Dr. No he was just following a hype. Could he have guessed that it would define the sound of the spy profession forever? It is such a wonderful piece of music. Explosive, dangerous and a lot of fun, as well as short and to the point. Bond would be proud.
[imgsize 499x250]http://cdncms.todayszaman.com/todayszam ... 211191.jpg[/imgsize]
[106] Krzysztof Penderecki | Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima | 670.7 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : n/a
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1960 poll : 13
Fans: JamieW(10), Rob(10), sonofsamiam(5)
Not Fans: BangJan(147), Bruno(146), DaveC(148), Henrik(146), Henry(149), Listyguy(148), Miguel(145), RedAnt(144)
Listyguy: Too avant-garde for way. Way, way ,wayyyyyyy too avant-garde.
Rob: Yes, this song is as happy as you’d guess from the title. It is unpleasant and hard to listen to. Devastating even. Not at all something I ever expect to hear on the radio or find myself putting on repeat. Yet it is as essential as any piece of music ever written. Nobody deserves to go through it, but everybody should. It is decidedly not beautiful, but it has an emotional power that few can or want to equal. The sound is apocalyptic in a way that makes many end-of-time metal songs (or movies) seem tame or silly. We hear the sounds of millions of people dying, of the Earth scorching. It’s as if Penderecki were there and put it to music. It is that good! Needless to say, he didn’t need words, because there are no words for it. Only terrifying sounds could capture this historical horror. A masterpiece and a major discovery for me.
[105] Bob Dylan | I Want You | 674.7 pts
AM rank : 827
AM 1960s rank : 212
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 154
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1966 poll : 13
Fans: Dan(13)
Not Fans: sonofsamiam(138), Zombeels(122/122)
Rob: Back here in The Netherlands there is really only one radio station that plays Dylan and they only play I Want You. To be honest, it always strikes me as the Dylan song that is very popular by people who don’t care for Dylan. Blonde on Blonde might be Dylan’s toughest album, but I Want You is very poppy. Catchy actually. The lyrics are still far above average though, and the arrangements are unique for Dylan. Yet it hardly seems a standout from Blonde on Blonde, let alone of Dylan’s complete discography.
[104] The Beatles | She Loves You | 679.4 pts
AM rank : 114
AM 1960s rank : 42
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 112
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 67
Position in 1963 poll : 5
Highest rank: Harold(28)
Not Fans: Rob(144)
[imgsize 250x250]http://streamd.hitparade.ch/cdimages/th ... in_s_5.jpg[/imgsize]
[103] The Righteous Brothers | You've Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ | 686.4 pts
AM rank : 39
AM 1960s rank : 19
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 80
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 75
Position in 1964 poll : 6
Fans: Henry(15)
Not Fans: CharlieDriggs(133/146), DaveC(136), JamieW(144)
Rob: Songs like these can seem old-fashioned nowadays, but I find myself attracted to them nonetheless. The Righteous Brothers have simply wonderful voices, which few could replicate. But the arrangements have an aching beauty too, befitting its subject.
[imgsize 250x250]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... elease.jpg[/imgsize]
[102] Johnny Cash | Ring of Fire | 704.3 pts
AM rank : 286
AM 1960s rank : 100
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 130
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : 68
Position in 1963 poll : 5
Highest rank: Zombeels(13)
Not Fans: DaveC(142), Miguel(142)
Rob: Love may be a burning thing, but it is rather obvious that Johnny Cash enjoys the heat. And so does everybody else, because this may be the song most people think of when hearing Cash’ name. It’s more than 50 years old now, but the fire never dies. At least not for me.
[101] Jacques Brel | Vesoul | 705.8 pts
AM rank : Unranked
AM 1960s rank : Unranked
AMF 2015 All-time poll 1960s rank : 199
AMF 2011 1960s poll rank : n/a
Position in 1968 poll : 7
Fans: Dan(4), Miguel(2)
Not Fans: BangJan(143), Brad(138), Bruno(149), Harold(145), Henry(146), RedAnt(143)
BleuPanda: My favorite discovery of this poll, after not really caring much for Brel's other stuff. So much energy.
Rob: Jacques Brel may be prone to seriousness and anger, he also knows how to put out a good tune. Vesoul is simply good fun. The flow of words is even captivating for someone like me who doesn’t understand the lyrics. The music flows just as well and although it isn’t rock it still rocks.