60's songs

Music from the 60's

Here you will find songs from the 60's which saw the evolution of rock and it's many variants including pop rock, folk rock, blues rock, beat and psychedelic rock to name a few. There was also the onset of the British Invasion with the ever popular Beatles and Rolling Stones. Country music, folk, R&B and soul were becoming more popular along with the cool fusion of samba and cool jazz. Below you will find further insights into the musical journey of the 1960s.

Chords and lyrics to your favorite 60s songs including chord charts for right and left-handed guitarists.

✔ means the song is suitable for beginners

Song Artist Date
A Time For Us Andy Williams 1968
Are You Lonesome Tonight Elvis Presley 1960
As Tears Go By The Rolling Stones 1965
Blowin' In The Wind Bob Dylan 1962
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison 1967
Can't Help Falling In Love With You Elvis Presley 1961
California Dreamin' Sia (Cover - 2015) ✓ 1965
Cathy's Clown The Everly Boothers 1960
Chapel Of Love The Dixie Cups 1964
Dance On Kathy Kirby 1963
Daydream Believer The Monkees 1967
Da Doo Ron Ron The Crystals 1963
Down On The Corner CCR 1969
Dream A Little Dream of Me Mamas & The Papas 1968
Dream Baby Roy Orbison 1962
El Paso Marty Robbins 1960
Ferry Cross The Mersey Gerry & the Pacemakers 1964
Fire And Rain James Taylor 1969
First Cut Is The Deepest, The Sheryl Crow (Cover - 2003) ✓ 1967
Five Hundred Miles (500 miles) J. Timberlake, C. Mulligan & S. Sandswas (Cover - 2013) ✓ 1961
Girl From Ipanema Frank Sinatra 1962
Hello Dolly Louis Armstrong 1963
Homeward Bound Simon & Garfunkel 1965
House Of The Rising Sun The Animals 1964
I Only Want To Be With You Dusty Springfield 1963
I Shall Be Released Maroon 5 (Dylan Cover - 2012) ✓ 1968
I'm A Believer The Monkees 1966
I'm Sorry Brenda Lee 1960
It's Now or Never Elvis Presley 1960
Massachusetts Bee Gees 1967
Midnight Special Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969
Moon River Andy Williams 1961
More Andy Williams 1963
Mrs Robinson Simon & Garfunkel 1968
My Way Frank Sinatra 1968
Never On Sunday Petula Clark (Cover - 1965) ✓ 1960
Nights In White Satin Moody Blues 1967
Proud Mary CCR 1968
Puff The Magic Dragon The Irish Rovers (Cover - 1976) 1962
Ring Of Fire Johnny Cash 1963
Running Bear Johnny Preston 1960
Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss) Cher (Cover - 1990) ✓ 1963
Sound Of Silence, The Simon & Garfunkel 1964
Space Oddity David Bowie 1969
Stuck On You Elvis Presley 1960
Theme From A Summer Place Percy Faith and his Orchestra 1960
There's a Kind of Hush Dami Im (Cover - 2016) 1967
Unicorn Song, The The Irish Rovers (Cover - 1967) ✓ 1962
Universal Soldier Donovan (Cover - 1965) 1964
Venus Shocking Blue 1969
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong (Cover - 1998) 1967
Where No One Stands Alone Elvis Presley (Lisa Marie Cover-2018) 1967
Whiter Shade Of Pale Procol Harum 1967
60s Music albums
Music albums from the 60's

Top Songs Of The 60s

The Billboard Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), online streaming, and radio play in the U.S

Below is a list of the Billboard Year-End Hot 10 Songs and Number One hits of the 60s:

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Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1960

No Song Artist
1 Theme From A Summer Place Percy Faith
2 He'll Have to Go Jim Reeves
3 Cathy's Clown The Everly Brothers
4 Running Bear Johnny Preston
5 Teen Angel Mark Dinning
6 I'm Sorry Brenda Lee
7 It's Now or Never Elvis Presley
8 Handy Man Jimmy Jones
9 Stuck on You Elvis Presley
10 The Twist Chubby Checker
Billboard Number One Hits of 1960
Song Artist
El Paso Marty Robbins
Running Bear Johnny Preston
Teen Angel Mark Dinning
Theme From A Summer Place Percy Faith
Stuck on You Elvis Presley
Cathy's Clown The Everly Brothers
Everybody's Somebody's Fool Connie Francis
Alley Oop Hollywood Argyles
I'm Sorry Brenda Lee
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini Brian Hyland
It's Now or Never Elvis Presley
The Twist Chubby Checker
My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own Connie Francis
Mr. Custer Larry Verne
Save the Last Dance for Me The Drifters
Georgia on My Mind Ray Charles
Stay Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
Are You Lonesome Tonight? Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, and Brenda Lee were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1961

No Song Artist
1 Tossin' and Turnin' Bobby Lewis
2 I Fall to Pieces Patsy Cline
3 Michael The Highwaymen
4 Crying Roy Orbison
5 Runaway Del Shannon
6 My True Story The Jive Five
7 Pony Time Chubby Checker
8 Wheels The String-A-Longs
9 Raindrops Dee Clark
10 Wooden Heart Joe Dowell
Billboard Number One Hits of 1961
Song Artist
Are You Lonesome Tonight? Elvis Presley
Wonderland by Night Bert Kaempfert
Will You Love Me Tomorrow The Shirelles
Calcutta Lawrence Welk
Pony Time Chubby Checker
Surrender Elvis Presley
Blue Moon The Marcels
Runaway Del Shannon
Mother-in-Law Ernie K-Doe
Travelin' Man Ricky Nelson
Running Scared Roy Orbison
Moody River Pat Boone
Quarter to Three Gary U.S. Bonds
Tossin' and Turnin' Bobby Lewis
Wooden Heart Joe Dowell
Michael The Highwaymen
Take Good Care of My Baby Bobby Vee
Hit the Road Jack Ray Charles
Runaround Sue Dion
Please Mr. Postman The Marvelettes
The Lion Sleeps Tonight The Tokens

Elvis Presley was the only act to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1962

No Song Artist
1 Stranger on the Shore Acker Bilk
2 I Can't Stop Loving You Ray Charles
3 Mashed Potato Time Dee Dee Sharp
4 Roses Are Red (My Love) Bobby Vinton
5 The Stripper David Rose
6 Johnny Angel Shelley Fabares
7 The Loco-Motion Little Eva
8 Let Me In The Sensations
9 The Twist Chubby Checker
10 Soldier Boy The Shirelles
Billboard Number One Hits of 1962
Song Artist
The Lion Sleeps Tonight The Tokens
The Twist Chubby Checker
Peppermint Twist Joey Dee and the Starliters
Duke of Earl Gene Chandler
Hey! Baby Bruce Channel
Don't Break the Heart That Loves You Connie Francis
Johnny Angel Shelley Fabares
Good Luck Charm Elvis Presley
Soldier Boy The Shirelles
Stranger on the Shore Mr. Acker Bilk
I Can't Stop Loving You Ray Charles
The Stripper David Rose
Roses Are Red (My Love) Bobby Vinton
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do Neil Sedaka
The Loco-Motion Little Eva
Sheila Tommy Roe
Sherry The Four Seasons
Monster Mash Bobby 'Boris' Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
He's a Rebel The Crystals
Big Girls Don't Cry The Four Seasons
Telstar The Tornados

The Four Seasons was the only act to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1963

No Song Artist
1 Surfin' U.S.A. The Beach Boys
2 The End of the World Skeeter Davis
3 Rhythm of the Rain The Cascades
4 He's So Fine The Chiffons
5 Blue Velvet Bobby Vinton
6 Hey Paula Paul & Paula
7 Fingertips Little Stevie Wonder
8 Can't Get Used to Losing You Andy Williams
9 Can't Get Used to Losing You The Angels
10 Sukiyaki Kyu Sakamoto
Billboard Number One Hits of 1963
Song Artist
Telstar The Tornados
Go Away Little Girl Go Away Little Girl
Walk Right In The Rooftop Singers
Hey Paula Paul & Paula
Walk Like a Man The Four Seasons
Our Day Will Come Ruby & the Romantics
He's So Fine The Chiffons
I Will Follow Him Little Peggy March
If You Wanna Be Happy Jimmy Soul
It's My Party Lesley Gore
Sukiyaki Kyu Sakamoto
Easier Said Than Done The Essex
Surf City Jan and Dean
So Much in Love The Tymes
Fingertips Little Stevie Wonder
My Boyfriend's Back The Angels
Blue Velvet Bobby Vinton
Sugar Shack † Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
Deep Purple Nino Tempo & April Stevens
I'm Leaving It Up to You Dale & Grace
Dominique The Singing Nun

The original #1 song of 1963, "Surfin' U.S.A." by The Beach Boys, never reached number one on the weekly charts.
† Indicates best-performing single of 1963

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1964

No Song Artist
1 I Want to Hold Your Hand The Beatles
2 She Loves You The Beatles
3 Hello, Dolly! Louis Armstrong
4 Oh, Pretty Woman Roy Orbison
5 I Get Around The Beach Boys
6 Everybody Loves Somebody Dean Martin
7 My Guy Mary Wells
8 We'll Sing in the Sunshine Gale Garnett
9 Last Kiss J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
10 Where Did Our Love Go The Supremes
Billboard Number One Hits of 1964
Song Artist
There! I've Said It Again Bobby Vinton
I Want to Hold Your Hand The Beatles
She Loves You The Beatles
Can't Buy Me Love The Beatles
Hello, Dolly! Louis Armstrong
My Guy Mary Wells
Love Me Do The Beatles
Chapel of Love The Dixie Cups
A World Without Love Peter and Gordon
I Get Around The Beach Boys
Rag Doll The Four Seasons
A Hard Day's Night The Beatles
Everybody Loves Somebody Dean Martin
Where Did Our Love Go The Supremes
The House of the Rising Sun The Animals
Oh, Pretty Woman Roy Orbison
Do Wah Diddy Diddy Manfred Mann
Baby Love The Supremes
Leader of the Pack The Shangri-Las
Ringo Lorne Greene
Mr. Lonely Bobby Vinton
Come See About Me The Supremes
I Feel Fine The Beatles

The Beatles, Bobby Vinton, and The Supremes were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts with 6 no.1 singles by The Beatles.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1965

No Song Artist
1 Wooly Bully Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
2 I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) Four Tops
3 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction The Rolling Stones
4 You Were on My Mind We Five
5 You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' The Righteous Brothers
6 Downtown Petula Clark
7 Help! The Beatles
8 Can't You Hear My Heartbeat Herman's Hermits
9 Crying in the Chapel Elvis Presley
10 My Girl The Temptations
Billboard Number One Hits of 1965
Song Artist
I Feel Fine The Beatles
Come See About Me The Supremes
Downtown Petula Clark
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' The Righteous Brothers
This Diamond Ring Gary Lewis & the Playboys
My Girl The Temptations
Eight Days a Week The Beatles
Stop! In the Name of Love The Supremes
I'm Telling You Now Freddie and the Dreamers
Game of Love Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter Herman's Hermits
Ticket to Ride The Beatles
Help Me, Rhonda The Beach Boys
Back in My Arms Again The Supremes
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) Four Tops
Mr. Tambourine Man The Byrds
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction The Rolling Stones
I'm Henry VIII, I Am Herman's Hermits
I Got You Babe Sonny & Cher
Help! The Beatles
Eve of Destruction Barry McGuire
Hang On Sloopy The McCoys
Yesterday The Beatles
Get Off of My Cloud The Rolling Stones
I Hear a Symphony The Supremes
Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) The Byrds
Over and Over The Dave Clark Five

The Beatles, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones and The Byrds were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts with 4 no.1 singles by The Beatles.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1966

No Song Artist
1 California Dreamin' The Mamas & the Papas
2 96 Tears ? and the Mysterians
3 What Becomes of the Brokenhearted Jimmy Ruffin
4 Last Train to Clarksville The Monkees
5 Reach Out I'll Be There Four Tops
6 These Boots Are Made for Walkin' Nancy Sinatra
7 Cherish The Association
8 Strangers in the Night Frank Sinatra
9 Kicks Paul Revere & the Raiders
10 The Ballad of the Green Berets SSgt Barry Sadler
Billboard Number One Hits of 1966
Song Artist
The Sound of Silence Simon & Garfunkel
We Can Work It Out The Beatles
My Love Petula Clark
Lightnin' Strikes Lou Christie
These Boots Are Made for Walkin' Nancy Sinatra
The Ballad of the Green Berets SSgt Barry Sadler
(You're My) Soul and Inspiration The Righteous Brothers
Good Lovin' The Young Rascals
Monday, Monday The Mamas & the Papas
When a Man Loves a Woman Percy Sledge
Paint It Black The Rolling Stones
Paperback Writer The Beatles
Strangers in the Night Frank Sinatra
Hanky Panky Tommy James and the Shondells
Wild Thing The Troggs
Summer in the City The Lovin' Spoonful
Sunshine Superman Donovan
You Can't Hurry Love The Supremes
Cherish The Association
Reach Out I'll Be There Four Tops
96 Tears ? and the Mysterians
Last Train to Clarksville The Monkees
Poor Side of Town Johnny Rivers
You Keep Me Hangin' On The Supremes
Winchester Cathedral The New Vaudeville Band
Good Vibrations The Beach Boys
I'm a Believer The Monkees

The Beatles, The Supremes and The Monkees were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1967

No Song Artist
1 To Sir With Love Lulu
2 The Letter The Box Tops
3 Ode to Billie Joe Bobbie Gentry
4 Windy The Association
5 I'm A Believer The Monkees
6 Light My Fire The Doors
7 Somethin' Stupid Frank & Nancy Sinatra
8 Happy Together The Turtles
9 Groovin' The Young Rascals
10 Can't Take My Eyes Off You Frankie Valli
Billboard Number One Hits of 1967
Song Artist
I'm A Believer The Monkees
Kind of a Drag The Buckinghams
Ruby Tuesday The Rolling Stones
Love Is Here and Now You're Gone The Supremes
Penny Lane The Beatles
Happy Together The Turtles
Somethin' Stupid Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
The Happening The Supremes
Groovin' The Young Rascals
Respect Aretha Franklin
Windy The Association
Light My Fire The Doors
All You Need Is Love The Beatles
Ode to Billie Joe Bobbie Gentry
The Letter The Box Tops
To Sir With Love Lulu
Incense and Peppermints Strawberry Alarm Clock
Daydream Believer The Monkees
Hello, Goodbye The Beatles

The Beatles, The Supremes and The Monkees were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1968

No Song Artist
1 Hey Jude The Beatles
2 Love is Blue Paul Mauriat
3 Honey Bobby Goldsboro
4 (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay Otis Redding
5 People Got to Be Free The Rascals
6 Sunshine of Your Love Cream
7 This Guy's in Love with You Herb Alpert
8 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Hugo Montenegro
9 Mrs. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
10 Tighten Up Archie Bell & the Drells
Billboard Number One Hits of 1968
Song Artist
Hello, Goodbye The Beatles
Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) John Fred and His Playboy Band
Green Tambourine The Lemon Pipers
Love is Blue Paul Mauriat
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay Otis Redding
Honey Bobby Goldsboro
Tighten Up Archie Bell & the Drells
Mrs. Robinson Simon & Garfunkel
This Guy's in Love with You Herb Alpert
Grazing in the Grass Hugh Masekela
Hello, I Love You The Doors
People Got to Be Free The Rascals
Harper Valley PTA Jeannie C. Riley
Hey Jude The Beatles
Love Child Diana Ross & the Supremes
I Heard It Through the Grapevine Marvin Gaye

The Beatles were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Billboard Year-End Hot 10 songs of 1969

No Song Artist
1 Sugar, Sugar The Archies
2 Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In The 5th Dimension
3 I Can't Get Next to You The Temptations
4 Honky Tonk Women The Rolling Stones
5 Everyday People Sly and the Family Stone
6 Dizzy Tommy Roe
7 Hot Fun in the Summertime Sly and the Family Stone
8 I'll Never Fall in Love Again Tom Jones
9 Build Me Up Buttercup The Foundations
10 Crimson and Clover Tommy James and the Shondells
Billboard Number One Hits of 1969
Song Artist
I Heard It Through the Grapevine Marvin Gaye
Crimson and Clover Tommy James and the Shondells
Everyday People Sly & the Family Stone
Dizzy Tommy Roe
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In The 5th Dimension
Get Back The Beatles with Billy Preston
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet Henry Mancini
In the Year 2525 Zager and Evans
Honky Tonk Women The Rolling Stones
Sugar, Sugar The Archies
I Can't Get Next to You The Temptations
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley
Wedding Bell Blues The 5th Dimension
Come Together The Beatles
Something The Beatles
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye Steam
Leaving on a Jet Plane Peter, Paul and Mary
Someday We'll Be Together Diana Ross & the Supremes

The Beatles and The Fifth Dimension were the only acts to have more than one song hit number one on the weekly charts.

Musical Journey of the 1960s

The 1960s were a transformative time for music, witnessing the birth and evolution of various genres that continue to influence modern music. Here are some interesting facts about '60s music:

The British Invasion: Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks gained international popularity, leading what was famously known as the British Invasion in the US music scene.

Psychedelic Rock: The late '60s saw the rise of psychedelic rock, characterized by bands experimenting with new sounds, trippy lyrics, and often drug-influenced music. Groups like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and Pink Floyd were pioneers in this genre.

Woodstock Festival: The iconic Woodstock Festival took place in 1969, showcasing some of the biggest acts of the era, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, and many others. It became a symbol of the counterculture movement of the '60s.

Motown Sound: The Motown record label in Detroit produced hit after hit in the 1960s, popularizing a distinct soulful sound. Artists such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder were part of this influential movement.

Bob Dylan's Influence: Bob Dylan emerged as a significant figure in folk music, penning socially conscious songs that became anthems for the civil rights movement and inspired countless artists.

The Monterey Pop Festival: Held in 1967, this festival featured iconic performances by artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Otis Redding and is considered a precursor to later music festivals like Woodstock.

The Beach Boys and the Surf Sound: The Beach Boys popularized the surf music genre, celebrating the California lifestyle with their harmonies and catchy tunes.

Technology Advancements: The '60s saw technological advancements in music production, such as the introduction of the 4-track tape recorder, which expanded creative possibilities in recording studios.

Social and Political Influence: Music became a platform for social and political commentary during this era, with songs like "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan and "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke addressing issues of civil rights and societal change.

Albums as Art: Artists started to view albums as cohesive bodies of work rather than just collections of singles. Albums like The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" showcased this shift in approach.

The 1960s were a dynamic period in music history that not only shaped the industry but also reflected the cultural and social changes happening around the world.


Help Pages

Song charts - help with reading the song charts on this site for anyone that finds them a little confusing

Guitar chords - popular chords for all levels of experience including charts for left handed players.

Chord, note and key transposition - transposing chords in a song - useful examples and charts

Please Note: All the song charts on this site represent our interpretation of each song, in a format aimed at teaching guitarists and musicians in general. No attempt has been made to copy or reproduce the artist's or publisher's sheet music for the song, if it does exist. It is to be used for Informational and Educational Purposes Only. For a comprehensive representation of the songs, we recommend you buy the sheet music. If you like playing these songs, we encourage you to support the artists and buy their music.

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