16 Legendary ’60s Tunes That Deserve Another Spin
The 1960s gave us some of the greatest music ever recorded, but not every classic got the radio play it deserved.
While everyone remembers the big hits, countless incredible songs slipped through the cracks and faded from memory.
Get ready to rediscover 16 absolute gems that deserve a spot back on your playlist!
1. Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks
Ray Davies crafted this bittersweet masterpiece about a wealthy man losing everything, and it became one of the most cleverly written songs of its era.
The jangly guitars and laid-back tempo perfectly capture that lazy summer feeling.
What makes this track special is how it balances humor with genuine melancholy, creating something both fun and thoughtful.
You’ll find yourself humming along while pondering life’s ups and downs at the same time.
2. Walk On By – Dionne Warwick
When heartbreak needs a soundtrack, Dionne’s silky vocals deliver the perfect remedy with this Burt Bacharach composition. Her voice glides over the sophisticated arrangement like butter on warm toast.
The song captures that painful moment when you see your ex and try to play it cool. Those lush strings and Dionne’s emotional restraint make this a timeless lesson in dignified sadness that still resonates today.
3. The First Cut Is the Deepest – P.P. Arnold
Before Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow covered it, P.P. Arnold delivered the definitive version of Cat Stevens’ heartbreak anthem.
Her powerful, gospel-tinged voice brings raw emotion that later versions couldn’t quite match.
This original recording captures vulnerability and strength in equal measure, proving that sometimes the first artist to tackle a song gets it absolutely right.
4. Suzanne – Leonard Cohen
Cohen’s poetic debut single reads like a beautiful mystery wrapped in haunting melodies and cryptic imagery.
His deep, conversational voice draws you into a world of tea, oranges, and spiritual longing that feels both ancient and modern.
Every line rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers of meaning each time. The song established Cohen as a master storyteller who could make the mundane feel mystical and profound.
5. Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell
Jimmy Webb wrote this lonely ode to a telephone worker, and Glen Campbell transformed it into something almost cinematic.
The sweeping strings and Campbell’s warm voice create a vast landscape you can practically see stretching before you.
It’s a working man’s love song that somehow captures infinite longing in just a few verses. That soaring chorus stays with you long after the music stops playing.
6. See Emily Play – Pink Floyd
Back when Syd Barrett led Pink Floyd, they created this whimsical psychedelic pop gem that sounds like childhood memories filtered through a kaleidoscope.
The bouncy melody contrasts beautifully with the slightly eerie lyrics about a mysterious girl.
It’s simultaneously cheerful and unsettling, perfectly capturing the playful experimentation of late-sixties psychedelia. This early Floyd track shows a completely different side of the band before they went cosmic.
7. Venus in Furs – The Velvet Underground
Lou Reed and company created something genuinely unsettling with this dark exploration of desire and power dynamics.
The droning viola and hypnotic rhythm create an atmosphere unlike anything else from the era, challenging every convention of popular music.
It’s uncomfortable, fascinating, and absolutely groundbreaking – proof that the sixties weren’t all peace and love. This track influenced countless artists who wanted music that confronted rather than comforted.
8. It’s Your Thing – The Isley Brothers
Released right at the decade’s end, this funky declaration of independence became an anthem for doing exactly what you want.
The Isley Brothers brought raw energy and that unforgettable guitar riff that makes you want to move immediately.
It’s empowering, groovy, and impossible to sit still through. The message about personal freedom resonated then and remains relevant now, wrapped in irresistible funk that never gets old.
9. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson reached the absolute peak of his genius with this achingly beautiful love song that even Paul McCartney called one of the greatest ever written.
The complex harmonies and unconventional structure create something that sounds simultaneously familiar and otherworldly.
Carl Wilson’s tender vocal delivery makes every word feel essential and true. It’s a masterclass in arrangement and emotion that transcends its era completely.
10. A Minha Menina – Os Mutantes
Brazil’s answer to psychedelic rock came in the form of this delightfully weird and wonderful track that sounds like The Beatles partying in São Paulo.
Os Mutantes mixed traditional Brazilian sounds with experimental rock in ways nobody had attempted before.
The playful vocals and unexpected twists make this endlessly replayable. It proves that the sixties revolution happened everywhere, not just in London and San Francisco.
11. Everyday People – Sly & The Family Stone
Sly Stone delivered a message of unity and acceptance that felt revolutionary for its time and remains powerful today.
The infectious groove and sing-along chorus made it impossible to ignore, while the lyrics challenged prejudice with simple, direct language.
What made it special was how the band themselves embodied the message – a truly integrated group making joyful music together. The funky bassline alone is worth the listen.
12. I Hear a Symphony – The Supremes
Diana Ross and the girls transformed falling in love into a full orchestral experience with this Motown gem that lives up to its title.
The arrangement really does sound like a symphony, with strings and brass supporting those perfect harmonies.
It captures that overwhelming feeling when romance makes everything seem more beautiful and dramatic.
13. Walking the Blues – Willie Dixon
One of the greatest blues songwriters ever recorded this walking-tempo masterpiece that showcases his deep, rumbling voice and clever wordplay.
Willie Dixon built the foundation that rock and roll was constructed on, and this track proves why everyone wanted his songs.
The groove is effortless, and his bass playing drives everything forward with unstoppable momentum. It’s blues in its purest, most authentic form from a true legend.
14. To Love Somebody – Bee Gees
Before disco fever took over, the Gibb brothers wrote this achingly sincere ballad that showcases their incredible harmonies and songwriting chops.
Barry Gibb’s emotional vocal performance conveys deep longing without ever becoming melodramatic or overwrought.
The song has been covered countless times, but the original remains definitive. It’s a reminder that the Bee Gees were serious artists long before Saturday Night Fever made them superstars.
15. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Satchmo’s gravelly voice and optimistic message created an instant classic that still brings tears to eyes decades later.
Released during turbulent times, this gentle reminder to appreciate life’s simple beauties offered hope when people desperately needed it.
Armstrong’s sincerity shines through every word, making cynicism impossible. The lush orchestration perfectly complements his unique vocal tone, creating something truly timeless and universally beloved.
16. I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
This duet captured young love with such genuine warmth that it became an instant classic despite its simple structure.
Sonny and Cher’s chemistry was undeniable, and their conversational singing style made listeners feel like they were eavesdropping on something real and intimate.
The innocent optimism and catchy melody made it impossible to resist. It perfectly encapsulates mid-sixties pop before things got more complicated and experimental.
