Defining Music of the 1960s: Characteristics and Great Songs

The defining music of the 1960s was truly varied in terms of genre and and style. We see the birth of forms of rock music, jazz as well as folk ... SkiptomaincontentPlaylistsGenresK-PopRockPopFolkMetalRap&HipHopClassicalJazzIndieElectronicArtists&BandsLearningtoPlayInstrumentsPlayinginaBandSingingLessons&TipsInstruments&GearMusicalInstrumentsSoundEquipmentStudioEquipmentIndustryProductionHistoryConcertsAboutUsEditorialPolicyPrivacyPolicyTermsofUsePrivacySettingsDecember30,2021Artists&BandsInstruments&GearLearningtoPlayPlaylistsGenresIndustryMichelleisaprofessionalfreelancewriterwholovesmusic,poetry,pets,andthearts.Sheisatechno-geekaswell.TheBeatlesingenuppgift,CC-BY,viaCreativeCommons “Thethingthesixtiesdidwastoshowusthepossibilitiesandtheresponsibilitythatweallhad.Itwasn'ttheanswer.Itjustgaveusaglimpseofthepossibility.” —JohnLennon WhatourfavoriteBeatle,JohnLennon,saysinthequoteabovesumsupaccuratelywhatthemusicoftheexcitingeraofthe1960swas.He,ofcourse,havingbeenoneofthepioneersofitsfascinating,uniqueandcatchymusic.Iamnotachildofthe1960s,minebeingtheGunsandRosesandthelaterBonJoviera.Yetitistheedgybutlyricalqualityofsomeofthemusicofthe'60sthatpromptsmetoappreciateitthemost.Thaterawasatimewhenexcitementranrifeinthemusicscene.Expressive,lyricaltunes,hipgyratingpieces,andnumbersthatprovokedthethoughtsofallwhoheardwereproduced.Itwasatimewhensocialissuesweredaringlybroached.Letmetakeyouonajourneyofitsmusic,reminiscewithyouonsomeoftheissuesofthetimeandrefreshyourmemoriesofsomeofthegreatestartistsoftheera.TheStonesinconcert:Miss-Sophie,CC-BY-SA3.0viaCreativeCommonsEffectsMichelleLiewJoanBaezandBobDylanMovieevery,CC-BY-SA3.0viaCreativeCommonsBreakingConventionandStandingUptoOppressionFlowerPowerThesocietalchangeofFlowerPowercameabout,withmanytakingtheideaof“makelove,notwar,”atitsliteralpremise.Ideassurroundingsexualitybecamemoreliberalizedandaccepted,thoughitremainscontentiousastowhetherthatisachangeforthebetter.Thoughavant-gardeanddefinitelyedgy,theFlowerPowermovementhadthealtruisticintentofbringingaboutpeaceinthewakeoftheheavywarsthatwerefoughtinthe20thcentury.FeminismWomens’rightsbecamemorepronounced.Feminism,asitisalsoknown,isacollectionofideologiesaimedatpromotingequalityintheeconomic,politicalandsocialrightsofwomenandtherewasnobettertimetoenforcethemthaninthe1960swhenliberationinmanyformswaspresent.TheCivilRightsMovementThemovementsoughtequalityforallandwasinstrumentalinachievingthataim.Anoutstandingtenetofthemovementwasthatthefreedomoftheindividualwastobecherishedandprotectedfromanyformofinfringement.Itwasessentiallyaprotestagainstanyformofdiscriminationofanotherhumanbeing.ReadMoreFromSpindittyWhoSangItBest?"It'stheMostWonderfulTimeoftheYear"SynthAlbumReview:"Robots&Computers"byThePyramid10GreatestJazzBassistsMartinLutherKingsummedupthemovementbestinhisfamous"IHaveaDream"speech:“Ihaveadreamthatonedaythisnationwillriseupandliveoutthetruemeaningofitscreed:"Weholdthesetruthstobeself-evident,thatallmenarecreatedequal."Forthatwasthespiritofthemovement,whichalsospawnedthoughtsonsuchsocialissuesfromthebelovedmusiciansofthetime.EnvironmentalismThe'60swasalsoatimeofbirthforenvironmentalismoraddressingenvironmentalconcerns.Themovementadvocatesthepreservation,restorationandtheprotectionofthenaturalenvironmentandallitsresources.Itwasalsothetimewhenethicalrelationstotheenvironment,thelandandappreciatingbiodiversitywashighlighted."LikeaRollingStone,"BobDylanMusicofthe1960sThedefiningmusicofthe1960swastrulyvariedintermsofgenreandandstyle.Weseethebirthofformsofrockmusic,jazzaswellasfolkrevival.Nomatterwhichgenrewespeakof,allhaveonethingincommon:theyshapedthemusicthatweknowandlovetothisday.FolkRevivalThesixtieswasatimewhenthetraditionalmusicofoldwasgivenafreshnewlookwithnewcompositionswritteninatraditionalstyle.Appalachianfolksawanewrebirth,andsingerslikeWoodyGuthrie,BobDylan,JoanBaezandPeteSeegeremergedasaresultofthismovement.Thehallmarkofthismovementwastocombineelementsoffolkandrock.SongslikeMr.TambourineManandLikeaRollingStonegainedpopularity.GratefulDead-RipplePsychedelicRockPsychedeliawasthenameofagroupofpeoplewhousedpsychedelicsubstances.This,combinedwiththefolkrockrevivalgaverisetoanewformof60srock-psychedelicrock.ApioneersongofthisformofrockwasthePsychedelicsoundsofthe13thFloorElevators.GroupsliketheGratefulDead,CountryJoeandtheFishandJeffersonAirplanehelpedtomakethesoundpopular.SurfMusicCharacterizedbybeingveryinstrumental,strongreverbonguitars,andlyricsonthesurfscene,surfmusicwaspopularizedbynoneotherthangroupsliketheBeachBoys,theVentures,theAtlantic,theSurfarisandtheChamps.ThemusicwasessentiallythesoundoftheSouthernCaliforniaarea.Ithastwoforms:SurfRock,popularizedbyartistslikeDickDalewhousedstrongguitarreverbandSurfPoppopularizedbynoneotherthantheBeachBoys.GarageRockAmateurishrockmusicreleasedfromagaragebecausepopularduringthistimeaswell.Composedmainlybystudents,ithighlightedtheinsandoutsofhighschoollife.Itrangedfromcrudeone-chordmusictonearstudio-qualityvariationslikethatperformedbytheKnickerbockers,theRemainsandFifthEstate.LeonnieMack,"SafetySusie"Blues/BluesRockPioneeredbyguitaristLeonnieMack,thesoundtookoffinthemid-1960swithperformancesandrecordreleasesbyCannedHeat,JanisJoplin,thegreatJimiHendrixandtheAllmanBrothersBand.Hendrix’sguitarstylecametobeoneofthemostemulatedinthe1960s.Hisband,theExperience,gainedwildpopularityeventhoughitwasonlyaroundforashortperiodoftime.AnotherBlues-rockpioneerwhowaspopularwaypastthesixtieswasnoneotherthanEricClapton,whoplayedblueswithJohnMayallandtheBluesbreakersandearnedthenameSlowhand.Changingthefaceofblueswellpastthe'60s,Clapton'sWonderfulTonightandthepoignantTearsInHeaveninwhichhemournsthelossofhissonbecameiconicsongsandstillare,tothisday.EricClaptonSlowhandRootsRockRootsrockwasadeparturefromtheexcessesofpsychedelicrockandwasexactlywhatitsnamesaiditwas—themusicofrockandrollgoingbacktoitscountryandfolkroots.Rockmusic,therefore,tookonamoresouthernflavor,BobDylanspearheadedrootsrockwhenherecordedBlondeonBlonde.SoloartistslikeRyCooder,BonnieRaitt,andLowellGeorgealsodominatedtherootsrockscene.ProgressiveRockProgressiveRockmarkedachangeinthe1960smusicscenewithmusiciansemployingdifferentinstrumentsasanaccompanimentfortheirmusic.FamousgroupsliketheBeatles,BeachBoysandtheRollingStonesemployedtheuseofharpsichordsintheirmusicfromthemid-1960s.Windandstringintroductionswerepopularamongmusiciansduringthistime.AgoodexampleisProcolHarum’sWhiterShadeofPaleLittleEva,"Locomotion"PopChubbyCheckerwasapioneerduringthepopphaseofthetime,withhisrecordingofTheTwistbyHankBallard.Itstartedawholenewdancecraze.GerryGoffinandCaroleKinginfluencedpopmusicaswell,writingthefirstnumberonehitbyagirlgroup,"WillYouStillLoveMeTomorrow."BesidesmakingtheShirellespopular,italsopropelledpoptonewheightsandprovedthepowerofwomeninmusic.Hereisa1962hit,theLocomotion,performedbyLittleEva."PleaseMr.Postman,"theMarvelettesR&BandSoulMusicTheerasawthedevelopmentofMotownasatestamenttopop-influencedsoul.Itbeganitslongrunwithsongslike"PleaseMr.Postman"bytheMarvelettes.SamCooke,OtisRedding,andJamesBrownledthesoulmovement.WecannotforgettoRESPECTArethaFranklin,withherrenditionofthesongandnumberslike"I'veNeverLovedAaMan."JimReeves,"ILoveYouBecause"CountryMusicCountrymusicisevergreenandwewillnevertireoflisteningtoit.Thedevelopmentofthissoothingformofmusicwasmarkedbyconflictingtriumphantandtragiccircumstances.Althoughcountrywasatitspeak,tragedymarredthecircumstanceswithseveraltopstarslosingtheirlivesinplanecrashes.TheNashvilleSoundcharacterizedthecountrymusicoftheera.SingerslikeJimReeves,EddyArnold,RayPrice,PatsyCline,FloydCramerandRogerMillerhelpedtobringthesoundforthwithsongslike"He’llHavetoGo"and"ICan’tStopLovingYou."ThesoundbecamemorepolishedinthelatterpartofthedecadeandbecameknownasCountrypolitan,usedmainlybystarslikeGlenCampbellandTammyWynette.CharleyPridebecamethefirstAfricanAmericansuperstarincountrymusic.StarslikeDollyParton,whogainedfameinthePorterWagonershowandJohnnyCashbecameimmenselypopular.WorldMusicWorldmusicbecauseagreatinfluenceonthepopularmusicoftheera,withgroupsliketheBeatlesbecominginterestedinHareKrishnaculture.RaviShankar,thefamoussitarplayer,alsoplayedinvariousmusicfestivals.FinalThoughtsThemusicofthe1960sisbestdescribedasanedgy,eclecticblendofvariety.Therewassomethingforeveryoneduringthistime,whichwillbecherishedintheheartofmany.Here,Iwouldalsoliketothankthewriterswhohaveprovidedwonderfulinsightsbyansweringthequestion“Whatarethecharacteristicsofmusicofthe'60s?”Iamamazedatsomeoftheirsharing!Dovisiteachoftheirprofiles.©2013MichelleLiewCommentsmessionMarch22,2018:Themusicbackin1960sareawesome,butthemusictodayaremoredanceifandmorehappy,andsad.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJuly06,2013:Thanks,Glim!Thishasalwaysbeenalwaysagreatgeneration!ClaudiaMitchellonJuly03,2013:Whatagreatcompilationofthestylesof60smusic.Lovethemallandthemajorityofthemusicinmycollectionisfromthe1960s.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune30,2013:Thanksforthelink,Peggy!!!PeggyWoodsfromHouston,TexasonJune29,2013:Thisisagreathubespeciallyforthoseofuswhogrewupwithmusicofthe1960s.Iamgoingtoaddalinkfromthishubtominetitled"DanceCraze~TwistNostalgiain1960Era~ChubbyChecker"Thiswillmakeaniceaddition!Thanksforwritingthis.Up,useful,interestingandhappytoshare!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune29,2013:HiJanet,thanksforsharing!Thiseracertainlyhadgoodmusic!JanetGiesslfromGeorgiacountryonJune28,2013:Ilovethisera,themusicandthepeoplethoughI'machildofthe80's.YourhubwasveryinterestingtoreadandtherewerealsopeopleandmusicIhaven'theardbefore.Sothiswasalsoeducational.Thankyouforsharingthiswithus.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:HiJackie!Thiseraisfascinatingmusicallyandthereissomuchmoretodiscuss...can'tfinishallinonehub!Thanksforsharing!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Ithinkitcouldbeawindowssettingsforsome.Theysomehowcan'trunthevideowhenit'sminimized.Willlookintoit,Nell!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Themusicofnow,thehiphopgenerationtendstobealittlecutandpasteifyoulistentoitindeed,PeachPurple.Andthelyricsalittlerudeattimes.Thanksforsharing!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:WishI'dhadbeenateenthen,myself.Arealmusicalrevolution.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Yesitwas!thanksforsharing,Elias!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Classicalmusichadvariousstagesofdevelopment,fromthebaroquetotheromanticstoo.Thanksforsharing,andstudyingthe60'sasadegreemusthavebeenablast!JackieLynnleyfromthebeautifulsouthonJune27,2013:Thiswasareallyfunhub.SomeofthesesongsIhadneverheardsothatwassomethinggoodtoo,thankyou!^IjustplayedtheLittleEvaanditworkedforme.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Iwouldthinkso,Paul.Certainly,hehadhisownstyleofrapping!Thanksforsharing!NellRosefromEnglandonJune27,2013:Himichelle,veryenjoyablehub,the60swasalittlebeforemytime,well,Iwasababy!lol!butthemusicwasgreat!bythewaythevideoLittleEvaLocomotiondoesn'twork,itsaysitstoosmall,waslookingforwardtodancingtoit!lol!peachyfromHomeSweetHomeonJune27,2013:wowsuchalonglist!Ilovethebeatles,thebeachboys,andericclaptonmusic.Missedthoseoldsongs.Comparetothelatestmusicera,oldclassicsongsarebetterintermsoflyricsandrhythm.Nicehub.VotedupRomeosQuillfromLincolnshire,EnglandonJune27,2013:WhatagreatHub!ItmakesmewishI'dbeenateenagerinthesixties.Areallywell-presentedpottedsocialhistoryofthatspecialtime,andthankyoutoMhatter99forbringingittoourattention.Fabulousmusic,especiallythe'Because'trackbytheFabFour:)Allthebest,Romeo'sQuillEliasZanettifromAthens,GreeceonJune27,2013:Excellenthub,greatpresentationandmusicvideos!The'60swasafascinatingeraforpopularmusicandtheirlegacyandinfluenceisstillvisible!Votedandshared!JoolsHoggfromNorth-EastUKonJune27,2013:Michelle,youhavedoneawonderfuljobhere.Iloveyouranalysisofthevarioustypesofmusicaroundatthattime-Ihadtostudythe60sduringmydegreeandwasamazedtodiscoverthatclassicalmusicalsowentthroughasimilarrenaissanceasrockandroll-someofitwasverynew,unusualandavantgardewhilstsomeofitactuallytookinfluencesfromthe12thand13thcentury-itmusthavebeenanintenselycreativetime.PaulRichardKuehnfromUdornCity,ThailandonJune27,2013:Michelle,IfindthishubveryinterestingbecauseIlivedthroughthe60sasayoungman.Eventoday,Ioftenrevisitthemusicofthe60swhenIamnostalgic.Ilovedallofthemusicwhichyoumasterfullydescribedinthishub.BobDylanIlikedverymuchforthemessagesthatwereinhissongs.Besidesbeingabluesandfolksinger,IthinkDylanwasoneofthefirstsuccessfulrappers.Votedupandsharingwithfollowers.AlsoPinning,Tweeting,andsharingonFacebook.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune27,2013:Thanks,MHatter!!MartinKloessfromSanFranciscoonJune27,2013:Greatjobonthis!Youchosethemusicwell.sharedMichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Thanks,Audrey!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:HiJean,thanksforsharing.GuessthatSurfmusicwassooverwhelmedbythebeachboysthatitcametobeassociatedwiththat!Itis,becauseoftheCaliforniaidea,thoughalargepartofit,asyousaywasinstrumental.WillbringDickDalein!IhopetheyseethattherewassomuchmoretothesixtiesthanjustSurfersorHippies.InterestingthatyoursonwaspartofaSurfgroup!JeanBakulafromNewJerseyonJune26,2013:Thanksforaninteresting"blastfromthepast!"MickySr.isrightthough,manydon'trealize"surfmusic"isinstrumental,andnotliketheBeachBoysatall.ThinkofthethemetoHawaiiFive-O.Mysonlearnedtolove60'smusicfromus,notlikingrapandwhatwaspopularinhisowngeneration.HeiscurrentlyinasurfgroupplayingalotofDickDalestuff,completewithreverbtanktubeamp,andallthe60'sequipmentthatcanstillbefound.Theystillmakealotofitforpeopletomakethesoundauthentic.Ihopethatinthefuturepeopleunderstandthemusicinthecontextitwasmeant.Itwasatimeofgreatsocialchange,andgreatsocialunrest.Butpeoplewereoptimistic,andreallythoughttheycouldmakeadifference.Iworrypeoplewillcharacterizethe60'sasabunchofhighhippiesrollingaroundinthemudatWoodstock.Itwassomuchmorethatallthat.IloveRipple,it'soneofmyfavoritesongs,sinceweallhavetotravelourownpath.Nicejob!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Thanks,Pam!HavedecidedtogivegoodoldElvisaresthere,becauseI'dmentionedhiminotherhubs.TheBritishInvasionreallymadeanimpact,though!PamelaOglesbyfromSunnyFloridaonJune26,2013:Ithinkyoucoveredthemusicofthe60'sverywellconsideringthemusicchangedsomuchwhenwewentfromElvisandmotowntotheBritishinvasion.AsIwasalivethen,Iremembermostofthismusicwell.Greathub!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:That'sthethingwiththe60smusic,LadyDeonne,itisexcitingandtranscendsgenerations.Thanksforsharing!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Thanks,Alecia!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Yup,thosetwogroupsdefinitelymadethingsexciting,mperrotet,asdidBaez!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:There'sjustsomuchtosayandmanygreatartiststocover....notenoughforonehub!Thanksforsharing!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Thanks,J9!Mykindofmusic!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Itwasindeedanexcitingera....manygreatacts!Thanksforsharing!MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Thanksforsharing,vibesites!Nope,itwasn't.MoreCaliforniaGirls!!Thanksforsharing!AudreyHowittfromCaliforniaonJune26,2013:IlovedJudyCollinsinthelate60sandearly70's--greathubMichelle!DeonneAndersonfromFlorence,SConJune26,2013:Themusicofthe60'swill,inmyopinion,liveoninourheartsandlivesforever.Youhavecapturedthesewonderfulmomentsinfulldetails.Whatissoamazingtomeisthelovethattoday'syouthhaveforthemusic.Asatherapistwhoworkedmostlywithadolescentsandtheirfamilies,IwasalwaysflabbergastedwhenmyyoungclientssangalongwithsongsthatIlistenedanddancedtoasayounggirl.Oneofmyneighborshastwoboys,ages(12)and(14).Heandtheboysperformmusicfromthelate50'sand60'sinschools,neighborhoodactivities,andatprivateparties.WhatInoticedwasthatduringtheirperformanceataneighborhoodblockpartywasthatmanyteensandchildrennotonlydancedtothemusic,butalsosangalong.Thesekidstodayaremesmerizedbythemusicofthe60's.Mydaughterlovesthemusicofthe60'sandoftenremarksthatshewishesthatshehadbeenateenduringthoseyears.Thanksforthememories!Votedupandsharing.AleciaMurphyfromWilmington,NorthCarolinaonJune26,2013:Greathub!MyparentsareboomerssoIgrewupwithagooddealofthismusic.Itisinterestinghowmuchmodernmusictookitscuefrom1960smusic.MargaretPerrottetfromSanAntonio,FLonJune26,2013:Irememberthoseyearssowell.WhenIwasinmyjunioryearinhighschoolIlovedJoanBaez.Iwasboredwithmuchofthepopmusic,andrememberhowexcitingitwaswhentherealrevolutionhitwiththeBeatlesandtheRollingStones.Itwaspureexcitementfromthere.Greatreviewofthefabulousmusicofthattime.Votedupandinteresting.BillHollandfromOlympia,WAonJune26,2013:Mytime,myplace,mymusic.Allyousaidandmuch,muchmoreistrueofthatgreatmusic.Welldone!JanineHuldiefromNewYork,NewYorkonJune26,2013:Ok,seriouslylovedthisarticleMichelle,becauseIjusthappentolovesomuchofthemusicfromthe1960s.Growingupwithmyparentswhowereteensduringthistime,theytrulyintroducedmetosomanyofthegreatsfromthistimeera.Thankyousomuchforcompilingthisandsharingitwithus!!Have,ofcourse,votedupandshare,too!!MaryCraigfromNewYorkonJune26,2013:You'vecertainlycoveredalotofgroundhereMichelleandinsodoingpaintaperfectpictureofthesixtiesmusic.ItwasmymusicsoIcanspeakwithsomeauthority(well,sortof).Thesixtiesmusicwasthe'everythingmusic'...weembraceditall.Itwasabreakthroughinthatitwasallthethingsyoumention.Votedup,useful,interesting,andsharing.vibesitesfromUnitedStatesonJune26,2013:I'dalsolovetogotothateraiftherewereatimemachineandexperienceBeatlemaniabeforemyeyes!JanandDeanwerealsonotablesurfrockers.Ioncesmuglythought"TheLittleOldLadyFromPasadena"wasaBeachBoyssongwhenIcouldn'tfinditundertheBeachBoyscategory.Nicehubyou'vegotthere.Votedup.Thanksforposting!:)MaryHyattfromFloridaonJune26,2013:The1960'swasanexcitingtimeformanyreasons.Musicwasgreatbackthen.IrememberseeingtheBeatlesontheEdSullivanshowwhentheyfirstcametotheUS.GreatHub,votedUpandshared.MichelleLiew(author)fromSingaporeonJune26,2013:Onthecharacteristicsofmusicofthe1960s.RelatedArticlesMetalThe50GreatestJapaneseMetalBandsofAllTimeByTadakatsu12hoursagoPlaylists77SongsAboutHomeandHometownsByFlourishAnyway17hoursagoPlaylists116SongsAboutVictory,Celebration,Success,andWinningByFlourishAnywayDec27,2021Playlists69SongsThatSayGetAwayFromMeorGoAwayByFlourishAnywayDec27,2021Artists&Bands74CanadianSingersandBandsWhoMadeItBiginAmericaByFlourishAnywayDec27,2021Playlists91Pop,Rock,andCountrySongsAboutMoneyByFlourishAnywayDec26,2021InstrumentsHowtoChooseanElectricGuitarforaBeginnerByGuitarGopherDec26,2021MusicalInstrumentsHowtoChooseanAcousticGuitarforaBeginnerByGuitarGopherDec26,2021InstrumentsBasicGuitarVocabularyGuideforBeginnersByGuitarGopherDec26,2021MusicalInstrumentsBestAcoustic-ElectricGuitarsUnder$1000ByGuitarGopherDec26,2021MusicalInstruments10BestElectricGuitarsforIntermediatePlayersByGuitarGopherDec26,2021MetalReviewofSlayer'sFourthAlbum"SouthofHeaven"ByAraVahanianDec25,2021Rap&HipHopReviewofLoyleCarner'sAlbum:'Yesterday'sGone'BySamsonPharaohDec24,2021Artists&BandsReviewofAliciaKeys'Album,'Here'BySamsonPharaohDec24,2021Rap&HipHopReviewof"Nightride"bySinger/SongwriterTinasheBySamsonPharaohDec24,2021Playlists173SongsAboutMissingSomeoneYouLoveByFlourishAnywayDec24,2021Loading…SeeMoreCLOSECLOSECLOSECLOSE