Welcome to a brand new countdown exploring my all-time favourite songs.

I've had a love of retro music for quite some time now in addition to keeping on top of new releases each week. So I wanted to put together a thread that was all-encompassing. Now feels like a good time as I've ramped up my 20th century musical discoveries compared to pre-pandemic, have got a lot better at sourcing more obscure modern songs in addition to chart hits and know my taste more than ever.

I have decided to break this thread down in to decades and will count down my top 10 favourite songs of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s... so far! These lists should be a great representation of what I love today and the scale of this project feels manageable. I can get this done in a little over a month if I drop two songs a day!

I've limited this to one song per act, although there's an exception where one artist is here with her own song and is part of a remix too, but I let that slide.

There's one song that could fall into the 1970s or 1980s and I'm being inconsistent, as I've considered it a 1980s song in forum rankings in the past, but decided to revert back to its original release date as I had 11 songs I desperately wanted to include for the 1980s and 9 for the 1970s, so balanced it out that way. We'll get to that one later!

I probably should've waited another few years so the 2020s were covered in full but I evidently need to get this out of my system. Can always revise that list in 2030

Apologies to any time period before the swinging sixties as that's the first decade I feel passionate about, despite gems here and there before then as well.

Hope you enjoy ❤️

That’s a great idea, looking forward to seeing what you go for! I hope I didn’t spoil any of your surprises by asking you about your favourite 5 songs in Gezza’s 70s best sellers thread!

53 minutes ago, Jaz13music said:

That’s a great idea, looking forward to seeing what you go for! I hope I didn’t spoil any of your surprises by asking you about your favourite 5 songs in Gezza’s 70s best sellers thread!

Thank you for the kind words! ❤️

It's all good, my post in that thread and the subsequent discussion actually inspired this idea. Also, the songs I listed there were in alphabetical order - so still some mystery and intrigue for the positions in that decade, plus 5 other songs I've selected.

Shall kick off the '60s shortly!

1960s

We begin with a particularly groovy decade! Notable events in my world include the explosion of my all-time favourite band and the birth of my mother. I got into The Beatles in a big way in around 2013, after Glee aired not one but TWO tribute episodes to them, plus I posed with their waxworks at Madame Tussauds around the same time. My grandparents, both big fans, were more than happy to engage with my curiosity. But more on them later!

The fab four were my springboard into a love of '60s pop culture in general. In 2014 I decided to start listening to every U.K. top 40 hit of the decade. At the time, the OCC website's archive began at 1960 (only stretching back to 1952 a bit later) so I got cracking. I think I only made it to about 1966 during these busy A Level years (although I revisited the project again later) but this was still enough to create a deep appreciation of the era. This would also expand to fashion, as I'm a fan of many sixties models, like: Jane Birkin, Jean Shrimpton, Donyale Luna, Pattie Boyd, Twiggy etc.! Elsewhere, my favourite 1960s movie is probably Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey but there are still lots more I want to watch. What a creative time.

The aforementioned birth of my mum is relevant, as she came into the world in 1967, which happens to be the year my picks for song #10 and #09 were released in...

#10 The Velvet Underground & Nico - 'Venus In Furs' (1967)

#09 The Doors - 'Light My Fire' (1967)

Kicking off the sixties top 10 is my ultimate highlight from the much lauded The Velvet Underground & Nico album. That iconic banana artwork is treasured in my vinyl collection and is certainly one of my favourite albums of the 1960s. This record from the Lou Reed fronted band initially underperformed, as the public was clearly not ready for its abrasive sound and controversial lyrics yet, but it became a critical darling in time. There are several fantastic songs on this album, such as the more delicate 'Sunday Morning' and Nico-fronted 'Femme Fatale', but 'Venus In Furs' has always wowed me the most.

This risqué song is based on the Leopold von Sacher-Masoch novel of the same name and includes many S&M references, not something you heard every day in music at the time. I can't help but think of the BuzzJack member when "Severin, Severin" is uttered in the song. I'm pretty sure our Severin is named after Steven Severin from Siouxsie and the Banshees, but the Severin in this song is the masochistic Severin von Kusiemski from the novel. I love the outlandish descriptions, Reed's hypnotic vocal performance and of course that immediately impactful psychedelic drone rock instrumental, which even includes an electric viola. A live version of this song would reach #71 in the U.K. chart in 1994.

•••

The Doors is another one of the best albums the decade has to offer so is naturally also a part of my vinyl collection. The late, great Jim Morrison fronted band impressed with many songs on this album; my personal favourites include 'Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)' with its carnival sound, 11 minute epic closer 'The End' and of course the countdown pick, 'Light My Fire'.

This song has rather erotic lyrics as well although it was specifically the "girl, we couldn't get much higher" line that landed the group in hot water. Sponsors for The Ed Sullivan Show were uncomfortable with potential drug connotations so asked them to modify the lyric when performing on the programme. They complied... at least in rehearsals. Morrison reverted back to the original line for the actual broadcast and the group were subsequently blacklisted from the show. An unfazed Morrison responded with: "Hey man. We just did the Sullivan show".

He may sing the song but it was actually guitarist Robby Krieger who penned the lyrics. Fellow group member (Door?) Ray Manzarek provides the fantastic opening organ solo. I also love Morrison's sultry vocals throughout and that long, layered instrumental break. What a masterpiece - an important moment for psychedelic rock and a counterculture anthem.

The track was a #1 smash on the Billboard Hot 100 but initially only made #49 in the U.K. singles chart. However, it later peaked at #7 in 1991 upon re-release, due to renewed interest from the biopic film The Doors. Sadly their music is not shown in BBC4 Top Of The Pops repeats due to licensing issues. Will Young's cover of 'Light My Fire', based on the José Feliciano arrangement of the song, would later take the song to #1 in the U.K. in some form.

This is going to be absolute gold!

Two great ones to start with! The VU & Nico album is one of my favourite ten albums ever, so I pretty much love everything on it. Venus In Furs is fantastic of course, such a unique song both lyrically and musically. If pushed, I think All Tomorrow’s Parties might be my first choice.

Light My Fire is excellent of course, such drama. And I especially love the instrumental break too.

Victoria Beclham and Spicy Ladies oh you better do BE in top 3l!!!!!

^ thank you for the comments! 💖

1960s

#08 The Beach Boys - 'God Only Knows' (1966)

#07 The Rolling Stones - 'Paint It, Black' (1966)

Next up we have another pair of songs that were both released in the same year!

'God Only Knows' was written for the legendary Beach Boys album Pet Sounds, after the late Brian Wilson was determined to create something that matched the quality of The Beatles' Rubber Soul record. He achieved this goal and then some, as Paul McCartney has said 'God Only Knows' is his favourite song of all-time. It later became a source of inspiration for The Beatles' own 'Here, There and Everywhere', plus 'Silly Love Songs' from fellow McCartney project Wings. Brian Wilson wrote the song alongside Tony Asher but it's his brother Carl Wilson who performs the lead vocal.

This is a beautiful love song yet has some interesting, darker twists and turns - like the opening line "I may not always love you", which is quickly flipped on its head to become more romantic. There is also the lyric "so what good would living do me?" in response to a hypothetical break-up, such is the depth of his love. The use of the word 'God' in the title was also unusual for the era.

Carl Wilson's warm lead performance is backed with heavenly harmonies from brother Brian and Bruce Johnston. The complex presentation of these vocals feels ahead of the curve in 1966, in addition to the layered, baroque style of the production. Twenty session musicians were enlisted to help bring the rich sound of this song to life with sleigh bells, harpsichord, drums, clarinets and even paper orange juice cups, amongst the many instruments used. What a gorgeous, soaring, triumph.

'God Only Knows' was released as a B-side alongside 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' in the U.S. but stood on its own two feet in the United Kingdom. The Beatles connections do not end with the competitive songwriting process, as 'God Only Knows' had to settle for #2 in the chart here, blocked by none other than 'Yellow Submarine' / 'Eleanor Rigby' by the fab four.

•••

I didn't get around to voting in the Rolling Stones rate on the forum a couple of years ago but would've bolstered the victory of 'Paint It, Black' even further if I had taken part in time. The haunting 'Gimme Shelter' and riff-tastic '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' would complete my Stones holy trinity.

I was introduced to 'Paint It, Black' through playing Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with my brother as a kid and instantly fell in love with it. That adoration has evidently never waned.

Those four guys from Liverpool are once again relevant to the countdown as The Beatles' 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)' is noted as the first record by a Western pop group to feature the sitar. The Stones' Brian Jones had some history with this Indian instrument thanks to his studies with Harihar Rao, a disciple of Ravi Shankar. He decided to devote more time to it after a discussion with George Harrison and got to work on what would become the melody for 'Paint It, Black'. The sitar was one of several unconventional instruments used on the track, in addition to a Hammond organ and castanets, giving it a raga rock sound. I'm a huge fan of this psychedelic cacophony in addition to Charlie Watts' thunderous drumming throughout.

'Paint It, Black' was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Their protagonist depressingly paints his universe black after the loss of a lover. Jagger takes on this tale so effectively, with an often moody vocal that develops into a raw unravelling towards the end of the song. This whole package is exhilarating and feels like a leap forward for the group artistically.

The fab four may have got to 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)' first but The Rolling Stones can boast the first U.K. #1 to contain a sitar, as 'Paint It, Black' became their sixth chart topper.

And now you’ve picked my favourite Beach Boys and perhaps my favourite Stones single! Both undeniable songs!

^ taste! thanks again for commenting <3

1960s

#06 Procol Harum - 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' (1967)

#05 Ben E. King - 'Stand By Me' (1961)

I appear to be partial to an organ as 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' is another song that uses one to great effect. That production feels so distinctive from the word go.

My love of this debut single is one that has passed down through generations. I am blessed enough to still have both grandparents on my dad's side and was recently talking to my nan about her experiences of music in the 1960s. She went to Soho most weekends as a teenager / young adult to catch live music and was also a keen record buyer. 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' is a song she can clearly remember hearing for the first time as a 16-year-old while she was out! My grandad is also a big fan of the song and passed on this love to my dad; I'm happy to be continuing this chain of admirers.

Away from the glorious production, the late Gary Brooker (how depressing that quite a lot of these '60s talents so far are no longer with us!) puts in a mighty fine soulful vocal performance, particularly when breaking into the chorus.

The composition of the song was inspired by fellow Procol Harum member Keith Reid overhearing someone at a party, who said: "you've turned a whiter shade of pale" to a woman. The phrase stuck in his mind and a masterpiece was born. The track is an ambiguous, poetic boy-meets-girl tale that feels complex for the era, with its Chaucer nod ("as the miller told his tale") and references to Vestal Virgins, amongst other standout lines. Sophie Ellis-Bextor missed a trick not repackaging her Trip the Light Fantastic album as Skip the Light Fandango after her Strictly Come Dancing stint!

'A Whiter Shade of Pale' was originally twice as long as the final product, but some of the initial verses naturally faded away, as the creative process evolved. The band have performed the entire lengthier version during live shows in the past.

This song was an enormous hit and topped the U.K. chart for 6 weeks. The arrival of its run at #1, in addition to the release of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album at the same time, is often credited as the start of the iconic 'summer of love' social phenomenon in 1967.

•••

'Stand By Me' is another song with a familial connection as it was used for the first dance at my cousin's wedding a couple of years ago! I cannot write about this song without also mentioning the moment when my dad asked for Oasis' 'Stand By Me' at karaoke but the Ben E. King song started playing instead.

I've gushed over the later sixties years so far but 'Stand By Me' was written and recorded in 1961, so some earlier representation has arrived. Former Drifters member Ben E. King was inspired to update the early 20th century gospel hymn 'Stand By Me', by Charles Albert Tindley. Ben, along with Jerry Leiber (Ben and Jerry's?!) and Mike Stoller brought this vision to life with some gorgeous lyrics. It's easy to see why it's popular at weddings, as the words feel timeless and depict loyalty so well. Ben E. King provides extra warmth with his vocal delivery.

Musically, the bassline is instantly recognisable. That is strong but my favourite component of the production has to be the strings. I've always enjoyed the song to some degree, but later had a proper moment when 'Stand By Me' came on the radio in the office. I was almost moved to tears as that instrumental interlude hit like never before out of nowhere, quite unexpected in that work setting. I have considered it an all-time favourite ever since!

'Stand By Me' shockingly charted at a lowly #27 when it was originally released. Thankfully, a resurgence propelled it to much greater heights in 1987, after it was featured in an advert for Levi's 501 jeans. In addition to this, it was part of the soundtrack for the film also called Stand By Me and a music video featuring King, River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton was used as a promotional tool. It finally became a chart-topper for three weeks and blocked a fellow re-released oldie in the process, Percy Sledge's 'When A Man Loves A Woman'.

Two more great songs! A Whiter Shade.. is one of my dad’s favourites of the 60s so I pretty much grew up with it being played regularly. A really beautiful but dramatic song.

Stand Be Me I really only grew to know and love on its rerelease, probably due to its criminally low 1961 peak. I wonder why it wasn’t a bigger hit at the time? For me it’s the soaring strings that lift it to greatness.

1 hour ago, Jaz13music said:

Two more great songs! A Whiter Shade.. is one of my dad’s favourites of the 60s so I pretty much grew up with it being played regularly. A really beautiful but dramatic song.

Stand Be Me I really only grew to know and love on its rerelease, probably due to its criminally low 1961 peak. I wonder why it wasn’t a bigger hit at the time? For me it’s the soaring strings that lift it to greatness.

Love that both of our dads are fans of that song!

It really is baffling, it did reach #4 in the U.S. at the time so I wondered if the U.K. was just slow to adopt American R&B / Soul music, but Sam Cooke was also in the chart the week 'Stand By Me' peaked and would later climb into the top 10. So perhaps it was one of those moments where there was a serious lapse in taste from the public - except 'Johnny Remember Me' by John Leyton also debuting that week it was at #27, of course 🤩 the people who bought 'Stand By Me' in the U.K. during 1961 have serious bragging rights!

Not sure how well promoted it was at the time also - I just asked my grandparents if they remembered 'Stand By Me' from 1961, or if they came to it later through covers / the Levi's jeans ad push / the movie of the same name, as they're both usually quite good at recalling retro music memories and I got this super speedy reply, bless them:

---

1960s #4 and #3 coming tonight! ❤️

All pretty great so far!

The Velvet Underground & Nico album has legendary status - it has been said that everyone who bought it in the 60s formed a band. An exaggeration perhaps, but you can tell how it was so mind-blowing. 'Sunday Morning' and 'There She Goes Again' are the tracks with the most replay value for me, but the music is best appreciated when listening to the album in full and 'Venus In Furs' is one of the apexes of that.

'Light My Fire' is The Doors' best song, all its cover versions can't compensate for Jim Morrison's vocals, but I particularly enjoy the instrumental break and how it wanders into its own world before coming back together for the final verse.

I could never tire of hearing The Beach Boys' early songs about surfing, cars and girls, but Pet Sounds was a huge leap forward for them sonically and lyrically, best of all 'God Only Knows', a deservedly lasting hit.

1966 strikes again with 'Paint It, Black', The Stones matching The Beach Boys and The Beatles (whose 1966 work I hope may be represented in the top 4 as well as their later most streamed song...) for innovation, and I particulary enjoy the verse-after-verse build of intensity here.

I first came to know 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' from Annie Lennox's cover version, which was OK - it perhaps meant when I first heard the original it didn't feel quite as magical as it may have been had I heard it first, but it is a thing of beauty, especially the organ.

'Stand By Me' is possibly the biggest surprise for me so far as I already had some idea you were a fan of most of these, but it's a big favourite of mine too so I'm here for it! I agree the strings are a highlight of the production, as with many 60s soul records they resonate with the power of the song and vocals.

^ thank you for taking the time to comment, Jim! Somewhere in my brain I remembered you being a fan of 'Sunday Morning' so thought if anyone would appreciate the presence of The Velvet Underground & Nico here, it'd be you *.* Glad the 'Stand By Me' love was a pleasant surprise for you, what a song

1960s

#04 The Animals - 'The House of the Rising Sun' (1964)

#03 The Mamas & The Papas - 'California Dreamin’ (1965)

Next up are two songs that have held up impressively well in the streaming era as both can boast over 1 billion Spotify streams!

The origins of 'The House of the Rising Sun' are unknown but it's theorised that the song resembles ballads from the 16th century, so could have derived from one of them. The earliest known recording of the song dates back to 1933, when Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster took it on, under the title 'Rising Sun Blues'. Other 20th century iterations that pre-date The Animals include Woody Guthrie's version in 1941 and Bob Dylan's recording in 1961. But the definitive version was released in 1964.

Animals front man Eric Burdon claimed he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle, when folk singer Johnny Handle performed it. Burdon's group were touring with Chuck Berry at the time and selected 'The House of the Rising Sun' for their set, as they felt it would be distinctive. Their cover elicited a very excitable response, which convinced producer Mickie Most that it had hit potential, after he was initially reluctant to work on it. The Animals then recorded their highly successful single in just one take.

I once again admire a record with a prominent organ as Alan Price's solo in this song is tremendous. Hilton Valentine's instantly recognisable opening guitar arpeggio is commanding too. Eric Burdon looks so young in the embedded performance yet has the voice of an old soul. He delivers these pained lyrics, about a young man who followed his father's path into gambling and alcoholism, with such compelling conviction.

'The House of the Rising Sun' reached #1 in both the U.K. and U.S. and is thought of as the first 'British invasion' #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 unconnected to The Beatles, as Peter and Gordon's 'A World Without Love' was also a Lennon-McCartney composition. It may be surprising that my favourite U.K. #1 single of the 1960s is a cover version but that is how you do it!

•••

'California Dreamin' was written by at that time husband and wife duo Michelle and John Phillips. The two were inspired by Michelle missing sunny California while they were living in New York City, during a cold winter. They were members of a folk group named the New Journeyman at the time, which evolved into The Mamas & The Papas, whose line-up also included Mama Cass and Denny Doherty. They got a record contract after being introduced to Lou Adler, who would produce 'California Dreamin'. He'd later go on to become one of the executive producers of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

'California Dreamin' opens with a guitar solo, performed by P.F. Sloan, who also contributed to other '60s hits like 'Eve of Destruction' by Barry McGuire. McGuire was actually the one who introduced the group to the aforementioned Lou Adler. The first version of 'California Dreamin' was for a Barry McGuire album and merely featured the Mamas & The Papas as backing vocalists. However, Adler was so impressed by their contributions that they cut a new version with Denny Doherty taking on the lead vocal instead, but kept the backing vocals and the majority of the instrumental. McGuire's original vocal can briefly be heard on the left channel at the start of the song as it wasn't completely erased. The flute solo by Bud Shank was later added to the new version too instead of the original harmonica part.

This song captures a feeling of wistfulness perfectly. I love the scene-setting lyrics and haunting mood to both the production and vocals. The Mamas & The Papas certainly gave The Beach Boys a run for their money in terms of stunning harmonies! I like their contrast between the male and female voices. The introductory guitar is instantly evocative and the flute solo also stands out as a beautiful touch from the production side.

Michelle Phillips is the only surviving founding member of the group. I once wrote her a letter, to tell her how much I loved 'California Dreamin' and 'Dedicated To The One I Love' in particular and kindly got these photos signed in response:

🩶

'California Dreamin' initially charted at just #23 here in the U.K. but thankfully achieved a more respectable peak of #9 in 1997 upon re-release, after it was used in an advert for Carling Premier.

Love House Of The Rising Sun, especially Burdon coming across all evangelical preacher and of course the wonderful keyboards

Hard to resist California Dreamin’s gorgeous harmonies. Dedicated… may be even better for me. Love your signed photos too!

^ oh yes the keyboards are of course a highlight too <3 + the photos are a pretty cool thing to have indeed *.* writing some letters helped me feel a bit closer to the era :) thanks for commenting, Jaz!

1960s

#02 The Beatles - 'Tomorrow Never Knows' (1966)

#01 The Ronettes - 'Be My Baby' (1963)

Surprise! I'm sure those well versed in my Beatles opinions were expecting 'Here Comes the Sun' to appear here when I mentioned I was sticking to one song per artist in the OP. 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was actually the first of their songs I ever claimed as my favourite, even using some lyrics as a caption on an old profile picture as a teenager. This was the case for many years but I then gravitated more towards 'Here Comes the Sun' as my #1, as it became a comfort song. I still adore it but in recent months I have found myself really drawn back to 'Tomorrow Never Knows' and have come to the conclusion that they've flipped in my affections again! So my updated Beatles top 10 is now: 01 Tomorrow Never Knows, 02 Here Comes the Sun, 03 Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), 04 Eleanor Rigby, 05 I Want You (She's So Heavy), 06 Strawberry Fields Forever, 07 Something, 08 A Day In The Life, 09 Hey Jude + 10 Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - what a discography <3

As aforementioned in the initial 1960s blurb, The Beatles are my favourite band, much to the delight of my grandparents. I asked them both how they first came across the fab four and my grandad was there from day one of their top 40 career, as he recalls the release of 'Love Me Do'. This is because he would follow the NME charts, write them out and put them on his wall - so I was clearly destined to be a chart fan myself! He actually saw The Beatles live as well but claims he could barely hear anything because the screaming was so loud. My nan said she received a record player and copy of their debut album Please Please Me for Christmas 1963 as a 13-year-old and that started off her own love of the group. Unsurprisingly, they had Beatles duplicates in their combined record collection, so very kindly donated some of them to me - as well as old newspaper articles and Beatles monthly book magazines!

What really drew me to the group was the ahead of their time experimentation and 'Tomorrow Never Knows', the closer on my favourite Beatles album Revolver, demonstrates their ambition as musicians perfectly. It's incredible to watch them grow as artists over time when listening to their discography in chronological order. The fab four went from 'Love Me Do' to something like 'Tomorrow Never Knows' in just four years?! They'd already reshaped the face of pop music and now were completely throwing out the rulebook.

'Tomorrow Never Knows' may have been the album closer but it was actually the first song recorded for Revolver. The Beatles were done with touring so could break new ground in the studio, now they didn't have to worry about replicating it live. The techniques used for 'Tomorrow Never Knows' were highly innovative, including the reversed guitar parts and effects, which had never been done in pop music before. The group experimented with tape loops which included sounds like Paul laughing to resemble a seagull, plus sped up sitar noises. They expanded on the influence of Indian music, found on previous album Rubber Soul, with both that sitar and the use of tambura drone here. The idiosyncrasies involved with the production of this record extend to John's lead vocal, as parts of it were fed through a Leslie speaker cabinet, usually reserved for a Hammond organ...! The song also includes highly compressed drums. They flipped the script here and opened up a world of possibilities for pop and many genres to come, especially electronic music. U.K. #1 hit 'Setting Sun' by The Chemical Brothers is the most famous example of a track directly inspired by the sound of this.

The title of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was born out of a malapropism uttered by Ringo at a press conference, much like the inspiration for 'A Hard Day's Night'. The lyrics were largely composed by John after finding inspiration from the book The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert and Ralph Metzne. He followed along with the words while on an LSD trip and the first line of 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was soon born from that book's own: "when in doubt, relax, turn off your mind, float downstream" instructions. I love the combined psychedelia of the zany production techniques, vocal processing and those philosophical, existential lyrics. The transcendental words were yet another unusual element in the landscape of pop music at the time. What a thrilling record - I was nothing short of blown away when I first heard 'Tomorrow Never Knows' so can't imagine what this must have sounded like in 1966.

•••

Revolver may be my favourite album of the 1960s (and ever) but it's three ladies who stole my heart enough to pip 'Tomorrow Never Knows' as my favourite song of the decade. Unfortunately none of Estelle Bennett, Ronnie Spector or Nedra Tally are still with us as of this year, but their legacy lives on through the behemoth that is 'Be My Baby'. Plus 'Sleigh Ride' of course, at a certain time of year. 'Be My Baby' has remained popular enough to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify! It only just achieved this status at the weekend and I managed to capture the day it happened:

🖤

'Be My Baby' was written by (now disgraced) Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. The lyrics are a flip on gender conventions, as here a woman is pining for a man and infantilising him, when usually it had been the other way around. It's speculated that this song was a way for Phil to confess his love for Ronnie Spector, who he'd later go on to marry. Phil Spector also produced the record, of course. Ever the perfectionist, he spent days trying to get the sound right before any vocals were even laid down. He worked alongside a group of session musicians, known under the name the Wrecking Crew, who were also used in the recording of 'California Dreamin' from earlier in the countdown. The hard work paid off as the final result was his signature grand, innovative 'wall of sound' technique.

The opening drum beat, played by Hal Blaine, already feels special. The percussion particularly elicits an emotional reaction from me during the final chorus, when it runs wild. That sound is an overwhelming rush. I also particularly adore the cello strings during the bridge. Overall it's so textured and impressive - with piano, castanets, shakers, bass, brass and handclaps also filling out the instrumental to provide the ultimate 'wall of sound' ear candy experience.

Ronnie Spector is actually the only Ronette whose vocals can be heard on 'Be My Baby'. She practiced for days before her big moment arrived and found a way to deliver those pleading lyrics in the most charming, powerful fashion. Another interesting fact regarding the vocals of 'Be My Baby' is that Sonny and Cher were backing vocalists on the recording.

Brian Wilson said 'Be My Baby' is his all-time favourite record and suspected he must've heard it at least 1000 times. His daughter verified this obsession and claimed that "every day" of her childhood started with a play of this song. Wilson was so profoundly moved when he heard this for the first time that he actually had to stop his car and began studying the song. The result of this was a Beach Boys answer track called 'Don't Worry Baby', which I rather like too. Not much holds a candle to the pop perfection otherwise known as 'Be My Baby' though!

My love for this song is a similar tale to my commentary for 'Stand By Me'. I always had an appreciation for 'Be My Baby' to some degree but one day it hit me properly out of nowhere and that was it, an all-time favourite was born. I was suddenly fixated on this record and looped it for most of that day. Turns out that wasn't just a phase. It's a complete joy to listen to. <3

'Be My Baby' reached #4 here in the U.K. and made #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, blocked by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs' 'Sugar Shack'. Long term, that song has approximately 1% of 'Be My Baby's streams!

1960s

TOP 10 RECAP

#01 The Ronettes - 'Be My Baby' (1963)

#02 The Beatles - 'Tomorrow Never Knows' (1966)

#03 The Mamas & The Papas - 'California Dreamin’ (1965)

#04 The Animals - 'The House of the Rising Sun' (1964)

#05 Ben E. King - 'Stand By Me' (1961)

#06 Procol Harum - 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' (1967)

#07 The Rolling Stones - 'Paint It, Black' (1966)

#08 The Beach Boys - 'God Only Knows' (1966)

#09 The Doors - 'Light My Fire' (1967)

#10 The Velvet Underground & Nico - 'Venus In Furs' (1967)

Honourable mentions: many other Beatles songs, no room for The Kinks, The Shadows for brightening up the very early '60s charts - especially 'Wonderful Land' and 'Apache', the brilliant trio of Joe Meek produced #1s: 'Telstar' by The Tornados, 'Johnny Remember Me' by John Leyton and 'Have I The Right' by The Honeycombs, some more exquisite chart toppers in: 'Je t'aime moi non plus', 'The Carnival Is Over', 'Those Were The Days' amongst others, two of my fave Eurovision winners in 'Non ho l'eta (Per amarti)' by Gigliola Cinquetti and 'Poupée de cire, poupée de son' by France Gall, other classics from artists like The Walker Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Jefferson Airplane, Bobbie Gentry, The Tremeloes oh I could go on and on...

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on the 1960s countdown ❤️

I think I'll take a day or two off essaying to give myself a break and mourn the '60s for a bit and then will get cracking with the '70s top 10 later in the week. x

'A Whiter Shade of Pale' probably had some older music fans at the time because of the church organ and that it was a ballad.

'God Only Knows' is amazing with the harmonies.

The Ronettes - good upbeat track.

The House of the Rising Sun is dark pop with a rock organ, a bit like The Doors. Paint It Black is wonderfully dark too.

Glad 'Stand By Me' eventually got to #1.

That's a great top 10. My favourites from those would be 'Be My Baby', 'California Dreamin', 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' and 'God Only Knows' although I would pick 'Good Vibrations' as my favourite Beach Boys song. I wasn't sure if I knew 'Venus In Furs' but I did recognise it when I played it.

Ha, Tomorrow Never Knows is also my favourite Beatles song! As you can probably guess by now I’m a sucker for 60s psychedelia. Coming from Northwest England the Cavern was my parent’s lodestar and that had a huge influence on my childhood musical memories obviously including the Beatles.

Be My Baby is excellent, especially that intro that has been copied so many times since, and the wonderful Spector production.

I’ve been quickly trying to think what else might go in my favourite 60s songs, aside from the brilliant songs and artists you’ve already highlighted.

I think I’d include Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks, Itchycoo Park - The Small Faces, Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ - Nancy Sinatra, His Latest Flame - Elvis Presley, Moon River - Danny Williams, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling- Righteous Brothers, Mr Tambourine Man - Byrds, I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher, I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye, The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore - Walker Brothers, Daydream Believer - Monkeys, Baby Love - Supremes, The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding

Sorry it’s such a long list, so many great songs and I got a bit carried away. I feel a playlist coming on!

Edited September 2Sep 2 by Jaz13music