#1 rock songs of the 1960s

Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images The 1960s marked an unquestionable evolution–and revolution–in rock music. The British Invasion made its mark in this decade, with bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who were inspired by American artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry. They, along with their American counterparts, the Beach Boys, incorporated catchy melodies and lyrics to redefine pop music. These bands became more experimental later on, joining groups like Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd that incorporated psychedelic experiences in their music. In the second half of this epic decade in rock came poetic lyrics from Jim Morrison of the Doors, boundary-pushing stage performances from guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, and social activism from folk-rock artists like Bob Dylan. These elements culminated in Woodstock in 1969, encapsulating the decade’s fusion of social and music evolution. Nearly half a million people drove to upstate New York to revel in this now-legendary event held at the cusp of another new decade. Concertgoers sat through three days of rain and lightning to see an all-star lineup including, but not limited to, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joan Baez, the Grateful Dead, and Sly and the Family Stone, setting a blueprint for festivals dominating the music industry today. With so many influential tracks from this time period, Stacker looked at the biggest #1 rock songs of the 1960s that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks or more, then filtered it down to the rock genre, according to MusicBrainz, an open music encyclopedia via the University of Waterloo. Mrs. Robinson Jeff Hochberg // Getty Images – Artist: Simon & Garfunkel – Date entered at #1: June 1, 1968 – Weeks at #1: 3 Not only is “Mrs. Robinson” one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most notable songs, it became synonymous with the 1968 classic film “The Graduate.” The catchy melody and lyrics won the duo their first Grammy. Before splitting in 1970, the duo produced numerous hits like “Cecilia,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Hello, Goodbye Mark and Colleen Hayward // Getty Images – Artist: The Beatles – Date entered at #1: Dec. 30, 1967 – Weeks at #1: 3 Released as a nonalbum single in 1967, “Hello Goodbye” became the Beatles’ 15th #1 hit. The song leaves fans polarized–while some praise the pop single, some say due to it being chosen over “I Am the Walrus” for an A-side record, it hampered experimentation for the Beatles and put them on the path for breakup. Soldier Boy Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: The Shirelles – Date entered at #1: May 5, 1962 – Weeks at #1: 3 “Soldier Boy” is written from the point of view of a woman who promises to stay loyal to her boyfriend, who has gone off to war. It’s one of the many Brill Building songs that dominated the charts in the late ’50s and early ’60s. The Shirelles went on to have multiple hits and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Help! Bettmann // Getty Images – Artist: The Beatles – Date entered at #1: Sept. 4, 1965 – Weeks at #1: 3 From the same-titled album and movie, “Help!” showed the band’s struggle with fame. Written primarily by John Lennon, he considered it among his favorite Beatles songs. It demonstrated the group’s willingness to dive deep into their emotions, which became a more prominent theme in future work. Telstar John Pratt // Getty Images – Artist: The Tornados – Date entered at #1: Dec. 22, 1962 – Weeks at #1: 3 Named after a telescope, “Telstar” was one of the first examples of electronic rock music. The use of synthesizers and futuristic sounds set a foundation of experimental rock for bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson. Tornados leader Joe Meek couldn’t collect royalties from the single, as a plagiarism lawsuit blocked him until he died in 1967. Hey Paula GAB Archive // Getty Images – Artist: Paul & Paula – Date entered at #1: Feb. 9, 1963 – Weeks at #1: 3 Paul & Paula hit the top of the charts with their first single, “Hey Paula,” a ballad about a young couple’s relationship. The conversational tune made it a memorable example of ’60s ballads. Ray Hildebrand (Paul), who died in 2023, had decided to step away from the limelight, while Jill Jackson (Paula) still performs. Pony Time Georg Göbel // Getty Images – Artist: Chubby Checker – Date entered at #1: Feb. 27, 1961 – Weeks at #1: 3 Capitalizing on the dance craze he started with “The Twist,” Chubby Checker released “Pony Time.” Its explicit instructions were unique for a dance song. It was originally written by Don Covay and John Berry to be performed by the former, but Checker’s version established him as a dance floor icon. Running Bear Nicky J. Sims // Getty Images – Artist: Johnny Preston – Date entered at #1: Jan. 18, 1960 – Weeks at #1: 3 Johnny Preston’s “Running Bear” was written by his friend Jiles Perry Richardson, best known as “The Big Bopper.” Though one of the most notable rockabilly songs, it’s often criticized for appropriating tribal war chants throughout the song. The Lion Sleeps Tonight Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: The Tokens – Date entered at #1: Dec. 18, 1961 – Weeks at #1: 3 Although “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was a sleeper hit in the United States, many younger audiences will recognize it from “The Lion King” soundtrack. It’s an English adaptation of “Mbube,” a Zulu song written and performed by Solomon Linda. The artist’s estate fought American publishers for years to earn royalties for the song. Winchester Cathedral Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: The New Vaudeville Band – Date entered at #1: Dec. 3, 1966 – Weeks at #1: 3 Coming from the British Music Hall era, “Winchester Cathedral” was performed by the New Vaudeville Band, formed by songwriter Geoff Stephens for the sole purpose of recording this song. It won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Rock & Roll Recording in 1967, but many question if it’s a true rock ‘n’ roll song. Blue Velvet Paul Natkin // Getty Images – Artist: Bobby Vinton – Date entered at #1: Sept. 21, 1963 – Weeks at #1: 3 “Blue Velvet” was originally written and composed by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950 and recorded by Tony Bennett in 1951, but it became a #1 hit when Bobby Vinton sang it in 1963. It’s been covered multiple times, most recently by Lana Del Rey in 2012. Though this was his biggest hit, Vinton continued to have success as a musician and actor throughout his career. Monday, Monday Bettmann // Getty Images – Artist: The Mamas & the Papas – Date entered at #1: May 7, 1966 – Weeks at #1: 3 An anthem of Southern California’s Laurel Canyon era, “Monday, Monday” was a hallmark of folk-rock music. The lyrics describe the complexities of daily life and the relationships that come with them. Not only did this song win a Grammy, but it also provided a snapshot of life in the late ’60s in Southern California. Oh, Pretty Woman H V Drees // Getty Images – Artist: Roy Orbison and the Candy Men – Date entered at #1: Sept. 26, 1964 – Weeks at #1: 3 Recognized for its catchy guitar intro, “Oh, Pretty Woman” is singer Roy Orbison’s best-known song. It posthumously won Orbison a Grammy in 1991 for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a man, with its pop culture impact going far beyond Orbison–it became popular again in 1990 as part of the “Pretty Woman” film soundtrack. I Feel Fine Fox Photos // Getty Images – Artist: The Beatles – Date entered at #1: Dec. 26, 1964 – Weeks at #1: 3 “I Feel Fine” made history in 1964 as the first song to intentionally incorporate guitar feedback in a song. Inspired by song riffs by Bobby Parker and Ray Charles, the song was written by John Lennon between takes of “Eight Days a Week” and was released as an A-side to “She’s a Woman,” becoming the group’s sixth #1 single that year. We Can Work It Out Central Press // Getty Images – Artist: The Beatles – Date entered at #1: Jan. 8, 1966 – Weeks at #1: 3 Released in 1965 as a double A-side single with “Day Tripper,” “We Can Work It Out” is a true John Lennon-Paul McCartney collaboration, with McCartney’s optimistic verses contrasting with Lennon’s realistic chorus. It’s a popular cover, most notably performed by Stevie Wonder, whose 1971 rendition reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Light My Fire Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: The Doors – Date entered at #1: July 29, 1967 – Weeks at #1: 3 “Light My Fire” is one of the most familiar songs of the psychedelic rock era. As the Doors’ second single, it became their highest charting hit. Alongside its lyrical content and delivery by frontman Jim Morrison, it’s noted for its structure, with a piano intro and solo by Ray Manzarek. Though Morrison died in 1971, and the group disbanded in 1973, Morrison’s lyrics inspired a new generation of rock stars. Happy Together Ivan Keeman // Getty Images – Artist: The Turtles – Date entered at #1: March 25, 1967 – Weeks at #1: 3 “Happy Together” became the Turtles’ first and only chart-topper. Similar in spirit to the love songs performed by boy bands earlier in the decade, it slices in some folk and psychedelic elements that were emerging at that time. The group had a few more Top 40 hits before their dissolution in 1970. Everyday People Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: Sly and the Family Stone – Date entered at #1: Feb. 15, 1969 – Weeks at #1: 4 Sly and the Family Stone’s impact on popular music can’t be unstated, and their 1969 hit “Everyday People” is no different, becoming an anthem of unity. The song was one of the first to combine funk, rock, and soul elements. Although the original lineup broke up in 1975, Sly and the Family Stone influenced many artists. Runaway Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images – Artist: Del Shannon – Date entered at #1: April 24, 1961 – Weeks at #1: 4 “Runaway” established Del Shannon as a one-hit wonder. Shannon’s falsetto voice and keyboard riff make it a popular cover for bands like the Traveling Wilburys and Misfits. Collaborating with numerous musicians until he died in 1990, Shannon was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Dizzy PA Images // Getty Images – Artist: Tommy Roe – Date entered at #1: March 15, 1969 – Weeks at #1: 4 An international hit, “Dizzy” takes singer Tommy Roe’s bubble pop appeal and combines it with an orchestral arrangement. It’s one of the most famous songs performed by Phil Spector’s Wrecking Crew. After five more hits and nearly five decades of performing, Roe announced his retirement in 2018. Yesterday Ivan Keeman // Getty Images – Artist: Lulu – Date entered at #1: Oct. 21, 1967 – Weeks at #1: 5 Featured in the film of the same name, “To Sir with Love” became the bestselling single of 1967. The uplifting and emotive vocals proved popular, with lyrics like “But how do you thank someone/ Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?” making the song a symbol for appreciating educators. Lulu has stayed in the spotlight as a musician and actor, earning her a CBE for services to music, entertainment, and charity in 2021. Hey Jude