60's songs

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 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 memorable 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.