AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

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Schüttelbirne
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AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »

After a journey of almost one year we arrive at the conclusion of the poll about our favorite songs of the 1960s.
First of all, I want to thank everybody who participated in this poll, be it the monthly polls or the final round. It's been a very pleasant journey and I hope it was fun for all involved.

I received lists from:

andyd1010
Bang Jan
BleuPanda
bonnielaurel
Brad
CupOfDreams
DaveC
Elder
Father2TheMan
FrankLotion
Fred (69/250)
Henry
Honorio
Jackson (228/250)
jamieW
Listyguy
maverick470 (204/250)
mileswide
Neil (224/250)
nicolas
phil
Safetycat
Schüttelbirne
SL3
sonofsamiam
stone37 (232/250)
The_Claw

The presentation will follow this format:

A quote from the lyrics (if applicable)
A picture of the artist

Rank. Artist | „Song title“
Release:
Album:
Songwriters:
Producers:
Line-up: This concerns the people actually playing on the recording. The information on that is pretty limited in some cases, so I can't supply you with complete information for all tracks. In that case, there's an "et al." added at the end of the list, to indicate that more people were definitely involved.

Points:
Finished xx in 196x poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll:
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll:
AM rank (Best of 1960s):
Biggest Fan:
Not a Fan:

Comments: You will find comments from Honorio and me, but not for all songs. To be frank, I wanted to do every song, but I ran out of steam after a while because writing comments about songs takes a while. You'll be able to see this when you see the text block I wrote about The Animals (starting with A), and the comments getting shorter and shorter, until they cease at letter R.

Here's a list of the songs that fell from the 2015 poll:

148 | Sonny Boy Williamsn | Help Me
144 | Jacques Brel | Les paumés du petit matin
141 | Sam Cooke | Chain Gang
138 | Henry Mancini | The Pink Panther Theme
135 | The Chantays | Pipeline
134 | John Coltrane | Olé
133 | Gerry and the Pacemakers | You‘ll Never Walk Alone
131 | Bob Dylan | It Ain‘t Me, Babe
129 | Jacques Brel | Ces gens-là
128 | Jorge Ben | Mas que nada
119 | Quincy Jones | Soul Bossa Nova
114 | Percy Sledge | When a Man Loves a Woman
110 | Dionne Warwick | Anyone Who Had a Heart
105 | Bob Dylan | I Want You
101 | Jacques Brel | Vesoul
92 | The Beatles | Revolution
88 | The Beach Boys | Sloop John B.
83 | The Doors | The End
72 | The Rolling Stones | Jumpin‘ Jack Flash
65 | The Turtles | Happy Together
59 | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | Ain‘t No Mountain High Enough
34 | Led Zeppelin | Whole Lotta Love
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare?
Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?
Image

250. Elvis Presley | „Are You Lonesome To-night?“
Release: November 1, 1960 (B-side: „I Gotta Know“)
Songwriters: Lou Handman & Roy Turk
Producers: Steve Sholes & Chet Atkins
Line-up: Floyd Cramer (piano), D.J. Fontana (drums), Hank Garland (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Scotty Moore (guitar), Elvis Presley (vocals, guitar), Boots Randolph (saxophone), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 489,62
Finished #19 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 7831
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 503
You read your line so cleverly and never missed a cue: bonnielaurel (#62)
We drifted apart: Bang Jan (#226), Listyguy (#229), maverick470 (190/204), FrankLotion (#232), sonofsamiam (#234), Elder (#236), CupOfDreams (#238), mileswide (#239), phil (#241), Schüttelbirne (#248), BleuPanda (#250)

The spoken word part turns this from a weak entry into one of the worst songs in this poll. The kitsch here is almost unbearable. - Schüttelbirne
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In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Image

249. The Tokens | „The Lion Sleeps Tonight“
Release: November 17, 1961 (B-side: „Tina“)
Album: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (1961)
Songwriters: Solomon Linda, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss & Albert Stanton
Producers: Hugo Peretti & Luigi Creatore
Line-up: Sammy Lowe (conductor), Mitch Margo (vocals), Phil Margo (vocals), Hank Medress (vocals, Jay Siegel (vocals) et al.

Points: 496,52
Finished #17 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 120
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3318
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 762
Near the village, the peaceful village: Safetycat (#96)
Hush, my darling: BleuPanda (#231), CupOfDreams (#236), mileswide (#238), nicolas (#239), Bang Jan (#242), Honorio (#244), The_Claw (#244), Elder (#248), DaveC (#249), Schüttelbirne (#249), Jackson (228/228)
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Le soleil se couche l‘oeil en sang
Et la lune a l‘air du ballon blanc
Image

248. Robert Charlebois & Louise Forestier | „La marche du président“
Release: 1968 (album track)
Album: Robert Charlebois avec Louise Forestier [Lindberg]
Songwriters: Robert Charlebois & Gilles Vigneault
Producers: André Perry
Line-up: Yves Charbonneau (trumpet), Robert Charlebois (vocals, guitar, piano), Louise Forestier (vocals), Philippe Gagnon (violin), Jean Préfontaine (tenor saxophone), Maurice Richard (bass), Michel Robidoux (guitar), Guy Thouin (drums, percussion)

Points: 499,37
Unranked in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by mileswide)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: Unranked
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
C‘est charmant et surtout plein d‘humour: mileswide (#65)
Qui perd son temps: Elder (#226), SL3 (#234), CupOfDreams (#241), Brad (#242), andyd1010 (#247), Father2TheMan (#247), Henry (#248), Honorio (#249), nicolas (#250)

Never heard of this song before mileswide nominated it, and I don‘t think many others here knew it, so the result will be a real surprise in any case. Charlebois and Forestier have good voices which complement each other well. It‘s a very text-heavy song, but it can simply be summarized as a child playing president and having very child-like ideas about what it will be forbid in that role. It‘s important that I want to follow the singers, which is the case here, even though Forestier could be a bit louder. The instrumentation could also have used a bit more of that saxophone because that‘s probably my favorite element of the song. The melody is very catchy; listening to it twice it already stayed in my head (with gibberish instead of words of course). A good discovery. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

It is the special one, it‘s never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
Image

247. Ben E. King | „Spanish Harlem“
Release: December 1960 (B-side: „First Taste of Love“)
Album: Spanish Harlem (1961)
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber & Phil Spector
Producers: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
Line-up: George Barnes (guitar), Ray Barretto (percussion), Al Caiola (guitar), Gary Chester (drums), George Duvivier (bass), Urbie Green (trombone), Ernest Hayes (piano), Ben E. King (vocals), Charlie Margulis (trumpet)

Points: 504,76
Finished #22 in 1960 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked 2872
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll:
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 191
I‘m going to pick that rose: andyd1010 (#90)
I have to beg your pardon: DaveC (#229), FrankLotion (#230), Elder (#234), Brad (#237), Honorio (#237)

The percussion has a very recognizable sound to it and works well with King‘s vocals and the background singers. The orchestra‘s instrumental part in the second half seems a bit too cheesy for me, especially since the trumpet seems out of place for a few moments. The vocal mixing has to much echo effect though, which is rather unforunate. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

At night the stars put on a show for free
And, darling, you can share it all with me
Image

246. The Drifters | „Up on the Roof“
Release: 17 September, 1962 (B-side: „Another Night with the Boys“)
Album: Under the Boardwalk (1964)
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Producers: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
Line-up: Don Arnone (guitar), Bob Bushnell (guitar), Al Casamenti (guitar), Gary Chester (drums), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone), George Devens (percussion), George Duvivier (bass), Tommy Evans (vocals), Ernie Hayes (keyboard), Carole King (keyboards), Rudy Lewis (vocals), Jimmy Nottingham (trumpet), Gene Pearson (vocals), Bobby Rosengarden (percussion), Frank Sarraco (trombone), Jimmy Sedler (trumpet), Charlie Thomas (vocals)

Points: 506,74
Finished #14 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3090
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 233
All my cares just drift right into space: Father2TheMan (#69)
Feeling tired and beat: Jackson (206/228), Listyguy (#227), Schüttelbirne (#227), FrankLotion (#229), jamieW (#235), maverick470 (188/204)

The person in the lyrics has problems, apparently. These problems are almost too big for him to take, so he climbs up to the roof where he finds comfort. I don‘t mind that a lot, but The Drifters seem to not be interested in either problems or comfort, or anything at all really. The song just circulates around until its end without ever reaching a point that might be called interesting. Still better than „Save the Last Dance for Me“ which was simply irritating, this is mostly boring. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

Love, love me do
You know I love you
Image

245. The Beatles | „Love Me Do“
Release: October 5, 1962 (B-side: „P.S. I Love You“)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar), John Lennon (vocals, harmonica), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar), Ringo Starr (drums)

Points: 510,55
Finished #16 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 142
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 21.015
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 379
I‘ll always be true: Henry (#94)
Somebody new: Neil (210/224), Honorio (#243), CupOfDreams (#244), mileswide (#245), Jackson (226/228) Bang Jan (#247), Elder (#247), sonofsamiam (#249)

A lot of the Beatles‘ early stuff is too generic for me, but „Love Me Do“ is a pleasant exception. I don‘t love it but I appreciate its unique flavor mostly gained by Lennon‘s harmonica playing and the pronounced percussion. The lyrics are typically not of importance, but the sound of the words „Love Me Do“ works well for the song phonetically. It‘s rather short and simple, but better than most of that era. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

Your lips excite me
Let your arms invite me
For who knows when
We‘ll meet again this way
Image

244. Elvis Presley | „It‘s Now or Never“
Release: July 5, 1960 (B-side: „A Mess of Blues“)
Songwriters: Wally Gold, Aaron Schroeder & Eduardo di Capua
Producers: Steve Sholes & Chet Atkins
Line-up: Floyd Cramer (piano), D.J. Fontana (drums), Hank Garland (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Scotty Moore (guitar), Elvis Presley (vocals), Boots Randolph (saxophone), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 511,27
Finished #13 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 12.264
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 530
My heart was captured: jamieW (#57)
We lost true love: Bang Jan (#227), phil (#232), Schüttelbirne (#237), BleuPanda (#240), maverick470 (196/204), Honorio (#247), CupOfDreams (#250), Elder (#250)
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Darling, then I read again right from the start
Love letters straight from your heart
Image

243. Ketty Lester | „Love Letters“
Release: January 1962 (B-side: „I‘m a Fool to Want You“)
Album: Love Letters (1962)
Songwriters:Edward Heyman & Victor Young
Producer: Ed Cobb
Line-up: Ketty Lester (vocals), Lincoln Mayorga (piano), Earl Palmer (drums) et al.

Points: 520,21
Finished #20 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 6603
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 514
I memorize every line: Neil (#26)
Alone in the night: phil (#226), sonofsamiam (#226), Honorio (#230), Bang Jan (#234), bonnielaurel (#235), The_Claw (#235), Father2TheMan (#238), Safetycat (#238), Brad (#239), Listyguy (#245), BleuPanda (#246), FrankLotion (#246)

This seems like the kind of song that could have been weighed down (or elevated) by added strings, but the choice to keep this a mostly piano-led ballad seems to have been the right one. Lester doesn‘t do a lot of vocal acrobatics, but that just makes her voice resonate more clearly. It‘s not one of the best ballads of the ‚60s, but I really appreciate it. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

I‘ve made up my mind
To live in memories of the lonesome times
Image

242. Ray Charles | „I Can‘t Stop Loving You“
Release: April 1962 (B-side: „Born to Lose“)
Album: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)
Songwriter: Don Gibson
Producer: Sid Feller
Line-up: Martin Banks (trumpet), Bruno Carr (drums), Ray Charles (vocals, piano), Leroy Cooper (baritone saxophone), Hank Crawford (alto saxophone), Wallace Davenport (trumpet), Sonny Forrest (guitar), Phillip Guilbeau (trumpet), Jim Herbert (trombone), John Hunt (trumpet), Keg Johnson (bass trombone), George Matthews (trombone), David Newman (tenor saxophone), Rudy Powell (alto saxophone), The Randy Van Horne Singers (backing vocals), Dicky Wells (trombone), Don Wilkerson (tenor saxophone), Edgar Willis (bass)

Points: 523,95
Finished #17 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 149
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1679
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 238
Those happy hours that we once knew: Neil (#83)
Though long ago, they still make me blue: sonofsamiam (#229), Brad (#232), Listyguy (#236), Bang Jan (#237), mileswide (#244), Honorio (#245), stone37 (230/232), DaveC (#248)

I don‘t like Charles‘s Modern Sounds… albums. There‘s only two songs on the first volume that I like: „Half as Much“ and this one. The backing vocals are not even close to be as annoying as the ones on „Georgia on My Mind“, Charles‘s vocal performance is better, the piano has a more pronounced role and the strings sit back a bit. It‘s still kitschy as hell, but sometimes that‘s not a bad thing. - Schüttelbirne
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You better stop
The things that you‘re doing
I said „Watch out!“
Image

241. Creedence Clearwater Revival | „I Put a Spell on You“
Release: October 1968 (B-side: „Walk on the Water“)
Album: Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)
Songwriter: Jalacy Hawkins
Producer: Saul Zaentz
Line-up: Doug Clifford (drums, backing vocals), Stu Cook (bass, backing vocals), John Fogerty (vocals, guitar, percussion), Tom Fogerty (guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 524,25
Finished #77 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Gillingham)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3811
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Because you‘re mine: Safetycat (#74)
I ain‘t gonna take none of your putting me down: phil (#227), Brad (#233), sonofsamiam (#237), Neil (215/224), BleuPanda (#242), SL3 (#249)

The original version by Screamin‘ Jay Hawkins is absolutely magnificent and Fogerty can‘t compare to the sheer insanity in his voice. The most interesting thing here is the guitar work and it‘s definitely a success. In combination with the forceful drumming it gives the song a different atmosphere that‘s not to be despised. - Schüttelbirne
Last edited by Schüttelbirne on Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


You ride the same subway
As I do every morning
That‘s got to tell you something
We‘ve got so much in common
Image

240. Melanie | „Beautiful People“
Release: September 26, 1969 (B-side: „Uptown Downtown“)
Album: Affectionately Melanie (1969)
Songwriter: Melanie Safka
Producer: Peter Schekeryk
Line-up: Melanie Safka (vocals, guitar) et al.

Points: 526,28
Finished #60 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by bonnielaurel)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 5878
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
There‘ll always be someone with the same button on as you: bonnielaurel (#6)
Somehow I never noticed you before today: andyd1010 (#227), SL3 (#229), CupOfDreams (#234), BleuPanda (#238), FrankLotion (#238), jamieW (#238), Schüttelbirne (#238), Father2TheMan (#239), Honorio (#239), Listyguy (#239), Bang Jan (#243), Brad (#243), nicolas (#243), Henry (#247), stone37 (232/232)

I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I don‘t think this is good songwriting. The lyrics don‘t match up with the music at all (with the strings seeming completely out of place) and Safka‘s performance isn‘t good enough to make up for that. - Schüttelbirne
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Just be my little woman
Just be my lover
I need me somebody
Image

239. Otis Redding | „These Arms of Mine“
Release: October 1962 (B-side: „Hey Hey Baby“)
Album: Pain in My Heart (1964)
Songwriter: Otis Redding
Producer: Jim Stewart
Line-up: Steve Cropper (guitar, piano), Al Jackson Jr. (drums), Johnny Jenkins (guitar), Booker T. Jones (organ), Otis Redding (vocals), Lewis Steinberg (bass guitar)

Points: 527,86
Finished #8 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 147
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4346
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1069
How grateful I will be: Neil (#73)
They are lonely: Schüttelbirne (#233), BleuPanda (#243)

I don‘t really like listening to Redding and this is not an exception. There‘s points here where the piano is just repeating the same notes over and over again; some of the guitar strumming doesn‘t work for me, but mostly it‘s just Redding‘s vocal blandness. - Schüttelbirne
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Just runnin‘ scared, afraied to lose
If he came back which one would you choose
Image

238. Roy Orbison | „Running Scared“
Release: April 10, 1961 (B-side: „Love Hurts“)
Album: Crying (1962)
Songwriters: Roy Orbison & Joe Melson
Producer: Fred Foster
Line-up: Roy Orbison (vocals), Bob Moore‘s Orchestra & Chorus (various instruments)

Points: 528,71
Finished #18 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2420
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 361
So sure of himself: nicolas (#42)
You turned around and walked away: phil (#234), Safetycat (#236), Neil (207/224), Elder (#242), FrankLotion (#242), Schüttelbirne (#242)

The arrangement is absolutely over-the-top and Orbison tries to top it by having his voice soar high in the end. I can‘t say I approve. - Schüttelbirne
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We‘re gonna twisty twisty twisty
‚Til we tear the house down
Image

237. Chubby Checker | „The Twist“
Release: June 1960 (B-side: „Toot“)
Album: Twist with Chubby Checker (1960)
Songwriter: Hank Ballard
Producer: Dave Appell
Line-up: Chubby Checker (vocals), Clifton Dunn (backing vocals), James Dunn (backing vocals), Morris Gardner (backing vocals), Cleveland Hammock (backing vocals), Don Hogan (backing vocals), Tommy Ricks (backing vocals), Buddy Savitt (saxophone), Ellis Tollin (drums) et al.

Points: 530,52
Finished #12 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1768
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 135
She knows how to twist: Safetycat (#24)
My daddy is sleepin‘: Schüttelbirne (#226), sonofsamiam (#238), nicolas (#242), Jackson (221/228), DaveC (#245), The_Claw (#245), CupOfDreams (#246), FrankLotion (#247), Brad (#248), Bang Jan (#249), Elder (#249), mileswide (#250)

Another song with affiliated dance. This one has the added advantage of having a saxophone solo, but it‘s not really great. Checker‘s vocals are not great and the brass has the distinct sound of quaking frogs. The backing vocals are fine, but do nothing to save this from mediocrity. It‘s not as embarrassing as the dance though. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘ve got your memory or has it got me?
I really don‘t know but I know it won‘t let me be
Image

236. Patsy Cline | „She‘s Got You“
Release: January 10, 1962 (B-side: „Strange“)
Album: Sentimentally Yours (1962)
Songwriter: Hank Cochran
Producer: Owen Bradley
Line-up: Harold Bradley (bass guitar), Patsy Cline (vocals), Floyd Cramer (piano), Buddy Harman (drums), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Walter Haynes (guitar), Randy Hughes (guitar), Grady Martin (guitar), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Bill Pursell (organ), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 533,29
Finished #11 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 15.660
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 766
I‘ve got the records that we used to share: mileswide (#44)
They still sound the same: Honorio (#229), Bang Jan (#232), The_Claw (#234), phil (#238), BleuPanda (#239), nicolas (#240), Listyguy (#244)

Sentimentally Yours is an album I only checked out because it made the album poll, and I was not impressed. This song might be the highlight, but that‘s not saying too much. Pop music in the early ‚60s had the unfortunate tendency of overemoting which makes the emotion seem phony and overdone. This falls into the same category. The backing vocals especially are notable offenders here, but Cline‘s vocal performance also doesn‘t seem genuine. It‘s pretty, but I don‘t feel it. - Schüttelbirne
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Now baby, kinda slow
With a whole lot of soul
Don‘t move it too fast and make it last
Image

235. Bob & Earl | „Harlem Shuffle“
Release: 1963 (B-side: „I‘ll Keep Running Back“)
Album: Harlem Shuffle (1964)
Songwriters: Bob Relf & Earl Nelson
Producer: Fred Smith
Line-up: Earl Nelson (vocals), Bob Relf (vocals) et al.

Points: 533,99
Finished #20 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 6637
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 495
You just groove it right here to the Harlem shuffle: mileswide (#57)
I can‘t stand it no more: Brad (#227), Neil (208/224), sonofsamiam (#233), Father2TheMan (#235), nicolas (#238), Henry (#240), Listyguy (#246)

Songs that come complete with the dance-steps are a weird phenomenon (brought to its apex on DAF‘s „Der Mussolini“). As far as I‘ve been able to ascertain, the Harlem Shuffle is actually older than this song. There‘s a nice feeling vibing through the song, and the brass arrangement is on point, but I also think it‘s a bit flat. - Schüttelbirne
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If everybody had an ocean
Across the USA
Then everybody‘d be surfin‘
Image

234. The Beach Boys | „Surfin‘ U.S.A.“
Release: March 4, 1963 (B-side: „Shut Down“)
Album: Surfin‘ U.S.A. (1963)
Songwriters: Chuck Berry & Brian Wilson
Producer: Nick Venet
Line-up: Frank DeVito (drums), Mike Love (vocals), David Marks (rhythm guitar), Brian Wilson (bass guitar, organ, backing vocals), Carl Wilson (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dennis Wilson (backing vocals)

Points: 535,51
Finished #19 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3608
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 180
Tell the teacher we‘re surfin‘: Henry (#52)
We‘ll all be gone for the summer: Bang Jan (#233), The_Claw (#242), Elder (#243), sonofsamiam (#247)

I don‘t know what‘s great about surfing, but I‘m also not a water person. How it was a cultural phenomenon big enough to have an entire musical style created around it, still seems weird to me. While this isn‘t really surf music in its traditional sense, it is a song about surfing, and not a very good one. This type of Beach Boys song that repeats its chorus four or five times in less than three minutes because there really isn‘t much of value which could work as filler for the record just seems rather annoying to me. - Schüttelbirne
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Just the way you say good night to me
Brings that feelin‘ on inside of me
Image

233. Johnny Kidd and The Pirates | „Shakin‘ All Over“
Release: June 1960 (B-side: „Yes Sir, That‘s My Baby“)
EP: Shakin‘ All Over (1960)
Songwriters: Johnny Kidd & Guy Robinson
Producer: Walter Ridley
Line-up: Alan Caddy (guitar), Clem Cattini (drums), Brian Gregg (bass), Johnny Kidd (vocals), Joe Moretti (guitar)

Points: 536,95
Finished #16 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 7744
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 297
You make me shake it and I like it: mileswide (#54)
The tremors in my thigh bones: andyd1010 (#230), Bang Jan (#241), Schüttelbirne (#247), FrankLotion (#248)

I mean, do you really expect me to take somebody with a backing band called „The Pirates“ seriously? He even wears an eyepatch! It seems like a children‘s band, but it‘s not even fun. „Shakin‘ All Over“ is painfully boring and has nothing to catch my attention. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

On this road you got a problem
Getting where you want to go
Speed limit‘s almost down to nothing
Straight ahead but, oh, so slow
Image

232. Abbey Lincoln | „Straight Ahead“
Release: 1961 (album track)
Album: Straight Ahead (1961)
Songwriters: Abbey Lincoln, Earl Baker & Mal Waldron
Producer: Nat Hentoff
Line-up: Walter Benton (tenor saxophone), Art Davis (bass), Eric Dolphy (woodwinds), Coleman Hawkins (tenor saxophone), Abbey Lincoln (vocals), Booker Little (trumpet), Julian Priester (trombone), Max Roach (drums), Roger Sanders (congas), Mal Waldron (piano), Robert Whitley (congas)

Points: 538,74
Unranked in 1961 poll (Bonus nomination by mileswide)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: Unranked
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
For some this road is smooth and easy: Schüttelbirne (#32)
Lost and needing some direction: nicolas (#229), Brad (#235), phil (#236), SL3 (#236), Honorio (#238), CupOfDreams (#239), The_Claw (#243), Father2TheMan (#244), andyd1010 (#245), DaveC (#246), Henry (#246), BleuPanda (#249)

This is such a very good choice as a bonus nomination, so kudos to mileswide. The line-up is truly magnificent: Roach, Dolphy, Hawkins, Little (who died far too soon), Waldron and Lincoln‘s incredible vocals. Any one of these would have deserved an entry here for their solo work (I was actually tempted to nominate „Triptych“ myself). The gloomy atmosphere fits the lyrics here very nicely, which convey a similar message as Nina Simone‘s „Mississippi Goddam“ does. It gets better, but the slow pace of the change is not only frustrating but unjust. I may prefer „Blue Monk“ from the same album, but that‘s nit-picking. - Schüttelbirne
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Here‘s a fellow in blue jeans
Dancing with an older queen
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231. Sam Cooke | „Twistin‘ the Night Away“
Release: January 9, 1962 (B-side: „You Send Me“)
Album: Twistin‘ the Night Away (1962)
Songwriter: Sam Cooke
Producers: Hugo Peretti & Luigi Creatore
Line-up: Eddie Beal (piano), Red Callender (bass guitar), Sam Cooke (vocals), John Ewing (trombone), Jewell Grant (baritone saxophone), René Hall (guitar), Earl Palmer (drums), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Clifton White (guitar), Stuart Williamson (trumpet)

Points: 542,58
Finished #10 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3846
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 721
Here you find the young and old: Father2TheMan (#48)
How he got here, I don‘t know: The_Claw (#233), Neil (214/224)

In a reversal of what I said about „Cupid“, I prefer the verses to the chorus here. The tinkling piano is a nice touch and the brass part is a bit predictable, but still good fun. The bridge is a wasted opportunity that could have been used much better with the saxophone solo being not very impressive. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Now that you can do it, let‘s make a chain, now
A chugga-chugga motion like a railroad train, now
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230. Little Eva | „The Loco-Motion“
Release: June 1962 (B-side: „He Is the Boy“)
Album: Llllloco-Motion (1962)
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Producer: Gerry Goffin
Line-up: Eva Boyd (vocals), Carole King (backing vocals) et al.

Points: 542,94
Finished #14 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 146
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2874
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 122
It even makes you happy when you‘re feelin‘ blue: Father2TheMan (#104)
Don‘t lose control: Elder (#229), Bang Jan (#236), The_Claw (#238), Schüttelbirne (#250)

I can‘t stand this song and Little Eva has nothing to do with that, because I also hate every cover version I‘ve ever heard. Few songs have ever been more annoying in their simplistic imitation of happiness. - Schüttelbirne
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229. The Tornados | „Telstar“
Release: August 17, 1962 (B-side: „Jungle Fever“)
Album: Telstar: The Sounds of the Tornadoes (1962)
Songwriter: Joe Meek
Producer: Joe Meek
Line-up: George Bellamy (guitar), Heinz Burt (bass), Alan Caddy (guitar), Clem Cattini (drums), Geoff Goddard (clavioline, vocals), Roger LaVern (keyboards)

Points: 546,93
Finished #19 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 150
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3203
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 157
Biggest Fan: DaveC (#67)
Not a Fan: stone37 (217/232), Elder (#240), Listyguy (#243), Jackson (225/228), Neil (222/224), Honorio (#250)
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There must be some word today
From my boyfriend who‘s so far away
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228. The Marvelettes | „Please Mr. Postman“
Release: August 21, 1961 (B-side: „So Long Baby“)
Album: Please Mr. Postman (1961)
Songwriters: Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Brian Holland & Robert Bateman
Producers: Brian Holland & Robert Bateman
Line-up: Katherine Anderson (backing vocals), Wyanetta Cowart (backing vocals), Marvin Gaye (drums), Gladys Horton (vocals), James Jamerson (bass), Georgeanna Tillman (backing vocals), Eddie Willis (guitar), Richard Wylie (piano), Wanda Young (backing vocals)

Points: 551,45
Finished #14 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4728
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 164
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better: SL3 (#69)
You wouldn‘t stop to make me feel better: CupOfDreams (#229), nicolas (#232), mileswide (#237), Schüttelbirne (#243)

Another one of those incredibly annoying pop songs that have been overplayed since forever. The Marvelettes‘ version is even worse than many cover versions because the backing vocals have this whiny quality to them which is very unappealing to me. - Schüttelbirne
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Why is he always the one
To try the things they‘ve never done?
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227. The Crystals | „He‘s a Rebel“
Release: August 1962 (B-side: „I Love You, Eddie“)
Album: He‘s a Rebel (1963)
Songwriter: Gene Pitney
Producer: Phil Spector
Line-up: Hal Blaine (drums), Jimmy Bond (bass), Al DeLory (piano), Steve Douglas (saxophone), Fanita James (backing vocals), Gloria Jones (backing vocals), Jean King (backing vocals), Darlene Love (vocals), Gracia Nitzsche (backing vocals), Ray Pohlman (bass guitar), Don Randi (piano), Howard Roberts (guitar), Bobby Sheen (backing vocals), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Edna Wright (backing vocals)

Points: 553,29
Finished #7 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3206
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 144
I‘ll be standing right by his side: phil (#35)
They won‘t like me, I‘m sure, today: CupOfDreams (#227)

Not actually a song by The Crystals. It was recorded by The Blossoms, but credited to The Crystals and the difference is pretty notable. Darlene Love was a more talented vocalist than any of the Crystal girls (and it‘s pretty mean to force them to replicate Love‘s performance in their live shows since people assume it‘s the group). Aside from Love‘s vocals (which are solid, but not great) the song is not very good, meandering around for more than a minute after spending all of its ideas in the first 30 seconds. - Schüttelbirne
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226. The Ventures | „Walk -- Don‘t Run“
Release: June 1960 (B-side: „Home“)
Album: Walk Don‘t Run (1960)
Songwriter: Johnny Smith
Producer: Bob Reisdorff
Line-up: Bob Bogle (guitar), Nokie Edwards (bass), Skip Moore (drums), Don Wilson (guitar)

Points: 553,62
Finished #14 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 143
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 12.965
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 202
Biggest Fan: SL3 (#73)
Not a Fan: FrankLotion (#227), Safetycat (#235), Honorio (#246)
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I heard somebody whisper, „Please adore me“
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
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225. The Marcels | „Blue Moon“
Release: February 1961 (B-side: „Goodbye to Love“)
Album: Blue Moon (1961)
Songwriters: Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
Producers: Stu Phillips & Danny Winchell
Line-up: Gene Bricker (vocals), Cornelius Harp (vocals), Fred Johnson (vocals), Richard Knauss (vocals), Ronald Mundy (vocals) et al.

Points: 554,62
Finished #12 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 125
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2280
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 335
Now I‘m no longer alone: Honorio (#36)
Without a love of my own: BleuPanda (#229), mileswide (#229), Elder (#231), Listyguy (#231), maverick470 (185/204), Schüttelbirne (#234), Bang Jan (#235), sonofsamiam (#236), FrankLotion (#250)

Or: How to turn a solid song into a joke. I actually think it‘s very funny that they pretend to be cows for the entirety of the song („moo-moo-moo“, the N is very easy to overhear). In its favor, The Marcels did far worse. - Schüttelbirne
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All I want you to do is to bake your bread
Just to make sure that you‘re well-fed
Image

224. Etta James | „I Just Want to Make Love to You“
Release: November 15, 1960 (A-side: „At Last“)
Album: At Last! (1960)
Songwriter: Willie Dixon
Producers: Phil Chess & Leonard Chess
Line-up: Etta James (vocals), The Riley Hampton Orchestra (various instruments)

Points: 557,85
Finished #20 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2940
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 838
I could give you all the loving in the whole wide world: Safetycat (#65)
There is nothing for you to do: nicolas (#226), sonofsamiam (#227), stone37 (225/232)

So much better than „At Last“ but not nearly as acclaimed. James‘s voice fits very well for this energetic song, bringing it to life. The instrumental arrangement also doesn‘t suffocate her voice like it does on some ballads on the album. Even the brass solo integrates well into the song. - Schüttelbirne
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I promise I will love her until eternity
I know between the two of us, her heart we can steal
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223. Sam Cooke | „Cupid“
Release: May 16, 1961 (B-side: „Farewell My Darling“)
Songwriter: Sam Cooke
Producer: Luigi Creatore
Line-up: Sam Cooke (vocals), Joseph Gibbons (guitar, banjo), René Hall (guitar), Clifford Hills (bass), Earl Palmer (drums), Clifton White (guitar) et al.

Points: 558,00
Finished #9 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 145
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1808
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 416
Straight to my lover‘s heart for me: mileswide (#51)
There‘s danger of me losing all of my happiness: Neil (203/224), Honorio (#241)

The verses are not well-written at all; I tend to listen to the chorus and ignore them. I think they remind me of something, but I‘m not certain what (just that it‘s not good). The orchestral arrangements aren‘t nearly as well-done here as on the other Cooke songs in this round with the horn part being especially unfortunate. Combined with the lyrics it‘s all a bit too sugary for me, even if I tend to like Cooke‘s voice in most stuff. - Schüttelbirne
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I can mash-potato
And I can do the twist
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222. The Contours | „Do You Love Me“
Release: June 29, 1962 (B-side: „Move, Mr. Man“)
Album: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) (1962)
Songwriter: Berry Gordy Jr.
Producer: Berry Gordy Jr.
Line-up: Joe Billingslea (backing vocals), Huey Davis (guitar), Billy Gordon (lead vocals), Billy Hoggs (backing vocals), Hubert Johnson (backing vocals), Sylvester Potts (backing vocals) et al.

Points: 559,21
Finished #6 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 132
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2219
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 222
And you don‘t get lazy: Safetycat (#47)
You didn‘t even want me around: CupOfDreams (#226), Jackson (217/228), Bang Jan (#239), Honorio (#240), maverick470 (199/204)

The idea behind the lyrics is so stupid it‘s almost funny. I don‘t know if many people deem the opening section to be quintessential for the entire thing, but I doubt it. In general, it‘s probably best not to think too much about this. It‘s energetic, but a bit too wrapped up in ridiculousness for my taste. - Schüttelbirne
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Then he killed the lights in a lonely lane
And an ape with angel glands
Erased the final wisps of pain
With the music of rubber bands
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221. Leonard Cohen | „Master Song“
Release: December 27, 1967 (album track)
Album: Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)
Songwriter: Leonard Cohen
Producer: John Simon
Line-up: Chester Crill (flute, mandolin, Jew‘s harp, violin), Leonard Cohen (vocals, guitar),
Chris Darrow (flute, mandolin, Jew‘s harp, violin), Solomon Feldthouse (flute, mandolin, Jew‘s harp, violin), David Lindley (flute, mandolin, Jew‘s harp, violin)

Points: 559,38
Finished #50 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by Gillingham)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 5407
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Like a man who is sure what is true: The_Claw (#69)
Now I think you‘re playing far too rough: SL3 (#235), Henry (#236), Father2TheMan (#237), maverick470 (192/204)

Cohen completely commands his songs on Songs of Leonard Cohen with his vocals, but here he‘s joined by Kaleidoscope who do a wonderful job supporting him. Their instrumentation is never overdone but always fitting to the song. Cohen had a great way with words (starting out as a poet before going into music), so the lyrics are a nice deviation from the typical ‚60s love-song fare. Even though the song is quiet and Cohen never raises his voice, there‘s a certain tension present in the melody, something you do not find on „Suzanne“ for example. The relationship between the characters presented in the lyrics is not made explicitly clear and it‘s up to the listener to decide how he wants to interpret it, which is just as it should be. But the music pretty much makes it clear that this is not a happy song. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by jamieW »

Schüttelbirne, hopefully this won't mess anything up, but I think I had Elvis's "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" at 34. (I had "Are You Lonesome Tonight" at 140.

Thanks!
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »

jamieW wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:27 pm Schüttelbirne, hopefully this won't mess anything up, but I think I had Elvis's "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" at 34. (I had "Are You Lonesome Tonight" at 140.

Thanks!
Thanks for spotting that!
It seems there was a bit of a mix-up, putting both of those songs at #34 (although I did double-check the Presley songs to make sure that didn't happen :oops: )

You pushed the song down into last place, which it where it belongs from my viewpoint, but not yours, I take it. :mrgreen:
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Here I go falling down, down, down
My mind is blank
My head is spinning around and around
As I go deep into the funnel of love
Image

220. Wanda Jackson | „Funnel of Love“
Release: April 1961 (A-side: „Right or Wrong“)
Songwriters: Charles McCoy & Kent Westbury
Producer: Ken Nelson
Line-up: Roy Clark (guitar), Marvin Hughes (piano), Wanda Jackson (vocals) et al.

Points: 563,61
Finished #38 in 1961 poll (Bonus nomination by Schüttelbirne)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3574
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
You just can‘t run from the funnel of love: Schüttelbirne (#1)
I tried and I tried to run and hide: nicolas (#227), SL3 (#228), Honorio (#231), stone37 (216/232), Brad (#234), Listyguy (#237), DaveC (#239), The_Claw (#241), Henry (#245), Neil (223/224)

A year ago I didn‘t even know this song and now it has slowly crept its way up to #1. Originally I had it at #3 for the 1961 poll (behind „Tell Old Bill“ and „Moods in Free Time“ which should both be here, by the way), but it has grown on me enormously over the year. It‘s definitely my most listened song in 2021 and I now count it among my favorite songs. It‘s the kind of song every girl group hit aspires to be but never achieves and it still rocks better than most of its contemporaries. Jackson‘s vocal performance is simply perfect, the backing vocals (split in male and female doing different things at different points) support her wonderfully and the guitar lays down a great melody. How this is not among the most acclaimed songs of the 1960s and why this even needed a bonus nomination to get in here is beyond me. - Schüttelbirne
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219. The John Barry Seven and Orchestra | „The James Bond Theme“
Release: October 1962 (B-side: „The Blacksmith Blues“)
Album: Dr. No [OST] (1963)
Songwriter: Monty Norman
Producer: John Burgess
Line-up: John Barry (conductor), Vic Flick (guitar), 5 saxophones, 9 brass instruments, rhythm section

Points: 570,51
Finished #12 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 107
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4587
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 709
Biggest Fan: Father2TheMan (#32)
Not a Fan: Neil (216/224), maverick470 (194/204)

I never was a fan of James Bond and I also could never really do anything with its theme. Of course I knew the theme beforehand, but listening for this poll, I realized for the first time that the entire theme is based on surf guitar which is really not my favorite style of guitar playing. The brass section also doesn‘t add a lot and the entire thing just chugs along aimlessly, running out of steam towards the end. The song really doesn‘t have an ending or a climax, it just stops playing. I don‘t hate it and I do recognize its value as one of the most recognizable movie themes ever, but that doesn‘t make it one of my favorite themes. I think it‘s fine, and I don‘t begrudge its existence, but I don‘t really enjoy it. - Schüttelbirne
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When she asks me which one I love the best
I tear open my shirt and I show her „Rosie“ on my chest
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218. Dion | „The Wanderer“
Release: November 1961 (A-side: „The Majestic“)
Album: Runaround Sue (1961)
Songwriter: Ernie Maresca
Producer: Gene Schwartz
Line-up: Dion DiMucci (vocals), The Del-Satins (background vocals), Glen Stuart (conductor) et al.

Points: 579,75
Finished #14 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3719
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 272
I‘m as happy as a clown: Safetycat (#33)
To me they‘re all the same: Honorio (#233), Listyguy (#233), Bang Jan (#238), Elder (#244), Brad (#249), Neil (224/224)

Complaining about his girlfriend running around at first and then having a song on the same album about him being legendary for wandering around, might either be a case of blind hypocrisy or a case of an album with no thematic consistency (I suspect the latter). „The Wanderer“ is not nearly as much fun as „Runaround Sue“. The backing vocals are mostly relegated to providing long-drawn vocals as backing and the rhythm is also not as energetic. Overall a rather weak effort, to be honest. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘m gonna shoot you right down
Right off your feet
Take you home with me
Put you in my house
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217. John Lee Hooker | „Boom Boom“
Release: May 1962 (B-side: „Drug Store Woman“)
Album: Burnin‘ (1962)
Songwriter: John Lee Hooker
Producer: Calvin Carter
Line-up: Benny Benjamin (drums), Hank Cosby (tenor saxophone), John Lee Hooker (vocals, guitar), Joe Hunter (piano), James Jamerson (bass), Andrew Terry (baritone saxophone), Larry Veeder (guitar)

Points: 580,61
Finished #9 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2873
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 163
I like it like that: mileswide (#46)
You knock me dead: phil (#231)

Hooker is having fun here. His vocal performance in combination with the instrumental motif make for some of the funkiest blues ever. - Schüttelbirne
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Better walk, walk
But you‘ll never get away
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216. Laura Nyro | „Eli‘s Comin‘“
Release: April 1968 (B-side: „Sweet Blindness“)
Album: Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968)
Songwriter: Laura Nyro
Producers: Laura Nyro & Charlie Calello
Line-up: Chet Amsterdam (guitar, bass), Wayne Andre (trombone), Pat Calello (trumpet), Dave Carey (percussion), Ralph Casale (guitar), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone), Ray DeSio (trombone), Joe Farrell (saxophone, flute), Bernie Glow (trumpet), Paul Griffin (piano), Hugh McCracken (guitar), Laura Nyro (vocals, piano, keyboards), Chuck Rainey (bass), Ernie Royal (trumpet), Buddy Saltzman (drums), Artie Schroeck (drums, vibes), Zoot Sims (saxophone), George Young (saxophone)

Points: 581,17
Finished #82 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by bonnielaurel)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 9098
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
Eli‘s a-comin‘, and he‘s comin‘ to get me, Mama: bonnielaurel (#17)
No, he‘s never gonna hear, and he ain‘t gonna follow: Brad (#228), SL3 (#230), Father2TheMan (#232), FrankLotion (#239), Neil (218/224), andyd1010 (#244), nicolas (#244)

Starting rather quiet, the song soon turns into an energetic romp that‘s just fun to follow along. The arrangement is to be commended here which finds just the right fusion between vocals and instruments to make it sound good. Reverting back to the quiet part at the end isn‘t such a good idea, unfortunately. - Schüttelbirne
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And when I‘m sad, you‘re a clown
And if I get scared, you‘re always around
Image

215. Sonny & Cher | „I Got You Babe“
Release: July 9, 1965 (B-side: „It‘s Gonna Rain“)
Album: Look at Us (1965)
Songwriter: Sonny Bono
Producer: Sonny Bono
Line-up: Harold Battiste (piano), Hal Blaine (drums), Sonny Bono (vocals), Gene Estes (percussion), Barney Kessel (guitar), Steve Mann (guitar), Lyle Ritz (bass guitar), Michel Rubini (harpsichord), Cherilyn Sakisian (vocals)

Points: 581,88
Finished #44 in 1965 poll (Bonus nomination by SL3)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1345
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 184
With you I can‘t go wrong: SL3 (#32)
I guess that‘s so, we don‘t have a pot: Listyguy (#226), phil (#228), sonofsamiam (#241), The_Claw (#246), Bang Jan (#248), BleuPanda (#248), jamieW (#249)
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Hope you need my love, babe
Just like I need you
Image

214. The Beatles | „Eight Days a Week“
Release: December 4, 1964 (album track)
Album: Beatles for Sale (1964)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, percussion, backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, guitar, percussion), Paul McCartney (bass, percussion, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums, percussion)

Points: 582,03
Finished #21 in 1964 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1690
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 403
Love you all the time: Henry (#14)
Not enough to show I care: Elder (#228), Schüttelbirne (#229), Honorio (#236), Listyguy (#242), sonofsamiam (#243), The_Claw (#249)

Beatles for Sale is my least favorite Beatles album because it doesn‘t feature any great songs. „Eight Days a Week“ is certainly the most memorable (and the best), so it makes sense it serves as representation for the album here. Still, there‘s not much for me to like here: It‘s under three minutes long but repeats itself again and again without much variation and without a melody I find interesting. It just seems really lame and that‘s all I can say about it. - Schüttelbirne
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Egyszer a nap
Úgy elfáradt
Elaludt mély
Zöld tó ölén
Image

213. Omega | „Gyöngyhajú lány“
Release: 1970 (A-side: „Petróleumlámpa“)
Album: 10000 lépés (1969)
Songwriters: Gábor Presser, Laszlo Novak & Anna Adamis
Producers: István Juhász
Line-up: Laszlo Benkö (piano, recorder, trumpet, backing vocals), János Kóbor (vocals, guitar), József Laux (drums, percussion), Tamas Mihály (bass, backing vocals), György Molnár (guitar), Gabor Presser (organ, piano, backing vocals) et al.

Points: 584,19
Finished #52 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Schüttelbirne)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 11.226
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Álmodtam, vagy igaz talán: Schüttelbirne (#8)
Õ hazament: andyd1010 (#228), nicolas (#230), Brad (#241), Father2TheMan (#242), SL3 (#245)

I spent a lot of time thinking about what to nominate, but when I realized that the only representation of the Non-Western world was Penderecki (who‘s not a popular music artist) it was clear I was gonna nominate this Hungarian gem. It‘s not obscure or anything like that, but it still seems not very well-known. The chorus is one of the best ever and the string part gives it a unique flavor. - Schüttelbirne
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Oh, the wind, the wind is blowing
Through the graves the wind is blowing
Freedom soon will come
Image

212. Leonard Cohen | „The Partisan“
Release: May 30, 1969 (B-side: „Bird on the Wire“)
Album: Songs from a Room (1969)
Songwriter: Anna Marly, Emmanuel d‘Astier de La Vigerie & Hy Zaret
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Leonard Cohen (vocals, guitar), Ron Cornelius (guitar), Charlie Daniels (bass guitar, violin, guitar), Bubba Fowler (bass guitar, violin, guitar) et al.

Points: 584,19
Finished #50 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Nassim)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3009
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1466
I have many friends and some of them are with me: nicolas (#62)
I‘m the only one this evening: andyd1010 (#224)

A song about political resistance groups, but in a subdued manner, dominated by acoustic guitars. The atmosphere is dim, but worthy of the commemoration presented in the song. In the second half he not only takes the original lyrics from Anna Marly‘s version, but he‘s also accompanied by another voice (who I couldn‘t find). Curiously, this song doesn‘t move me as deeply as it maybe should. It‘s good, but not great. - Schüttelbirne
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211. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop | „Doctor Who“
Release: 1964 (B-side: Brenda & Johnny | „This Can‘t Be Love“), but broadcast in 1963
Songwriter: Ron Grainer
Producers: Delia Derbyshire
Line-up: Delia Derbyshire (tone generators, wobbulator, equalisers, white noise generator, cutting, mixing), Dick Mills (tone generators, wobbulator, equalisers, white noise generator, cutting, mixing) et al.

Points: 584,35
Finished #83 in 1963 poll (Bonus nomination by SL3)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: Unranked
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
Biggest Fan: SL3 (#16)
Not a Fan: Honorio (#234), andyd1010 (#235), CupOfDreams (#245), bonnielaurel (#246), FrankLotion (#249), nicolas (#249)

Never watched Doctor Who (where to start?), but this seems like a solid theme for a sci-fi show. It‘s of course very significant for being an electronic piece written in 1963. There‘s a tremendous amount of work involved creating the sounds and then splicing them together, so props to Delia Derbyshire for doing it. You can find descriptions of how the song was made online. I do appreciate the effort and inventiveness contained herein, but it doesn‘t resonate with me strongly. Other people who experimented with electronic music at the time like Karlheinz Stockhausen or Raymond Scott created music that appeals to me much more. This theme is fine, but it‘s not thrilling me. If I ever watch the show, that might change though. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Night breezers seem to whisper „I love you“
Birds singin‘ in the sycamore tree
Image

210. Mama Cass with The Mamas & the Papas | „Dream a Little Dream of Me“
Release: June 1968 (B-side: „Midnight Voyage“)
Album: The Papas & The Mamas (1968)
Songwriters: Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt & Gus Kahn
Producer: Lou Adler
Line-up: Hal Blaine (drums, percussion), Denny Doherty (vocals), Cass Elliot (vocals), Eric Hord (guitar), Larry Knechtel (keyboards), Joe Osborn (bass guitar), John Phillips (guitar, backing vocals), Michelle Phillips (vocals)

Points: 585,25
Finished #35 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by andyd1010)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1809
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 757
Stars fading but I linger on, dear: andyd1010 (#28)
While I‘m alone and blue as can be: jamieW (#228), Bang Jan (#230), Brad (#230), sonofsamiam (#230), nicolas (#231), The_Claw (#239), Neil (220/224)

I find it interesting that some people who are Biggest Fan of „California Dreamin‘“ aren‘t fans of this. It makes sense because the sound of the two is very different. I might actually prefer this one with its soft, autumn-like mood and the old style piano. The song is obviously more focused on a single vocalist and backing vocals, but they support each other well. - Schüttelbirne
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A face, a voice
An overdub has no choice
An image cannot rejoice
Image

209. The Monkees | „Porpoise Song“
Release: October 5, 1968 (B-side: „As We Go Along“)
Album: Head (1968)
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Producer: Gerry Goffin
Line-up: Gregory Bemko (cello), Max Bennett (double bass), Ken Bloom (guitar), Micky Dolenz (vocals), David Filerman (cello), Bill Hinshaw (woodwinds), Clyde Hoggan (double bass), Jim Hughart (double bass), Jules Jacob (woodwinds), Davy Jones (backing vocals), Jan Kelley (cello), Danny Kortchmar (guitar), Doug Lubahn (bass), Jacqueline Lustgarten (cello), Michael Ney (drums, percussion), John Raines (drums, percussion), Leon Russell (keyboards), Jerry Scheff (double bass), Ralph Schuckett (keyboards), Russ Titelman (cymbals)

Points: 585,45
Finished #43 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Bang Jan)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2613
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1355
Riding the backs of giraffes for laughs is alright for a while: Bang Jan (#11)
Living is a lie: FrankLotion (#228), DaveC (#234), SL3 (#237), nicolas (#241), Safetycat (#242), Henry (#243), bonnielaurel (#244), BleuPanda (#247), Listyguy (#247), maverick470 (204/204)

The German word for „porpoise“ is „pig whale“. The song seems completely overstuffed, but that seems to be the point. The organ-like keyboards with added string arrangements could use a bit more refinement and the vocals could be included in a better way, but overall this is a rather solid song, even if it doesn‘t go anywhere. - Schüttelbirne
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For when he knows you‘re telling lies
And he hears them passing by
He‘s not a man at all
Image

208. The Everly Brothers | „Cathy‘s Clown“
Release: April 1960 (B-side: „Always It‘s You“)
Album: A Date with the Everly Brothers (1960)
Songwriter: Don Everly
Producer: Wesley Rose
Line-up: Floyd Chance (bass), Floyd Cramer (piano), Don Everly (vocals, guitar), Phil Everly (vocals, guitar), Buddy Harman (drums)

Points: 587,67
Finished #15 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll:b 139
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 5737
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 129
And you know that it‘s sincere: Neil (#53)
I die each time I hear this sound: Listyguy (#240)

The Everly Brothers had really grating voices at times and this is probably the best examples. Just when they start singing: „Don‘t want your love“ I‘m not exactly thrilled. The verses are fine and feature nice interplay between piano and drums, but that chorus… - Schüttelbirne
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A very old friend came by today
‚Cause he was telling everyone in town
Of the love that he just found
Image

207. Elvis Presley | „(Marie‘s the Name) His Latest Flame“
Release: August 8, 1961 (B-side: „Little Sister“)
Songwriters: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
Producer: Steve Sholes
Line-up: Floyd Cramer (piano), D.J. Fontana (drums), Hank Garland (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Millie Kirkham (backing vocals), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Scotty Moore (guitar), Elvis Presley (vocals), Boots Randolph (claves), Gordon Stoker (piano, backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 590,63
Finished #16 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 6032
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 758
She‘d be mine eternally: jamieW (#34)
The tears inside were a-burning: The_Claw (#226), bonnielaurel (#233), BleuPanda (#237), Neil (211/224), FrankLotion (#245), Elder (#246)

The only non-ballad song by Presley here, with a more upbeat rhythm which is by far the best thing about this song. The song still seems pretty bland and goes nowhere. - Schüttelbirne
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Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Image

206. Skeeter Davis | „The End of the World“
Release: December 1962 (B-side: „Somebody Loves You“)
Album: The End of the World (1963)
Songwriters: Arthur Kent & Sylvia Dee
Producer: Chet Atkins
Line-up: Floyd Cramer (piano), Skeeter Davis (vocals), Pete Drake (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), Anita Kerr (harpsichord), Bob Moore (bass), Velma Smith (guitar), James Wilson (guitar)

Points: 594,41
Finished #12 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3423
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 629
Life goes on the way it does: phil (#20)
These eyes of mine cry: Honorio (#227), Schüttelbirne (#231), Listyguy (#248)

Skeeter Davis does have a pleasant voice, but that‘s everything pleasant about this song. The instrumental backing is not too cheesy for once, but it doesn‘t really add to the song. It‘s just a nice, soft breakup song that doesn‘t fit with the stakes of the lyrics (even taken in an ironic way). It‘s not bad exactly, just pretty boring. The spoken word outro however is ten steps too far. - Schüttelbirne
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I saw my head laughing, rolling on the ground
Image

205. The Velvet Underground | „I‘m Set Free“
Release: March 1969 (album track)
Album: The Velvet Underground (1969)
Songwriter: Lou Reed
Producers: Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker & Doug Yule
Line-up: Sterling Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Maureen Tucker (percussion, backing vocals), Lou Reed (vocals, guitar, piano), Doug Yule (bass guitar, organ, backing vocals)

Points: 595,97
Finished #60 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Brad)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3859
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Let me tell you people what I found: Brad (#4)
What in the world has happened to me: BleuPanda (#235), stone37 (223/232), SL3 (#239), jamieW (#244), bonnielaurel (#245), Father2TheMan (#245)
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He looked so quiet, but my oh my
Image

204. The Crystals | „Da Doo Ron Ron“
Release: April 1963 (B-side: „Git‘ It“)
Songwriters: Phil Spector, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich
Producer: Phil Spector
Line-up: Barbara Alston (backing vocals), Hal Blaine (drums), Dolores Brooks (vocals), Steve Douglas (baritone saxophone), Carol Kaye (bass), Dolores Kenniebrew (backing vocals), Don Randi (piano), Cherilyn Sarkisian (backing vocals), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Patricia Wright (backing vocals)

Points: 600,24
Finished #16 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2398
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 117
I‘ll make him mine: SL3 (#49)
My heart stood still: Elder (#227), Brad (#246)

From all the bigger girl group of the ‚60s The Crystals might be my least favorite, but this is their best song. It‘s decent, with elated vocals by the group. The entire thing is based on a euphemism: He walked me home and then something happened, but I can‘t tell you what, so we‘ll replace it with gibberish. The mood of the song implies it‘s something happy, but I like to think, „da doo ron ron“ means „then he got hit by a car“ which in combination with the happy vocals would be some pretty nice black humor (or without them a Shangri-Las song). - Schüttelbirne
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Image

203. The Shadows | „Apache“
Release: July 8, 1960 (B-side: „Quartermasster‘s Stores“)
Songwriter: Jerry Lordan
Producer: Norrie Paramor
Line-up: Jet Harris (bass), Hank Marvin (guitar), Tony Meehan (drums), Bruce Welch (guitar)

Points: 602,46
Finished #11 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 124
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1859
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 155
Biggest Fan: bonnielaurel (#35)
Not a Fan: Elder (#233), FrankLotion (#235), Jackson (214/228)
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Image

202. Herbie Hancock | „Watermelon Man“
Release: October 1962 (album track)
Album: Takin‘ Off (1962)
Songwriter: Herbie Hancock
Producer: Alfred Lion
Line-up: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone), Herbie Hancock (piano), Billy Higgins (drums), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Butch Warren (double bass)

Points: 607,62
Finished #18 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3781
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 474
Biggest Fan: Schüttelbirne (#36)
Not a Fan: FrankLotion (#234), jamieW (#234), Neil (221/224)

I do not only see this as the representation of Hancock in this poll, but also that of Hubbard who seems to be completely underrated here. The motif is incredibly catchy and the jam-like recording on Takin‘ Off sees Hancock as the primary player, with Hubbard and Gordon each playing great solos. Just plain fun. - Schüttelbirne
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Unenlightened shadows cast
Down through all eternity
The crying of humanity
Image

201. Donovan | „Hurdy Gurdy Man“
Release: May 1968 (B-side: „Teen Angel“)
Album: The Hurdy Gurdy Man (1968)
Songwriter: Donovan Phillips Leitch
Producer: Mickie Most
Line-up: John Cameron (piano), John Carr (bongos, percussion), Tony Carr (drums, percussion), Clem Cattini (drums), John Paul Jones (bass guitar), Donovan Phillips Leitch (vocals, guitar, tambura), Harold McNair (flute, saxophone), [Jimmy Page (guitar) ?], Alan Parker (guitar), Danny Thompson (bass)

Points: 614,63
Finished #36 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by CupOfDreams)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1584
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 467
Me gazing with tranquility: CupOfDreams (#10)
In my vast sleep I open my eyes to take a peep: stone37 (214/232), maverick470 (189/204), sonofsamiam (#235), Jackson (219/228), The_Claw (#248), Father2TheMan (#249), SL3 (#250)

Donovan‘s whispered, vibrating vocals without a lot of variation are maximally irritating and are not really providing a good atmosphere. The song just seems badly mixed. The most interesting element is probably the percussion that shows some nice things in the chorus and during the guitar solo, but neither the lyrics nor the rest of the instruments is able to keep my interest here alive. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »

That's it for today, people.

Any guesses what will be number 1 (maybe in a separate thread)?

The first personal #1 already dropped and of course it was mine. :(
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by BleuPanda »

I know I'm part of the problem, but I wish more people provided comments for these projects. It's kind of jarring to be reading through our supposed 'favorite songs of the 1960s' and have the only comment for several songs be largely negative. I wish I had the time to provide my own, because I have an overall positive opinion on about 240 of these 250 songs. While people should obviously be free to express their disinterest in an otherwise celebrated song, it would be nice to have a balance, someone showing why it is here in the first place.

15 of the songs from 1962 fell in the bottom fifth. This was predictable, but still feels odd when so many greats got left out from the back half of the decade.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by jamieW »

Schüttelbirne wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:46 pm
jamieW wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:27 pm Schüttelbirne, hopefully this won't mess anything up, but I think I had Elvis's "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" at 34. (I had "Are You Lonesome Tonight" at 140.

Thanks!
Thanks for spotting that!
It seems there was a bit of a mix-up, putting both of those songs at #34 (although I did double-check the Presley songs to make sure that didn't happen :oops: )

You pushed the song down into last place, which it where it belongs from my viewpoint, but not yours, I take it. :mrgreen:
Leave it to me to point out something that pushes perhaps my all-time favorite artist to the basement, lol! I still give "Are You Lonesome Tonight" an 8, but then there are only 4 songs of the entire 250 that I don't like. (I wonder if anyone else has less?) So I will likely be dragging down a lot of songs I like a lot.

Thanks, Schüttelbirne - the presentation is amazing and I'm really enjoying your comments for each song!
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Listyguy »

"Watermelon Man" is an interesting case, because Herbie Hancock recorded two pretty famous versions of the song in two different decades. Which begs the question, if you prefer the Head Hunters version (which I do), should you be voting for that version, or for the 60s version? This is a 60s poll after all. I personally voted as if all versions of the song were being represented.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Nassim »

I didn't realize the deadline wasn't on the 31st, I'd have voted for the songs and pushed the Harlem Shuffle, Watermelon Man and the 2 Leonard Cohen songs up a bit !
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Henry »

234. The Beach Boys | „Surfin‘ U.S.A.“
Songwriters: Chuck Berry & Brian Wilson
Tell the teacher we‘re surfin‘: Henry (#52)
We‘ll all be gone for the summer: Bang Jan (#233), The_Claw (#242), Elder (#243), sonofsamiam (#247)

Not a great song musically, but it has great energy for me and is lots of fun. Now I know that Chuck Berry is noted as a co-writer and that makes me like the song even more.

Glad to see that Honorio is not among those who rated it below 232.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Gillingham »

Nassim wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:51 pm I didn't realize the deadline wasn't on the 31st, I'd have voted for the songs and pushed the Harlem Shuffle, Watermelon Man and the 2 Leonard Cohen songs up a bit !
Exactly the same here, and also about pushing the Cohens and Watermelon Man.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by FrankLotion »

BleuPanda wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:28 pm I know I'm part of the problem, but I wish more people provided comments for these projects. It's kind of jarring to be reading through our supposed 'favorite songs of the 1960s' and have the only comment for several songs be largely negative. I wish I had the time to provide my own, because I have an overall positive opinion on about 240 of these 250 songs. While people should obviously be free to express their disinterest in an otherwise celebrated song, it would be nice to have a balance, someone showing why it is here in the first place.
I was thinking the same thing, it does kind of take the wind out of the proceedings a little bit. I wonder if it would be logistically feasible for the next decade poll if the biggest fan of a song/album was PM’d asking if they want to write a quick blurb about it for the rollout? Though I know we’re all generally pressed for time so even that may be too much, let alone how much more work that would put on the poll runner. Still, I think it would add a lot.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »

Addressing a few things:

1. Biggest Fan is someone who put the song in their Top 10% or (if that isn't the case on any list) the highest voter. Not a Fan is the same, just with the bottom 10%.

2. It's unfortunate that Gillingham's and Nassim's votes didn't count, but I felt like I made the deadline clear several times and there also wasn't any confusion I was aware of. I won't change this rollout, but you can still send me your lists and I'll add them to provide an alternate ranking after the rollout is finished, if you want to.

3. I was thinking about not including my comments if I was the only one writing them, but then Honorio had some comments as well, so I added mine too. To be clear: I am being very harsh in these comments because I decided I wanted to be strict; if a song is just meh, I amplified that feeling which makes the comments maybe seem a bit more unkind than my actual feelings are. I was hoping to get more comments for some of these songs, but maybe the mass of songs was just overwhelming (it was for me)?
I'll try to write the comments ahead of time in the next poll, right after the results are published at the end of the month, which will make it easier to get through them, I think. I hope I'll have the time to do that, because writing about a song really makes me think about it in a different way.

4. I think i should emphasize that even #250 is still a very honorable position; there really aren't any losers in this poll.

5. An interesting thing I noticed is that the favorite songs of several years barely showed up on our all-time list. "It's Now or Never" finished #13 in our 1960 poll receiving 13 votes, while it finished #12.264 in the all-time list receiving only 2 votes (one by jamieW who's the Biggest Fan here, and one by Live in Phoenix who didn't vote in this poll).

6. I'd like to hear some opinions on the Bonus nominations which was a new element I introduced here. We do it in the film polls, so I thought it would be interesting to try it here. As you can see, a lot of the bonus nominations landed in the lower half, so was that worth it? I'm not sure, but I think it would be nice to evaluate it.

More thoughts sometime else, maybe.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by BleuPanda »

Schüttelbirne wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:48 pm 6. I'd like to hear some opinions on the Bonus nominations which was a new element I introduced here. We do it in the film polls, so I thought it would be interesting to try it here. As you can see, a lot of the bonus nominations landed in the lower half, so was that worth it? I'm not sure, but I think it would be nice to evaluate it.
I think it's a nice way to fill in some gaps, though it all depends on how people approach it. A few of them must still crack the top 100, right? I think that's worth it, even if others don't make any impact.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Jackson »

I always want to comment on lists I post, as I sometimes find comments from others uncover new aspects of a song I hadn't considered, but it's so time-consuming, and I also find it difficult to comment on music unless I'm actively listening to it.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Gillingham »

I have yo say though, excellent presentation Schüttelbirne!
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario
Con él las palabras, que pienso y declaro
Image

200. Violeta Parra | „Gracias a la Vida“
Release: November 1966 (album track)
Album: Las últimas composiciones de Violeta Parra (1966)
Songwriter: Violeta Parra
Producer: Violeta Parra
Line-up: Ángel Parra (guitar), Violeta Parra (vocals, charango), Alberto Zapicán (bombo)

Points: 617,63
Finished #41 in 1966 poll (Bonus nomination by DaveC)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1136
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1561
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado: DaveC (#9)
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados: Listyguy (#230), SL3 (#231), Brad (#236), FrankLotion (#236), andyd1010 (#241), BleuPanda (#241), Father2TheMan (#241), CupOfDreams (#243)

Sparse instrumentation and a strong vocal performance by Parra make this song very memorable. It just sounds so incredibly depressed while the lyrics don‘t really reflect that at all. Anyways, it‘s good. - Schüttelbirne
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He‘s all of thirty-one, and he‘s only seventeen
He‘s been a soldier for a thousand years
Image

199. Buffy Sainte-Marie | „The Universal Soldier“
Release: September 24, 1965 (B-side: „Cripple Creek“)
Album: It‘s My Way! (1964)
Songwriter: Buffy Sainte-Marie
Producer: Maynard Solomon
Line-up: Buffy Sainte-Marie (vocals, guitar) et al.

Points: 618,28
Finished #30 in 1964 poll (Bonus nomination by DaveC)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 5534
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 841
He says it‘s for the peace of all: bonnielaurel (#22)
He never sees the writing on the wall: jamieW (#227), andyd1010 (#231), Brad (#231), SL3 (#232), sonofsamiam (#232), Henry (#234), nicolas (#245), CupOfDreams (#247), The_Claw (#250)
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It‘s down to me
The way she talks when she‘s spoken to
Image

198. The Rolling Stones | „Under My Thumb“
Release: April 15, 1966 (album track)
Album: Aftermath (1966)
Songwriters: Mick Jagger & Keit Richards
Producer: Andrew Loog Oldham
Line-up: Mick Jagger (vocals), Brian Jones (marimba), Keith Richards (guitars, fuzz bass), Ian Stewart (piano), Charlie Watts (drums), Bill Wyman (bass)

Points: 618,57
Finished #16 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2016
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 224
The sweetest pet in the world: Safetycat (#64)
The squirming dog who‘s just had her day: phil (#240), sonofsamiam (#250)
_______________________________________________________________________

When I look in the mirror
And comb my hair
I see your face
Just smiling there
Image

197. Martha & The Vandellas | „Nowhere to Run“
Release: February 10, 1965 (B-side: „Motoring“)
Album: Dance Party (1965)
Songwriters: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland
Producers: Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier
Line-up: Jack Ashford (percussion, tambourine, vibraphone), Rosalind Ashford (backing vocals), Benny Benjamin (drums), George Bohanon (trombone), Russ Conway (trumpet), Henry Cosby (tenor saxophone), Ivy Jo Hunter (snow chains), James Jamerson (bass guitar), Betty Kelly (backing vocals), Martha Reeves (vocals), Paul Riser (trombone), Mike Terry (baritone saxophone), Earl Van Dyke (piano), Robert White (guitar), Herbert Williams (trumpet), Eddie Willis (guitar)

Points: 620,45
Finished #20 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1736
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 317
You‘ve become a part of me: mileswide (#16)
I wake up feeling sorry I met you: jamieW (#226), DaveC (#235), nicolas (#237)

I prefer this group to a lot of girl groups from the time because they tend to have better, more precise instrumentation and more pleasant vocal arrangements. This is the case here too, but the song itself is just decent and nothing special. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

The only time I feel alright is by your side
Girl, I want to be with you all of the time
Image

196. The Kinks | „All Day and All of the Night“
Release: October 23, 1964 (B-side: „I Gotta Move“)
Album: Kinks-Size (1965)
Songwriter: Ray Davies
Producer: Shel Talmy
Line-up: Mick Avory (drums, tambourine), Dave Davies (guitar, backing vocals), Ray Davies (vocals, guitar), Pete Quaife (bass guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 620,95
Finished #18 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1378
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 398
I believe that you and me last forever: Honorio (#65)
I‘m not content to be with you: bonnielaurel (#232)

I‘m not an expert, but most of this sounds just like „You Really Got Me“ does, and not just in the ‚that‘s the same band‘ way, but in the ‚that‘s the same song‘ way. The structure is basically the same (including the climactic chorus part where Davies uses the same vocal inflection as he does on the other song). The lyrics don‘t fit as well to the music though and Davies‘s vocal performance also seems a bit less powerful, so this is the poorer of the two. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

Image

195. Bernard Herrmann | „Psycho: Prelude“
Composition: 1960
Release: 1975 (with National Philharmonic Orchestra)
Composer: Bernard Herrmann

Points: 626,74
Finished #21 in 1960 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 87
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 6633
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
Biggest Fan: Schüttelbirne (#51)
Not a Fan: DaveC (#226), Safetycat (#232), BleuPanda (#233), andyd1010 (#236), stone37 (215/232), CupOfDreams (#248)

Violins in film scores would never be the same again. While everybody thinks about the shower scene when talking about Psycho‘s score, the „Prelude“ is actually the most interesting part of the score because it features some variation in the melody and is able to build an actual atmosphere. This works incredibly well to this day. Listening to this does is very atmospheric still. - Schüttelbirne
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Take a long walk along the beach tonight? I‘d love to
But don‘t try to touch me, don‘t try to touch me
‚Cause that will never happen again
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194. The Shangri-Las | „Past, Present and Future“
Release: August 1966 (B-side: „Paradise“)
Songwriters: Artie Butler, George Morton & Jerry Leiber
Producer: George Morton
Line-up: Margie Ganser (backing vocals), Mary Ann Ganser (backing vocals), Betty Weiss (backing vocals), Mary Weiss (vocals) et al.

Points: 629
Finished #30 in 1966 poll (Bonus nomination by sonofsamiam)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1707
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
You know I used to sing: A-tisket, a-tasket, a green and yellow basket: sonofsamiam (#10)
But at the moment it doesn‘t look good: bonnielaurel (#229), FrankLotion (#240), SL3 (#241), Henry (#242), Honorio (#248)
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You made me happy every single day
But now I‘ve got to go away
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193. Led Zeppelin | „Babe I‘m Gonna Leave You“
Release: January 12, 1969 (album track)
Album: Led Zeppelin (1969)
Songwriters: Anne Bredon, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant
Producer: Jimmy Page
Line-up: John Bonham (drums, percussion, backing vocals), John Paul Jones (bass, organ, backing vocals), Jimmy Page (guitars, backing vocals), Robert Plant (vocals, harmonica)

Points: 630
Finished #35 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Nassim)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1147
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 753
I can hear it calling me the way it used to do: Brad (#36)
I ain‘t joking woman, I‘ve got to ramble: phil (#242)

The fall of Led Zeppelin was surprising to see. „Whole Lotta Love“ was the highest-ranking song from the 2015 poll not to place in this year‘s edition and this entry was only included through a bonus nomination. I do have some problems with their first few albums, but „Babe I‘m Gonna Leave You“ actually happens to be my second favorite song on their debut (after „Dazed and Confused“ of course). Still, the switch from calmer more acoustic-oriented mood to full-out guitar invasion is certainly not effortless especially since it happens quite frequently. When it gets going, the song is very energetic and nice to follow, but the calmer parts make it seem meandering at points. - Schüttelbirne
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Lend me your ears and I‘ll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key
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192. Joe Cocker | „With a Little Help from My Friends“
Release: October 1968 (B-side: „Something‘s Coming On“)
Album: With a Little Help from My Friends (1969)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: Denny Cordell
Line-up: Madeline Bell (backing vocals), Joe Cocker (vocals), Tommy Eyre (organ), Rosetta Hightower (backing vocals), Patrice Holloway (backing vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), Chris Stainton (bass), Sunny Wheetman (backing vocals), B.J. Wilson (drums)

Points: 631
Finished #51 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by The_Claw)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1898
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 288
It sure feels like mine: The_Claw (#14)
Would you stand up and walk out on me?: sonofsamiam (#248), Jackson (227/228), Bang Jan (#250)

I‘m one of the people who prefers the original version (because I‘m one of the three people in the world who likes Starr‘s vocals). Still, this is a well-made cover, turning the energy up in the chorus with more guitar, female backing vocals and Cocker‘s powerful vocal performance. Actually the backing vocals are vital pieces of the song, acting like a conversational partner for Cocker (which works well because of the lyrics having a Q&A structure). It‘s maybe a bit long with an extended outro of Cocker just repeating fragments of the lyrics, which could have been scratched, but overall it‘s a fine song. - Schüttelbirne
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All men are false, says my mother
They‘ll tell you wicked, loving lies
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191. Joan Baez | „Silver Dagger“
Release: October 1960 (album track)
Album: Joan Baez (1960)
Songwriter: Traditional, arranged by Joan Baez
Producer: Maynard Solomon
Line-up: Joan Baez (vocals, guitar)

Points: 633
Finished #18 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3548
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
The very next evening, they‘ll court another: bonnielaurel (#10)
I‘ve decided to sleep alone all of my life: nicolas (#228), jamieW (#232), BleuPanda (#245), CupOfDreams (#249)

A song that exists in numerous versions, in which the motifs can be connected again and again: the silver dagger, the broken heart, the mother abandoned by her man and the daughter who rejects her lover. Baez ‘arrangement is relatively tame, as all three people survive. In other versions, the titular dagger is used to kill one or both parts of the couple. Tame actually describes the mood that Baez expresses here quite well. Her version is very traditional, but also rather quiet and filled with sadness, as is should be with this song. In its brevity, it works well, with Baez’ voice (her primary pull factor), which always seems to do several somersaults on every note, not overdoing it like she tends to do in her later work. But why the mother sleeps with a dagger will probably remain her secret. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


You know you twist your little girl
You know you twist so fine
Come on and twist a little closer now
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190. The Beatles | „Twist and Shout“
Release: March 22, 1963 (album track)
Album: Please Please Me (1963)
Songwriters: Phil Medley & Bert Russell
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums)

Points: 636
Finished #17 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1131
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 430
Let me know that you‘re mine: stone37 (#23)
You got me goin‘ now: BleuPanda (#228), Schüttelbirne (#232)

A mediocre cover of a song that wasn‘t so great to begin within. Lennon‘s vocals with a touch of roughness are the most interesting element here, otherwise this is very trivial. - Schüttelbirne
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You‘ll look in the bed and your mother will be gone
Death always in a hurry in this land
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189. Blind Gary Davis | „Death Don‘t Have No Mercy“
Release: December 1960 (album track)
Album: Harlem Street Singer (1960)
Songwriter: Gary Davis
Producer: Kenneth S. Goldstein
Line-up: Gary Davis (vocals, guitar)

Points: 637
Finished #19 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4211
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
He‘ll come to your house: nicolas (#24)
He won‘t stay long: Brad (#229), andyd1010 (#239), BleuPanda (#244), Henry (#244), bonnielaurel (#249)

An interesting choice here. I like acoustic blues a lot, and this is a good example (even if this is more gospel-influenced). Davis‘s vocals dominate the track and sell the feeling of existential dread. He‘s able to keep a consistent atmosphere for almost five minutes. Blues really didn‘t get a lot of representation on this list, so it‘s nice to have this one here. - Schüttelbirne
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Tápame con tu rebozo, Llorona
Porque me muero de frío
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188. Chavela Vargas | „La Llorona“
Release: 1961 (album track)
Album: Chavela Vargas (1961)
Songwriters: Traditional
Producers:
Line-up: Benigno Lara Foster, Juarez H. Garcia, Daniel Torres Osorno, Chavela Vargas (vocals, guitar), Ricardo Otanez Zamudio

Points: 639
Finished #20 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2331
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1065
Me quitarán de quererte, Llorona, pero de olvidarte nunca: Schüttelbirne (#34)
Qué mas quieres? Quieres más?: Henry (#227), Listyguy (#232), BleuPanda (#234), CupOfDreams (#237), Brad (#238), Father2TheMan (#248)
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A roseira já deu rosas
E a rosa que eu ganhei foi ela
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187. Os Mutantes | „A Minha Menina“
Release: 1968 (B-side: „Adeus Maria Fulô“)
Album: Os Mutantes (1968)
Songwriter: Jorge Ben
Producer: Manoel Barenbein
Line-up: Arnaldo Baptista (keyboards, bass), Jorge Ben (vocals, guitar), Sérgio Dias (guitar), Dirceu (drums), Rita Lee (recorder, autoharp, percussion) et al.

Points: 641
Finished #129 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Holden)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1490
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 440
E vou dizer pra todo mundo como gosto dela: Bang Jan (#36)
A lua prateada se escondeu: jamieW (#237), SL3 (#238), stone37 (224/232)

The way the different vocals intersect, which ends in the chorus with its guitar riff is the best part here, but the guitar has a very unappealing sound to it and the bridge is basically wasted. This song might be improved by a few adjustments, but as it is, it is only decent. - Schüttelbirne
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You treat me badly
I love you madly
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186. The Miracles | „You‘ve Really Got a Hold on Me“
Release: November 9, 1962 (A-side: „Happy Landing“)
Album: The Fabulous Miracles (1963)
Songwriter: Smokey Robinson
Producer: Smokey Robinson
Line-up: Pete Moore (backing vocals), Claudette Rogers Robinson (backing vocals), Smokey Robinson (vocals), Bobby Rogers (backing vocals), Marv Tarplin (guitar), Ronnie White (backing vocals), The Funk Brothers (various instruments)

Points: 645,3
Finished #5 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 130
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2010
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 119
I can‘t quit now: Safetycat (#29)
You do me wrong now: DaveC (#232), Listyguy (#235), mileswide (#242)

This reminds me so strongly of „Bring It On Home to Me“ in its melody, but it‘s not as good because Robinson is not Cooke. I looked it up, and apparently I‘m not the only one who saw the connection: The Zombies recorded a medley of the two songs in 1965. Who knew? - Schüttelbirne
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185. John Coltrane | „Giant Steps“
Release: February 1960 (album track)
Album: Giant Steps (1960)
Songwriter: John Coltrane
Producer: Nesuhi Ertegün
Line-up: Paul Chambers (bass), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Art Taylor (drums)

Points: 645,8
Finished #8 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 136
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1592
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 353
Biggest Fan: sonofsamiam (#55)
Not a Fan: stone37 (213/232), jamieW (#230), The_Claw (#231), andyd1010 (#234)

May I take a moment to remind people what a masterful bassist Paul Chambers was? He‘s mostly known for his work in Miles Davis‘s First Great Quintet (together with Coltrane), but he was basically everywhere in the jazz world at this period. Most people focus on Coltrane‘s saxophone when listening to „Giant Steps“ which makes sense since he‘s playing a million notes a minute, but I like to listen to what the rhythm section and the piano are doing and how the players interact with each other, something you can rarely find in Pop or Rock music at this point in time. I do prefer „Cousin Mary“ from the same album, but this track is also a good example of what Coltrane was doing at this point. - Schüttelbirne
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Everyday‘s an endless stream
Of cigarettes and magazines
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184. Simon & Garfunkel | „Homeward Bound“
Release: January 19, 1966 (B-side: „Leaves That Are Green“)
Album: Sounds of Silence (UK) (1966) + Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (US) (1966)
Songwriter: Paul Simon
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Hal Blaine (drums), Art Garfunkel (vocals), Carol Kaye (bass guitar), Paul Simon (vocals, guitar), Joe South (guitar)

Points: 647
Finished #47 in 1966 poll (Bonus nomination by FrankLotion)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4388
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 526
Where my thought‘s escaping: FrankLotion (#37)
But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity: BleuPanda (#230), jamieW (#248)
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Someone warm like you
Would make my dreams come true
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183. Stevie Wonder | „For Once in My Life“
Release: October 15, 1968 (B-side: „Angie Girl“)
Album: For Once in My Life (1968)
Songwriters: Ron Miller & Orlando Murden
Producer: Henry Cosby
Line-up: Marlene Barrow (backing vocals), Louvain Demps (backing vocals), Hank Dixon (backing vocals), Walter Gaines (backing vocals), Freddie Gorman (backing vocals), Jackie Hicks (backing vocals), James Jamerson (bass), Uriel Jones (drums), C.P. Spencer (backing vocals), Earl Van Dyke (piano), Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica), The Funk Brothers (various instruments)

Points: 649
Finished #40 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by FrankLotion)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2366
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1138
This is mine, you can‘t take it: Henry (#19)
Not like it‘s hurt me before: BleuPanda (#226), Neil (217/224)
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Three nights and days I sailed the sea
Me think of girl constantly
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182. The Kingsmen | „Louie Louie“
Release: June 1963 (B-side: „Haunted Castle“)
Album: The Kingsmen in Person (1963)
Songwriter: Richard Berry
Producers: Ken Chase & Jerry Dennon
Line-up: Lynn Easton (drums), Jack Ely (vocals, guitar), Don Gallucci (organ), Mike Mitchell (guitar), Bob Nordby (bass)

Points: 653
Finished #7 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 100
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 425
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 17
I‘ll never leave again: Safetycat (#39)
Me never think I‘ll make it home: DaveC (#233), Listyguy (#241)

The main point that bears mentioning here is the notoriety of the lyrics. Since Ely couldn‘t manage to use the equipment right, the vocals turnt out to be very hard to understand which prompted ‚some people‘ to launch an investigation whether they‘re indecent or not. It‘s a triviality really, and nobody would bat an eye today. The song does hold up, though it‘s not as great as the high AM position indicates. The poor production may seem charming to some (and you could call them precursors for punk because of it), but I‘m not a fan of that. - Schüttelbirne
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Well, my heart went boom
When I crossed that room
And I held her hand in mine
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181. The Beatles | „I Saw Her Standing There“
Release: March 22, 1963 (album track)
Album: Please Please Me (1963)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, hand claps), John Lennon (guitar, backing vocals, hand claps), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar, hand claps), Ringo Starr (drums, hand claps)

Points: 658
Finished #13 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 108
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1288
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 203
How could I dance with another?: Father2TheMan (#23)
She was just seventeen and you know what I mean: jamieW (#239), Schüttelbirne (#246)

The appeal of this escapes me. They just repeat the same thing twice and it wasn‘t it even very good to start with. There‘s barely any variation – with the exception of the „mine“ in the quote above which is really grating. It‘s like one of those spirituals that‘s musically easy so everybody can sing along, but it lacks any sort of spirituality or originality or fun. Not good. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »

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180. Oliver Nelson | „Stolen Moments“
Release: August 1961 (album track)
Album: The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
Songwriter: Oliver Nelson
Producer: Creed Taylor
Line-up: George Barrow (baritone saxophone), Paul Chambers (bass), Eric Dolphy (flute), Bill Evans (piano), Roy Haynes (drums), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Oliver Nelson (tenor saxophone)

Points: 659
Finished #13 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 4677
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 517
Biggest Fan: Schüttelbirne (#33)
Not a Fan: Father2TheMan (#226), mileswide (#231), andyd1010 (#238), Brad (#240), stone37 (228/232)

I‘m so glad this is here. The entire album is worth checking out, but this song is one of the most gorgeous jazz pieces of the ‚60s. In its structure it‘s dedicated to Hard Bop, with the rhythm section providing the foundation for extended soloing by the individual wind players. The first solo is Hubbard‘s who‘s underrated around here, followed by Dolphy‘s soft flute. Nelson‘s own longing saxophone is an absolute highlight of these eight minutes. Next is a piano solo by Evans before the wonderful theme returns to close out the song. The entire piece creates a wonderful unique atmosphere that‘s just thrilling to listen to. Also, did I ever mention that Paul Chambers is great? - Schüttelbirne
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When we danced he held me tight
And when he walked me home that night
All the stars were shining bright
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179. The Crystals | „Then He Kissed Me“
Release: July 12, 1963 (B-side: „Brother Julius“)
Songwriters: Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich & Jeff Barry
Producer: Phil Spector
Line-up: Barbara Alston (backing vocals), Hal Blaine (drums), Dolores Brooks (vocals), Carol Kaye (bass), Dolores Kenniebrew (backing vocals), Patricia Wright (backing vocals) et al.

Points: 660
Finished #15 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 127
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1011
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 226
He was more than a friend: sonofsamiam (#36)
I almost cried: nicolas (#236), Honorio (#242), Schüttelbirne (#244)

The vocals here are rather weak. They all seem rather bored and not at all like they‘re condensing an entire romantic story in less than three minutes. The production also does nothing to save it, just repeating the same motif all over again; at one point there‘s string, and another there‘s brass, but nothing that comes even close to catching my interest. - Schüttelbirne
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What‘s the use in tryin‘?
All you get is pain
When I needed sunshine I got rain
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178. The Monkees | „I‘m a Believer“
Release: November 12, 1966 (B-side: „(I‘m Not Your) Steppin‘ Stone“
Album: More of the Monkees (1967)
Songwriter: Neil Diamond
Producer: Jeff Barry
Line-up: Jeff Barry (piano, tambourine), Artie Butler (organ), Sal DiTroia (guitar), Micky Dolenz (vocals), Al Gorgoni (guitar), Davy Jones (backing vocals), Dick Romoff (bass), Buddy Salzman (drums), Peter Tork (backing vocals)

Points: 669,2
Finished #18 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 627
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 115
Not a trace of doubt in my mind: maverick470 (#14)
Meant for someone else but not for me: phil (#239), Jackson (224/228)

My main association with this song is its use on „Shrek“ (in the Smash Mouth version) which isn‘t a bad thing per se, but I can never listen to it without keeping that in mind. This version is the better one, to be honest, mostly because of Dolenz‘s vocals. - Schüttelbirne
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You can dance every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye
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177. The Drifters | „Save the Last Dance for Me“
Release: August 1960 (B-side: „Nobody But Me“)
Album: Save the Last Dance for Me (1962)
Songwriters: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
Producers: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
Line-up: Gary Chester (drums), Dock Green (backing vocals), Allen Hanlon (guitar), Elsbeary Hobbs (backing vocals), Ben E. King (vocals), Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Charlie Thomas (backing vocals), Lloyd Trotman (bass) et al.

Points: 669,8
Finished #8 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 140
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1650
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 236
I know that the music‘s fine: jamieW (#36)
You must tell him no: Schüttelbirne (#236), FrankLotion (#237), Elder (#239)

A rather typical love song of the early ‚60s you could find in any group, even if it is a bit weaker than its consorts. Still it didn‘t have to be this bad. The backing vocals don‘t align with the King at all while the strings get an interlude that could euphemistically be described as „unfortunate“. Add to that the general listlessness of everybody involved and you got a bad example of ‚60s music. - Schüttelbirne
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And there goes my baby
There goes my heart
They‘re gone forever
So far apart
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176. Roy Orbison | „Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)“
Release: May 4, 1960 (B-side: „Here Comes That Song Again“)
Album: Lonely and Blue (1961)
Songwriters: Roy Orbison & Joe Melson
Producer: Fred Foster
Line-up: Harold Bradley (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Hank Garland (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), The Anita Kerr Singers (backing vocals), Joe Melson (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Roy Orbison (vocals), Boots Randolph (saxophone)

Points: 671
Finished #5 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 99
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1194
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 99
That‘s the chance you gotta take: BleuPanda (#29)
I cry and cry: Schüttelbirne (#239), Elder (#245)

The rather hilarious backing vocals stand next to a overtly dramatic Orbison, but can‘t save this song from being bad. - Schüttelbirne
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Now that funny feeling has me amazed
Don‘t know what to do, my head‘s in a haze
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175. Martha & The Vandellas | „Heat Wave“
Release: July 9, 1963 (B-side: „A Love Like Yours (Don‘t Come Knocking Everyday)“
Album: Heat Wave (1963)
Songwriters: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland
Producers: Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier
Line-up: Richard Allen (drums), Rosalind Ashford (backing vocals), Annette Beard (backing vocals), Joe Hunter (piano), James Jamerson (double bass), Martha Reeves (vocals), Andrew Terry (baritone saxophone), Robert White (guitar), Eddie Willis (guitar)

Points: 684
Finished #14 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1910
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 173
I feel that burning flame: SL3 (#19)
Could it be a devil in me: phil (#233), nicolas (#235), DaveC (#236)

I‘m not the biggest fan of the use of the baritone saxophone here. Its repetitive use seems rather annoying to me. The vocals by Reeves, Ashford and Beard are very powerful though and save the song to a degree. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘m gonna wait till the stars come out
And see that twinkle in your eyes
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174. Wilson Pickett | „In the Midnight Hour“
Release: June 1965 (B-side: „I‘m Not Tired“)
Album: In the Midnight Hour (1965)
Songwriters: Wilson Pickett & Steve Cropper
Producers: Jim Stewart & Steve Cropper
Line-up: Steve Cropper (guitar), Donald Dunn (bass), Al Jackson (drums), Wilson Pickett (vocals) et al.

Points: 692
Finished #21 in 1965 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 631
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 74
Play it for me one time: Neil (#19)
There‘s no one else around: Jackson (#216), phil (#247)

I‘m pretty much indifferent to this song, it‘s not bad but there‘s also nothing here that fascinates me. Pickett‘s performance is rather bland as are the arrangement and the instrumental performances. The most interesting thing might be the brass part, but even that is just run-of-the-mill. - Schüttelbirne
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The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
They tell your business in another Shangri-La
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173. The Kinks | „Shangri-La“
Release: September 12, 1969 (B-side: „This Man He Weeps Tonight“)
Album: Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
Songwriter: Ray Davies
Producer: Ray Davies
Line-up: Mick Avory (drums, percussion), John Dalton (bass guitar, backing vocals), Dave Davies (guitar, backing vocals), Ray Davies (vocals, guitar), Pete Quaife (bass guitar) et al.

Points: 694,77
Finished #50 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Jackson)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2596
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 817
You‘re in your place, and you know where you are: Jackson (#12)
But he‘s too scared to complain: Henry (#228), Neil (212/224), Safetycat (#240), SL3 (#243)

At some point in the ‚60s The Kinks just decided they wanted to make peaceful pastoral music, so a title with „Shangri-La“ seems to fit exactly into that. Instead you get a satiric look at working-class life. The main point of interest for me are not lyrics, however, but the orchestral arrangement with especially pronounced winds in the verses. They work better in the chorus which is mostly a repetition of the title. I‘m not sure if this is built in the best way it could be, because this might as well be an idyllic song with that instrumentation. I need to think some more about that. - Schüttelbirne
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She comes around here
Just about midnight
She make me feel so good, Lord
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172. Them | „Gloria“
Release: December 2, 1964 (B-side: „Baby, Please Don‘t Go“)
Album: The Angry Young Them (1965)
Songwriter: Van Morrison
Producer: Dick Rowe
Line-up: Peter Bardens (keyboards, organ), Billy Harrison (guitar), Alan Henderson (bass), Pat McAuley (drums, piano, harmonica), Van Morrison (vocals, harmonica, tenor saxophone)

Points: 694,78
Finished #20 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 118
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1755
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 69
She make me feel alright: mileswide (#35)
She about five feet four from her head to the ground: Bang Jan (#228), sonofsamiam (#231)
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Ten silver saxes, a bass with a bow
The drummer relaxes and waits between shows
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171. Neil Young with Crazy Horse | „Cinnamon Girl“
Release: April 20, 1970 (B-side: „Sugar Mountain“)
Album: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969)
Songwriter: Neil Young
Producers: Neil Young & David Briggs
Line-up: Ralph Molina (drums, backing vocals), Billy Talbot (bass guitar), Danny Whitten (guitar, vocals), Neil Young (vocals, guitar)

Points: 697
Finished #23 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Holden)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1079
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 287
You see us together, chasing the moonlight: maverick470 (#30)
I‘m going to make it somehow: bonnielaurel (#226), jamieW (#245)
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


I‘ll pretend that I‘m kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
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170. The Beatles | „All My Loving“
Release: November 22, 1963 (album track)
Album: With the Beatles (1963)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (lead guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar), Ringo Starr (drums)

Points: 699,1
Finished #11 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1154
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 541
Remember I‘ll always be true: SL3 (#14)
Close your eyes: BleuPanda (#232), Elder (#237), CupOfDreams (#242)

The entire instrumental part on this song is very repetitive for the first half of the song with only the second half doing anything interesting guitar-wise, but that only lasts for a few seconds before we‘re back again to the same chord structure. McCartney has a lot of song with better vocals and the lyrics also don‘t stand out much. The backing vocals in the chorus are a nice touch though and I can‘t say that I actively dislike it, it‘s just one of those „shrug songs“ for which I don‘t have any strong emotions either way. - Schüttelbirne
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One more thing, I tried to treat you right
But you stayed out, stayed out day and night
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169. Sam Cooke | „Bring It On Home to Me“
Release: May 8, 1962 (A-side: „Having a Party“)
Songwriter: Sam Cooke
Producers: Hugo Peretti & Luigi Creatore
Line-up: Adolphus Asbrook (bass guitar), Frank Capp (drums), Sam Cooke (vocals), Cecil Figelski (cello), Elliot Fisher (violin), Ernie Freeman (piano), William Green (saxophone), René Hall (guitar), Armand Kaproff (cello), Marvin Limonick (violin), Wilbert Nuttycombe (viola), Ray Pohlman (bass guitar), Lou Rawls (backing vocals), Myron Sandler (violin), Joseph Saxon (violin), Ralph Schaeffer (violin), Marshall Sosson (violin), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Irving Weinper (viola), Clifton White (guitar)

Points: 699,3
Finished #3 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 121
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1075
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 241
That ain‘t all I‘ll do for you: Father2TheMan (#36)
But now I know I only hurt myself: mileswide (#240)

A nice ballad that profits from the vocal performances by Cooke and Rawls and a pleasurable string arrangement. The rhythm section propels the song forward, but it‘s stopped a bit short by the repeated alternating „yeah – yeah – yeah – yeah – yeah“ which is pretty irritating. - Schüttelbirne
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Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can‘t help falling in love with you
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168. Elvis Presley | „Can‘t Help Falling in Love“
Release: October 1, 1961 (B-side: „Rock-A-Hula Baby“)
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
Songwriters: Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George David Weiss
Producer: Elvis Presley
Line-up: Hal Blaine (percussion), Dudley Brooks (piano), Floyd Cramer (piano), George Fields (harmonica), D.J. Fontana (drums), Hank Garland (guitar), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bernie Mattinson (percussion), Bob Moore (bass), Scotty Moore (guitar), Elvis Presley (vocals), Boots Randolph (saxophone), Alvino Rey (pedal steel guitar), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Fred Tavares (ukulele), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 703
Finished #8 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 123
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 662
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 289
Some things are meant to be: Safetycat (#17), jamieW (#22)
Only fools rush in: The_Claw (#240)

What I said about „Are You Lonesome Tonight?“ does not apply here at all, though they are similar in many ways. I don‘t even know why I think this one works as well as it does, but it has a more candid tone and a better vocal performance by Presley. The melody may be the main part, because it‘s very pretty. - Schüttelbirne
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Smoke ain‘t making me cry
It‘s the hurt you put on me
I dont want you to see this man cry
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167. Isaac Hayes | „Walk On By“
Release: July 1969 (B-side: „By the Time I Get to Phoenix“)
Album: Hot Buttered Soul (1969)
Songwriters: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Producers: Al Bell, Marvell Thomas & Allen Jones
Line-up: James Alexander (bass), Harold Beane (guitar), Willie Hall (drums), Isaac Hayes (vocals, keyboards), Marvell Thomas (keyboards), Michael Toles (guitar)

Points: 704
Finished #30 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by The_Claw)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1325
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 635
You socked it to me, mama: The_Claw (#6)
Foolish pride is all that I have left: stone37 (211/232)

Turning a pop song into a 12-minute soul epic is a difficult task and I can‘t say Hayes completely fulfilled it. There‘s a lot of individual things I like about this: the opening two minutes build up expectations for the rest to follow that can never be fulfilled mostly because Hayes stays a bit too true to the original mood of the song in the verses. The strings- and backing vocals-filled verses are much less exciting too me than the guitar parts. I get that he‘s explicitly trying to fuse these two styles into one (especially in the back half of the song), but it doesn‘t work entirely (his vocal performance is also not the strongest). - Schüttelbirne
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If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see if she has a coat so warm
To keep her from the howling winds
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166. Bob Dylan | „Girl from the North Country“
Release: May 27, 1963 (album track)
Album: The Freewheelin‘ Bob Dylan (1963)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 708,1
Finished #18 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1077
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 318
That‘s the way I remember her best: Fred (#5)
I‘m wondering if se remembers me at all: Safetycat (#230), Henry (#231), maverick470 (191/204)

Borrowing heavy from „Scarborough Fair“, this song features the most genuine positive emotions on Freewheelin‘, conveyed through Dylan‘s soft vocals, the tender guitar playing and the warm harmonica. Also much better than the duet version with Cash. - Schüttelbirne
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165. Mingus | „Track C – Group Dancers“
Release: July 1963 (album track)
Album: The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)
Songwriter: Charles Mingus
Producer: Bob Thiele
Line-up: Jay Berliner (guitar), Don Butterfield (tuba, contrabass trombone), Jaki Byard (piano), Rolf Ericson (trumpet), Dick Hafer (tenor saxophone, flute), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone), Charles Mingus (double bass, piano), Jerome Richardson (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute), Dannie Richmond (drums), Richard Williams (trumpet)

Points: 708,3
Finished #29 in 1963 poll (Bonus nomination by BleuPanda)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 5973
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 658
Biggest Fan: BleuPanda (#24)
Not a Fan: Father2TheMan (#231), The_Claw (#236), maverick470 (198/204), andyd1010 (#246), stone37 (229/232), SL3 (#248)

Quite possibly my least favorite track on The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady, but that‘s not saying much. The song starts of with a piano intro with brass and woodwinds introducing themselves in short bursts. The main motif is played by the woodwinds while the brass is sounding in the background. After about three minutes, the guitar gives the song a hint of a Spanish dance music flair, before devolving into a sax-led passage that ends with just the saxophone alone. Mingus‘ skills in arranging are shown in the back half with each of the instruments having clear distinct roles creating an atmospheric soundscape and not an indeterminable, muddy wall of sound. „Track C“ needs a bit to get going but is still above average for this poll. - Schüttelbirne
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Man made the electric light
To take us out of the dark
Man made the boat for the water
Like Noah made the ark
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164. James Brown | „It‘ a Man‘s Man‘s Man‘s World“
Release: May 1966 (B-side: „Is It Yes or Is It No?“)
Album: It‘s Man‘s Man‘s Man‘s World
Songwriters: James Brown & Betty Jean Newsome
Producer: James Brown
Line-up: Dud Bascomb (trumpet), Ian Bridle (piano), James Brown (vocals), Billy Butler (guitar), Haywood Henry (baritone saxophone), Bernard Purdie (drums), Waymon Reed (trumpet), Lamarr Wright (trumpet) et al.

Points: 708,5
Finished #20 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 547
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 128
Man makes them happy: bonnielaurel (#31)
He‘s lost in the bitterness: Safetycat (#250)

James Brown isn‘t among my favorite artists. There are some of his songs I like; this is a weird one because the instrumental arrangement is great complete with strings and horns. Brown‘s vocal performance and the lyrics don‘t come close to that level. The lyrics are not objectionable as such, but the idea works better than the execution which just results in „man did x, man did y“ in the verses, which doesn‘t work well. - Schüttelbirne
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You tell me to find someone else to love
Someone who‘ll love me, too, the way you used to do
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163. Patsy Cline | „I Fall to Pieces“
Release: January 30, 1961 (B-side: „Lovin‘ in Vain“)
Album: Showcase (1961)
Songwriters: Hank Cochran & Harlan Howard
Producer: Owen Bradley
Line-up: Harold Bradley (bass guitar), Patsy Cline (vocals), Floyd Cramer (organ), Hank Garland (guitar), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Randy Hughes (guitar), Ben Keith (guitar), Doug Kirkham (drums), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Hargus Robbins (piano), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 709
Finished #11 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1289
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 174
Time only adds to the flame: SL3 (#8)
Pretend we‘ve never met: phil (#230), nicolas (#233)

The heartache expressed in the lyrics doesn‘t work with the swinging bassline (just listen for that, it‘s the best part of the song!). Speed this up a bit, take some of the affected backing vocals and have Cline change the line-reading on „I fall to pieces“ and this might have made a good song. That last thing I mentioned is actually pretty significant for me. The way she sings that line with the dramatic undertone just makes it seem worthy of parody. - Schüttelbirne
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We‘re after the same rainbow‘s end
Waiting round the bend
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162. Henry Mancini, His Orchestra and Chorus | „Moon River“
Release: October 1961 (B-side: „Breakfast at Tiffany‘s“)
Album: Breakfast at Tiffany‘s: Music from the Motion Picture (1961)
Songwriters: Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer
Producers: Dick Peirce & Joe Reisman
Line-up: Audrey Hepburn (vocals, guitar), Henry Mancini (conductor) et al.

Points: 711
Finished #10 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 109
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 931
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 286
Dream maker: Honorio (#5)
Heartbreaker: phil (#235), CupOfDreams (#240), DaveC (#244), Safetycat (#244), Neil (219/224), Listyguy (#250)

An unrepeatable conjunction. Truman Capote as the novel writer. Blake Edwards as the efficient director. Hubert de Givenchy as the history-making costume designer. Henry Mancini as the composer of a score straight to eternity. Johnny Mercer as the writer of the dreamy lyrics. And, of course, Audrey Hepburn creating a pop icon of her Holly Golightly. And singing sitting on her windowsill (while George Peppard is peeping) the most beautiful song ever, "Moon River." - Honorio

Starting just with guitar and vocals but later amplified by orchestral backing, this short song is deservedly a classic because of its beautiful atmosphere. Simple things (or at least things that seem simple) can often be the best ones. - Schüttelbirne
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Before all the days are gone
And darker walls are bent and torn
To pass the time of those who mourn
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161. Jackson C. Frank | „I Want to Be Alone (Dialogue)“
Release: December 1965 (album track)
Album: Jackson C. Frank (1965)
Songwriter: Jackson C. Frank
Producer: Paul Simon
Line-up: Jackson C. Frank (vocals, guitar)

Points: 712
Finished #31 in 1965 poll (Bonus nomination by phil)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 112
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2316
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Sing a song of love to me: jamieW (#10), phil (#12)
Past the eyes of those who care: bonnielaurel (#228), andyd1010 (#232), SL3 (#247)

The album was a great discovery in last year‘s Moderately Acclaimed Album tournament, but this specific song is not among my favorites. Frank does have a commanding presence in his voice, which is very pleasant to listen to. The desolate sadness created just through vocals and guitar is to be admired. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Holden »

Sad to see both of my bonus noms go out pre 150! I can’t complain too much since I didn’t have time to vote, but still some of my favorite tracks ever!
"The better a singer's voice, the harder it is to believe what they're saying."
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


You hide in your mansion
While the young people‘s blood
Flows out of ther bodies
And is buried in the mud
Image

160. Bob Dylan | „Masters of War“
Release: May 27, 1963 (album track)
Album: The Freewheelin‘ Bob Dylan (1963)
Songwriters: Bob Dylan
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 716
Finished #12 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 122
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 2122
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 197
There‘s one thing I know: jamieW (#8)
You that never done nothing: maverick470 (187/204), Henry (#250)

I‘m not a big fan of „Masters of War“. The music is fine, and I generally don‘t mind the intention of the lyrics, but something about them rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it‘s his reduction of the phenomenon of war into something powerful people begin to make more money. Or maybe the merciless, de-humanizing expression towards the titular people. - Schüttelbirne
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159. Miles Davis | „Concierto de Aranjuez“
Release: July 18, 1960 (album track)
Album: Sketches of Spain (1960)
Composer: Joaquín Rodrigo, arranged by Gil Evans
Producer: Teo Macero
Line-up: Danny Bank (bass clarinet), John Barrows (French horn), Al Block (flute), Jim Buffington (French horn), Eddie Caine (flute), Paul Chambers (bass), Earl Chapin (French horn), Jimmy Cobb (drums), Miles Davis (trumpet, flugelhorn), Gil Evans (conductor), Harold Feldman (clarinet, oboe), Bernie Glow (trumpet), Dick Hixon (trombone), Elvin Jones (percussion), Taft Jordan (trumpet), Jack Knitzer (bassoon), José Mangual (percussion), Jimmy McAllister (tuba), Louis Mucci (trumpet), Reomeo Penque (oboe), Janet Putnam (harp), Frank Rehak (trombone), Ernie Royal (trumpet)

Points: 717
Finished #10 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 116
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 3215
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
Biggest Fan: DaveC (#14), Schüttelbirne (#22)
Not a Fan: Listyguy (#228), BleuPanda (#236), stone37 (220/232), andyd1010 (#249), Safetycat (#249)

Arranging a guitar concerto for trumpet is an interesting task and Gil Evans definitely fulfilled it. I think this version of „Concierto de Aranjuez“ is actually more popular than the original version with guitar. Sketches of Spain in general is a great showcase of arranging and the best of the multiple collaborations of Evans with Davis. Davis starts the piece playing the flugelhorn, which sounds softer than the trumpet, which fits the character of the piece quite well. Later he switches to the trumpet, which is also works in favor of the mood that is being created here. The percussion evokes castanets while the deeper-pitched instruments provide a backdrop for the higher-pitched ones, like the harp to emote. This is not based on improvisation; it is a very tightly arranged piece which creates a unique atmosphere. Simply beautiful. - Schüttelbirne
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Oui, mais moi, je vais seule
Car personne ne m‘aime
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158. Françoise Hardy | „Tous les garçons et les filles“
Release: 1962 (A-side: „J‘suis d‘accord“)
Album: Tous les garçons et les filles (1962)
Songwriters: Françoise Hardy & Roger Samyn
Producer: Jacques Wolfsohn [?]
Line-up: Françoise Hardy (vocals), Roger Samyn et son Orchestre (various instruments)

Points: 718
Finished #4 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1302
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 360
Sans peur du lendemain: The_Claw (#32)
Sans joies et pleins d‘ennuis: stone37 (210/232), Father2TheMan (#233), jamieW (#233), FrankLotion (#241)

Hardy does have a pretty voice, but that remains not just the main appeal of the song, but the only one. The instrumentation is content to stay uninteresting which is a bit unfortunate. Hardy delivers a wonderful soft vocal performance and that makes up for it to a degree, however even she isn‘t able to turn this into a great song. - Schüttelbirne
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And for everyone who thinks that life is just a game
Do you like the part you‘re playing
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157. Love | „You Set the Scene“
Release: November 1, 1967 (album track)
Album: Forever Changes (1967)
Songwriter: Arthur Lee
Producers: Bruce Botnick & Arthur Lee
Line-up: Robert Barene (violin), Arnold Belnick (violin), Chuck Berghofer (string bass), Norman Botnick (viola), Bud Brisbois (trumpet), Roy Caton (trumpet), Johnny Echols (guitar), Jesse Ehrlich (cello), Ken Forssi (bass guitar), James Getzoff (violin), Arthur Lee (vocals, guitar), Richard Leith (trombone), Bryan MacLean (vocals, guitar), Ollie Mitchell (trumpet), Marshall Sosson (violin), Michael Stuart (drums, percussion), Darrel Terwilliger (violin)

Points: 720,3
Finished #24 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by Fred)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1055
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
I‘ll face each day with a smile: Fred (#2), Jackson (#13), Bang Jan (#15), sonofsamiam (#19)
And there‘ll always be some people here to wonder why: Brad (#226), The_Claw (#230), Safetycat (#231), SL3 (#244), bonnielaurel (#248)

There‘s a lot of great songs on Forever Changes, but this isn‘t even among my personal Top 5. It seems overtly long and indulgent while never developing its ideas sufficiently. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘ll stay with you ‚til my seas are dried up
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156. Cream | „Sunshine of Your Love“
Release: December 1967 (B-side: „SWLABR“)
Album: Disraeli Gears (1967)
Songwriters: Jack Bruce, Eric Clapton & Pete Brown
Producer: Felix Pappalardi
Line-up: Ginger Baker (drums, percussion), Jack Bruce (vocals, bass, piano, harmonica), Eric Clapton (vocals, guitars)

Points: 720,4
Finished #26 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by Henry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 460
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 77
I‘ll be with you when the stars start falling: Henry (#26)
To give you my dull surprise: SL3 (#227)

Both guitar riff and bassline are legendary of course, and rightfully so. The verses have a climactic structure that results in the chorus that repeats the same structure. Unfortunately the ultimate climax isn‘t very rewarding for me, with the long-stretched „love“ not being as forceful as it could have been. Clapton‘s vocals are not very strong here but his guitar solo is quite decent, even if it isn‘t all-time great. Bruce is generally the better singer and delivers in the verses. Overall, the song seems maybe a bit slow to me? If they sped it up, it might be even better. - Schüttelbirne
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Don‘t know much about algebra
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155. Sam Cooke | „Wonderful World“
Release: April 14, 1960 (B-side: „Along the Navajo Trail“)
Songwriters: Lou Adler, Herb Alpert & Sam Cooke
Producer: Sam Cooke
Line-up: Adolphus Alsbrook (bass), Sam Cooke (vocals), Pilgrim Travellers (backing vocals, allegedly), Ronnie Selico (drums), Clifford White (guitar)

Points: 727
Finished #3 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 77
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 744
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 219
I do know that I love you: jamieW (#39)
I don‘t claim to be an A student: Elder (#232)

I also don‘t remember much about algebra, so I feel you, Sam. This song is very short, so it just consists of chorus – verse – chorus and the verse (which could maybe also be called bridge, but who really cares?) is the weak link here. The chorus is great fun though and very memorable. - Schüttelbirne
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154. John Coltrane | „A Love Supreme, Part IV: Psalm“
Release: February 1965 (album track)
Album: A Love Supreme (1965)
Songwriter: John Coltrane
Producer: Bob Thiele
Line-up: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone, vocals), Jimmy Garrison (double bass), Elvin Jones (drums, gong), McCoy Tyner (piano)

Points: 729,3
Finished #37 in 1965 poll (Bonus nomination by Fred)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1437
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 676
Biggest Fan: Fred (#7), Jackson (#19)
Not a Fan: Neil (204/224), andyd1010 (#237), stone37 (222/232), maverick470 (200/204), Safetycat (#245)

On the original vinyl release this was credited together with Part III, but ever since its first CD releases, the parts have been separated. Since Fred only nominated this part, we only voted for „Psalm“ even if some purists may consider it blasphemy. The atmosphere in the fourth part is noticeably darker than in the first one, but it also seems more urgent with heavier percussion and less playful saxophone. Not as good as Part I, but still masterful. - Schüttelbirne
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Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
For me, it cries
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153. The Left Banke | „Walk Away Renée“
Release: July 1966 (B-side: „I Haven‘t Got the Nerve“)
Album: Walk Away Renée/Pretty Ballerina (1967)
Songwriters: Michael Brown, Bob Calilli & Tony Sansone
Producers: Harry Lookofsky, Bill Jerome & Steve Jerome
Line-up: John Abbott (bass), Mike Brown (harpsichord), George Cameron (backing vocals), Steve Martin Caro (vocals), Tom Finn (backing vocals), Friends (strings) [?], George Hirsh (guitar), Jackie Kelso (flute), Al Rogers (drums)

Points: 729,6
Finished #22 in 1966 poll (Bonus nomination by CupOfDreams)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1020
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 185
Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall: Bang Jan (#16)
You won‘t see me follow you back home: BleuPanda (#227), The_Claw (#228), nicolas (#234), Listyguy (#238), maverick470 (197/204)

I don‘t like the genre tag Baroque Pop because it doesn‘t really resemble baroque, but here it fits. The strings and the harpsichord (!) really have a bit of the sound of baroque music. The entire thing is of course more oriented on present-day pop conventions and needs a catchy chorus interrupted by some verses. The song itself could actually work well, but the band‘s vocals can‘t compete with the epicness of the orchestral arrangements which makes it seem a bit emotionally sterile. I actually prefer the Four Tops version (and I‘m not a fan of that group), but I don't hate this version. - Schüttelbirne
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Now people let me put you wise
Sue goes out with other guys
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152. Dion | „Runaround Sue“
Release: September 1961 (B-side: „Runaway Girl“)
Album: Runaround Sue (1961)
Songwriters: Dion DiMucci & Ernie Maresca
Producer: Gene Schwartz
Line-up: Mickey Baker (guitar), Dion DiMucci (vocals), Panama Francis (drums), Milt Hinton (bass), Buddy Lucas (saxophone, Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Teacho Wiltshire (piano) et al.

Points: 737
Finished #7 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 117
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1303
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 168
My love still grows: FrankLotion (#27)
Keep away from this girl: sonofsamiam (#228), CupOfDreams (#228), Bang Jan (#240), Elder (#241), Brad (#247)

For once the melodramatic intro serves a good function as a contrast to the more upbeat rest of the song which has a lot of energy and is just sheer fun. The backing vocals are an absolute highlight here, providing the main backing for Dion‘s vocals which have just the right line readings. The lack of an ending is a bit unfortunate, but the song also fizzles out towards the end. Still, a lot of fun for me. - Schüttelbirne
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It could be a spoonful of diamond
It could be a spoonful of gold
Just a little spoon of your precious love
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151. Howlin‘ Wolf | „Spoonful“
Release: June 1960 (B-side: „Howlin‘ for My Darling“)
Album: Howlin‘ Wolf (1962)
Songwriter: Willie Dixon
Producers: Leonard Chess, Phil Chess & Willie Dixon
Line-up: Fred Below (drums), Chester Burnett (vocals, harmonica), Willie Dixon (double bass), Freddy Robinson (guitar), Otis Spann (piano), Hubert Sumlin (guitar)

Points: 739
Finished #6 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 137
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 754
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 344
Good enough for me: Elder (#32)
Some of them cries about that: Henry (#239), mileswide (#246)

Not only are Burnett‘s rough vocals used to great effect here, the guitar work is very effective as well. One of the many highlights of 1960, one of the best years of the decade. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Fred »

Not me: :music-listening:

"There are so many amazing tracks on this album [Love - Forever Changes]. Every single one is a winner and to discuss only one song does the album a huge injustice. However, this being a song analysis and discussion blog, I can only explore one. And as I think about the change in my life, the change in other people’s lives, and what change means for the human condition, the one song that captures all of these ideas is the album’s final track “You Set the Scene.”

Closing out the end of the album and running nearly seven minutes, “You Set the Scene” is a masterful blend of psychedelic rock and folk pop. In the lyrics, the album’s themes are explored with one of the greatest examples of American songwriting. Written and sung by Arthur Lee, “You Set the Scene” beautifully explores change with reflections of doubt, acceptance, and curiosity. In this song, Lee is wrestling with the idea that nothing stays the same and that the only thing he can do is live each day with a smile while people around him ask why. Waxing philosophic, Lee sings “everything I’ve seen needs rearranging / and for anyone who thinks it’s strange / then you should be the first to want make this change / and for everyone who thinks that life is just a game / do you like the part you’re playing?” Lee is calling out the people around him and you can either see things his way, or keep putting yourself on.

Musically, “You Set the Scene” is incredibly rich and textured. With an array strings and horns arranged with a jazzy pop flare, the tracks never cease to excite the listener. It is the kind of track that warrants repeat listenings on a high fidelity system as there are new things to discover in the patchwork of sound in every spin. While the whole album sounds beautiful and complex, “You Set the Scene” is the perfect conclusion. It always confounded me why Love doesn’t get the same radio air play or cultural recognition as other bands from Los Angeles at the time like the Doors.

There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this song. Lee sings “This is the time and life that I am living / and I’ll face each day with a smile / for the time that I’ve been given’s such a little while/ and the things that I must consist of more than style.” How incredibly profound. As much as I try to not let change bother me and live to be more in the moment, it takes a lot of work. Everyone struggles with this, though some more than others. However, it should a goal that is attainable for everyone and something to strive for. We all deserve peace, happiness, and closure. This song is something I can think about during the tougher moments.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Henry »

I think the comments and large scale images in the presentation are fantastic. The line-up information is great and also very much appreciated.

I detect a pattern of dislike of pop energetic Beatles songs in Schuttelbirne's comments. My guess is that Moonbeam would generally agree with such comments :-)

Thanks Schuttelbirne!
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

250. Elvis Presley | „Are You Lonesome To-night?“

The spoken word part turns this from a weak entry into one of the worst songs in this poll. The kitsch here is almost unbearable. - Schüttelbirne

I could not possibly disagree more strongly with this. The recitation is a historically important element of traditional country music and Elvis' use of one here links him back to his roots in that tradition. This, to me, is the best part of the tune and elevates what is otherwise just an "ok" song in the Presley canon.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

241. Creedence Clearwater Revival | „I Put a Spell on You“

The original version by Screamin‘ Jay Hawkins is absolutely magnificent and Fogerty can‘t compare to the sheer insanity in his voice.

I had this one ranked relatively low (#201) for exactly this reason. I can't help comparing Fogerty's serviceable vocal to Hawkins' absolutely definitive one. Hawkins sounds as though he could actually be in the midst of a voodoo rite, black cat bone in hand, as he sings.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

220. Wanda Jackson | „Funnel of Love“

A year ago I didn‘t even know this song

This is also the case with me except more like two years.

However, in my case, I spent about 10 years working as an oldies disc jockey playing many of these songs over and over. I have, quite literally, probably heard something like Dion's "Runaround Sue" or The Tokens "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" thousands of times. In comparison, a song like this one which is not a mainstay of the format but instead an outlier, I have heard maybe 20-30 times. As a result "Funnel" was #182 which could potentially be interpreted as me thinking the song is mediocre when in reality it's just that it suffered from being less familiar, less picked apart and analyzed by me, than say "Up on the Roof".

The fact that it managed to beat out 68 others should say something about how good I think it is despite my relative lack of exposure to it.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

210. Mama Cass with The Mamas & the Papas | „Dream a Little Dream of Me"

I find it interesting that some people who are Biggest Fan of „California Dreamin‘“ aren‘t fans of this.

This one is clearly a showcase for Cass, by far the most gifted vocalist in the group. In contrast, the closest Cass gets to a feature on "Dreamin' " are the first couple of call and response parts where she is highest in the mix.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

Schüttelbirne wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 10:48 pm Addressing a few things:

3. I was thinking about not including my comments if I was the only one writing them
I just felt like I didn't have time. Since I am not as big an album listener, I made a concerted effort to listen and rank those as well which is approximately 10 times as time consuming as a three to four minute song. :?

Also, I am trying to do at least the 2021 song poll so I am listening to a lot of those right now...and the next decade looms. :(
4. I think i should emphasize that even #250 is still a very honorable position; there really aren't any losers in this poll.
Out of the 250, I would say I probably only genuinely DISlike the bottom 10 in my submitted list. The others I liked at least a little and they could be growers over time. My far the best discovery for me was "Death Don't Have No Mercy" which I found immediately memorable even as a non-aficionado of blues. It landed at #60 and I would not be surprised to see it much higher when we do this again.
6. {snip}
As you can see, a lot of the bonus nominations landed in the lower half, so was that worth it? I'm not sure, but I think it would be nice to evaluate it.
Songs in languages I don't speak have a harder time with me because I do like to follow along with the lyrics. There were several of those among the bonus tunes so those I could really only evaluate as though they were instrumentals. In general, instrumentals don't rank as highly for me. For what it's worth, I have a decent nodding acquaintance with Spanish and French (and Portuguese to a lesser degree because of its similarity to Spanish) so I am more likely to view songs in those tongues favourably as I can "get" them better.
Last edited by Father2TheMan on Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

177. The Drifters | „Save the Last Dance for Me

A rather typical love song of the early ‚60s you could find in any group, even if it is a bit weaker than its consorts. Still it didn‘t have to be this bad. The backing vocals don‘t align with the King at all while the strings get an interlude that could euphemistically be described as „unfortunate“. Add to that the general listlessness of everybody involved and you got a bad example of ‚60s music. - Schüttelbirne

I feel compelled to offer a defense. I feel like aligning the backing vocals to King more closely would serve to obscure the vocal lead. And I see that string interlude as a musical depiction of King getting his wish: his girl and he are dancing that last dance.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Father2TheMan »

192. Joe Cocker | „With a Little Help from My Friends“

I‘m one of the people who prefers the original version (because I‘m one of the three people in the world who likes Starr‘s vocals).

I'm one of the three as well. Ringo's "average" vocals pair well with the everyman lyric.

Ringo himself must be the third. :mrgreen:
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Henry »

Father2TheMan wrote: Fri Jan 28, 2022 12:23 am 192. Joe Cocker | „With a Little Help from My Friends“

I‘m one of the people who prefers the original version (because I‘m one of the three people in the world who likes Starr‘s vocals).

I'm one of the three as well. Ringo's "average" vocals pair well with the everyman lyric.

Ringo himself must be the third. :mrgreen:
There are at least dozens of us who prefer Ringo's version.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Listyguy »

"With a Little Help From My Friends" isn't one of my 50 favorite Beatles song (it might not even be in my top 100), but I still prefer their version to Cocker's. I'm not much of a fan of any of Cocker's Beatles covers, to be honest.
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Made the scene, week to week
Day to day, hour to hour
Gate is straight, deep and wide
Image

150. The Doors | „Break On Through (To the Other Side)“
Release: January 1967 (B-side: „End of the Night“)
Album: The Doors (1967)
Songwriters: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek & Jim Morrison
Producer: Paul A. Rothchild
Line-up: John Densmore (drums), Robby Krieger (guitar), Ray Manzarek (organ, keyboard bass), Jim Morrison (vocals)

Points: 746
Finished #17 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 567
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 304
We chased our pleasures here: maverick470 (#20)
Arms that chained us, eyes that lied: phil (#229), Safetycat (#237)

The song from 2015‘s Top 150 of the ‚60s that I‘m most sad about missing here is „The End“, an absolute epic. Instead we get the first track from the album which is rather short and serves as a declaration of intent: The Doors will make things different by not staying on the side everyone else has always stood, but rather breaking through the barrier and exploring the other side. That other side is of course metaphoric and Morrison isn‘t very subtle in his writing. But they are right in a way because The Doors do manage to create a sound that is much unlike other bands from the time. This is due to Morrison‘s madness-fueled preaching, the majestic organ that makes the songs sound earthshaking and their general gloomy atmosphere. „Break on Through (To the Other Side)“ does not sound too happy about the prospect proclaimed in its title; I get more a sense of pleading, like some otherworldly drug-fueled church song (which would fit with the organ). - Schüttelbirne
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And I shall watch the ferry-boats, and they‘ll get high
On a bluer ocean against tomorrow‘s sky
Image

149. Van Morrison | „Sweet Thing“
Release: November 29, 1968 (album track)
Album: Astral Weeks (1968)
Songwriter: Van Morrison
Producer: Lewis Merenstein
Line-up: Jay Berliner (guitars), Richard Davis (double bass), Larry Fallon (conductor), Connie Kay (drums), Van Morrison (vocals, guitar), John Payne (flute), Warren Smith Jr. (percussion) et al.

Points: 748
Finished #33 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Jackson)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 837
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 450
It‘s me, I‘m dynamite and I don‘t know why: mileswide (#1), Jackson (#14)
And I‘ll be satisfied not to read in between the lines: Father2TheMan (#236), jamieW (#236)

Not among my favorites from the album. The string motif playing after basically each line is memorable, but also a bit ridiculous. It never develops the energy of other songs on the album, but it still features pretty instrumentation and a solid performance by Morrison. - Schüttelbirne
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Say you don‘t need no diamond rings
And I‘ll be satisfied
Image

148. The Beatles | „Can‘t Buy Me Love“
Release: March 16, 1964 (B-side: „You Can‘t Do That“)
Album: A Hard Day‘s Night (1964)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (lead guitar), John Lennon (rhythm guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass), Ringo Starr (drums)

Points: 763
Finished #14 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 807
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 280
I‘ll give you all I‘ve got to give: Henry (#7), Father2TheMan (#20)
I don‘t care too much: Jackson (212/228)

The whole message about not caring about money is great for a band that – even this early in their career – were already pretty well off. McCartney sells it pretty well, though. It‘s a solid effort with a nice little guitar solo by Harrison in the middle, but I prefer other songs from the first half of the album. - Schüttelbirne
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I don‘t believe you, you‘re not the truth
No one could look as good as you
Image

147. Roy Orbison | „Oh, Pretty Woman“
Release: August 26, 1964 (B-side: „Yo te Amo María“)
Album: Orbisongs (1965)
Songwriters: Roy Orbison & Bill Dees
Producer: Fred Foster
Line-up: Bill Dees (backing vocals), Buddy Harman (drums), Jerry Kennedy (guitar), Charlie McCoy (harmonica), Wayne Moss (guitar), Roy Orbison (vocals), Boots Randolph (saxophone), Bill Sanford (guitar), Henry Strzelecki (bass)

Points: 771,4
Finished #16 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 449
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 55
She‘s walking back to me: Safetycat (#11)
If that‘s the way it must be, okay: Schüttelbirne (#245)

I never liked this, but I recently realized that this song is basically about cat-calling (he literally makes a growl sound towards her) which didn‘t help my opinion of this song. - Schüttelbirne
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The sailors, they‘re so charming there in Paris
But I just don‘t seem to sail you off my mind
Image

146. The Rolling Stones | „Honky Tonk Women“
Release: July 4, 1969 (B-side: „You Can‘t Always Get What You Want“)
Album: Let It Bleed (1969) [as „Country Honk“]
Songwriters: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Producer: Jimmy Miller
Line-up: Steve Gregory (saxophone), Bud Beadle (saxophone), Madeline Bell (backing vocals), Nicky Hopkins (piano), Mick Jagger (vocals), Jimmy Miller (percussion), Keith Richards (guitars, backing vocals), Mick Taylor (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums), Bill Wyman (bass)

Points: 771,9
Finished #18 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 549
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 57
She blew my nose and then she blew my mind: Safetycat (#25)
I had to put up some kind of a fight: sonofsamiam (#246), phil (#249)
_______________________________________________________________________

Pride can hurt you too
Apologise to her
Image

145. The Beatles | „She Loves You“
Release: August 23, 1963 (B-side: „I‘ll Get You“)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (lead guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar), Ringo Starr (drums)

Points: 773,2
Finished #5 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 104
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 305
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 51
You know you should be glad: FrankLotion (#30)
She said you hurt her so: Jackson (215/228), mileswide (#236)

Writing comments for thirty Beatles songs isn‘t that easy, because the early songs are pretty similar and my opinion of them is too. „She Loves You“ is no exception. Its existence doesn‘t bother me, but that‘s pretty much it. It‘s better than some of the other songs here, though. - Schüttelbirne
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Now baby, listen baby, don‘t you treat me this way
‚Cause I‘ll be back on my feet some day
Don‘t care if you do, ‚cause it‘s understood
You ain‘t got no money, you just ain‘t no good
Image

144. Ray Charles | „Hit the Road Jack“
Release: August 1961 (B-side: „The Danger Zone“)
Songwriter: Percy Mayfield
Producer: Sid Feller
Line-up: Gwendolyn Berry (backing vocals), Harry Betts (trombone), Bruno Carr (percussion), Ray Charles (vocals, piano), Leroy Cooper (baritone saxophone), Hank Crawford (alto saxophone), Margie Hendricks (vocals), John Hunt (trumpet), Mel Lewis (drums), Patricia Lyles (backing vocals), Darlene McCrea (backing vocals), Richard Nash (trombone), David Newman (tenor saxophone), Frank Rosolino (trombone), Kenny Shroyer (trombone), Edgar Willis (bass)

Points: 773,5
Finished #6 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 111
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 471
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 212
Well I guess if you say so: SL3 (#18), Father2TheMan (#24)
You‘re the meanest old woman that I‘ve ever seen: Brad (#245)

The rhythm section (bass, drums) creates a steady rhythm as a foundation for the song. That rhythm already has a lot of movement by itself. Added is the winds section that doesn‘t get a lot of explicit exposure, but plays an important part in accentuating certain moments in the song. And then there‘s the playful interplay between Charles and Hendricks with great vocal performances and pretty decent theatrics. Pretty short, but more fun than most other songs here. - Schüttelbirne
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And outside they're making all the stops
The kids out in the street collecting bottle-tops
Gone for cigarettes and matches in the shops
Image

143. Van Morrison | „Madame George“
Release: November 29, 1968 (album track)
Album: Astral Weeks (1968)
Songwriter: Van Morrison
Producer: Lewis Merenstein
Line-up: Jay Berliner (guitars), Richard Davis (double bass), Larry Fallon (conductor), Connie Kay (drums), Van Morrison (vocals, guitar), John Payne (flute), Warren Smith Jr. (percussion, vibraphone) et al.

Points: 780
Finished #20 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 890
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 260
The room is filled with music: Neil (#10), Schüttelbirne (#14)
Say goodbye to Madame George: Father2TheMan (#227), Safetycat (#228), jamieW (#246)

My favorite song on Astral Weeks. The instrumentals are simply gorgeous specifially the strings and the flute, but it‘s Morrison‘s vocals that seem to morph constantly between quiet singing and loudly stretching out the words, without it ever seeming unnatural.There‘s a magic here that‘s hard to describe, where all the elements seem to get progressively more disjointed and enter a state that would normally be described as an outro, but that doesn‘t fit here since that feeling of slipping away and saying goodbye is a central part of the song. - Schüttelbirne
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My darling
I‘ve hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Image

142. The Righteous Brothers | „Unchained Melody“
Release: July 17, 1965 (A-side: „Hung on You“)
Album: Just Once in My Life (1965)
Songwriters: Alex North & Hy Zaret
Producer: Bill Medley
Line-up: Bobby Hatfield (vocals) et al.

Points: 787
Finished #15 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 115
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 346
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 141
God speed your love to me: maverick470 (#19)
Lonely rivers sigh: CupOfDreams (#215)

Not a big fan of this song, but I can respect its merits, most notably Hatfield‘s vocal performance and the arrangement. Just doesn‘t do much for me. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

Image

141. Krzysztof Penderecki | „Ofiarom Hiroszimy: Tren, na 52 Instrumenty Smyczkowe [Victims of Hiroshima: Threnody, for 52 String Instruments]“
Premiere September 22, 1961
Composer: Krzysztof Penderecki
Line-up: 24 violins, 10 violas, 10 cellos, 8 double basses

Points: 788
Finished #16 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 106
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1387
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
Biggest Fan: jamieW (#4), sonofsamiam (#9), Schüttelbirne (#12)
Not a Fan: The_Claw (#232), DaveC (#247), nicolas (#247), Henry (#249), andyd1010 (#250), Father2TheMan (#250)

Brutal, violent, ugly and absolutely essential. Masterpiece. - Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Image

140. Johnny Cash | „Ring of Fire“
Release: April 19, 1963 (B-side: „I‘d Still Be There“)
Songwriters: June Carter & Merle Kilgore
Producer: Don Law
Line-up: Johnny Cash (vocals, guitar), Jack Clement (guitar), Karl Garvin (trumpet), Marshall Grant (bass), WS Holland (drums), Bill McElhiney (trumpet), Luther Perkins (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano) et al.

Points: 791,2
Finished #4 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 102
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 389
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 89
When hearts like ours meet: Father2TheMan (#21), Neil (#21)
I went down, down, down: Safetycat (#233), mileswide (#235), DaveC (#243)

Not one of my favorite Cash songs. Normally I love brass and it should be everywhere, but the fanfare-like use here doesn‘t work for me. It‘s a painfully simple song that really needs a great performance to work and that really isn‘t given here. Cash is a natural vocalist mostly because of his voice range, but he doesn‘t convince me here. The lyrics have less the character of a spiral (which would work), but rather like a children‘s song (which is not good). I would‘ve liked seeing a different Cash song here („Folsom Prison Blues“ or „Greystone Chapel“ or even „A Boy Named Sue“), but not this one. - Schüttelbirne
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For Thursday‘s child is Sunday‘s clown
For whom none will go mourning
Image

139. The Velvet Underground and Nico | „All Tomorrow‘s Parties“
Release: July 1966 (B-side: „I‘ll Be Your Mirror“)
Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
Songwriter: Lou Reed
Producer: Andy Warhol
Line-up: John Cale (prepared piano, viola), Sterling Morrison (bass), Christa Päffgen (vocals), Lou Reed (guitar), Maureen Tucker (bass drum, tambourine)

Points: 791,3
Finished #19 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 56
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 773
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 328
Silks and linens: Brad (#7), Listyguy (#14)
Fit for one who sits and cries: Safetycat (#227), andyd1010 (#240), jamieW (#241)
_______________________________________________________________________

We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knight will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God‘s heart in mine
Image

138. Scott Walker | „The Seventh Seal“
Release: November 1, 1969 (album track)
Album: Scott 4 (1969)
Songwriter: Scott Walker
Producer: John Franz
Line-up: Peter Knight (conductor), Scott Walker (vocals) et al.

Points: 791,9
Finished #21 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by sonofsamiam)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1067
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1148
Friends, their hands held as one, solemnly danced toward the dawn: Bang Jan (#6), sonofsamiam (#12), Elder (#24)
I‘m not a witch: Henry (#226), bonnielaurel (#231), andyd1010 (#233), SL3 (#242)
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Out of college, money spent
See no future, pay no rent
All the money‘s gone, nowhere to go
Image

137. The Beatles | „You Never Give Me Your Money“
Release: September 26, 1969 (album track)
Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (guitar, backing vocals), Paul McCartney (vocals, piano, bass, percussion, tape loops), Ringo Starr (drums, percussion)

Points: 795
Finished #17 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 98
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 778
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
All good children go to Heaven: Fred (#4), Bang Jan (#8), sonofsamiam (#21)
You only give me your funny paper: Neil (206/224), bonnielaurel (#237)

Starting out as a slow ballad with only McCartny singing, he is soon joined by Harrison and Lennon. Then a ragtime-like interlude hijacks the song; but then it turns into something different again. It‘s this medley-like characteristic that makes this song special. It kicks off the longer medley that closes out Abbey Road of course and in this function it works. On its own, it does seem a bit fraught and disheveled though. - Schüttelbirne
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You don‘t have to live next to me
Just give me my equality
Image

136. Nina Simone | „Mississippi *%!!?*%!“
Release: July 1964 (B-side: „Sea Lion Woman“)
Album: Nina Simone in Concert (1964)
Songwriter: Nina Simone
Producer: Hal Mooney
Line-up: Lisle Atkinson (bass), Bobby Hamilton (drums), Nina Simone (vocals, piano), Rudy Stevenson (guitar)

Points: 798
Finished #17 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1084
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 427
Just try to do your very best: bonnielaurel (#7), sonofsamiam (#23)
I bet you thought I was kidding, didn‘t you: Henry (#233), Neil (213/224), andyd1010 (#243)
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You don‘t have to worry ‚cause you have no money
People on the river are happy to give
Image

135. Creedence Clearwater Revival | „Proud Mary“
Release: January 1969 (B-side: „Born on the Bayou“)
Album: Bayou Country (1969)
Songwriter: John Fogerty
Producer: John Fogerty
Line-up: Doug Clifford (drums), Stu Cook (bass), John Fogerty (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica, percussion), Tom Fogerty (guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 803
Finished #15 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 283
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 47
I hitched a ride on a river boat queen: Safetycat (#21)
I never saw the good side of the city: phil (#243), sonofsamiam (#244), Jackson (223/228), mileswide (#247)

I‘m a bit ashamed to admit that I needed literal years to realize that the titular „Mary“ is not a person but a boat. I have no idea what I thought „rolling on a river“ was supposed to mean in reference to a person, but I probably didn‘t really think about it. I mean, had I read the lyrics I would have realized that they call it a boat right there. Anyways, I love the relaxed mood of this song, the way the backing vocals come in in the chorus and the guitar work. - Schüttelbirne
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134. Booker T. & the M.G.‘s | „Green Onions“
Release: May 1962 (A-side: „Behave Yourself“)
Album: Green Onions (1962)
Songwriters: Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones & Lewie Steinberg
Producers: Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones & Lewie Steinberg
Line-up: Steve Cropper (guitar), Al Jackson Jr. (drums), Booker T. Jones (organ), Lewis Steinberg (bass)

Points: 805,8
Finished #2 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 95
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 361
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 50
Biggest Fan: mileswide (#9), Neil (#18)
Not a Fan: Brad (#223)

One of the most famous instrumentals ever, the distinct sound here is due to interplay between guitar and organ. The rhythm section doesn‘t do a lot of heavy lifting here. It‘s a very enjoyable little song that‘s easy to consume but doesn‘t really have deeper appeal. One of those songs that I shouldn‘t think too much about, or else I lose my appreciation for it. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘m ready to go anywhere
I‘m ready for to fade
Unto my own parade
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133. The Byrds | „Mr. Tambourine Man“
Release: April 12, 1965 (B-side: „I Knew I‘d Want You“)
Album: Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Terry Melcher
Line-up: Hal Blaine (drums), Gene Clark (vocals, guitar, percussion), Michael Clarke (drums), Jerry Cole (guitar), David Crosby (vocals, guitar), Chris Hillman (bass guitar), Larry Knechtel (bass guitar), Jim McGuinn (vocals, guitar), Leon Russell (piano)

Points: 805,9
Finished #26 in 1965 poll (Bonus nomination by andyd1010)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 359
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 25
Play a song for me: nicolas (#32)
All my senses have been stripped: Bang Jan (#231)

This case is interesting: The Byrds‘ version is significantly higher on the AM list, even in the AT Top 100, but in our 1965 poll this version finished just barely above Dylan‘s original version and only entered this final round through a bonus nomination. I prefer the Dylan version, but I can see the appeal of the Byrds‘ shorter version since it‘s less focused on the lyrics and more on the performance of the song. The polyphonic vocals combine with the jangling guitars and the clanking tambourine to give the song a magical feel, something the Dylan version also possessed, but not in this pronounced quality. - Schüttelbirne
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And I won‘t forget
The way you held me up when I was down
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132. The Zombies | „This Will Be Our Year“
Release: June 1968 (A-side: „Butcher‘s Tale (Western Front 1914)“)
Album: Odessey and Oracle (1968)
Songwriter: Chris White
Producers: Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy & Chris White
Line-up: Rod Argent (keyboards, backing vocals), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Colin Blunstone (vocals), Hugh Grundy (drums), Chris White (bass, backing vocals)

Points: 807,4
Finished #14 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 545
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
All your worried days are gone: Jackson (#4)
Took a long time to come: bonnielaurel (#239)
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Dyin‘ young is hard to take
Sellin‘ out is harder
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131. Sly & the Family Stone | „Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)“
Release: December 10, 1969 (other A-side: „Everybody Is a Star“)
Songwriter: Sly Stone
Producer: Sly Stone
Line-up: Greg Errico (drums, vocals), Larry Graham (bass, vocals), Jerry Martini (tenor saxophone, vocals), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet, vocals), Freddie Stone (guitar, vocals), Rose Stone (vocals), Sly Stone (vocals, guitar)

Points: 807,7
Finished #24 in 1969 poll (Bonus nomination by Listyguy)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 525
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 131
Thank you for the party: Listyguy (#11), mileswide (#14)
But I could never stay: DaveC (#241)
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Oh, please, say to me
You‘ll let me be your man
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130. The Beatles | „I Want to Hold Your Hand“
Release: November 29, 1963 (B-side: „This Boy“)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (lead guitar, handclaps), John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar, handclaps), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar, handclaps), Ringo Starr (drums, handclaps)

Points: 808
Finished #9 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 93
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 197
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 32
I feel happy inside: SL3 (#23)
I can‘t hide: Jackson (208/228)

The acclaim always surprised me. It‘s a nice song, but not overwhelmingly great (as you would expect in the AT Top 100). It‘s got a nice hook but doesn‘t build anything from it. The entire thing rests entirely on the vocal performances by McCartney and Lennon who do a very good job here to make this a solid effort. There‘s just not much more. - Schüttelbirne
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And I‘ll tell it, and speak it, and think it, and breathe it
And reflect from the moutain so all souls can see it
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129. Bob Dylan | „A Hard Rain‘s A-Gonna Fall“
Release: May 27, 1963 (album track)
Album: The Freewheelin‘ Bob Dylan (1963)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: John H. Hammond
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 810
Finished #8 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 90
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 663
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 189
I heard the song of a poet: Listyguy (#6)
I heard the sound of a clown: Henry (#230)

Stuck in a very consolidated structure, Dylan is still able to fill the verses with expressive images full of dread. Despite being seven minutes long, the sheer inventiveness of the lyrics stops the song from being monotonous, an achievement that just speaks to Dylan‘s talent as a songwriter. - Schüttelbirne
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It doesn‘t matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
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128. Martha and the Vandellas | „Dancing in the Street“
Release: July 31, 1964 (B-side: „There He Is“)
Album: Dance Party (1965)
Songwriters: Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson & Ivy Jo Hunter
Producer: William Stevenson
Line-up: Jack Ashford (percussion, tambourine, vibraphone), Rosalind Ashford (backing vocals), George Bohanon (trombone), Thomas Bowles (baritone saxophone), Russ Conway (trumpet), Henry Cosby (tenor saxophone), Marvin Gaye (drums), Ivy Jo Hunter (backing vocals, tire iron), James Jamerson (bass guitar), Betty Kelly (backing vocals), Joe Messina (guitar), Martha Reeves (vocals), Paul Riser (trombone), William Stevenson (backing vocals), Robert White (guitar), Herbert Williams (trumpet), Eddie Willis (guitar)

Points: 811
Finished #13 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 161
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 31
All we need is music: mileswide (#11)
It‘s just an invitation: phil (#237)

Quite possibly the greatest girl group song on this list. It‘s immediately engaging and infectious in its enthusiasm. I would prefer a clearer production to actually discern the instruments better, but I gotta make due with what we have. As it is, we have one of the best pop songs of the ‚60s. - Schüttelbirne
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Mandei plantar
Folhas de sonho no jardim do solar
As folhas sabem procurar pelo sol
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127. Os Mutantes | „Panis et Circenses“
Release: June 1968 (album track)
Album: Os Mutantes (1968)
Songwriters: Gilberto Gil & Caetano Veloso
Producer: Manoel Barenbein
Line-up: Arnaldo Baptista (vocals, keyboards, bass), Sérgio Dias (vocals, guitar), Dirceu (drums), Rita Lee (vocals, recorder, autoharp, percussion) et al

Points: 814,2
Finished #22 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Bang Jan)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 594
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 736
Essas pessoas na sala de jantar: Elder (#2), Bang Jan (#3), sonofsamiam (#8), Jackson (#9)
Mandei fazer de puro aco luminoso um punhal: Father2TheMan (#228), Safetycat (#239), Henry (#241), andyd1010 (#242), FrankLotion (#244), SL3 (#246)

The fanfare-like brass part in the background of the first half gives this an interesting touch that works well with the vocal melody. The second half speeds the song up while retaining the brass part. I could do without the sound effects though. - Schüttelbirne
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Didn‘t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can?
Honey, you know I did
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126. Big Brother & The Holding Company | „Piece of My Heart“
Release: August 1968 (B-side: „Turtle Blues“)
Album: Cheap Thrills (1968)
Songwriters: Jerry Ragovoy & Bert Berns
Producer: John Simon
Line-up: Peter S. Albin (bass, guitar), Sam Andrew (guitar, bass), Dave Getz (drums), James Gurley (guitar), Janis Joplin (vocals)

Points: 814,4
Finished #16 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 614
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 159
I‘ll sing it once again: Elder (#12), maverick470 (#16), Schüttelbine (#19)
I think I‘ve had enough: sonofsamiam (#239), Jackson (220/228), Bang Jan (#245)

A cover version of Erma Franklin‘s „Piece of My Heart“, but elevated to another plane of existence. While Franklin‘s version is good, there‘s so much more power and soul in the Big Brother version with Joplin‘s vocals as the centrepiece. She was an incredible vocalist and her blues-influenced style here is the main reason why I prefer this version. Additionally there‘s Andrew‘s guitar which gives the song an added rough edge. It‘s the kind of song that makes me want to sing/scream along with the chorus. - Schüttelbirne
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I‘d stopped my dreaming
I won‘t do too much scheming these days
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125. Nico | „These Days“
Release: October 1967 (album track)
Album: Chelsea Girl (1967)
Songwriter: Jackson Browne
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Jackson Browne (guitar), Christa Päffgen (vocals) et al.

Points: 814,5
Finished #30 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by BleuPanda)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 760
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 414
To live the life that I have made in song: Elder (#10), BleuPanda (#15), Brad (#19)
Please don‘t confront me with my failures: SL3 (#226), maverick470 (202/204)

I like Nico‘s solo work a lot and this is one of the best songs on Chelsea Girl. The string arrangement works very well with her unique vocals to create a melancholy atmosphere worthy of diving into. - Schüttelbirne
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I ain‘t no psychiatrist, I ain‘t no doctor with degrees
But it don‘t take too much high IQ to see what you‘re doing to me
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124. Aretha Franklin | „Think“
Release: May 2, 1968 (B-side: „You Send Me“)
Album: Aretha Now (1968)
Songwriters: Aretha Franklin & Ted White
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Line-up: Estelle Brown (backing vocals), Tommy Cogbill (guitar), Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano), Roger Hawkins (drums), Cissy Houston (backing vocals), Jerry Jemmott (bass guitar), Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Spooner Oldham (organ), Sylvia Shemwell (backing vocals), Myrna Smith (backing vocals)

Points: 818
Finished #18 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 552
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 269
You need me and I need you: Elder (#7), nicolas (#16)
Trying to make other people lose their minds: The_Claw (#227), DaveC (#238)

The main attraction here is the „freedom“ chorus, but I‘m not a fan of Franklin‘s vocals in the verses. It‘s a bit too much vocal chaos for me here (and it has no ending). - Schüttelbirne
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Gazing at people, some hand in hand
Just what I‘m going through, they can‘t understand
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123. The Moody Blues | „Nights in White Satin“
Release: November 10, 1967 (B-side: „Cities“)
Album: Days of Future Passed (1967)
Songwriter: Justin Hayward
Producer: Tony Clarke
Line-up: Graeme Edge (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Justin Hayward (vocals, guitar), Peter Knight (conductor), John Lodge (bass, backing vocals), Mike Pinder (Mellotron, percussion, vocals), Ray Thomas (flute, backing vocals), London Festival Orchestra (orchestral backing)

Points: 821
Finished #21 in 1967 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 454
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 262
Just what you want to be, you will be in the end: jamieW (#1), bonnielaurel (#25)
Beauty I‘d always missed, with these eyes before: mileswide (#241), Listyguy (#249)

I knew this song from the radio, but listening to it in the context of the album gave me a new appreciation for it. The climactic feeling of the chorus is also the point the album has progressed towards, so it earns its burst of emotion. The orchestral backing is beautifully arranged, and the flute solo integrates well with the other instruments. - Schüttelbirne
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Don‘t want to be a bum, you better chew gum
The pump don‘t work‚cause the vandals took the handles
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122. Bob Dylan | „Subterranean Homesick Blues“
Release: March 8, 1965 (B-side: „She Belongs to Me“)
Album: Bringing It All Back Home (1965)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Al Gorgoni (guitar), Bobby Gregg (drums), Bruce Langhorne (guitar), Bill Lee (bass guitar), Joseph Macho Jr. (bass guitar), Kenny Rankin (guitar)

Points: 822,0
Finished #16 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 50
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 311
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 65
You don‘t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows: phil (#13), BleuPanda (#17)
You better duck down the alleyway looking for a new friend: Safetycat (#241)

Spewing out words a mile a minute with only very short harmonica interludes to catch a breath. There‘s a great flow to the lyrics in combination with the instrumentation, specifically the guitar, that makes this work really well. - Schüttelbirne
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You know she‘s waiting
Just anticipating
For things that she‘ll never, never, never, never posses
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121. Otis Redding | „Try a Little Tenderness“
Release: November 14, 1966 (B-side: „I‘m Sick Y‘All“)
Album: Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul (1966)
Songwriters: Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly & Henry Woods
Producers: Jim Stewart, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn & Al Jackson Jr.
Line-up: Gil Caple (tenor saxophone), Steve Cropper (guitar), Donald Dunn (bass), Isaac Hayes (piano), Al Jackson Jr. (drums), Wayne Jackson (trumpet), Booker T. Jones (organ), Andrew Love (tenor saxophone), Otis Redding (vocals)

Points: 822,4
Finished #13 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 321
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 70
It makes it easier, easier to bear: Neil (#3), Listyguy (#17)
They do get weary: Schüttelbirne (#230), Jackson (209/228)

The song features something that sounds like a metronome, maybe to slow down the feeling for the first part of the song because the song is supposed to climax in the second half? But that doesn‘t really work because Redding can‘t sell that. Mostly boring. - Schüttelbirne
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Listyguy
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Listyguy »

Schüttelbirne wrote: Fri Jan 28, 2022 3:51 pm This case is interesting: The Byrds‘ version is significantly higher on the AM list, even in the AT Top 100, but in our 1965 poll this version finished just barely above Dylan‘s original version and only entered this final round through a bonus nomination. I prefer the Dylan version, but I can see the appeal of the Byrds‘ shorter version since it‘s less focused on the lyrics and more on the performance of the song. The polyphonic vocals combine with the jangling guitars and the clanking tambourine to give the song a magical feel, something the Dylan version also possessed, but not in this pronounced quality. - Schüttelbirne
I was actually going to nominate Dylan's version, but I wrongly assumed that it was nominated already, when the Byrds version was actually nominated.
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Oh, mon amour, tu es la vague
Moi l‘île nue
Image

120. Jane Birkin avec Serge Gainsbourg | „Je t‘aime… moi non plus“
Release: February 1969 (B-side: „Jane B.“)
Album: Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg (1969)
Songwriter: Serge Gainsbourg
Producer: Jack Baverstock
Line-up: Jane Birkin (vocals), Serge Gainsbourg (vocals), Arthur Greenslade (conductor) et al.

Points: 831
Finished #19 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 53
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 508
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 93
Maintenant viens: Schüttelbirne (#9), Honorio (#18), jamieW (#24)
Et je me retiens: Father2TheMan (#243), Safetycat (#246), stone37 (231/232)

Time has tempered the shock (surely these orgasmic moans by Jane Birkin were widely scandalous at the time) but it still creates an uncomfortable situation if it sounds, let's say, on the car radio while you're driving with your mother. - Honorio

This is not nearly as scandalous now as it was in 1969, but it hasn‘t lost its appeal. Most descriptions refer to the vocals, specifically Birkin‘s moaning, but I want to mention the absolutely gorgeous strings, the keyboards and the drums which all contribute to make this a beautiful song that is far more than what it‘s often given credit for. - Schüttelbirne
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119. Dick Dale and The Del-Tones | „Miserlou“
Release: April 21, 1962 (B-side: „Eight Till Midnight“)
Album: Surfers‘ Choice (1962)
Songwriters: Chaim Tauber, Fred Wise, Nick Roubanis & Milton Leeds
Producers: ?
Line-up: Dick Dale (guitar) et al.

Points: 833
Finished #1 in 1962 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 49
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 334
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 348
Biggest Fan: phil (#19)
Not a Fan: stone37 (#195/232)

Pretty much the quintessential surf guitar song, right? It‘s certainly the one I would choose. It‘s got more than that however with a very interesting brass-y part in the middle, followed by quick piano notes. For that reason and for its spiralling quality, I like it better than most instrumental rock music of the era. - Schüttelbirne
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So keep it up
Quench my desire
And I‘ll be at your side
Forever more
Image

118. Jackie Wilson | „(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher“
Release: August 1967 (B-side: „I‘m the One to Do It“)
Album: Higher and Higher (1967)
Songwriters: Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner & Carl Smith
Producer: Carl Davis
Line-up: Richard Allen (drums), Marlene Barrow (backing vocals), Johnny Griffith (keyboards), Jackie Hicks (backing vocals), James Jamerson (bass), Pat Lewis (backing vocals), Mike Terry (baritone saxophone), Maurice White (drums), Robert White (guitar), Jackie Wilson (vocals)

Points: 835
Finished #18 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 457
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 96
Yes, that one-in-a-million girl: mileswide (#19), Safetycat (#20), Listyguy (#24)
Disappointment was my closest friend: Honorio (#232), Brad (#244)
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The fiddler, he now steps to the road
He writes everything‘s been returned which was owed
On the back of the fish truck that loads
While my conscience explodes
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117. Bob Dylan | „Visions of Johanna“
Release: June 20, 1966
Album: Blonde on Blonde (1966)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Bill Aikins (piano), Kenny Buttrey (drums), Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano), Al Kooper (organ), Charlie McCoy (guitar, bass), Wayne Moss (guitar), Robbie Robertson (guitar), Joe South (guitar, bass)

Points: 836
Finished #16 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 74
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1245
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 133
This is what salvation must be like after a while: Schüttelbirne (#3)
She just makes it all too concise and too clear that Johanna‘s not here: Safetycat (#234), Henry (#237)

There once was a time when I didn‘t like this, though I don‘t remember why exactly. That was the time when I was dumb and stupid obviously, because this is an absolute masterpiece of mythical proportions. The story told through the lyrics could be abstracted rather easily (and many have done that) but the way he uses his language here gives far bigger significance to small details, elevating them to an epic status (as great art does). As examples I‘ll give „the ghost of electricity“ and what he says about museums. There‘s a lot I could write about this, but just let it be said that this is incredible and still constantly growing on me. - Schüttelbirne
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And now Mama doesn‘t seem to want to do much of anything
And me, I spend a lot of time pickin‘ flowers up on Choctaw Ridge
And drop them into the muddy water off the Tallahatchie Bridge
Image

116. Bobbie Gentry | „Ode to Billie Joe“
Release: July 10, 1967 (B-side: „Mississippi Delta“)
Album: Ode to Billie Joe (1967)
Songwriter: Bobbie Gentry
Producers: Kelly Gordon & Bobby Paris
Line-up: Jesse Erlich (cello), Bobbie Gentry (vocals, guitar), Jimmie Haskell (string arrangements) et al.

Points: 837
Finished #20 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 611
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 179
He said he saw a girl that looked a lot like you up on Choctaw Ridge: mileswide (#2), nicolas (#11), SL3 (#15)
Billie Joe never had a lick of sense: Honorio (#228), DaveC (#242)

I completely forgot about this song on my 1967 list. The lyrics are maybe a bit heavy-handed, but they still work (and funny in a pretty dark way). Maybe the song would work better without the string arrangemtns. Just vocals and guitar would make the song seem lighter, which would fit the mood Gentry is going for in the music very well (in contrast to the lyrics), but the strings get pretty ‚preachy‘ towards the end. - Schüttelbirne
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Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I‘m the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?
Image

115. The Shirelles | „Will You Love Me Tomorrow“
Release: November 1960 (B-side: „Boys“)
Album: Tonight‘s the Night (1960)
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Producer: Luther Dixon
Line-up: Gary Chester (drums), Doris Coley (vocals), King Curtis (tenor saxophone), Micki Harris (vocals), Carole King (piano, timpani), Beverly Lee (vocals), Shirley Owens (vocals), Unknown (guitar, bass guitar, 4 violins, 1 cello)

Points: 839
Finished #1 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 82
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 429
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 52
A lasting treasure: jamieW (#28)
So tell me now and I won‘t ask again: FrankLotion (#243)
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When my soul was in the lost-and-found
You came along to claim it
Image

114. Aretha Franklin | „(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman“
Release: September 1967 (B-side: „Baby, Baby, Baby“)
Album: Lady Soul (1968)
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin, Carole King & Jerry Wexler
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Line-up: Estelle Brown (backing vocals), Ralph Burns (conductor), Gene Chrisman (drums), Tommy Cogbill (bass), Aretha Franklin (vocals), Carolyn Franklin (backing vocals), Erma Franklin (backing vocals), Cissy Houston (backing vocals), Spooner Oldham (piano), Sylvia Shemwell (backing vocals), Myrna Smith (backing vocals) et al.

Points: 845
Finished #31 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by Father2TheMan)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 401
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 220
You‘re the key to my peace of mind: bonnielaurel (#2), Father2TheMan (#15)
It made me feel so tired: nicolas (#190)

The instrumental backing with the lush strings is really appealing and Franklin‘s vocals are toned to the great degree so this actually has soul without too much volume. In combination with the backing vocals there‘s still a lot of nice energy going on, evoking real emotion without resorting to the kind of „I FEEL EMOTIONS“ belting often used in songs like this. - Schüttelbirne
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All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
Image

113. The Beatles | „Blackbird“
Release: November 22, 1968 (album track)
Album: The Beatles (1968)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: Paul McCartney (vocals, guitar, tape loops, foot tapping)

Points: 847
Finished #18 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 903
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 245
You were only waiting for this moment to arise: nicolas (#9), Father2TheMan (#22)
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see: DaveC (#231), bonnielaurel (#234)

One of two McCartney solo efforts in this poll. While „Yesterday“ has an added string arrangement, „Blackbird“ doesn‘t feature anybody else. Just like that song it‘s very short, but the guitar melody is beautiful and the vocals surging upwards in the chorus when he‘s telling the bird to fly (it‘s a metaphor of course) provide a nice touch. The added bird-sounds are a bit much though. It‘s short and sweet and feels like sunshine in spring. - Schüttelbirne
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Learn from us very much
Look at us, but do not touch
Phaedra is my name
Image

112. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood | „Some Velvet Morning“
Release: December 1967 (B-side: „Oh, Lonesome Me“)
Album: Movin‘ with Nancy (1967) + Nancy & Lee (1968)
Songwriter: Lee Hazlewood
Producer: Lee Hazlewood
Line-up: Lee Hazelwood (vocals), Nancy Sinatra (vocals) et al.

Points: 848,1
Finished #39 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by phil)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1240
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 182
And how she gave me life: jamieW (#14), phil (#21)
And how she made it end: The_Claw (#229), nicolas (#248)
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They spoke with soft persuading words
About a living creed of gentle love
And turned me on to sounds unheard
And showed me strangest clouded sights above
Image

111. The Zombies | „Hung Up on a Dream“
Release: April 19, 1968 (album track)
Album: Odessey and Oracle (1968)
Songwriter: Rod Argent
Producers: Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy & Chris White
Line-up: Rod Argent (vocals, keyboards), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Colin Blunstone (vocals), Hugh Grundy (drums), Chris White (bass, backing vocals)

Points: 848,7
Finished #21 in 1968 poll (Bonus nomination by Brad)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 81
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 943
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Unranked
A sweet confusion filled my mind: Brad (#2), phil (#8), Jackson (#23), Bang Jan (#24)
Until I woke up only finding everything was just a dream: SL3 (#233), bonnielaurel (#241)
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
Image

110. Louis Armstrong | „What a Wonderful World“
Release: September 1, 1967 (B-side: „Cabaret“)
Album: What a Wonderful World (1968)
Songwriters: Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
Producer: Bob Thiele
Line-up: Louis Armstrong (vocals), Urbie Green (trombone), Allen Hanlon (guitar), Warren Head (percussion), J.J. Johnson (trombone), Hank Jones (piano), Sam Marowitz (clarinet), Jerome Richardson (flute), Art Ryerson (guitar), Russell Savakus (bass), Raymond Stanfeld (baritone saxophone), Willard Suyker (guitar), Grady Tate (drums), Clark Terry (trumpet), Dan Trimboli (tenor saxophone), Joe Wilder (trumpet) et al.

Points: 849
Finished #28 in 1967 poll (Bonus nomination by Father2TheMan)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 476
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 153
They‘re really saying, „I love you“: Father2TheMan (#1), bonnielaurel (#24)
More than I‘ll ever know: CupOfDreams (#227)

Miles Davis once said the history of jazz could be described in four words: „Louis Armstrong. Charlie Parker“. Of course that was long ago and doesn‘t hold up any more, but it speaks to the persona Armstrong inhabits at this point in time. But he‘s not playing the trumpet on this song and it‘s not really close to jazz either. Armstrong might not be the most technically perfect singer, but his gravelly voice has so much character that I just want to lie in it. He‘s aided by a very skillful arrangement that‘s beautiful while not devolving into over-sugared sentimentality. The flute during the bridge and the thin sheen of backing vocals are mixed just the right way.
You can call it naive idealism if you want to – and you would be right – but this song really sells that feeling incredibly well and I love it for that. - Schüttelbirne
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You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips
And there‘s no tenderness like before in your fingertips
Image

109. The Righteous Brothers | „You‘ve Lost That Lovin‘ Feelin‘“
Release: November 1964 (B-side: „There‘s a Woman“)
Album: You‘ve Lost That Lovin‘ Feelin‘ (1965)
Songwriters: Phil Spector, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Producer: Phil Spector
Line-up: Steve Douglas (saxophone), Bobby Hatfield (vocals), Fanita James (backing vocals), Carol Kaye (bass), Barney Kessel (guitar), Jean King (backing vocals), Darlene Love (backing vocals), Bill Medley (vocals), Earl Palmer (drums), Ray Pohlman (bass), Don Randi (piano), Cherilyn Sarkisian (backing vocals), Tommy Tedesco (guitar)

Points: 854
Finished #9 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 103
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 226
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 19
I‘d get down on my knees for you: mileswide (#6), FrankLotion (#16), Henry (#16)
There‘s no welcome look in your eyes: CupOfDreams (#231), DaveC (#240)

Overstuffed and often trying too hard, but not without its merit (mostly the vocals). - Schüttelbirne
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The clouds will be a daisy chain
So let me see you smile again
Image

108. The Beatles | „Dear Prudence“
Release: November 22, 1968 (album track)
Album: The Beatles (1968)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: Mal Evans (percussion, backing vocals), George Harrison (guitars, percussion, backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Jackie Lomax (percussion, backing vocals), John McCartney (percussion, backing vocals), Paul McCartney (bass, drums, piano, percussion, backing vocals)

Points: 855
Finished #15 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 711
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 346
It‘s beautiful and so are you: maverick470 (#11), CupOfDreams (#23)
Won‘t you come out to play?: bonnielaurel (#227), mileswide (#228), Neil (209/224)

One of my favorite songs about The Beatles is the stylistic variety. What „Dear Prudence“ offers is similar to what they tried the same year with „Hey Jude“: A climactic song that starts out small and is then amplified with more and more elements until it crescendos to a climactic end. I prefer „Hey Jude“, but the comparison is maybe a bit unjust. „Dear Prudence“ creates a completely different atmosphere. It‘s hard to describe it, but it‘s a rather mysterious, foggy mood, a world painted in pastel tones that slowly fills with aquarel colors while „Hey Jude“ is more the acryl type (if that makes any sort of sense). It‘s more tranquil and more ambivalent in its feelings. Still, Prudence is a really weird name. - Schüttelbirne
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She said that living with me is bringing her down
She would never be free when I was around
Image

107. The Beatles | „Ticket to Ride“
Release: April 9, 1965 (B-side: „Yes It Is“)
Album: Help! (1965)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar), John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums, tambourine, handclaps)

Points: 856
Finished #11 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 372
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 109
I don‘t know why she‘s riding so high: FrankLotion (#7), Brad (#8), stone37 (#9)
My baby don‘t care: Honorio (#226), mileswide (#226)

Another one of those Beatles songs that‘s just fine and nothing special for me. I don‘t really have anything left to say about these (just imagine that I‘ve just written about multiple others like this). - Schüttelbirne
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Her voice was soft and cool
Her eyes were clear and bright
But she‘s not there
Image

106. The Zombies | „She‘s Not There“
Release: July 24, 1964 (B-side: „You Make Me Feel Good“)
Album: Begin Here (1965)
Songwriter: Rod Argent
Producer: Ken Jones
Line-up: Rod Argent (keyboards, backing vocals), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Colin Blunstone (vocals), Hugh Grundy (drums), Chris White (bass guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 859,0
Finished #15 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 62
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 879
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 192
They all knew: jamieW (#12)
It‘s too late to say you‘re sorry: Elder (#221)
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My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you
Image

105. Etta James | „At Last“
Release: November 15, 1960 (B-side: „I Just Want to Make Love to You“)
Album: At Last! (1960)
Songwriters: Mack Gordon & Harry Warren
Producers: Phil Chess & Leonard Chess
Line-up: Etta James (vocals), The Riley Hampton Orchestra (various instruments) et al.

Points: 859,6
Finished #2 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 94
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 716
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 158
A dream that I can call my own: The_Claw (#19), FrankLotion (#23)
The spell was cast: jamieW (#206)

This song belongs to James‘s vocals which carry the song. Unfortunately I think the orchestral arrangements are a bit stuffy and drag the focus away from her. James‘s voice would maybe be served better on more energetic songs (like the other entry of hers in this poll). - Schüttelbirne
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I should be sleeping like a log
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright
Image

104. The Beatles | „A Hard Day‘s Night“
Release: July 10, 1964 (B-side: „Things We Said Today“)
Album: A Hard Day‘s Night
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar), John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar), George Martin (piano), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass), Ringo Starr (drums, bongos, cowbell)

Points: 860
Finished #3 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 76
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 379
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 126
Everything seems to be right: stone37 (#17), Henry (#20)
Why on earth: Elder (#230)

I have a real fondness for the movie A Hard Day‘s Night because it‘s lovingly made and very funny considering it‘s an extended commercial. The titular song is not the strongest on the soundtrack, but a fine example of pop music nevertheless. The melody is very catchy, the upbeat vocals have a nice drive to them and the percussion here is always worth mentioning. My enjoyment of the song owes a lot to the bongos played during the verses which gives the song a sort of happy forward momentum. I‘m not as big a fan as many others here, but I can appreciate it (and it‘s certainly a lot better than some of the other Beatles selections here). - Schüttelbirne
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C‘est payé, balayé, oublié
Je me fous du passé!
Image

103. Édith Piaf | „Non, je ne regrette rien“
Release: December 1960 (A-side: „Les amants d‘un jour“, B-side: „Jérusalem“)
Album: Olympia ‚61 (1961)
Songwriters: Charles Dumont & Michel Vaucaire
Producers: ?
Line-up: Édith Piaf (vocals), Robert Chauvigny (conductor) et al.

Points: 861
Finished #7 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 57
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 561
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 488
Car mes joies aujourd‘hui, ça commence avec toi!: DaveC (#6), bonnielaurel (#21), Elder (#21), The_Claw (#23)
Je n‘ai plus besoin d‘eux!: Henry (#232), CupOfDreams (#235), Father2TheMan (#246)

I don‘t want to insult the instrumentation here (including a harpsichord, I think), but this is all about Piaf‘s incredible vocal performance full of strength. She really knows how to roll an ‚R‘. - Schüttelbirne
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In the winter of ‚65, we were hungry, just barely alive
By May the 10th, Richmond had fell
It‘s a time I remember, oh, so well
Image

102. The Band | „The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down“
Release: September 22, 1969 (A-side: „Up on Cripple Creek“)
Album: The Band (1969)
Songwriter: Robbie Robertson
Producer: John Simon
Line-up: Rick Danko (bass, backing vocals), Levon Helm (vocals, drums), Garth Hudson (slide trumpet, melodica), Richard Manuel (piano, backing vocals), Robbie Robertson (guitars, backing vocals)

Points: 868
Finished #20 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 771
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 143
You take what you need and you leave the rest: Honorio (#10), Father2TheMan (#17), BleuPanda (#21)
He‘s in defeat: mileswide (#227)

While their contemporaries were facing the Vietnam War, Robbie Robertson and The Band got us back to the American Civil War. And they did it with sympathy for the loser's side, telling the story of a Confederate soldier who comes back from the front after burying his brother only to find his world and his life shattered. "They should never have taken the very best." So they weren't really talking about Vietnam after all? - Honorio

I never quite understood why this song was considered the standout from The Band when the likes of „Up on Cripple Creek“, „Whispering Pines“ or „Jawbone“ are also there. The historical background seems to be a matter of debate for some people, but I don‘t really see a big problem with it. It‘s clearly written from the point-of-view of a fictional character and that guy‘s feelings do seem rather plausible. There‘s nothing that would even imply chauvinism or anything. The lyrics are a mixture of stuff that works very well (the verse about his dead brother) and stuff that doesn‘t (the explicit historical references have the same effect a bad historical drama has). But the passionate performance by The Band smooths that out. Helm‘s vocal delivery of the chorus with his colleages joining him in the „la, la, la“ part has a forceful quality to it that embues the neutral words with emotion. I also need to emphasize the important role Garth Hudson had in making this song succeed. The part of the melodica (especially in the verses) has a key role in creating the song‘s melancholic atmosphere. I wouldn‘t count this among The Band‘s best work, but I still like it a lot. - Schüttelbirne
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The line, it is drawn, the curse, it is cast
The slow one now will later be fast
As the present now will later be past
Image

101. Bob Dylan | „The Times They Are a-Changin‘“
Release: March 8, 1965 (B-side: „Honey Just Allow Me One More Chance“)
Album: The Times They Are a-Changin‘ (1964)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 869,90
Finished #8 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 96
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 403
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 79
Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen: Brad (#17), DaveC (#19), Elder (#19), FrankLotion (#22)
Don‘t criticize what you can‘t understand: Jackson (207/228)

This song does have a certain universal value, since the times are always in the process of changing, though not always in the way some people want. Probably the best from the political songs of Dylan‘s early career, because it‘s full of enthusiasm about the future and not wearily remaining in the problems of the time. - Schüttelbirne
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Romain
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Romain »

Guys, if you keep on improving the presentation of the results every year, you will end up publishing a book! :-)

And our favorite commenter made me laugh more than a little with this sentence: "I have no idea what I thought "rolling on a river" was supposed to mean in reference to a person".
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Worry, why do I let myself worry?
Wondering what in the world did I do?
Image

100. Patsy Cline | „Crazy“
Release: October 16, 1961 (B-side: „Who Can I Count On?“)
Album: Showcase (1961)
Songwriter: Willie Nelson
Producer: Owen Bradley
Line-up: Harold Bradley (bass guitar), Owen Bradley (organ), Patsy Cline (vocals), Floyd Cramer (piano), Buddy Harman (drums), Hoyt Hawkins (backing vocals), Walter Haynes (steel guitar), Randy Hughes (acoustic guitar), Grady Martin (electric guitar), Neal Matthews Jr. (backing vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Gordon Stoker (backing vocals), Ray Walker (backing vocals)

Points: 869,96
Finished #4 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 84
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 325
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 64
I knew you‘d love me as long as you wanted: DaveC (#4), Neil (#17), Father2TheMan (#25)
And then someday, you‘d leave me for somebody new: Safetycat (#229), nicolas (#246)

The piano heard in the opening and throughout the song in the background has this tinkling quality that‘s certainly intriguing. The instrumentation has a very chilled quality, which would work well in a jazzy pop song with a colder attitude, but this version‘s background vocals don‘t fit that. Cline is also not the singer to attempt such a take, probably because she tends to put a lot of feeling in her voice, which works well in this case. „Crazy“ is probably my favorite from the ones I‘ve heard from her, but that‘s mostly due to the arrangement which contrasts nicely with her vocals and doesn‘t devolve into cheesiness. - Schüttelbirne
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I grow impatient for a love
To call my own
Image

99. The Supremes | „You Can‘t Hurry Love“
Release: July 25, 1966 (B-side: „Put Yourself in My Place“)
Album: The Supremes A‘ Go-Go (1966)
Songwriters: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland
Producers: Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier
Line-up: Florence Ballard (backing vocals), Diana Ross (vocals), Mary Wilson (backing vocals), The Funk Brothers (various instruments)

Points: 871
Finished #14 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 415
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 132
These precious words keep me hangin‘ on: Listyguy (#16), Henry (#18)
How much more can I take: The_Claw (#247)
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Et quand ils ont bien bu
Se plantent le nez au ciel
Se mouchent dans les étoiles
Et ils pissent comme je pleure
Sur les femmes infidèles
Image

98. Jacques Brel | „Amsterdam“
Release: 1964 (B-side: „Jef“)
Album: Olympia 64 (1964)
Songwriter: Jacques Brel
Producer: Jacques Brel
Line-up: Jacques Brel (vocals), Francois Rauber (conductor), Pierre Sim (bass), Le grand orchestre de l‘Olympia (accompaniment), Gérard Jouannest et son Ensemble (accompaniment)

Points: 872
Finished #19 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 68
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 475
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 574
Ils boivent à la santé: nicolas (#2), The_Claw (#8), jamieW (#16)
Dans le son déchiré d‘un accordéon rance: Neil (205/224), CupOfDreams (#233), stone37 (219/232), maverick470 (195/204), Father2TheMan (#240)

Brel is the biggest loser of the songs poll compared to the 2015 edition. Three songs of his have fallen out of the Top 150 (then) and only one song makes the Top 250 this time. Brel is very hit-or-miss for me, because his very theatrical vocal performances often feel too over-the-top for me, hitting certain emotions too heavy. „Amsterdam“ is not a case like that; in fact it might be my favorite Brel song. There‘s a real beauty in the arrangement of the vocals and the instruments and his performance is just right and does not devolve into over-emoting. - Schüttelbirne
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It‘s hard to understand
But the touch of your hand
Can start me crying
Image

97. Roy Orbison | „Crying“
Release: August 16, 1961 (B-side: „Candy Man“)
Album: Crying (1962)
Songwriters: Roy Orbison & Joe Melson
Producer: Fred Foster
Line-up: Harold Bradley (guitar), Boudleaux Bryant (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Buddy Harman (drums), Charlie McCoy (harmonica), Bob Moore (bass), Scotty Moore (guitar), Roy Orbison (vocals), Boots Randolph (saxophone) et al.

Points: 873
Finished #3 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 97
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 486
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 110
I love you even more than I did before: BleuPanda (#7), andyd1010 (#24)
Left me standing all alone: FrankLotion (#226)

Orbison‘s whining is not very pleasant to listen to. Thankfully he only does that in the back half of the song; the first half is actually pretty nice with a good arrangement and fine instrumentation, but Orbison‘s over-dramatic wailing is hard to take. - Schüttelbirne
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And now I know you‘re dissatisfied
With your position and your place
Don‘t you understand
It‘s not my problem
Image

96. Bob Dylan | „Positively 4th Street“
Release: September 7, 1965 (B-side: „From a Buick 6“)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Mike Bloomfield (guitar), Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Bobby Gregg (drums), Al Kooper (organ), Frank Owens (piano), Russ Savakus (bass guitar)

Points: 874
Finished #18 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 1010
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 161
You just want to be on the side that‘s winning: mileswide (#7), Schüttelbirne (#23)
When I was down you just stood there grinning: Honorio (#235)
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Tears are running
They‘re all running down your breast
Image

95. Jefferson Airplane | „Somebody to Love“
Release: April 1, 1967 (B-side: „She Has Funny Cars“)
Album: Surrealistic Pillow (1967)
Songwriter: Darby Slick
Producer: Rick Jarrard
Line-up: Marty Balin (tambourine, backing vocals), Jack Casady (bass), Spencer Dryden (drums), Paul Kantner (guitar), Jorma Kaukonen (guitar), Grace Slick (vocals)

Points: 875
Finished #22 in 1967 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 48
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 384
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 112
Your mind is so full of red: Henry (#17)
When the truth is found to be lies: Bang Jan (#244)

The instrumental part here is fine, but it wouldn‘t be very interesting without Slick‘s vocal performance, supported in the chorus by Marty Balin. The guitar solo at the end is quite nice, but nothing extraordinary. The percussion lays down a great rhythm though. - Schüttelbirne
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You know, I caught my old lady messing around town
And I gave her the gun, I shot her!
Image

94. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | „Hey Joe“
Release: December 16, 1966 (B-side: „Stone Free“)
Album: Are You Experienced (US) (1967)
Songwriter: Billy Roberts
Producer: Chas Chandler
Line-up: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Betty Prescott (backing vocals), Margot Quantrell (backing vocals), Noel Redding (bass guitar), Eleanor Russell (backing vocals)

Points: 877
Finished #9 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 51
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 277
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 107
You better believe it right now: SL3 (#31)
That ain‘t too cool: Schüttelbirne (#210)

Hendrix‘s guitar work is admirable here, as always, but his vocals are not really up to the task and don‘t have enough passion to sell this song (especially considering its subject matter). I specifically want to mention Redding and Mitchell who are always rationalized away from the band, but they do good work here. The backing vocals are a bit much though and the song in general doesn‘t really have great moments that make it stand out. - Schüttelbirne
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Bein‘ good isn‘t always easy
No matter how hard I try
Image

93. Dusty Springfield | „Son-of-a Preacher Man“
Release: November 8, 1968 (B-side: „Just a Little Lovin‘“)
Album: Dusty in Memphis (1969)
Songwriters: John Hurley & Ronnie Wilkins
Producers: Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, Jeff Barry & Tom Dowd
Line-up: Estelle Brown (backing vocals), Gene Chrisman (drums), Tommy Cogbill (bass guitar), Bobby Emmons (organ, electric piano), Cissy Houston (backing vocals), Ed Kollis (harmonica), Gene Orloff (conductor), Sylvia Shemwell (backing vocals), Myrna Smith (backing vocals), Dusty Springfield (vocals), Bobby Wood (piano), Reggie Young (guitar, sitar)

Points: 881
Finished #8 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 117
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 85
Tellin‘ me that he‘s all mine: Neil (#4), SL3 (#9), maverick470 (#15)
Lord knows, to my surprise: jamieW (#243)
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Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
Still in peaceful dreams I see
The road leads back to you
Image

92. Ray Charles | „Georgia on My Mind“
Release: September 1960 (B-side: „Carry Me Back to Old Virginny“
Album: The Genius Hits the Road (1960)
Songwriters: Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell
Producer: Sid Feller
Line-up: Marcus Belgrave (trumpet), Ralph Burns (conductor), Ray Charles (vocals, piano), Leroy Cooper (baritone saxophone), Hank Crawford (baritone saxophone, alto saxophone), John Hunt (trumpet), David Newman (tenor saxophone), Milt Turner (drums), Edgar Willis (bass) et al.

Points: 887,2
Finished #4 in 1960 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 126
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 245
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 106
Just an old sweet song: bonnielaurel (#8), Father2TheMan (#13)
No peace I find: Schüttelbirne (#235), Jackson (222/228), DaveC (#250)

There are Ray Charles songs I like, but this is utter cheesiness and barely tolerable, with the background vocals being the worst offenders here. When they shut up once in the middle of the song, it‘s not that bad actually, but that‘s also due to the strings not being used as excessively as they are in the rest of the song. Might as well bathe in sugar – same effect. - Schüttelbirne
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As I walk along I wonder
What went wrong with our love
A love that was so strong
Image

91. Del Shannon | „Runaway“
Release: February 18, 1961 (B-side: „Jody“)
Album: Runaway with Del Shannon (1961)
Songwriters: Del Shannon & Max Crook
Producer: Harry Balk
Line-up: Al Caiola (guitar), Max Crook (clavioline), Milt Hinton (bass), Joe Marshall (drums), Bill Ramal (baritone saxophone), Del Shannon (vocals), Moe Wechsler (piano)

Points: 887,6
Finished #2 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 52
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 326
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 67
I think of the things we‘ve done together: jamieW (#6)
I feel the pain: maverick470 (186/204), FrankLotion (#231), SL3 (#232), Safetycat (#247)
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit
To satisfy, ensure you not to quit
Image

90. Bob Dylan | „It‘s Alright, Ma (I‘m Only Bleeding)“
Release: March 22, 1965 (album track)
Album: Bringing It All Back Home (1965)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Tom Wilson
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 893
Finished #22 in 1965 poll (Bonus nomination by Listyguy)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 443
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 206
You into thinking you‘re the one: Elder (#6), Listyguy (#13), phil (#18), Jackson (#20)
You discover that you‘d just be one more person crying: Safetycat (#226), SL3 (#240)

A truly crazy rhyme scheme, and a very memorable guitar riff combine. Dylan‘s vocals are not the best they could be, to be honest, especially compared to some of the other tracks from the same album. - Schüttelbirne
_______________________________________________________________________

And now I‘m ready to feel your hand
And lose my heart on the burning sands
Image

89. The Stooges | „I Wanna Be Your Dog“
Release: July 1969 (B-side: „1969“)
Album: The Stooges (1969)
Songwriters: Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton & Iggy Pop
Producer: John Cale
Line-up: Dave Alexander (bass guitar), Ron Asheton (guitar), Scott Asheton (drums), John Cale (piano, sleigh bells), Iggy Pop (vocals)

Points: 897
Finished #16 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 54
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 364
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 71
And I‘ll lay right down in my favorite place: Honorio (#17), CupOfDreams (#22)
I‘m ready to close my eyes: andyd1010 (#229), Henry (#229), bonnielaurel (#250)

Rock & roll should always be like that: wild, dirty, loud, vicious, sweaty, abrasive, furious, raw and dangerous. The Stooges' debut is considered in Rateyourmusic one of the top releases of the Proto-Punk style. Search… and destroy. - Honorio
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Scent of the pine, you know how I feel
Oh, freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
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88. Nina Simone | „Feeling Good“
Release: March 1965 (album track)
Album: I Put a Spell on You (1965)
Songwriters: Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley
Producer: Hal Mooney
Line-up: Hal Mooney (conductor), Nina Simone (vocals, piano), Rudy Stevenson (guitar) et al.

Points: 899
Finished #19 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 365
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 504
Butterflies all havin‘ fun, you know what I mean: Safetycat (#3), BleuPanda (#20)
Sleep in peace when day is done: Father2TheMan (#215)
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We see the banker sitting, waiting for a trim
And then the fireman rushes in
From the pouring rain
Very strange
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87. The Beatles | „Penny Lane“
Release: February 13, 1967 (other A-side: „Strawberry Fields Forever“)
Album: Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: Leon Calvert (trumpet), Duncan Campbell (trumpet), Frank Clarke (double bass), Freddy Clayton (trumpet), Bert Courtley (trumpet), P. Goody (flute), George Harrison (guitar, handclaps, backing vocals), John Lennon (piano, guitar, congas, handclaps, backing vocals), George Martin (piano), David Mason (piccolo trumpet), Paul McCartney (vocals, piano, bass guitar, harmonium, tambourine, effects), Dick Morgan (oboe), Ringo Starr (drums, handbells), Ray Swinfield (flute), Mike Winfield (oboe), Manny Winters (flute)

Points: 902
Finished #12 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 64
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 171
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 68
All the people that come and go, stop and say hello: stone37 (#2)
The little children laugh at him behind his back: mileswide (#232), jamieW (#240)

They tell the story of a peaceful summer stroll and the people the narrator meets along the way. This is very much enhanced by an absolutely gorgeous wind arrangement that improves the song by about 200%. All the little things brass and flutes do to not only support, but actually create the mood of the song are admirable. Really beautiful. Schüttelbirne
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86. Mingus | „Mode D – Trio and Group Dancers / Mode E – Single Solos and Group Dance / Mode F – Group and Solo Dance“
Release: July 1963 (album track)
Album: The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)
Songwriter: Charles Mingus
Producer: Bob Thiele
Line-up: Jay Berliner (guitar), Don Butterfield (tuba, contrabass trombone), Jaki Byard (piano), Rolf Ericson (trumpet), Dick Hafer (tenor saxophone, flute), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone), Charles Mingus (double bass, piano), Jerome Richardson (soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute), Dannie Richmond (drums), Richard Williams (trumpet)

Points: 904
Finished #10 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 86
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 748
AM rank (Best of 1960s): Bubbling Under
Biggest Fan: Jackson (#5), sonofsamiam (#5), Schüttelbirne (#15), Bang Jan (#18)
Not a Fan: CupOfDreams (#230), Father2TheMan (#234), The_Claw (#237), andyd1010 (#248), Safetycat (#248)

The longest (and best) track on The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady goes through multiple different parts, some dominated by an instrument (like guitar or piano), some being brilliantly arranged pieces of ensemble playing, but all coming together in a spectacular display of inventiveness and sheer musical force. - Schüttelbirne
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Sometimes I‘m overcome thinking ‚bout
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium with you
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85. Van Morrison | „Brown Eyed Girl“
Release: June 1967 (B-side: „Goodbye Baby“)
Album: Blowin‘ Your Mind! (1967)
Songwriter: Van Morrison
Producer: Bert Berns
Line-up: Gary Chester (drums), Eric Gale (guitar), Al Gorgoni (guitar), Paul Griffin (piano), Hugh McCracken (guitar), Van Morrison (vocals, guitar), Russ Savakus (bass guitar), Garry Sherman (organ), The Sweet Inspirations (backing vocals)

Points: 906,2
Finished #16 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 30
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 247
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 63
Skipping and a-jumping: andyd1010 (#20), Honorio (#22)
Slipping and sliding: Jackson (218/228), Elder (#245), sonofsamiam (#245), Bang Jan (#246), Brad (#250)

Morrison came from Rhythm & Blues (with Them) and was going to develop a fascinating career with peaks on Chamber Folk and Soul Rock. But his first solo single show how great he could have been if he had chosen to be a Pop singer. - Honorio

Knowing the direction Morrison would go just a year later, the happy pop sound of „Brown Eyed Girl“ seems a bit weird, but it‘s still evokes a summery feel, mostly due to the guitars. The chorus could maybe use a bit more words, but it‘s fine as it is. - Schüttelbirne
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I just can‘t get over losin‘ you
And so if I seem, broken and blue
Walk on by
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84. Dionne Warwick | „Walk On By“
Release: April 26, 1964 (B-side: „Any Old Time of Day“)
Album: Make Way for Dionne Warwick (1964)
Songwriters: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Producers: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Line-up: Burt Bacharach (condcutor), Vincent Bell (guitar), Artie Butler (organ), Gary Chester (drums), Harold Coletta (viola), George Devens (percussion), Paul Griffin (piano), Allen Hanlon (guitar), Julius Held (violin), Cissy Houston (backing vocals), Irwin Markowitz (trumpet), Charles McCracken (violin), George Ockner (violin), Eugene Orloff (violin), Max Pollikoff (violin), Ernie Royal (trumpet), Russ Savakus (bass), Lucien Schmit (cello), Myrne Smith (backing vocals), Bill Suyker (guitar), Dee Dee Warwick (backing vocals), Dionne Warwick (vocals), Paul Winter (saxophone)

Points: 906,4
Finished #12 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 69
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 383
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 61
Foolish pride, that‘s all that I have left: bonnielaurel (#9), Honorio (#20)
Just let me grieve in private: Listyguy (#193)

A lesson on style (but not exempt at all of emotion) directly from the Brill Building. The perfect conjunction of brilliant songwriting (Burt Bacharach and Hal David) and amazing performance (Dionne Warwick). This is class, boys. Absolutely. - Honorio
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When I‘m sad, she comes to me
With a thousand smiles she gives to me free
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83. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | „Little Wing“
Release: December 1, 1967 (album track)
Album: Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
Songwriter: Jimi Hendrix
Producer: Chas Chandler
Line-up: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitar, piano, recorder), Mitch Mitchell (drums, backing vocals, glockenspiel), Noel Redding (bass guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 906,9
Finished #19 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 592
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 177
That‘s all she ever thinks about: Listyguy (#2), Neil (#9), Elder (#18)
Fly on, little wing: phil (#224)

I don‘t consider Axis a great album, but „Little Wing“ is the clear standout. There‘s a very clear mood created by the song. The inclusion of the glockenspiel gives it a touch that completely works in favor of that mood as does the guitar solo. The problem is that the song is far too short. The guitar solo should go on for at least another minute, but it just stops rather early. - Schüttelbirne
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I love you, baby, like a flower loves the spring
And I love you, baby, like a robin loves to sing
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82. Ike and Tina Turner | „River Deep – Mountain High“
Release: May 1966 (B-side: „I‘ll Keep You Happy“)
Album: River Deep – Mountain High (1966)
Songwriters: Phil Spector, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich
Producer: Phil Spector
Line-up: Fanita Barrett (backing vocals), Glen Campbell (guitar), Frank Capp (percussion), Jim Horn (saxophone), Carol Kaye (bass guitar), Barney Kessel (guitar), Clydie King (backing vocals), Jean King (backing vocals), Darlene Love (backing vocals), Gracia Nitzsche (backing vocals), Earl Palmer (drums), Michel Rubini (piano), Leon Russell (keyboards), Tina Turner (vocals)

Points: 914
Finished #10 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 303
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 26
I‘m gonna be as faithful as that puppy: SL3 (#10), mileswide (#20)
It goes on and on like a river flows: Safetycat (#216)
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They are spoon-feeding Casanova
To get him to feel more assured
Then they‘ll kill him with self-confidence
After poisoning him with words
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81. Bob Dylan | „Desolation Row“
Release: August 30, 1965 (album track)
Album: Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Charlie McCoy (guitar), Russ Savakus (bass guitar)

Points: 915
Finished #13 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 78
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 331
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 138
You belong to me, I believe: Fred (#3), Schüttelbirne (#10), Bang Jan (#21), DaveC (#25)
You‘re in the wrong place, my friend, you better leave: SL3 (#208)

An eleven-minute acoustic epic, rolling out a sprawling tapestry of grotesque figures, alienated through methods described in the epilogue. For me this is easily the best song on Highway 61 Revisited. The large cast of characters always leaves something new to be found without ever short-changing musical excellence for lyrical extravagance. It also serves as the template for the best song ever written, so that‘s an added plus. - Schüttelbirne
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Money is like us in time
It lies but can‘t stand up
Down for you is up
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80. The Velvet Underground | „Pale Blue Eyes“
Release: March 1969 (album track)
Album: The Velvet Underground (1969)
Songwriter: Lou Reed
Producers: Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker & Doug Yule
Line-up: Sterling Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Lou Reed (vocals, guitar), Maureen Tucker (percussion), Doug Yule (bass, organ, backing vocals)

Points: 916
Finished #14 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 368
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 278
Thought of you as my mountain top: Bang Jan (#9), Schüttelbirne (#18), sonofsamiam (#24)
Mostly you just make me mad: bonnielaurel (#238)
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I am no better and neither are you
We are the same whatever we do
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79. Sly and the Family Stone | „Everyday People“
Release: November 1968 (B-side: „Sing a Simple Song“)
Album: Stand! (1969)
Songwriter: Sly Stone
Producer: Sly Stone
Line-up: Greg Errico (drums, backing vocals), Larry Graham (vocals, bass guitar), Jerry Martini (saxophone, backing vocals), Cynthia Robinson (trumpet), Freddie Stone (vocals, guitar), Rose Stone (vocals, piano), Sly Stone (vocals)

Points: 921
Finished #16 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 455
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 146
My own beliefs are in my song: Listyguy (#8)
Different strokes for different folks: Brad (#209)
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There‘s battle lines being drawn
And nobody‘s right if everybody‘s wrong
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78. The Buffalo Springfield | „For What It‘s Worth (Stop, Hey What‘s That Sound)“
Release: December 23, 1966 (B-side: „Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It?“)
Album: Buffalo Springfield (1967 re-issue)
Songwriter: Stephen Stills
Producers: Charles Greene & Brian Stone
Line-up: Richie Furay (guitar, backing vocals), Dewey Martin (drums, backing vocals), Bruce Palmer (bass guitar), Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar), Neil Young (guitar)

Points: 925,1
Finished #12 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 231
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 34
Hooray for our side: Neil (#14)
I think it‘s time we stop: phil (#244)

Clearly one of the more political songs in this final round, but its thematic is only communicated via the lyrics. There‘s a notable discrepancy between the invitation to care about political events and to demonstrate as it is made in the lyrics and the calm music accompanying it. There‘s a very soft beat laying the foundation for multiple guitars which play their dampened serenity and only break out of that pattern for a few seconds at the end of the song. I‘m not saying music with political demands has to sound aggressive, but maybe it should make clear that it has something to say (particularly at a time when a major part of music can be categorized as love songs). That said, the particular occasion which prompted the writing of this song is so trivial, almost banal, that a more pressing tone would almost sound imposing. Of course the song has bigger implications outside of itself and was received as being about bigger issues and I won‘t discourage that interpretation. I also don‘t want to seem like I dislike the song; the chorus especially is well-done. It‘s a decent song that‘s a bit too mellow for its own good. (Also the stereo mix stinks!) - Schüttelbirne
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Girl, you really got me goin‘
You got me so I don‘t know what I‘m doin‘
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77. The Kinks | „You Really Got Me“
Release: August 4, 1964 (B-side: „It‘s All Right“)
Album: Kinks (1964)
Songwriter: Ray Davies
Producer: Shel Talmy
Line-up: Mick Avory (tambourine), Dave Davies (guitar), Ray Davies (vocals, guitar), Bobby Graham (drums), Arthur Greenslade (piano), Pete Quaife (bass guitar)

Points: 925,4
Finished #5 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 42Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 138
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 15
I always want to be by your side: stone37 (#21)
I can‘t sleep at night: Elder (#179)

Davies sounds kind of bored in the beginning, which makes the way he goes into the chorus more intense. The bass line (paired with the guitar riff) might be the best thing here, but they really only have a single idea and play that one out three times without variation. It‘s fine, but pretty empty. - Schüttelbirne
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Before you won my heart
You were a perfect guy
But now that you got me
You wanna leave me behind
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76. The Supremes | „Where Did Our Love Go“
Release: June 17, 1964 (B-side: „He Means the World to Me“)
Album: Where Did Our Love Go (1964)
Songwriters: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland
Producers: Brian Holland & Lamont Dozier
Line-up: Richard Allen (drums), Jack Ashford (vibraphone), Florence Ballard (backing vocals), James Jamerson (bass), Diana Ross (vocals), Andrew Terry (baritone saxophone), Mike Valvano (foot stomping), Earl Van Dyke (piano), Robert White (guitar), Eddie Willis (guitar), Mary Wilson (backing vocals)

Points: 928
Finished #11 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 73
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 582
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 95
Your promises of a love forever more: bonnielaurel (#5), mileswide (#8), Neil (#11), BleuPanda (#12)
Stings like a bee: phil (#196)
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You got me blowing, blowing my mind
Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?
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75. The Jimi Hendrix Experience | „Purple Haze“
Release: March 17, 1967 (B-side: „51st Anniversary“)
Album: Are You Experienced (US) (1967)
Songwriter: Jimi Hendrix
Producer: Chas Chandler
Line-up: Jimi Hendrix (vocals, guitars), Mitch Mitchell (drums), Noel Redding (bass guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 931
Finished #23 in 1967 poll (Wildcard entry)
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 41
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 221
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 16
That girl put a spell on me: bonnielaurel (#26), FrankLotion (#26)
Acting funny, but I don‘t know why: CupOfDreams (#167), Schüttelbirne (#167)

I remain convinced that the acclaim for this song stems mostly from it being first on the US version of the album because it is not significantly superior to other songs on the album. The guitar work is great of course, but its solo in the middle is not focused enough, because all the other elements distract from it. That middle part is also the weakest part of the song, closely followed by the mixing which works to the disadvantage of Hendrix‘s voice. - Schüttelbirne
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And when I awoke
I was alone, this bird had flown
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74. The Beatles | „Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)“
Release: December 3, 1965 (album track)
Album: Rubber Soul (1965)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, sitar), John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (tambourine, bass drum, maracas, finger cymbals)

Points: 932
Finished #10 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 46
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 335
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 114
She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere: Brad (#11), nicolas (#20), phil (#25)
I told her I didn‘t and crawled off to sleep in the bath: mileswide (#234)

The interplay between sitar and guitar is very well done here. Lennon‘s subdued vocals also add a lot of atmosphere to this rather mysterious outing. Aside from the sitar (the inclusion of which seems a bit like exoticism) there‘s not a lot of interesting things going on here, though. On its own, this song is good, but not very. - Schüttelbirne
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„Kathy, I‘m lost“, I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I‘m empty and aching and I don‘t know why
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
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73. Simon & Garfunkel | „America“
Release: April 3, 1968 (album track)
Album: Bookends (1968)
Songwriter: Paul Simon
Producers: Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel & Roy Halee
Line-up: Hal Blaine (drums, percussion), Art Garfunkel (vocals, tapes, percussion), Larry Knechtel (piano, keyboards), Joe Osborn (bass guitar), Paul Simon (vocals, guitar)

Points: 933,1
Finished #12 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 35
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 444
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 181
They‘ve all come to look for America: Brad (#5), Honorio (#6), CupOfDreams (#13)
Be careful, his bowtie is really a camera: jamieW (#247)

Paul Simon describes the journey of a young couple in a bus trip to "look for America" in which reappears Kathy (Simon's ex-girlfriend and protagonist of other songs). The song runs with a gentle tone (realistic but poetic, "so I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine and the moon rose over an open field") till it gets filled with unease ("I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why") when they realize their trip is useless because "they’ve all come to look for America." - Honorio
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None of the guys go steady ‚cause it wouldn‘t be right
To leave their best girl home on a Saturday night
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72. The Beach Boys | „I Get Around“
Release: May 11, 1964 (B-side: „Don‘t Worry Baby“)
Album: All Summer Long (1964)
Songwriters: Brian Wilson & Mike Love
Producer: Brian Wilson
Line-up: Hal Blaine (percussion), Glen Campbell (bass guitar), Steve Douglas (tenor saxophone), Al Jardine (bass guitar, backing vocals), Mike Love (vocals), Jay Migliori (baritone saxophone), Ray Pohlman (bass guitar), Brian Wilson (vocals, piano, harpsichord, organ), Carl Wilson (guitar, backing vocals), Dennis Wilson (drums, backing vocals)

Points: 933,3
Finished #7 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 47
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 421
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 104
I‘m a real cool head: stone37 (#19)
The bad guys know us and they leave us alone: Elder (#238)

I am not a big fan of the early Beach Boys, but „I Get Around“ is an exception, mainly for the chorus that combines the best of their harmonizing vocals with a very catchy melody that hasn‘t lost its enthusiasm in the decades since. It does seem tantalizingly simple though with its length of just two minutes and rather repetitive. The shallowness of the lyrics also doesn‘t help. It‘s the kind of song which I shouldn‘t hear too often or else it would probably lose its appeal to me. - Schüttelbirne
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She was practiced at the art of deception
Well, I could tell by her blood-stained hands
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71. The Rolling Stones | „You Can‘t Always Get What You Want“
Release: July 4, 1969 (A-side: „Honky Tonk Women“)
Album: Let It Bleed (1969)
Songwriters: Mick Jagger & Keith Richards
Producer: Jimmy Miller
Line-up: Madeline Bell (backing vocals), Rocky Dijon (percussion), Mick Jagger (vocals), Al Kooper (piano, organ, French horn), Jimmy Miller (drums), Keith Richards (guitars, backing vocals), Doris Troy (backing vocals), Nanette Workman (backing vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), London Bach Choir (vocals)

Points: 943
Finished #12 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 341
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 101
You get what you need: The_Claw (#18), sonofsamiam (#20)
We‘re gonna vent our frustration: Jackson (#210)
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make
Image

70. The Beatles | „Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End“
Release: September 26, 1969 (album tracks)
Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (bass guitar, guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (guitar, backing vocals), Paul McCartney (vocals, piano, guitar, bass guitar), Ringo Starr (drums, percussion, backing vocals) et al.

Points: 945
Finished #13 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 613
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 225
Smiles await when you rise: nicolas (#1), maverick470 (#2)
I never give you my pillow: jamieW (#229), bonnielaurel (#242)

I like to ignore the existence of Let It Be, just so I can imagine The Beatles ending their career with this grandiose display of musical ingenuity. All three parts of the song use the same personnel (which is sadly not credited): There‘s string and wind instruments which gave this medley its baroque feeling. The quiet „Golden Slumbers“ crescendoes in the choral outpour of „Carry That Weight“ which quotes „You Never Give Me Your Money“ again (I actually prefer it to the original), and then adds a more „classic rock“ touch with electric guitar in „The End“ before going piano (double meaning!) for the wonderful ending. I really wish all of Abbey Road was as emotionally satisfying as its last tracks, then it might be the best Beatles album. - Schüttelbirne
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How many seas must the white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
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69. Bob Dylan | „Blowin‘ in the Wind“
Release: August 13, 1963 (B-side: „Don‘t Think Twice, It‘s All Right“)
Album: The Freewheelin‘ Bob Dylan (1963)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: John H. Hammond
Line-up: Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica)

Points: 949,5
Finished #3 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 66
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 292
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 62
How many years can a mountain exist: bonnielaurel (#3), DaveC (#17), SL3 (#24)
How many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn‘t see: The_Claw (#214)

Probably the best-known Dylan song (maybe „Knockin‘ on Heaven‘s Door“ could be a competition), but far from the best one. Bound to its traditional song structure, it can never really escape the shackles of simplicity. Simple songs are often the most impactful, though, and the message here is clearly and candidly performed. - Schüttelbirne
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Baby, when you race today
Just take along my love with you
And if you knew how much I loved you
Baby, nothing could go wrong with you
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68. The Beach Boys | „Don‘t Worry Baby“
Release: May 11, 1964 (A-side: „I Get Around“)
Album: Shut Down Volume 2 (1964)
Songwriters: Brian Wilson & Roger Christian
Producer: Brian Wilson
Line-up: Al Jardine (bass guitar, backing vocals), Mike Love (backing vocals), David Marks (lead guitar), Brian Wilson (vocals, piano), Carl Wilson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dennis Wilson (drums, backing vocals)

Points: 949,8
Finished #6 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 89
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 324
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 81
She makes me come alive: stone37 (#15), Father2TheMan (#18), Jackson (#22)
I guess I should‘ve kept my mouth shut: Schüttelbirne (#228), bonnielaurel (#243)

A rather simple track by the Beach Boys and one that‘s a bit too sugar-heavy for me. It really mostly consists of Brian Wilson‘s airy vocals and the backing vocals by the rest of the band and they all sound very bored. Then there‘s this bizarre guitar solo in the middle that seems completely pointless to me. I don‘t know if the style The Beach Boys had cultivated at this point was fit for ballads; from the songs I enjoy from this early period I would have to say that that is not the case. What is supposed to be a slow love song just comes across as lazy and boring. - Schüttelbirne
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He‘s got the works, gives you sweet taste
Then you gotta split because you got no time to waste
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67. The Velvet Underground | „I‘m Waiting for the Man“
Release: March 12, 1967 (album track)
Album: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
Songwriter: Lou Reed
Producer: Andy Warhol
Line-up: John Cale (piano, bass guitar), Sterling Morrison (guitar), Lou Reed (vocals, guitar), Maureen Tucker (drums, tambourine)

Points: 951
Finished #14 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 37
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 264
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 39
Just lookin‘ for a dear, dear friend of mine: Brad (#22), CupOfDreams (#24)
It‘s furthest from my mind: sonofsamiam (#209)
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He got feet down below his knee
Hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease
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66. The Beatles | „Come Together“
Release: October 6, 1969 (other A-side: „Something“)
Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitars), John Lennon (vocals, guitar, percussion), Paul McCartney (bass, piano, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums, percussion)

Points: 955
Finished #10 in 1969 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 159
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 113
I know you, you know me: The_Claw (#1), stone37 (#22)
Got to be a joker, he just do what he please: Schüttelbirne (#241), sonofsamiam (#242)

Here we have a song which I used to like, but I don‘t anymore. Just when I hear the opening bass line and the heavy-handed rhythm I typically just want to skip it. The passage following every single non-chorus and the rhythm section chugging along through the monotonous wasteland with lyrics that just come off as laboured delivered by a bored Lennon annoy me to no end. Certainly one of my least favorite entries here. - Schüttelbirne
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Round the squares, huddled in storms
Some laughing, some just shapeless forms
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65. The Byrds | „Eight Miles High“
Release: March 14, 1966 (B-side: „Why“)
Album: Fifth Dimension (1966)
Songwriters: Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn & David Crosby
Producer: Allen Stanton
Line-up: Gene Clark (vocals, tambourine), Michael Clarke (drums), David Crosby (guitar, vocals), Chris Hillman (bass guitar, vocals), Jim McGuinn (guitar, vocals)

Points: 960
Finished #15 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 75
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 467
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 49
You‘ll find that it‘s stranger than known: CupOfDreams (#6), mileswide (#13), stone37 (#18)
Nowhere is there warmth to be found: bonnielaurel (#198)

Another one of those songs whose high acclaim is a bit surprising to me. It‘s the guitar work probably which bears resemblances to what Western audiences perceived as Indian music.The melody is still very clear and distinct and doesn‘t really deviate from the established rock formula (which is not at all a bad thing, to be clear). There‘s this certain distorted feeling to the song like it‘s supposed to be played just a bit faster, but lagging behind. That‘s the best description I can come up with here. The mood is very consistent, darker and more brooding than usual for the Byrds, but pretty consistent in that feeling, which is nice. The vocals have a whispery feeling to them, like they decided to not use their full vocal force, which also fits the atmosphere they‘re going for here. In general, it‘s a well-done song, but not one I would put in the Olympus of ‚60s music, but that‘s probably just me. - Schüttelbirne
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Yellow-matter custard
Dripping from a dead dog‘s eye
Crab a locker fishwife, pornographic priestess
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64. The Beatles | „I Am the Walrus“
Release: November 24, 1967 (A-side: „Hello, Goodbye“)
Album: Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: Peggie Allen (backing vocals), F. Dachtler (backing vocals), June Day (backing vocals), Ralph Elman (violin), Eldon Fox (cello), J. Fraser (backing vocals), Allan Grant (backing vocals), Jack Greene (violin), D. Griffiths (backing vocals), George Harrison (electric guitar), Wendy Horan (backing vocals), John Jezzard (violin), Irene King (backing vocals), Sylvia King (backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, electric piano, Mellotron), Gordon Lewin (clarinet), Fred Lucas (backing vocals), G. Mallen (backing vocals), Bram Martin (cello), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, tambourine), Andrew McGee (violin), John O‘Neill (backing vocals), Mike Redway (backing vocals), Jack Richards (violin), Lionel Ross (cello), Jack Rothstein (violin), Neil Sanders (horns), Sidney Sax (violin), J. Smith (backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums), Louis Stevens (violin), Tony Tunstall (horns), Jill Utting (backing vocals), Terry Weil (cello), Pat Whitmore (backing vocals)

Points: 961,1
Finished #13 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 276
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 105
They are the egg men: phil (#4), Fred (#6)
See how they run: Safetycat (#206), Schüttelbirne (#206)

The self-referential part of the lyrics might have seemed innovative or interesting at the time this was released, but it doesn‘t really work now. The lyrics are delightfully bizarre on their own and the instrumentation continues their experimentation with string orchestra they tried on „A Day in the Life“ which is a part that works well. The problem here is more or less that they found out what they can do in the studio and the mixing is really not great and the way people in the ‚60s used stereo is sometimes actually uncomfortable. I can see the ambition this track has, but I can‘t say it fulfills these ambitions. - Schüttelbirne
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A love supreme
A love supreme
A love supreme
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63. John Coltrane | „A Love Supreme, Part I: Acknowledgement“
Release: February 1965 (album track)
Album: A Love Supreme (1965)
Songwriter: John Coltrane
Producer: Bob Thiele
Line-up: John Coltrane (tenor saxophone, vocals), Jimmy Garrison (double bass), Elvin Jones (drums, gong), McCoy Tyner (piano)

Points: 961,5
Finished #17 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 422
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 116
Biggest Fan: sonofsamiam (#1), Schüttelbirne (#5), Jackson (#6), Bang Jan (#14), Elder (#25)
Not a Fan: andyd1010 (#226), DaveC (#237), stone37 (221/232), maverick470 (193/204)

Next to Miles Davis‘s „So What“ the go-to solution for a jazz song to put on a critics‘ list to show: „Hey, we listen to jazz too!“. I can‘t even be mad about this choice because this song is basically perfection from beginning to end. It‘s immediately recognizable from the first note and always puts me in that spiritual jazz mood (which is a very good mood for the uninitiated). All four players here are giving their best and I recommend to anyone who doesn‘t normally do that to just try to follow one of the players here in detail. The rhythm section is incredible as is Tyner on piano; their solo work is well worth checking out. I seriously can‘t find the words to describe its greatness. - Schüttelbirne
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62. John Coltrane | „My Favorite Things“
Release: April 1961 (B-side: „My Favorite Things (Part II)“)
Album: My Favorite Things (1961)
Songwriters: Oscar Hammerstein II & Richard Rodgers
Producer: Nesuhi Ertegün
Line-up: John Coltrane (soprano saxophone), Steve Davis (bass), Elvin Jones (drums), McCoy Tyner (piano)

Points: 966
Finished #5 in 1961 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 63
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 343
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 200
Biggest Fan: nicolas (#13), sonofsamiam (#14), jamieW (#15), bonnielaurel (#18)
Not a Fan: stone37 (212/232), Safetycat (#243), mileswide (#249)

I actually prefer „Summertime“ from the same album, but it‘s also one of Coltrane‘s weaker albums. I like how Tyner dominates the middle part of this song (he really was an incredible pianist) and I might actually prefer his role here to Coltrane himself. I like how they really take their time with their interpretation of this standard, really making it their own. It‘s far from the best Coltrane would offer in the ‚60s, but it‘s still very good which just speaks to the quality of his work.- Schüttelbirne
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I close my eyes, then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
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61. Roy Orbison | „In Dreams“
Release: February 13, 1963 (B-side: „Shahdaroba“)
Album: In Dreams (1963)
Songwriter: Roy Orbison
Producer: Fred Foster
Line-up: Harold Bradley (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Ray Edenton (guitar), Buddy Harman (drums), Roy Orbison (vocals), Bob Moore (bass), Boots Randolph (saxophone), Joe Tanner (conductor)

Points: 972
Finished #5 in 1963 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 71
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 282
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 201
You‘re mine all of the time: nicolas (#7), Jackson (#8), BleuPanda (#19), Neil (#20), Safetycat (#22)
It‘s too bad: FrankLotion (#233)

We have too much Orbison in this poll, but this one is probably the best. His vocal performance is far less annoying than usual and the arrangement is very pretty. I could do without the intro, though. - Schüttelbirne
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Schüttelbirne
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by Schüttelbirne »


Well, here‘s a poke at you
You‘re gonna choke on it too
You‘re gonna lose that smile
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60. The Who | „I Can See for Miles“
Release: September 18, 1967 (B-side: „Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand“)
Album: The Who Sell Out (1967)
Songwriter: Pete Townshend
Producer: Kit Lambert
Line-up: Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (bass guitar, backing vocals), Keith Moon (drums), Pete Townshend (guitars, backing vocals)

Points: 974
Finished #15 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 535
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 103
You still want me: mileswide (#4), Neil (#7), Henry (#12), Bang Jan (#25)
You took advantage of my trust in you: jamieW (#242)
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He would give his heart gladly
But each day when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead not at he
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59. Getz/Gilberto | „The Girl from Ipanema“
Release: June 1964 (B-side: „Blowin‘ in the Wind“)
Album: Getz/Gilberto (1964)
Songwriters: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes & Norman Gimbel
Producer: Creed Taylor
Line-up: Milton Banana (drums), Stan Getz (tenor saxophone), Astrud Gilberto (vocals), João Gilberto (guitar, vocals), Antonio Carlos Jobim (piano)

Points: 976
Finished #10 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 79
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 377
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 72
When she passes he smiles: nicolas (#10), Honorio (#14)
He watches her so sadly: DaveC (#230)

Vinícius de Moraes and Antônio Carlos Jobim used to go to Ipanema Beach to chat and have some drinks at the terrace of the Veloso Bar. One fine day that graceful garota (girl) passed by and right there they laid down that tune. It’s amazing that such a daily affair (who had not fallen immediately in love with some pretty thing walking?) gave birth to a superb song that swings and sways just like the hips of Helô Pinheiro, the name of that graceful real girl from Ipanema. - Honorio

I‘m one of those horrible people who prefers the short version with just Astrud Gilberto singing. Not that the João Gilberto part would be bad, but he doesn‘t bring as much feeling into this very atmospheric song. The shorter version might be my favorite summer song. It‘s light and breezy and sounds wonderful. - Schüttelbirne
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58. Ennio Morricone | „L‘estasi dell‘oro [The Ecstasy of Gold]“
Release: December 23, 1966 (album track)
Album: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo [The Good, the Bad and the Ugly] (1966)
Songwriter: Ennio Morricone
Producer: Pasquale Santomartino
Line-up: Alessandro Alessandroni (whistle), Italo Cammarota (ocarina), Francesco Catania (trumpet), Bruno Battisti D‘Amario (guitar), Franco De Gemini (harmonica), Edda Dell‘Orso (vocals), Michele Lacerenza (trumpet), Bruno Nicolai (conductor), Pino Rucher (guitar), Nicola Samale (soprano flute), I Cantori Moderni (choir) et al.

Points: 978
Finished #11 in 1966 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 91
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 970
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 1344
Biggest Fan: Jackson (#3), Schüttelbirne (#7), Brad (#12), sonofsamiam (#18), Bang Jan (#20), Listyguy (#25)
Not a Fan: DaveC (#227), Father2TheMan (#230), bonnielaurel (#247)

One of the best soundtrack pieces ever. To be honest, I‘m not too big of a fan of the scene it was written for, but the music is simply gorgeous. It has this grand, epic feeling that never fails to get to me. The instrumentals combine well with the choir and Dell‘Orso‘s central vocal performance to create an absolute musical masterpiece. - Schüttelbirne
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Try, now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre
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57. The Doors | „Light My Fire“
Release: April 24, 1967
Album: The Doors (1967)
Songwriters: Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, John Densmore & Ray Manzarek
Producer: Paul A. Rothchild
Line-up: John Densmore (drums), Larry Knechtel (bass guitar), Robby Krieger (guitar), Ray Manzarek (organ, piano bass), Jim Morrison (vocals)

Points: 979
Finished #10 in 1967 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 36
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 71
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 22
We couldn‘t get much higher: maverick470 (#10), bonnielaurel (#16), nicolas (#18)
No time to wallow in the mire: sonofsamiam (#240)

Make a happy love song, thought the band and proceeded to turn it on its head by extended guitar and organ solos grinding the central motif down and reconstructing it again and again and a progressively more passionate vocal style that doesn‘t refrain from shouting towards the end. The lyrics can be read as a simple-minded love song, not too different from the many other examples from the decade, but they lose most of their meaning when embedded in a song that doesn‘t seem interested in even exploring the lyrics but rather in exploring the musical textures. - Schüttelbirne
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But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To all give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations
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56. Bob Dylan | „Ballad of a Thin Man“
Release: August 30, 1965 (album track)
Album: Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Producer: Bob Johnston
Line-up: Mike Bloomfield (guitar), Harvey Brooks (bass guitar), Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano), Bobby Gregg (drums), Al Kooper (organ)

Points: 984
Finished #12 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: Unranked
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 581
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 186
They‘ve all liked your looks: The_Claw (#2), Brad (#20), jamieW (#23)
Oh my God, am I here all alone?: Henry (#238)

Dylan plaguing his protagonist by sending him through multiple weird encounters with grotesque characters is always at least amusing, in its best moments great poetry. There‘s a lot to be written about the de-body-ing (that‘s the best word I could come up with) of Mr. Jones, but I don‘t have the time. The addition of the organ is a good choice for that theme, since it‘s a very bodily instrument. Dylan‘s sneering vocals bring just the right touch of contempt to the proceedings. - Schüttelbirne
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Things they do look awful cold
I hope I die before I get old
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55. The Who | „My Generation“
Release: October 29, 1965 (B-side: „Shout and Shimmy“)
Album: My Generation (1965)
Songwriter: Pete Townshend
Producer: Shel Talmy
Line-up: Roger Daltrey (vocals), John Entwistle (bass guitar, backing vocals), Keith Moon (drums), Pete Townshend (guitar, backing vocals)

Points: 996
Finished #14 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 23
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 189
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 8
I‘m not trying to cause a big sensation: BleuPanda (#2), FrankLotion (#15)
Don‘t try to dig what we all say: jamieW (#223)
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I don‘t need no money, fortune, or fame
I‘ve got all the riches, baby, one man can claim
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54. The Temptations | „My Girl“
Release: December 21, 1964 (B-side: „(Talkin ‚Bout) Nobody But My Baby“
Album: The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965)
Songwriters: Smokey Robinson & Ronald White
Producers: Smokey Robinson & Ronald White
Line-up: Benny Benjamin (drums), Melvin Franklin (backing vocals), James Jamerson (bass), Eddie Kendricks (backing vocals), David Ruffin (vocals), Robert White (guitar), Otis Williams (backing vocals), Paul Williams (backing vocals), The Funk Brothers (various instruments), Detroit Symphony Orchestra (strings)

Points: 998
Finished #4 in 1964 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 67
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 100
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 42
I‘ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees: SL3 (#1), stone37 (#11), FrankLotion (#14), Henry (#15), Honorio (#19)
The bees envy me: Jackson (211/228), Schüttelbirne (#240)

Robert White and James Jamerson from the Funk Brothers eating at a burger bar. Then it sounds the intro of "My Girl." Everyone there recognizes those magical bass and guitar notes, but not these great session musicians. God bless them. - Honorio
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And now my life has changed in (oh) so many ways
My independence seems to vanish in the haze
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53. The Beatles | „Help!“
Release: July 19, 1965 (B-side: „I‘m Down“)
Album: Help!
Songwriters: John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Producer: George Martin
Line-up: George Harrison (guitar, backing vocals), John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums, tambourine)

Points: 1005
Finished #9 in 1965 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 55
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 152
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 59
I do appreciate you being ‚round: Henry (#5), FrankLotion (#18), Father2TheMan (#19), andyd1010 (#23)
Never needed anybody‘s „Help!“ in any way: sonofsamiam (#197)

The song itself (meaning the songwriting) doesn‘t do a lot for me because it really is rather simple, but the performance is quite nice with a few interesting touches around the edges. The background vocals working as both antecedent and repeater of the lines while never taking away from Lennon‘s main vocal performance work well as do the short guitar riff at the end of every line from the chorus which sounds pretty close to surf guitar after the first line. The steady fast rhythm propels the song forward and turns this song into two well-spent minutes. - Schüttelbirne
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In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try wth pleasured hands
To take you in the sun to promised lands
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52. The Zombies | „Time of the Season“
Release: March 1968 (B-side: „I‘ll Call You Mine“)
Album: Odessey and Oracle (1968)
Songwriter: Rod Argent
Producers: Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy & Chris White
Line-up: Rod Argent (keyboards, backing vocals), Paul Atkinson (guitar), Colin Blunstone (vocals), Hugh Grundy (drums), Chris White (bass, backing vocals)

Points: 1011
Finished #11 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 32
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 312
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 218
It‘s the time of the season for loving: Honorio (#15), Listyguy (#21)
Who‘s your daddy?: bonnielaurel (#210)

Summer (of 1967) was the time of the season for loving. But not for them, they were disbanded long ago when the song climbed the charts. Recorded in 1967, released in 1968 to general indifference but a delayed (but deserved) #1 in 1969. - Honorio
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Forever and ever
You‘ll stay in my heart and I will love you
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51. Aretha Franklin | „I Say a Little Prayer“
Release: July 1968 (A-side: „The House That Jack Built“)
Album: Aretha Now (1968)
Songwriters: Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Line-up: Estelle Brown (backing vocals), Tommy Cogbill (guitar), Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano), Roger Hawkins (drums), Cissy Houston (backing vocals), Jerry Jemmott (bass guitar), Sylvia Shemwell (backing vocals), Myrna Smith (backing vocals)

Points: 1014
Finished #7 in 1968 poll
Rank in 2015 60s poll: 80
Rank in 2021 All-Time poll: 178
AM rank (Best of 1960s): 102
There is no one but you: mileswide (#3), SL3 (#7)
Would only mean heartbreak for me: jamieW (#231)

I‘m not the biggest fan of Aretha Franklin as a vocalist because she often just indulges in loud belting, but this song plays to her advantages. The chorus is primarily sung by the backing singers (who do an incredibly great job) and the verses are calmer which works well for her voice. The song itself is packed full of joy, making it Franklin‘s best song. - Schüttelbirne
jamieW
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Posts: 1938
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Re: AMF Favorite Songs of the 1960s - RESULTS

Post by jamieW »

What an amazing presentation, Schüttelbirne! I appreciated your comments regarding my personal favorite, "Nights in White Satin." (I really should've at least commented on that one. I spend so much time writing in my spare time, though, it's difficult for me to write about music, as well.) It does surprise me that there are 2 voters that appear to really dislike it, but then I'm sure that's how we all feel about songs that have such an emotional impact on us personally. :(
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