It’s the year of the album.
1966 is when the long player becomes the way to listen to music, and massive albums like “Pet Sounds,” “Revolver” and “Blonde on Blonde” demonstrate that. Hall of Songs, though, isn’t so concerned with the album, so what are the top 12 songs from this groundbreaking year of music?
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1966, plus tunes from 1965, ’64 and ’63 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on September 17 to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1966 nominees:
- “Eight Miles High” as performed by The Byrds
- Written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn and David Crosby; recorded January 1966; released March 1965
- “When a Man Loves a Woman” as performed by Percy Sledge
- Written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright; recorded February 1966; released March 1966
- “Wild Thing” as performed by The Troggs
- Written by Chip Taylor; recorded early 1966; released April 1966
- “Paint It Black” as performed by The Rolling Stones
- Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
- “River Deep-Mountain High” as performed by Ike & Tina Turner
- Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich; recorded March 1966; released May 1966
- “God Only Knows” as performed by The Beach Boys
- Written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher; recorded March-April 1966; released July 1966
- “Tomorrow Never Knows” as performed by The Beatles
- Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded April 1966; released August 1966
- “Reach Out I’ll Be There” as performed by The Four Tops
- Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded summer 1966; released September 1966
- “Good Vibrations” as performed by The Beach Boys
- Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love; recorded February-September 1966; released October 1966
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” as performed by The Supremes
- Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland; recorded June-August 1966; released October 1966
- “I’m a Believer” as performed by The Monkees
- Written by Neil Diamond; recorded October 1966; released November 1966
- “For What It’s Worth” as performed by Buffalo Springfield
- Written by Stephen Stills; recorded December 1966; released December 1966
Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on September 17, 2021 to find out the voting results, and September 19, 2021 for our discussion on 1966.