1968 Hall of Songs Nominees: The Rolling Stones, The Band, and the Return to Roots 

We’re returning to our roots in this episode of Hall of Songs.

We talk about a number of artists who, after all the experimentation and studio trickery of the mid-1960s, start looking backwards and create old-fashioned rock and or roll. For example, we present songs by the Rolling Stones, The Band and Big Brother and the Holding Company.

We nominate 12 songs for the Hall of Songs in this episode; along with the artists above, you’ll hear from Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Otis Redding, and the Beatles. And you’ll also hear the beginning of a new genre out of the Caribbean.  

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1968, plus tunes from 1967, ’66, and ’65 are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on October 15 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1968 nominees:

• “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” as performed by Otis Redding
  • Written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper; recorded December 1967; released January 1968
• “Mrs. Robinson” as performed by Simon & Garfunkel
  • Written by Paul Simon; recorded February 1968; released April 1968
• “The Weight” as performed by The Band
  • Written by Robbie Robertson; recorded January 1968; released August 1968
• “Street Fighting Man” as performed by The Rolling Stones
  • Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded May 1968; released August 1968
• “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” as performed by James Brown
  • Written by James Brown and Alfred Ellis; recorded August 1968; released August 1968
• “Piece of My Heart” as performed by Big Brother and the Holding Company
  • Written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns; recorded March 1968; released August 1968
• “Hey Jude” as performed by The Beatles
  • Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded August 1968; released August 1968
• “All Along the Watchtower” as performed by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
  • Written by Bob Dylan; recorded summer 1968; released September 1968
• “Israelites” as performed by Desmond Dekker and the Aces
  • Written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong; recorded summer 1968; released October 1968
• “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” as performed by Marvin Gaye
  • Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong; recorded spring 1967; released October 1968
• “Everyday People” as performed by Sly and the Family Stone
  • Written by Sly Stone; recorded summer 1968; released November 1968
• “Sympathy For the Devil” as performed by The Rolling Stones
  • Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; recorded June 1968; released December 1968

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 October 15, 2021 to find out the voting results, and October 18, 2021 for our discussion on 1969.