The Best Pop Songs of the 60s

What are the best pop songs from the 1960s?

Initially the term was an abbreviation of, and synonymous with, popular music, but evolved around the 1950s to describe a specific musical category. Pop songs are generally marked by a consistent and noticeable rhythmic element, a mainstream style and traditional structure. The most common variant is strophic in form and focuses on melodies, catchy hooks and the appeal of the verse-chorus-verse arrangement, with the chorus sharply contrasting the verse melodically, rhythmically and harmonically.

Some of the most common themes in pop music are romantic love and feelings. Pop music often uses the technique of taking themes from other records producing a satirical or self-referential mixture of past styles. It also employs techniques of sampling and sequencing to introduce individuality and creativity.

The decade kicked off a style that is still recorded today, the novelty song, combining humorous or parodic lyrics and simple, catchy melodies: "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." In 1961 a new format arose around close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting the Californian relationship with surfing, girls and cars: Surf pop. This very successful style is epitomised by tunes like "Surfin' USA," "California Girls," and "Good Vibrations." An unusual combination of minor chords and an unexpected synthesizer formed the basis of one of the greatest hits of the first half of the decade, "Runaway," whilst in the second half a four-note electric bass riff offsetting a simple melodic arrangement brought commercial and critical success to "Windy."


Located below you will find a list of some of the best pop songs of the 1960s. For your convenience, we have included links to the sheet music on Sheetmusicplus.com as well as the CD on Amazon.com whenever available. If you are looking to purchase the mp3 or would like to listen to a sample, then click on either the Amazon, Rhapsody, or iTunes links.

Rhapsody provides both music subscriptions as well as individual mp3s for sale in WMA format and iTunes only provides MPEG-4 audio files for sale. However, Amazon does offer mp3s that are compatible with both Windows Media Player and iTunes. For more information about where to purchase music online, we provide it on our Music Downloads page or our Music Subscriptions page.


These singles are considered among the best pop songs to hit the charts in the 1960s.

  1. "A Beautiful Morning" performed by The Rascals
     Find it on:  The Rascals - Time Peace: The Rascals' Greatest Hits - A Beautiful Morning   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  2. "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" performed by Procol Harem
     Find it on:  Procol Harum - Greatest Hits - A Whiter Shade of Pale   Amazon CD   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  3. "Abraham, Martin & John" performed by Dion
     Find it on:  Dion - The Essential Dion - Abraham, Martin and John   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Sheetmusicplus
  4. "Blowin' In The Wind" performed by Bob Dylan
     Find it on:  Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits - Blowin' In the Wind   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  5. "Blue Velvet" performed by Bobby Vinton
     Find it on:  Bobby Vinton - Bobby Vinton's Greatest Hits - Blue Velvet   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  6. "California Girls" performed by The Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - California Girls   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  7. "Cherish" performed by Kool & the Gang
     Find it on:  Kool & The Gang - Emergency - Cherish   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  8. "Classical Gas" performed by Mason Williams
     Find it on:  Mason Williams - Phonograph Record - Classical Gas   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  9. "Daydream Believer" performed by The Monkees
     Find it on:  The Monkees - The Best of the Monkees - Daydream Believer   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  10. "Dedicated To The One I Love" performed by The Mamas & The Papas
     Find it on:  The Mamas & The Papas - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Mamas and The Papas - Dedicated to the One I Love   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  11. "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" performed by Connie Francis
     Find it on:  Connie Francis - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Connie Francis - Don't Break the Heart That Loves You   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  12. "Eighteen Yellow Roses" performed by Bobby Darin
     Find it on:  Bobby Darin - The Capitol Collector's Series: Bobby Darin - 18 Yellow Roses   Amazon CD   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  13. "Good Vibrations" performed by The Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - Good Vibrations   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  14. "Hawaii Five-O" performed by The Ventures
     Find it on:  The Ventures - Walk Don't Run: The Best of the Ventures - Hawaii Five-O   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  15. "Help Me Rhonda" performed by The Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - Help Me, Rhonda   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  16. "Hey! Baby" performed by Bruce Channel
     Find it on:  Bruce Channel - 60's Gold - Hey! Baby   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  17. "Hey Paula" performed by Paul & Paula
     Find it on:  Paul & Paula - Vocal Classics: Stand By Me - Hey Paula   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Sheetmusicplus
  18. "Hooked On A Feeling" performed by B. J. Thomas
     Find it on:  B.J. Thomas - B.J. Thomas: All-Time Greatest Hits - Hooked On a Feeling   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  19. "Honey" performed by Bobby Goldsboro
     Find it on:  Moby - Play - Honey   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Sheetmusicplus
  20. "I Get Around" performed by The Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - I Get Around   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  21. "If I Were a Carpenter" performed by Bobby Darin
     Find it on:  Bobby Darin - The Legendary Bobby Darin - If I Were a Carpenter   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  22. "I'm A Believer" performed by The Monkees
     Find it on:  The Monkees - The Best of the Monkees - I'm a Believer   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  23. "In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" performed by Zager & Evans
     Find it on:  Zager & Evans - Radio Hits of the '60s - In the Year 2525   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  24. "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" performed by Brian Hyland
     Find it on:  Brian Hyland - Brian Hyland: Greatest Hits - Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  25. "Let's Dance" performed by Chris Montez
     Find it on:  Chris Montez - The Hits - Let's Dance   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  26. "Love Is Blue" performed by Paul Mauriat
     Find it on:  Paul Mauriat and His Orchestra - 60's Gold - Love Is Blue   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  27. "Love Potion Number Nine" performed by The Searchers
     Find it on:  The Searchers - 60s Rock 'n' Roll - Love Potion Number 9   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  28. Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet performed by Henry Mancini
     Find it on:  HENRY MANCINI - Henry Mancini: Greatest Hits - Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet"   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  29. "Monday, Monday" performed by The Mamas & The Papas
     Find it on:  The Mamas & The Papas - The Mamas & The Papas Greatest Hits - Monday, Monday   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  30. "Money (That's What I Want)" performed by The Kingsmen
     Find it on:  The Kingsmen - The Best of the Kingsmen - Money (That's What I Want)   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  31. "Never My Love" performed by The Association
     Find it on:  The Association - The Association: Greatest Hits! - Never My Love   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  32. "Only Love Can Break a Heart" performed by Gene Pitney or Sonny James
     Find it on:  Gene Pitney - Gene Pitney: 18 All-Time Greatest Hits - Only Love Can Break a Heart   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  33. "Pipeline" performed by the Chantays
     Find it on:  The Chantays - 100 Years of Surfing - Pipeline   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Sheetmusicplus
  34. "Rhythm of the Rain" performed by The Cascades
     Find it on:  The Cascades - Crusin' the 66, Vol. 2 - Rhythm of the Rain   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  35. "Roses Are Red (My Love)" performed by Bobby Vinton
     Find it on:  Bobby Vinton - The Best of Bobby Vinton - Roses Are Red (My Love)   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  36. "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)" performed by Scott McKenzie
     Find it on:  Scott McKenzie - The Graduate - San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair)   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  37. "Spinning Wheel" performed by Blood, Sweat & Tears
     Find it on:  Blood, Sweat & Tears - Blood, Sweat & Tears - Spinning Wheel   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  38. "Spooky" performed by Classic IV
     Find it on:  The Classics IV - The Very Best of Classics IV - Spooky   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  39. "Sunshine Superman" performed by Donovan
     Find it on:  Donovan - The Essential Donovan - Sunshine Superman Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody  
  40. "Surf City" performed by Jan & Dean
     Find it on:  Jan & Dean - Rock Masters: Jan & Dean - Surf City   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  41. "Surfer Girl" performed by the Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - Surfer Girl   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  42. "Surfin' USA" performed by Beach Boys
     Find it on:  The Beach Boys - Sounds of Summer - The Very Best of the Beach Boys - Surfin' USA   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  43. "Sweet Cherry Wine" performed by Tommy James & The Shondells
     Find it on:  Tommy James & The Shondells - Cellophane Symphony - Sweet Cherry Wine   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  44. "Take Good Care of My Baby" performed by Bobby Vee
     Find it on:  Bobby Vee - Rock 'n' Roll Palace, Vol. 6 - Take Good Care of My Baby   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  45. "The Birds and The Bees" performed by Jewel Akens
     Find it on:  Jewel Akens - The Sunshine Collection - The Birds and the Bees   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  46. "The Sound of Silence" performed by Simon & Garfunkel
     Find it on:  Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds of Silence - The Sound of Silence   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  47. Theme From "A Summer Place" performed by Percy Faith & His Orchestra
     Find it on:  Percy Faith & His Orchestra - Percy Faith's Greatest Hits - Theme from "A Summer Place"   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  48. "Things" performed by Bobby Darin
     Find it on:  Bobby Darin - The Ultimate Bobby Darin - Things   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  49. "To Sir With Love" performed by Lulu
     Find it on:  Lulu - Movie Music - The Definitive Performances - To Sir, With Love   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  50. "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" performed by Blues Magoos
     Find it on:  The Blues Magoos - Kaliedescope Compendium - The Best of the Blues Magoos - (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet   Amazon CD   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  51. "What the World Needs Now Is Love" performed by Jackie DeShannon or Dionne Warwick
     Find it on:  Dionne Warwick - Here Where There Is Love - What the World Needs Now Is Love   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  52. "When Will I Be Loved" performed by The Everly Brothers
     Find it on:  The Everly Brothers - The Doo Wop Collection - When Will I Be Loved   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  53. "Wichita Lineman" performed by Glen Campbell
     Find it on:  Glen Campbell - Glen Campbell: 20 Greatest Hits - Wichita Lineman   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  54. "Wipe Out" performed by The Surfaris
     Find it on:  The Surfaris - The Sunshine Collection - Wipe Out   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody
  55. "You Don't Own Me" performed by Lesley Gore
     Find it on:  Lesley Gore - 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus
  56. "Young Girl" performed by Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
     Find it on:  Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - Young Girl - The Best of Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - Young Girl   Amazon CD   Amazon mp3s   Rhapsody   Sheetmusicplus


The Best Songs Music Line

Find some of the best songs of the 1960s by selecting one of the links below:





Click on any of the links below to find the:


The Best Songs Music Line