Songs are musical compositions describing something or some incidents in life. They also vary from region to region; you will find different songs from different parts of the world. And they also vary according to era. When you hear the songs of today and the 1900s, you will see the huge difference between them. The difference between the compositions and melodies has changed a lot. The taste of music has changed. But still, some really good songs are famous and are heard by people of all generations.
1967 has been the golden era of songs. The songs of that time are still heard today. Let’s have a look at some of the top hits of 1967 that are still heard today.
1. Let’s Spend the Night Together – The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones originally released this song in January 1967. It was a double A-sided single together along with another song, ‘Ruby Tuesday.’ The song was the opening track of their album ‘Between the Buttons,’ released in the American version.
This song was recorded in RCA Records Studio in Hollywood, California. It was another great down and dirty rock n roll single. The controversy was raised due to the song’s title, and Mick Jagger was made to change it to ‘Let’s spend some time together.’ But still, this song proved to be an amazing kick-start of the year.
2. Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles
This hit song was sung by the famous English rock band ‘The Beatles’, written by John Lennon. It was again a double A-side single with the song ‘Penny Lane.’ It was released on 13 February 1967.
The song is quite close to Lennon because it is related to Liverpool’s Strawberry Field children’s home and the ground where he spent his childhood. This place inspired him to write the amazing hits of his life. This pop song was not only a song but was also a great step towards the group’s development, and it was a trendsetter for the songs of that year.
3. Respect – Aretha Franklin
This song belongs to American singer-songwriter Otis Redding but got famous when Aretha Franklin sang it as her signature song. These two versions are quite different from one another. There are few changes in lyrics as well, and it can be said that these two versions represent two different stories.
It was released in March 1967 and recorded in Atlantic Studio of New York City. Due to this song, Aretha got many awards, including two Grammy Awards. This version of Aretha’s song shows a strong and confidant who will do anything for her man, and in return, she just demands respect.
4. Purple Haze – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Purple Haze was released in April 1967 by the artist, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was his second single. This song has amazing guitar skills and his unique signature chord. This song is a mix of blue and eastern modalities. Hendrix likes to describe it as a love song.
It was recorded in De Lane Lea studio in London. This was Hendrix’s one of the best songs and has been part of his many albums. This song was made a part of the Grammy Hall of Fame and is also known as the greatest guitar songs.
5. Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks
Waterloo Sunset was sung by the British Rock band, The Kinks. It was featured on their album ‘Something Else by Kinks.’The song was produced and composed by their frontman Ray Davies. It hit the records and reached number 2 in British records. It was in the top 10 lists of Australia, New Zealand, and most parts of Europe.
The track was a pop and psychedelic rock that proved to be a great boost to their music career. It is also the band’s best-known song till today.
6. A Whiter Shade of Pale – Procol Harum
This song was the debut single of the British rock band, ProcolHarum, released in May 1967. This debut song was a massive hit and reached number 1 on the UK singles chart. It also reached billboard hot 100 charts in the United States and kept on trending for almost six weeks.
The song was a Baroque Pop, recorded in Olympic Sound Studio of London. This track even won the band an award for‘Best British Pop Single’ at the Brit Awards.
7. Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
Ode to Billie Joe was released in 1967 by the Mississippi-born Bobbie Gentry. This Ode is her self-penned, enigmatic lament for Billie Joe. This song is a perfect counterpoint to the kaleidoscope of excess in 1967. It is the main track of Bobbie Gentry’s debut studio album. Ode to the Billie Joe with eerily effective strings, sensuous vocals, and an air of mystery helped Gentry gaining eight Grammy nominations.
The song was the number one hit in the US within the three weeks of release. Being one of the big international sellers, Billboard ranked the record as the No.3 song of the year. It has some iconic lyrics that made the final cut.
Later, Gentry released the shorter version, which left more of the story to the listener’s imagination and made the single more suitable for the radio airplay.
8. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
No doubt Beatles owned the year 1967 artistically, but in terms of popularity and commercial success, The Monkees was a total hit. The song was a number one single and album on both sides of the Atlantic and UK. The band released ‘Daydream Believer’ in November 1967.
This song can make anyone feel better in an instant. Being a Daydream Believer means to be hopeful about your future, and being a ‘Homecoming Queen’ means to stay confident because a homecoming queen needs confidence. The song is composed by American songwriter John Stewart before he left the Kingston Trio.
‘Daydream Believer’ was recorded by The Monkees, with Davy Jones singing in the lead. This song is the perfect example of The Monkees’ timeless sunshine pop.
9. A Day in the Life – The Beatles
The Beatles is not a new name even to this generation. The fantastic music band ended the year at number one in the album charts, having spent six months at the top of the tree with only two albums from The Monkees challenging its domination.
A Day in the Life is considered one of the best songs by the Beatles, composed by Lennon and McCartney. No doubt, this song has the best of Lennon and the best of McCartney. According to Lennon, the inspiration for this song was the death of Tara Browne, the 21-year-old heir to the Guinness fortune who had crashed his car in 1966. Browne was a friend of Lennon and McCartney.
With this one song alone, the Beatles encapsulated the spirit of adventure and innovation inherent in the music of 1967. For music lovers and people of a certain mindset, popular music doesn’t get any better than this!
1967 – The Era of Pop Bands
1967 was indeed the best year for music. With the Beatles and The Monkees making their mark in the music world, the industry also got some amazing artists like Bobbie Gentry. Songs of 1967 still remain the favorites of many generations. Hence, we can predict that they will be the favorites of the coming generations too.