By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
I graduated from high school in 1969, and the summer music of the 60s transport me back in time with sweet memories and lots of laughter. Now, for all of you who are doing the math and have calculated my age—keep it to yourself. 😊
Who can resist the summer hits of the 60s? I’ve listed twelve of my favorites and links to the YouTube recordings. Note, I could have listed a hundred more, but these are special.
- “Dancing in the Street,” recorded by Martha and the Vandellas and released in 1964.
- “Happy Together,” recorded by The Turtles and released in 1965.
- “Under the Boardwalk,” recorded by the Drifters in 1966. Other groups recorded this song, but the Drifters introduced the world to tune and lyrics first.
- “Summer in the City,” recorded by the Lovin’ Spoonful was released in July 1966. I remember the county fair and a boyfriend.
- “Good Day Sunshine,” recorded by the Beatles and released in 1966.
- “I Saw Her Again,” recorded by The Mamas and the Papas and released in 1966.
- “Ode to Billy Jo,” recorded by Billy Gentry and released in 1967. This song was one of my super favorites.
- “All You Need is Love,” recorded by the Beatles in 1967.
- “Windy,” recorded by the Associations flew to the top of the charts in July 1967.
- “Mrs. Robinson,” recorded by Simon and Garfunkel and released in 1968.
- “Sugar, Sugar” recorded by The Archies in 1969 set my feet to dancin’. That song made many a graduation party.
- “Sweet Caroline,” recorded by Neil Diamond in 1969. He always released the best songs.
This site offers 100 Summer Hits of the 60s. I encourage you to build your 2024 Summer Playlist from these amazing hits.
What are your favorite songs from the summer hits of the 60s?
Comments 33
LOVE this playlist! I was born in 1967, but I know the ’60s music well from my older siblings and parents. Two of my faves are The Girl from Iponema and Venus — both songs that had remakes later that I love too. So fun! Thanks for posting this.
Thanks, Kristine. I remember those songs – nearly classics. I so much fun with this blog post. I really wanted to add ten more to the list!
DiAnn, I graduated in 1973 and my sister graduated in 1968. I have enjoyed music of every decade from the 50’s to the 70’s and beyond. I had to laugh as I was reading through your list. My musical mind was singing each song momentarily. Great groups and amazing songs. Yes, I recall the supervision at my high school dances in the gym, too. Earlier, one person said, and I often quote, “Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end, we sing and dance forever and a day.”
Marlena, at the time, we thought the days would never end. Oh, youth, so full of hopes and dreams. We loved our music and still do today.
What fun! Thanks for the memories of these great songs, DiAnn. I was entering my teen years in the late 60s but that decade holds my favorite music, just above Big Band tunes. Whenever I need a lift, am doing a boring task, or want to stay young at heart, I listen to these songs.
I recently sang Henry the 8th to my new grandson, Henry, and his older brother thought it was the best! He danced along with me.
I will keep the link to the 100 so they are all in one place.
Oh, Karen, so glad I made you smile. Those are the best songs ever – and our grandkids get us, even if their parents don’t. 🙂
Love the list, brings back great memories as I’m and 1969 grad also.
Teresa, we have more than music in common. A lot of good and not-so-good things happened in the 60s, but we had amazing music.
I love your list DiAnn! I’m also a 1969 graduate and I remember listening to many of these songs while I sorted roses at my first paying job that summer. So many good memories!
Hi Debbie, we have a few things in common! Love Love Love the 60s music! Be blessed!
Love this! I’ve been a huge fan of 60s and 70s music basically since I was born, lol. “Happy Together” played in the background of our wedding slideshow twenty years ago. What a fun list!! 🙂
Hi Jessie, I’m not sure how “Happy Together” missed my list. When I asked my 17 year old granddaughter if she knew the song, and she said yes!
Great List! I’m a 1978 graduate and I have almost all of these songs on my Apple Music!
Karen, you have fabulous taste in music. 🙂 Whenever I hear a song from the 60s, my mind goes back to whatever I was doing at the time. Great memories! And the 70s music stepped into our play lists with more fun too.
High school class of ’66. Wow, what memories. Or as Mary Hopkin would sing, “Those were the days, my friend…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GielMXWQlbw
Thank you for that. Nice summer thoughts.
Karen, The 60s music live on. I’ve been a teen all day. 🙂
Tim, “We thought they’d never end.” LOL How about a duet?
Thanks for the memories!
Class of 65 in the great Buckeye state.
Just love it!!
Let’s go to the sock hop and get the spirit moving.
Thank you for making me smile ( and tap my toes!!
Oh, Joyce, you made me smile! Remember the school dances in the gym? The teachers making sure we behaved ourselves? Great memories!
You have taken me back in time, DiAnn. I graduated in 1972 so I am right behind you. Thanks for the memories!
Barbara, in writing the blog post, I was a teen again. No wrinkles. No baggy skin. Just fun.
Herman’s Hermits was my favorite group. In 1968 when I was 14 I got to see them in Birmingham at the “Shower of Stars” which also included Paul Revere and the Raiders. Great memories. Many years later I got to meet “Herman” and have my picture made with him.
Gail! Herma’s Hermits – how could I leave them off the list. Now my mind is singing “I’m Henry the 8th I am.”
I remember each and every one of these songs, DiAnn! I was a teeny-bopper when the Monkees were on television, so of course, they were my favorite group at the time along with Paul Revere and the Raiders. Thanks for the memories!
Martha, those British groups stole our hearts! Yes, the Monkees and their TV show. Remember Ed Sullivan? “A reeeeely good show.”
I agree! I graduated from high school in 1965 and it was a very good decade for music. Of course, I love so many types of music from church hymns to classical. One of my very favorite compositions is “Rhapsody in Blue.” I have such fond memories of listening to it as a little girl when Paul Whiteman and his orchestra performed it
My parents taught me to love music because they enjoyed it so much.
Linda, “Rhapsody in Blue” is so very good. The hymns, the contemporary songs that rose during the Jesus Movement. All so very good.
Even though I was a baby born toward the end of summer, as well as toward the end of the 60s, I love these songs. Thank you for this wonderful playlist!
Maureen, you are so welcome. Those old songs bring back fun memories!
The 60s was certainly a good time to be a teenager if you enjoyed music. My 60s years were about 5 years earlier than yours, DiAnn, but the songs were much the same, a lot of feel good, bubble gum music like these songs: Fools Rush In; Surfin’ U.S.A.; Rhythm of the Rain; California Girls; Young World; Soul and Inspiration. It was a great time to be a kid in the good ol’ USA.
You are so right, Harry. Your list of songs transports me back to what I was doing then. So fun!
Love your list DiAnn! I was a younger girl but my dad always had the radio on in the car which instilled in me a love of music. My favourites were Happy Together, Harper Valley PTA and anything by the Monkees!
Valerie, oh yes, the Monkeys. They had some great songs. I asked my 17 year old granddaughter if she knew Happy Together, and she did! Our list lives on.