Music Blogs

The 1950s saw the birth of rock and roll and the golden era of jazz in the United States, but 1960 marked the start of a decade that would see an explosion in popular music genres. The continued expansion and consumption of blues, rock, jazz, soul, folk and country music helped to mold the nation during an era of transition.

This playlist features 40 of the very best songs released during the year 1960. Please note: the albums listed are not necessarily the original album on which the song appeared.

In the year 1960:

-The President of the United States was Dwight D. Eisenhower 

-A gallon of gasoline cost 31 cents

-The cost of a new home averaged $16,500

-The Beatles had not yet released an album, but were honing the skills that would make them the most influential band in history

-Racial segregation is sill alive and well in the United States

-The US announces that 3,500 American troops will be sent to Vietnam

-US Senator John F. Kennedy wins the Democratic primary and becomes the party's Presidential nominee

-OPEC is formed

-Musicians Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Michael Hutchence (INXS), Bono (U2), Adam Clayton, (U2), Roger Taylor (Duran Duran), Steve Vai, Branford Marsalis and Joan Jett are born

The Best Songs of 1960

1. Beyond The Sea - Bobby Darin

2. Back Door Man - Howlin' Wolf 

3. No More Doggin' - John Lee Hooker 

4. This Magic Moment - The Drifters

5. Think - James Brown 

6. Baby, You Got What It Takes - Dinah Washington

7. Crazy - Patsy Cline 

8. Nice 'N' Easy - Frank Sinatra 

9. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters

10. My Favorite Things - John Coltrane

11. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke 

12. Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley

13. The Theme From "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith

14. Lonely Avenue - Ray Charles 

15. I Couldn't Keep From Crying - Johnny Cash

16. Back At The Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith

17. Walking To New Orleans - Fats Domino 

18. Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison

19. He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves

20. Bye Bye Johnny - Chuck Berry 

21. Cathy's Clown - The Everly Brothers

22. Greenfields - The Brothers Four

23. Harbor Lights - The Platters 

24. Devil Or Angel - Bobby Vee

25. Lonely Blue Boy - Conway Twitty

26. Sink The Bismark - Johnny Horton

27. Shop Around - Smokey Robinson 

28. Tell Laura I Love Her - Ray Peterson

29. Lonely Weekends - Charlie Rich

30. Stairway To Heaven - Neil Sedaka 

31. Puppy Love - Paul Anka

32. Let's Have A Party - Wanda Jackson

33. Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop - Little Anthony 

34. Sweet Nothin's - Brenda Lee

35. Stuck On You - Elvis Presley