27 Best Songs From 1966

“Working In The Coal Mine” by Lee Dorsey

 Allen Toussant wrote “Working In The Coal Mine” after he returned from Vietnam. Following the war, he started a record company in New Orleans. “Working In The Coal Mine,” as sung by Lee Dorsey was one of the first songs Toussant wrote and produced.

Its refrain, tackling the unsustainability of undervaluing and paying workers to do the incredibly demanding job, struck a chord in listeners. Although neither Toussant nor Dorsey knew the first thing about mining, the song resonated and became one of the best songs of 1966.

“River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner

“River Deep, Mountain High” is another example of good music from 1966. Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, the composers actively sought out Turner to sing the song.

But Ike Turner also wanted attribution. Eventually, the deal Spector struck released the singers from their existing contract and freed them to work with Spector.

The song was immediately popular. Famously, it captivated Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys on his first listen.

“Shapes of Things” by The Yardbirds

Like many sixties-era songs, “Shapes of Things” embraces pro-environment and anti-war themes in its lyrics.

It’s also distinctive for its sound. The use of a feedback-looped guitar contributes to its idiomatically Eastern tonality. To produce this experimental sound, guitarist Jeff Becks bent his guitar strings and focused on the resonant points of the instrument.

Its unlikely success contributed significantly to the later work of

• Paul McCartney
•  Jimmy Hendrix

“A Well-Respected Man” by The Kinks

Not only is “A Well-Respected Man” a stand-out example of good music in 1966, but it’s also one of The Kinks’ best-known songs.

The title is unwittingly clever. What would otherwise be a complimentary phrase becomes, in The Kinks’ hands, a wry and satirical commentary on society, especially its upper echelons.

Unsurprisingly, the inspiration for “A Well-Respected Man” owes to a holiday compers Davies took at a posh holiday retreat.

“A Groovy Kind of Love” by The Mindbenders

Despite being one of the best songs of 1966, the melody for “A Groovy Kind of Love” is much older. It was written by Muzio Clementi.

Toni Wine and Carol Bayer added the lyrics that made the song a hit and revamped the melody so that it fit the popular music conventions of the time. But at its core, the song is classical, which may explain its continued popularity.

“You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield

Not many people recognize “Io Che Non Vivo (Senza Te).” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” on the other hand, is its much better-known English equivalent.

It became a hit in 1966 when Dusty Springfield sang the English-language version. It was also one of Springfield’s most successful songs. Everyone in North America and Britain loved it.

It was so popular that in 1970, Elvis Presley recorded a version. But Springfield’s remains the rendition of the song most people recognize.

“Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys

Finally, The Beach Boys’ “Sloop John B” is an excellent example of good music in 1966.

It’s an unlikely candidate for one of the best songs of 1966 because it started as a folk song from Nassau. You can still hear the Calypso influence in the song’s rhythms and beats.

But Brian Wilson took most of his influence from The Kingston Trio’s adaptation of the melody, called ‘The Wreck of the Sloop John B.” Wilson updated the chord progressions and tweaked the harmonies. It became catchier and less folksy.

It was the right move. Today, when discussing “The Sloop John B” it’s The Beach Boys people immediately think of.

Top Songs From 1966, Final Thoughts

1966 was a fascinating year in music. The best songs of 1966 range from folk to jazz to R&B. No two songs are the same.

That’s as it should be because 1966 was at the epicenter of major cultural and political changes. The best artists capitalized on that and incorporated those themes into their music. As a result, many top songs from 1966 are full of powerful, often life-affirming messages. No wonder it continues to resonate with listeners today.