1965: The Year In Music

1965 – The first large-scale US Army ground units arrive in South Vietnam. The Indo-Pakistan war ends. Bob Dylan is booed at the Newport Folk Festival for using an electric guitar. “The Sound of Music” becomes one of the most popular films of its time. And some great tunes were released!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, judging them on their musicality and longevity, before giving an overall verdict on the year in music itself.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – My Girl (The Temptations)

We’re starting off strong for 1965’s ten biggest hits.

“My Girl” by The Temptations is one of the most feel-good songs you’ll ever hear, with a strong pre-chorus and an even catchier melodic riff.

9 – Crying in the Chapel (Elvis Presley)

I wasn’t expecting an Elvis Presley song to be so tender, but I appreciate the solemn and subdued direction that “Crying in the Chapel” takes.

8 – Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat (Herman’s Hermits)

I usually don’t mind Herman’s Hermits and their bouncing style of Pop, but “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” sounds a bit one-note.

7 – Help! (The Beatles)

“Help!” was one of Lennon’s personal favourites, and I can absolutely see why – the chorus hooks you immediately, and the lyrics come from a very real place.

6 – Downtown (Petula Clark)

I love these storytelling-type songs, and “Downtown” by Petula Clark is one of the best. It might not be the most adventurous musically, but it’s pleasant and catchy.

5 – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (The Righteous Brothers)

The Righteous Brothers are known for two incredible songs. I really hope the other one features on one of these lists, but I’m also happy to talk about “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'”.

Their overlapping vocals are phenomenal, and that chorus is one of the most powerful of the year. The final crescendo is awe-inspiring.

4 – You Were on My Mind (We Five)

It’s quite cool hearing a female-fronted band song so early on in music history, and “You Were on My Mind” uses that diverse range of vocals well. The second half of the song goes to some really exciting places.

3 – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)

One of the most iconic guitar riffs in music history, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” combines raw guitar tones with provocative lyrics to create the most audibly striking song of the year.

2 – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) (Four Tops)

Four Tops are Motown legends, and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” is their most endearing work.

1 – Wooly Bully (Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs)

“Wooly Bully” is … odd, to say the least.

It’s got a nice Bluesy groove and a funny overall tone, so I guess I can give it a pass. But it’s weird to think this was the most popular song of 1965.

FAVOURITE – “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (The Rolling Stones)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” (Herman’s Hermits)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob Dylan)

Spoiler alert – you’re about to see a lot of Bob Dylan songs on this highest-rated list. Like in 1963, he dominates the top ten with five entries … but this time around I think his output was a lot more varied.

The piano and guitar sound really good together, and Dylan’s lyrics are as masterful as always.

9 – Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (The Beatles)

“Rubber Soul” had two all-time great Lennon contributions, and I always go back and forth on “Norwegian Wood” and the other song (more on that later) for my favourite on the album.

The ethereal production and lyrics on this one has always made it a personal favourite, and the Sitar signified the start of a huge change in both the Beatles’ and western music as a whole.

8 – Subterranean Homesick Blues (Bob Dylan)

I love the Swing vibe that Dylan goes for, and the extended instrumentation makes his tracks much more dynamic.

7 – Desolation Row (Bob Dylan)

“Highway 61 Revisited” ends with an eleven-minute epic. While “Desolation Row” drags in some places, it’s brilliant in others.

6 – Feeling Good (Nina Simone)

The acapella opening leading to the deep brass riff is one of the best intros in music history, and Simone’s overall vocals on “Feeling Good” are fantastic.

5 – Sinnerman (Nina Simone)

“Sinnerman” is a ten-minute masterclass in performance and storytelling, with amazing lyrics and instrument work.

4 – Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan)

I think I prefer the Byrds cover, but Dylan’s original take on “Mr. Tambourine Man” is still a classic in its own right.

It’s more stripped-back and acoustic than other songs of his from the year, and the lyrics are as immersive as always.

3 – Yesterday (The Beatles)

“Yesterday” marked the first time a Beatle wrote and performed a song solo, and McCartney’s brilliance shines through in every second of this track.

George Martin’s string arrangement is exquisite, and McCartney’s vocals and lyrics are suitably lamentful.

2 – In My Life (The Beatles)

Lennon was on a rampage in 1965, and his best effort of the year – “In My Life” – is one of the best songs he ever wrote.

There’s a maturity beyond his years in the lyrics, and the vocal harmonies are to die for.

1 – Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)

“Like A Rolling Stone” was one of those songs growing up that everyone claimed was awesome but I just couldn’t see it … until one day it finally clicked.

It’s Dylan’s best song, with a fantastic chord sequence and a lyrical hook that never fails to stir emotions within me.

BEST SONG OF 1965 – “Like A Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan)

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Otis Blue / Otis Redding Sings Soul (Otis Redding)

I really like Otis Redding’s take on Blues and Soul covers, and individual tracks like “My Girl” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” are lively interpretations of classics.

4 – Bringing It All Back Home (Bob Dylan)

Bob Dylan was on another rampage in 1965, and his lesser-renowned album “Bringing It All Back Home” is still fantastic.

I love his new approach to songwriting and the expanded instrumentation, as it makes tracks like “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Maggie’s Farm” stand out even more.

3 – A Love Supreme (John Coltrane)

John Coltrane was back at it again in 1965 releasing some of the best Jazz music around.

This four-track epic has a great energy throughout, and Coltrane’s saxophone skills are as electric as always.

2 – Rubber Soul (The Beatles)

Up until “Rubber Soul”, the Beatles had released five successful albums that leaned mostly into Pop and little experimentation. That all changed in 1965.

Tracks like “In My Life” and “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” have become more iconic than words can describe, and there isn’t a lacklustre moment on the album.

1 – Highway 61 Revisited (Bob Dylan)

“Highway 61 Revisited” opens with “Like A Rolling Stone”, which was already enough to earn the album a place in this top five.

The rest of the record is really great too, with songs like “Ballad of a Thin Man” and “Desolation Row” reaffirming Dylan’s status as music history’s greatest lyricist.

BEST ALBUM OF 1965 – “Rubber Soul” (The Beatles)

Final Thoughts

There were some really good songs and albums in 1965, but the year as a whole was lacking the extra oomph that made the previous year so special.

Overall Grade: C+

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: