1969, the final year of the 60’s – The Apollo 11 Lunar Module lands on the moon, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on its surface. The isolation of a single gene is announced by scientists at Harvard University. Monty Python, the famous British comedy troupe, forms. Both Scooby-Doo and Sesame Street premier on TV. Not a bad year to end the decade!
I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles
Source: Wikipedia
10 – Crimson and Clover (Tommy James and the Shondells)
I really like the laid-back vibe of “Crimson and Clover” – it sounds so different to other hits, which is something I can appreciate.
9 – Build Me Up Buttercup (The Foundations)
A classic karaoke song, it doesn’t get much more fun than “Build Me Up Buttercup”.
8 – I’ll Never Fall in Love Again (Tom Jones)
Tom Jones had one of the great voices of the 60’s. “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” is fairly standard, but the vocal performance makes it.
7 – Hot Fun in the Summertime (Sly and the Family Stone)
I know Sly and the Family Stone for their harder-hitting songs, so it was great to hear a more chill track from them.
“Hot Fun in the Summertime” almost sounds like a precursor to Chicago – vibrant strings and trumpets, fast piano work, and some sunny lyrics.
6 – Dizzy (Tommy Roe)
“Dizzy” has a great drum-bass groove, and the vocals are some of the catchiest of the year. Those key changes are euphoric.
5 – Everyday People (Sly and the Family Stone)
This is more what I expected from Sly and the Family Stone!
It’s hella funky to the point where it’s impossible not to dance along, and the lyrics hit just as hard today as they did then.
4 – Honky Tonk Women (The Rolling Stones)
Cowbell was a bold choice to start the song, but it pays dividends by the end.
The Rolling Stones always have great vocals and guitar riffs, and “Honky Tonk Women” is no exception. Great chorus too.
3 – I Can’t Get Next to You (The Temptations)
“I Can’t Get Next to You” has one of my favourite vocal performances of the year – you can always trust The Temptations to provide the goods.
2 – Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In (The 5th Dimension)
“Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” is made up of two distinct, equally awesome sections.
The first half is insanely catchy and danceable, but then the “Let the Sunshine In” refrain digs into your brain. I know it was originally in the musical “Hair” in 1967, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic.
1 – Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
It may be sickly sweet at times, but “Sugar, Sugar” is nothing if not harmless. It won’t be my favourite song of 1969, and on some days I hate how overplayed it is, but when I’m in a good mood it hits well.
FAVOURITE – “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” (The 5th Dimension)
LEAST FAVOURITE – “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” (Tom Jones)
If you think “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In” should be disqualified for the fact it originally released in a 1967 musical, then I’ll pass the award to “Everyday People”.
Top-Rated Songs
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
10 – Come Together (The Beatles)
I’m sorry, how the hell is “Come Together” only tenth in this list?!?
It’s The Beatles working in perfect harmony, with all-time great bass, drums and lyrics. The remaining nine songs must be incredible …
9 – Dazed And Confused (Led Zeppelin)
John Paul Jones gives us one of the best basslines of all time, and the rest of “Dazed And Confused” is fantastic too.
This is also the first of many “Led Zeppelin Breakdowns”, where the band switch gears completely halfway through before bringing it all back home with the iconic riff to provide a listening experience like no other.
8 – Pale Blue Eyes (The Velvet Underground)
Probably the most popular Velvet Underground song, “Pale Blue Eyes” is chill and easy-listening.
I find Lou Reed’s voice to be hit-or-miss, but this is one of those instances where his vocal tones hit the spot.
7 – Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles)
George Harrison went on an absolute rampage when writing songs for “Abbey Road”, as “Here Comes The Sun” and another song I’ll talk about soon have both gone down as two of his very best works.
This is one of the most joyous Beatles songs of all, and I love the time signature changes in the bridge.
6 – Something (The Beatles)
Another Harrison classic, on some days I consider “Something” to be my favourite Beatles song of all.
It’s one of the most endearing love ballads of all time, with a moving chorus and some absolutely euphoric bridges.
5 – Epitaph (King Crimson)
It’s a little slower than some of the other songs on the iconic King Crimson album, but “Epitaph” is still a great experience.
It sounds almost like a Bond ballad – that’s the level of gorgeous melodrama we’re talking about.
4 – 21st Century Schizoid Man (King Crimson)
The opening song on the album, and my favourite King Crimson track.
“21st Century Schizoid Man” is Prog Rock at its finest, with nightmarish breakdowns and energetic woodwind sections that hold your attention and never let it go.
3 – The Court Of The Crimson King (King Crimson)
The album started strong, so it only makes sense to have the finale be a banger too.
The vocal harmonies are divine, and the motif played by multiple instruments of the orchestra create a through-line that kept me engaged over the whole ten minutes.
2 – Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones)
The Rolling Stones won the award for “Best Song” in 1968, and they have a good shout at winning 1969’s award too.
“Gimme Shelter” is one of the all-time great war protest songs, and Mick Jagger goes mental on vocals for the final half.
1 – Space Oddity (David Bowie)
We’ve finally reached the era of my favourite songwriter ever, and he couldn’t have made a better first big hit.
“Space Oddity” is already Bowie at his weirdest and most experimental, and the tale he weaves of Major Tom’s catastrophic space voyage was timed to perfection with the imminent launch of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module.
BEST SONG OF 1969 – “Something” (The Beatles)
Top-Rated Albums
Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com
5 – In A Silent Way (Miles Davis)
In a decade that started with a torrent of Blues and Jazz songs / albums, I’m glad Miles Davis got one final shout-out.
There are only two songs on the album (yes, you read that right), but they’re both filled to the brim with Miles Davis goodness so I can’t complain.
4 – Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin)
In the year that The Beatles called it quits, a new group of rock titans took centre stage.
“Good Times Bad Times” is a helluva opening statement, and other tracks like “Dazed and Confused”, “Communication Breakdown” and “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” make this a fantastic debut album. But I think Led Zeppelin can do one better …
3 – Led Zeppelin II (Led Zeppelin)
Not the most imaginative title for the band’s second album, but the musical quality has improved across the board!
“Whole Lotta Love”, “Ramble On”, “Heartbreaker” and “Moby Dick” are tracks I listen to far more than songs from the debut album, and you can tell Led Zeppelin are starting to get comfortable in – and perfect – their style.
2 – In The Court Of The Crimson King (King Crimson)
Compared to other music in the era, there isn’t an album quite like “In The Court Of The Crimson King”.
It’s a Prog Rock masterclass that dances between chaotic tracks and calming tones with ease, so it’s no wonder three of the five tracks ended up making the highest-rated list. “Moonchild” is too long and slow for my tastes, however, which stops the album from being my favourite of the year.
1 – Abbey Road (The Beatles)
It’s my favourite album of all time. It contains some of my favourite songs of all time. This is The Beatles and producer George Martin on tip-top form. I have no complaints about “Abbey Road” topping this list.
The first half of the album is a laundry list of iconic tracks like “Something”, “Here Comes The Sun” and “Come Together”, with a smattering of underrated gems like “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and “Because”, and the medley in the second half takes your breath away again and again. Sheer perfection.
BEST ALBUM OF 1969 – “Abbey Road” (The Beatles)
Final Thoughts
No complaints from me – the hits, high-rated song and albums were all good, with some even being spectacular. A fantastic year for music overall.
Overall Grade: A-
BONUS – The Decade Reviewed
Since we’ve reached the end of the first decade in this review series, I thought it apt to review the 1960’s music scene as a whole.
The high-rated songs and albums still hold up as all-timers in their own regard, but some of the hits haven’t aged all that well. It’ll be interesting to see if hits from the 70’s and 80’s were as forgettable as some of these – but those questions are exactly why I started this series in the first place!
The 60’s started with four lacklustre years and ended with four incredible ones. Perfectly balanced, like all things should be.
Decade Grade: B
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