The 40 Best Songs of 1966

Numbers 25 to 21

25. Reach Out, I’ll Be There – The Four Tops

The Tops spent two weeks at number one with this Motown classic. Levi Stubbs really tears it up with growls and shouts. The bunch at American Idol have played this song to death, but it still holds its power despite the overuse and deserves its place on this list.

24. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Ray Charles

Here’s another video that I made. Ray Charles and Betty Boop do make an interesting combo. While you would think the song was about drugs, it’s actually a drinking song. It went to number one on the R&B charts and was one of Ray’s best songs of the late 60’s.

23. Break Down and Let It All Out – Nina Simone

This may be a surprising choice that you might be unfamiliar with, but I adore Nina Simone. This was never a single. It was a track off her album “Wild is the Wind.” It is also a tremendous song and Nina sings with such passion and feeling that you get completely drawn in. Check it out. I hope you like it.

22. You’re Gonna Miss Me – The 13^th Floor Elevators

The boys from Austin are back with their only real hit single. It only went to number 55, but has grown to be a true classic and found new fans when it was used in a commercial for Dell computers back in ’06.

21. And Your Bird Can Sing – The Beatles

One of the best guitar hooks in the Fab Four’s repertoire. Just a great song.

Comments and opinions are welcome and encouraged.

Thank you for your interest.