3 Eternal British Invasion Standalone Singles That Will Play Forever

In the 1960s, the British were coming. Well, musically speaking, of course. While the blues, R&B and rock and roll were invented in America (largely by Black Americans), those records made their way over the United Kingdom and young musicians in the mid-20th century took those sounds and made them their own. Then those bands grew up and flocked back to the United States, creating an era of music known today as the British Invasion.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs that are both timeless and exemplify the music of the early 1960s. Indeed, these are three eternal British Invasion songs that will play forever.

[RELATED: The Top 8 British Invasion Bands of the ’60s]

“I Can’t Explain” by The Who (1964)

While many early British Invasion bands came onto the scene more mellow than brash, The Who pulled no bunches. They were explosive and wild right from the jump, as evidenced by this 1964 single. In fact, the song was mimicked off another early British Invasion band known for leaning more toward the rollicking than the soft—The Kinks. Said The Who’s Pete Townshend, who wrote the song as a teenager, “It can’t be beat for straightforward Kink copying.” And on it lead vocalist Roger Daltrey sings,

Got a feeling inside (can’t explain)
It’s a certain kind (can’t explain)
I feel hot and cold (can’t explain)
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (can’t explain)

I said (can’t explain)
I’m feeling good now, yeah, but (can’t explain)

“I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles (1963)

When it comes to bubblegum rock hits, this one takes the cake. There isn’t anything more early rock and roll than a mop-topped boy band singing about wanting to hold their crush’s hand. It’s flirty but not sexualized. It’s perfect for an audience of young tween fans just getting to know a band from across the pond. Turns out The Beatles knew what they were doing. And on the song, co-lead vocalists Paul McCartney and John Lennon sing,

Oh, yeah, I’ll tell you somethin’
I think you’ll understand
When I say that somethin’
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

Oh, please, say to me
You’ll let me be your man
And please, say to me
You’ll let me hold your hand
You’ll let me hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

“You Really Got Me” by The Kinks (1964)

In some circles, The Kinks are forgotten. That’s because the group was famously banned from touring in the United States at the height of both their career and the British Invasion. So, they remain less known compared to their counterparts like The Who, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Still, for those music fans who know the scoop, The Kinks remain essential listening. And this song about love and affection is at the top of the list of their early British Invasion catalog. Lead vocalist Ray Davies sings,

Girl, you really got me going
You got me so I don’t know what I’m doing
Yeah, you really got me now
You got me so I can’t sleep at night

Yeah, you really got me now
You got me so I don’t know what I’m doing, now
Oh, yeah, you really got me now
You got me so I can’t sleep at night
You really got me
You really got me
You really got me

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