Many teens finally scored their very first car way back in 1963, and they promptly cranked up the car stereo volume to these three radio hits. If you were one such teen back in the day, these songs might just make you feel very nostalgic.
“Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys from ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.’
I couldn’t leave The Beach Boys off this list. This group was all the rage with teens in 1963, and “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is still one of their most memorable career hits. Written by Brian Wilson (and Chuck Berry, as “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is technically a rewrite of Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen”), “Surfin’ U.S.A.” was a smash hit on the charts. It made it all the way to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that year. And few songs are more closely associated with the California Sound of the 1960s.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals from ‘Philles Records Presents Today’s Hits’
How about some girl group goodness? This tune by The Crystals was a pretty big deal back in 1963. “Then He Kissed Me” reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 chart and No. 2 on the UK Singles chart. And, going back to The Beach Boys: they released their own version of “Then He Kissed Me” titled “Then I Kissed Her” in 1965. Their rock-oriented version was also a hit, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles chart.
“Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen from ‘The Kingsmen In Person’
I don’t think there’s a 60s teen alive that doesn’t have “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen burned into their brain. Teens really did love this entry on our list of 1963 songs, likely due to its ahead-of-the-time sound and proto-punk energy.
This famous cover of a Richard Berry soul song from the 50s was a smash hit for The Kingsmen. Their version peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 in Canada. Lyrically, the song brought in some controversy for the band, as some listeners believed it was vulgar. But a little controversy can be good, especially when you’re making a name for yourself in the music industry.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
More Features
-
A portrait of American singer and actor Elvis Presley wearing a purple shirt circa 1956. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images) -
Singer Patsy Cline poses for a portrait session circa 1960. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
The Beatles at the press launch for their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London, 19th May 1967. Left to right: George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Ringo Starr, John Lennon (1940 – 1980) and Paul McCartney. (Photo by John Downing/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
Stevie Nicks, who wrote one of the biggest hit songs of 1977 -
American rock group The Doors L-R John Densmore, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger pose for an Electra Records publicity still circa 1969. (Photo by Electra Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
