If you were to put together a time capsule commemorating the 1960s to bury underground for others to dig up centuries from now, what would you put into it? That decade was certainly an important one in history, including music history. Putting just three songs from the 1960s into a time capsule is no easy feat. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of songs that I would personally include.
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The following are just three tunes that I believe should make the cut. I should really make this into a series, considering The Beatles alone would take up dozens of entries. Let’s walk down memory lane, shall we?
“Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan (1965)
How many Bob Dylan songs could make it to this short little list? Definitely more than one can count on their fingers. However, I think “Subterranean Homesick Blues” is one of Dylan’s finest songs that really showcases what 1960s counterculture was like back in the day.
He packs so many references to the era in this song, and the whole of the track has that bluesy, folky sound anyone would associate with the 1960s. Fun fact: This was Bob Dylan’s first single to make it to the Top 40 in the United States.
“Crazy” by Patsy Cline (1961)
“Crazy” by Patsy Cline is by far the country crooner’s most famous tune, and for good reason. It’s a gorgeous, timeless song that is still loved by fans of the genre today. And we couldn’t leave a country song off of this list, considering the 1960s boasted one of the best eras for the genre.
“Crazy” was written by the legendary Willie Nelson and sung, stunningly, by Patsy Cline. That glittering piano track, that frolicking bass, Cline’s clear and emotional vocals. There’s so much to love about this song. More than a few fans likely cried their eyes out to this tune following a breakup, at least once.
“Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Quite a few songs by folk rock icon Neil Young would be worthy of a time capsule dedicated to the 1960s. “Cinnamon Girl” is a personal favorite from 1969, marking the end of a decade and an interesting couple of transitional years in folk rock music. “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young and the band Crazy Horse is a power chord-filled delight, complete with a solo that only features a single, solitary note. It’s such an inventive song, yet it manages not to be too weird for its genre. A classic.
Photo by Everett/Shutterstock
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