4 of the Best Bubblegum Pop Songs from the 1960s

The novelty of bubblegum pop eventually wore off and critics dismissed the music as disposable.

Though the genre rose to prominence in 1967, the roots lay earlier in the decade. (The Angels’ hit below is one of many precursors.) The Music Explosion covered “Little Bit O’ Soul” in 1967, which ushered in bubblegum pop’s more fully formed sound. Ramones covered “Little Bit O’ Soul” too, and used the catchiness of ’60s pop as a blueprint for their punk rock earworms.

Aimed at the youth, it’s like the flavor of chewing gum, immediately sweet and satisfying, though the taste soon disappears. However, not all bubblegum hits faded. Many endured as classic pieces of 1960s pop culture.

Check out these four delicious jams below.

“Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies from Everything’s Archie (1969)

There probably isn’t anything more bubblegum than a pop song called “Sugar, Sugar.” The Archies, a fictional rock band, appeared in the animated TV series The Archie Show. When R.E.M. created their jangly hit “Shiny Happy People,” Michael Stipe glimpsed the popular sounds of his childhood with bands like The Archies, The Monkees, and The Banana Splits. Meanwhile, Wilson Pickett cut a fainting R&B version in 1970.

“I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tommy James & the Shondells from I Think We’re Alone Now (1967)

Choosing which Tommy James & the Shondells hit is a toss-up between “Crimson and Clover” and “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The first track, later covered by Joan Jett, mixes bubblegum pop with psychedelia, driven by a dusty tremolo guitar. And “I Think We’re Alone Now” is bubblegum pop meets garage rock. Running against the opening warning of children behave, a young couple eventually finds themselves alone, separated by nothing but their beating hearts. As a teen pop star, Tiffany gave it new life in 1987.

“My Boyfriend’s Back” by The Angels from My Boyfriend’s Back (1963)

Songwriter Bob Feldman witnessed an argument between a boy and a girl in a soda shop and quickly scribbled the young woman’s words on a napkin. Though the record label wanted The Shirelles to record the song, Feldman insisted it be given to The Angels. “My Boyfriend’s Back” became a summer hit, reaching No. 1 in 1963. The young love innocence of ’60s bubblegum pop lay in its soft language: My boyfriend’s back and you’re gonna be in trouble / When you see him coming, better cut out on the double.

“I’m a Believer” by The Monkees from More of the Monkees (1967)

Written by Neil Diamond and released as a single in 1966, “I’m a Believer” reached No. 1 and stayed there for seven weeks. The track also features session ace Al Gorgoni on guitar—he played on many hits, including “The Sound of Silence,” “Brown Eyed Girl,” and “Sugar, Sugar.” Jeff Barry, who produced and co-wrote “Sugar, Sugar,” also produced “I’m a Believer.” Amidst the hype of Beatlemania, The Monkees were manufactured for an NBC sitcom, then they became one of the decade’s top-selling bands.

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