These three legendary psychedelic rock songs are the best examples of the subgenre. They epitomized the sound of the 1960s and rewrote rock history. If you want to get into psychedelic rock, these three tracks are a great place to start. They are the building blocks of this singular era of rock music.
“Tomorrow Never Knows” by The Beatles
“Lay down all thoughts / Surrender to the void / It is shining / It is shining…That you may see / The meaning of within / It is being / It is being,” the lyrics to The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” read. The Beatles weren’t only known for psychedelia, but they sure had their moments. They helped popularize this subgenre after retiring their blues, mop-top act. This track remains a high point from that era of their sound.
Videos by American Songwriter
“That love is all / That love is everyone / It is knowing / It is knowing,” the lyrics continue. This song hits all the necessary angles of psychedelic rock. It’s heady and emotionally surrendered. Inspired by Eastern philosophy, the song capitalizes on The Beatles’ spiritual journey. They would eventually move away from this sound, but not before establishing it for future generations to build on.
“Eight Miles High” by The Byrds
The Byrds’ “Eight Miles High” mixes folk-rock with psychedelic tones. This song was the perfect bridge between the softer sounds of 1960s rock and the burgeoning horizon of psychedelia.
“Eight miles high, and when you touch down / You’ll find that it’s stranger than known / Signs in the street, that say where you’re going / Are somewhere just being their own…Nowhere is there warmth to be found / Among those afraid of losing their ground,” the lyrics read. This track is largely considered the first psychedelic rock song. This track completely redirected the history of rock music.
“See Emily Play” by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd also ventured into many genres, but they leaned heavily into psychedelia with “See Emily Play.” This whimsical track has childlike pop melodies, making it surprisingly digestible for these art-rockers.
“Emily tries but misunderstands, ah ooh / She’s often inclined to borrow somebody’s dreams till tomorrow / There is no other day / Let’s try it another way / You’ll lose your mind and play / Free games for May / See Emily play,” the lyrics read. This song is textbook psychedelia, with hard-to-pin-down lyrics and kaleidoscopic sounds.
Photo by Jim Gray/Keystone/Getty Images
More The List
-
English pop group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) rehearsing for their appearance on the BBC TV music show 'Top Of The Pops', London, 11th October 1973. The band are miming to their single 'Showdown'. Left to right: Bev Bevan (drums), Mike Edwards (1948 – 2010), Rick Pannell, Jeff Lynne, Mik Kaminski and Mike de Albuquerque. Pannell is the band's sound engineer and is standing in (miming only) as second cellist after the departure of Colin Walker from the group. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Photo by Robert Kern/Getty Images -
(MANDATORY CREDIT David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Van Halen posing in Arizona in the United States, 1978 October. (Photo by David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty Images) -
Patty Loveless on 6/29/96 in Chicago, Il. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) -
Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images -
Steve Winwood performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater on August 25,1986 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
The Beatles – Rough Scan Only. Interview with Paul McCartney of The Beatles – on day after premiere of television film Magical Mystery Tour – meeting was held at his St Johns Wood home in London 27th December 1967. -
American Rock and Pop musician Tom Petty (1950 – 2017) plays electric guitar as he performs, with his band the Heartbreakers, during the 'Southern Accents' tour at Brendan Byrne Arena (later known as Meadowlands Arena), East Rutherford, New Jersey, June 15, 1985. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)