Introduction

If you are not old enough to have grown up in the ’60s as part of the peace, love and flower power generation, then maybe a night of 60s karaoke songs will give you the opportunity to show off your inner ‘hippie vibe’ performing some of the greatest songs ever recorded.

Artists such as the Beatles, The Stones and The Kinks were at their peak, writing and recording songs that have inspired many new and upcoming artists throughout the decades.

The ’60s was a truly magical decade.

Fashion, music, movies, you name it, this decade gave us the best of everything, albeit through the use of ‘psychedelic substances’ for either spiritual purposes or self discovery.

Music, drugs and the hippie lifestyle combined to create music that was in many ways influenced by drug experiences, and many bands such as:

• Grateful Dead
• Jefferson Airplane
• Moby Grape
• The Beatles

were at the forefront of creating and recording psychedelic music. A good example of this was the song ‘I Am the Walrus’ from The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour EP with some crazy, beyond spaced out lyrics:

“Sitting on a cornflake waiting for the van to come”

“Yellow matter custard dripping from a dead dogs eye”

Some more psychedelic lyrics show up in ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ from the Sgt. Pepper album:

“With tangerine trees and marmalade skies”

“Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies”

Reading the lyrics in these Beatles classics and song lyrics from many other artists of the ’60s, it is obvious that there was some wild ‘Trippin’ going on. They produced some of the most magical psychedelic music that is guaranteed to take your head to places it has never ever been before!!

You dig it man?….. Groovy!!

The ‘free love’ generation rebelled against authority, condemned the war in Vietnam, rejected the paths of careers and family and simply wanted to ‘drop out’ of society to do their own thing!!

“Make Love Not War”

This was the slogan commonly associated with the American counter-culture of the 1960’s. The music of the ’60s became a vehicle for social change.

‘Protest songs from artists such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Barry McGuire and psychedelia of the ’60s became the sound tracks to a sexual revolution and anti-war marches:

• Eve of Destruction – Barry McGuire
• Only a Pawn in their Game  – Bob Dylan
• We Shall Overcome – Joan Baez

60s Karaoke Songs – Motown

The Motown record label launched many of the greatest hits of all time in the ’60s and at least 79 recordings from iconic artists such as:

• Stevie Wonder
• Gladys Knight
• Marvin Gaye
• Jackson Five
• The Supremes
• Smokey Robinson
• The Temptations

achieved Top 10 success on The Billboard Top 100 Chart. The founder of Motown Berry Gordy initiated the type of music that was loved by everyone regardless of race or color. Catchy dance tunes blended r&b, gospel, swing and pop, creating the undeniable Motown Sound.

To the present day, Motown artists are still performing, selling out venues worldwide and introducing both old and new generations of fans to some of the greatest songs ever recorded in the ’60s.

Time moves on, decades pass but the ’60s will always remain a time that reflected the rebellious minds of the younger generation.

Music genres varied with the birth of Rock, Jazz and Folk revival in the ’60s all of which in one way or anther shaped the music that we all know and love to this day.

”The thing the sixties did was to show us possibilities and the responsibility that we all have. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.”-John Lennon

It’s time to refresh your memories and take you on a journey back to the ’60s with some of the greatest artists of the decade. From Dylan’s ‘Blowin in  the Wind’ to Chubby Checkers ‘Let’s Twist Again’ ’60s karaoke songs will never fail to get a crowd up on their feet dancing the night away.

Hang loose, it will be a gas!!

60s Karaoke Songs – Top 15

15. The Monkees | I’m a Believer

60s karaoke songs don’t get much better than this classic from those four crazy guys ‘The Monkees’. Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz.

According to Micky Dolenz: “All they wanted to do was dance, sing, have fun and help little old ladies across the road.”

Although underrated as a group, they were incredibly talented in both acting and music.

This song is a great choice for any ’60s crazy ‘flower power’ karaoke party.

14. The Foundations | Build Me Up Buttercup

British soul band The Foundations were the first multi-racial group to have No.1 success in the UK charts in the 1960s.

They were only one of a few British acts to successfully imitate the Motown sound and boy, they did it well!!

The Foundations went on to have a successful run of hits until they broke up in 1970.

Be sure to add Build Me Up Buttercup to your 60s karaoke songs playlist as it is a classic that every crowd will know and love.

13. Jimmy Hendrix | All Along The Watchtower

Jimmy Hendrix is regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in the history of popular music even though his career only lasted four years.

Born in Seattle Washington in 1942, there is no doubt that Hendrix revolutionized rock music, and even now, 50 years after his death in 1970, he is still revered as the best guitar player of all time.

12. Bob Dylan | Like a Rolling Stone

Released in 1965 this classic song by the multi-talented singer, songwriter Bob Dylan, became the single biggest hit of his career turning him from a folk singer into a rock star.

Rolling Stone listed the song at No.1 on their 2004 and 2010 – 500 Greatest Songs of All Time List.

In 2014 Dylan’s hand written lyrics to the song fetched $2,000,000 and set a record at auction for a popular music manuscript.

11. Roy Orbison | Oh, Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman was apparently written about Roy Orbison’s wife Claudette as she was getting ready to go on a night out.

Orbison and Claudette were both enthusiastic bikers, but sadly in 1966 his wife was killed in a motor-cycle accident leaving him devastated.

Tragedy followed Orbison as two years later a fire destroyed his home in Tennessee, killing two of his three children.

Eventually Orbison re-married in 1969 and continued touring.  Near the end of his life he collaborated with Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Bob Dylan, his partners in the ‘Traveling Wilburys’.

Their debut album Traveling Wilburys Vol .1 was released in October 1988 and became an instant hit.

Orbison was know for standing motionless when performing, wearing black clothes to match his dyed black hair and dark sunglasses.

An incredible 22 of Orbison’s singles which he either wrote or co-wrote between 1960 and 1966 reached The Billboard Top 40.

Sadly in 1988 Roy Orbison died of a heart attack at the age of 52. R.I.P.

Kooks Top 10:

10. Gary Puckett & THE Union Gap | Young Girl

Young Girl was the title track from the bands’ second studio album in 1968.

This multi-selling Gold Certified single hit No.2 on The Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and topped the UK singles charts for a period of four weeks.

A great addition for playlists of 60s karaoke songs.

09. Jackie Wilson | I Get The Sweetest Feeling

Jackie Wilson on vocals and Motown’s in-house band The Funk Brothers performing the instrumental track….WOW !!

It doesn’t get much better than that!!!

Released in 1968 this song achieved Top 10 chart success in the UK but only had moderate success in the US. It secured position 34 on The Billboard Chart and No.12 on the best selling Rhythm & Blues singles chart.

08. Rolling Stones | (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

British rock band the Rolling Stones released this break through single which debuted in the US in 1965.

Previously released singles had done pretty well Stateside but ‘Satisfaction’ was their springboard to success reaching the No.1 spot on both sides of the Atlantic. The Stones never looked back and continue to sell-out concerts around the world today.

Get those moves on like Jagger and your performance of one the great 60s karaoke songs will rock the party.

07. The Mamas & The Papas | Monday Monday

These California Dreamers were an unstoppable force in music throughout the 1960’s, so it hard to believe that ‘Monday Monday’ was their only US No.1 single.

Their discography consists of a total of 5 albums and 17 singles, 6 of which reached The Billboard Top 10.

With close to 40,000,000 record sales worldwide The Mamas & The Papas just like many other artists were the soundtrack for many long hot summers spent chilling out in the swinging 60’s. Every 60s karaoke songs playlist should include hits from this unforgettable group.

06. Simon and Garfunkel | Mrs. Robinson

Famous for it’s association with the 1967 hit movie ‘The Graduate’, the song was written by Paul Simon and became the duo\’s second chart-topper reaching No.1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

In 1969 it became the first rock song to win the ‘Grammy’ for Record of the Year. Simon and Garfunkel went on to write and perform many more amazing songs that everybody should include on their 60s karaoke songs playlist.

05. Steppenwolf | Born To Be Wild

‘Get your motor runnin’ with this ’60s classic.

Born To Be Wild was a huge hit for the band reaching No.2 on The Billboard Music Charts.

In the late ’60s and early ’70s Steppenwolf became one of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll bands in the world.

The song is also remembered for it’s association with the 1969 movie ‘Easy Rider’ starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as bike riders travelling from LA to New Orleans. It is now one song that is most associated with motorbikes.

Classic 60’s karaoke songs for any party or event should definitely include a rendition of this great track…. Kooks were born to be wild!!

04. The Who | Pinball Wizard

Featured on their 1969 rock opera album ‘Tommy’, Pinball Wizard was released as a single in 1969 reaching No.4 in the UK charts and No.19 on The US Billboard Hot 100.

The song remains one of the bands most famous live songs, played at every Who concert since it’s debut live performance in May ’69.

03. Johnny Cash | Ring Of Fire

Released in April 1963 this was one of Cash’s biggest hits and appeared on the album Ring of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash.

The song remained at the No.1 spot in the Country Charts for seven weeks and was certified Gold in 2010 by RIAA.

Cash’s version of Ring of Fire was never released as a single in the UK although in 1993/1994 it achieved significant airplay in the UK after it was popularized in a TV commercial for Levis.

It has been adopted in the UK by Liverpool footballs fans after being sung during the run up to the 2005 Champions League Finals.

A great song that is sure to be on everybody’s 60s karaoke songs playlist.

02. Otis Redding | (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay

When you talk Soul music and Rhythm & Blues, you talk… Otis Redding!!

He is considered to be one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music.

‘Dock of the Bay’ in Redding’s opinion was going to be his first million seller, although initially studio bosses had mixed reactions to the song.

Otis Redding got it right, this song was his first 7-figure release eventually selling 10 times that amount.

Sadly it was the last song he ever worked on, as two days after his second recording session he was killed in a light-aircraft crash.

Dock of the Bays’ near perfect composition would serve as a fitting legacy to the undeniable talent of the great Otis Redding…. R.I.P….    Add to all 60s karaoke songs playlists if you want to hear what Soul really sounds like!

01. The Beatles | Help

Beatle Mania! The Fab Four! The Beatles

Get ready for a trip down Penny Lane where you can Twist and Shout the night away with a Little Help from Your Friends!

The ’60s saw four talented young lads from Liverpool in the UK become a phenomenon, the like of which was never seen before or likely to be seen again.

Regarded as the most influential band of all time The Beatles were integral to the development of 1960’s counter-culture and Pop music’s recognition as an art form.

In April 1964 the group held the Top 5 positions on The Billboard Chart, a feat never achieved before… or since.

Lennon & McCartney were constantly stretching the boundaries of music with there ceaseless inventiveness, often at times influenced by the use of ‘psychedelic substances’.

The results of which were an impressive catalog of many of the greatest songs of all time including:

• Help
• I Am the Walrus
• Day Tripper
• Twist & Shout
• All My Loving
• Penny Lane
• Blackbird
• Love Me Do
• Paperback Writer
• With a Little Help From My Friends

During the 8 years the Beatles were together they achieved an incredible 20 No.1 hits and 34 Top 10 hits on The Billboard Chart.

The catalog they created during that short time sold more than that of any other group in history.

The commercial success of The Beatles continues, and the worlds’ best selling album during the first decade of the 21st Century was a collection of The Beatles Chart-Topping singles.

The Beatles music has inspired generations of musicians and will continue to do so for decades to come. Without a doubt, the Beatles should be at the top of all Kooks 60s karaoke songs playlists. It might be A Hard Days Night but a Kooks ’60s Karaoke Party will always be a night to remember!!!

Now Kooks, it’s time to Shake it up baby, twist and shout and get those mop-top haircuts brushed up to show everyone what you can do with some epic 60s karaoke songs.