The 5 Biggest Debut Singles In 1969
via Chicago Band/YouTube
The 1960s offered diversity to classic rock fans and before the decade wrapped up, we saw the emergence of several acts who made their own mark in music with their debut singles. Let’s check them out:
King Crimson – The Court of the Crimson King
King Crimson had one of the most stunning debuts of all time and they helped pioneer the progressive rock movement too. They hit the ground running and few bands could match the brilliance of their single The Court Of The Crimson King. Because it clocked in at over nine minutes, they had to cut it into two versions for the single release.
Led Zeppelin – Good Times Bad Times
Led Zeppelin announced their arrival in 1969 but dropping not one but two albums in just a year. And it was clear from the get-go that they weren’t playing around, these guys meant business. Their debut single Good Times Bad Times was also the opening track of their LP. Guitarist Jimmy Page told Rolling Stone, “John Paul Jones came up with the riff. I had the chorus. John Bonham applied the bass-drum pattern.” He added, “That one really shaped our writing process. It was like, ‘Wow, everybody’s erupting at once.'”
Chicago – Questions 67 And 68
When they debuted, they were still known as Chicago Transit Authority. Their primary songwriter Robert Lamm admitted that this song is “very Beatles influenced.” He also shared that it “was a love song that dealt in terms of questions I was asking myself about this particular relationship that was going down.” Questions 67 and 68 was long compared to most singles released that year.
James Taylor – Carolina In My Mind
A song about his homesickness at the time while recording overseas, it was a modest hit for James Taylor but it became one of his best known and most enduring tracks. He was signed to the Beatles’ label Apple Records and Paul McCartney played bass while George Harrison went uncredited for his backing vocals.
Humble Pie – Natural Born Bugie
This mid tempo rock song helped introduce one of rock’s first supergroups, Humble Pie. It was an instant hit in the UK, peaking at #4 on the charts. It was actually written after they already completed their album and though it was a commercial success, they rarely played it live.
