The Greatest Rock Songs Of 1966

Rock’s Revolutionary Year

Rock exploded in 1966. It wasn’t the year this genre was invented but music was never the same. It was as if every single band and artist decided to come up with epic masterpieces just to appease the rock gods. And it was glorious. Nothing will ever come close to that time when we turned on the radio and could hear one instant classic after another.

It’s not easy condensing 365 days of musical brilliance into merely 10 songs but hey, somebody’s gotta do it.

10. “Wild Thing” – The Troggs

It’s so much better than 90% of what you hear on the radio and on MTV today.

9. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” – The Supremes

It took The Supremes to the top. It has been covered numerous times but the original version remains iconic.

8. “Paint It Black” – Rolling Stones

It’s the band’s coolest song!

7. “For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield

Yet another proof that great music never goes out of style.

6. “Eight Miles High” – The Byrds

It basically showcased The Byrds’ musicality and we love every minute of it.

5. “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” – The Temptations

It’s a classic through and through.

4. “Gimme Some Lovin'” – Spencer Davis Group

Listening to this now – it’s still as magical as when we first heard it.

3. “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” – Four Tops

They don’t make music like this anymore.

2. “When A Man Loves A Woman” – Percy Sledge

Remember putting this on repeat in the ’60s? We just can’t get enough of it.

1. “Good Vibrations” – The Beach Boys

Timeless. The harmonies, everything about it is flat-out amazing.