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The 30 best songs of 1964
24 November 2023, 10:02 | Updated: 18 January 2024, 10:43
The year 1964 was a remarkable one for music, as it witnessed the emergence of some of the most influential artists and songs of all time.
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From the Beatles to the Supremes, from Roy Orbison to the Rolling Stones, and from Dusty Springfield to the Beach Boys, the musical landscape was diverse and vibrant.
- The 30 best songs of 1964
- The 20 best songs of 1965
- The 25 best songs of 1967
- The 30 best songs of 1970
- The 25 best songs of 1974
- The 30 best songs of 1977
- The 25 best songs of 1978
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the best songs of 1964.
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Jim Reeves - 'I Love You Because'
Jim Reeves - "I Love You Because" ((Oslo 1964))
'I Love You Because' was released in 1964 as a single from Jim Reeves' album Gentleman Jim. The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the unconditional love of Jim for his partner.
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Recorded by several artists before it was a hit for Jim Reeves, and it is considered one of the classics of country music.
Jim Reeves tragically died in a plane crash later that year.
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The Searchers - 'Needles and Pins'
The Searchers "Needles And Pins" on The Ed Sullivan Show
‘Needles and Pins’ by The Searchers is a classic rock song from 1964. It was written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono, and originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon in 1963.
The Searchers’ version reached number one on the UK singles chart, and became one of their signature hits. The song is about the pain of unrequited love, and the feeling of needles and pins in the heart.
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The Hollies - 'Just One Look'
The Hollies - Just One Look - "Top Of The Pops" Show (1964)
‘Just One Look’ by The Hollies is a song that was released in 1964 as the title track of their second EP. It is a cover version of a song originally recorded by Doris Troy in 1963, which was co-written by her and Gregory Carroll.
The Hollies’ version of ‘Just One Look’ reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart, and is a catchy and upbeat song that expresses the power of love at first sight.
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Lulu - 'Shout'
Lulu & The Luvvers - Shout
‘Shout’ by Lulu is a cover version of a song originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1959.
Lulu came to London at age 15 and recorded the song with her group Lulu & The Luvvers in 1964. It was her first hit, reaching number 7 in the UK charts.
The song is a rock and roll anthem with a call-and-response structure and a gospel influence. Lulu’s version is more energetic and upbeat than the original, and features her powerful vocals and a saxophone solo.
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Elvis Presley - 'Viva Las Vegas'
Elvis Presley - Viva Las Vegas (Official Lyric Video)
‘Viva Las Vegas’ by Elvis Presley is a song and a film that celebrates the glamour and excitement of the city of Las Vegas.
The song was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman in 1963 and recorded by Elvis Presley for his film of the same name, which was released in 1964. The song is a catchy and upbeat tune that praises the attractions and entertainment of Las Vegas, such as the casinos, the neon lights, the shows, and the romance.
The film stars Elvis as a race car driver and Ann-Margret as a swimming instructor who fall in love in Las Vegas. The film is regarded as one of Presley’s best films and is noted for the on-screen chemistry between him and Ann-Margret. The song and the film have become iconic symbols of Las Vegas and its culture.
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Millie Small - 'My Boy Lollipop'
Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop (1964) 4K
‘My Boy Lollipop’ is a song originally recorded by Barbie Gaye in 1956, but became a worldwide hit in 1964 when it was covered by Jamaican singer Millie Small.
The song was produced by Chris Blackwell, who arranged it in a ska style with a harmonica solo. It was the first major hit for Island Records and the Caribbean’s first international recording star
The song reached number two in both the UK and US charts and sold over seven million copies worldwide. It is considered one of the best-selling hits with a reggae influence and a pioneer of ska music.
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Dusty Springfield - 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself'
Dusty Springfield - I Only Wanna Be With You (1963) 4K
The song ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’ is a classic pop soul ballad written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1962.
It expresses the feelings of loneliness and longing for a lost lover, and the difficulty of finding a new purpose in life. The song was first recorded by Chuck Jackson, but it was Dusty Springfield who made it famous with her 1964 version.
The song is considered one of the best examples of Bacharach and David’s sophisticated and elegant songwriting, and one of the most iconic songs of the 1960s.
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Cilla Black - 'Anyone Who Had a Heart'
Cilla Black - Anyone Who Had A Heart (Live)
‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ was released in 1964 as a cover of Dionne Warwick’s original version from 1963.
The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and expresses the pain of unrequited love and the longing for someone who does not care.
Cilla Black’s version was a huge hit in the UK, where it reached number one and sold nearly a million copies.
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Chuck Berry - 'No Particular Place to Go'
Chuck Berry 'No Particular Place To Go' live 1965
‘No Particular Place to Go’ is a song by Chuck Berry, released in 1964. It is a humorous story of a couple who go for a drive, but cannot get intimate because of a stuck seat belt.
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The song uses the same music as Berry’s earlier hit ‘School Days’. It was recorded in Chicago and produced by Leonard and Phil Chess.
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The Drifters - 'Under the Boardwalk'
The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk
‘Under the Boardwalk’ by The Drifters is a pop song that was released in 1964, and was written by Kenny Young and Arthur Resnick. It was recorded by the Drifters after the death of their lead singer Rudy Lewis.
The song is about a romantic escapade under a seaside boardwalk, away from the heat and the crowd. The song has a catchy melody and a nostalgic feel, and has been covered by many artists over the years.
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The Beach Boys - 'I Get Around'
The Beach Boys "I Get Around" on The Ed Sullivan Show
'I Get Around' by the Beach Boys is a classic rock song from 1964 that celebrates the band’s fame, freedom and fun.
The lyrics are autobiographical and describe the band’s adventurous lifestyle of driving around, meeting girls, and avoiding trouble. The song was the Beach Boys’ first number one hit in the US and earned them recognition as one of the leading groups of the era.
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The Supremes - 'Where Did Our Love Go'
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go (Lyric Video)
‘Where Did Our Love Go’ is a classic pop-soul song that was released in 1964 as the first single from the Supremes' second album of the same name.
The song was written and produced by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, and it became the first of five consecutive number one hits for the group on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song is considered one of the most influential and popular songs of the 1960s, and it has been covered by many artists, such as the J. Geils Band, Soft Cell, and Phil Collins.
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The Beatles - 'Can't Buy Me Love'
The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love
‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ by The Beatles is a classic rock song that expresses the idea that money cannot buy happiness or love. The song was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership.
It was released in March 1964 as the A-side of their sixth single. The song was a huge commercial success, reaching number one in both the UK and the US charts.
The song was recorded in Paris, where the Beatles were performing 18 days of concerts at the Olympia Theatre.
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The Four Seasons - 'Rag Doll'
The Four Seasons - Rag Doll (Official Audio)
'Rag Doll' by The Four Seasons is a classic pop song from 1964 that topped the charts in the US and Canada. It tells the story of a poor girl who works as a windshield washer and catches the eye of a wealthy boy who falls in love with her.
The song was inspired by a real-life encounter that songwriter Bob Gaudio had with a homeless child in New York City. It is considered one of the group’s signature songs and a masterpiece of pop music.
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Petula Clark - 'Downtown'
Petula Clark Downtown. original version
'Downtown' by Petula Clark is a classic pop song from 1964, written and produced by Tony Hatch.
It was inspired by Hatch’s visit to New York City, where he was impressed by the vibrant atmosphere of Times Square. The song encourages people who are feeling lonely or unhappy to go downtown, where they can find music, lights, and excitement.
The song was a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the UK Singles Chart.
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Herman's Hermits - 'I'm Into Something Good'
HERMANS HERMITS - I'M INTO SOMETHING GOOD
I’m Into Something Good is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1964. It was first recorded by Earl-Jean, a member of the girl group The Cookies, and reached number 38 on the US charts.
Later that year, it was covered by Herman’s Hermits, a British beat band, and became their debut single. It topped the UK charts for two weeks and also became a hit in the US.
The song is a catchy and upbeat pop tune that expresses the joy of falling in love with someone new. It has been featured in several movies and TV shows over the years.
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Manfred Mann - 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy'
Manfred Mann - Do Wah Diddy Diddy (1964) 4K
‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ is a song about falling in love at first sight.
The song was originally written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and recorded by The Exciters in 1963, but Manfred Mann’s version became a worldwide hit in 1964.
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The Rolling Stones - 'It's All Over Now'
The Rolling Stones - It's All Over Now (Official Lyric Video)
‘It’s All Over Now’ by The Rolling Stones is a song that was released in 1964 as a cover version of a song by The Valentinos, featuring Bobby Womack.
It was the first number-one hit for the British rock band in the UK, and it marked their transition from blues to rock and roll. The song is about a man who is happy to end his relationship with a cheating woman, and it has a catchy chorus and a guitar riff that influenced many other artists.
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Mary Wells - 'My Guy'
Mary Wells - My Guy (Lyric Video)
‘My Guy’ was written and produced by Smokey Robinson of The Miracles for the Motown label in 1964.
It is sung by Mary Wells, who was the first female star of Motown. The song was a huge hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also Wells’ last hit single for Motown, as she left the label soon after.
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The Beatles - 'A Hard Day's Night'
The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
'A Hard Day’s Night' was released in 1964 as the title track of the Beatles' third album and first feature film.
The song was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, and expresses the exhaustion and excitement of a day in the life of a touring band, and the joy of returning to a lover at night.
The song’s title came from a phrase that Ringo Starr used after a long and hard day of work.
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Peter & Gordon - 'A World Without Love'
Peter and Gordon - A World Without Love (HD) 1964 Stereo
‘A World Without Love’ was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon-McCartney. It was recorded by Peter and Gordon, a British duo formed by Peter Asher and Gordon Waller, and released as their first single in 1964.
The song reached number one in the UK, the US, and several other countries, becoming one of the most successful songs composed by McCartney for another artist.
The song was originally rejected by Billy J Kramer, another artist managed by Brian Epstein, before being offered to Peter and Gordon by McCartney, who was dating Peter’s sister Jane Asher at the time.
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The Kinks - 'All Day and All of the Night'
The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night (Official Audio)
‘All Day and All of the Night’ by The Kinks is a classic rock song from 1964 that expresses the singer’s intense desire to be with his lover all the time. The song features a catchy power chord riff and a raw, energetic vocal performance by Ray Davies.
The song was a huge hit in both the UK and the US, reaching No. 2 and No. 7 on the charts respectively. The song was also influential for many other bands, such as the Doors, who were accused of copying its musical structure for their song ‘Hello, I Love You’.
The song is considered one of the Kinks’ signature tunes and a milestone in the development of garage rock, hard rock, and proto-punk genres.
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The Beatles - 'I Feel Fine'
The Beatles - I Feel Fine
‘I Feel Fine’ was released in 1964 as the A-side of their eighth single. It was written by John Lennon, who was inspired by a guitar riff he played during the recording of ‘Eight Days A Week’.
The song is notable for being one of the first uses of guitar feedback in popular music, which can be heard at the beginning of the track.
The song topped the charts in several countries and was the fifth-highest-selling single of the 1960s in the UK.
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Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - 'Dancing in the Street'
Martha & The Vandellas "Dancing In The Street" on The Ed Sullivan Show
‘Dancing in the Street’ is a 1964 hit song by the Motown group Martha and the Vandellas. The song is a celebration of having fun and dancing in different cities across America and the world.
It became a popular anthem for the civil rights movement, as it was seen as a call for unity and resistance against racism and oppression. It has been covered by many artists, such as David Bowie and Mick Jagger, and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time.
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The Shangri-Las - 'Leader of the Pack'
The Shangri-Las -Leader Of The Pack Video with High Quality Sound
‘Leader of the Pack’ by The Shangri-Las is a classic pop song from 1964 that tells a tragic story of a teenage romance.
The song features the lead vocals of Mary Weiss, and was a number one hit in the US and became a popular example of a “teenage tragedy song”, a genre that depicted the deaths of young lovers.
The song was controversial for its time, as it dealt with themes of rebellion, class conflict, and violence.
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The Supremes - 'Baby Love'
The Supremes - Baby Love (Lyric Video)
'Baby Love' by The Supremes is a classic pop song that was released in 1964 as the second single from their album Where Did Our Love Go. It was written and produced by the famous Motown team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, who also created many other hits for the group.
The song features Diana Ross’s distinctive lead vocal, backed by the harmonies of Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, as well as the catchy chorus and the foot-stomping percussion.
The song was a huge success, reaching number one on both the US and the UK charts, and becoming one of the most popular songs of the 20th century.
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Dionne Warwick - 'Walk on By'
Dionne Warwick 'Walk On By' really live in 1964. Impeccable!
'Walk on By' by Dionne Warwick is a classic pop song from 1964, composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
It was Warwick’s second international hit and one of her signature songs. The song is about a woman who asks her former lover to ignore her if they ever meet again, as she tries to cope with the pain of their breakup.
The song has a smooth and sophisticated sound, featuring Warwick’s expressive vocals and a catchy melody.
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Roy Orbison - 'Oh Pretty Woman'
Roy Orbison - Oh, Pretty Woman (Monument Concert 1965)
‘Oh Pretty Woman’ is a classic rock and roll song that was released in 1964 and became a huge hit in both the US and the UK.
The song was inspired by Roy Orbison’s wife, Claudette, who was going out while he was writing with his co-writer Bill Dees. The song has a catchy guitar riff and a distinctive growl by Orbison, who sings about a beautiful woman he sees on the street and hopes to be with.
The song was later used for the movie Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and the musical of the same name.
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The Kinks - 'You Really Got Me'
The Kinks - You Really Got Me (Official Audio)
‘You Really Got Me’ is a classic rock song that was released in 1964 as the Kinks' third single. It was written by Ray Davies, the lead singer and songwriter of the group, who was inspired by a girl he saw dancing in a club.
The song features a powerful guitar riff by Dave Davies, Ray’s brother, and a simple but catchy chorus. The song was a huge hit in the UK and the US, and influenced many other rock bands, especially in the genres of hard rock and punk rock.
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The Animals - 'House of the Rising Sun'
The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Music Video) [4K HD]
‘House of the Rising Sun’ by The Animals is a folk rock song that tells the story of a person who has fallen into a life of sin and misery in New Orleans.
The song is based on a traditional folk song, sometimes called ‘Rising Sun Blues’, that has been recorded by many artists, such as Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, and Bob Dylan.
The Animals’ version, recorded in 1964, was the first to use electric instruments and a rock beat, and became a number one hit in the UK, US, and Canada. The song is considered a classic of the 1960s and has influenced many other musicians.
