Best Songs of 1966
For these year-end lists, I like to undertake the seemingly impossibly task of creating an hours-long mix. The order you see below represents that effort, which you can listen to via Spotify or Apple Music. Sadly all 100 tracks aren’t available, but you get the general idea. Track notes to come eventually or maybe never.
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Making Time
The Creation
Making Time 7"
Planet
via Rushmore (1999) library: 1/11/2005 -
Sorry
The Easybeats
Sorry 7"
Parlophone
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Circles
Les Fleur De Lys
Circles 7"
Immediate
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Fight Fire
The Golliwogs
Fight Fire
Scorpio
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone
The Monkees
I'm a Believer / (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone 7"
Colgems
via past experience library: 9/8/2010 -
Kicks
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Midnight Ride
Columbia
via Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs library: 9/17/2012 -
I’ll Keep Holding On
The Action
I’ll Keep Holding On 7"
Parlophone
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Gimme Some Lovin’
The Spencer Davis Group
Gimme Some Lovin’
United Artists
via the ether library: 7/27/2012 -
Land of 1000 Dances
Wilson Pickett
The Exciting Wilson Pickett
Atlantic
via the ether library: 1/10/2013 -
Hold On, I’m Comin’
Sam & Dave
Hold On, I’m Comin’
Stax
via the ether library: 9/9/2007 -
Things Get Better (When I'm With You)
Eddie Floyd
Things Get Better 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
The Temptations
Gettin’ Ready
Gordy
via the ether library: 2/16/2009 -
Any Ole Way
Otis Redding
The Soul Album
Volt
via past experience library: 3/15/2014 -
Sunny
Bobby Hebb
Sunny
Philips
via an Indeed TV spot library: 3/24/2018 -
Give It Up
Lee Dorsey
The New Lee Dorsey
Stateside
via the Fatlip sample library: 3/9/2011 -
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
James Brown
It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World
TK Label
via past experience library: 8/22/2008 -
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Main Theme)
Ennio Morricone
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Eureka (Italy)
via the ether library: 8/28/2010 -
You’re Gonna Wonder About Me
Waylon Jennings
Leavin’ Town
RCA
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
The Streets of Baltimore
Bobby Bare
Streets of Baltimore
RCA
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
A Born Loser
Don Gibson
Great Country Songs
RCA
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
Think of Me
Buck Owens & His Buckaroos
Open Up Your Heart
Capitol
via 1966 research / past experience library: 1/21/2025 -
Pack Up Your Sorrows
Peter, Paul and Mary
Album
Warner Bros
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
Homeward Bound
Simon & Garfunkel
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
Columbia
via past experience library: 11/10/2003 (circa 6/10/1997) -
4th Time Around
Bob Dylan
Blonde on Blonde
Columbia
via past experience library: 9/19/2009 -
Song for Janie
Tim Buckley
Tim Buckley
Elektra
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/4/2025 -
The Time Has Come
Bert Jansch & John Renbourn
Bert & John
Transatlantic
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/4/2025 -
Sail Away Ladies
John Fahey
The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party, Vol. 4
Takoma
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
Blues Chante
Dave Van Ronk
No Dirty Names
Verve Forecast
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/4/2025 -
It Serve You Right to Suffer
John Lee Hooker
It Serve You Right to Suffer
Impulse
via 1966 research library: 1/24/2025 -
Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)
The Staple Singers
Why
Epic
via 1966 research / past experience library: 1/16/2025 -
Oh, Pretty Woman (Can't Make You Love Me)
Albert King
Oh, Pretty Woman 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Mary, Mary
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
East-West
Elektra
via 1966 research / past experience library: 1/22/2025 -
Boom Boom
The Yardbirds
Boom Boom 7"
CBS
via past experience library: 11/15/2003 (1/24/1998) -
Diddy Wah Diddy
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band
Diddy Wah Diddy 7"
A&M
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
She’s My Baby
The Mojo Men
She’s My Baby
Reprise
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
Bad Little Woman
The Wheels
Bad Little Woman 7"
Columbia
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Shot Down
The Sonics
Boom
Etiquette
via past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
Who Do You Love
The Woolies
Who Do You Love 7"
Dunhill
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
I Can Only Give You Everything
Them
Again
Decca
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
You’re Gonna Miss Me
The 13th Floor Elevators
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
Contact
via Nuggets library: 8/28/2010 -
I Feel Free
Cream
Fresh Cream
Reaction
via The Sopranos soundtrack library: 11/11/2003 (1/13/2000) -
Substitute
The Who
Substitute 7"
Atco
via past experience library: 2/2/2014 -
With a Girl Like You
The Troggs
Wild Thing
Fontana
via past experience library: 5/31/2008 -
Stop Stop Stop
The Hollies
For Certain Because
Parlophone
via past experience library: 7/1/2010 -
Tomorrow Never Knows
The Beatles
Revolver
Capitol
via past experience library: 8/18/2006 -
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
Capitol
via past experience library: 12/1/2007 -
Cherry, Cherry
Neil Diamond
The Feel of Neil Diamond
Bang
via past experience / unknown library: 10/13/2010 -
I Fought the Law
The Bobby Fuller Four
I Fought the Law
Mustang
via the Clash cover library: 9/8/2010 -
Outside Chance
The Turtles
Outside Chance 7"
White Whale
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
How to Find a Lover
The Mockingbirds
How to Find a Lover 7"
Decca
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Secret Agent Man
Johnny Rivers
…And I Know You Wanna Dance
Imperial
via the ether library: 1/29/2012 -
Eight Miles High
The Byrds
Eight Miles High / Why 7"
CBS
via past experience (David Crosby) library: 6/24/2008 -
For What It’s Worth
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield
Atco
via the ether library: 1/12/2010 -
Season of the Witch
Donovan
Sunshine Superman
Epic
via the ether library: 3/4/2009 -
Summer in the City
The Lovin’ Spoonful
Hums of the Lovin’ Spoonful
Kama Sutra
via the Eddie Bauer compilation Everything Summer library: 11/23/2003 (circa 6/10/1997) -
Paint It, Black
The Rolling Stones
Aftermath
ABKCO
via the ether library: 4/4/2008 -
Devil With the Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
Breakout…!!!
Sundazed
via the ether library: 9/25/2012 -
Good Lovin’
The Rascals
The Young Rascals
Atlantic
via the ether library: 4/18/2010 -
Hot Dog (My Baby’s Comin’ Home)
The Four Shells
Hot Dog 7"
Volt
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Philly Dog
The Mar-Keys
Philly Dog 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Smokey Joe’s La La
Googie Rene Combo
Smokey Joe’s La La 7"
Class
via Baby Driver library: 10/21/2017 -
Today
Herbie Mann
Today!
Atlantic
via The Pharcyde sample library: 11/19/2013 -
Footprints
Wayne Shorter
Adam’s Apple
Blue Note
via 1966 research library: 5/9/2025 -
Maiden Voyage
Herbie Hancock
Maiden Voyage
Blue Note
via 1966 research / past experience library: 2/1/2025 -
Four Women
Nina Simone
Wind Is the Wind
Verve
via past experience library: 1/3/2011 -
The Dolphins
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
Capitol
via the Beth Orton cover library: 6/28/2012 -
No Fair at All
The Association
Renaissance
Valiant
via their Greatest Hits! library: 7/11/2011 -
When a Man Loves a Woman
Percy Sledge
When a Man Loves a Woman 7"
Atlantic
via the ether / the Michael Bolton cover library: 7/2/2011 -
I Got to Love Somebody’s Baby
Johnnie Taylor
I Got to Love Somebody’s Baby 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Come to Me My Darling
Ruby Johnson
Come to Me My Darling / When My Love Comes Down 7"
Volt
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Your Good Thing (Is About to End)
Mable John
Your Good Thing (Is About to End) 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Tell It Like It Is
Aaron Neville
Tell It Like It Is 7"
Par Lo
via Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs library: 9/24/2012 -
Birds & Bees
Rufus & Carla
Birds & Bees 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Hey Love
Stevie Wonder
Down to Earth
Tamla
via past experience / the R. Kelly cover library: 1/8/2011 -
This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
The Isley Brothers
This Old Heart of Mine
Tamla
via The Motown Sound: The Songs of Holland Dozier Holland library: 3/23/2009 -
Reach Out I’ll Be There
Four Tops
Reach Out
Motown
via the ether library: 3/23/2009 -
You Can’t Hurry Love
The Supremes
The Supremes A-Go-Go
Motown
via the ether library: 3/23/2009 -
Little by Little
Dusty Springfield
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
Philips
via 1966 research / past experience library: 5/10/2025 -
Heaven Must Have Sent You
The Elgins
Darling Baby
Motown
via The Motown Sound: The Songs of Holland Dozier Holland library: 3/23/2009 -
Patch My Heart
The Mad Lads
Patch My Heart 7"
Volt
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Sister’s Got a Boyfriend
Rufus Thomas
Sister’s Got a Boyfriend 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
(I’m A) Road Runner
Junior Walker & The All Stars
Road Runner
Soul
via the Uncut compilation Summer of Motown library: 4/20/2008 -
Never Like This Before
William Bell
Never Like This Before 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
Pass the Hatchet
Roger & The Gypsies
Pass the Hatchet 7"
7B
via the Mojo compilation Southern Soul library: 4/20/2008 -
Don’t Bring Me Down
The Animals
Don’t Bring Me Down 7"
MGM
via the ether library: 1/29/2012 -
96 Tears
? and The Mysterians
96 Tears
Cameo
via the ether library: 10/5/2010 -
You’re the One
The Marvelettes
You’re the One 7"
Tamla
via source unknown library: 2/16/2009 -
Booker-Loo
Booker T. & The MG’s
My Sweet Potato / Booker-Loo 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013 -
That’s Life
Frank Sinatra
That’s Life
Reprise
via the ether library: 8/6/2012 -
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’
Nancy Sinatra
Boots
Reprise
via the ether library: 9/9/2007 -
When the Night Falls
The Eyes
When the Night Falls 7"
Mercury
via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
Don’t Look Back
The Remains
The Remains
Epic
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
Going Nowhere
Los Bravos
Going Nowhere 7"
Decca
via via Nuggets II library: 12/27/2012 -
River Deep, Mountain High
Ike and Tina Turner
River Deep, Mountain High
London
via past experience library: 8/28/2010 -
Follow Me
Lyme & Cybelle
Follow Me 7"
White Whale
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
Time Won’t Let Me
The Outsiders
Time Won’t Let Me 7"
Capitol
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
Beg, Borrow, and Steal
The Rare Breed
Beg, Borrow, and Steal 7"
Attack
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013 -
Neighbor, Neighbor
Jimmy Hughes
Neighbor, Neighbor 7"
Fame
via Atlantic R&B 1947–1974 library: 1/10/2013 -
Dead End Street
The Kinks
Dead End Street 7"
Reprise
via past experience library: 8/18/2009 -
Stop! - Get a Ticket
Clefs of Lavender Hill
Stop! - Get a Ticket
Thames
via Nuggets library: 3/9/2013