Best Songs of 1968
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 on all services, but you get the general idea. Track notes to come eventually or maybe never.
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Stoned Soul Picnic
The 5th Dimension
Stoned Soul Picnic
Epic
via 1968 research / Apple Music / past experience library: 6/7/2024Notes
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A Beautiful Morning
The Rascals
A Beautiful Morning / Rainy Day 7"
Atlantic
via the ether library: 4/18/2010Notes
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Build Me Up Buttercup
The Foundations
Rocking the Foundations
Pye
via the Boston College Marching band library: 1/8/2011via the Boston College Marching Band
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(You) Got What I Need
Freddie Scott
(You) Got What I Need 7"
Shout
via the Biz Markie interpolation library: 3/1/2013Notes
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Here I Am Baby
The Marvelettes
Sophisticated Soul
Tamla
via TK library: 2/16/2009Notes
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Hang Me Now
Jeanne & The Darlings
What Will Be Later On / Hang Me Now 7"
Volt
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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What a Man
Linda Lyndell
What a Man 7"
Volt
via the En Vogue/Salt N Pepa cover library: 1/12/2012Notes
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Chain of Fools
Aretha Franklin
Lady Soul
Atlantic
via the ether library: 5/13/2008Notes
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I’m in Love
Bobby Womack
Fly Me to the Moon
Capitol
via TK library: 7/13/2014Notes
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Every Man Oughta Have a Woman
William Bell
A Tribute to a King / Every Man Oughta Have a Woman 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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I Wish It Would Rain
The Temptations
Wish It Would Rain
Motown
via TK library: 2/16/2009Notes
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I’d Rather Go Blind
Etta James
Tell Mama
Chess
via TK library: 11/29/2011Notes
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I Think It’s Going to Rain Today
Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Reprise
via TK library: 5/10/2010Notes
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So Long, Marianne
Leonard Cohen
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Columbia
via TK library: 11/8/2009Notes
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I’ll Be Here in the Morning
Townes Van Zandt
For the Sake of the Song
Poppy
via TK library: 10/27/2014Notes
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Train Leaves Here This Mornin
Dillard & Clark
The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark
A&M
via The Roadhouse on KEXP library: 5/1/2024Notes
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Stand By Your Man
Tammy Wynette
Stand By Your Man
Epic
via the ether library: 12/22/2023Notes
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Wichita Lineman
Glen Campbell
Wichita Lineman
Capitol
via the R.E.M. cover library: 6/19/2012Notes
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Massachussetts
Bee Gees
Horizontal
Atco
via TK library: 3/28/2013Notes
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Something in the Way She Moves
James Taylor
James Taylor
Apple
via past experience library: 5/1/2024Notes
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I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
Bob Dylan
John Wesley Harding
Columbia
via past experience library: 3/30/2015Notes
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The Weight
The Band
Music From Big Pink
Capitol
via TK library: 11/12/2003 (7/24/1999)Notes
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Kind Woman
Buffalo Springfield
Last Time Around
Atco
via past experience library: 11/4/2010Notes
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You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
The Byrds
Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Columbia
via past experience library: 1/27/2013Notes
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Mama Tried
Merle Haggard & The Strangers
Mama Tried
Capitol
via past experience / 1968 research library: 5/2/2024Notes
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Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash
At Folsom Prison
Columbia
via the ether library: 11/22/2006Notes
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A Man Can Only Stand So Much Pain
Tony Joe White
I Protest / A Man Can Only Stand So Much Pain Promo 7"
Monument
via the Foo Fighters docuseries Sonic Highways library: 11/24/2014Notes
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Mr. Soul
The Everly Brothers
Nice Guys
Magnum Force
via Aquarium Drunkard library: 10/6/2014Recorded in 1968, released in 1984
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Season of the Witch
Mike Bloomfield with Al Kooper & Stephen Stills
Super Session
Columbia
via the Pharcyde sample library: 2/10/2014Notes
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I Got the Feelin’
James Brown
I Got the Feelin’
King
via past experience library: 8/22/2008Notes
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Different Strokes
Syl Johnson
Dresses Too Short
Twinight
via TK library: 3/11/2009Notes
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Wrap It Up
Sam & Dave
I Thank You / Wrap It Up 7"
Stax
via TK library: 3/15/2013Notes
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Who’s Making Love
Johnnie Taylor
Who’s Making Love
Stax
via TK library: 4/20/2008Notes
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Life
Sly and the Family Stone
Life
Epic
via past experience / my Dad library: 11/15/2003 (circa 6/20/1997)via my dad
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Mama Roux
Dr. John
Gris-Gris
Atco
via TK library: 4/20/2015Notes
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A Deeper Shade of Soul
Ray Barretto
Acid
Fania
via the Urban Dance Squad interpolation / John Richards on KEXP library: 4/29/2024Notes
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Soul Limbo
Booker T. & The MG’s
Soul Limbo
Stax
via TK library: 1/12/2012Notes
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For Once in My Life
Stevie Wonder
For Once in My Life
Motown
via past experience / 1968 research library: 5/2/2024Notes
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Tighten Up Pt. 1
Archie Bell and the Drells
Tighten Up
Atlantic
via TK library: 9/8/2010Notes
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A Hard Day’s Night
The Bar-Kays
A Hard Day’s Night
Volt
via The Beatles by way of The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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I’ll Take Her
Eddie Floyd
Rare Stamps
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 4/20/2008Notes
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If You Can Want
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Special Occasion
Motown
via past experience / 1968 research library: 5/2/2024Notes
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I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Marvin Gaye
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Motown
via my parents / the ether library: 12/9/2010via the ether (as a kid) / the California Grapes commercials
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Reflections
The Supremes
Reflections
Motown
via China Beach library: 3/30/2008Notes
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You’re All I Need to Get By
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
You’re All I Need
Tamla
via the Mary J. Blige/Method Man cover library: 12/9/2010Notes
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Some Velvet Morning
Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood
Nancy & Lee
Reprise
via TK library: 8/28/2010Notes
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Here She Comes Now
The Velvet Underground
White Light / White Heat
Verve
via past experience library: 4/5/2009Notes
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Porpoise Song
The Monkees
Head
Atlantic
via TK library: 11/10/2003Notes
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Dear Prudence
The Beatles
The Beatles (White Album)
Apple
via past experience library: 12/2/2005Notes
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Crimson & Clover
Tommy James & The Shondells
Crimson & Clover
Roulette
via the ether library: 9/8/20101968 single release
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White Room
Cream
Wheels of Fire
Atco
via the ether library: 9/25/2012Notes
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Handbags and Gladrags
Chris Farlowe
The Last Goodbye
Immediate
via The Office (UK) library: 9/6/20081968 single
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Love Is All Around
The Troggs
Love Is All Around
Fontana
via the R.E.M. cover library: 5/31/2008Notes
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Bonnie and Clyde
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot
Bonnie and Clyde
Fontana
via TK library: 12/28/2010Notes
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Changing the Colors of Life
Los Chijuas
Changing the Colors of Life
Musart
via TK library: 12/27/2012Notes
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Baby Please Don’t Go
The Amboy Dukes
Journey to the Center of the Mind
Mainstream
via TK library: 3/9/2013Notes
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Hello, I Love You
The Doors
Waiting for the Sun
Elektra
via past experience library: 2/2/2024Notes
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I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Child Is Father to the Man
Columbia
via my Dad library: 8/14/2018Notes
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Shape of Things to Come
Max Frost & The Troopers
Shape of Things to Come 7"
Tower
via TK library: 3/9/2013Notes
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Spooky
Classics IV
Spooky
Imperial
via the Joan Osborne cover library: 5/27/2024Notes
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Open My Eyes
Nazz
Open My Eyes 7"
SGC
via TK library: 3/9/2013Notes
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The Girls Are Naked
The Creation
Midway Down / The Girls Are Naked 7"
Polydor
via past experience library: 1/9/2011Notes
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Jennifer Eccles
The Hollies
Jennifer Eccles 7"
Epic
via past experience library: 7/1/2010Notes
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Cry Like a Baby
The Box Tops
Cry Like a Baby
Sundazed
via TK library: 6/7/2024via Apple Music
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Suzie Q
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Suzie Q 7"
Fantasy
via past experience library: 6/26/2007Notes
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Pictures of Matchstick Men
Status Quo
Pictures of Matchstick Men 7"
Pye
via TK library: 12/27/2012Notes
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Burning of the Midnight Lamp
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Electric Ladyland
MCA
via past experience library: 11/12/2003 (5/28/1999)Notes
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Piece of My Heart
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Cheap Thrills
Columbia
via the ether library: 8/19/2010Notes
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I Think I Made a Boo Boo
Rufus Thomas
The Memphis Train / I Think I Made a Boo Boo 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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A Dime a Dozen
Carla Thomas
A Dime a Dozen 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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We’re a Winner
The Impressions
We’re a Winner
ABC
via TK library: 2/16/2009Notes
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The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)
Ramsey Lewis
Maiden Voyage
Cadet
via the Pharcyde sample library: 9/28/2014Notes
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Grazing in the Grass
Hugh Masekela
The Promise of a Future
UNI
via 1968 research library: 6/7/2024Notes
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I Got a Sure Thing
Ollie & The Nightingales
I Got a Sure Thing 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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Slip Away
Clarence Carter
Slip Away
Atlantic
via past experience library: 2/25/2007Notes
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Mojo Mama
Don Varner
Mojo Mama 7"
Quinvy
via Mojo Presents Southern Soul (2005) library: 4/20/2008Possible 1967 release
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(I Love) Lucy
Albert King
I Love Lucy 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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Able Mable
Mable John
Able Mable 7"
Stax
via The Complete Stax/Volt Singles library: 3/15/2013Notes
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It’s About Time
Terry Callier
The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier
Prestige
via past experience library: 10/29/2012Notes
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From the Prison
Richie Havens
Something Else Again
Verve
via past experience / 1968 research library: 5/1/2024Notes
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Goin’ Down to Memphis
John Martyn
The Tumbler
Island
via past experience library: 5/1/2024Notes
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Time of No Reply
Nick Drake
Time of No Reply
Hannibal
via past experience library: 11/4/2003 (1/13/2001)1968 recording first released in 1986
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Cactus Tree
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell (Song to a Seagull)
Reprise
via past experience / 1968 research library: 5/1/2024Notes
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Sweet Thing
Van Morrison
Astral Weeks
Warner Bros.
via past experience library: 4/20/2011Notes
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Both Sides Now
Davy Graham
Large As Life and Twice As Natural
Decca
via TK library: 2/18/2015Notes
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Mrs. Robinson
Simon & Garfunkel
Bookends
Columbia
via the ether library: 11/10/2003 (11/25/2001)Notes
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Picture Book
The Kinks
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Reprise
via that HP commercial (maybe, sadly) library: 5/1/2005Notes
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Feelin’ Alright?
Traffic
Traffic
Island
via an MGD commercial? library: 2/2/2011Notes
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Street Fighting Man
The Rolling Stones
Beggar’s Banquet
ABKCO
via past experience library: 11/5/2003 (circa 7/17/1997)Notes
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Magic Bus
The Who
Magic Bus 7"
Decca
via past experience / 1968 research library: 9/8/2024Notes
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Diamond Head
The Beach Boys
Friends
Capitol
via past experience / 1968 research library: 6/10/2024Notes
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Albatross
Fleetwood Mac
Albatross 7"
Blue Horizon
via past experience / 1968 research library: 2/1/20241969 U.S. release
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(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding
The Dock of the Bay
Volt
via the ether as a teen library: 3/30/2008Notes
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What a Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong
What a Wonderful World
Stateside
via Good Morning, Vietnam, probably library: 3/5/20111967 single release
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Everything That Touches You
The Association
Birthday
Warner Bros.
via TK library: 7/11/2011Notes
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Time of the Season
The Zombies
Odessey and Oracle
CBS
via the ether library: 7/8/2008Notes
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On the Road Again
Canned Heat
Boogie With Canned Heat
Liberty
via an MGD commercial, likely library: 1/14/2006Notes
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Hurdy Gurdy Man
Donovan
The Hurdy Gurdy Man
Epic
via past experience library: 3/4/2009Notes
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Magic Carpet Ride
Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf the Second
Dunhill/ABC
via the ether as a preteen, or maybe another MGD commercial as a teen library: 12/28/2010Notes
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One
Harry Nilsson
Aerial Ballet
RCA
via the Three Dog Night cover library: 9/8/2010Notes