As it turns out, there were more than 65 great songs from 1965. In an attempt to be as all-inclusive as possible, here are my honorable mentions, which were left out for reasons ranging from “Oh, that’s the name of that song” to “How many f-ing songs did the Beatles release that year?” Enjoy.
The Dave Clark 5 - Catch Us if You Can
The 65 of ‘65 #65
The Righteous Brothers - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
Released in December 1964, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ went on to become a #1 hit in the U.S. and UK in 1965. In 1999, BMI announced it as the most-played song of the 20th Century. It was also #34 on the Rolling Stone Greatest Songs of All Time list.
And so concludes my choices for the top 65 songs of 1965. Stay tuned for my honorable mention selections and a recap. If you aren’t currently belting it out like Goose and Maverick, you have no soul.
Previously: The Fortunes - You’ve Got Your Troubles
Up Next: The 65 of ‘65 Honorable Mentions
The 65 of ‘65 #64
The Fortunes - You’ve Got Your Troubles
You’ve Got Your Troubles was written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook for The Fortunes. The song peaked at #7 in the U.S. and #2 in the UK.
And hey, guess what kids. We’re almost to #65! Woooo Hoooo!!!
Previously: We Five - You Were on My Mind
Up Next: The Righteous Brothers - You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
The 65 of ‘65 #63
We Five - You Were on My Mind
You Were on My Mind was originally written by Sylvia Tyson and performed by her duo Ian and Sylvia in 1964. We Five altered some of the lyrics and recorded an up-tempo cover the following year, which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Previously: The Beatles - Yesterday
Up Next: The Fortunes - You’ve Got Your Troubles
The 65 of ‘65 #62
The Beatles - Yesterday (via sharmander)
Sung entirely by Sir Paul, Yesterday was the first Beatles song sung by a single member of the band. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, it has more cover versions than any other song with over 1600 recordings. McCartney composed the song in a dream from which he awoke and immediately sat down at a piano to play the tune before he forgot it. He became concerned that he subconsciously plagarized someone else’s work and spent several weeks asking people in the music business if the song sounded familar.
Previously: Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs - Wooly Bully
Up Next: We Five - You Were on My Mind
The 65 of ‘65 #61
Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs - Wooly Bully
Although it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, Wooly Bully was named the #1 Billboard Year-End single for 1965, making it one of only three songs to hold this distinction (the other two being Breathe by Faith Hill and Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse). Domingo “Sam” Samudio—AKA Sam the Sham—was known for wearing a camp robe and turbin and hauling his equipment in a 1952 Packard hearse with maroon velvet curtains.
Previously: Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now Is Love
Up Next: The Beatles - Yesterday
The 65 of ‘65 #60
Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now Is Love
Written by Hal David (lyrics) and Burt Bacharach (music), What the World Needs Now Is Love was originally offered to Dionne Warwick before being recorded by DeShannon. The song reached #7 on the U.S. charts in May of 1965.
Previously: The Animals - We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Up Next: Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs - Wooly Bully
The 65 of ‘65 #59
The Animals - We Gotta Get Out of This Place
We Gotta Get Out of This Place was written and recorded as a demo by the husband and wife team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It was originally intended for The Righteous brothers—for whom the duo wrote You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. The song became a staple at High School Proms and Graduations and was popular among U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Rolling Stone named it #233 on its Greatest Songs of All Time list.
Previously: The Beatles - We Can Work it Out
Up Next: Jackie DeShannon - What the World Needs Now Is Love
The 65 of ‘65 #58
The Beatles - We Can Work it Out
We Can Work it Out was the last of six consecutive Beatles’ singles to reach #1 on the U.S. charts, the others being I Feel Fine, Eight Days a Week, Ticket to Ride, Help!, and Yesterday. It was released as a “Double A-side” single with Day Tripper in December of 1965.
Previously: The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
Up Next: The Animals - We Gotta Get Out of This Place
The 65 of ‘65 #57
The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
Back in June, I posted this song and posited that 1965 was the best year in the history of music. This hypothesis gave birth to my project of selecting the 65 best songs from the year in question. After five months and 57 58 songs, I challenge anyone to prove my inital claim wrong.
Previously: The Byrds - Turn! Turn! Turn!
Up Next: The Beatles - We Can Work it Out
Smart, handsome, and funny... all words my grandmother would use to describe me. Others may argue that sarcastic, egocentric, and mildly entertaining are more accurate.
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