5 Hits That Prove 1968 Was The Decade's Best Year For Bluegrass Music
Bluegrass couldn't avoid the transformative touch of the '60, and we think that 1968 was one of its most exciting years.
Read MoreBluegrass couldn't avoid the transformative touch of the '60, and we think that 1968 was one of its most exciting years.
Read MoreMany cover songs are far more popular than the original recordings. Aretha Franklin’s version of a song by Otis Redding also became her most iconic.
Read MoreThese 1960s rock icons may have had successful careers, but they each ultimately decided to walk away from their onstage careers for a multitude of reasons.
Read MoreBob Dylan is known as a private person, and while his favorite from his vast catalog may be a surprise, his biographer found out the deeply personal reason why.
Read MoreLittle Eva took this song to the top of the charts in 1962, and an Australian soap star-turned-pop singer nearly did it again in 1988.
Read MoreRock 'n' roll is a big part of 20th-century pop culture, but only one state has claimed a rock song as its official anthem. Here's a look at how and why.
Read MoreThese five songs from 1967 from bands like the Doors, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Who really prove that 1967 was a stellar year for psychedelic rock.
Read MoreFrom children singing about hot dogs to the first youth-targeted soda ads, these 1960s jingles were so catchy that boomers will remember them like yesterday.
Read MoreIn the 1960s, rock songs like "Wipeout" and "Telstar" were big hits from one-hit wonders like the Surfaris and the Tornadoes, and they still have us hooked.
Read MoreWoodstock was not the only massive event that shook up rock history that took place in 1969. As the world changed, so too did the music we listened to.
Read MoreThe rise of blues rock in the 1960s propelled acts like Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones to legendary status, and 1965 was the emerging genre's zenith.
Read MoreThese five rock songs from bands like the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones will likely remind boomers of the all-encompassing emotions of their first crushes.
Read MoreBob Dylan's career spans many decades, but 1965 was when he released two legendary, flawless albums, and these songs prove it was his finest year ever.
Read MoreOne of the Monkees most catchy and enduring songs was written by none other than Neil Diamond. The track was a No. 1 hit for seven weeks in 1966.
Read MoreIn the '60s, rock concerts were new, and participants were still trying to figure them out. The inherent danger and rebelliousness of the genre didn't help.
Read MoreWhile each decade of the 20th century has produced some lovely love songs, certain songs from 1960 stand out as sweeter than ever.
Read MoreClassic rock songs like "Daydream Believer" are known as sunshine pop, and they help prove that 1967 was the decade's best year for the sub-genre.
Read MoreIn 1964 the Beatles had taken the U.S. by storm, reaching an unbelievable milestone that no other band has ever achieved. Here's how they did it.
Read MoreFolk rock reached its peak in 1966, thanks to hit songs like Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" and the Mamas & the Papas' "Monday, Monday."
Read MoreDisco peaked in 1977, with the era's hottest acts, such as Donna Summer, at their finest, along with rising stars putting their glittery stamp on the genre.
Read MoreFrom Chic's "Le Freak" to Donna Summer's "I Feel Love," these five disco classics have lost none of their ability to fill a dance floor.
Read MoreInvented in Japan in the 1970s, this ubiquitous machine has made singing for an audience a collective experience for all. Here's how it came to be.
Read MoreNot very many of the 1970s' biggest bands are still active, let alone with the same lineup they had in their heyday. Yet some original members are still alive.
Read MoreThanks to artists such as America and the Eagles, who blended country, rock 'n' roll, and American roots music, 1972 was a great year for Americana.
Read MoreA serendipitous listen to a demo of Cat Stevens' "Wild World" by a talented artist led to the song switching tracks to a new genre, and what a cover it was.
Read MoreCat Stevens had to bring in legendary prog-rock keyboardist Rick Wakeman of the band Yes to help him stretch the song into a viable single.
Read MoreIn 1970, 21 songs made the Billboard Hot 100, including four from the Jackson 5 and two from the Beatles. Here's a list of the the 10 best hits.
Read MoreThese songs from Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, and more have lost absolutely none of their appeal in the 50-plus years since their release.
Read MoreThe rock scene in the 1970s was hedonistic on its quiet days, but from snake auditions to intercepted coffins, it sometimes got unbelievably outlandish.
Read MoreWhile Glenn Frey and J.D. Souther were sharing a Los Angeles apartment, Jackson Browne was living one floor below and writing this future Eagles classic.
Read MoreWhether heard on the radio or seen on TV during their favorite shows, boomer kids would forever remember these famous '70s jingles for soda, snacks, and more.
Read MoreThese songs from Heart, Queen, Donna Summer, and more might have you wishing you'd made a more reasonable selection once the vocal acrobatics kick in.
Read MoreIn 1971, Cat Stevens broke through in a big way and climbed the charts with "Wild World," "Peace Train," "Moonshadow," and more.
Read MoreNeil Diamond and Barbra Streisand's chart-topping duet never would have happened without the efforts of an enterprising Kentucky DJ.
Read MoreIn the 1970s, people listened to a lot of records, so when new technology came along that enhanced their listening experience, every music lover leveled up.
Read MoreWhen it comes to songs, they don't have to be long to be popular, and in the 1970s, No. 1 hits from acts like Jim Croce, Melanie, and Hall & Oates proved it.
Read MoreJackson Browne wrote a nearly perfect song when he was 16 that many artists have covered, including '70s artists like Gregg Allman, Terry Melcher, and Cher.
Read MoreEmerging in the late 1960s, progressive rock quickly became a force to be reckoned with, and these are some of our favorites, from King Crimson to Pink Floyd.
Read MoreClassic songs such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and "Annie's Song" capture John Denver's sincere dedication to conservation and the best of human nature.
Read More1971 saw the release of David Bowie's "Changes," The Who's "Baba O'Riley," and other songs that perfectly captured high schoolers' coming-of-age experiences.
Read MoreKenny Rogers, the genre-spanning icon who became the king of soft rock, released a slew of these career-defining hits in his finest, most impactful year, 1978.
Read MoreThis beloved Cat Stevens ballad was never released as a single, but an unexpected cover gave it new life a quarter of a century later.
Read MoreCountry and rock have been bedfellows since the '50s, but these '70s artists, from Jerry Garcia to Neil Young, blended the genres to create pure magic.
Read MoreThanks to hits such as "Copacabana (At the Copa)" and "Can't Smile Without You," Barry Manilow was at the height of his soft-rock powers in 1978.
Read MoreThe acclaimed singer-songwriters were married when they recorded this famous version of Taylor's 1971 classic at their home In Martha's Vineyard.
Read MoreBlending country and rock with soulful harmonies, the Eagles racked up an enviable string of five No. 1 hits, spanning from 1975 to 1979.
Read MoreThere's plenty to like about classic rock from 1973, but that summer was truly legendary, with Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and others turning up the heat.
Read MoreSome say that time makes the heart grow fonder, and we think these 1980 love songs from icons such as Billy Joel deftly pluck our heartstrings in modern times.
Read MoreIn 1985, bands like Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, and A-ha all had huge hits. For kids in high school, those songs made that year the best of the decade.
Read MoreWhen you think of the Bee Gees, country crooner Kenny Rogers probably doesn't come to mind, but they wrote Roger's defining duet that went to No. 1 in 1983.
Read MoreIn 1984 songs like "Dancing in the Dark," "Jump," and "When Doves Cry," were big mid-year hits, making it one of the decade's best summers for music.
Read MoreThe '80s saw the rise of truly creative and expertly directed rock videos, and late boomers were treated to some of the most memorable MTV debuts ever seen.
Read MoreThe '80s acts on this list only made it into the Top 40 once, but we're still swooning over the unforgettable love songs that put them there.
Read MoreAustralian rockers INXS produced several top 10 hits, but their catalog includes plenty of stellar deep cuts that never got the attention they deserved.
Read MoreThe 1980s were big, bold, and loud, and so was this iconic and much-loved portable party, which we think deserves a modern revival in these insular times.
Read MoreWhitney Houston and George Michael were '80s heavy-hitters, but with nine timeless No. 1 hits, this artist ruled supreme over that decade's pop charts.
Read MoreBonnie Tyler may be best known for "Total Eclipse of the Heart," but we have a list of five other songs that we think are are some of her best.
Read MoreThere are more men in rock than women, so guys get most of the glory, but female guitarists like Jennifer Batten and Nancy Wilson are criminally underrated.
Read MoreBonnie Tyler was a force in the '80s, but her 1984 classic didn't chart high. However, it gained a remarkable second life in many films over the decades.
Read MoreAs the '80s dawned, late boomers had new wave joining their formative years, with acts like Devo and Blondie creating indelible memories that still persist.
Read MorePeter Gabriel left Genesis in 1975, and in 1986 one of his songs knocked Genesis's No. 1 hit off the Billboard chart. Here'a a look at the song that did it.
Read MoreIn 1990, Mariah Carey debuted "A Vision of Love," and Sinead O'Connor slayed with "Nothing Compares 2 U." Those songs and these others sound even sweeter now.
Read MoreIf you weren't there for the summer of 1994, you missed out, but you can still rock out to some of the best songs that came out of that summer season.
Read MoreIn a decade defined by musical invention, we think 1994 stands out as the best year for music that was popular on campuses across America.
Read MoreWomen in rock like Melissa Etheridge, PJ Harvey, and the Cranberries released authentic, personal music in 1993 that proved it was the best of the decade.
Read MoreBubbling up from the '80s, college rock got off the sofa and graduated in 1991, with iconic hits from bands such as R.E.M. and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Read MoreBob Dylan's song off of his 1997 album "Time Out of Mind" has been covered more than 450 times, including by artists like Garth Brooks and Adele.
Read MoreThe heyday of shoegaze was relatively short-lived, but music from acts such as My Bloody Valentine and Curve made 1991 the peak year of that fuzz-filled era.
Read MoreNeil Diamond was a pop-rock hitmaker from the '60s to the '80s, but in 1996, he took a risk and made "Tennessee Moon," a country album. The risk paid off.
Read MoreBob Dylan may be one of the best-known singer-songwriters of the 20th century, but he's never had a No. 1 song — though his son did.
Read MoreFrom SNL to Woodstock '99, the '90s were host to some truly questionable performances that were burned into the fabric of music history for the wrong reasons.
Read MoreRockers usually don't shy away from experimenting. By adding an electronic element, these musicians influenced the rock genre for decades to come.
Read MoreSo many songs from 1976 define rock history, but not every tune that year was filled with good vibes — some addressed one of life's most painful situations.
Read MoreWe all enjoy a good cover, but some of our most beloved rock hits, from legends such as George Harrison and Santana, have long masqueraded as originals.
Read MoreLooking back at the Monkees, one song immediately springs to mind: "I'm a Believer." Yet it was by no means the group's sole smash.
Read MoreTightly packed and efficient music, power pop in the '70s harkened back to the early days of rock 'n' roll with its simple instrumentation.
Read MoreIt took years, even decades, for some of the top rock albums of all time to sell 500,000 or 1 million copies and get accolades from the RIAA.
Read MoreThings like classic rock bands selling out the Sphere and Gen Z buying classic rock records are a few of the signs that prove the genre is here to stay.
Read MoreIf you love classic rock but want to hear some fresh songs, check out modern bands like the Lemon Twigs, the Sheepdogs, and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats.
Read MoreDavid Bowie had never even cracked the top 10 in the U.S. before he went all the way to No. 1 in September of 1975, with a song he co-wrote with an ex-Beatle.
Read MoreBob Dylan doesn't just woo listeners with deftly crafted poetic insights when singing — he also leaves his mark when speaking in interviews.
Read MoreIn 1987, British pop-punk icon Billy Idol scored his first (and only) U.S. chart-topper with an energetic cover of a 1960s party-rock classic.
Read MoreGuitar legends like Eddie Van Halen and Prince learned piano before picking up guitars, and these other guitar luminaries started out on other instruments too.
Read MoreCensorship is nothing new, but it doesn't always have the desired effect. These classic rock songs went to No. 1 despite being banned from radio.
Read MoreWe'd love to recapture the magic of hearing Dylan classics like "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Like a Rolling Stone" for the very first time.
Read MoreBig acts like Meat Loaf, Aerosmith, and these others had hits early in their careers, but never saw the No. 1 spot on Billboard until after they were 40.
Read MoreFolk rock broke out in the 1960s, and some songs slipped under the radar, taking years to become popular thanks to younger generations.
Read MoreAmong all of John Denver's music, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" became his signature tune that he'll be forever tied to — but he has other great tunes.
Read MoreGym-going baby boomers don't have to subject themselves to the kind of headache-inducing stuff that populates today's Billboard charts.
Read MoreThe Monkees scored four No. 1 albums in 1967, as well as one massive Billboard Hot 100 hit — but it was never supposed to happen.
Read MoreThe year 1955 was an important year for rock 'n' roll, and musicians who would become the most legendary names in the genre released groundbreaking work.
Read MoreDramatic ballads, bouncy finger-snappers, and even a little island groove — the love songs of 1993 gave the year a slate of tracks unrivaled in the decade.
Read MoreIt's kind of weird to think that a slip of perishable paper could go for thousands of dollars, but it's true — especially for some concert posters.
Read MoreMany of the boomer generation's most underrated guitarists are still out there, laying down licks to remind everyone that they still have it.
Read MoreBy the early 1980s, plenty of talented women had proven that they had what it took to play rock 'n' roll, and 1982, in particular, was a year for the ages.
Read MoreAmong the forgotten classic rock bands are some of the genre's most pioneering and influential, cast aside in favor of newer, hipper sensations.
Read MoreSometimes duets capture real love, or at least affection and infatuation, and they're an encapsulation of two musicians who are actually into each other.
Read MoreWe've all gotten song lyrics wrong from time to time, but these classic rock songs are the most commonly misheard.
Read MoreThe history of popular music shows us that in many cases, some of the world's biggest stars have had to deal with difficult early lives.
Read MoreIt's said that Bob Dylan wrote "Blowin' in the Wind" in just 10 minutes. When asked about whether that is true, his answer was classic Dylan.
Read MoreWhen the right song is chosen to soundtrack a TV show, it can really cut to a viewer's emotional core and bring the scene to the next level.
Read MoreThough romance was, of course, a category Rogers dabbled in plenty across his memorable catalog, no song reached the supreme heights of one particular song.
Read MoreWorking as a backup singer, helping other musicians realize their dreams and artistic visions, moved some singers into a new level of fame.
Read MoreThe history of rock 'n' roll is littered with tragedies like horrific accidents, murders, acts of self-harm, addiction, and much more.
Read MoreThe next time you hit an estate sale or a thrift shop, it might pay to look for one of these increasingly rare LPs from Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and more.
Read MoreLed Zeppelin released several singles, but they insisted that this generation-defining song from 1971 only be released as an album track on their fourth record.
Read MoreElvis Costello is an icon with an enormous fan base, but he's never had a No. 1 hit in the U.S. or U.K. -- not even with these five critically acclaimed songs.
Read MoreSimon & Garfunkel have a stacked catalogue of unforgettable tracks that prove they just about lapped every other pair in the '60s.
Read MoreA visual effects designer, a welder, and a Playboy Bunny were the jobs that rockers from Tool, Black Sabbath, and Blondie held before their careers took off.
Read MoreYou can probably guess that "Margaritaville" is on this list, but we've got some left-field choices from the likes of Bob Dylan that might surprise you.
Read MoreThere were relatively few women playing guitar during the '70s, and the few that did emerge were largely underrated and overshadowed by their male counterparts.
Read MoreClassic rock songwriters also serve as modern poets with a knack for capturing the perfect sentiments to share at the altar.
Read MoreThe year 1958 was a time when many rock 'n' roll pioneers were firing on all cylinders, releasing all-time classics that have aged like fine wine.
Read MoreDavid Allan Coe has a controversial legacy and plenty of country songs with lyrics that shred as hard as any in classic rock. Here's a look at five of them.
Read MoreSome of the best and most enduring love songs of the '60s came from musicians who never found the same success again.
Read MoreThese classic love songs from the Cure, Mazzy Star, INXS, Journey, and the Smiths may bring back the nostalgia of a first kiss for gen xers.
Read MoreEven though the best of boomer music earns them bragging rights over other generations, the worst of it is annoying, overplayed, overrated, and best forgotten.
Read MoreThe counterculture movement, a runaway Broadway hit, and rousing protest songs came together to make the last summer of the 1960s its best for classic rock.
Read MoreOver the course of rock history, certain individuals and their acts stand out as the most important ones that created and defined the genre.
Read MoreDig through Neil Young albums ranging from 1973 to 2012 and beyond, and you'll find decades of songs that will always beguile and blow fans' minds.
Read MoreClassic rock cover albums often became part of the overall experience — to the point that the designs of album covers themselves emerging an art form.
Read MoreMaybe it's true that you had to be there, but Generation Jones lived it, and that's why they truly get these underrated songs from Steely Dan and others.
Read MoreSome songs are so popular that you'd swear they had to be a No. 1 hit, but songs like "Dancing in the Dark" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" never topped Billboard.
Read MoreBob Dylan's music has been extensively covered, but one particular tune had dozens of artists, from Isaac Hayes to Neil Diamond, crafting their own versions.
Read MoreFrom humble roots, the gifted brothers of the Jackson 5 exploded into the 1970s pop scene, somehow dancing and grooving their way through a vicious industry.
Read MoreFrom prolific behind-the-scenes songwriting duos to a folk-rock legend, writing No. 1 hits proved more lucrative for these artists than performing them.
Read MoreWhether it's a virtuoso guitar instrumental or a duet with an ailing legend, the bond between these musician parents and children shone in their collaborations.
Read MoreFrom iconic '50s thoroughbreds to '80s technological marvels, these are the vintage guitars worth your time and money the next time you're bargain shopping.
Read MoreDespite earning them a fortune and cementing their legacy, these hit songs from iconic bands such as Led Zeppelin and Radiohead are despised by their creators.
Read MoreThe stress and strain of touring tax the voice, and some singers have even feared they'd never sing again as a result of their health problems.
Read MoreWhether through thievery, deceit, or sheer incompetence, these bungling managers left their musician clients broke and splintered instead of wealthier.
Read MoreThese legendary musicians have amassed fortunes over the decades, but while their kids are certainly comfortable, they'll also need to earn their own riches.
Read MoreJust as these bands crested the summit and started collecting Grammys, hit singles, and multi-platinum albums, they decided to quit while they were ahead.
Read MoreFor fame, cash, or both, these legendary bands were lured back into reuniting, but flopped due to old animosities, changing tastes, and the ravages of time.
Read MoreB-sides were often included as an afterthought, but some did better than the lead single, became foundational to rock history, and even began the genre itself.
Read MoreFrom Mick Jagger to Iggy Pop, these rockers decided long ago that retirement is for chumps. For them, tours and studio albums are preferable to quiet vacations.
Read MoreA couple of generations ago, celebrities had their lanes — which made it fresh and exciting to see a rock star taking on a movie role.
Read MoreRock bands have incorporated violins, cellos, flutes, horns, etc., for decades, but a full orchestral accompaniment while playing live? That's tough.
Read MoreHere's the hidden meaning behind these famous album covers. A great piece of album art can tie an album together or be completely meaningless.
Read MoreFor every dozen one-hit wonders who luck their way into the spotlight for a second, there's one who never should've been saddled with the label to begin with.
Read MoreNot all musical revolutions in the '60s took place in the studio; some began at home, and this is one staple of that decade we think modern listeners will love.
Read MoreThese folk rock songs from artists like the Byrds and Joni Mitchell were part of the catalyst that woke young boomers up to troubling social issues.
Read MoreWhen Green Day lost the master tapes for a completed LP, the band responded by reinventing itself and creating what many consider to be its best album ever.
Read MoreAn irresistible disco-era beat and catchy, memorable lyrics will get boomers gyrating at a party, and Earth, Wind & Fire has plenty of help from these artists.
Read MoreIn 1954, rock 'n' roll was in its infancy, but songs like "That's All Right," "Work With Me, Annie," and "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" sound even cooler today.
Read MoreLargely thanks to sampling and soundtracks, these initially unsuccessful disco tracks have found new life with younger listeners.
Read MoreAs influential as Bob Dylan's music has been since the '60s, his first No. 1 hit only came in 2020 with the 17-minute long "Murder Most Foul" when he was 78.
Read MoreShoegaze shuffled into the '90s with a fresh, innovative, and very distorted sound, and these songs may remind you of more recent and successful bands.
Read MoreSongs like "Groove Is In the Heart," "Blue Monday," and "Me, Myself & I" are essential to Gen X vacation playlists to set the mood. Check out our other picks.
Read MoreMany rock stars have offspring that followed in their footsteps to embrace the family business, and occasionally, it's happened with their grandchildren too.
Read More"Wild World" is arguably Cat Stevens most well-known song, but songs like "Father and Son" and "Moonshadow" may be among his other best songs.
Read MoreOrchestral covers of songs from rock bands like Metallica, AC/DC, and Radiohead seem to elevate the music to chillingly good heights. Here's a look.
Read MoreWith enough cultural relevance, a track can even be a hit indefinitely -- if not commercially, then at least in the hearts of new generations.
Read MoreAs kids, boomers grew up with their parents' music, so songs from Bobby Darrin, Nat King Cole, Patsy Cline, and these others still remind them of their folks.
Read MoreIf only we could unhear Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" or Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" so we could recapture the magic of that first listen...
Read MoreSome of new wave's best hits, including Blondie's "Heart of Glass," the Police's "Message in a Bottle," and Gary Numan's "Cars" came out of 1979.
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