Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s by 
RoundTheBend 
***Not Yet Complete***
I still need to fine tune this chart within the rated tiers, but I like some of the advice I got from Romanelli of establishing tiers (for me it was grouped scores) and to not put anything on my chart lower than 80, but stooped to 75 for me for now. Why rank something you don't absolutely love? Sometimes I felt it good to recognize an album that was above average and historically important, but maybe not my favorite... balancing that still.
I'm also maybe only a little more than half way complete with my "assessment" of the 1960s. I've listened to a little more than 200 albums. It is tough because I find gems ranked on this site in like the 500 range, but I don't want to spend too much time drudging through a bunch of stuff I don't like just to find em...
Also a little bummed that I deleted my last chart... lost some cool notes left by others, etc... so won't do that again.
- Chart updated: 03/30/2016 06:45
- (Created: 03/05/2016 20:56).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 4 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s has an average rating of 88 out of 100 (from 7 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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100/100
Every time I listen to this record, I mean really listen to it, I am mentally and emotionally bettered. It just fills my soul to the brim. Why, I don't know, but it does. It's sad, funny, happy, beautiful, loving, solemn. It just hits all the right spots. I've really gained a personal relationship with this record. It also just blows my mind this is the last stuff they recorded together (in seriousness... there's that old toot and a snort thing floating around and George would have Ringo come drum, etc., but not as a group). Let It Be was actually recorded before, but released after.
I know everyone says it, but I really do love the last bit of songs at the end of this album. Some of them, in of themselves, aren't much, but they are these sketches of different thoughts and feelings that I think because they execute the thought or feeling so well, are so good. As a musician I often write stuff that I think well I have this emotion and I can only really convey 1 minute of that feeling, what now... instead of forcing more... I wonder if learning from this and just cutting it off there is good enough. If the whole record was like this, I'm curious if it would be too jittery though. Anyway, I think the credit has gone to Paul for it (at least that's what I heard, either he chased the others out of the studio with his controlling stuff, or they just weren't there) and it's just genius how it worked out in my opinion.
Having said that, really solid performances by all of the band on the record. Come Together is some of John's best work ever, as well as Here Comes the Sun for George, and Octapus' Garden for Ringo.
This really is and deserves to be my favorite record of all time. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Every time I listen to this record, I mean really listen to it, I am mentally and emotionally bettered. It just fills my soul to the brim. Why, I don't know, but it does. It's sad, funny, happy, beautiful, loving, solemn. It just hits all the right spots. I've really gained a personal relationship with this record. It also just blows my mind this is the last stuff they recorded together (in seriousness... there's that old toot and a snort thing floating around and George would have Ringo come drum, etc., but not as a group). Let It Be was actually recorded before, but released after.
I know everyone says it, but I really do love the last bit of songs at the end of this album. Some of them, in of themselves, aren't much, but they are these sketches of different thoughts and feelings that I think because they execute the thought or feeling so well, are so good. As a musician I often write stuff that I think well I have this emotion and I can only really convey 1 minute of that feeling, what now... instead of forcing more... I wonder if learning from this and just cutting it off there is good enough. If the whole record was like this, I'm curious if it would be too jittery though. Anyway, I think the credit has gone to Paul for it (at least that's what I heard, either he chased the others out of the studio with his controlling stuff, or they just weren't there) and it's just genius how it worked out in my opinion.
Having said that, really solid performances by all of the band on the record. Come Together is some of John's best work ever, as well as Here Comes the Sun for George, and Octapus' Garden for Ringo.
This really is and deserves to be my favorite record of all time. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
65,403
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
466
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100/100
Minus when I'm 64 (which at times is a "cute" song and I still give it an 85), this album is flawless. It also marks when the Beatles went from a status of boy band, big well known band, to respectable artists. They are studied at university, whereas the Stones aren't, for example (USC School of Music as my real life example), and I really think it has to do with the level of greatness the album achieved. Plus the idea to stop touring and have your album go on tour for you was quite the fun idea and allowed for the Beatles to even further mature their music.
All that aside, one of my personal all time favorite albums. Something magical about each song. It always mentally and soulfully fulfills me. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Minus when I'm 64 (which at times is a "cute" song and I still give it an 85), this album is flawless. It also marks when the Beatles went from a status of boy band, big well known band, to respectable artists. They are studied at university, whereas the Stones aren't, for example (USC School of Music as my real life example), and I really think it has to do with the level of greatness the album achieved. Plus the idea to stop touring and have your album go on tour for you was quite the fun idea and allowed for the Beatles to even further mature their music.
All that aside, one of my personal all time favorite albums. Something magical about each song. It always mentally and soulfully fulfills me. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
50,804
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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100/100
This album totally deserves the 100 rating I'm giving it. I finish this album feeling like had this dream into a beautiful field of dreams and experiences. I feel mentally and soulfully bettered. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
This album totally deserves the 100 rating I'm giving it. I finish this album feeling like had this dream into a beautiful field of dreams and experiences. I feel mentally and soulfully bettered. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,603
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95/100
Jim Morrison's vocals are just memorizing. One moment he has this wilting beautiful voice and the next he's got this carnal/primal scream deep in his soul. I love the funky/soulfulness of Ray's Keys and the guitar and drums are great too. I remember seeing an interview about the kind of music they make and Jim said something like mixing the rock/blues with the jazz/orchestral artistic music, and they do a great job being "rockers" and "artists" at the same time. Their lyrical themes are just beautiful and truthful. Their live at the Hollywood Bowl live concert shows it too. Really good performance by Jim. The rest of the band plays really well, but they don't put on the show like he did.
It also just blows my mind that Ray could play both the Fender Rhodes electric bass key, and then play those intricate melodies on the organ... just amazing.
Now having said that, and while he did do that live, being a bassist I noticed when a real bass guitar was being used and when the Fender Rhodes was being used. Take for example the songs "When the Music's Over" (Fender Rhodes) vs "People Are Strange" (bass guitar). It's a small thing, but my ears were totally picking up a real bass on some of their records, so I google it, and find this interesting article:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/doors-bass-players/ [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Jim Morrison's vocals are just memorizing. One moment he has this wilting beautiful voice and the next he's got this carnal/primal scream deep in his soul. I love the funky/soulfulness of Ray's Keys and the guitar and drums are great too. I remember seeing an interview about the kind of music they make and Jim said something like mixing the rock/blues with the jazz/orchestral artistic music, and they do a great job being "rockers" and "artists" at the same time. Their lyrical themes are just beautiful and truthful. Their live at the Hollywood Bowl live concert shows it too. Really good performance by Jim. The rest of the band plays really well, but they don't put on the show like he did.
It also just blows my mind that Ray could play both the Fender Rhodes electric bass key, and then play those intricate melodies on the organ... just amazing.
Now having said that, and while he did do that live, being a bassist I noticed when a real bass guitar was being used and when the Fender Rhodes was being used. Take for example the songs "When the Music's Over" (Fender Rhodes) vs "People Are Strange" (bass guitar). It's a small thing, but my ears were totally picking up a real bass on some of their records, so I google it, and find this interesting article:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/doors-bass-players/ [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
29,080
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
Overall feeling this album leaves me in: There's no denying this man's guitar playing blows my mind. So much soul and emotion in his playing. It expands my mind/ears with his over the top emotional playing and warms my heart with his softer melodic playing.
His lyrics and voice are just so smooth. It's almost like a Sam Cooke soul, but with a blues edge and psychedelic smoothness.
The rhythm section is solid and totally backs him/completes and complements him well. And that's saying something.
I actually dig how this was recorded so that the guitar vibrated the snare drum (small dumb tidbit, but yeah, I like that). [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Overall feeling this album leaves me in: There's no denying this man's guitar playing blows my mind. So much soul and emotion in his playing. It expands my mind/ears with his over the top emotional playing and warms my heart with his softer melodic playing.
His lyrics and voice are just so smooth. It's almost like a Sam Cooke soul, but with a blues edge and psychedelic smoothness.
The rhythm section is solid and totally backs him/completes and complements him well. And that's saying something.
I actually dig how this was recorded so that the guitar vibrated the snare drum (small dumb tidbit, but yeah, I like that). [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
24,231
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
I love a lot of the musicianship on this album. All four are just great musicians/performers and have a solid voice of their own. Plant's vocals are so soulful, Jones' bass lines are ranging from melodic, to beefy toned riff rock, to funky bass walking. Page's guitar tone is still a staple in rock today, and Bonham's drumming isn't just always in your face... he knows his craft.
I think if this album was just a bunch of riff rock it wouldn't have the dynamics to be rated so highly for me. I think with Ramble On, Whole Lotta Love, What is..., and the Lemon Song's bass funk, this album has much more dynamic for me than just a riff rock/dad rock album for me. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
I love a lot of the musicianship on this album. All four are just great musicians/performers and have a solid voice of their own. Plant's vocals are so soulful, Jones' bass lines are ranging from melodic, to beefy toned riff rock, to funky bass walking. Page's guitar tone is still a staple in rock today, and Bonham's drumming isn't just always in your face... he knows his craft.
I think if this album was just a bunch of riff rock it wouldn't have the dynamics to be rated so highly for me. I think with Ramble On, Whole Lotta Love, What is..., and the Lemon Song's bass funk, this album has much more dynamic for me than just a riff rock/dad rock album for me. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,873
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
This is the broken man's anthem. I just want to sit out in the wild, cold, with a fire cracking in the background, eating something meager and have my heart filled with this album.
When I talk about Marxist themed, I'm simply talking about the literary theory that is called marxist literary criticism... not that Dylan was a commie. But he did speak often of the themes of class struggle...
It also has some of the best lyrics/songwriting I've ever heard. I love this version of Bob Dylan as I feel it showcases him as the great songwriter he is. I feel when his performance grows past just him, his voice, lyrics, harmonica, and a guitar... it looses something. This is Bob in his purist form (as an album... there's PLENTY of other amazing songs he's written), but as a whole, I find this to be his strongest album. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
This is the broken man's anthem. I just want to sit out in the wild, cold, with a fire cracking in the background, eating something meager and have my heart filled with this album.
When I talk about Marxist themed, I'm simply talking about the literary theory that is called marxist literary criticism... not that Dylan was a commie. But he did speak often of the themes of class struggle...
It also has some of the best lyrics/songwriting I've ever heard. I love this version of Bob Dylan as I feel it showcases him as the great songwriter he is. I feel when his performance grows past just him, his voice, lyrics, harmonica, and a guitar... it looses something. This is Bob in his purist form (as an album... there's PLENTY of other amazing songs he's written), but as a whole, I find this to be his strongest album. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1964
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,604
Rank in 1964:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
I think the last few songs really have some of the best vocals from the Beatles. Maybe not melody, but just belting out good vocals. This album is the marker really of them maturing way beyond where they were as musicians. That's one thing I REALLY respect - the ability of a musician to explore new ideas but not go so far out that they loose focus of good music. Beatles really nail that on the head and it really started on this record in my opinion. They had some things like the first feedback recorded, but nothing as groundbreaking sonically as this album. Not my favorite or even what I think is their best work, but a really good mix between a good pop group and true artists. Pivotal moment.
I'm realizing that probably why this record is great, but not my favorite of theirs is it doesn't have my favorite songs on them. Great songs, but not my personal favorites, which is kinds strange considering this is the first Beatles record I owned (my parents had Sgt. Peppers and Abbey Road already). But those latter two still are my favorites. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
I think the last few songs really have some of the best vocals from the Beatles. Maybe not melody, but just belting out good vocals. This album is the marker really of them maturing way beyond where they were as musicians. That's one thing I REALLY respect - the ability of a musician to explore new ideas but not go so far out that they loose focus of good music. Beatles really nail that on the head and it really started on this record in my opinion. They had some things like the first feedback recorded, but nothing as groundbreaking sonically as this album. Not my favorite or even what I think is their best work, but a really good mix between a good pop group and true artists. Pivotal moment.
I'm realizing that probably why this record is great, but not my favorite of theirs is it doesn't have my favorite songs on them. Great songs, but not my personal favorites, which is kinds strange considering this is the first Beatles record I owned (my parents had Sgt. Peppers and Abbey Road already). But those latter two still are my favorites. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
56,920
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
They continued the idea of having the album going on tour for you. I haven't seen the movie yet.
Anyway, I am not sure why this album is held in such low esteem. I feel this is better than pre-revolver era and pending on my mood is just as good as revolver because it has a quality that is as good as post-revolver (I see that album as the switch that went off that they really were becoming more or less artists). It's not just a guitar, bass, vocal, drum group no more and that's what I love.
Maybe it's because of songs like Flying/Blue Jay Way? I actually think those are great songs... not good pop songs, but definitely interesting/beautiful.
I'm curious how much of this was George Martin and how much of it was the 4 of them? I mean did they just write stuff on the acoustic guitar, put lyrics to it, and the genius of George Martin is all the rest? I honestly don't care... what matters is that I love it. It's high quality interesting music that fills my soul and tickles my brain. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
They continued the idea of having the album going on tour for you. I haven't seen the movie yet.
Anyway, I am not sure why this album is held in such low esteem. I feel this is better than pre-revolver era and pending on my mood is just as good as revolver because it has a quality that is as good as post-revolver (I see that album as the switch that went off that they really were becoming more or less artists). It's not just a guitar, bass, vocal, drum group no more and that's what I love.
Maybe it's because of songs like Flying/Blue Jay Way? I actually think those are great songs... not good pop songs, but definitely interesting/beautiful.
I'm curious how much of this was George Martin and how much of it was the 4 of them? I mean did they just write stuff on the acoustic guitar, put lyrics to it, and the genius of George Martin is all the rest? I honestly don't care... what matters is that I love it. It's high quality interesting music that fills my soul and tickles my brain. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
16,076
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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95
I love the motivating/legit good feeling this album gives me. Doesn't matter what mood I'm in, I can put this on and I'm happy and want to dance. It fills my soul and mind with positively funk street.
I can't but help dig this movement of positivity Plus Larry Graham is in my top 10 bassists of all time... inventor of slap bass, and just overall genius of the bass. I love the vocals and energy of this album. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
I love the motivating/legit good feeling this album gives me. Doesn't matter what mood I'm in, I can put this on and I'm happy and want to dance. It fills my soul and mind with positively funk street.
I can't but help dig this movement of positivity Plus Larry Graham is in my top 10 bassists of all time... inventor of slap bass, and just overall genius of the bass. I love the vocals and energy of this album. [First added to this chart: 03/05/2016]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,656
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
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Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1960 | 1 | 1% | |
| 1961 | 2 | 2% | |
| 1962 | 1 | 1% | |
| 1963 | 4 | 4% | |
| 1964 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1965 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1966 | 9 | 9% | |
| 1967 | 12 | 12% | |
| 1968 | 21 | 21% | |
| 1969 | 34 | 34% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| The Beatles | 11 | 11% | |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 4 | 4% | |
| The Doors | 4 | 4% | |
| Otis Redding | 3 | 3% | |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 3% | |
| Aretha Franklin | 3 | 3% | |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
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RoundTheBend (2020)Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s ratings
88/100 (from 7 votes)
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Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 7 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
100/100  | 12/08/2020 22:55 |  Rhyner | | 99/100 |
90/100 | 02/03/2019 09:22 |  Purplepash | | 88/100 |
90/100 | 12/15/2017 22:57 |  bobbyb5 | | 90/100 |
90/100 | 08/16/2017 08:31 | sdees33 | | 81/100 |
95/100 | 07/15/2016 01:08 | vancevisuals | | 85/100 |
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95/100
From vancevisuals 07/15/2016 01:13
recommend To Our Children's Children's Children
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From vancevisuals 07/15/2016 01:11
could use a little more Moody Blues
Can't complain really good chart
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90/100
From 
dihansse 04/14/2016 19:46
dihansse 04/14/2016 19:46
Good original chart Seth especially as I will not come across some of these because they are not in the top 20 of the years (cf my music diary
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Grzywa 03/30/2016 05:52
Grzywa 03/30/2016 05:52
I do envy the way you are able to to listen to 60s in such a structured way. This is full of great abums, to say the least. Overall impression - 90, +5 for 11 Beatles albums, -5 for not going outside Anglo-Saxon canon (yeah, I did notice Stockhausen at #100 for variety:)) Great job !
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| Best Artists of 1960 | |
|---|---|
| 1. John Coltrane | |
| 2. Miles Davis | |
| 3. Etta James | |
| 4. Charles Mingus | |
| 5. Elvis Presley | |
| 6. Joan Baez | |
| 7. Max Roach | |
| 8. The Everly Brothers | |
| 9. Muddy Waters | |
| 10. Wes Montgomery | |
| 11. Hank Mobley | |
| 12. Bill Evans | |
| 13. Bill Evans Trio | |
| 14. Ella Fitzgerald | |
| 15. Johnny Cash | |
| 16. John Lee Hooker | |
| 17. Eddie Cochran | |
| 18. Miriam Makeba | |
| 19. Bo Diddley | |
| 20. Olatunji |