Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 17 hours ago
- (Created: 12/04/2011 20:31).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 15 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 37 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 57,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Overall chart rank: #1. Produced by George Martin. The last album The Beatles recorded somehow turned out to be one of their very best. The bits and pieces McCartney envisioned as song suites somehow worked, and Lennon's singular songs are among his best work. George Harrison's songs show how much he'd progressed into a rival of the band's songwriting team. Abbey Road is a miracle of 1969 modern technology: it sounds as clean as anything coming out today. One of the most entertaining albums ever made.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
57,344
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Produced by George Martin. The growth of The Beatles as songwriters and recording artists between Help! and Rubber Soul was staggering. Rubber Soul is packed with great songs, many of them acoustic. This is the album that inspired Pet Sounds, and one of the albums that moved me far enough to first pick up a guitar and start writing my own songs. That Rubber Soul MIGHT be the greatest Beatles album speaks volumes about how great they really were. This album is beautiful, and it's scary good.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1965
Appears in:
Rank Score:
26,738
Rank in 1965:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
1967-REPRISE
Produced By CHAS CHANDLER
1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Hey Joe
4. Love or Confusion
5. May This Be Love
6. I Don’t Live Today
7. The Wind Cries Mary
8. Fire
9. Third Stone From The Sun
10. Foxey Lady
11. Are You Experienced?
The version of Are You Experienced that you are familiar with depends solely on which side of the Atlantic Ocean you reside on. Hendrix was a struggling session player when he was discovered by former Animals bassist Chas Chandler in 1966. He was flown to England, where Chandler put together the Experience and the band began recording. Are You Experienced was an immediate success in England, and after a slow start took off in the US as well, and it’s now considered one of the greatest albums of all time. And even though there are major differences in the US and UK versions, it’s a classic either way. The exclusive US tracks are “Purple Haze”, “Hey Joe” and “The Wind Cries Mary”, while the UK version boasts “Red House”, “Can You See Me” and “Remember”. The album covers are also very different, changed for the US version because Hendrix hated the UK cover. But regardless of which version you have (or prefer), there’s no denying that this is one great mother of an album.
Are You Experienced changed the way the electric guitar was played in rock forever. It also changed the way rockers played the blues forever, and ignited the styles of Led Zeppelin and everyone else who came along behind Hendrix. “Purple Haze”, “Manic Depression” and “Hey Joe” make up one of the strongest beginnings an album could have. Some of the songs here are not as well known, but there isn’t a weak track to be found, on either version. “I Don’t Live Today” has a wonderfully furious chorus, while “Third Stone From The Sun” melds Hendrix’ perfect soloing with the sharp psychedelic sounds of the late 60’s. Are You Experienced shows that Hendrix was not only a wizard on the guitar, but that he also had the songs to make it all work perfectly. Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell provide the expert rhythm: Hendrix provides everything else. This album is simply a classic, perfect record. Flawless and undeniably important in the history of rock guitar. [First added to this chart: 01/23/2012]
Produced By CHAS CHANDLER
1. Purple Haze
2. Manic Depression
3. Hey Joe
4. Love or Confusion
5. May This Be Love
6. I Don’t Live Today
7. The Wind Cries Mary
8. Fire
9. Third Stone From The Sun
10. Foxey Lady
11. Are You Experienced?
The version of Are You Experienced that you are familiar with depends solely on which side of the Atlantic Ocean you reside on. Hendrix was a struggling session player when he was discovered by former Animals bassist Chas Chandler in 1966. He was flown to England, where Chandler put together the Experience and the band began recording. Are You Experienced was an immediate success in England, and after a slow start took off in the US as well, and it’s now considered one of the greatest albums of all time. And even though there are major differences in the US and UK versions, it’s a classic either way. The exclusive US tracks are “Purple Haze”, “Hey Joe” and “The Wind Cries Mary”, while the UK version boasts “Red House”, “Can You See Me” and “Remember”. The album covers are also very different, changed for the US version because Hendrix hated the UK cover. But regardless of which version you have (or prefer), there’s no denying that this is one great mother of an album.
Are You Experienced changed the way the electric guitar was played in rock forever. It also changed the way rockers played the blues forever, and ignited the styles of Led Zeppelin and everyone else who came along behind Hendrix. “Purple Haze”, “Manic Depression” and “Hey Joe” make up one of the strongest beginnings an album could have. Some of the songs here are not as well known, but there isn’t a weak track to be found, on either version. “I Don’t Live Today” has a wonderfully furious chorus, while “Third Stone From The Sun” melds Hendrix’ perfect soloing with the sharp psychedelic sounds of the late 60’s. Are You Experienced shows that Hendrix was not only a wizard on the guitar, but that he also had the songs to make it all work perfectly. Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell provide the expert rhythm: Hendrix provides everything else. This album is simply a classic, perfect record. Flawless and undeniably important in the history of rock guitar. [First added to this chart: 01/23/2012]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
21,603
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Produced by George Martin. This was my first real exposure to The Beatles...what a ride!This album is like nothing else before it. You can feel the tension in it, and you can hear, more than on any of their other works, how different they were as individuals. This always seems a bit sad to me, but it's also a band stretching out in directions that no one had dared to ever record before. A great set of songs, and a highly emotional album. This made me love The Beatles. I don't regret it for a minute.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
37,300
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
[First added to this chart: 12/06/2011]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
13,793
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2013]
Year of Release:
1966
Appears in:
Rank Score:
925
Rank in 1966:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
1967-EXPERIENCE HENDRIX
Produced By CHAS CHANDLER
1. EXP
2. Up From The Skies
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Wait Until Tomorrow
5. Ain't No Telling
6. Little Wing
7. If 6 Was 9
8. You Got Me Floatin'
9. Castles Made Of Sand
10. She's So Fine
11. One Rainy Wish
12. Little Miss Lover
13. Bold As Love
The Jimi Hendrix Experience had the greatest 3 album career in history. Axis: Bold As Love is the 2nd album, and shows simply why Hendrix was and still is considered one of rock's greatest artists. The album contains the absolute classic "Spanish Castle Magic", "Little Wing". "Castles Made Of Sand", "If 6 Was 9", and, hell, almost everything else. Not even the record's two blemishes, "EXP" (a borderline stupid radio interview with an alien), and "She's So Fine", which was written and sung by bassist Noel Redding, can reduce how great Hendrix and this album were. And are.
The first three albums are really a stunning collection in their own right. Get them all, and know that you have 3 of the greatest rock albums ever made. Ever. [First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Produced By CHAS CHANDLER
1. EXP
2. Up From The Skies
3. Spanish Castle Magic
4. Wait Until Tomorrow
5. Ain't No Telling
6. Little Wing
7. If 6 Was 9
8. You Got Me Floatin'
9. Castles Made Of Sand
10. She's So Fine
11. One Rainy Wish
12. Little Miss Lover
13. Bold As Love
The Jimi Hendrix Experience had the greatest 3 album career in history. Axis: Bold As Love is the 2nd album, and shows simply why Hendrix was and still is considered one of rock's greatest artists. The album contains the absolute classic "Spanish Castle Magic", "Little Wing". "Castles Made Of Sand", "If 6 Was 9", and, hell, almost everything else. Not even the record's two blemishes, "EXP" (a borderline stupid radio interview with an alien), and "She's So Fine", which was written and sung by bassist Noel Redding, can reduce how great Hendrix and this album were. And are.
The first three albums are really a stunning collection in their own right. Get them all, and know that you have 3 of the greatest rock albums ever made. Ever. [First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1967
Appears in:
Rank Score:
7,541
Rank in 1967:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Produced by John Simon. Armed with a career full of playing backup band for the likes of Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan, The Band recorded their debut armed with great originals and Dylan covers. The result is an album that was like no other. "I Shall Be Released" is one of the greatest recordings of the 20th century, and tracks like "Chest Fever", "The Weight" and "Tears Of Rage" make it one of the best debut albums of all time. A penomenal album by one of the greatest bands ever assembled.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1968
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,783
Rank in 1968:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
1961-CHESS
Produced By PHIL & LEONARD CHESS
1. Anything To Say You're Mine
2. My Dearest Darling
3. Trust In Me
4. A Sunday Kind Of Love
5. Tough Mary
6. I Just Want To Make Love To You
7. At Last
8. All I Could Do Is Cry
9. Stormy Weather
10. Girl Of My Dreams (Rendered aAs Boy Of My Dreams)
Bonus Tracks
11. My Heart Cries
12. Spoonful
13. It's A Crying Shame
14. If I Can't Have You
Aretha Franklin's only real competition in the 60's was Etta James. At Last, her debut album, was actually a comeback for her. She'd had a number one hit in 1955, and then nothing until this came out in 1961. The title track is a song that she will own forever...no one will ever outdo what she did with it, and it's a song that will live forever. But this isn't a one song wonder. "Stormy Weather" is just as great, and there are many other stunning tracks. And it's not just blues ballads...check out her gritty performance on "I Just Want To Make Love To You", which sounds like it may be the version the Rolling Stones decided to cover. Etta James gets lost in the shuffle sometimes, but she should not be forgotten. And At Last deserves to be heard.
The bonus tracks are all duets with Harvey Fuqua, and are all worthwhile, particularly Willie Dixon's "Spoonful". [First added to this chart: 12/11/2011]
Produced By PHIL & LEONARD CHESS
1. Anything To Say You're Mine
2. My Dearest Darling
3. Trust In Me
4. A Sunday Kind Of Love
5. Tough Mary
6. I Just Want To Make Love To You
7. At Last
8. All I Could Do Is Cry
9. Stormy Weather
10. Girl Of My Dreams (Rendered aAs Boy Of My Dreams)
Bonus Tracks
11. My Heart Cries
12. Spoonful
13. It's A Crying Shame
14. If I Can't Have You
Aretha Franklin's only real competition in the 60's was Etta James. At Last, her debut album, was actually a comeback for her. She'd had a number one hit in 1955, and then nothing until this came out in 1961. The title track is a song that she will own forever...no one will ever outdo what she did with it, and it's a song that will live forever. But this isn't a one song wonder. "Stormy Weather" is just as great, and there are many other stunning tracks. And it's not just blues ballads...check out her gritty performance on "I Just Want To Make Love To You", which sounds like it may be the version the Rolling Stones decided to cover. Etta James gets lost in the shuffle sometimes, but she should not be forgotten. And At Last deserves to be heard.
The bonus tracks are all duets with Harvey Fuqua, and are all worthwhile, particularly Willie Dixon's "Spoonful". [First added to this chart: 12/11/2011]
Year of Release:
1960
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,146
Rank in 1960:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Produced by John Simon. The second album from The Band is a thing of beauty. The songwriting would begin to fall off shortly after this, but for two albums (this and Music From Big Pink), The Band could do no wrong. People talk about music being timeless...well, I think it really applies to this album. All of the talent in the world at each instrument, plus incredible writing, makes this one of the greatest of all time. Could have come from any era, which is really what makes it so special.
[First added to this chart: 12/04/2011]
Year of Release:
1969
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,455
Rank in 1969:
Rank in 1960s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 100. Page 1 of 10
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1 | 1% | |
| 1961 | 1 | 1% | |
| 1962 | 2 | 2% | |
| 1963 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1964 | 6 | 6% | |
| 1965 | 11 | 11% | |
| 1966 | 10 | 10% | |
| 1967 | 18 | 18% | |
| 1968 | 16 | 16% | |
| 1969 | 28 | 28% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Beatles | 12 | 12% | |
| Bob Dylan | 7 | 7% | |
| The Byrds | 4 | 4% | |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 4% | |
| The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 3 | 3% | |
| The Kinks | 3 | 3% | |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 3 | 3% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s chart changes
There have been no changes to this chart.Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s similar charts
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 98 Music Albums of the 1960s | myanilee | 1960s decade chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | toast223 | 1960s decade chart | 2021 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | jon5417 | 1960s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s |  eclab | 1960s decade chart | 2024 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s |  infinitejester | 1960s decade chart | 2020 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | TheNowhereGuy | 1960s decade chart | 2020 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | Madrocker | 1960s decade chart | 2019 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | bruno74200 | 1960s decade chart | 2011 |  |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s | MaxStorm98 | 1960s decade chart | 2017 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s |  JR | 1960s decade chart | 2025 |  |
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
- Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.
- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Other decade charts by Romanelli
| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 7 Music Albums of the 2020s | Romanelli | 2020s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2010s | Romanelli | 2010s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 2000s | Romanelli | 2000s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1990s | Romanelli | 1990s decade chart | 2025 | |
| Top 100 Music Albums of the 1980s | Romanelli | 1980s decade chart | 2025 | |
Romanelli has created 4 other 1960s decade charts - click here to explore them all.
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s ratings
Average Rating = (n ÷ (n + m)) × av + (m ÷ (n + m)) × AVwhere:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 37 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 01/31/2025 14:14 |  SomethingSpecial | 1,104 | 85/100 |
| ! | 08/08/2024 20:52 |  pedro1976 | 107 | 85/100 |
| ! | 07/22/2024 19:21 | Rivera | 49 | 98/100 |
| ! | 09/15/2023 11:08 |  Larcx13 | 1,145 | 86/100 |
| ! | 03/06/2023 07:29 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 2% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 90.2/100, a mean average of 89.2/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 91.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 15.6.
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s favourites
Showing all 3 members who have added this chart as a favourite
Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 15 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Positive Sentiment First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From 
Tamthebam 07/22/2024 08:41 | #304475
Tamthebam 07/22/2024 08:41 | #304475
Well what can I say 48 albums in common ! You have good taste ! the order we rank them is slightly different so overall 95/100 but a really good chart obviously its one of my favourites.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Rm12398 09/15/2023 22:37 | #299128
47 in common! Great list!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Moondance 03/06/2023 07:29 | #294753
Yep, nailed it.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Goliath 04/16/2022 17:39 | #284304
Goliath 04/16/2022 17:39 | #284304
26 in common (and there's only 36 in my 60's chart).
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Juneof44 04/13/2022 07:41 | #284140
Really appreaciate the comments below the albums and the producer.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From leniad 10/26/2020 01:57 | #259787
good choices
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From Johnnyo 10/25/2017 11:35 | #200055
Great chart. I love the time that has gone into this with notes against albums. I've tried to do this myself but run out of patience. Respect.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
NowhereMan 07/25/2014 21:04 | #117790
NowhereMan 07/25/2014 21:04 | #117790
Hard day's night in top 10. Brilliant.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
Antonio-Pedro 10/29/2013 17:25 | #89713
Antonio-Pedro 10/29/2013 17:25 | #89713
Nice chart. I Agree with some Albuns. But i don't Guess ThatvThe White Album Is The Best Of The 60s. Yes He is one of the best abums of the beatles but not to be the best
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
From 
tgarritsen 10/10/2013 23:13 | #88123
tgarritsen 10/10/2013 23:13 | #88123
Great Album. But I don't think the White Album is the best Beatles album
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Your feedback for Top 100 Music Albums of the 1960s
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
| Member Levels | |
|---|---|
| SammyC33 | Level 4 |
| Spartakist | Level 4 |
| mutant | Level 3 |
| MonoFractal420 | Level 2 |
| NiceLemon282 | Level 2 |
| New levels achieved over the last 7 days. Well done to all :) | |
