TOP 10 PSYCHEDELIC SONGS of 1966 | #022

This video highlights the top 10 psychedelic songs from 1966. These songs show a shift away from pop music formulas into a new progressive form that was influenced by psychedelics that had infiltrated the music industry. All but one of these songs charted high in the pop music charts.

Spotify Playlist of 30+ of the Best Psychedelic Songs From 1966:

Shop 60s PSYCH MUSIC:

[Bill_Woo]

This is a superb rock history channel and with a tasty subject like this, clearly the masses are overlooking the channel.
There's a sweet spot in terms of detail amplification separating the weaker commentators from the finer. You hit that well - not too into the weeds, but covering the important and "Wow, I didn't know that!" points. So this is an intelligent channel, but not pretentious, while still fascinating and easy enough for the casual listener. Subscribed.

[Gardosunron]

There's was nothing like Tommorow Never Knows in many ways informing the music assembled from samples today. It still sounds like outerspace music.

[joannevincent]

Wow! 1966 was my HS grad year and I remember all these songs fondly. I had no experience of drinking, drugs, or psychedelia until college began in the fall. Then, WHAM! The Electric Prunes, Stones, Yardbirds, Donovan, and Jimi pervaded the ether of my existence. Today I love every thought, recollection, and reminder of the music of that time.

[alanarakelian]

A third Yardbirds' hit -- "Over Under Sideways Down" -- could've made this list, too. Also, what about "You're Gonna Miss Me" by the Thirteenth Floor Elevators?

[rjwh]

Rock and roll started taking acid about a year before I did. Psychedelic music was entwined in my consciousness and I couldn’t get enough of it!

[rainblaze.]

Even today "tomorrow never knows" still sounds like the futer

[scottmeli]

Matt, so glad you included the Yardbirds “Shapes Of Things” and the Byrds “Eight Miles High” in your top 10. A year later (in ‘67) the Yardbirds (with Jimmy Page) would do “Little Games” which took psychedelic sounds one step further. Keep up the great work!

[greg]

Hi Matt: As a huge ‘60s music fan, here’s a list of my favourite psychedelic tracks from 1966 onward: Grim Reaper of Love by The Turtles, Matilda Mother by Pink Floyd, Lucifer Sam by Pink Floyd, Two Heads by Jefferson Airplane, 2, 000 Light Years from Home by The Rolling Stones, Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan, Pandora’s Heebie Jeebies by The Association, Djini Judy by The Wind In the Willows, I Happen to Love You by the Electric Prunes, Kyrie Elyson by The Electric Prunes, Epistle to Dippy by Donovan, Every Christian Lion-Hearted Man Will Show You by The Bee Gees, Words by The Monkees, Could It Be Let Me Know by The Cowsills, Rejoyce by Jefferson Airplane, Rain by The Beatles, She Said She Said by The Beatles, (obviously) White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane, and The End by The Doors.

[Mandrake]

So glad you included "Eight Miles High", my favorite single! Gene Clark wrote the bulk of the lyrics and the vocal melody, so The Croz should not have been spouting as to what the song was "about." "Funny" how back then his un-edited mouth only seemed to hurt the careers of others, namely the other Byrds.

[TheSilverBeagle]

Great list. I was waiting to see if you'd put Tomorrow Never Knows at #1 - was not dissapointed.

[RichBriere]

This Series is one of your best. The 60's was a Fabulous was born in 1951 when Reptiles and Dinosaurs roamed the Earth and Phones were nailed to your wall. I LOVED the Music of the 60's and the 1966 was a HUGE Year for me. :) ✌ 🍎

[pleiadian]

Met Keith Relf spring 1975 St Pete’s FLA. Quite the character. Being rather young I silently called him “little Napoleon”.

Decades later I heard that the Yardbirds actually called him the Governor. Which made sense and he was hilarious too.

[cak]

I am so glad I found this channel. I love the work you put into researching the backgrounds of both the songs and the bands. I thought of two songs (not sure of the years) that aren’t psychedelic but I wouldn’t know what genre to put them in. One is “Renaissance Fair” by the Byrds and the other is “Requiem For The Masses” by The Association. Both beautiful and melodic songs but tough to categorize.

[clpeters]

Cool list! I have every one of these records, although at the time I didn't know they were "psychedelic", I just liked the songs.

[Vegas]

Good list, no arguments from me. I would, though, add 7and7 is by Love as the all important #11.

[MarcoPolo-fyqr]

Tomorrow Never Knows is just tremendous. What a track.

[DonJHughes]

If I could add a few songs to this list.. here’s my psychedelic picks from 1966:

Count Five - Psychotic Reaction
Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
The Seeds - Pushin Too Hard

[jamesfetherston]

David Crosby has ALWAYS shot his mouth off.

[iamgod]

That's what we all need right now, a good dose of sixties and some up to date Psychedelic Music so we can all turn on, tune in and drop out!

[Maxx-sd]

Excellent channell indeed.
Re Eight Miles High. It was about an airplane ride over to England describing such things as London & weather !