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The Supremes - 'You Can’t Hurry Love' -

A classic Motown song by The Supremes, this 1966 hit is a pop perfection. It topped the US Billboard pop singles chart and made the UK top five when released.

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Dusty Springfield - 'Son of a Preacher Man' -

Aretha Franklin famously rejected this song, only deciding to record it when she heard Springfield’s version. It became Springfield's signature tune.

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Marvin Gaye - 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine' -

Originally released by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1967, Marvin Gaye's version came out a year later and went to the top of the Billboard pop singles chart for seven weeks. 

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The Jackson 5 - 'I Want You Back' -

The first single by The Jackson 5, it was released by Motown in 1969 and became the first no. 1 hit for the band. It was also performed on the band's first television appearances.

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Nancy Sinatra - 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'' -

With many covers having been released for decades, the 1965 original by Nancy Sinatra is still unforgettable. It reached no. 1 both in the US and the UK when it came out.

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The Mamas & the Papas - 'California Dreamin'' -

Released in 1965, the song became the ultimate signpost for California and the at-the-time counterculture movement. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

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James Brown & the Famous Flames - 'It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World' -

A soul classic, this powerful tune was written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome, and was released in 1966. It reached no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Aretha Franklin - 'Think' -

Aretha Franklin brought the funk with gospel flavor with this 1968 single. The song became her seventh top 10 hit in the US, having reached no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Louis Armstrong - 'What a Wonderful World' -

Released in 1967 as a single, it topped the charts in the UK, but performed poorly in the US, as the president of the record label disliked the song and refused to promote it.

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Led Zeppelin - 'Dazed and Confused' -

Written originally by American singer-songwriter Jake Holmes in 1967, Led Zeppelin gave the song a new version on their 1969 debut album. It became one of their biggest hits.

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Ike & Tina Turner - 'River Deep - Mountain High' -

The 1966 hit 'River Deep - Mountain High' is considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

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Ray Charles - 'Georgia on My Mind' -

First recorded in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael, this tune has been most often associated with soul singer Ray Charles. He recorded it for his 1960 album 'The Genius Hits the Road.'

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The Ronettes - 'Be My Baby' -

'Be My Baby' was the girl group's biggest hit, reaching no. 2 in the US and no. 4 in the UK. It's regarded as one of the greatest pop songs of all time.

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Simon & Garfunkel - 'The Sound of Silence' -

Released in 1965, 'The Sound of Silence' reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 1967 film 'The Graduate,' together with their famous song 'Mrs. Robinson.'

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The Beach Boys - 'God Only Knows' -

From their 1966 album 'Pet Sounds,' this song stood out at the time for it harmonic innovation and its subversion of typical pop music. It's often praised as one of the greatest songs ever written by the band.

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Elvis Presley - 'Suspicious Minds' -

Included in his album ''68 Comeback Special,' 'Suspicious Minds' was one of the singles that revived Presley's chart success, making it one of his most memorable tracks.

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Johnny Cash - 'Folsom Prison Blues (Live at Folsom Prison)' -

First recorded in 1955, Cash performed the song live to a crowd of inmates at Folsom State Prison in 1968 for his live album 'At Folsom Prison.' This live version reached none. 1 on the country music charts.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Fortunate Son' -

Released in 1969, the song quickly became an anti-war movement anthem and a symbol of the counterculture who opposed the US involvement in the Vietnam War.

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David Bowie - 'Space Oddity' -

David Bowie's first mega hit, the psychedelic folk song 'Space Oddity' was released in 1969 and remains to this day one of his most popular songs.

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Ben E. King - 'Stand By Me' -

Originally performed in 1961 by Ben E. King, this romantic song has had over 400 recorded versions by many artists, notably Otis Redding and John Lennon.

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The Rolling Stones - 'Gimme Shelter' -

Released as the opening track from the band's 1969 album 'Let it Bleed,' the song covers topics such as war, murder, sexual violence, and fear.

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Bob Dylan - 'Like a Rolling Stone' -

Described as revolutionary in its combination of musical elements and the cynical sound of Bob Dylan's voice, this song made the artist go from folk singer to the ultimate rock star.

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The Beatles - 'A Day in the Life' -

Part of their 1967 album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' this song remains one of the most celebrated songs to come out of the decade.

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Jimi Hendrix - 'Manic Depression' -

Written and recorded by Jimi Hendrix in 1967,  'Manic Depression' perfectly showcases Hendrix's unique guitar techniques and cyclical melody.

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Stevie Wonder - 'I Was Made to Love Her' -

Recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, this soul song peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart when it came out. It was also no.1 on the hot rhythm & blues singles chart.

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The Velvet Underground - 'I’m Waiting for the Man' -

Written by front man Lou Reed, this all-time classic rock song describes a man's efforts to obtain heroin in Harlem, New York.

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The Who - 'I Can’t Explain' -

Released in 1965, it was the band's second single release and first under the name The Who. The song has been covered by many artists, including David Bowie.

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Serge Gainsbourg e Charlotte -

This French-language song, written by Serge Gainsbourg, tells the story of the famous outlaw couple. It's based on a poem written by Bonnie Parker a few weeks before she and Clyde Barrow were shot.

Sources: (Pitchfork) (Rolling Stone)

See also: The biggest hit songs from the '70s

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