25 killer singles that are 60 years old

JANUARY

“With God on Our Side” by Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan released his third and fourth albums in 1964. His first two had contained a mix of original songs and old folk and blues standards. Dylan had already dived in on political songs before releasing The Times They Are A-Changin’ early in ’64, but that third album went all in with stories and commentary not seen since Woody Guthrie. There were half a dozen incisive songs crammed into its 45 minutes.

None was as simple and devastating as “With God on Our Side.” Just a guitar, harmonica and lonely voice. “Through many dark hour, I been thinkin’ about this – That Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss – But I can’t think for you, you’ll have to decide – Whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side.”

FEBRUARY

“Devil With the Blue Dress” by Shorty Long

OK – I actually don’t know if Shorty Long’s original version of “Devil With the Blue Dress” came out in February. I can’t track the exact release date. I just know it was 1964, and since I don’t have another song released in February, I’m going to plug it in the hole. Mitch Ryder would score a major hit with it a few years later, and plenty of others have had fun with it.

But no one has ever topped Long’s original – a little slower, more languid, and funkier than Ryder's garage rock version, it also boasts a great guitar solo. There’s just something hypnotic about the way Long sings “Perfume smellin’ like Chanel Number Five – Got to be the finest girl alive” that lets you know this is the guy who wrote the song. He knows exactly what he’s singing about.

MARCH

“Not Fade Away” by the Rolling Stones

The Stones released this Buddy Holly cover in February in the UK, but the North American release came a month later. It was their first single released in the USA. Holly’s original recording was released as a B-side, and although its rhythm made it an instant favorite, it never technically charted.

The Stones added a tambourine and harmonica to emphasize that beat even more and cracked the top fifty in the States. The B-side on the American release had “I Wanna Be Your Man,” a Paul McCartney composition that the Beatles would also record. Holly and McCartney. The Stones only stole from – I mean, borrowed from – the very best.

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